Guest Blog: Potpourri (‘Love Letters’ to Sisters Uncut)

In the wake of events such as the murders of Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, and the recent passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, organisations such as Sisters Uncut have been doing vital work in uniting people to fight injustice, providing a strong voice to highlight diminishing funds and government representation that leave people vulnerable, protecting those in need.

Sheffield band Potpourri have recognised the immense of importance of Sisters Uncut, and so wanted to show their gratitude and love for the organisation by putting together ‘Love Letters’: a compilation of beautiful tunes by DIY artists who feel strongly about the cause. Including favourites such as PINS, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business, Y.A.Y MARIA and The Crystal Furs, amongst many others, it’s a heartfelt ode to not only draw attention to Sisters Uncut’s vital work, but to raise funds for them at a time when they need it the most.

We spoke to Lauren from Potpourri about the decision to release Love Letters… Have a read and buy on bandcamp now!

Sisters Uncut is an incredible British feminist direct action group that has catalysed a current of empowerment, creating accessibility for people to come together, find the confidence to open dialogue, and express their right to be free and equal citizens. The Kill The Bill coalition established consciousness of the danger against Roma, Traveller, and Gypsy communities, and unveiled the increase of tools of state violence against communities that already bear the brunt of a racist, sexist criminal justice system.

It felt important to send love and gratitude to the people working tirelessly to end violence against women and non-binary people. Their graft couldn’t go unnoticed and we felt that if there was a way we could use our art to stand in solidarity, we would.

The lockdown meant that a fundraiser gig couldn’t take place, but we could still contribute and act in a different way to fight the rollback of human rights. I wanted our first Love Letter compilation to reflect the Sisters Uncut feministo, reaching out to female and gender-variant artists who themselves are creating gorgeous music with a DIY ethos and building their own pockets of togetherness. It was a blessing to connect with fellow bands, especially when bands haven’t been crossing paths for the last year, and together support a movement we feel so dearly about. Everyone who contributed to the cassette condemns the awful systemic violence that Sisters Uncut work so hard to draw attention to and fight against.

Massive thanks to Lauren for talking to us about this vital and beautiful compilation. Buy Love Letters on bandcamp now, and find out more about Sisters Uncut here. And below see the accompanying ‘love letter’ from all the bands involved to Sisters Uncut.

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Introducing Interview: O Hell

After years spent touring and recording music in alternative bands around the UK, Lucy Sheehan is venturing into fresh sonic territory under their new moniker O Hell. Influenced by a love of eclectic, brooding soundscapes and aspirations for pure self-autonomy, their debut single ‘Down’ is an “exercise in refusing compromise” brimming with Sheehan’s distinctive vocals and jagged electronics.

We caught up with O Hell to talk about what inspired their new sound, the context behind the accompanying video for ‘Down’ and the music that initially inspired the project…

Hello Lucy! We’re big fans of your new single ‘Down’. You said you were inspired by the sounds of early 00s albums by Mark Lanegan, PJ Harvey & Radiohead when you started your new project O Hell. What is it about these artists that helped you to shape your sound?

I’d been thinking of doing an electronic project for a few years, because the idea of stripping writing back to a beat and a melody really appealed – that’s mostly what I care about in a song anyway – but I couldn’t really see my way into it sonically; how to get the things I love about sound, the kind of looseness and grit you get from humans playing and singing together, into it. I couldn’t hear what it would sound like.

I think when I heard ‘Methamphetamine Blues’ by Mark Lanegan and ‘My Beautiful Leah’ by PJ Harvey, where the arrangements are kind of as loose around the drum machines as they would be with a band, it felt like a way in. I also just hadn’t heard voices like PJ and Lanegan’s, two people with the most fucking raw, real voices on the planet, singing in that context before.

At the same time I got really inspired by Christine & the Queens’ recent EP, La Vita Nuova. it’s all bass, pads, doubled vocals and harmonies – no filling, just the strength of the beat and melody. That sound really informed how I wrote for a long time.

Talk to us about your debut single ‘Down’. What inspired the lyrics, how did you put the track together?

I wrote ‘Down’ a couple of years ago, it was the first song I wrote for the project and it came out almost fully formed, start to finish, in one session on my computer. I kind of thought, I’m gonna kick this around the studio ’til it sounds like something I want to release. Which is what I did basically, I kicked it around with a bunch of mates – all brilliant musicians, engineers and producers – until it was everything I wanted.

Lyrically, ‘Down’ is a reminder for me that as bad as things get, I’m still going where I want to, even if it feels like I’m running with a broken leg. In that sense it’s a song for me. That’s something I really care about for this project, that the music is totally for me first. I love collaborating and I love being in a band and moving something forward together in a big evolving mass, where everyone get’s to go “that’s awesome” or “that’s awful kill it,” that’s exciting. But this is about not questioning what comes out and letting the music be what it is, I want to be a bit punk about it and be like “that’s what came up today, take it or leave it.”

That’s a great way to approach things. Talk me through the concept behind the accompanying video for ‘Down’ which were shot by Avacado Baby.

I wanted to veer between bare monochrome and total excess, between that feeling of disengaging, of slipping into yourself and looking less and less at the world and that ecstatic adoration for life and survival. ‘Down’ is about experiencing both and trying to hold on to the latter. The video had to echo that I think.

Are you planning to play any O Hell live shows in the future?

Yes, but I want them to be an experience, sonically and visually. I want the project to inhabit a particular reality for as long as possible – so, don’t expect to see it down the pub basically!

I’ve got an amazing crew of mates – brilliant musicians and artists – who are helping me create the live spectacle. Very lucky to be surrounded by such talented folk.

Finally, are there any bands or artists who you recommend we listen to?

I am one of those terrible people that will get into one album and not surface for two months – I’ve never been one for the New Music Friday thing sadly. I wish I was.

At the moment I’m circling The Breeders album Title TK, PJ Harvey’s Stories from the City, a really cool band called KLAMP, St Vincent, Mark Lanegan (listen to ‘Lexington Slow Down’), Megan Thee Stallion, John Frusciante’s Niandras Lades and this sick band called Demonstrations who are from Brighton. I listen to their song ‘Evening Run’ most days, the bassist has worked absolute magic all over it and I am hoping she’ll join me on stage one day. I also live with Annie from CLT DRP, so I’ve also been privy to their new stuff which is incredible, I can’t describe how exciting it is, there’s nothing else like it.

Thanks to Lucy for answering our questions. Watch the video for ‘Down’ below.

Follow O Hell on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Five Favourites: SUEP

Led by SuepLord (Porridge Radio, Garden Centre, The GN Band) and Brain Wastefield (UK top model), London based SUEP are now a fully formed band with the addition of GN (The GN Band, Joanna Gruesome, The Tubs), Freakin’ Deacon (PC World, Garden Centre), and T-Mr.9 (Head of Pastoral Care). Interweaving jangly hooks with a whirring, psychedelic haze, the band recently released their debut single ‘Domesticated Dream‘. Oozing a vibrant, quirky energy, a joyous clatter of percussion swirls alongside uptempo electro-driven melodies and sweeping, honey-sweet vocals. A perfectly eclectic scintillating soundscape.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate SUEP’s new single, we caught up with Sueplord to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five songs that she loves the most. Check out their choices below and scroll down to watch the unique new video for ‘Domesticated Dream’.

The Flirts – ‘Passion’
I only heard this song kind of recently, my friend Liam put it on in one of our YouTube sessions that me and my housemates often did during lockdown. It’s just so good and I reckon it’s quite theatrical, I really want to sing and act out all the words and dance along every time I hear it. I just looked up that The Flirts were formed by Bobby Orlando who worked with Divine and the Pet Shop Boys who I also love. I’ve been playing this song every time I DJ at the moment, and when I was on Green Man radio this summer I accidentally put on the extended mix which is just under 10 mins long but no one complained, that’s why I know it’s a good ‘un. There are a few performance videos of the song on YouTube and they are all amazing. I have definitely tried to use the song as a kind of exercise video by dancing along to their moves in my living room.

The Umlauts – ‘Boiler Suits and Combat Boots’
Ahh man I love the Umlauts so much, this is the first song of theirs I heard. It doesn’t have a video but it’s just such a great vibe and tune that I think I can get away with it. Porridge Radio played with them at two Library shows in Ashton and Widnes last month and there weren’t many people there and in Widnes it was a matinee performance, but they rocked it so hard, they sounded so large and full and it was literally impossible for me not to dance. I’ve listened to this song so much that when the synth solo came in I was singing along… They are stand up people as well. I can’t wait to hear their next single and the album. They are on Prah Recordings that are putting out some incredible stuff at the moment.

Jona Lewie – ‘I Think I’ll Get My Hair Cut’
Ok, this song is the song that I wish SUEP had written. But my man Jona wrote it. Jona Lewie is such a huge inspiration to me and Josh from SUEP. All of his songs have incredible hooks with a twinge of humour, which is exactly the genre I love, and I think it’s definitely a genre. One that Paul McCartney also fits into. I love that throughout the song he’s trying to be more attractive and popular and he’s concluded that to do that, he needs a haircut, but at the end of the song he realises he’s trying too hard and actually his hair is great. We’ve all been there. The synth riff that comes in goes straight to my heart every time I hear it, and I’ve heard this song a lot, I know all the words. By writing this I have concluded that SUEP should maybe cover this song. Keep your ears to the ground.

Becky Hill, David Guetta – ‘Remember’
Something a little different. I cannot contain how much I love this song. I have listened to it maybe a million times. The video is fine, don’t let it distract you from the lyrics:

“It’s only when I’m lying in bed on my own
And I wake up and I don’t see your name on my phone
It’s in the moments where I think that I’m better alone
That’s when I remember, that’s when I remember
Every time I walk past your house in the rain
And I tell myself that you were the biggest mistake
And just when I think I’m finally doing okay
That’s when I remember, that’s when I remember’

It gets me so deep every time. And it’s a huge club classic slam dunk. The amount of times I’ve been driving and yelling every word. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry with some kind of joyous sad tears. Nice one as well to Becky Hill, her voice is smash hits good. And David Guetta, all I can say is thank you. I’d just like to shout out to another song I would have put on this playlist that the rest of the band would have probably hated: Avicii – ‘Wake Me Up’ (definitely a song I wish I had written).

Alessi Brothers – ‘Seabird’
Damn, when this song drops and the vocals come in! The way the vocals are produced as well, they are so loud but so perfect. Normally I like vocals a bit buried, but this song has just got it. The lyrics are so beautiful and also is that a drum machine??? Also mega fade out vibes. It has it all.

Massive thanks to Sueplord for sharing their Five Favourites! Watch the video for ‘Domesticated Dream’ here:

‘Domesticated Dream’ is out now. It was recorded with producer Matthew Green (Sniffany & The Nits, The Tubs, etc.) at
SuepLord’s old house, which was once a youth centre in Surrey Quays, with the old sports hall being made into a makeshift studio where SUEP laid down a mini album worth of songs in two days, and later mixed by Mike
O’Malley (caroline, Girl Ray).

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Introducing Interview: Lunar Vacation

With acclaim from the likes of The Fader and Clash, and having previously charmed our ears with the luscious sounds of singles ‘Mold’ and ‘Gears‘, Atlanta-based Lunar Vacation have just released their debut album, Inside Every Fig Is A Dead Wasp. With each track oozing a shimmering allure and stirring emotion, the album showcases the band’s ability to create heartfelt, irresistibly effervescent indie-pop with a catchy, lilting musicality reminiscent of the likes Best Coast and Alvvays. A collection glistening with a cinematic grace as droplets of stirring melancholy ripple on a seemingly serene surface.

We caught up with Grace from the band to find out more about the album, their thoughts on the music industry at the moment and more. Have a read, and make sure you treat your ears to the beautiful new album as soon as possible!

Hi Lunar Vacation, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?
Hey! I’m Grace, and I play guitar and sing in Lunar Vacation. Currently I’m finishing up my last semester at college, making some art, and playing with my cat, Science. 

Are you able to tell us a bit about how you initially started creating music together? 
Maggie and I became friends in high school during a guitar class songwriting project. Connor and Matteo also went to our high school and we just naturally found each other. 

I love your shimmering, blissful sounds with shades of faves Rilo Kiley and Alvvays, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
It changes all the time – all four of us listen to different genres of music from different times, so there is always a good, unique collection of music swimming ‘round in our heads. Right now, Big Thief has been one of my biggest influences musically and lyrically. I admire how Adrienne approaches writing lyrics and how she uses music to work through her thoughts and feelings. There is a really beautiful, delicate aspect of her reflections expressed in her music. 

You’ve just released your debut album – Inside Every Fig There’s A Dead Wasp – which is super exciting! Are you able to tell us a bit about this? Are there any particular themes running throughout the album?
We are all extremely proud and looking forward to finally letting her run free into the world. It’s ultimately up to the listener to form their own idea and interpret it how they want. Once it’s out there, it’s not ours anymore. So in other words, you’ll have to listen to find out!!

Do you have a favourite track on the album? And if so, why does that one mean the most to you?
I think my favourite out of all of them is ‘Gears’. I’m extremely proud of how it came together and how honest the lyrics are – this was one song where I felt that the words flowed perfectly and found their place in the song. Writing that song helped me process a lot of loose ends I had from a relationship that was drawn out for way longer than it should have and to fully move on. 

And how have you found recording and promoting an album during these strange times? 
It was definitely strange making a record at the height of COVID – there were times that it felt like the studio was an intense vacuum of time and space and there would never be an end to the pandemic. Ultimately, I think it added a unique aspect to the record itself… The music, writing, productions, feelings, etc. Everything happens for a reason and I guess the right time for our record was a global pandemic. I’m not sure if that speaks to anything. 

The album’s produced by Daniel Gleason of Grouplove – how was the experience of working with him, and how would you say his contribution added to the collection’s overall sound?
The record wouldn’t have been what it is without Dan and our engineer, TJ Elias. They are such an amazing duo and helped us create what was in our head onto the record. They pushed us sonically and creatively to lean into our strengths, explore our weaknesses, and embrace our own styles. 

How do you feel the industry is for new artists at the moment? Do you feel much has changed over the last few years in its treatment of female and non binary artists? 
That’s a layered question. I have a lot of qualms with the industry as a whole and how it’s shifted to artists having their “moment” instead of focusing on the longevity of their music. Sometimes it seems like it just favours the algorithm, vanity, and self promotion to the point of image and social media coming first and then the actual music following second. Music streaming platforms have made artists reliant on being “playlisted” to have a career. I guess it’s the modern day radio, but it doesn’t sit quite right with me. However, I think the accessibility from social media has made an extensive, positive amount of room for new LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC identifying artists, which has been really promising and inspiring to experience. But, I would like to see more representation in the gay and non-binary community instead of the few token white, straight passing people that are labelled “gay icons”. There are more people out there that represent the community and they need to be uplifted and celebrated.

And, as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists or bands you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
Definitely pay attention to Future Crib, Binki and The Slaps! These aren’t new, but I’ve been listening to a lot of Lynn Castle, Yuck, and Big Thief.

Finally, in addition to the release of your album, what does the rest of 2021 have in store for Lunar Vacation?
Playing a few more shows and hopefully graduating college in December!! All good vibes ahead. 

Massive thanks to Grace for answering our questions! Inside Every Fig Is A Dead Wasp, the brand new album from Lunar Vacation, is out now via Keeled Scales. Catch them live on their UK Tour next Spring – tickets here.

Photo Credit: Violet Teegardin 

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