DIY BANDS – Page 7 – Get In Her Ears

LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Circe (24.07.23)

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves playing loads of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists! Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. Tash talked about their excitement for upcoming East London festival Field Day and Kate shared memories of the recent GIHE gig that Mari organised at The Shacklewell Arms, featuring STRAIGHT GIRL, ALT BLK ERA and The Dead Zoo. Artists featured on the eclectic playlist included Maria Uzor, Sweeping Promises, Um, Jennifer?, congratulations, Divide and Dissolve and Nora Kelly Band.

Kate also caught up with London-based dark-pop sensation Circe to talk about her new EP, Drawing Wings From The Light. Inspired by personal epiphanies, unfiltered heartbreaks, precious teenage secrets and cell-shaping theatrical experiences, the record is a passionate, rapturous collection of slickly produced tracks. Circe spoke about the context behind her new songs, the loyalty of her fans, having FEELINGS about EVERYTHING, and her upcoming headline show at The Windmill in Brixton on 21st September. Tickets are available now on DICE.

Listen back to the show below:

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Monday 21st August from 12-2pm!

Tracklist
Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl
Mary Lovett – Drive
Fever Ray – What They Call Us (Nifra Remix)
TSHA ft. Ell Murphy – Bloom
Maria Uzor – Ventolin
cumgirl8 – gothgirl1
ALT BLK ERA – I’m Normally Like This
congratulations – Zeitgeist
Jock – Spoilsport
Separatr – Directionless
Sweeping Promises – Eraser
Um, Jennifer? – Girl Class
afromerm – held
And Is Phi – Double Pink
AVR – Confirm Humanity
Sea Lemon – Vaporized
Circe – My Boy Aphrodite
**Interview with Circe**
Penguin Cafe – Galahad
1000 Beasts ft. Zeenie Summers Sà.Rù.Mí – Sun Valley Drive
Coolgirl – Silverlight
Joanna Sternberg – I’ve Got Me
Nora Kelly Band – Rodeo Clown
FOX GUNN – POTTERY
Divide and Dissolve – Want
Taylor Swift – Blank Space

July 25, 2023July 25, 2023

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: wormboys – ‘Mostly Still’

A light-hearted, endearing grunge-pop tune that acknowledges the awkwardness of social interactions, wormboys have shared their latest single ‘Mostly Still’. Released via non-profit Leeds-based label Come Play With Me, the Leeds four piece deliver their self described “queer moody creepy noise-pop” with joyful flair on this new offering, which forms part of a series of digital releases that Come Play With Me are supporting in order to showcase queer artists in the North.

Formed of vocalists and guitarists Sop Satchwell and Harry Tunnicliffe, bassist Ruth Pearce and drummer Jake Maiden, wormboys make fun, fuzzy, melodic tunes about the realities of everyday existence. On ‘Mostly Still’, the band gently explore the anxieties around interacting with others again in a post-lockdown world, and being unable to react spontaneously in the moment.

“We started collaborating on this song together just before the pandemic hit,” explains bassist Ruth about the track, “so this release has been a long while coming. The feel of the song is reflected somewhat in the story of its writing.” Guitarist Sop adds more: “It feels a little different to our previous releases, more tender and a bit more poppy. I brought the bones of this song to a practice and we worked out the rest together, it has something of all of us in it.”

You can catch wormboys live in London when they play for us at The Shacklewell Arms on Friday 8th September. They’ll be supporting Welsh rockers CHROMA, alongside new Brighton band UrgentSea. Tickets are cheaper in advance and available to buy on DICE here.

Listen to ‘Mostly Still’ below.

Follow wormboys on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Follow Come Play With Me on bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Sam Joyce

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

July 17, 2023August 24, 2023

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: Big Joanie ft. Kim Deal – ‘Today’

Currently touring North America before a busy festival season in Europe, black feminist punks Big Joanie have shared a deluxe version of their track ‘Today’ featuring Kim Deal. Lifted from their 2022 album Back Home, which they released via iconic Riot Grrrl label Kill Rock Stars, the band were thrilled to have The Breeders frontwoman and Pixies bassist add her twist to their buoyant, lo-fi offering.

“Whether through Pixies, Breeders, or her solo work, Kim has been a vital influence on us as a band and we’re so happy that she’s become part of the Big Joanie world,” explains vocalist and guitarist Stephanie Phillips. “Originally this was a song we were working on years ago that Chardine was going to sing on. I found the old demo while we were on tour and started writing new lyrics to the music with my laptop balanced on my lap in the tour van. I really love that it sounds like a classic C86 type lo-fi indie song. We are immensely proud to announce our new version of ‘Today’ featuring Kim Deal.”

Having already played support slots with their musical heroes Bikini Kill, Skunk Anansie and Sleater-Kinney, this new collaboration is further proof that Big Joanie embody the raw, cooperative spirit of Riot Grrrl. The band are keeping the flame burning brightly for future generations of DIY feminist punks, and we look forward to celebrating with them at their London Back Home anniversary show at EartH in Hackney on 4th November. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘Today’ ft. Kim Deal below.

Big Joanie UK Live Dates 2023
07/10: Birmingham, UK @ The Crossing
03/11: Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall – Back Home Anniversary Show
04/11: London, UK @ EartH – Back Home Anniversary Show

Follow Big Joanie on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Maia Saavedra

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

July 12, 2023August 24, 2023

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: Wise Up – ‘House Cat’

A grungy, laid back ode to “nature’s most temperamental muse”, Dublin-based trio Wise Up have shared their latest single ‘House Cat’. Taken from the band’s debut EP, Soothe The Soul, which they released at the end of June, the track is described as “an anthem for all pet lovers and alt rockers who see themselves feeling like a house cat from time to time.”

Formed of Courtney from Canada on vocals and bass, Garry from Cork on guitar and vocals, with Juan from Venezuela joining on drums earlier this year, Wise Up have been jamming and recording tunes together since the beginning of 2022. Starting with the release of their debut single ‘Conjure The Feeling‘, the have steadily been sharing music over the past year, with the five tracks on Soothe The Soul being the culmination of their efforts over the past few months.

Citing Pixies, Pavement, Yard Act, Chastity Belt, Courtney Barnett and Big Thief as their main musical influences, Wise Up are motivated by the need to cut loose and enjoy the songs they’re performing, rather than agonising over being cool or counting the number of heads in the room. This energy shines through on latest single ‘House Cat’, which is a playful, melodic grunge tune celebrating introvert and extrovert qualities via the vessel of Courtney and Garry’s cat. The track is accompanied by a music video which follows the adventures of their feline companion Lucy, which the band filmed at Belfast Castle and gardens.