LISTEN: M(h)aol – ‘Gender Studies’

A rumbling cacophony of post-punk noise designed to dismantle the misconception that gender is binary, Irish feminist post-punk band M(h)aol have shared their latest single ‘Gender Studies’. The title track from their debut EP, which is set for release via TULLE on 29th October (digitally) and 15th January (physically), the song is a brief but powerful statement on the empowering feelings that come with challenging gender norms.

Currently based between Dublin, London and Bristol, M(h)aol (pronounced “male”) are formed of Róisín Nic Ghearailt, Constance Keane, Jamie Hyland, Zoe Greenway and Sean Nolan. Together, the band aim to rattle the male dominated post-punk scene with their urgent, gritty sounds, with previous singles ‘Laundries’ and ‘Asking For It’ being the perfect instigators for this pursuit. Now with ‘Gender Studies’, M(h)aol have further cemented their statement against toxic patriarchal standards, rejecting damaging gender stereotypes.

Accompanied by a monochrome video that contrasts traditional images of femininity with cutting lyrics about an individual’s frustrations & realisations about gender constraints, ‘Gender Studies’ seethes with a righteous fury whilst also offering a raw catharsis, recognising the freedom that comes with choosing to see past patriarchal boundaries.

Watch the video for ‘Gender Studies’ below.

M(h)aol UK Tour Dates
1st November – Rough Trade, Bristol
2nd November – The Hug And Pint, Glasgow
3rd November – The Talleyrand, Manchester
4th November – The Shacklewell Arms, London

Follow M(h)aol on Spotify, bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Photo Credit: Susan Appleby

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Stay Sleeping ft. Spike Pop – ‘The Dark’

An evocative dark-wave gem that filters feelings of hesitation and anxiety through a vampiric lens, London-based musician and producer Stay Sleeping has shared her latest single ‘The Dark’. Featuring fellow London-based musician Spike Pop and released via independent Birmingham label Ezi Deth Rekords, the track is a haunting rumination on understanding lust, desire and learning to recognise the forces that form your own identity.

Formed in London as her own solo project after playing in several different musical outfits (including feminist post-punk/synth-pop trio Candy Cane), Stay Sleeping aka Izzy is a goth latinx who is heavily influenced by the shadowy sounds of electronics and death-wave. Working from her home DIY studio, she crafts bewitching soundscapes that provide a glance behind the veil of fear, anxiety and appetite, exploring them through her bittersweet, gothic tunes.

“I guess the song is about getting over the fear of knowing yourself and being able to be ok with it,” explains Stay Sleeping about her new single ‘The Dark’. “Whether that’s coming to terms with your mental health, sexuality or just life in general. Especially with everything that’s been going on in the world.” Stay Sleeping explores these feelings through the medium of a female vampire in the track, who is ultimately hesitant to explore her bloody fantasies.

Listen to ‘The Dark’ below.

 

Follow Stay Sleeping on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Grandmas House – ‘Girl’

A playful ode to the joys and frustrations of queer love, Bristol punk trio Grandmas House have shared their latest single ‘Girl’. Taken from their upcoming self-titled debut EP, which is set for release on 15th October via Brace Yourself Records (JOHN, Nuha Ruby Ra, Laundromat, Peeping Drexels), the track is a headrush of rumbling bass lines, surf-pop melodies and gritty vocals.

Formed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums) and Zoë Zinsmeister (bass), Grandmas House formed in late 2018 and were busy cutting their teeth on the UK gig circuit before Covid-19 put an abrupt stop to live music. The trio decided to use their time in the following lockdowns constructively, quickly writing and recording new material, including their upcoming EP. Balancing their thoughts on capitalism and gender inequality alongside everyday annoyances and joys, the band have crafted a playful yet passionate collection of anthems that provide intense moments of catharsis.

Their latest single ‘Girl’ captures a slightly softer moment, mirrored in the track’s upbeat tempo and witty call and response vocals. Grandmas House are now gearing up for their forthcoming UK tour, which includes opening slots with IDLES, Katy J Pearson, TV Priest and a own headline show at The Windmill in Brixton on 3rd November.

Listen to ‘Girl’ below.

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

Photo Credit: Rosie Carne

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: ĠENN – ‘Catalyst’

Taken from their excitingly diverse recent EP Liminal, the latest track by Brighton based four-piece ĠENN is a perfect slice of high-energy post-punk. 

‘Catalyst’ delivers on the fizzing chemicals its title promises; a spiky minor-key riff from Janelle Borg collides with Leanne Zammit’s stormy bass, while vocalist Leona Farrugia’s striking command to “stay awake” would jolt even the most bleary-eyed into action. The sonic intensity is complete with heavy, punching drums from Sofia Rosa Cooper, as crowd-chants and climbing chords build the energy to fever-pitch. At its crest the song swells into a rousing call to arms, a sparkling rallying cry for mass revolution both personal and international. As Farrugia explains: “Lyrically the track could be interpreted as a cry for collective change, but I had, in fact, began writing from my own perspective, realising the ‘revolution’ one can make within their own approach to everyday life; changing the rhythm of my thoughts to achieve freedom from unhealthy traditions.”

Finding freedom in frenzy (the band’s name means exactly that in Maltese) is ĠENN’s great strength, as they hop around genres to produce an increasingly exhilarating body of music.

Liminal, the latest EP from ĠENN, is out now. Catch them live at their Autumn run of dates next month – tickets here.

Leonie Bellini
@teenpeachmovie

Photo Credit: Holly Whitaker

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