NEW TRACK: Big Joanie ft. Kim Deal – ‘Today’

Currently touring North America before a busy festival season in Europe, black feminist punks Big Joanie have shared a deluxe version of their track ‘Today’ featuring Kim Deal. Lifted from their 2022 album Back Home, which they released via iconic Riot Grrrl label Kill Rock Stars, the band were thrilled to have The Breeders frontwoman and Pixies bassist add her twist to their buoyant, lo-fi offering.

“Whether through Pixies, Breeders, or her solo work, Kim has been a vital influence on us as a band and we’re so happy that she’s become part of the Big Joanie world,” explains vocalist and guitarist Stephanie Phillips. “Originally this was a song we were working on years ago that Chardine was going to sing on. I found the old demo while we were on tour and started writing new lyrics to the music with my laptop balanced on my lap in the tour van. I really love that it sounds like a classic C86 type lo-fi indie song. We are immensely proud to announce our new version of ‘Today’ featuring Kim Deal.”

Having already played support slots with their musical heroes Bikini Kill, Skunk Anansie and Sleater-Kinney, this new collaboration is further proof that Big Joanie embody the raw, cooperative spirit of Riot Grrrl. The band are keeping the flame burning brightly for future generations of DIY feminist punks, and we look forward to celebrating with them at their London Back Home anniversary show at EartH in Hackney on 4th November. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘Today’ ft. Kim Deal below.

Big Joanie UK Live Dates 2023
07/10: Birmingham, UK @ The Crossing
03/11: Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall – Back Home Anniversary Show
04/11: London, UK @ EartH – Back Home Anniversary Show

Follow Big Joanie on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Maia Saavedra

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

ALBUM: Divide and Dissolve – ‘Systemic’

“If you can imagine something ending, then it can end,” offered Divide and Dissolve‘s saxophonist and guitarist Takiaya Reed during an interview with Get In Her Ears back in 2021. Visualising a world without injustice is at the core of what Divide and Dissolve do. Their uniquely heavy sound is designed to erode the foundations of colonialism and liberate the land for indigenous communities.

Since the release of their debut album, BASIC, in 2017, Reed and her bandmate percussionist Sylvie Nehill have been honing their unique form of gargantuan-yet-graceful noise in order to help cauterize the wounds of colonialism. Their 2018 album, Abomination, and third record Gas Lit (2021) continued this necessary aural purge. Now, the band have shared their fourth offering, Systemic, and it’s equally as commanding and as poignant as its predecessors.

Released via Invada Records and produced by Ruban Neilson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Systemic continues to push Divide and Dissolve’s essential, empowering message into the ether. Fuelled by Reed’s distinctive, doom-ridden saxophone sounds and Nehill’s phenomenal percussion, the nine tracks that make up Systemic seek to undermine the separateness that colonialism enforces, and instead, engage listeners from all walks of life, uniting them in a sometimes blissful, but more often blisteringly heavy cacophonies of resistance.

From atmospheric opener ‘Want’ and the beautifully dense sounds of ‘Blood Quantum’, through to the majestic closing track ‘Desire’, Systemic is permeated with an altruistic blend of both overwhelming fury and unyielding optimism. Whether listeners are being pummelled by the crushing beats and riffs on ‘Simulacra’, or being lulled by the striking, melancholic sax sounds on the intro to ‘Indignation’ – before being hit with an obliterating volume shift two minutes in – Divide and Dissolve’s dynamic instrumentals assault the senses and reflect the complexities of the emotions and concepts they’re inspired by, including the strength of non-verbal communication.

The only words on Systemic are uttered on ‘Kingdom Of Fear’ by Minori Sanchiz-Fung, who the band have worked with on their previous records. “I have pleaded / let me return these songs to the dirt / cognizant of the wound / that has yet to heal” the Venezulan artist quietly urges, articulating and acknowledging the dispossession that occurs in the aftermath of colonial violence. This message resonates deeper alongside the band’s sublime, drone-like score.

Changing the heavy music landscape one record at a time, the patience and empathy that underscores Divide and Dissolve’s sound inspires a deep sense of awe and respect. “The album is a prayer to our ancestors,” Reed offers about Systemic, and what an awe-inspiring ode it is.

Divide and Dissolve’s new album Systemic is available to buy here

Follow Divide and Dissolve on bandcamp, Instagram, Spotify, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Yatri Niehaus

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: Wise Up – ‘House Cat’

A grungy, laid back ode to “nature’s most temperamental muse”, Dublin-based trio Wise Up have shared their latest single ‘House Cat’. Taken from the band’s debut EP, Soothe The Soul, which they released at the end of June, the track is described as “an anthem for all pet lovers and alt rockers who see themselves feeling like a house cat from time to time.”

Formed of Courtney from Canada on vocals and bass, Garry from Cork on guitar and vocals, with Juan from Venezuela joining on drums earlier this year, Wise Up have been jamming and recording tunes together since the beginning of 2022. Starting with the release of their debut single ‘Conjure The Feeling‘, the have steadily been sharing music over the past year, with the five tracks on Soothe The Soul being the culmination of their efforts over the past few months.

Citing Pixies, Pavement, Yard Act, Chastity Belt, Courtney Barnett and Big Thief as their main musical influences, Wise Up are motivated by the need to cut loose and enjoy the songs they’re performing, rather than agonising over being cool or counting the number of heads in the room. This energy shines through on latest single ‘House Cat’, which is a playful, melodic grunge tune celebrating introvert and extrovert qualities via the vessel of Courtney and Garry’s cat. The track is accompanied by a music video which follows the adventures of their feline companion Lucy, which the band filmed at Belfast Castle and gardens.

Watch the visuals for ‘House Cat’ below.

Follow Wise Up on Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

New Tracks: Lou Moon – ‘Driftwood’ / ‘Thunder’

‘Driftwood‘ is the perfect metaphor for a song that delicately floats along, conjuring up a warm summer’s evening by the ocean. It is one of two singles released by Welsh Bristol-based artist Lou Moon, taken from their upcoming debut EP Drifting I & II. 

‘Driftwood’ features a warm atmospheric guitar complemented by bright sparkling vocals that are brought to life with a touch of delay, whilst the piano chords sustained underneath give it further depth and body. The song is beautifully balanced and carefully delivered; you take in each word sung, bringing to mind the folky flavours of the likes of Laura Marling and This Is The Kit.

The earnest lyrics give a sense of freedom, as Moon explains: “It’s definitely comparable to the feeling of wanting to come out as queer all over again.” As someone who vividly remembers the weight of not “coming out” and the lightness of freedom following acceptance, this is a line that chimes with a stirring resonance.

Accompanying single, ‘Thunder‘, sounds more melancholic, based around rich strumming acoustic guitar. The similarly introspective lyrics about the vulnerabilities of relationships and using thunder as a metaphor for mental health are brought to life through lush vocal harmonies and fragile vocal delivery. The two songs perfectly complement each other. 

Moon describes the songs on the EP as “about relationships to the self, to others and to the natural world, as well as the fragility and intangibility of those things.” The songs were written and recorded over the last decade, with help from the musical friends and collaborators they found at university in London. They describe the project as an archival journey back into the experiences and emotions they’ve felt and the different people they’ve been over the last ten years. 

You can check out ‘Driftwood’ and ‘Thunder’ on Spotify, and keep your eyes peeled for the EP Drifting I & II, which is coming out later this year via Skivvy Records.

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

ellapatenallLeave a comment