LISTEN: Bad Idea – ‘Happy’

An atmospheric, dizzy guitar tune about the unexpected relief a change of emotions can bring, Leeds four-piece Bad Idea have shared their latest single ‘Happy’. Released in partnership with RoseColoured Records, the track is a lush, woozy extrapolation on how refreshing your positive thoughts can be after you’ve been caught in the grasp of a low mood for too long.

Formed in 2016 on a drunken night out dancing to Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’, Bad Idea’s Sarah Sefton and Daniel Johnson chose the band’s name after entering into a new creative project and a new romantic relationship together at the same time. They put aside their concerns about how this might affect their musical dynamics and enlisted the help of new bandmates Charlie Peacock and Liam Lambert in 2019 to flesh out their lo-fi sounds.

In 2020, the band released their debut EP, the ironically titled I Just Want To Go Home, after recording the tracks intermittently between lockdowns in a friend’s basement. The result of their efforts is a joyful, fuzzy exploration of love, loss, nostalgia and moving on to new experiences. New single ‘Happy’ follows on from previous release ‘Winter’ and showcases the band’s ability to take simple concepts like a shift in mood and transform them into swirling, melodic aural head rushes.

Listen to ‘Happy’ below.

 

Follow Bad Idea on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: CIEL – ‘Pretty Face’

A hazy dream-pop tune inspired by an unusual type of unrequited love, Brighton trio CIEL have shared their latest single ‘Pretty Face’. Produced by Jack Wolter of Penelope Isles and mixed by Austin Tufts from BRAIDS, the track is a poetic rumination on the true story of a man who lost his wife to a cult.

“I really got into watching documentaries about all sorts of cults during lockdown 2.0, the psychology behind it really fascinates me,” explains CIEL’s vocalist & guitarist Michelle Hindricks. “This one story really struck me, about a man who lost his wife to a cult and now ten years later he’s continuing life, knowing that she’s still somewhere out there having to let go of her.” Through her soft vocals and hazy guitar riffs, Hindricks gently considers what it would be like to move on from this trauma.

“Most people probably can’t directly relate to something as extreme as losing someone to a cult,” she continues, “[but] a lot more people can relate to the experience of choosing to care for themselves, even if that is a very tough decision.” Through polished production and their dream-pop melodies, CIEL transport listeners away to a world of pleasant distractions on their latest single.

Listen to ‘Pretty Face’ below.

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

Photo Credit: Julia Nala

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: DISHPIT – ‘This Time’

A seething cacophony of crashing percussion, strung out guitar riffs and volatile vocals, Montreal-based trio DISHPIT have shared their new single ‘This Time’. Taken from their Steve Albini produced, self-titled debut album which is set for release on 12th March, the track is a corrosive new offering that rips through feelings of apathy with angst-ridden flair.

Led by Nora Kelly and Jed Stein, DISHPIT are inspired by the sounds of 90s riot grrrl, post punk and grunge. They’re here to challenge and disrupt the male dominated alternative music scene with their distinctive “freaky femme energy” and the abrasive sounds on ‘This Time’ are another potent example of how they’re dismantling these archaic barriers. Kelly’s crystalline vocals cut through the raucous guitar noises and cymbal smashes, as the track swells to its refreshingly raw conclusion.

DISHPIT finished recording their debut album with Albini in 2018, but issues with their record label and the cancellations and delays that have come with the Covid-19 pandemic meant their plans were temporarily put on hold. Now, the band are now finally ready to bring the visceral sounds of their debut record into the world and we can’t wait to hear it in full.

Listen to ‘This Time’ below.

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

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Grandmas House – ‘Always Happy’

A thumping post-punk anthem that seethes with sardonic wit, Bristol-based trio Grandmas House have shared their latest single ‘Always Happy’. Released via Brace Yourself Records, the track is a raucous juxtaposition of the confident image we project externally to others, when internally we often feel the complete opposite.

Formed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums) and Zoë Zinsmeister (bass), Grandmas House combine gritty guitars, powerhouse percussion and visceral vocals to create their corrosive, commanding sounds. Formed in late 2018, the band were busy cutting their teeth on the UK gig circuit before Covid-19 put an abrupt stop to live music. The trio decided to use their time in lockdown constructively, quickly writing and recording new material, including their new single ‘Always Happy’.

“The song is wrapped in sarcasm based on our experiences of being perceived as a certain person, particularly on stage where we are overconfident, exaggerated versions of ourselves,” the band explain. “[It’s] a song we wrote about the social anxiety we all experience in some way or another, particularly concerning social media which gives the chance to easily convey a polished, perfect life which is often misleading – it’s not daily life, but snippets of the best parts. It was one of those songs that just came together so quickly as we were all completely on the same wavelength concerning the meaning of it.”

Through Berndt’s raspy, sarcastic vocals, Zinsmeister’s smouldering bass lines and Dodgson’s distinctive drum strikes, the trio smash through the false perceptions that happiness or contentment are permanent states of being. This welcome dose of cynicism will be accompanied by another equally infectious track ‘Small Talk’ on the band’s upcoming cassette release on 12th March.

Listen to ‘Always Happy’ below.

 

Follow Grandma’s House on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo credit: Belle Whittington

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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