Track Of The Day: Lido Pimienta – ‘No Pude’

Inspired by the personal conflict she feels towards her Colombian homeland; Lido Pimienta‘s single ‘No Pude’ is a magnetic exploration of what it means to give up trying. It’s the first track the Toronto-based, Colombian-born interdisciplinary artist has shared since her award winning self-released album, La Papessa, in 2016.

Pimienta has performed, exhibited, and curated around the world since 2002, exploring the politics of gender, race, motherhood, identity, and the construct of the Canadian landscape in the Latin American diaspora and vernacular. On ‘No Pude’, which roughly translates as “I could not”, her heartfelt vocals lilt over eccentric percussion and avant-garde synth textures. The track is accompanied by a beautiful video directed by Fitto Segura, with art direction from Orly Anan.

Pimienta comments further on the meaning behind the track: “In the context of the song, [‘No Pude’] means something to the effect of “I am tired of trying”. The words speak directly to the sense of dread and constant anxiety my home country gives me. ‘No Pude’ sums up the love/hate relationship I have with Colombia. I hold Colombia close to my heart and my soul, but that loves turns into rage and shame as fast as a match takes to burn.” Pimienta has a clear ability to turn complex emotions into smoldering soundscapes.

Watch the video for ‘No Pude’ below, and follow Lido Pimienta on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit Andrés Navarro Aguilera

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: ĠENN – ‘ Du Da Dance’

Having been firm favourites for a while, wowing us live with their live show on more than one occasion, Brighton-based ĠENN have just supporting Big Joanie on one of their tour dates in Leeds, and have now released their dynamic new single. 

With a spunky spin on classic beach rock’s charm, ‘Du Da Dance’ brings listeners mighty rock energy. Kicking off with adventurous plucky bass and a vocal shrill, it is hard not to immediately bop along to the contagious and vital experience that ĠENN bring to the table.

Through a distinct vocal style during its verses, ‘Du Da Dance’ reflects vintage tones that date back to the ’50s. However, where ĠENN truly showcase their own unique sound, is during their punchy sing-along choruses. Here is where ĠENN fuse garage rock with a frenzied Riot Grrrl spirit, all under one pop-rooted roof.

The stylistic harmony that the band have created here is truly something special and sonically exciting for fresh ears. ĠENN’a team of four know how to embody their empowering personality not only with their lyrics, but their fierce instrumentals. The lively pulse of ‘Du Da Dance’ is relentless and ongoing, even ringing out during the song’s broken down outro.

ĠENN are putting down significant boots in several genre realms and calling upon a wide audience with their fearless charisma in this latest empowering offering.

Watch the new video for ‘Du Da Dance’ here: 

‘Du Da Dance’ is out now. Listen on Spotify.

Jill Goyeau 
@jillybxxn

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LISTEN: Brooke Bentham – ‘Control’

Fueled by the frustration of being cut off and ignored; Brooke Bentham‘s latest single ‘Control’ is an introspective, moody exploration of how it feels to be ghosted. The track is taken from her debut album, Everyday Nothing, set for release via AllPoints on 28th of February.

Self doubt and insecurity permeate the lyrics in ‘Control’, which centers around Bentham’s own experience of being left behind. She explains further: “It’s about when someone cuts you off entirely. It’s weird when someone does that. I got blocked out with absolutely no reason why, and it makes you question yourself and you just can’t stop thinking about it. you’re just talking to a wall; it’s bouncing back and you end up with this mess in your head.”

This “mess” has translated into brooding guitar noises and hypnotizing vocals on Bentham’s latest single. The track is accompanied by a video, which shows Bentham intermittently staring out of windows and stretching out awkwardly across household furniture, reflecting both the heaviness, and the dark humour in being left hanging by a lover.

Confronted with the mundanities of life and caught between two jobs in London, Bentham has found relief in writing about the smaller, more personal elements of life on her upcoming album. “There is so much frustration in being young and unsure of what you want, especially when your path is creative,” she muses. “You can only hope that it leads you to something fulfilling, so you cling on to the everyday details – burning candles in your bedroom at three AM aged sixteen, or having a bath in the evening at twenty-three, or watching your breath when you step outside in winter. I was reflecting a lot when I wrote these songs, romanticising those moments.”

Bentham is about to embark on a sold out UK tour with Sam Fender as his main support (30th Jan – 6th Feb), which includes two home-coming shows at Newcastle Academy, and a date at Brixton Academy. Bentham’s clear vocals and instinctive lyrics are sure to charm Fender’s crowds. Listen to ‘Control’ below, and follow Brooke Bentham on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Pre-order Brooke Bentham’s debut album Everyday Nothing here.

Photo Credit: Lauren Maccabee

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Suzie Stapleton re-releases ‘Thylacine’ to raise money for Australian Wildlife

Previous headliner of ours at The Finsbury, Suzie Stapleton, has announced a special digital release to raise funds to help injured and displaced wildlife affected by the Australian fires. This digital release of Stapleton’s latest single ‘Thylacine’ comes with an exclusive, previously unreleased track called ‘Song of Murray’s Brigade’.

A musical adaptation of a 1940 poem by Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson, ‘Song Of Murray’s Brigade’ is a heartfelt acoustic offering. Whereas ‘Thylacine’ features Rolling drums and adventurous riffs painting a sonic landscape complete with Stapleton’s captivating gritty vocals and a majestic, haunting depth.

The thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian Tiger, was a dog like mammal that inhabited Australia. Intensive hunting encouraged by bounties is generally blamed for its extinction. The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936. Many of the species that have been affected by these fires were already threatened or endangered due to factors such as habitat loss from land clearing for agriculture and urban development, invasive species, and pressures from extreme heat caused by climate change and ongoing drought. These fires pose a huge threat for their ongoing survival, but we still have a chance to help and ensure that they don’t end up in the history books next to the thylacine.

This digital release is available for £5, though you can pay what you want and there is no upper limit. 100% of proceeds will go to Wildlife Victoria. Please give generously to help Australia’s unique wildlife.

Available via http://www.suziestapleton.com and Bandcamp until January 31st.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Pitcher Photography

 

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