Introducing Interview: Pixel Grip

Already a known quantity in Chicago for their live shows and dance parties, Pixel Grip have now put out their first LP Heavy Handed. Energetic, dark synth-pop grooves with deep analog synth zones, in their words “menacing”. We had a quick chat with the trio to hear their thoughts on their hometown, moving away from the constraints of genre and the confidence of extended repetition.

Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about how Pixel Grip started?
R: Hi, thank you! The three of us went to the same high school and bonded over liking electronic music despite the uninspired atmosphere of our hometown. The three of us independently tried to pursue music with other bands and it took us a while to get in a room together, but now we’re inseparable.

You’re based in Chicago, unarguably the birthplace of house music – what’s the current scene like? Do you feel supported by other artists and the wider music community?
R: It’s true that Chicago is the birthplace of house and has a flourishing electronic music scene. I just still don’t know where we fit in. We kind of feel like outsiders here; we don’t really fit in with the dark wave or goth scene, we don’t fit in the club scene. We’ve just been playing our set on venue and festival stages and hoping people like it.

We are loving your track ‘Plastic Enemies’, which we’ve played on the radio show and love the video, can you tell us a bit more about the track?
R: ‘Plastic Enemies’ is a moody song with a powerful bass-line and heavenly chords. Me and Jon developed the structure of the song very quickly through improvisation, and Jon produced his heart out on the track. The lyrics are inspired by falling in love with a straight girl.

Your debut LP Heavy Handed feels like it draws from a number of musical genres – how would you describe the record?
R: I find myself less interested in the idea of “genre” more and more every day. Our goal in the creative process is to write a good song. A song with movement and power and expression. When we are working together we like to riff on energy that’s dark or funky – something that makes you bang your head or do stank face. There’s also songs on the album that pause from the dancing to reflect or emote.

What is your creative process like, do you work together or separately?
R: We do both. Jon works really well on his own when he produces the tracks. When we are songwriting we try everything: generally, we create concepts through improvising with each other, but a few tracks on the album were produced around a crude demo I made by myself.

You’re known for your live shows and dance parties in Chicago – can you describe them for us?
J: Something we love about playing live is our ability to transform recorded material into something new and unpredictable. We get to use new instruments, unique sounds, stunts, anything really. We used to DJ more often in Chicago, but lately it has been more exciting to apply those mixing skills into a full band set. I think the biggest takeaway is the confidence of extended repetition.

Plans to come to the UK anytime soon?
J: Yes! Want to help us get some UK shows…?!

What’s the rest of 2019 got in store for Pixel Grip?
J: Start writing the second album! Also, we hope to be on the road as much as possible, maybe even more than what’s possible.

Finally, as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
J: Definitely check out Sports Boyfriend, Cameron Traxxx, and Ariel Zetina. Those are just a few of our favourite Chicago musicians.

Huge thanks to Pixel Grip for answering our questions! Heavy Handed, the debut LP from Pixel Grip, is out now.

Tash Walker
@maudeandtrevor

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Introducing Interview: Pi Ja Ma

If you haven’t yet heard of Pi Ja Ma think dreamy Parisian alt-pop with a heavy helping of humour and sixties sparkle. Having racked up several million of streams from their debut EP, we caught up with Axel and Pauline to talk about their debut album Nice To Meet U, their gig at Rough Trade East and what motivates their records.

Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about how Pi Ja Ma started?
Axel: We met each other on the internet in 2015 – I saw a video on YouTube where Pauline was singing a cover of the velvet underground ‘Femme Fatale’. I tried to contact her via email and then we met. I played her some songs and we talked a lot about our lives and laughed and drank a lot of teas. We immediately connected. Then everything happened very fast; we’ve recorded a few songs that we loved and sent them to a small label called Bleepmachine, we decided to work together for our first EP Radio Girl to see what happened… Reactions were great so we started to play live, then we signed a licence deal with a bigger label (Cinq 7 / Wagram Music) to release the album Nice To Meet U.

As a visual and DIY artist can you tell us about the interaction of your illustrations and art with the music that you have created – do they lean on each other or do you find one takes the lead in the creative process?
Pauline: Music and illustration make a beautiful couple – they are very different but are both an animal way to express yourself. I couldn’t choose between these two. Drawing was easier for me at first but then I began to sing, and it was also very natural doing that everyday. I like to think about the full project with music, drawings, videos etc…

Nice To Meet U album cover

You debut album Nice To Meet U came out last year to a great reception, with your music being described as “evolving fantasies and nostalgic daydreams, encouraging the listener to step back in time to the 1960s” – how would you describe the record?
Pauline: It was very easy making this record with Axel. Just after we met, we spent a lot of time talking and making jokes. We were inspired by the same artists like The Beach Boys and Mac Demarco. We had a lot of fun, I hope it will be the same for the second album!
This record talk about simple topics like shitty love stories and feeling weird in your own family. It contains a lot of positive vibes and people tell me that it makes them happy so I feel like we’ve succeeded in what we set out to do!

We loved your tracks ‘Vertigo’ and ‘I Hate U’, which we’ve played on the radio show, and love the videos -can you tell us a bit more about the videos and how they link together?
Pauline: Every time we finish a song, I have images in my head. I try to explain my story to a director and then we make the video together. I like to add drawings and animations to videos because it’s a part of me I can directly put in the reality of the images.
The story begins, I’m in the skin of a sad man who’s trying to let it go and act crazy in the street. He meets his double, a guy who represents a rock’n roll version of him. At the end of the video he’s back in his normal life, drinking whisky and watching TV, and then the second video begins and I’m in the skin of a vintage pop star who’s gonna go crazy in her way too. Both songs are talking about the same topic, which is difficult break ups and moments when you feel crazy and just want to “tout foutre en l’air”.

Can you tell us a bit more about the evolution of your music from your Radio Girl EP to Nice To Meet U?
Axel: Well it was the same process for the EP and the album. I was recording songs at home, then I would send them to Pauline, and if she’d like it (which happened most of the time luckily) we started to talk about it and what we would like to talk about. At the beginning, I was writing the lyrics alone translating our discussion into lyrics, but more and more we started to write together. Production-wise we kept the same process that worked on the first EP, which is making most of the things at home, to keep our own sound. Apart from drums, and strings, everything was homemade. That’s what we like, to keep it simple.

Your music covers a variety of topics including gender, youth, isolation and failed love with a gentle intensity mixed together with humour – does that reflect your general outlook on life and response to cultural experiences and societal pressures?
Yes. That’s a pretty good sum up of our philosophy. It’s great feeling that people can understand that, just listening to our music.

You’re currently on tour and have just played both Rough Trade East and the Southbank Centre (two iconic London venues) – how were they?
Axel: Rough trade east was great! People were so kind with us, and the gig was fun. That place is amazing, it’s inspiring. I would love to work in that shop, I’m sure I would get many ideas from all the great music they play most of the time.
Pauline: I’m always very well surprised by the warm welcome English people give us everytime we come to England, it’s a great feeling when people can understand each one of your words, even the jokes between the songs. Even walking down the streets in London feels amazing, because of the open-minded way of life there. I mean, what people wear, the way they are smiling much more than French people, and how they organise more cultural activities in the heart of the city.

You’ve previously played London including The Moth Club in East London how have you found the reception this time?
Moth club was one of our first gigs, and we were quite shy back then, now we improvise much more and feel more confident and it makes the show greater!

What’s the rest of 2019 got in store for Pi Ja Ma?
As we’re touring, we’re thinking a lot about our second record. We get constantly inspired by what we see, who we meet, and what we’re listening to. We already have a few songs and can’t wait to do more.

Finally, as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
We love Halo Maud who’s a friend of ours, and who helped write a few lyrics on the album. Her music is great and she’s signed to a British label (Heavenly Records). You should check her out. Also, you should check Musique Chienne, Pauline’s latest crush is Creatures, who we saw at Old Blue Last just after our gig at Rough Trade East.

Nice To Meet U is out now.

Tash Walker
@maudeandtrevor

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PLAYLIST: April 2019

It’s a brand new month and that means we’ve got a brand new playlist of new music to share with you! April has been another month of musical discovery for us, and we’re excited to share our top picks with you all. Take some time to scroll through our words and hit play on the Spotify link at the bottom of the page…

Lupa J – ‘The Crash’ 
‘The Crash’ is the latest single from Lupa J which she’s also recently dropped a pretty slick video to. With sounds evocative of early Grimes and touches of Alice Glass, we’re loving this track at Get In Her Ears. Of the track Lupa J says: “”I wrote this just over a year ago now, and I was in a really unhappy place. I had barely any friends in the city I lived in; instead focusing my energy on a long term relationship that was starting to eat away at me and my sanity more than it grew me, and I was starting to realise more and more I had a lot of previously repressed & unexplored queer desire.” (Tash Walker)

Tacocat – ‘The Joke Of Life’
Our fave Seattle pop-punks Tacocat are releasing their new album This Mess Is A Place on 5th May via Sub-pop records, and this is the latest single to be lifted form the record. This band never fail to put a smile on my face, always providing a buoyant guitar tune that makes for a reassuring listen during these misguided and politically turbulent times. Long live Tacocat! (Kate Crudgington)

Panic Pocket – ‘Pizza In My Pants’
Taken from Panic Pocket’s new EP Never Gonna Happen, ‘Pizza In My Pants’ is a fun-filled look at the common expectations society holds women to, and is filled with a playful energy and self-deprecating humour. Oozing honey-sweet harmonies alongside shimmering melodies and a gritty synth-driven energy, it’s another luscious (and super relatable!) slice of indie-pop from the duo, showcasing all there is to love about them. Never Gonna Happen, the new EP from Panic Pocket, is out now via Reckless Yes. And we cannot wait for them to play for us at our next night at The Finsbury on 10th May, along with Crumbs, Charismatic Megafauna and Rookes. (Mari Lane)

Grizzly Coast – ‘Half-Light Boy’ 
“Will you shine for them, like I shined for you?” asks Grizzly Coast on her bitter sweet new single ‘Half-Light Boy’. The track is a “sobering realization that not every person you encounter will have the same heart as you”. It’s not all doom and gloom though! Grizzly Coasts’ buoyant guitar and gentle yet sturdy vocals are a reminder that “someone else’s lack of care for you is often due to something lacking in them – it is never an expression of what you deserve”. The story behind ‘Half-Light Boy’ will resonate with anyone who’s felt like like they’re shining the spotlight on someone else, whilst simultaneously living in their shadow. (KC)

ABBIE OZARD – ‘Growing Pains’
I am loving the latest single from Manchester based Abbie Ozard, ‘Growing Pains’ keep your eyes peeled for a full debut EP still to come later this year – mine are wide wide open. (TW)

Sølv – ‘Bittersweet’ 
Bittersweet’ is the first taste of Sølv that we’ve had following the release of her acclaimed Codeine EP in 2017 and it’s a banger. Tripped out hazy waves, warped vocals all mixed together in electronic beats. Yes please.(TW)

Bamboo – ‘Weeping Idols’ (ML)
Taken from Bamboo‘s upcoming third album, ‘Weeping Idols’ is an uplifting and subtly captivating offering. Propelled by a thunderous sense of urgency, a twinkling soundscape is created as swirling interwoven melodies and chiming hooks provide the backdrop for Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit)’s soaring majestic vocals. Daughters Of The Sky, the upcoming new album from Bamboo, is out on 14th June via Upset The Rhythm. Pre-order here. (ML)

Witching Waves – ‘Best Of Me’ 
The latest single from trio Witching Waves, ‘Best Of Me’ races with a jangly twang and punk-fuelled energy. Alongside fast-paced hooks and raw, impassioned vocals, I just can’t get enough of visceral power. Formed of Emma, Mark and Estella (Big Joanie and Charmpit), I just love Witching Waves’ unrelenting DIY post-punk sound and frenetic sense of urgency. Persistence, the new album from Witching Waves, is out now. (ML)

Mammoth Penguins – ‘Closure’
The latest single from Cambridge trio Mammoth Penguins, ‘Closure’ is a reflective offering, oozing the rich, impassioned power of Emma Kupa’s vocals alongside the band’s trademark jangly hooks and shimmering emotion, showcasing the their ability to make me feel all the feels on every listen. Of the track, Emma explains: “Closure is a song about an interaction, or day, or moment, or occurrence when something shifts and feelings that you may have been carrying around for a while just dissipate. I think real closure can be quite rare and incredibly profound.” Having left us with butterflies in our stomachs with their dreamy indie-pop offerings playing for us at our last night at The Finsbury, Mammoth Penguins’ new album There’s No Fight We Can’t Both Win, is out today, 26th April, via Fika Recordings. (ML)

Seraphina – ‘Backbone’ 
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I am loving what Seraphina is bringing out at the moment! Such rich sound and soul. ‘Backbone’ is her last single which is out now and all about wanting someone you shouldn’t…and all the messy head-fuckery that it brings. Just fantastic. (TW)

Jessica Winter – ‘Sleep Forever’ 
I am so late to the Jessica Winter party, but thanks to a suggestion from one of our writers (thanks Cazz!) I have arrived and I am ready to immerse myself in her captivating sound. She’s a DIY Producer who fuses elements of trap and gothic electronica and her vocals are spellbinding. Jessica also has a strong presence in the LGBTQ scene, putting on Hate The Haus club nights across London to celebrate a range of talent while supporting ethical causes. ‘Sleep Forever’ is an introduction to her upcoming EP Let’s Keep It Shallow, due out in September. (KC)

FKA TWIGS – ‘Cellophane’
FKA Twigs seems to re-emerge whenever my heart’s taken a bit of a beating, and I’m always so relieved when she does. ‘Cellophane’ is her first release since 2016 and she’s co-created a breath-taking set of visuals and written a truly poignant and ballad. “Why don’t I do it for you?” she asks so gently – Oh Twigs! – you do it for me every time and I’m so glad to have your new music back in my life *cries* (KC)

Zamilska – ‘Hollow’ 
I am obsessed with Polish producer ZAMILSKA and I cannot wait to hear her new album Uncovered, which this track is taken from, when it’s released digitally on 10th May via her own label Untuned Records. Set around the theme of levitation, Zamilska’s industrial, techno-infused electronics have been haunting me (in a good way) from first listen. She’s been featured on Nine Inch Nails’ Spotify playlist, and remixed ‘Belly Of The Beast’ one of my fave tracks from my fave artist Gazelle Twin. Super talented and super exciting to see what she does next. (KC)

Peaches – ‘Boys Wanna Be Her’
Long time favourite, and total legend, Peaches is playing at The Southbank Centre in London on 28th August – I’m SO excited to finally be able to finally see her incredible, unique performance live! And ‘Boys Wanna Be Her’ is just the perfect celebratory anthem; as Peaches explains – “It’s just a celebration. Seriously. I want it to be like a post-gender and post-age celebration of becoming who you are.”
(ML)

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Five Favourites: The Coathangers

We’ve been massive fans of Atlanta trio The Coathangers for a while now, finding comfort in their cathartic fusion of uplifting melodies and gritty, angst-driven energy. And, with the release of their latest album The Devil You Know, they stand out as one of the most relevant and powerful bands around.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a new band/artist is by asking them what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Stephanie from The Coathangers to ask about their ‘Five Favourites’ – five albums that have influenced their songwriting techniques. Check out her choices below, and make sure you watch the band’s new video  for ‘Stranger Danger’ at the end of this post.

Refused – Shape of Punk to Come
When I first heard this album I immediately wanted to change the world whilst smashing everything in my way. Not only was it politically transformative, but it still had that punk ethos of community and respect for humanity in general. We had the amazing opportunity to be able to tour with Refused a few years back and it was probably the best time of my life. Their incredible energy and power live is the same as what you hear on the album… Something we’ve always tried to mimic.

Cyndi Lauper – True Colors
I know it might sound cheesy but this was one of my first tapes and I think every song on this album is just as stellar as when I first heard it a billion years ago. Cyndi’s voice is always something I’ve admired because it’s so “unusual”, and I think me and the girls have each found our unique voice as well throughout the years, which I believe is important for any performer.

White Stripes – White Blood Cells
This is just one of the albums that me and the girls adore by the dynamic duo. We always wished we could have toured with them because we loved what they did with just the two of themselves! Very inspiring lyrics as well as instrumentation again, with only two people. Just goes to show that you can do anything with not a shit ton of band members or instruments. Also, I always loved Meg’s drumming – although not that intricate, it always made sense for the songs. I’ve tried to use the same ethos with Coathangers songs, sometimes less is more.

Buzzcocks – Singles Going Steady
So I know it’s a comp of singles but who cares?! This album is obviously awesome. I was listening to this record on repeat for two years straight when I lived in LA. At the time, our friends Derek and Jordee were getting me hooked on ’70s power-pop, and this was one of the records that made me want to be in a band.

Janis Joplin – Greatest Hits
Ok ok, I knooooow it’s a greatest hits comp, but again who cares…?! This was another one of my first records a million years ago, and obviously I fell in love with not just Janis’ voice, but with the power her sadness held in each one of these songs. Music itself is such a magnetic, crazy force of nature, and this album just amplified that in my life. I feel that with every album we do, we try to be as authentic and powerful with our songs as well.

Massive thanks to Stephanie for discussing her ‘Five Favourites’ with us! Watch The Coathangers’ new video for ‘Stranger Danger’ here:

The Devil You Know, the new album from The Coathangers, is out now via Suicide Squeeze. Catch The Coathangers live in the UK at the following dates:

24th April – The Latest Music Bar, Brighton (with support from GIHE faves ARXX!)
25th April – Studio 9294, London
27th April – The Cookie, Leicester
28th April – SWG Poetry Club, Glasgow
29th April – Soup Kitchen, Manchester
30th April – Arts Club (Loft), Liverpool
1st May – The Key Club, Leeds

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