EP: Coolgirl – ‘Failed Reboot’

Created entirely in her bedroom studio, Dublin-based artist Lizzie Fitzpatrick aka Coolgirl‘s debut EP, Failed Reboot, is an ode to the power of our personal relationship with sound. Released via VETA Records, it’s a vivid, cinematic collection of synths, intriguing samples and sparse vocals, transporting listeners into sonic spheres that seamlessly shift like quicksilver in tone and mood.

GIHE fans will recognise Fitzpatrick as the former front person of grunge trio Bitch Falcon, but under her new solo moniker, she experiments with everything from Korg synths to tin whistles and saxophone in order to create her unconventional offerings. On Failed Reboot, she takes listeners on a bittersweet, thrilling journey that traverses waves of deep melancholy, potent nostalgia and unspoken desire.

‘Druid’s Hood’ reveals the first glimpse into Coolgirl’s universe. Inspired by the soundtracks to vintage video games, it’s a mesmeric blend of evocative beats and cell-tingling vocals. Her synth-soaked, vivid explorations all melt into each other. Whether she’s sampling the sound of knocking on a radiator for the hypnotic ‘High Altar’, or combining whirring synth textures and glitchy beats on ‘Silverlight’, Coolgirl’s instinct and curiosity shine through on each of the six tracks that form Failed Reboot.

“I wanted listeners to take a journey with me, through muddy water and face themselves in a technologic reflection of what human relationships are with music,” Fitzpatrick comments about the conception of her debut record. This “reflection” feels most vivid on tracks like ‘Overturned’, ’22nd Capsule’ and the eponymous ‘Failed Reboot’. Each embodies a real sense of drama and theatricality. The eerie, extended opening of ’22nd Capsule’ in particular, shape-shifts into a mass of energetic, warped synths, underscored by primal, heady beats.

Curious, experimental and ambient are all words that lend themselves to Fitzpatrick’s sound, but ultimately, her music is as cool as her namesake. The tracks on Failed Reboot dissolve into each other, eroding feelings of doubt and anxiety in the process. She evokes a potent feeling of transience, infatuation and intrigue that often permeates electronic music, but she retains a fresh unconventional sonic perspective throughout.

Follow Coolgirl on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter & Instagram

Follow VETA Records on bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: HAVVK – ‘City Creep’

One of the first ever guests on our radio show, and the first headliner of a GIHE live night, Ireland based trio HAVVK have been wowing us over the years with their distinctive-yet-eclectic array of spellbinding-yet-gritty soundscapes. With activism at the heart of all they create, they’ve received acclaim from the likes of The Guardian and BBC 6Music for previous releases, and have now shared a brand new single.

A reflection on the impact that Dublin’s housing crisis is having on cultural spaces in the city, ‘City Creep‘ is propelled by a fierce energy as celestial vocals and scuzzy hooks seethe with an unrelenting sense of urgency. Showcasing their ability to exquisitely create a shimmering immersive grace whilst emanating a raw, politically-charged rage, HAVVK express their concern at the disconnect between decision makers and affected communities with their trademark swirling splendour.

‘City Creep’ is out now via Veta Records. And we have a feeling you may be hearing / seeing more from HAVVK very soon… Keep your eyes peeled for a London date coming up in 2024!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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NEW TRACK: Vivienne Cure – ‘Barricade’

A commanding, heavy lament to resisting self-sabotage, Vivienne Cure has shared her latest single ‘Barricade’. Full of ominous riffs, thundering beats and her potent vocals, the London-based musician and visual artist traces over feelings of rage and regret on her new offering.

Previously supported by the likes of Kerrang! and CLASH, Vivienne Cure finds refuge in the realms of doom, metal and industrial music, as well as alternative Gothic art spheres. She uses her sound to exorcise personal demons, break free from negative thought patterns and ultimately to connect with others.

“My collection of musical works lay at the centre of a vortex of swirling fragments of deeply personal memories, driven by my inner war and reaction to society’s underlying sadness,” she explains. These forces propel Cure into action, as she explores the macabre and the meaningful in both her aesthetic and her sound.

New single ‘Barricade’ flows in this dark vein. Cure’s plaintive cries are imbued with a sense of power and self autonomy. Grinding riffs and brooding beats swirl around her, as she vehemently grasps for control amongst the chaos. ‘Barricade’ is accompanied by a new set of visuals, which show Cure and her bandmates immersing themselves in their performance.

Vivienne Cure will be playing a London headline show at The Black Heart in Camden on Wednesday 22nd November. Support comes from Jo-Jo And The Teeth and industrial rock four piece DROWND. Tickets are available here.

Watch the video for ‘Barricade’ below.

Follow Vivienne Cure on Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Sheherazaad – ‘Mashoor’

Having grown in up in San Francisco in a second generation immigrant household, Brooklyn based artist Sheherazaad fuses influences from both Western classical and her own South Asian sonic lineage through her exquisite interwoven soundscapes.

Drawing on themes of displacement and nostalgia with a contemporary, genre-defying spirit, Sheherazaad’s debut single ‘Mashoor’ showcases her ability to blend a stirring alternative folk musicality with experimental techniques, exuding a contemporary, genre-defying spirit. With a spellbinding rippling allure, her sumptuous vocals flow throughout, allowing ‘Mashoor’ to immerse the listener in its soaring splendour on first listen.

‘Mashoor’ is accompanied by a moving video. Filmed throughout New York in extreme weather, it is a beautiful representation of worlds colliding; combining a South Asian immigrant story with America’s historical fabric. Watch now:

‘Mashoor’ is out now via Erased Tapes. It was recorded at The Glass Wall in Brooklyn, produced by Arooj Aftab, mixed by J. Valleau, and mastered by Heba Kadry. It features performances by Ria Modak on classical guitar, Gilbert Mansour on percussion, and additional vocal mixing by Runar Blesvik.

Photo Credit: Zayira Ray

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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