Track Of The Day: MASCA – ‘Unsure’

A catchy slice of alt-pop that explores the way we focus on our bad habits and relationships for reasons that often feel intangible, Bristol-based duo MASCA have shared their debut single ‘Unsure’. With the support of producer Elliot Vaughan, the band muse about the cyclical nature of uncertainty through their relatable lyrics, catchy guitar riffs, snappy percussion and melodic keys.

Formed by Christina Maynard (Souer) and Jack Hamilton (INDIGOS), who have spent the last six years writing songs together, MASCA combine dual vocals with catchy melodies and guitar riffs to create their fusion of pop and rock sounds. The band sold out their first Bristol headline show in late 2020 with no material released and have since played support slots for the likes of Delta Sleep, Kier, Beach Rio and Goan Dogs. Their debut single ‘Unsure’ is the first taste of what the band have to offer this year.

“Unsure is about those kinds of relationships which don’t feel quite right but you can’t help yourself carrying on with,” the band explain. “Sometimes the thing that pulls two people together is more like a negative addictive force than a constructive one. It’s such a hard thing to be aware of, especially while you’re actually in that situation. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic relationship, and It’s not really meant to apply to really bad toxic or abusive relationships, just the more ordinary relationships that people can find themselves in which they don’t realise are holding them back until they actually move on.”

The single is accompanied by a video, directed by Jay Bartlett, featuring Christina and Jack dressed in mock-up Marlboro cigarettes packets, wandering around everyday scenes trying to escape the uncertainty they sing of. “It was quite a while after we wrote the song that Tina realised that there were quite a few references to burning and flames and that’s where the idea for the video came from,” Jack explains. “That kind of tied together these ideas of addiction and unhealthy relationships really nicely.

2022 looks set to be a productive year for MASCA, who have an EP release in the pipeline and appearance at Burn It Down Festival and Glastonbury Calling booked in too.

Watch the video for ‘Unsure’ below.

Follow MASCA on Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: VERO – ’22:12′

A tender, melancholic offering that laments the feeling of being taken for granted, Stockholm-based trio VERO reveal their softer side on their latest single ‘22.12’. Taken from the band’s upcoming debut album Unsoothing Interior, which is set for release on 6th May via PNK SLM, the track is an urgent, hazy musing that the band have dubbed as their “official cry song.”

Formed of teenage friends Julia Boman & Amanda Eddestål and Clara Gyökeres who they befriended whilst DJ’ing on the Stockholm nightclub circuit, VERO create music inspired by an eclectic range of influences. Their main purpose, aside from creating anthems with shades of 90s alternative icons Sonic Youth, is to challenge the idea of what a modern guitar band is supposed to be. That challenge started with previous singles ‘Beg!’, ‘Cupid’ and a cover of Shame’s ‘Concrete’, but now the trio reveal a different kind of emotional rawness on their new release ’22:12′.

“From the whining, lonely guitar in the intro, to the painful lyrics about leaving the party early and feeling defeated…in a way, the song is an ode to someone else’s happiness, of which you have no part in, and that hurts,” VERO explain about the track. Through yearning vocals, distorted riffs and confessional lyrics, the band tackle feelings of inadequacy and loneliness with grit and grace, providing an aural tonic for those whose bones are also aching with an unrequited love.

Listen to ’22:12′ below.

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

Pre-order VERO’s debut album Unsoothing Interior here

Photo Credit: Dan Kendall

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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VIDEO PREMIERE: Problem Patterns – ‘Y.A.W’

**Content Warning: mention of misogyny & violence towards women**

A powerful, necessary anthem for women and girls who have spoken out against violent misogyny only to be told they’re “just a bitch who can’t take a joke,” Belfast punks Problem Patterns have shared a video for their poignant new single ‘Y.A.W’, which we’re premiering exclusively on Get In Her Ears.

Recorded at Start Together Studios with the support of the ‘Scratch’ development programme at the Oh Yeah Music Centre, the track is a visceral rumination on the universal rage and despair that permeates our consciousness in the wake of public violence towards women, in particular, the misogynist killings of Sarah Everard and Aisling Murphy.

Their first official single since their 2020 release ‘Big Shouty‘, Problem Patterns’ ‘Y.A.W’ seethes with a righteous fury, underscored by Ciara’s King’s buzzing basslines, Beverley Boal’s striking guitar riffs, Bethany Crooks’ thudding beats and Alanah Smith’s crystalline vocals. An acronym for ‘Yes All Women’ – antagonising the social media excuse ‘Not All Men’ – on ‘Y.A.W’ Alanah steps forward on vocal duties, demanding “Who do we call for help / When the help seems like a threat to me?” as her bandmates unleash a cathartic cacophony of relentless, rage-fulled sound around her.

“We’re trying to help people get through certain situations, or speak to situations that people are having at this moment. It’s hard to hold things back,” guitarist Beverley explains about the purpose of Problem Patterns’ music and the context of ‘Y.A.W’. This desire to antagonise, expose and shift the narratives around women’s safety is something the band have believed in from day one, and something which their collective hero, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna, encouraged them to keep shouting about. “She’s been part of relighting the fire,” continues Ciara, “and the trust and confidence we have in ourselves as a band.”

Officially released tomorrow (16th March), 100% of the profits from the Bandcamp sales of ‘Y.A.W’ will be split between Cara-Friend and Women’s Aid Northern Ireland. The track is accompanied by a striking performance video, shot and directed by Brendan Seamus with art direction from Billy Woods. It captures the raw, frenzied energy of a Problem Patterns’ gig, something GIHE followers will relate to after their debut London performance with GIHE at The Shacklewell Arms back in December 2021.

Together, Problem Patterns use their collective talents to create riotous feminist punk anthems that provide comfort and catharsis in equal measure, with this latest single being a powerhouse example of both. Watch the video for ‘Y.A.W’ below.

Follow Problem Patterns on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Problem Patterns Upcoming Tour Dates 2022
06.04.2022 – Bob Vylan & Problem Patterns Tour (Cork, Cyprus Avenue)
07.04.2022 – Bob Vylan & Problem Patterns Tour (Galway, The Loft)
08.04.2022 – Bob Vylan & Problem Patterns Tour (Belfast, Deer’s Head)
09.04.2022 – Bob Vylan & Problem Patterns Tour (Limerick, Kasbah)
10.04.2022 – Bob Vylan & Problem Patterns Tour (Dublin, The Grand Social)
12.06.2022 – Supporting Bikini Kill (O2 Academy, Glasgow)

Photo Credit: Carrie Davenport

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Real Big Sky – ‘Long Lost’

A brooding, atmospheric musing on feelings of loneliness and isolation, Gothenburg four-piece Real Big Sky have shared their debut single ‘Long Lost’. Full of moody guitar sounds, shiver-inducing cymbal smashes and melancholic vocals, the track is a captivating slice of dark indie noise, taken from the band’s self-titled debut album which is set for release in July.

Originally created as a distraction for multi-instrumentalist Sara Kleppe (You Break, You Buy, Gold Baby) during the Covid-19 lockdowns here in the UK in 2020, Real Big Sky began life as a solo project which Kleppe worked on at home in her bedroom in Hackney. Making good use of her time during an unpredictable year, Kleppe picked up her old electric guitar and began working out songs and sounds that would eventually form the eight tracks on Real Big Sky’s album. After relocating back to her native Sweden in 2021, Real Big Sky have now blossomed into a full band made up of Kleppe’s friends and family members, with debut single ‘Long Lost’ being the first of what’s to come from these intriguing newcomers.

With her tender vocals and expansive guitar sounds, she transcends feelings of isolation, creating a cathartic, heavy lullaby for those who may still be feeling the sting of loneliness. With the help of friend & long-term collaborator Luca Romano – who also played drums & was on recording, mixing and production duties for the record – Real Big Sky’s sound is now fully fleshed and ready to be released into the world.

Listen to ‘Long Lost’ below.

Follow Real Big Sky on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Johanna Kleppe

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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