PLAYLIST: June 2019

Whether you’re loving this “heatwave” or loathing the humidity; we’ve got some fresh new music on our June playlist to quench your listening thirst. Take some time to scroll through our words and make sure you hit play on the Spotify link at the bottom of the page…

Friedberg – ‘Go Wild’
Indie-pop quartet Friedberg have been on my radar since I played their desert-rock debut ‘BOOM’ earlier this year and I am just as into their latest offering. Scritchy synths and some classic reverb all mixed into ‘Go Wild’, which is out now via LGM Records. (Tash Walker)

The Paranoyds – ‘Girlfriend Degree’
I’m loving the slacker-grunge sound of ‘Girlfriend Degree’ from LA newcomers The Paranoyds. Speaking about the track, the band explain: “[it’s] a call to arms, a reminder to be a supremely self-loving woman, to just do you. It’s cool to be a girlfriend or wife or whatever, but there’s so much more to being a woman than that.” Couldn’t agree more girls! The band’s debut album Carnage Bargain is set for release on 13th September via Suicide Squeeze. Check out the accompanying video too. (Kate Crudgington)

Sleater Kinney – ‘Hurry On Home’
We cannot wait to see legends Sleater Kinney in February!! And this incredible latest single from the Olympia band fills us with excitement for their upcoming album The Center Won’t Hold, out in August. (Mari Lane)

Witching Waves – ‘Best Of Me’
The latest single from trio Witching Waves, ‘Best Of Me’ races with a jangly twang and punk-fuelled energy. Alongside fast-paced hooks and raw, impassioned vocals, I just can’t get enough of its visceral power. Witching Waves’ latest album Persistence is out now via Specialist Subject Records, and we cannot wait for them to headline for us at The Finsbury on 12th July, along with Milk Crimes, Finish Flag and Hubert’s Friend. (ML)

Scrounge – ‘Purpose’
Q. Will there ever be a day when us GIHEs girls don’t rave about the brilliance of South London duo Scrounge?
A. NO.
Their latest track ‘Purpose’ is equally as formidable as their previous singles and we urge you to see them live if you can. (KC)

ARXX – ‘Iron Lung’
Q. Will there ever be a day when us GIHEs girls don’t rave about the brilliance of Brighton duo ARXX?
A. NO.
We had such a laugh with Clara & Hannah on our radio show last week (listen back here) and they treated us to an exclusive acoustic version of ‘Iron Lung’, but we love it in it’s full fury too. (KC)

Nova Twins – ‘Devil’s Face’ 
Georgia & Amy never fail to fill my ears with cathartic, addictive, abrasive sounds and this latest single is no different. Their distorted bass lines and furious vocals make my heart swell, and I can’t wait to catch the duo live again at The Sebright Arms in September (get your ticket here). (KC)

Gaffa Tape Sandy – ‘So Dry’
Bury St. Edmunds band Gaffa Tape Sandy have now shared a new single taken from their upcoming EP Family Mammal. Propelled by an angst-driven scuzzy energy, ‘So Dry’ blasts out jangly melodies alongside luscious harmonies, creating a massively infectious summer delight, with a fierce, gritty edge. Of the track, the band explain: “We don’t really like arguing as a whole, but expressing yourself is very important, so we like to think of this song as us raising our voices anonymously at the people who make us mad as hell”.
Family Mammal is out 9th August via Alcopop! Records. (ML)

Show Boy – ‘Like That’
Following his last infectious offering ‘Video’, Show Boy’s latest single blends hyper-real production elements with introspective songwriting. An impassioned UK Garage-tinged pop anthem, ‘Like That’ perfectly juxtaposes catchy summer beats with heartfelt reflective lyricism, that will stick in your ears on first listen. Of the track, Show Boy explains: “It’s about the confusion and panic felt when you realise you have more affinity with a past snapshot of yourself than the person you currently are”.
Surreal
, Show Boy’s upcoming EP, is set for release next month. (ML)

Haiku Salut – ‘Going Back’
Haiku Salut are an instrumental trio from the Derbyshire Dales, consisting of multi-instrumentalists Gemma Barkerwood, Sophie Barkerwood and Louise Croft. Between them, they play accordion; piano, glockenspiel, trumpet, guitar, ukulele, drums, and melodica. Their music is a truly delightful, immersive experience and their dreamy electronic soundscapes continue to distract me from whatever I’m doing. ‘Going Back’ is one of the double A-side singles taken from their forthcoming album The General due out on Secret Name 2nd August. (TW)

Sui Zhen – ‘Perfect Place’
Taken from her upcoming album Losing, Linda, ‘Perfect Place’ is the latest single from Melbourne-based artist Sui Zhen. Inspired by how we exist in the digital age, the track flows with glitchy, playful beats and twinkling, ‘80s-inspired hooks alongside Zhen’s quirky, honey-sweet vocals. An instantly infectious slice of sparkling alt-pop. Losing, Linda is out 27th September via Cascine. (ML)

Joviale – ‘Ride Away’
Influenced by the likes of Billie Holoday and Nina Simon, Joviale’s music inspires a dynamic mix of pleasure and pain. This is her second single, taken from her upcoming EP Crisis which is set for release on 6th of September via Blue Flowers. (KC)

Rachel Chinouriri – ‘Mama’s Boy’
Full of neo soul and heavy on the bass… this song just feels full of summer. (TW)

Jeannel – ‘Everything’s The Same’
Berlin based Jeannel has the most gentle haunting vocals filled with so much emotion. (TW)

Get In Her Ears @ Notting Hill Arts Club w/ ANNAVR 22.06.19

The sun was shining bright yesterday, but that didn’t deter us from venturing in to the basement of Notting Hill Arts Club to discover the hypnotic alt-pop sounds of three very different artists: ANNAVR, Zoey Lily & Death Hags.

The task of opening the night fell to LA based artist Death Hags, who delivered her dark, sci-fi inspired sounds beneath flickering stage lights. Her understated but confident delivery meant the obscurities of tracks such as ‘Oublie Moi’ and ‘Electrochemical Communication’ could be fully appreciated by listeners as she performed her one woman show.

Zoey Lily took to the stage next to perform her melancholy pop sounds. The London-based newcomer charmed listeners with her soft, elegant vocals and impressed them with renditions of her singles ‘I Wish I Had A Heart’ and ‘Hate You’. She looked especially pleased when the crowd participated in singing along to one of her tracks too.

Headlining the night and performing for her first time in London, Berlin-based producer ANNAVR melted us with her luscious electronic soundscapes. Originally a classically trained pianist, ANNAVR’s skills have transcended the pop barrier and have blossomed in to a mix of uplifting and distracting sounds. Between songs she spoke about how she relied on music whilst growing up in Berlin to express herself and to take her to new places, and we were proud to give her a platform to share her sounds and her stories.

Huge thanks to the bands, sound engineer and the staff at Notting Hill Arts Club for your help. Keep your eyes peeled for more gig announcements from us soon!

Follow the bands on Facebook for more updates: ANNAVR, Zoey LilyDeath Hags.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: Something Leather – ‘Sip The Thrill’

A cynical psych-tinged commentary about how we try to simultaneously stall and speed up time; Brighton trio Something Leather have shared their latest single ‘Sip The Thrill’. Their sharp percussion, dark guitar noises and striking use of their vintage Philips organ gives their skepticism an intensely appealing sound.

Released on purple 7” vinyl via We Can Do It Records, this is the third single the band have shared following ‘Shotgun Persona’ and ‘Disappear On Me’. They’ve managed to secure impressive support slots with Black Midi, Phobophobes, Madonnatron, Saint Agnes and JOHN, and they’re slowly building up a reputation as one of the most vibrant and distinctive live bands on the scene. Their beloved 70’s Philips organ is fixed up with old parts of frontwoman Phillie’s grandmother’s first colour TV, giving them an authentic sound with real character.

Speaking about ‘Sip The Thrill’ the band explain: “[It’s] a song about the contradictory way in which we try to live forever without enjoying the process, dedicating so much of our time denying the inevitable. From the stop-start attack of the drums and guitar, to the driving energy of the organ and frenetic ending, juxtaposed with the dark nature of the lyrics, it’s a cynical song about chasing time.”

Watch the video for ‘Sip The Thrill’ below and follow Something Leather on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Madeline Spencer

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut