Track Of The Day: Tokky Horror – ‘Jazz Music’

A two minute blast of hyperactive beats, catchy lyrical refrains and jungle-inspired electronics, Merseyside-based punk-rave trio Tokky Horror have shared their latest single ‘Jazz Music’. Capturing the chaotic spirit of the genre the track is ironically named after, the band put their own spin on things via their relentless rhythms, manic synths and buzzing bass lines.

Formed of producer Zee Davine (previously Queen Zee) and dual vocalists Mollie Rush and Ava Akira, Tokky Horror formed virtually at first, sending demo’s back and forth online to entertain themselves during the pandemic. The band playfully coined their sound as “virtual hardcore”, as founder Ava Akira explains “the only way for city kids to rave in 2020 was on the internet.” Since then, the band have released their debut EP, I Found The Answers And Now I Want More and they’ve toured extensively performing multiple shows across the UK.

Newly signed to FMLY Agency, Tokky Horror are now gearing up for another run of UK shows that are sure to keep fans “coming back for my jazz” if their new single is anything to go by. Full dates – including support slots with Wargasm & CLT DRP – are below.

 

Follow Tokky Horror on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

TOKKY HORROR UK Live Dates 2022
05.09 – Tunbridge Wells, Forum with Wargasm
06.09 – Glasgow, Hug & Pint with CLT DRP
07.09 – Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s with CLT DRP
08.09 – Newcastle, The Cluny with CLT DRP
09.09 – Hull, The Adelphi with CLT DRP
18.11 – Wolverhampton, North Street Social
19.11 – Bristol, Old Market Assembly
24.11 – London, New Cross Inn
25.11 – London, DM-4-Address
26.11 – Liverpool, Quarry

Photo Credit: Joe Guppy

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Sprints – ‘Literary Mind’

A charged, euphoric rush of gritty guitars and cathartic vocals, Dublin four piece Sprints have shared their latest single ‘Literary Mind’. Released via Nice Swan Records and produced by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band), the track is a joyful, raucous ode to falling in love and fully submitting to the feeling, full of urgent riffs and heartfelt lyrics.

Fuelled by their need to create music which “matters and that means something,” Sprints have firmly established themselves as a compelling voice in the rock and alternative underground scenes since their inception in 2019, offering a refreshingly candid perspective on life, love and the politics that mar our experiences of both. The band’s new single ‘Literary Mind’ is a poignant and powerful anthem about overcoming unconscious bias, explicitly championing queer love and embracing the freedom that comes with this acceptance.

“‘Literary Mind’ is probably one of our most light-hearted songs in terms of subject matter, while still exploring something quite close to heart,” explains vocalist Karla Chubb. “It’s a real deep dive and exploration into the feeling of falling in love, particularly queer love, in which you feel like you’ve been conditioned to believe a heteronormative way of life is the only ‘right’ way to live, which leads to incredible difficulty and emotional oppression.

You push these feelings down, ignoring them, praying them away even but eventually with acceptance comes a rush of emotion that you never thought you’d feel. You unlock, finally, what it means to be happy and with it comes the rollercoaster of emotions, hot sweats, fever dreams, happiness, giddiness and excitement that we’ve tried to capture in the energy and pace of the song.”

Sprints will play a headline show at The Dome in Tufnell Park on 13th October. Grab your tickets here.

Watch the video for ‘Literary Mind’ below.

Follow Sprints on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Niamh Barry

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate Crudgington1 Comment

Track Of The Day: Miss Kill – ‘All You Gotta Do’

A gritty guitar tune inspired by feelings of risk and vulnerability, Bristol-based sister duo Miss Kill have shared their latest single ‘All You Gotta Do’. Taken from their upcoming debut EP, Don’t Tell Me Twice, which is set for release on 16th September via AWAL, the track seethes with a heavy sense of angst.

Formed of sisters Alannah and Felicity Jackson, Miss Kill are inspired by the sounds of Hole, Placebo, Nirvana and The Vines. The pair have supported GIHE favourites ARXX, Mannequin Death Squad and Grandmas House on tour, as well as playing shows with the likes of Krooked Tongue, Millie Manders and the Shutup, The Courettes, Giant Sky and Hands Off Gretel. Together, the duo blend the best elements of grunge and garage rock to create their urgent, melodic sounds, with latest single ‘All You Gotta Do’ being a bold combination of both.

Described as a song about “feeling completely intoxicated, vulnerable and needing someone to to care, but they are refusing to,” ‘All You Gotta Do’ is full of bittersweet vocals and heavy reverb, reflecting the clouded head space that inspired it. From the track’s snaking opening riff to the swirling, crashing chorus, it feels like an exasperated plea for help when you’re struggling to see through the murky waters of inebriety.

A collection of tracks that the band say are an “ode to raw feelings and insecurities,” Miss Kill’s upcoming EP, Don’t Tell Me Twice, looks set to be a candid exploration of the fragmented thoughts that formed it.

Listen to ‘All You Gotta Do’ below.

Follow Miss Kill on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

EP: Beckie Margaret – ‘CIAGA Vol.1’

An unassuming, poetic collection of songs that ruminate on the shifting nature of love, Essex-based songwriter Beckie Margaret’s latest EP CIAGA Vol.1 is a carefully crafted and deeply affecting listen. Released via Cool Thing Records, the EP (the first of three which are set to be released over the next 9 months) beautifully showcases a young woman learning how to fully express her feelings, and not shying away from the pain or frustration that often accompanies this process.

Through her emotive lyrics, distinctive vocals and tender, melodic guitar sounds, Beckie gently exposes her most intimate and passionate thoughts across the record, learning to trust her instincts when it comes to romantic infatuation. “This EP is cut down to the bone of my writing roots,” she explains about CIAGA Vol.1. “I wanted to reintroduce myself to the world with songs that feel like diary entries to me.”

This reintroduction begins with ‘Untitled’, which explores the feeling of not knowing where you stand with someone. The track’s opening lines bring the rawness of this emotional imbalance to life: “I just wanna know where your head’s been running to all week / I wanna hear what you said to the boys about me.” She offsets these unsettling thoughts with her confessional chorus: “I don’t need someone to complete me / and I don’t need a hand to guide me / but your fingers tracing down my body / are all I’ve ever really wanted.” Despite a natural yearning for true intimacy, she gently nudges listeners towards accepting that it’s better to be happy in your own company, than spend time with someone who doesn’t reciprocate your affection.

Beckie’s effortless, intuitive vocal is the lifeblood of CIAGA Vol.1, and something which truly shines on ‘Woman’. This coming-of-age tale is laced with lilting, atmospheric guitar strokes that resonate long after repeated listens. ‘August Nights’ flows in a similar vein, with the added sound of rainfall gently evoking the lonely atmosphere that inspired the track’s conception. Both songs shimmer with a palpable sense of urgency.

Whilst Beckie cites Phoebe Bridgers, Big Thief and Lana Del Rey as musical inspirations, there’s something Jeff Buckley-like in the guitar tones of closing track ‘Come Down’. “My skin doesn’t fit me” she admits, musing about the lows that follow the overwhelming highs of infatuation. As with all of the songs on CIAGA Vol.1, there’s a hard won emotional resilience underpinning the sentiments in Beckie’s lyrics; ambiguous enough to appeal to everyone, but heartfelt enough to cut through to the right listener.

A gifted songwriter with an achingly pure sound, Beckie Margaret’s CIAGA Vol.1 is a return to form for the Essex-based musician. Nothing feels forced, and there’s an impressive emotional maturity permeating all of the songs on the record. We can’t wait to hear what Vol.2 sounds like.

Listen to CIAGA.Vol.1 here

Follow Beckie Margaret on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter

Photo Credit: Beckie Margaret

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment