Decolonise Fest Moves Online For Week-Long Series Of Events

Established in 2017, Decolonise Fest is an annual non-profit DIY festival, collectively organised by, and dedicated to promoting, punx of colour; something we fully support here at Get In Her Ears. This year, as with most large events in this current situation, they’ve been forced to cancel and so have moved online to create a Covid-friendly version of the festival.

This week, from the 1st to 6th September, they will be hosting a series of workshops, panel events and performances.

Workshops will include a Shadow Sistxrs Fight Club workshop involving tantric breathwork, self-care and martial arts, as well as a workshop on Black and Brown queer world building led by Screaming Toenail vocalist and celebrated artist Jacob V Joyce. They will also host a panel on Global Punx of Colour featuring punks from around the world talking about their local scenes and communities.

In addition to these super insightful workshops, live performances will come from New Orleans no wave glam punks Special Interest, anti-colonial Kenyan punk band Crystal Axis, “South Asian” “American” “Punks” (est. 2006) The Kominas, London-based alt-americana act DeLila Black, electronic synth punk artist PRNCSS and post-punk Netherlands-based act Lifeless Past.

Tickets are free, but donations encouraged. Find more information about tickets and the festival here.

In the absence of any ‘proper’ indoor events at the moment, this online extravaganza from Decolonise Fest sounds too good to miss! We feel that organisations like Decolonise Fest are vital right now; creating spaces that advocate for emerging artists of colour, foster a community of like-minded people, connect punx of colour to global struggles against the legacy of colonialism and indulge in a love of punk together.

Full online Decolonise Fest schedule below:

Tuesday 1st September

Shadow Sistxrs presents: Entering into the Serpent: Dialoguing with Kali

Clem leads us through a journey of Tantric breathwork, bringing us into contact with the Goddess of Revolution, our Divine Mother, Kali. Monique will then teach a few simple martial arts techniques that will allow us to physically embody the principles of power, protection and pleasure.

Wednesday 2nd September

Black and Brown Queer World Building

Join Jacob V Joyce for a workshop mapping the future through collaborative poetry and writing exercises. This workshop draws on speculative fiction writing techniques to facilitate collaborative envisioning of a queer decolonial future.

Thursday 3rd September

Crystal Axis + The Kominas + DeLila Black

Join us for sessions from:

Crystal Axis: Anti-colonial Kenyan punk band

The Kominas: “South Asian” “American” “Punks” (est. 2006)

DeLila Black: London-based alt-americana act

Friday 4th September

Special Interest + Lifeless Past + PRNCSS

Join us for sessions from:

Special Interest: New Orleans no wave glam punks

Lifeless Past: Post-punk Netherlands-based act

PRNCSS: Electronic synth punk artist based in London

Sunday 6th September

Global Punx of Colour Panel

Join Decolonise Fest for a panel event with punx of colour around the world discussing their local scenes, how punk relates to their identity, how BLM has affected their activism and scene and how to create a global punx of colour community.

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

FIVE FAVOURITES: Sarah Walk

Celebrating both the joys and the struggles of being a queer woman, LA songwriter Sarah Walk is preparing to release her second album, Another Me, on 28th August via One Little Independent Records. “The songs on my first album were a means to survive the immediate, and my songs on this album have been a journey in learning how to take up space and thrive in the long term”, Walk explains. It sounds like a learning curve both she and her listeners will benefit from, as she tackles everything from patriarchal entitlement to letting go of damaging tropes about being a queer woman.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Sarah to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five albums that have inspired her songwriting techniques. Check out her choices below, and scroll down to listen to Sarah’s latest single ‘nobody knows’ at the end of this post.

1. Wolfgang Amadeus – Phoenix 
I just think this is a brilliantly executed record, start to finish. I still try to wrap my head around the arrangement of this album. Each part fits together like this weaving patchwork of ideas that lock into each other like a puzzle. When I try to isolate the vocal or an instrumental part it feels like such a scattered and disjointed idea, but as a whole it’s completely full. I often wonder how they recorded this because it’s so hard for me to hear a backbone that was built around.

2. Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters
What a powerful comeback album from Fiona. I grew up listening to her and felt so empowered hearing a woman sing and play the piano that wasn’t afraid to be angry. This album totally goes there, and I’m so happy it does. There’s anger and regret, and through that, this incredible reclamation of self. She’s one of the best there is and has paved the way for so many women in the music industry, whether we all know it or not.

3. Radiohead – In Rainbows
It wouldn’t be a favorites list without a Radiohead album. This band totally expanded my ears to what music could be, and were my unwavering companion during some of the toughest and loneliest years of my adolescence. I remember waking up early before school the day this album came out and downloading it (this was the “pay what you want” record pre-spotify which was brilliant) and I sat in my car in the high school parking lot that gloomy October morning and was crying by the time ‘Faust Arp’ came around. I was late for school that day, and I’m glad I was.sarah

4. Everything Everything – A Fever Dream
Love this band so much. They combine certain sonic elements of Radiohead that I love – that ethereal soundscape of guitars that don’t sound like guitars – with heavy grooves and pop sensibility. This album is so good, and they’re incredible live as well.

5. Madison Cunningham – Who Are You Now?
A more up and coming LA artist, Madison is an incredible force of talent. The first time I saw her play live I was completely floored. I’m not a religious person, but after first seeing her play I went home and completely broke down because it felt like such a spiritual experience. She absolutely destroys the guitar and her voice and songwriting are other worldly. Definitely give this one a listen and check out some live videos online.

Thanks to Sarah for sharing her favourites with us.
Listen to her track ‘nobody knows’ below.

Follow Sarah Walk on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington1 Comment

FIVE FAVOURITES: Hannah Georgas

“The album is about healing, self reflection and getting up again at the end of the day,” explains Toronto-based songwriter Hannah Georgas about her upcoming record, All That Emotion. Set for release on 4th September via Brassland & Arts & Crafts, it’s a full length collaboration between Georgas and The National’s Aaron Dessner, and one that shows her resilience as both a songwriter and as a determined woman navigating the world around her. 

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Georgas to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five albums that have inspired her songwriting techniques. Check out her choices below, and scroll down to listen to her latest single ‘Dreams’ at the end of this post.

 

1. The Cranberries – No Need To Argue
The Cranberries are one of my all time favourite bands and had a big effect on me throughout my adolescence. I was so drawn to Dolores’ melodies and songwriting. I loved that their music was catchy and also had a real depth to the writing. I would listen to this album over and over and try to harmonize with her vocals. I saw them live in the late 90’s and it was one of the most memorable live shows I’ve ever seen.

2. Sade – Lover’s Rock
I like putting this album on to de-stress and relax. Her voice is so incredibly soothing to listen to. I also love the slow paced hip hop loops mixed with acoustic guitar and layered harmonies throughout the album. The track ‘Every Word’ is a real highlight for me. This song helped me get through the time I first got my heart broken. I would cry and play it on repeat.

3. Broadcast – Tender Buttons
This album is something I discovered a few years back and I’m so drawn to the production of it. I couldn’t believe I didn’t know about it earlier. I love the drum loops, synth sounds and the simplicity to it all. My favourite track to listen to off the album is a song called ‘Corporeal’.

4. Fiona Apple – Tidal
This album gave me confidence and a sense of hope growing up. There’s so much strength and courage behind Fiona’s writing that I really admire. Playing music was treated like a hobby in my household and the moment I mentioned to my family I wanted to take music more seriously it was a hard thing for my parents to digest. I listened to this album a lot along with many other female fronted projects. I think they subconsciously gave me that courage to continue writing and making music. ‘Criminal’, ‘Sleep To Dream’ and ‘Never is a Promise’ are a few of the many highlights off the album.

5. The Blow – Paper Television
I discovered The Blow when I moved away from home and was living on the West Coast of Canada. I love how lo-fi, dancey and catchy the songs are. The album gives me energy and inspiration. ‘True Affection’ is such an awesome song and makes me miss Vancouver a lot.

Thanks to Hannah for sharing her favourites with us. Listen to her single ‘Dreams’ below.
Pre-order your copy of All That Emotion here.

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Video Premiere: LibraLibra – ‘Listerine’

With support from the likes of Radio X, BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio, Brighton-based LibraLibra have been firm favourites of GIHE for some time now, never ceasing to impress. Having just released their debut EP, they have now shared a brand new video for poignant EP closer ‘Listerine’.

A step away from the usual high energy riotous cacophonies of previous releases, ‘Listerine’ reflects on lingering painful memories. Showcasing the incredible soaring splendour and versatility of front woman Beth Cannon’s vocals with an almost operatic force, the track oozes a  glistening soulful majesty, creating a striking cinematic soundscape. With blissful twinkling keys providing the backdrop to Beth’s vocals, it’s filled with poignant, reflective lyricism as a raw, emotion-strewn power builds to a magnificent, immense anthem of self-realisation. Exuding an exquisite effervescent beauty and starkly stirring sentiment, it will sweep you off your feet with its spellbinding melancholic grandeur.

Of the track, Beth explains:

“It’s for anyone who can’t get rid of that bad taste in their mouth. A taste that haunts you, that makes you wanna scrub your mouth out with soap. Originally I wrote this to try and explain the meaning behind the song: There is this scene in the film ‘Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind’ by Micheal Gondry where Jim Carey’s memories are in the mist of being erased and he’s a child trying to hide from the erasure process with his memory of Kate Winslet as a kid and they are scared and they are running whilst the world collapses around them. ‘Listerine’ is built around the concept of wanting to go back and protect the younger you, to take their hand when their world is crumbling around them and tell them everything is going to be ok. Together we can run and together we will conquer even the darkest days. It’s a song of reflection and hindsight and like ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ reminds us when it comes down to it even the most painful memories make us who we are. Now this still rings true but at 4.44am I’m lying here wanting to say more, but I can’t, not right now, the wounds are too deep, the pain is still so real and so raw even 17 years later, I can’t find the words to explain, it’s only through the music that I can find some sense of meaning and for me it provides a melancholic moment of hope.”

Watch the beautifully hand made new video for ‘Listerine’, created by Patrick Mcnaught, now:

Hail Mary, the debut EP from LibraLibra, is out now via LibraLibra Records. Listen on Spotify now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment