Five Favourites: Nervous Twitch

Having previously wowed us with their uptempo colourful energy live at The Finsbury, and following the joyous, uplifting punk-pop of last year’s ‘Tongue Tied’, Leeds trio Nervous Twitch have just released their eponymous fourth album, out now via Reckless Yes.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them or influences their writing. So, we caught up with Erin from Nervous Twitch to discuss the five songs that have made the biggest mark on her. Check out her choices below, and watch the video for latest single ‘Alright Lads’ at the end of this article.

The Vaselines – ‘Monsterpussy’
The Vaselines do the finest scuzzy pop songs. I had ‘The Way of the Vaselines’ on repeat for a large proportion of the writing for our latest album, so I think that it’s woven into the sound of the album.

Josie Cotton – ‘He Could Be the One’
I feel like I was really late to discover Josie Cotton, considering how much of an obsessive I’ve become, but hey, it’s always good discovering a new to you band with a full back catalogue of hits! She’s got bags of style, the best kind of high-end pop voice (I really wish I had!), and writes some fantastic hits. The stabbing electronic organ intro to this song is great and it has an ace running bass line (I really should learn that!). I love power-pop, and how it lies somewhere in-between bubble-gum pop, rock and roll, punk and new wave; all the best genres in one!

Helen Love – ‘2000MPHGIRL’
I think in this day and age it’s really difficult to be completely original, but that’s something Helen Love surpasses. Her songs do have a sound that echoes the time of their release, but they always sound fresh every time I give them a spin. On paper the mix of styles sound like they shouldn’t go well together, but every track has a great balance of uniqueness whilst remaining a completely excellent pop song. I really could have picked any Helen Love song – they’re all so infectious!

Supercharger – ‘It’s Alright’
1990s garage punk is one of my favourite genres of music. Energetic raw and ready sound with a good dose of rock and roll. Karen’s primitive drumming style with the in-the-red guitars gives Supercharger a great sound. The perfect antidote to the autotuned world we live in today.

Southern Culture on the Skids – ‘Just How Lonely’
This is such a beautiful song. I learnt it over the summer, mainly because the guitar chords were easy to play (ha ha!), but it’s got so much heart and Mary really has a great voice for it. Musically, I think I’m more influenced by how they (Southern Culture on the Skids) craft their songs over the style of music they make, but I always admire how well they manage to present an overflowing mixed bag of influences from punk to bluegrass, and everything is done with such style, ease, and finesse. I was lucky enough to catch them live in Spain a few years back and they were hands down one of the best bands I’ve ever seen.

Thanks so much to Erin from Nervous Twitch for sharing her Five Favourites with us! Watch the new video for latest single ‘Alright Lads’ here:

Nervous Twitch, the new album, is out now on Reckless Yes. Order on vinyl, CD or digital via bandcamp now.

Photo Credit: Roz Doherty

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PREMIERE: The Other Ones – ‘Forever Young’

Following the blistering energy of their recent eponymously named single, London-based The Other Ones have returned to blast into our ears with a brand new offering.

Propelled by jangling guitars and front-woman Steph’s swooning, gritty vocals, ‘Forever Young’ reflects on that sense of yearning we all have, now more than ever, for younger, care-free days. With a swirling, euphoric energy and racing beats, it oozes a sunny sense of nostalgia as honey-sweet harmonies and scuzz-filled riffs create an irresistibly catchy slice of shimmering punk-pop. Of the track, the band explain:

“‘Forever Young’ is a song about yearning – about wanting to run away from a humdrum existence, going for a drive with your best friend, throwing caution to the wind, and living for yourself. It’s hard to capture that feeling of limitless wonder from childhood, but when you have the right person with you, anything feels possible.“

 

‘Forever Young’ is out on 5th February, and The Other Ones’ debut album is set for release on 26th February via Reckless Yes. To keep up to date with all the fantastic releases from the Reckless Yes label, why not become a member – more info here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles 

Photo Credit: Keira-Anee Photography

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Track Of The Day: GracieSouz – ‘Brian Cox’

Having charmed our ears with her sweeping vocals as front woman of GIHE faves KIN, GracieSouz has now shared her first solo single. Slightly darker in sound than what we’ve come to know from her band, it’s the first taste of what we can expect from her upcoming debut EP, set for release in Spring.

A sweeping, ethereal soundscape, ‘Brian Cox’ pays ode to the famed scientist with Gracie’s soaring, crystalline vocals and a cinematic splendour. Reflecting on the anxieties and isolation of lockdown, it oozes a bewitching, majestic grace, building with an anthemic subtle power to create a shimmering slice of brooding electro-pop.

‘Brian Cox’ is accompanied by a sparkling homemade video, exuding a relatable vulnerability and featuring illustrations from Ella De Souza. Watch here:

Produced by Alexander Comana, ‘Brian Cox’ is out now. Listen on Spotify. Better In Space, the upcoming EP, is set for release in Spring.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LISTEN: Misled Convoy & Kat Five – ‘Apply The Pressure’

Following the hypnotic power of last year’s ‘Butterfly Wings’, Feral Five’s Kat Five has now teamed up with Michael Hodgson, aka Misled Convoy, to create a blistering new single.

Inspired by the echoes of a conversation found on a Soviet-era spying device bought at a boot sale in East London, ‘Apply The Pressure’ offers a futuristic sonic gem. As a whirring tension builds, glitchy hooks and immense tribal beats propel the track as Kat’s eerie spoken word vocals add to the sweeping, cinematic soundscape. With an innovative musicality, infused with shades of funk and jazz,  it’s a gritty slice of striking trip-hop; taking you back to the dance-floors of the ’90s whilst maintaining a unique, fresh edge and stirring poignancy. A glistening sense of hope at a time when we need it the most, reminding us that “Out of the darkness, the new light comes…”

 

‘Apply The Pressure’ is out now via Dubmission Records. Listen on Spotify or bandcamp now. Buy/Stream here.

Artwork by:  kennardphillipps

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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