WATCH: Liv Wynter – ‘VIOLENCE’

An antagonistic, abrasive cry for autonomy and action, Trans and working-class artist and activist Liv Wynter has shared a startling set of visuals for their latest single ‘Violence’. Lifted from their recent EP of the same name, the track is a cathartic, urgent dismantling of transphobic hate and a radical cry for movement against it.

Having recently played gigs alongside other GIHE faves Scrounge, The Menstrual Cramps and Yakkie, as well as performing under their other moniker How To Catch A Pig, Liv Wynter has been a vital force in DIY music and activist spheres for many years. Now, they’re sharing new music under their solo name, with their three track EP, Violence, making a vehement and striking impact on those who have listened so far.

On the title track, Liv sets an unsettling scene; walking home alone in the dark, cold, pursued by a stranger who begins to spew vitriol and hate against trans bodies. In this moment of uncertainty, Liv chooses to respond to the “fight or flight” scenario with unfiltered rage. “I’m not here to convince anyone that we deserve to exist / I’m here to encourage violence” bites Liv, over corrosive FX and crushing, industrial beats. Their direct, no-holds-barred lyrics provide a visceral sense of relief and empowerment; even their menacing whisper of “I encourage violence” provokes a similar incendiary effect.

‘Violence’ is accompanied by a striking set of visuals, directed by Asher McLaughlin. They reflect the sequence of events Liv explores in their lyrics, enhancing the track’s defiant underlying message of radical love, and fighting back against those who attempt to push their hatred on to marginalised communities.

Watch the video for ‘Violence’ below.

Follow Liv Wynter on bandcamp and Instagram

Photo Credit: Jody Evans

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Chelsea Wolfe – ‘Tunnel Lights’

Another dynamic, shape-shifting musing that seamlessly blends delicate keys and dense waves of sound, Chelsea Wolfe has shared her latest single ‘Tunnel Lights’. Taken from her seventh album, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She, which is set for release on 9th February 2024 via Loma Vista, the track leans towards love and acceptance, as the artist actively chooses to step out of the shadows and embrace the light.

Exploring the cyclical nature of healing, Wolfe’s new album is described as “a rebirth”, breaking the physical and emotional chains that once prohibited this cathartic process. “It’s a story of freeing yourself from situations and patterns that are holding you back in order to become self-empowered,” she explains in more detail, and “an invitation to step into your authenticity.”

Whilst Wolfe explored this rejuvenation process on her previous singles ‘Dusk’ and ‘Whispers In The Echo Chamber‘, she fully embraces it on new offering ‘Tunnel Lights’. Tentative piano dissolves into waves of all-consuming sound, guided by her tender, idiosyncratic vocals. “‘Tunnel Lights’ is about actually living instead of just ‘getting by’,” she explains about the new track. “It’s about waking up to the fact that you’ve been languishing in the dark and it’s time to start taking steps towards the lights that’ll guide you out of the tunnel-cave.”

This single marks another poignant metamorphosis for Wolfe, which is reflected in the track’s accompanying video, filmed in Colombia and directed by longtime collaborator George Gallardo Kattah. Watch the video for ‘Tunnel Lights’ below.

Chelsea Wolfe will be playing London headline show at Heaven on Sunday 21st April 2024. Tickets are on sale now.

Pre-order Chelsea Wolfe’s new album She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She here

Follow Chelsea Wolfe on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & Tik Tok

Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Safari Inn – ‘Welcome To Safari Inn’

Consisting of former members of London rockers The Franklys, Jen and Lexy, Safari Inn are the super group you need in your life right now, and we’ve been loving their debut EP.

Inspired by a shared love of the 1993 Quentin Tarantino film ‘True Romance’, Welcome to Safari Inn condenses the movie’s action-packed emotional journey into four expertly crafted tracks. While familiarity with the film will surely give you a deeper appreciation of the EP, you don’t need to be a die-hard fan to enjoy it. Even with only a passing understanding of the source material, Safari Inn have infused their debut with a lot of their own character that shines through, despite very direct references to the movie.

Welcome to Safari Inn kicks off with ‘Drexl Spivey‘, named for the notorious pimp character played by Gary Oldman. As both a single and first track, ‘Drexl Spivey’ is perfectly suited to establishing the psychedelic sound you can expect from the rest of the EP. It is a whirlwind of roaring guitars and deep, moody vocals.

The whole EP has a different vibe than you might expect from the two musicians who make up Safari Inn, if you’re familiar with their previous work with garage rock band The Franklys. It’s clear that they’re experimenting in a way that leans into their strengths and the chances they take consistently pay off. Welcome To Safari Inn aches with reverb, echoing vocals and heady swirling guitars over throbbing drums that ground you even when the music threatens to carry you away from reality. With each immersive offering, it evokes a chaotic heady atmosphere that is masterfully reminiscent of the film.

Second track, ‘Blue Lou Boyle’, picks up the pace, with a pounding bass riff that rolls in from the very beginning. The quicker start slows down to lend the soaring vocals a platform in the verses; ramping up again to a rambunctious, wailing chorus. This is the chaotic heart of the EP, the action and meaning that make up the majority of ‘True Romance’ all concentrated into a thrilling 3.15 minutes.

Welcome to Safari Inn softens with the reflective ‘The Sun Sets Slowly in the West’. This third track offers a gentle come down from the excitement. It’s slower paced, with crooning vocals that linger over drawn out lilting words, processing everything now that the storm has passed. The full realisation of everything that has happened sinks in with gut-wrenching bass and drums that deliver an immense sucker-punch of the consequences.

No less chaotic, but maintaining a distinct sense of hope, the EP wraps up with ‘Dinosaur Corkscrew’. It puts the debilitating trauma of True Romance behind you and looks forward to a world where you can emerge on the other side still holding onto faith in a normal, happy life.

As a collection, Welcome To Safari Inn offers a swirling whirlwind of psychedelic splendour; a truly immersive debut that leaves you desperate for more.

Welcome To Safari Inn is out now. Listen / buy on Bandcamp now.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

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NEW TRACK: SPIDER – ‘straight out the oven!’

After watching her storm The Green Door Store’s stage at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton earlier this year, we’re thrilled to see that Irish alt-pop artist SPIDER has returned with her smouldering new single ‘straight out the oven!’. Taken from her upcoming new EP, an object of desire, which is set for release in early 2024, the track is a tenacious pop-tinged anthem that playfully dissects the reasons why we crave affection and attention from others.

“At first glance, ‘straight out the oven!’ presents itself as a fun, catchy ‘blonde, sorority girl who doubles as an over-the-top cheerleader’ rock song, which it is!” SPIDER explains about her new single. “But it’s also a really honest conversation that I was having with myself about the desire to be desired, and confronting the types of people we go to for that validation. It’s that need that we all have to be irresistible – but asking yourself, why do I want these specific people to desire me in the first place? I produced and wrote the entire thing on my own which definitely gave me the space to explore that part of myself, without having to hide it behind a complicated metaphor.”

This self-autonomous outlook permeates the songs on SPIDER’s upcoming EP. She is committed to using her music to gain a more in depth understanding of herself, and to connect with others who may be probing and questioning similar aspects of their own lives. “an object of desire really encapsulates the questions I was asking myself about objectification, desire and intimacy as an ex Catholic school student who grew up in a very religious household,” she continues. “Looking at these three things through the lens of religious trauma and Catholic guilt felt like looking at the Unholy Trinity of Young Adulthood. Like, when does desire start being desire? What is actually so intimate about sex and what is sex when it doesn’t feel intimate? You’ve realised you’ve been objectified – well okay, but what do you do about it?

I feel like this particular view on sexuality isn’t really talked about much, and I just had all these questions that no one could answer for me. Writing this EP was a way for me to explore the conclusions that were put there by a religious upbringing that covered this area of life in so much shame and nonsensical conditions. It also allowed me to process the anger I had towards the ways I was mistreated in the past without the pressure of maintaining ‘grace’. This project feels like the most personal, freeing thing I’ve made thus far!”

We can’t wait to hear SPIDER’s new record in full. Listen to ‘straight out the oven!’ below.

SPIDER was also joy to interview on our Great Escape x Soho Radio show earlier this year.
You can listen back here.

Follow SPIDER on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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