LISTEN: ALT BLK ERA – ‘Misfits: SOLAR’

Combining jagged electronics and racing beats with their raging lyrics to create another alternative statement of self autonomy, genre-defying sister duo ALT BLK ERA have shared their latest single ‘Misfits: SOLAR’. Taken from their upcoming EP, Freak Show, which is set for release on 1st September, the track is a frenzied anthem fuelled by the band’s antagonistic, youthful spirit.

Formed of sisters Nyrobi and Chaya, ALT BLK ERA create tenacious alternative tunes designed to showcase their vivid personalities. Inspired by the likes of Ho99o9, Nova Twins, Hacktivist, The Prodigy and Billie Eilish, they blur the boundaries of pop punk, nu-metal, rap and electronic music to form their riotous sounds.

Refusing to be pigeonholed, the pair explore and vent their frustrations about life through their music, with latest single ‘Misfits: SOLAR’ flowing in this vein. Unapologetic until the last breath, the track is a vehement warning to those who stand in ALT BLK ERA’s way: “If you treat us wrong / we won’t hold our tongues”. With their raucous dual vocals, the duo continue to reinforce their narrative of independence and celebrate their alternative outlook, pushing back against the haters and the gatekeepers.

ALT BLK ERA have a busy summer of live performances ahead of them. Fresh from playing Glastonbury Festival and supporting STRAIGHT GIRL for our GIHE July gig at The Shacklewell Arms (check out some amazing photos from the night here) they’ll be playing Reading & Leeds festivals at the end of August, as well as two headline shows in London and Nottingham in September. Full dates and details below.

Listen to ‘Misfits: SOLAR’ here:

ALT BLK ERA UK Tour Dates 2023
Aug 25th – Reading Festival
Aug 26th – Leeds Festival
Sep 13th – The Grace, London (Headline Show)
Sep 16th – Beta, Nottingham (Headline Show)

Follow ALT BLK ERA on bandcamp, Spotify, Tik Tok, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Fabrice Gagos

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: Witch Weather – ‘Don’t Need’

A brooding blend of grunge-infused riffs and punk attitude, Pennsylvania-based indie/punk/goth duo Witch Weather have shared their latest single ‘Don’t Need’. Taken from the band’s upcoming album which is set for release in October 2023, the track is a cathartic anthem about letting go of hypocrisy and refusing to let people keep you from achieving your full potential.

Influenced by bands such as Siouxsie and The Banshees, Against Me!, Fugazi, Screaming Females and Depeche Mode, Witch Weather create “sad queer indie punk for your sad queer enjoyment.” Formed of guitarist & vocalist Kaitlyn Autumn and bassist & vocalist Juliann Frances, the duo work through feelings of confusion, frustration and self-loathing on their upcoming record, all aided by hefty guitar licks and rumbling bass lines. The lyrics on the album are also inspired by Kaitlynn’s experience of being a trans woman, learning to be confident in her identity and following her journey from “confused to closeted, to out and doing her best.”

“’Don’t Need’ was me finally figuring out how to write an angry song,” Kaitlynn explains about the new single. “Normally when I try to do it the song turns into something sad and depressing but in this case we finally executed the way I would have liked. Especially on the album version of the track. Lyrically it’s about being fed up with being taken advantage of. Recording the guitar solo made me want to explode, it’s not hard to play by any means I just kept messing it up.”

“’Don’t Need’ was really fulfilling for me to sing since I have been really self-conscious about my voice,” adds bassist Juliann. I was always told I wasn’t a singer and that was the first time I felt I accomplished something vocally. Prior to this single, I pretty much only wrote and played my bass lines. I was and still am a part of songwriting decisions like song form, theme, etc. But this was the first time I performed something else on a recording which led to me doing backups on other tracks as well. it’s been a good confidence booster because even though I took vocal lessons in college, and no shade to that teacher, I just still hadn’t really found my voice, and now ‘Don’t Need’ has allowed me to start that journey.”

From their sharp focus on having their voices heard, to their raw punk spirit, Witch Weather’s new album looks set to be a frenzied, tenacious statement of independence and we look forward to hearing it in full.

Listen to ‘Don’t Need’ below.

 

Follow Witch Weather on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & TikTok

Visit Witch Weather’s website here

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: afromerm – ‘held’

An elegant, eclectic soundscape that gently ruminates on the duality of emotion, London based, independent artist and producer afromerm has shared her latest single ‘held’. Formerly known as CIL, who we named as one of our ‘Ones To Watch‘ earlier this year, under her updated moniker afromerm is marking a ‘new era’ of her work, and ‘held’ is an ambient, poetic introduction to her fresh perspective and invigorated journey into sound.

We first saw afromerm live when she supported the equally talented Bristol-based artist t l k at The Jago in Dalston in March 2022. Her skills as a composer, poet and producer were deeply impressive. She manipulated sound via a motion-controlled synthesizer, and watching her gracefully move her hands around the idiosyncratic equipment was hypnotising. Since then, afromerm has collaborated with the esteemed NYX Drone Choir during a residency at the Southbank Centre and she has been busy working on new solo material.

Through her atmospheric electronics, minimal lyrics and sparse echoing beats, on ‘held’ afromerm has crafted a deeply soothing, evocative piece of art. Her soothing voice lilts over diverse soprano saxophone and alto flute sounds, performed by Buster Woodruff-Bryant and YUIS. “Your head, it’s been held / in sounds of joy / and I see, though you’re loved, you don’t feel it” she sings at the close of the track, tapping into conflicting feelings in such a gentle, measured way. Written, produced and mixed entirely by afromerm, ‘held’ showcases her enigmatic and instinctive talent to create such a strong sense of feeling with considered, seemingly effortless execution.

Listen to ‘held’ below.

 

Follow afromerm on bandcamp, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: shaene – ‘sad’

A dreamy, melancholic rumination on a dark and complicated time, Leeds-based songwriter shaene has shared her latest single ‘sad’. Taken from her self-produced debut album, time lost / time regained, which is set for release on 1st September, the track is a reflection on the songwriter’s feelings of intense self doubt and alienation, filtered through a soft, shoegazey lens.

Having spent years writing and performing in multiple DIY bands across Yorkshire, shaene has been embedded in the Leeds DIY community for a number of years. She’s supported acts such as Lande Hekt and M(h)aol under her new moniker, but now she’s preparing to release her first full length solo record.

Starting life as a bedroom project during lockdown, before developing into a full band, shaene’s time lost / time regained is an album that’s inspired by her own experiences as a trans woman, her neurodivergency and the depth of emotions that surround these aspects of her life. Her new single ‘sad’ touches on these themes and gives listeners a poignant first hint at what the full album will sound like.

“‘sad’ is about being lodged in a deep depression, convinced that everybody would be better off without you around,” shaene explains. Her intimate, confessional lyrics are accompanied by considered, shimmering instrumentation that helps to ease the pain of the alienation that initially inspired the track. shaene’s willingness to share these thoughts is what makes her music so earnest and inspiring, and we look forward to hearing more from the songwriter in the lead up to her debut album release.

Listen to ‘sad’ below.

Follow shaene on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Photo Credit: shaene

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment