Five Favourites: The Fauns

Following a decade-long hiatus, and having received acclaim from the likes of Steve Lamacq on BBC 6Music over the years, Bristol based shoegaze ensemble The Fauns have now returned to charm our ears, releasing their new album, How Lost, this month.

With original members, Alison Garner, Michael Savage and Guy Rhys Davies, reuniting for the album, How Lost showcases the sweeping ethereal soundscapes that we’ve come to know and love from the band, whilst dipping into newer, electro-driven sounds. Oozing a mystical allure, each track floats into the ears effortlessly as glistening instrumentals provide a backdrop for Garner’s exquisite emotion-rich vocals. I’ve had it on repeat since first hearing it, finding myself truly immersed in its captivating blissful haze.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate the release of How Lost, we caught up with Alison from the band to ask about the music that has inspired her the most. Read about her five favourite songs and watch the video for latest single ‘Shake Your Hair‘ below!

Kate Bush – ‘Wow’
Since the days of listening to her on cassette on repeat during family car trips to the caravan when I was little, Kate Bush has been a huge influence on me. It’s hard to chose one track, but ‘Wow’ – with its experimental vibes and Kate’s ever changing vocal style – made my tiny brain say exactly that. Her quirky vocals in this song made me start to experiment with my own. I realised it’s not about hitting the perfect note (try telling my childhood singing teacher that!), it’s about feeling, about expression, about finding your own voice, and about pushing boundaries. Bush’s influence guided me towards a more open-minded vocal style and remains a reminder of the beauty in embracing individuality, and to explore the limitless possibilities available to us when using the voice.

Caterina Valente – ‘The Breeze and I’
This one holds a special place – it was my Grandma’s favourite song, and damn she had good taste! Valente’s voice is nothing short of sublime; from soaring highs to velvety warm lows, it’s downright sexy and captivating. ‘The Breeze and I’ is a soothing yet dramatic lullaby, showcasing Valente’s impeccable vocal technique. Her ability to effortlessly navigate the song’s nuances inspired me to explore the full range of my own voice (if only I could match her prowess!). Every single syllable she weaves carries an emotional weight that’s beyond inspiring. This song stands as a timeless reminder of the enduring power and artistry of a beautiful voice.

Cocteau Twins – ‘Pitch The Baby’
The first time I heard Elizabeth Fraser’s dreamy vocals riding the waves of atmospheric soundscapes it was like stumbling upon a musical secret. The whole Cocteau Twins influence was eye-opening and gently nudged me towards a more ethereal vocal style. This track in particular made me re-think my voice as an instrument. The song is like a musical playground, and urged me to explore, experiment, and break free from conventional vocal norms. It’s still a reminder to get playful with my voice, embrace textures and layers, and craft intricate sonic landscapes that go beyond the expected.

PJ Harvey and Nick Cave – ‘Henry Lee’
Each utterance from the sexy mouths of Harvey and Cave in ‘Henry Lee’ is a punch to my gut, laden with raw, authentic emotion. It’s a storytelling masterpiece and you hang on their every word. The palpable chemistry between these two music gods sculpts a vocal landscape teeming with passion and sexual tension. It’s beguiling and intriguing, and an inspiration for my own performance. For me, this track serves as a reminder that it’s not enough to just sing, that you have to feel… And the incredible potency that passion, intensity, and expression have in crafting a sonic experience that will resonate with the listener.

Aldous Harding – ‘Imagining My Man’
This track is a masterclass in the power of restraint and deep simplicity. The haunting ache in Aldous’s voice, set against a stripped-down arrangement, is downright mesmerising. As a performer she’s unmatched — I’ve never witnessed someone captivate an audience like her. Aldous’ voice celebrates the strength found in subtlety, revealing the authentic beauty of a voice laid bare. Although my musical style in The Fauns is more often enveloped within a wall of sound, her influence echoes in my latest album, serving as a reminder that impactful moments in music often arise from the simple, genuine, well-delivered expression of a powerful lyric.

Massive thanks to Alison for sharing her Five Favourites with us! Watch the video for latest single ‘Shake Your Hair’ here:

How Lost, the new album from The Fauns, is out now via Invada.

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PREMIERE: Sukie Smith – ‘Into The Light’

Having released critically acclaimed albums with her band Madam over the last decade, as well as collaborating with the likes of Tricky, multi-disciplinary artist Sukie Smith has now announced the release of her debut solo album, The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Into The Light’ reflects on summoning the power to leave a turbulent relationship that Smith found herself trapped in during lockdown. Showcasing her rich vocals alongside scuzzy hooks and a ’90s reminiscent whirring energy, a gritty, empowering spirit glistens throughout, creating an impassioned, yet catchy, indie anthem. A fierce ode to survival and understanding our own strength as women, from a truly innovative artist.

‘Into The Light’ is accompanied by an artfully created new video, directed by James Alexander, which beautifully portrays the sparkling energy and fizzing sense of celebration at the heart of the song. Watch, for the first time, here:

‘Into The Light’ will also feature an additional remix by Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, so keep your ears peeled for that too! The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell, the upcoming debut album from Sukie Smith, is set for release on 8th March.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: James Alexander

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New Track: Moor Mother – ‘Guilty’

Following critical acclaim for her 2021 album Black Encyclopedia Of The Air, innovative artist Camae Ayewa – aka Moor Mother – has now announced the release of her 9th studio album, The Great Bailout.

Our first taste of the album comes in the form of new single ‘Guilty‘, a collaboration with Lonnie Holley, Mary Lattimore and Raia Was. Oozing a mystical energy, it encapsulates the sentiment of the album – a poignant and necessary message, bringing to our attention crimes committed by our ‘fair isle’. With a glistening splendour, layers of chiming instrumentation swirl together with vocals, intertwining to create a truly stirring anthem. As its whirring musicality provides a backdrop to lists of ‘great’ Britain’s injustices against humanity and the harsh realities of colonialism, the juxtaposition of the horror of ‘Guilty’s message with the beauty of its musicality is stark. At over ten minutes long, I urge you to immerse yourself in this hauntingly beautiful offering; one that we need to pay heed to, now more than ever. An urgent message encased in an evocative sonic grace.

Of the track, Ayewa explains:

“Displacement and its effects are not discussed enough… The PTSD of displacement should be a focus, and as we have the opportunity to learn about things happening in the world, we also have the opportunity to learn about ourselves. We’ve been through so many different acts of systematic violence.“

Watch the affecting lyric video now:


The Great Bailout, the ninth album from Moor Mother, is set for release on 8th March via ANTI-. Pre-order here. Catch Moor Mother live in London or Bristol in March, info and tickets here.


Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Ebru Yildiz

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GIHE: Ones To Watch 2024

It’s fair to say that 2023 has been a tough one, but if there’s one positive to take away, it’s the immense amount of incredible new music that’s been released, and the hope of even more wonderful offerings from new bands in 2024.

Following our Tracks Of 2023, Albums and EPS of 2023 and Highlights of 2023 features, we’re now sharing our Ones To Watch for 2024 – naming a handful of bands and artists who have impressed us and that we predict will be reaching ears far and wide next year. Have a read of our choices and make sure you give them all a follow to keep track of their achievements over the next twelve months.

Dogviolet
The latest project of London DIY scene queens Naz and Ella, Dogviolet are already fast becoming a staple on any decent female/queer focused line-up in the capital. I had the honour of hosting the band’s first ever gig last summer, and since then they’ve been winning over crowds with their captivating grunge-fuelled post-punk. Returning to play for us this November at a sold out Sebright Arms to support Problem Patterns, it was wonderful to see how they’ve really honed their sound and built in confidence on stage; with their now established line-up of Brodie joining them on bass and Lauren on drums, they exude a subtle spellbinding power and gritty immersive energy, marking them out as truly unique. It’s easy to see why bands like Heartworms, The Wedding Present and folk legend Grace Petrie have been keen to share stages with them lately, and they have some exciting announcements in the pipeline for 2024. I can’t wait. Find out more about Dogviolet here.
(Mari Lane – GIHE Co-Founder)

 

ALT BLK ERA
Watching genre-defying sister duo ALT BLK ERA supporting STRAIGHT GIRL at our GIHE gig at The Shacklewell Arms earlier this year proved to me that the future is bright for alternative music. Taking cues from an eclectic range of artists – Ashnikko, Hacktivist, The Prodigy and Billie Eilish and Nova Twins to name a few – together, teenage siblings Nyrobi and Chaya  blur the boundaries of pop punk, nu-metal, rap and electronic music to form their riotous sounds. By combining jagged electronics, heavy riffs and racing beats with raging lyrics, the pair have created an alternative statement of self autonomy on their debut EP, Freak Show, which perfectly showcases their antagonistic, youthful spirit. They’ll be playing at The Hootananny in Brixton on 6th March, before heading to Download Festival next year. 2024 looks set to be a big year for them, so catch them while you can. Check out our recent interview with ALT BLK ERA here. Find out more about ALT BLK ERA here. (Kate Crudgington – GIHE Co-Founder)

 

Sheherazaad
One of my favourite new discoveries of 2023, Brooklyn based artist Sheherazaad left me completely spellbound with her debut single ‘Mashoor’ (so much so that it was one of my tracks of the year…) Reflecting on her South Asian sonic lineage, it draws on themes of displacement and nostalgia with a contemporary, genre-defying spirit, immersing you in its exquisite rippling allure on first listen. Produced by Arooj Aftab and released via renowned label Erased Tapes, this first offering from Sheherazaad showcases all there is to love about the innovative artist; a creator of intricate beauty, not afraid to share her values about what matters most. And, having already received acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork and The New York Times, I’m quite certain listeners the world over will be falling in love with her unique soundscapes throughout 2024. Find out more about Sheherazaad here.(ML)

House Of Women
2023 was a big year for Hackney-based alt-rock trio House Of Women. The band performed alongside Coach Party and Bedroom High Club at London’s Omeara at the end of the year, and they played knockout sets at All Points East and 2000 Trees festivals in the summer too. Perhaps most impressively though, they self-released their debut EP, People Printing, in November, cementing their status as a band with a compelling sound and truly exciting potential. 2024 looks set to be another big year for Elsa Malazogu (guitar), Poppy Miller (guitar) and Kyla Lanai (vocals, piano) and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next. Check out our recent interview with House Of Women here. Find out more about House Of Women here. (KC)

CHERYM
Since first falling in love with 2021 single ‘Listening To My Head’, I’ve been following Derry band Cherym, addicted to their empowering, nostalgia-tinged punk-pop. And, having been lucky enough to catch them live both here in London and across the pond in Belfast, I’ve become convinced that their perfect blend of uplifting honey-sweet allure and gritty riotous energy is headed for big things… Another band signed to the best of labels, Alcopop! Records, they’ve had an exciting 2023 sharing stages with the likes of The Beths and GIHE faves ARXX, spendin the summer playing festivals such as Truck and Rebellion, and even ventured to Austin for SXSW. Now, with their debut full length album on the way in February, followed by a European tour (including dates supporting Enter Shikari), I have a feeling that my convictions will be proved right; 2024 is going to be a big year for the Northern Irish trio. Find out more about Cherym here. (ML)

Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra
Watching Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra’s vocalist Sarah Deegan perform traditional Celtic song ‘Amhrán na hÉascainne’ (The Song Of The Eel’) at the band’s debut London headline gig for GIHE at The Shacklewell Arms was a cell-altering experience that Mari and I will never forget. Her effortlessly urgent vocals were totally captivating, and alongside her band mates (including the ultra cool Julie from HAVVK), she treated us to a set full of deeply poetic, melancholy shoegaze sounds. I’m grateful to Irish artist Constance Keane aka Fears for introducing me to the Dublin band a few years ago. If you get the chance to see Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra live, please take it. Find out more about Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra here. (KC)

Vyva Melinkolya
Angel Diaz aka Vyva Melinkolya is responsible for some of my favourite music from the past year. She worked alongside Midwife on their collaborative EP, Orbweaving, a moving rumination on healing from, and enduring pain, plus, she released her second album, Unbecoming, which features contributions from Midwife and the inimitable Ethel Cain. Her hazy, heavy shoegaze is perfectly complemented by her magnetic, far-off vocals. Listening to her music is a dreamy, disorientating experience. I’m hoping to catch her live at some point in 2024. Find out more about Vyva Melinkolya here.


Despite our apprehensions about 2024, at least we’re heading into the new year with some fantastic music to accompany it! Massive thanks to all who’ve supported GIHE throughout 2023, it really means the world. And huge thanks to all the amazing bands and artists who’ve soundtracked it, and who will continue to soundtrack 2024!

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