Track Of The Day: Carmel Smickergill – ‘Questioning’

Having performed with the likes of New Order, and with acclaim from BBC 6Music’s Maryanne Hobbs, Manchester based musician Carmel Smickersgill has been mentored by the acclaimed Anna Meredith and prides herself on creating unique ‘outsider pop’.

Taken from her upcoming debut EP, Smickersgill today has shared an utterly spellbinding new track. A quirky reflection on identity, ‘Questioning‘ immerses the listener with its captivating whirring grace and celestial energy, creating an exquisitely ethereal soundscape reminiscent of GIHE fave Jenny Hval. A perfect introduction to the intriguing, multi-faceted offerings that are yet to come from this innovative new artist. Of the track, Smickersgill explains:

“I think how you react to something, how you pronounce your vowels etc when you’re caught off-guard, really says a lot about who you are and where you’ve come from… ‘Questioning’ is a celebration of identity, but one to be taken lightly. Revel in the bold changes and big shapes.“

We Get What We And We Don’t Get Upset, the debut EP from Carmel Smickersgill, is set for release on 15th April via Prah Recordings. And I cannot wait to hear more of her intriguing soundscapes!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Elspeth Moore

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Track Of The Day: Gemma Cullingford – ‘Walking In The Air’

Following acclaim for her debut solo album Let Me Speak from the likes of John Kennedy, Jamz Supernova and Amy Lame earlier this year, Gemma Cullingford (who you may know as one half of epic electro-punk duo Sink Ya Teeth) has now shared her own festive offering.

A unique rendition of The Snowman’s ‘Walking In The Air’, it’s propelled by immersive glitchy beats and a haunting, captivating energy. As soaring vocals flow alongside the pulsating, effervescent soundscape, Cullingford has transformed this emotive classic into a swirling, strangely dark – yet instantly uplifting – slice of fizzing alt disco.

With The Snowman apparently being the only Christmas film that Gemma can bear to watch, she explains of the track:

“I remember as a child watching The Snowman and owning the picture book, both of which were just magical and strangely soothing… I’d been toying with the idea of covering it for the last few years. This is the song that represents the film and I decided to ‘Gemma it up’ a bit...”


Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Guest Blog: Bloom Sessions

Priding themselves on supporting women and people of marginalised genders within the music scene across Yorkshire, Bloom Sessions was founded in October last year. Originally funded by charity NYMAZ, they now work in collaboration with Come Play With Me and have also worked with Girls Can Play Guitar. Both a publication spotlighting different artists and illustrators, and a live events organiser, Bloom Sessions have proved themselves to be a vital, innovative part of the North West music scene.

Ahead of their last event of the year at Headrow House tomorrow afternoon, we caught up Claire Hamilton from Bloom Sessions to find more about what they do, why they do it, and what they have planned for the gig tomorrow…

Since October 2020, Bloom Sessions has been supporting women and people of marginalised genders across Yorkshire by hosting live sessions, commissioning artwork and generating digital content. This December, we close off the year with an afternoon of soothing soul, jazz and R&B on Sunday 12th at Headrow House in Leeds, alongside Rumbi Tauro, Pixie Cola and Shantelle King. 

Originally funded by youth development charity NYMAZ, Bloom Sessions has gone on to be supported by the likes of Leeds Inspired and are currently in collaboration with Come Play With Me. The project started as two friends with a common interest in championing local creatives, a love of music and a drive to see change in the industry. We’re currently a team of three, Cheïma, Izzy and Claire, and we’re more inspired than ever to continue working with fantastic creatives across Yorkshire. 

Frustrated by underrepresentation and dismissal across the industry (boo), as well as personal experiences of a lack of respect and responsibility (double boo), we set our main goal as aiming to be a safe, respectful, fun space for women and people of marginalised genders to express themselves and be paid fairly. 

Bloom Sesh vol.1 spotlighted one illustrator and one musician/band per month between Oct 2020 – Feb 2021, with a super special bumper edition in March ’21 for International Women’s Day in collaboration with Oporto TV and Girls Can Play Guitar. Vol. 2 placed us directly in the live music scene as we hosted two gigs at the heart of Leeds in cooperative club Wharf Chambers. We worked with 8 incredible artists including the likes of Sofa King, The Sound of Modesty, illustrator Janice Leung, and super talented local photographer, Fev. 

But let’s talk December! We wanted to finish the year on a high, and to counterbalance the frantic festive szn we’ve programmed a perfect sunny Sunday afternoon that is guaranteed to lower your blood pressure. Expect to be swayed (quite literally) by sounds of soul, jazz and R&B as we welcome three superb women to the stage at Headrow House, Leeds. P.S – check out that poster design by the wicked Tanya Shanduka!

With doors at 1pm, we open with Shantelle King, a Bradford based neo-soul artist who has made everything happen for herself, being her own agent, manager and promoter. A certified force to be reckoned with, Shantelle only commands more respect once you listen to her music – it’s smooth, intimate and utterly captivating. Following this, we’ll be hearing from Leeds legend Pixie Cola. Residing between the realms of jazz and hip-hop, Pixie holds one of our favourite local releases of the year. Her debut EP, You’re Living In A Pixie World,Vol.1, combines her powerful lyricism with fragrant beats and dreamy melodies. 

Last but definitely not least, our headliner is the effervescent Rumbi Tauro. Rumbi has had a strong 2021, going from strength to strength with the release of her latest whopper ‘Run Run’, collaborations with The Leadmill and Hope Works as well as festival slots at Long Division and Tramlines. Rumbi’s powerful energy translates into her music and the end result is creative, warm and dynamic – in her own words, she leaves ‘no emotional stone unturned’. We can’t wait to see what she brings to the stage, it’s her first headline here in the city and we want to give a warm reception!

So, if you’re based in the Leeds area, clear your schedule. Join us from 1pm at Headrow House, and even if you’re hungover, this’ll be the perfect remedy to cure those ‘Sunday scaries’. Tickets are only a fiver, but if you’re not in a position to pay that – DM us on Instagram, or email hello@bloomsessions.com, and we can work something out. 

Come say hi, support some underrepresented artists and wrap yourselves up in some dreamy melodies to chase away those wintery chills!

Poster by: Tanya Shanduka 

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Track Of The Day: TV Room – ‘Balcony’

You may know her as the drummer of deep tan or Buggs, but London-based multi-talented artist Lucy Rushton – aka TV Room – has now shared her shimmering debut solo single.

Showcasing Rushton’s rich cascading vocals, ‘Balcony‘ ripples with a smooth, soulful splendour and lilting energy, with shades of early Marika Hackman. Propelled by pattering beats and twinkling hooks, alongside an immersive, confessional lyrical storytelling, a sparkling winter ballad is created, oozing a captivating, effervescent allure. With its cinematic musicality and heartfelt raw emotion, it offers a perfectly comforting accompaniment to a cosy festive evening.

A self professed “soft-boy queer anthem”, ‘Balcony’ offers an honest reflection on the feelings that accompany a break-up. Of the track, Rushton explains:

“It’s important to think about whether it’s self-fulfilling to just say everything you’re feeling to someone who you’ve broken up with, or whether sometimes it’s best to understand that they might not need that just because you do, and let them move on. It doesn’t stop you from wanting to get it out somehow though, so I’d recommend writing a sad song about it instead.”

Watch the new video for ‘Balcony’ here:

‘Balcony’ is out now via Sad Club Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Syd Parsons

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