WATCH: Piney Gir – ‘Witches & Covens’

Twenty years since her debut album, Peakahokahoo, Kansas-born London-based Piney Gir has returned to grace our ears with her new EP Cosmic Upside Down, completing a mystical-themed trilogy which follows Alchemy Hand in 2022 and Astral Spectra in 2021.

To celebrate the release, Piney has shared a beautiful new video for EP track ‘Witches & Covens’. With a laid-back pacing and almost jazzy feel, the track is complemented by warmly delivered, resonant vocals with an exquisite timeless grace. Bringing to mind artists like Weyes Blood, Lana Del Rey, and Suzanne Vega, the shimmering and swirling sound effects in the background give it an ethereal quality. As saxophones harmonise beautifully at either end of the track, a further warmth and richness exudes, as the catchy riffs stay with you long after the song finishes.

Accompanying the lush soundscape is a delightfully charming video, created using nostalgic and sophisticated stop-motion animation. Featuring a moving scene with the created animals in a seemingly cosy home environment, but clearly experiencing some conflict with each other, it was created and directed by Rhys Williams (of Williams Brothers Creative) and based around his doodles, forming part of its own animated world that you’ll want to immerse yourself in fully after watching.

Despite the track’s lilting, upbeat vibes, it actually offers a reflection on unresolved pain and betrayal. Piney explains “‘Witches & Covens’ is quite a vibe-shift from the other tracks on the EP – the other tracks are more strident and assertive, uplifting and bittersweet, or magical and mystical, but this is my ‘embracing the darkness’ track, because sometimes you just gotta go dark for a bit.”

For those, like me, curious and excited to hear what the rest of the EP has to offer, Cosmic Upside Down is available to listen to on all streaming platforms. Released on No Distance Records, the EP was produced and mixed by Tomas Greenhalf at Direktorenhaus and mastered by Kevin Tuffy at Manmade Mastering. Check out the video for ‘Witches & Covens’ below! 

Catch Piney Gir celebrating twenty years since her debut album, live at The Lexington on 13th October, with a superstar line-up featuring Anat Ben-David (Chicks On Speed), Psycho Delia and a DJ set from Chewy She. Nab tickets now!

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

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WATCH: The Baby Seals – ‘Yawn Porn’

Following the release of their debut album, Chaos, earlier this year, and ahead of their headline gig with us at The Cavendish Arms on 12th September, Cambridgeshire feminist punks The Baby Seals have shared a homemade video for album track ‘Yawn Porn‘. Showcasing the band’s ability to bring a cathartic sense of fun to poignant subject matter, the track races with a driving energy and gritty raw emotion, offering a fierce take down of the continuing sexism and derogatory imagery that consumes the world’s porn industry. Of the track, front woman Kerry explains:

“Porn has been something I’ve been concerned about for a few years now, especially as I have friends with young children who could have access to it soon. And it always seems to end in the same way, with the same theme of women being minimalised, and always in a submissive role. ‘Yawn Porn’ is about the fact that I’d like the industry to shake it up a bit, and to celebrate women enjoying sex. I think we are failing our young people by allowing the industry to continue in a way that is derogatory towards women, and feel that we should be guiding young people to have healthy sexual relationships.”

The video for ‘Yawn Porn’ was filmed by the band in Brighton, and features some punk friends that they made on the beach that day, dancing and singing along to the track. Kerry adds, “I like that all our videos are very DIY, because I want people who might not necessarily be confident enough to pick up a guitar or be in a band to watch them and to know that anyone can do it as long as you’re having a good time!”

Watch the brand new video for ‘Yawn Porn’ here:


Don’t miss the chance to catch The Baby Seals live at The Cavendish Arms, next Thursday 12th September. Support comes from indie legend Charley Stone and exciting new band Skutterfly. Tickets are cheaper in advance, and it really helps us and the bands if you’re able to nab yours sooner rather than later – so, pick one up on Dice now!

Chaos, the debut album from The Baby Seals, is out now via Trapped Animal / Green Island / Big Romantic.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LIVE: Deer Shed Festival 2024 – A Child’s View

In addition to all the fantastic music that North Yorkshire’s Deer Shed treats us to, the festival also prides itself on its family friendly focus and array of activities on offer for children to enjoy. To get full insight into what the festival experience might be like for under 5s, we thought it only right to ask our very own next generation GIHE gal Orla her own thoughts about spending Saturday at Deer Shed a few weeks’ back..

John McGovern has put to pen what Orla told us, with highlights including face-painting, big caterpillars and Baba Ali…

Mama and Daddy had told me we were going to a festival. I had done a festival day at nursery and I had played guitar, but we had to go in the car to this one. When we got out of the car I had nearly been asleep, but I could hear music from the car park, and there were lots of trees. I got into my cart and Daddy asked: “How are you feeling?” and I said: “GOOD!”. And when he asked “What are you looking forward to doing?”, I said “Going in!”

I got a special wristband – Mama said I had to keep it on the whole time. I could see hundreds of tents when we walked in, and lots of children but some were older than me (I’m three). Daddy bought me some ear defenders and I chose red ones. Then Mama said it was lunchtime, and we didn’t know what to get because there was so many places. But I like golden cheese and chips, so we got that. Daddy says ‘golden cheese’ is actually called halloumi…

We were on our way to the special bit for kids, but Mama said we should also look in the shops, and someone was doing face painting. Last time I got my face painted I chose Bluey, but this time I wanted rainbows to match my dress. I felt really magical because the lady put big sparkly glitter on my face. Then we got to a thing Daddy called ‘Feral Farm’ – it was full of straw. Big kids were building straw in piles and other kids were sliding on it. I threw straw on Daddy and put straw in his shoes – that was my favourite bit. I didn’t want to leave, but Daddy said there was other things to see.

There was a big playground built of wood and kids with tools smashing it, and a field with kids playing football, and a mud kitchen. But I wanted to play in sand; I took my wellies and socks off and stood on the sand, and other girls did too. We found a worm and built him a house. Mama said there was soft play, so we went in the tent to look – I ran up and down and had to balance on it. Then I rode on a big caterpillar. In there, Daddy asked me questions – “what’s your favourite thing about the festival?”, I said “Kids”.

There was a lot of things that we looked at too – a tent with kids doing experiments, and a clown in a big tent. I wish we had more time, but Daddy said we should go and see at least one band. We rolled in my cart back towards the big stage and it started to rain. But no-one seemed sad about the rain. They went into a tent with a big long table and started to dance to some music – Daddy said it was where you could get silly juice, but I’m not allowed to have any yet… All the grown ups and the kids were happy, even when it rained.

We went up a hill near a big wheel that people were riding on and Daddy said “There’s Mari!”. And a lady with white hair like Mama, and a man with a big beard were there (he was Uncle Paul). I showed Paul my Miffy bag and then I ran into a big tent. Me and Daddy played tig, and Daddy said there would be a band on the stage soon, and people started coming in. Daddy asked whether I wanted to hear quiet music or loud music, and I said “Loud!” We stood far back but Daddy put me on his shoulders so I could see. Two boys came out; one played guitar and one sang. It was VERY LOUD like I wanted, and I had my red ear defenders on. It was the best. I wanted Daddy to put me on the ground so I could dance, and my wellies lighted up and then Mama held me, and I danced and danced and danced. And was smiling the whole time. The boys playing guitar and singing were called Baba Ali, and they are my favourite band.

Daddy said we had to go after that because it would be bedtime when we got home. But I got a green t-shirt so I could show people I had been to Deer Shed. When I saw the tents again on the way to the car, I told Daddy that I wanted a tent for next year at the festival. I fell asleep in the car going home and had dreams about music and dancing and straw. I like thinking about the festival and Baba Ali, and I want to go again when I am bigger.

Massive thanks to Orla for telling us about her day at Deer Shed this year – it sounds like she had a wonderful time, and she would definitely recommend it to other children!

You can read our ‘grown up’ reviews of days one and two at Deer Shed a few weeks’ back, with highlights including Los Bitchos, The Go! Team, Picture Parlour and Liz Lawrence. And keep your eyes peeled for some words and photos of Sunday at the festival, coming very soon!

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LIVE (Photos) Deer Shed Festival 2024 (Day 2, 27.07.2024)

Having fallen in love with Deer Shed when I attended for the first time back in 2022, and then going on to have another dreamy weekend at the North Yorkshire festival last year, I was very glad I got to go again this year. Highlighting a real family focus, whilst hosting a range of exciting new artists, it oozes the warmest of vibes and – being smaller in size than most other festivals – creates a space that feels comfortingly intimate; an inclusive safe haven for artists and fans of all genres and ages. Whilst providing a child-friendly environment, this does not take away from the quality and array of performances on offer for everyone to enjoy. Although I’d say I’m in the minority of attendees who does not have children (or isn’t a child themselves!), I in no way feel this to be hindrance – there’s still plenty of adult fun to be had, just in perhaps a slightly less intense, and more safe, environment than most other festivals. Which is no bad thing, in my opinion! 

Amongst those performing, a fantastic amount of female, non binary and queer performers are represented, and. I was lucky enough to catch lots of these over the weekend – a good balance of artists I already knew and loved, and those who I had not had the chance to see before. Following our thoughts about Friday evening at the festival, find some words and photos about our highlights of Saturday below…

Waking up to the sound of children kayaking along the stream on Saturday morning at Deer Shed feels pretty idyllic; almost as idyllic as it does to sit in the sunshine whilst the glistening Geordie folk tunes of Frankie Archer float through the crowd at the Lodge Stage for our first music of the day. From songs endorsing lie-ins, to tales of peacocks showing respect to the hens in their lives, Archer treats us to her beautifully lilting offerings; seamlessly fusing together traditional folk melodies and storytelling with sparkling electronic soundscapes.

Having been scheduled to play earlier in the morning, London-based Blue Bendy now take the afternoon time slot of Chalk, who weren’t able to make it up to Topcliffe in the end – something that front person Arthur Nolan playfully draws attention to by introducing the band as the absentees they’ve replaced: “Hi, we’re Chalk”. This playful, somewhat whimsical, attitude remains apparent as the set goes on; as the swirling, shimmering cacophonies created by the other five band members interweave with the seething raw emotion of Nolan’s vocals, a subtle tongue-in-cheek air lingers throughout. Oozing a stark, poetic realism with a droll charm, each fuzzy soundscape immerses the ever-growing crowd, and – personally (no offence to Chalk) – I’m glad of the band’s later time slot; it’s meant I’ve been able to watch their full set, nicely lubricated by a half of Brass Castle Sunshine IPA, and discover a new favourite band.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Picture Palour, and so am pretty excited to be able to catch them on the main stage whilst the sun continues to shine on this glorious Saturday afternoon. And they don’t disappoint. Oozing an alluring swagger as they take to the stage, the Manchester indie-rockers maintain this engaging confidence throughout the entirety of the set. Whilst front person Katherine Parlour’s vocals ripple with a smooth romanticism and crooner-level charm reminiscent of Tranquility Base era Alex Turner, with each offering they build with a soaring gritty splendour alongside fierce hooks from guitarist Ella Risi. One of the most charismatic stage presences I’ve witnessed for a long time, Parlour and co. deliver their epic, cinematic anthems to a captivated crowd, no doubt sparking adoration and inspiration in many young fans (and some old ones, like me).

I’m not sure why it’s taken me three years of coming to Deer Shed to visit to the Wilderwild stage, but I’m grateful to have discovered it in time to catch a gorgeous set from London-Cornwall songwriter Lily Lyons. With an endearing charm, each glistening offering flows with a lilting musicality as her soulful jazz-infued vocals resonate with an exquisite grace. With songs artfully inspired by Wendy Cope poems and Mark Rothko paintings, Lyons treats us to a blissfully uplifting thirty minutes.

After having a bit of a dance to the deep groove of Baba Ali as the duo emanate swathes of immense coolness, we stay under the cover of the In The Dock stage for Personal Trainer. Pretty much the opposite of the previous band, the seven members of the Dutch collective take to the stage in a flurry of frenzied energy. Complete with trumpet, saxophone and extra percussion, their quirky indie offerings combine twinkling harmonies with a gritty emo edge as front person Willem Smit writhes and bounces around the stage with a refreshing enthusiasm. With a vivacious spirit, the whole band ooze a swirling colourful chaos with each enlivening song, and I’m utterly transfixed by their jubilant charm.

BC Camplight offers a nice accompaniment to our vegan hot dogs before we head back into the In The Dock stage for London-based international band (and GIHE faves) Los Bitchos – one of the bands I’ve been most looking forward to seeing all weekend. Making their entrance to ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’, they go on to create a pretty heavenly atmosphere inside the jam-packed tent; emanating a swirling joyous charm and colourful charisma throughout. Propelled by racing melodies, funk-fuelled hooks and jangling rhythms, they treat us to “some oldies and some newbies”, their playful eccentricity and effervescent energy illuminating the intricately woven layers of sound. From epic drum offs to dancing together in sync, and from songs about Tequila to “penguins fluttering around on a beach”, Los Bitchos take us on a thrilling fun-filled journey; leading us to discover a rousing sonic euphoria we didn’t know we needed. 

All in all, a beautiful day of live music was had. Stay tuned for photos of, and words about, of Day 3 at Deer Shed, plus some special thoughts about the kids’ activities at the festival from next generation GIHE gal Orla….

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Paul Dawes / @GRNDglass

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