Track Of The Day: Proper. – ‘Huerta’

A punk-infused extrapolation on personal heritage, Brooklyn trio Proper. have shared their latest single ‘Huerta’. Taken from their upcoming album The Great American Novel, which is set for release on 25th March via Big Scary Monsters, the track dives into lead vocalist Erik Garlington’s thoughts about his unexplored Mexican heritage, punctuated by candid lyrics and thumping beats.

Formed of Garlington (vocals/guitar), Natasha Johnson (bass) and Elijah Watson (drums), Proper. have been cutting their teeth on the emo and punk underground circuits in America since 2017. Formerly known as Great Wight, Proper. noticed they were often the only queer people of colour performing in a predominantly white, heterosexual scene, which led to the creation of their new album, The Great American Novel. Described as “a concept album about how Black genius goes ignored, is relentlessly contested, or just gets completely snuffed out before it can flourish,” the record sees the trio resisting the conformity that comes with being taught to ignore your true identity and become “another dull American,” which they lament on latest single ‘Huerta’.

“We’re coming up on our third album and I realized I hadn’t written about my Mexican heritage at all,” Garlington explains. “My grandfather immigrated to the US in the 50s but died before I was born, cutting off the only tie my family has to Mexico. I grew up romanticizing it and it wasn’t until I was older, when my mom and her siblings spoke out about their dad without the filter one uses when speaking around children, that I began to critically examine what heritage and lineage meant. ‘Huerta’ is about looking at the least traveled part of your personality and day dreaming about the possibility.”

Actively evaluating his thoughts about his Mexican heritage throughout the single – “romantacise it to death / just don’t hold your breath” – Garlington and his bandmates offer listeners an insight into what it means to censor or ignore parts of yourself and the impact that can have on your own identity, as well as the wider perception of this identity in predominantly white spaces. “If these audiences are going to be a voyeur to the Black experience, I want them to hear this record and learn about our identity crises,” Garlington continues. Proper.’s unfiltered approach on ‘Huerta’ is a cathartic antidote to this voyeurism.

Listen to ‘Huerta’ below.

Follow Proper. on Apple Music, Spotify, Twitter & Instagram

Photo Credit: Milla Belanich

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Ailsa Tully – ‘Salt Glaze’

Following acclaim for last year’s emotive EP Holy Isle from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit and Clash, as well as support slots with esteemed bands such as Another Sky, Welsh artist and GIHE fave Ailsa Tully has now shared a tender new single.

A poignant reflection on the time that Tully and her partner spent in her late Grandmother’s house during the January lockdown last year, and the accompanying feelings of nostalgia, acceptance and love, ‘Salt Glaze‘ flows with shimmering layers of instrumentation laying the foundations for Tully’s heartfelt crystalline vocals. Rippling with lilting keys and sweeping strings, it offers a glistening moment of reflection and gratitude as its gently harmonious musicality oozes a luscious heartfelt splendour and stirring emotion. A truly immersive soundscape emanating a comforting warmth and exquisite captivating grace.

Of the track, Tully explains:

“My Grandma passed away a few years ago and the house remained unchanged, it was like a museum of salt glaze ceramics and abstract art pieces which began to absorb into my creativity. This song is about that space and how my partner and I tried to make it feel like home during that period while also knowing that it wasn’t ours. It’s ultimately a song about acceptance, balance and letting things be…” 

Watch the beautifully endearing, home-recorded new video for ‘Salt Glaze’ here:

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Adam Whitmore

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Get In Her Ears Live @ The Shacklewell Arms w/ Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business, 24.02.2022

Last Thursday, we were back at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston, and what a dream of a night it was! Overcoming cancellations and changes of line-up, and at a time when we’re all struggling with everything going on in the world, it really was the wonderful musical catharsis we all needed. Huge thanks to the three totally amazing bands who played, and to all the lovely folk who came out to support them and fill the venue… We’re still feeling all the feels, and are extremely grateful to everyone who made it such a beautiful night.

Opening the night, duo Elena and Kyle, aka all cats are beautiful (ACAB, if you will), treat us to their truly dreamy whimsical allure. Delivering their utterly unique ‘sad dance tunes’ (plus a particularly moving cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘True Love Will Find You In The End’) with a captivating energy, they offer a perfect fusion of immersive heartfelt emotion and uplifting grace.


Next up, Sheffield band Potpourri make their London debut. Walking onto the stage to a self-recorded calming guided meditation, the colourful trio deliver their wonderfully quirky offerings with a vibrant energy and endearing wit. With a sweeping, jazz-infused groove alongside catchy bass hooks and luscious shimmering vocals, the set brings a perfectly blissful interlude to the day’s worries.


Headlining the night, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business deliver a special, stripped-back set, due to members of the full band that had been planned sadly not being able to make it because of illness. However, despite the last minute changes to both line-up and instrumentation that Jenny had to make, what’s delivered is something truly wonderful. Accompanied by four other vocalists, and occasional violin and bass parts, she sits at the piano delivering each spellbinding anthem with a raw honesty and sparkling charisma. Combining a heartfelt emotion with some much-needed laughs, it’s the perfect musical tonic – a beautifully rousing catharsis.

Massive love and thanks to all three bands who made Thursday such a joyous night! Join us back at The Shacklewell Arms next month, on 25th March, with headliners Fightmilk, Bitch Hunt and Sassyhiya – get your tickets here.

Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto
Words: Mari Lane

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Track Of The Day: HOST – ‘Not Alright’

An off-kilter slice of synth-pop that buzzes with unrest, Irish musician HOST has shared her latest single ‘Not Alright’. Inspired by feelings of burnout following a one-sided friendship, HOST combines hazy vocals, catchy synth hooks and energetic beats to reflect the cyclical nature of the expired energy she laments in her lyrics.

Following on from her 2021 EP No Reply, HOST continues to build on her raw, confessional brand of synth-pop with this latest release, channelling her disappointments and frustrations into a sound that fizzes with the desire to break free from a situation that’s getting the best of her. Ultimately, she arrives at a place of acceptance, moving away from the toxic friendship and pushing forwards alone.

“’Not Alright’ is about constantly shouldering your friends’ problems, absorbing their stress and not having anyone to reciprocate yours,” HOST explains about the new single. “While already being in a bad place, this can quickly weigh you down mentally and emotionally. You can read their selfishness like a book, you know their next move because this isn’t your first rodeo and eventually, something’s got to give.”

HOST is set to release more new music in 2022. Listen to ‘Not Alright’ below.

 

Follow HOST on Soundcloud, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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