LISTEN: MAITA – ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’

“We’re all goners”, Maria Maita-Keppeler joyfully sings on MAITA‘s latest single, ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’. Lifted from the band’s debut album Best Wishes, (set for release on 15th May via Kill Rock Stars), the track is a light-hearted musing on the inevitable, and relatable human fear of death.

Formed of Maita-Keppeler (principle songwriter, guitars), Matthew Zeltzer (electric guitar), Nevada Sowle (bass), and Cooper Trail (piano/drums); Portland-based MAITA caught our attention with their tenderly frustrated sounds on single ‘Can’t Blame A Kid’ earlier this year. On new track ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’, the band cover a dark subject with buoyant guitar riffs and an energetic, catchy chorus.

Maita-Keppeler explains the context of the new single further: ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’ was inspired by my experience with college parties. Every weekend at some grimy house filled with young, drunk people, I would have that moment late at night where I stared into the crowd and remembered that death was waiting for all of us, regardless of how alive we felt. In those moments, everything would suddenly seem insignificant, and we became so naive and small. I wanted to hide the gravity of this truth within a song that felt vibrant and full of life, just as these dark truths were hidden for me within nights of intoxicated revelry. The song carries a different weight for me today, in the midst of this new Covid reality, where the dark truth seems more exposed than ever, and the quest for joy feels more urgent, almost desperate.”

The track is also accompanied by a video filmed during the current lockdown period, and features footage of the band’s friends and family. Watch the video for ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’ below and follow MAITA on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order your copy of MAITA’s debut album, Best Wishes, here.

Photo Credit: Ingrid-Renan

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

LISTEN: Mint Field – ‘Natural’

A hazy, off-kilter musing on the fluidity of language and life; Mint Field have shared their latest single, ‘Natural’. Released via Felte Records, the Mexico City-based group blur gritty guitar distortion with Estrella del Sol Sanchez’s gentle vocals to create their beguiling, grungy sounds.

Now formed of Estrella, Sebastian Neyra, and Callum Brown (Ulrika Spacek); Mint Field have moved cities and re-shuffled their line-up over the last year. Originally from the Mexican border town of Tijuana, the band now reside in Mexico City, and continue to create dreamy, distorted soundscapes. New track ‘Natural’ is a shining example of this, with its unusual rhythm section and layers of guitar. This is also the first time the band have introduced violin, strings and saxophone on to a track, with the help of guest collaborators Cathy Lucas (Vanishing Twin) and Nathan Pigott.

‘Natural’ is accompanied by a set of visuals (shot before the current lockdown), directed by Daniela Solis and Maria Ramirez. The footage captures the natural movement of light as time elapses, reflecting the themes of fluency and self-awareness within the song. The video was shot “all natural” too, with no post production effects. Watch the video below, and follow Mint Field on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

#ThrowbackThursday: GIHE w/ Nova Twins 05.07.18

Due to the current lockdown/coronavirus situation, we’re unable to make it in to the Hoxton Radio studio to broadcast our live new music show from 7-9pm for the foreseeable future. We have plenty of past shows to share with you though! We’re sharing previous recordings as #ThrowbackThursday sessions, so you can still enjoy 2 hours of new music, and chats with some of our favourite artists each week.

Today, we’ve picked our July 2018 show with Nova Twins. Georgia & Amy were due to headline Colours Hoxton tonight (23rd April) and we were meant to be in the crowd cheering them on, so we’re consoling ourselves by listening back to this interview. The girls talk about their experience of Festival Season 2018, and their unique outfits (spoiler: they went to Homebase for their ‘Lose Your Head’ boiler suits) Check out their debut album, Who Are The Girls, here.

Listen back to the show here:

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Track Of The Day: The Shacks – ‘Wings’

Brooding bass lines and hushed vocals urge listeners to have a “good time” on ‘Wings’, the latest single from The Shacks. Released via Big Crown Records, the track is a cool, smooth sounding call for everyone to cut loose and enjoy themselves.

Fronted by Shannon Wise (vocals, bass) and Max Shrager (guitar, production), The Shacks have been busy working on their second full length record, which is set for release in winter 2021. The New York band have built up a reputation for crafting hazy, melodic, crowd-pleasing tunes on their 2018 album Haze, and new track ‘Wings’ is no exception.

Wise’s quiet, yet intense vocals float over buzzing guitar and bass, willing even the most reluctant listeners to move their feet and shuffle their troubles away. The band have crafted an understated, grooving track that makes letting go feel genuinely effortless. Listen to ‘Wings’ below, and follow The Shacks on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut