Track Of The Day: Bad Sidekick – ‘Lemon Eyes’

Inspired by the cute nickname that vocalist Cooper gave to her cat, Bad Sidekick‘s latest single ‘Lemon Eyes’ is a buoyant ode to genuine, selfless love. Taken from the band’s upcoming debut album Daily Lottery, which is set for release on 19th August, the track is full of upbeat riffs, tender lyrics and Cooper’s charming Bristolian intonation, warmly reflecting on the joy that comes with nurturing someone you love, and watching that relationship blossom into something truly comfortable and secure.

Formed of Cooper Rose (vocals), Robbie Jenner (bass), Joe Blount (guitar) and John Blount (drums), Bad Sidekick create alt-rock anthems inspired by the nuances of everyday life. Based between London and Bristol, the band released their debut self-titled EP back in 2018, and since Robbie Jenner joined the ranks earlier this year, they’ve been busy writing and recording their debut album, Daily Lottery. They released the gritty, eponymous track from the album as a single earlier this month, but with their new single ‘Lemon Eyes’ the band showcase their softer side, courtesy of a catchy chorus and playful riffs.

To celebrate the release of their upcoming record, Bad Sidekick will be playing an album launch gig on the 19th August in Bristol at The Crofters Rights, supported by Annabel Allum, Sit Down and Holy Reptile. They will also be playing a London show on 3rd September at The Finsbury Pub supported by The Baby Seals, Brie and Holy Reptile.

Listen to ‘Lemon Eyes’ below.

 

Follow Bad Sidekick on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Ailbhe Reddy 27.07.22

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves playing loads of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists, and Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. They discussed some of the artists nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize (Nova Twins, Wet Leg and Self Esteem) and laughed their way through Kate’s traumatic Ethel Cain-based nightmare.

Irish songwriter Ailbhe Reddy joined them to talk about her latest single ‘A Mess’, her debut album Personal History and her recent appearances at The Great Escape, Latitude and Visions festival. They also spoke about the Avril Lavigne tribute night Ailbhe hosted in Dublin to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Let Go. Listen out for her excellent rendition of the ‘rap’ part in ‘Nobody’s Fool’. #ImNotTheMilkAndCheeriosInYourSpoon

Listen back below:

 

Tracklist
Phoebe Bridgers – Motion Sickness
Yves Tumor – Gospel For a New Century
Miya Folick – Nothing to See
Big Joanie – Happier Still
Ethel Cain – Family Tree (Intro)
Nova Twins – Cleopatra
Brutus – Dust
Real Big Sky – Another Day
The Mars Volta – Blacklight Shine
Lynks – Hey Joe (Relax)
Ailbhe Reddy – A Mess
**Interview with Ailbhe Reddy**
SOAK – Guts
M(h)aol – Bored Of Men
Bad Sidekick – Daily Lottery
Hanya – Amateur Professional
Minerva – Dead
Bonnie Banane – CDA
Muna Ileiwat – Pity Party
Hannah Schneider – It’s The Season
Maria Uzor ft. Emily Winng – Winner
Currls – Honey
Self Esteem – I Do This All The Time
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Spitting off the edge of the world
ARXX – Deep
Fraulein – And I Go (La La La)
Lady Gaga – Stupid Love

WATCH: Brutus – ‘Liar’

Gritty vocals, powerhouse percussion and charged riffs punctuate ‘Liar’, the latest single from Belgian trio Brutus. Taken from their upcoming third album Unison Life, which is set for release on 21st October via Hassle Records/Sargent House, the track is a heavy lament that criticises the lies we tell ourselves in order to keep a false and temporary sense of calm.

“When things get a bit more difficult or when relationships demand too much energy, I choose to avoid confronting things, or just lie about it for the sake of keeping the peace,” vocalist and drummer Stefanie Mannaerts explains about the context of the new single. “At that point, it just seems like the easy thing to do so that nobody gets hurt. But in the long run, those well-intentioned lies will catch up with you, and the peace you thought you’d found turns out to be an illusion.” Through her instinctive, thudding beats and primal vocals, Mannaerts shatters these illusions amidst a cacophony of riffs from guitarist Stijn Vanhoegaerden and bassist Peter Mulders.

The single is accompanied by a video, directed by Maximiliaan Dierickx and shot in the desert near Marrakech and Essaouira in Morocco. The visuals reflect the duality expressed in Mannaerts’ lyrics, and how masking your true feelings ultimately only leads to further disappointment. Dissecting the darker, more desperate parts of the emotional spectrum fuelled the creation of Brutus’ new album Unison Life. “I wanted every song to feel like the last song we’ll ever write,” Mannaerts comments about its conception. “It killed me inside because it’s almost an impossibly high standard, but that was my personal goal for this album. It was a two-year quest of trying to do better.”

Pre-order your copy of Brutus’ new album Unison Life here.

Watch the video for ‘Liar’ below.

Follow Brutus on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Eva Vlonk

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: Miya Folick – ‘Nothing To See’

Emotional, raw and beautifully resilient, Miya Folick‘s latest single ‘Nothing To See’ is a tender ode to rediscovering yourself in the aftermath of a painful breakup. Taken from her new EP 2007, which is set for release on 9th September via Nettwerk, through her clear vocals, candid lyrics and considered instrumentation, Folick accepts that love makes fools of us all, and gracefully reclaims the time she spent changing herself to suit the needs of an unappreciative lover.

“This song is about falling in love with someone emotionally unavailable,” explains the LA based songwriter. “Someone whose feelings and desires were so obscured to me and themselves, that I had to become a detective. I studied their life for clues and tried to fit the role of the person I thought they’d like. Eventually we broke up, and I realized that I’d lost the plot on my own life. My body and personality and life were so populated by the interests of this person, that once they were gone, there was nothing left to see. But, to me, this song isn’t bleak. I think there’s power in being brave enough to say ‘I was made a fool by you.’”

Despite the single’s painful context, ‘Nothing To See’ is a merciful, cathartic offering that reminds listeners that whilst unhealthy romantic infatuation can be draining, there’s comfort in knowing you can break free from the toxic cycle and rediscover your autonomy in the aftermath. This type of personal epiphany permeates the tracks on Folick’s upcoming EP, 2007, on which she scrutinises and forgives herself for feeling things so intensely.

Watch the visualiser for ‘Nothing To See’ below.

Follow Miya Folick on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Maya Folick Tour Dates 2022 (supporting Tove Lo)
29th October – Olympia Theater, Dublin, IE
1st November – SWG3 Galvanizers, Glasgow, UK
2nd November – Academy, Manchester, UK
3rd November – O2 Institute, Birmingham, UK
5th November – The Roundhouse, London, UK

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut