Five Favourites (Drummers): Eilis Frawley

We’ve been big fans of Berlin-based classically trained percussionist Eilis Frawley for some time now, especially since she took our breath away playing live for us at Notting Hill Arts Club last year. With recent single ‘Stats’, she offered arresting beats set against bold, Krautrock-infused spoken word, as the lyrics addressed hard-hitting stats, highlighting the everyday injustices facing women today. Tackling issues such as period poverty, FGM, domestic violence and other vital issues, it’s a beautifully striking and necessary listen. As is the entirety of her just released EP Adult Life. 

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspires them or influences their writing. So, we caught up with Eilis to discuss the five (well, six, actually!) drummers that inspire her the most.

Here are 6 of my favourite drummers/percussionists, all from different scenes with totally different playing styles but all 100% owning what they do.

Fleur Green
Fleur Green was my first percussion teacher, when I was 16. She was tough, in the best way. I spent just one year learning from her before she moved abroad, but I’ll never forget her discipline, especially to her own artistic practice. She led by example and was highly committed with a no bullshit attitude. From the very beginning she instilled in me a diligence towards music I’ve carried through the years. She’s such an inspiration. She’s back in Adelaide now and performs under Fleur Green.

Chi Fukami Taylor
Chi Fukami Taylor was the first female drummer I saw perform on a big stage – and she completely nailed it. It was 2007 and she played with The Go! Team at Falls festival in Victoria. She had so much groove, and it was the first time I witnessed someone playing drums and singing. I’m still shocked people can sing in tune and play drums, that’s alot of brain power.

Seol Kim
Seol Kim – Known as Snow is one half of Oh Chill (57) from Seoul. I had the pleasure of sharing the bill with her multiple times in Seoul and also in Berlin. Snow does not mess around. Another singing drummer, she’s a hard hitter, her timing is impeccable and her grooves always leaving you wanting more. She’ll keep you on your toes.

Sara Neidorf
Sara is a Berlin drummer. We share the same practice space, and no-one sounds like her. You always know when she’s in the building. Her fills are outta control. She’s fast, dynamic and playful. She’s involved in scenes I’m not too familiar with but hearing her play alone is already a treat! Aptera is one of her projects I’ve seen live, and wow the skill! Highly recommend looking into what she’s doing, especially if you’re into heavier music.

Valentina Magaletti
Valentina Magaletti is the only person on this list who I haven’t met, or seen play live, BUT I’m so impressed by her playing, she crosses over so perfectly from pop drummer to experimental percussion wizard. She’s behind so many great projects but I recently discovered Tomaga and it’s a total stand out! Go listen to them.

Mindy Abovitz
Mindy Abovitz has to be on this list as well, for not only pursuing drums as a self taught drummer, but for creating TomTom Mag, connecting female* drummers all over the world and changing the media representation of drummers. She’s outstanding.

Massive thanks to Eilis for sharing her choices with us!

Adult Life, the new EP from Eilis Frawley, is out now via Reckless Yes. Listen now. And watch the recent video for the poignant ‘Stats’ here:

Photo Credit: Janina Gallert

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Premiere: Flor And The Sea – ‘Kings & Queens’

Originally founded in 2015 as a five piece, and now starting to become known for their immersive live shows, Munich-based duo Flor And The Sea have now announced the release of their new EP Kings & Queens. 

Lead single and title track ‘Kings & Queens’ offers a twinkling ethereal soundscape. Propelled by driving electro-strewn hooks and the soaring splendour of Chaem’s vocals, it builds with pulsating beats to an anthemic slice of ambient indie-pop with shades of the likes of Portishead. An instantly captivating offering set to uplift on first listen with its shimmering vibrant energy.

Listen to ‘Kings & Queens, for the first time, now:

Kings & Queens, the new EP from Flor And The Sea, is out now. Listen here.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

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Premiere: Jelena Ćirić – ‘Lines’

Set to release her debut EP later this month, Reykjavík based singer songwriter Jelena Ćirić has now shared the first single from the collection.

Reflecting on our preoccupation with finding the meaning of life, ‘Lines’ offers a captivating ethereal soundscape. With shades of the other-worldly allure of Regina Spektor, it flows with twinkling keys and the impassioned majestic splendour of Ćirić’s vocals, creating a musically rich, lyrically poignant slice of spellbinding alt-pop.

Listen to ‘Lines’, for the first time, here. And read a little interview with Jelena all about the track and her upcoming EP below!

 

Hi Jelena, can you tell us about your new single ‘Lines’?
‘Lines’ is a song about the fetish we humans have for answers to life’s big questions. Whether we admit it or not, we love the idea that a conversation with a fortune tell could reveal the purpose of our life or that we’ll meet a new lover and suddenly everything will fall into place. I don’t think that happens to most of us. Changing ourselves is gradual and hard and not very romantic.

And can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind the the song?
The song is set in Toronto, where I grew up. Like all cities it’s got many layers, and stepping into one of its neighbourhoods can feel like stepping into an alternate reality. It’s been a few years since I’ve lived there but it’s where I grew up and grappled with the sorts of questions that the song’s protagonist wonders about: who am I, what should I do with my life, who should I love?

You’re Serbian born, grown up in Canada, but have lived in Iceland for several years, how has living there influenced your songwriting?
The Icelandic music scene has been incredibly supportive and encouraging to be a part of. I studied classical singing – although it was a good foundation in many ways, it also instilled a scathing self-criticism in me that I had to unlearn. What I love about Icelandic artists is that when they have an idea, they just go for it. I’ve been learning to just act on ideas rather than criticize them to death before I begin.

And what can we expect from your upcoming debut EP?
I named the EP Shelter One because for me each of the songs is a little temporary haven that I built to process something I was going through. That’s what songwriting has always been for me – a way to explore questions I had about myself or the world or give myself a sort of solace that I couldn’t find elsewhere. Personally, I’m drawn to music that isn’t overly produced, and I’m really proud of the team behind this EP for bringing out the best in me without ironing out the authenticity of the songs. From Pétur Þór Benediktsson who recorded the vocals so beautifully and Snorri Hallgrímsson who recorded piano, to Margrét Arnardóttir (accordion) and Karl James Pestka (viola and violin) whose playing brings depth to the songs, Albert Finnbogason who produced it with such care and respect, and then Sarah Register’s mastering that polished it like a gem. It’s really important to me to acknowledge the people whose names you may not see when you check out a song on a streaming platform. This EP was a team effort and it was truly crafted with care at every step.

Huge thanks to Jelena for answering our questions!

‘Lines’ is out now, taken from Jelena Ćirić’s upcoming debut EP Shelter One, set for release 27th November via Icelandic label Paradís Sessions.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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FIVE FAVOURITES: Ultraflex

Described as a “cocktail of contemporary disco and futuristic boogie,” Norwegian/Icelandic duo Ultraflex have a joyful sound that can be appreciated while strutting around on the tiles of a dancefloor, or during a sweaty aerobics class at the gym. The pair – formed of Farao and Special-K – recently released their debut album, Visions of Ultraflex, which showcases their ability to craft carefree but polished electronic tunes.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Ultraflex to ask about their “Five Favourites” – five songs that have inspired their song-writing techniques. Check out the band’s Soviet-themed favourite songs below, and scroll down to listen to their latest single ‘Full Of Lust’ at the end of this post.

 

1. Dimenzió – ‘Bamba’
This Hungarian jazz project released masterpiece ‘Bamba’ on their self titled debut album from 1981. The double bass melts perfectly into the rushed beat creating a constant feeling of progress and movement forwards into the synthesizer solo and playful vocoder vocals. Kari found this track on youtube years ago when she was digging for Soviet treasures and it’s been one of our favourites ever since. The track creates such a mysterious mood, as if it could have been the theme tune for a crime show.

2. Wojciech Karolak ‎– ‘Discopus Nr 1’
Although Poland was never part of the Soviet Union, they were one of the Warsaw Pact countries and I normally include Polish stuff in our Soviet themed DJ sets as it’s clearly very similar in style. Wojciech Karolak is a Polish jazz pianist who made this fusion banger in 1980, and considering the cover he clearly had great style as well. The track opens with a minute long ultra smooth intro to set the mood before the disco beat kicks in and we are good to go. Fusion like only Eastern Europeans do it.

3. Юрий Бучма – ‘Дождик’
Юрий Бучма (Yuri Buchma) used so many amazing synthesizers on his album Автопортрет (Self Portrait) from 1990, like the Roland D-50, Yamaha PSR-90, RX-5 and, an Ultraflex favourite, the DX-7. The track ‘Дождик’ (Rain) is irresistibly groovy and comes with a nice fan video showing some wild animals in the Russian countryside. The rest of the album is also worth checking out, for example the brilliantly titled ‘Чернобыль, год спустя’ (Chernobyl, one year later).

4. Adrian Enescu – ‘Cuvinte incrucisate’
Romanian composer Adrian Enescu released this record as a continuation of Funky Synthesizer 1, a very confusing and challenging release. Funky Synthesizer 2, however, is where Adrian finally found his formula, especially on ‘Cuvinte Incrucisate’ – the banger of the album.

5. Miha Kralj – ‘Computor’
Miha Kralj is a pioneer of Yugoslavian instrumental synthesiser music and he released three albums in the early ‘80s. Kind of a Giorgio Moroder of what is now Slovenia. His stuff is pretty out there. We also recommend his first album, Andromeda.

Thanks to Ultraflex for sharing their Soviet-themed five favourites with us.

Listen to ‘Full Of Lust’ below and follow Ultraflex on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook for more updates.

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