Track Of The Day: All Day Breakfast Cafe – ‘Old School Struggling’

An uplifting, disco-inspired ode to dealing with the pressures of everyday life, South London based disco band All Day Breakfast Cafe have released their debut single ‘Old School Struggling’. Fuelled by funky rhythms, jazzy instrumentation and Loucin Moskofian’s rich vocals, the track is a playful take on how we deal with the relentless cycle of trying to make ends meet whilst simultaneously trying to live our best lives.

Inspired by the same struggle that laid the foundations for disco music back in the 1970s, All Day Breakfast Cafe pay tribute to the empowering history of hope and hustling that sits alongside trying to survive and thrive in an unequal world. Inspired by the likes of Chaka Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire and jazz legends Art Blakey and Ella Fitzgerald, the band formed just before lockdown 2020 and have been busy working on their Their debut EP, Builder’s Brew (a play on Miles Davis’ psychedelic jazz album Bitches Brew) which they’re set to release this autumn.

If you’re familiar with the feeling of burnout, worrying about how you’re going to make your rent, and working a 9-5 alongside all of your side hustles, then ‘Old School Struggling’ will resonate with, and re-energise you too.

Listen to ‘Old School Struggling’ below.

 

Follow All Day Breakfast Cafe on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: BLAB – ‘Eton Mess’

A righteous assault on the many failings of the UK government, Southend based multi-instrumentalist BLAB has shared her latest single ‘Eton Mess’. Released via Cool Thing Records, the track is a rumbling “anti-fascist anthem” that proudly sticks two fingers up to the establishment and snarls in the face of the apathetic, privileged men who were born into running it.

“’Eton Mess’ is about the consistent negative impact the Tories have had on the lives of average people,” explains BLAB aka Frances Murray. “It’s about a government so out of touch with people’s everyday lives and a culture of ignorance and apathy amongst the wealthy elite. I am furious at how we can turn a blind eye to a prime minister who is openly racist, homophobic and sexist. How inequality is perpetuated by upholding archaic values in society and continuing to enable a broken system where politicians from the same few private schools in the country are elected. I wanted to find a way to vent my anger and disillusionment with the government and the lives they have jeopardised through austerity and a lack of NHS funding.”

Fuelled by her disdain for current political policies and backed by her anarchic lyrics and riotous guitar riffs, BLAB’s message on ‘Eton Mess’ is clear: speak up and speak loud. She’s currently working on her debut album with Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) and Rees Broomfield at SS2 Recording in Southend, channelling her riot grrrl attitude into a collection of witty, infectious anthems.

Listen to ‘Eton Mess’ below.

 

Follow BLAB on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter &  Facebook and for more updates.

Photo Credit Shot: James Mannion

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Riotmiloo – ‘4 Women’ (Nina Simone Cover)

A jagged, heavy re-working of an iconic Nina Simone song, London-based industrial riot grrrl Riotmiloo has shared her latest single ‘4 Women’. The opening track to Furnace Record’s new charity album Black is the New Black: The Power & Privilege Industrial Culture Compilation, Riotmiloo has kept Simone’s powerful observational lyrics at the centre, but she’s twisted the jazzy score to further reflect the insidious nature of the racial stereotypes Simone originally sang about.

“Simply put, Nina Simone was a very talented, feminist and political artist. She sang stories filled with pain and racism with eloquence and exquisitely well,” Riotmiloo explains. “Someone highlighted the similarities between the theme of her song ‘Four Women’ and the stories in my album, La Pierre Soudée. From there I fell in love with this particular song. I cry each time I listen to her renditions.”

“When Darryl Montgomery-Hell from Furnace Records called on artists to give one track for his fundraiser for the Radical Monarchs, it had to be this song. I am so glad it found a home in this varied compilation for such a noble cause. I am so honoured to open the album. Proceeds will be donated to the Radical Monarchs, an organisation that empowers young girls of colour.”

Listen to ‘4 Women’ below.

 

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

Listen to, download & donate to Black is the New Black: The Power & Privilege Industrial Culture Compilation on bandcamp

Photo Credit: Blauerosen

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: CIEL – ‘Never Alone Again’

A snapshot of uncertainty filtered through hazy guitars and soft melancholic vocals, Brighton trio CIEL have shared their latest single ‘Never Alone Again’. Inspired by front-woman Michelle Hindriks’ own experiences of feeling isolated, the track is a gentle reflection on the darker moments of life and an honest attempt to make peace with the past.

“Sometimes I spend quite a long time crafting the lyrics for a certain song. This wasn’t the case for ‘Never Alone Again’,” Hindriks explains. “The lyrics were just there, like they appeared out of nowhere, but they were accurately reflecting my feelings at the time. It’s quite scary to me to release this song into the world as the lyrics are very personal and intimate. I never really speak much about these feelings from the past to people around me – even close friends. But it’s the reason why this song feels really close and honest to me. It’s a part of my life’s story. I think it’s important to actually be able to speak about these subjects more openly in our society.”

In these heightened times of isolation and separation, CIEL’s new track provides a tender moment of comfort and relief, acting as a gentle reminder that loneliness is only a temporary state.

Listen to ‘Never Alone Again’ below.

 

Follow CIEL on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Ryan Deag

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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