WATCH: Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business – ‘Woman Is A Word’

Originally from Canada and now based in East London, Jenny Moore has played in bands such as Charismatic Megafauna and Bas Jan, and has now shared a brand new single from her six-piece choral punk ensemble Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business. Featuring members of Trash Kit, F*Choir and Bamboo, the ensemble have received acclaim from the likes of Steve LaMacq on BBC 6Music for last year’s stirring ‘I Am Afraid’ and have now announced the release of a debut EP, set for release this Summer.

A cover of Empress Of’s ‘Woman Is A Word’, this latest offering highlights the power of voices coming together in unity. Oozing a sweeping, celestial splendour, the many vocals flow together in harmony creating a captivating soundscape, propelled by an upbeat, jazz-infused musicality. Adding their own unique euphoric energy to the poignant sentiment and soulful passion of the original, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business have created an emotive and empowering rendition.

Of her inspiration to cover ‘Woman Is A Word’, Jenny explains:

“I’m always hunting for mantras, earworms and hooks that I can drench my vocal chords in, making sure there are powerful phrases locked in my muscle memory… When I’m up against power dynamics that try to reinforce boring tropes of gender or undermine my own self-knowledge, I need a groove to settle into that reminds me ‘I’m only an image of what you see.’ Empress Of’s song offered me that groove and I felt compelled to rearrange her song as a way of meditating. Covering this song felt like an act of building resilience for those moments when I feel like I just don’t know how to fight anymore… I often think about how vast our experiences of both gender and desire could be if we acted like all humans deserve dignity, freedom to self-determine, and to be the boss of their own bodies! This tune acts as a kind of escape from the dominant narratives that try to control everyone for the sake of the status quo…”

‘Woman Is A Word’ is accompanied by a beautifully hand-crafted video highlighting the subtle power of the voices of the track, featuring footage of all of Mystic Business in the their separate respective homes, coming together through the power of song. Watch now:

‘Woman Is A Word‘ is out now via Lost Map, available to download from bandcamp.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: HAVVK – ‘Home’

Having been big fans of Dublin-based HAVVK since they headlined our first gig at The Finsbury back in 2016, we have been continually impressed and consistently charmed by all they’ve created since. Now, having received support from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Lauren Laverne and John Kennedy on Radio X, and following 2019’s debut full length album Cause & Effect, the trio have announced a brand new album set for release in July this year.

The first single to be shared from the album comes in the form of ‘Home’ – a stirring reflection on appreciating those closest to you. Propelled by a shimmering ethereal fuzz, the track showcases the soaring celestial majesty of front woman Julie’s vocals, as they float with an impassioned splendour over scuzzy hooks and a gritty, driving energy. Fusing together tinges of ’90s grunge-fuelled angst with twinkling shoegaze sensibilities and the band’s own unique poignant grace, it’s a truly captivating soundscape.

Of the track, Julie explains:

“‘Home’ is about the freedom of youth and being oblivious to the protections you have around you. It’s about appreciating the people who have always been there for you even when you were at your worst – even if you weren’t grateful for it – and who’ve helped you get back up again every time. I feel really connected to this song right now. Over the past year, we’ve all had our social structures pulled out from underneath us and we’re missing the basic nourishment of human connection. I do miss the obliviousness of normal life (and dancing, and gigs, and hugs!), but I hope I’ll go back to the world a bit more grateful – far less transactional – and really value the humans around me.”

Produced by Rocky O’Reilly, ‘Home’ proves once again that HAVVK are a band on the rise; one who are consistently honing and developing their sound, continuing to impress and enchant the ears, not content to stick within the confines of any one sonic genre.

 

‘Home’ is out now, taken from HAVVK’s upcoming second album Levelling, produced by Rocky O’Reilly and set for release in July this year.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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WATCH: Separatr – ‘Appetite’

Having put out a song every two months throughout 2020, Seattle-based duo Stephanie Melvin and Joe Douglas – aka Separatr – ended last year with the release of their latest single ‘Appetite’.

Reflecting on that all-too-common period in which a crush can become self-destructive, ‘Appetite’ is a compelling, genre-defying cacophony. Fusing together gritty alt-pop and a driving grunge-fuelled melancholy, along with shades of a frenetic drum ‘n’ bass inspired energy and everything in-between, it’s propelled by propulsive beats and swirling hooks; building with an increasing tension to a frenzied climax. A truly captivating soundscape that’ll seduce the ears with its eerie majesty.

‘Appetite’ is accompanied by an innovatively created video, the honey sweet hues of which match the luscious allure of Melvin’s vocals perfectly. Watch here:

‘Appetite’ is out now via Big Hare Records, taken from Separatr’s upcoming new album, set for release this Summer. You can also listen to the band’s weekly podcast here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: BAXTR – ‘Grace On Fire’

Following last year’s ‘Bloom’ and ‘Feathers’, London trio Floss, Bash and Keiko – aka BAXTR – have now returned to uplift our ears with their latest buoyant single.

Reflecting on the feelings of helplessness that come with seeing someone you love suffer, ‘Grace On Fire’ is a sweeping slice of alt-pop. Propelled by an uplifting energy, it oozes nostalgic tinges harking back to the anthemic indie classics of the early noughties, whilst maintaining its own unique shimmering power. As Floss’ honey-sweet vocals flow with a celestial majesty throughout, the track builds with explosive, soaring riffs and a swirling heartfelt emotion to create something truly stirring, leaving you longing for more of BAXTR’s infectious energy. Of the track, singer Floss expands:

“This song is semi-autobiographical. I have been both ‘Grace’, and the person watching ‘Grace’ suffer. I know what it’s like to look on and helplessly whilst someone goes through a painful transition. In my limited experience it seems that watching someone suffer, for whatever reason, can be full of so many different emotions. I’ve come to realise that the only thing that is true in every case, every time, is that it’s not your job to save someone else. Nobody wants to witness the fall of a great monument and symbol of hope and faith (ie: someone you believe in). We mostly all want to believe we can prevent that from happening to someone we love, but sometimes we can’t.
These days, I try not to overlook those simple yet precious 3 words that did so much to help douse my own flames… ‘are you ok?’”

‘Grace On Fire’ is accompanied by a twinkling new video, filled with bubblegum pastel-hues, perfectly conveying the effervescent emotion of the track. Watch it now:

‘Grace On Fire‘ is out now, and was produced by Tristan Ivemy (Frank Turner, Lottery Winners).

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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