NEW TRACK: Grandmas House – ‘Desire’

A smouldering blend of charged riffs and commanding beats, Bristol punk trio Grandmas House have shared their latest single ‘Desire’. Taken from the upcoming new EP, Who Am I, which is set for release on 3rd March via Brace Yourself Records, the track is inspired by the disorientating power of romantic infatuation.

Formed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums) and Zoë Zinsmeister (bass), Grandmas House combine gritty guitars, thudding percussion and a joyful dose of sarcasm to create their catchy punk inspired anthems. The band released their self-titled debut EP in October 2021, which covered everything from dismantling the patriarchy, celebrating queer love, to a penchant for local pasties. Now, Grandmas House are back with their new single ‘Desire’, and another collection of songs that tackle topics such as body image, identity and disassociation, and negatively stereotyped zodiac signs.

“‘Desire’ is about meeting someone new and being immediately intrigued by them,” the band comment about their new song. “It focuses on the confusion surrounding infatuation and trying to keep yourself grounded at the same time.” Berndt’s raucous voice rises and falls alongside Dodgson’s backing vocals and blistering beats across the track, whilst Zinsmeister’s rumbling basslines enhance the all-consuming yearning that’s explored in the lyrics.

The single is accompanied by a monochrome video, directed by Oliver Mallory. The visuals feature Frankie Darwin and American writer, poet and friend of the band Savannah Brown, who end up clashing over an unusually intense game of chess.

Grandmas House will be celebrating the release of their new EP with a UK headline tour this March. Full dates are listed below. Grab your tickets here.

Watch the video for ‘Desire’ here:

Grandmas House UK Tour Dates 2023
3rd Mar – Liverpool, UK – Kaz Stockroom
4th Mar – Bristol, UK – Exchange
9th Mar – Leeds, UK – Oporto
10th Mar – Glasgow, UK – McChuills
11th Mar – Sheffield, UK – Sidney & Matilda (Basement)
16th Mar – Leicester, UK – Duffy’s
17th Mar – Manchester, UK – YES (Basement)
18th Mar – Cardiff, UK – Clwb Ifor Bach (Downstairs)
23rd Mar – London, UK – The Victoria
24th Mar – Brighton, UK – The Hope & Ruin

Follow Grandmas House on TikTok, bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: Montauk Hotel – ‘Dive’ (Come Afloat)

A bittersweet reflection on the conflicting feelings that come with returning to your hometown, Dublin-based trio Montauk Hotel have shared their latest single ‘Dive (Come Afloat)’. Marking the indie-pop band’s first release since 2019, the new track is laced with shimmering guitar sounds and soft vocal harmonies, which soften the feelings of discontent and disappointment that are explored in the lyrics.

“‘Dive (Come Afloat)’ reflects on the uncertain border that separates present from future, hesitation from release, uneasiness from comfort and deceit from honesty,” the band comment about their new single. “The song discusses friendship, insecurity and feelings of homecoming in a motionless town.” Montauk Hotel capture this feeling of sinking and re-surfacing through their use of crystalline 80s inspired guitar lines, gentle beats and buoyant, lullaby-esque vocals.

Montauk Hotel released their self-titled EP in March 2017, and their 2019 singles ‘Stains’ and ‘White Billboards’ were playlisted on Spotify New Music Friday, as well as receiving support from Nialler9, RTE, 2fm, The Thin Air, The Last Mixed Tape and BBC Radio. Now, with more new music on the horizon, the band are looking forward to returning to the live scene again, after previously headlining shows at Whelans, The Workman’s Club, The Sound House, Bello Bar and Roisin Dubh.

The band have also previously supported international acts such as Goat Girl, PINS and Beauty Sleep, and have appeared at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Other Voices, Groove Festival, Sea Sessions, Vantastival and Sunflower Festival.

Listen to their latest single ‘Dive (Come Afloat)’ below.

Follow Montauk Hotel on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

LISTEN: Ailbhe Reddy – ‘Last To Leave’

An intricate re-framing of the extended emotional hangover that often sets in before the end of a big night out, Irish musician Ailbhe Reddy has shared her latest single ‘Last To Leave’. Taken from her upcoming second album, Endless Affair, which is set for release on 17th March via MNRK, the track is a relatable reflection on taking things too far, and wanting to atone for potentially embarrassing behaviour – whether personally, or vicariously.

“’Last To Leave’ is about having an infatuation with someone who you find frustrating and watching as they make a fool of themselves at a party, while knowing you might be doing the same thing,” Reddy explains about her new single. The songwriter explores this scenario through the lens of a bystander, but is all too aware that she may also be guilty by association. Reddy acknowledges this via her endearing, yet excruciatingly raw lyrics and crystalline vocals. “It’s not just your drink you’re spilling / to anybody who will listen” she observes, over gentle beats and considered instrumentation, softening the awkward reality of the situation.

Following on from her debut album, Personal History (2020), Reddy’s upcoming record Endless Affair is inspired by her romantic relationships and her fractured memories of many a fun night spent partying in her early 20s. It’s both a poignant and playful offering, that sees her tap into the need to be with others, to soak up the experience as much as possible, and to remind listeners that they’re not missing out – even if they have to leave the party early.

Reddy will be playing the revered SXSW festival in Texas in March, before returning to the UK and Ireland in April and May to play a string of headline shows. Full dates are below.

Listen to ‘Last To Leave’ here:

Ailbhe Reddy 2023 UK & Ireland Tour Dates
12 April – Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK
13 April – Louisiana, Bristol, UK
14 April – Gullivers, Manchester, UK
15 April – Hug & Pint, Glasgow, UK
16 April – Brudenell, Leeds, UK
18 April – Moth Club, London, UK
05 May – Whelans, Dublin, IE
06 May – Whelans, Dublin, IE

Follow Ailbhe Reddy on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo credit: Niamh Barry

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

WATCH: Ritual Forms – ‘Down’

A brooding, atmospheric soundscape that explores the way our moods fluctuate during uncertain times, Ritual Forms have shared their latest single ‘Down’. Lifted from their upcoming debut album, Nighttime Economy, which is set for release on 2nd March, the London-based trio’s new offering is another captivating blend of hypnotic loops, steady beats and intoxicating vocals.

Formed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, good friends Anna Marcella, Curtis Elvidge and Joe Cross decided to combine their distinctive musical backgrounds into a new project. Under the moniker of Ritual Forms, the trio wanted to remove all of their self-imposed constraints and rediscover themselves in an a new and uninhibited creative process. This culminated in their debut single ‘Dreaming‘, which seamlessly shifts between the lighter and darker shades of human emotion, and the band’s latest offering ‘Down’ flows in a similar shadowy vein.

“’Down’ was planted in retro territory when Curtis created a warped 90’s hip-hop sample, which in turn inspired me to create impactful lyrics and groove melodies around a unique song structure,” vocalist Anna explains about the track. “The lyrical backdrop here is both personal and politically charged, but we wanted to layer sounds and textures to bring a sullen and dreamy vibe that represents both the anxious undertones many of us are feeling, along with the flow and relief of moving forward.”

Ritual Forms will be playing a FREE show at Hoxton Underbelly on Wednesday 25th January in order to celebrate the release of their new single.

‘Down’ is accompanied by a cinematic monochrome video which you can watch below.

Follow Ritual Forms on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment