Track Of The Day: Gazel – ‘The Night Concierge’

Gazel closes the final chapter to her debut album Gazel’s Book of Souls with the delightfully eerie video to accompany her single, ‘The Night Concierge’.

Stepping into the lobby of a seemingly deserted hotel, we meet not only the Night Concierge in question, but also the various characters which he morphs into. This tableau of life, created by the incredible acting talent of Jared Morgan, invites us to observe the unravelling action as the characters busy themselves with their own day to day activities. Gazel herself steps through the shadows, contributing to the mystery as the unseen but omniscient narrator. 

‘The Night Concierge’ beautifully concludes the narrative of Gazel’s Book of Souls, a bold debut which masterfully blends philosophical theories with electro-beats and mystical melodies. As we rapidly rewind and fast-forward through the abandoned hotel, seemingly caught in the Twilight Zone, we can only begin to imagine what tales of wonder that Gazel will conjure up next for us. 

Nicky Lee-Delisle 
@Nicky___Lee

LISTEN: MAVICA – ‘Ada Road’

“You ask me how I feel about it, I feel it’s time to burn it down” MAVICA tentatively reveals on her latest track, ‘Ada Road’. Taken from her upcoming EP, Send Me To The Water, set for release on 24th April via Hidden Track Records; the London-based, Spanish songwriter explores feelings of doubt on this latest offering.

Originally from Cartagena in Spain, MAVICA (aka Marta Casanova) blends elements of indie, pop, and folk to create her emotive, smooth sounds. Since the release of her debut EP Gone in 2019, she’s performed at Mad Cool and Vida Festival, as well as supporting the likes of Roo Panes, Blanco White, and Alice Phoebe Lou on their tours. Now, with a second EP on the way, MAVICA is concentrating on moving forward, and accepting that change isn’t always a bad thing.

She explores this beautifully on ‘Ada Road’, as she eloquently explains: “I wrote ‘Ada Road’ when I was moving out of my old house. I was desperate for a new home, and felt very lost. It felt like I was jumping into an abyss of nothingness and it was a really scary time, where I didn’t know if it was worth staying in London or not. Because of this uncertainty, I felt like my creative output was changing and I didn’t quite understand where it was going, where I was going. I was born in a small town in the South of Spain where the sea is a big part of life there. In this song, I talk about sending me back to the water. When everything was going wrong in London, all I wanted was to go back home to the sea. That anxiety almost crushed me and I wrote this song to get it out, like I needed to expel it in some way.”

MAVICA’s talent for turning personal difficulty in to ear-melting, honest tunes is what makes her music so captivating. Her moving vocals and considerate lyrics, fused with both folk and pop elements in the chorus make ‘Ada Road’ an affecting, but enjoyable listen. Watch the accompanying video for the track below, and follow MAVICA on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

LISTEN: Hannah Cameron – ‘Backsliding’

“I want to teach a lesson I don’t want to learn” Melbourne artist Hannah Cameron reluctantly muses on latest single, ‘Backsliding’. Released via AWAL, this latest offering sees Cameron delicately, yet candidly hold herself accountable for past mistakes.

With a sound described as “indie noir”; Cameron weaves elements of folk, blues and indie in to her music to create her emotive, beguiling sounds. “I want to start a fire just to feel the burn” she sings, over brooding guitar, steady beats, and cinematic strings; pulling listeners in to her vivid narrative.

“In July last year, I wrote a song every day for a week”, Cameron explains. “‘Backsliding’ was the first song to come out of that writing period, and it’s about finding yourself in the same situation or the same relationship over and over again, and realising that it’s a choice you’re making. It’s about taking responsibility and making yourself accountable for your decisions and your actions.”

It’s this self-awareness that marks Cameron as an intriguing, relevant songwriter. When she’s not busy writing and performing her own material, she plays with various Melbourne-based bands and musicians; including On Diamond, Clio, Grand Salvo, Brain Romance, Brian Campeau and Husky Gawenda. These combined experiences prove Cameron’s adaptability, and ingenuity as a musician.

Listen to ‘Backsliding’ below, and follow Hannah Cameron on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: Something Leather – ‘Trip To The Sun’

A smouldering, psych-tinged, existential exploration of where we are, vs where we want to be; Brighton three-piece Something Leather are pushing the boundaries with their latest single, ‘Trip To The Sun’. Released via We Can Do It Records, the track is loosely inspired by the character of Icarus from Greek mythology.

Formed of Phillie Etta Jane (vocals/organ), Greg Pass (guitar) and Mike Nussbaum (drums), Something Leather have been cutting their teeth on the London & Brighton live circuits for a few years now. Their dark creations are a captivating blend of old and new sounds; the vintage organ that Phillie plays combines perfectly with Greg’s distorted guitar noises, and Mike’s rhythmic drum beats.

The band articulately describe the context of new track ‘Trip To The Sun’ as “a sarcastic take on the “Fall of Icarus”. It deals with our constant desire to escape from a deadly routine, and the fear that pushing too far might consume you. It has a frenetic pace, western B-movie shootout feel and layers of post-punk and psychedelia on top.”

Something Leather are set to release their debut EP Midnight Reverie on 17th April, and we’re psyched to hear more of their altruistic, alternative sounds. Listen to ‘Trip To The Sun’ below, and follow Something Leather on Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Jessie Morgan

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut