Track Of The Day: EVVOL – ‘Release Me’

Electronic duo Evvol have teamed up with fellow Berlin-based, American filmmaker Matt Lambert to create erotic visuals for their new single ‘Release Me’. The video tackles the under-representation of queer females in mainstream media and censorship of female bodies, providing a docu-style insight into the lives of a group of queer women in Berlin.

“Queer women should be equally as strong and loud as gay boys,” says Director Matt. “They should be powerful in their sexuality and not hidden in the way some people perceive queer women to be.” “Exactly”, agrees co-director Julie Chance (Evvol). “On a personal level, my main problem with different types of media is I don’t see people like myself represented on screen, and I think it’s really important to address this.”

‘Release Me’ was shared as a double single with second track ‘Oceania’ via !K7 Records at the beginning of June. It follows the pair’s critically acclaimed debut album Eternalism (2015), and their 2016 EP release, Physical L.U.V. Like many artist’s today, Evvol spent most of their time post-2016 feeling “overwhelmed by the social upheaval in the world,” so they embarked on other creative endeavours, before returning with a fresh perspective and four new songs.

“These songs were written looking inwardly at how we cope when faced with challenges,” say the band. ‘Release Me’ and ‘Oceania’ will be closely followed by ‘Song for the Broken Hearted (Rollin’)’ and ‘New Old’, and we’re excited to hear more of their arty electronica.

Watch the video for ‘Release Me’ below and follow Evvol on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Wilkosz & Way

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Noga Erez – ‘Bad Habits’

Tel Aviv renegade Noga Erez has 2018’s shortcomings in her interrogative spotlight in the video for brand new track ‘Bad Habits’. It’s a snarling tirade of anger spoken through gritted teeth, and it marks an exciting change in style since her 2017 debut album Off The Radar, released via City Slang.

“‘Bad Habits’ is written from a place where one feels they’ve lost all direction and meaning”, Erez explains. “2018, so far, feels to me like living in a place that continues to go down a sloppy road that leads to the loss of any core values that we have grown up with.” Erez exhibits an intense defiance in both her lyrics and her music. “I’m no-one / but who the fuck are you? / Huh?” she repeats, as the beats of her partner and co-writer Ori Rousso mutate into a gritty, truth-seeking anthem – culminating in Erez’s vicious “Fuck you!” at the close of the song.

Noga Erez is set to play an extensive amount of European Festivals this summer, so we recommend following her on Facebook to keep updated on dates and tickets.

Listen to ‘Bad Habits’ below.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Immersion – ‘Sleepless’

If your cells are set alight by the sound of analogue synths and ambient electronics, you should invest in Immersion‘s upcoming album, Sleepless, which is set for release on 15th June via swim~ Records. Comprised of Wire’s Colin Newman & Malka Spigel, Immersion specialise in what their namesake describes and their latest record is a shining example of this.

Influenced by German krautrock pioneers such Tangerine Dream and Popal Vuh, Immersion have created their own version of “widescreen music” and opening track ‘Microclimate’ is a gentle electronic plunge in to their sonic world. The cyclical, mesmeric nature of ‘Off Grid’ seeps in to your consciousness, before the rippling synths and percussion on ‘MS19’ keep you suspended in ambiance for a further seven minutes.

Eponymous track ‘Sleepless’ articulates the restless state of mind its named after, with it’s moody brass arrangements and synths, whilst ‘Propulsoid’ – which features Matt Schulz of Holy Fuck – is propelled by the drum pattern Schulz programmed and more layers of synths and guitar. The upbeat ‘Hovertron’ glides by, making way for the smooth waves on ‘The Humming Sea’, before aptly named ‘Manic Toys’ scurries through your ear drums. Penultimate track ‘Seeing is Believing’ – a collaboration with Gil Luz and Asi Weitz of Hexenschuss – could score a dystopian sci-fi flick, whilst ‘Io’ closes the record on a hopeful, celebratory, grandiose note.

If you’re keen to hear Immersion’s music in the flesh, they’ll be performing a free show on 16th June at London’s Rough Trade East. You can pick up your copy of Sleepless there, or you can pre-order it here.

Follow Immersion on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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INTERVIEW: Hilary Woods

When news reached our ears that Dublin-based artist Hilary Woods had signed to Sacred Bones – a label which hosts our favourites Zola Jesus, Jenny Hval and The Soft Moon – our excitement for her debut album, Colt, gave us palpitations. Both Woods (a former member of JJ72) and Sacred Bones have a reputation for releasing altruistic sounds, so the pairing felt like a divine meeting of musical talent and opportunity.

Hyperbole aside, it’s clear from singles ‘Inhaler’ and ‘Prodigal Dog’ that Hilary Woods’ debut LP is going to be an exquisitely painful listen. Soaked in stark, minimalist, ambient electronic sounds that explore feelings surrounding grief and abandonment, her melancholic music is the perfect fit for venues like St. Pancras Old Church, which she headlines on 11th June (tickets available here).

We caught up with Woods to talk about her anticipations for this show, her multi-disciplinary creativity and what went into the making of her debut album…

Can you tell us a little bit about your recent single ‘Prodigal Dog’? What went into the making of this track, and why you chose to release it as a single?

I made the album without thinking of singles, pretty naïve really! But I think when ‘Prodigal Dog’ was suggested as a single it made sense. This was the first track I recorded in the record making process, bringing it to James we spent a lot of time on drum sounds and enjoyed layering vocals.

Your debut album has been described as “an intensely personal journey through grief, abandonment and mutating love”. How did you manage to translate these emotions into lyrics and music? Do you have a particular process when it comes to song-writing that you follow, or is it a more improvisational?

I’d say both, usually songs either arise after a lot of playing around and experimenting, or they just appear like a bolt. I think emotions and feeling are translated in any given process whether subconsciously or consciously.

You recently signed to Sacred Bones, who we love. What is it about the record label that drew you in? They’re on the ball when it comes to modern electronic music. Zola Jesus, Jenny Hval & The Soft Moon in particular are our favourites (and you of course)…

Thank you! I love their aesthetic, integrity and taste, that’s what drew me in, I’m a fan of many of my label mates.

You were a film, literature and fine-art student back in Dublin. Your music is intensely cinematic and your visuals are highly ornate: did studying a variety of subjects help you to develop your own sound and style easier than if you’d simply chosen to study one specific thing? Would you recommend a multi-disciplinary approach to other creatives?

I don’t know if I’d recommend anything! Everyone is on their own trajectory. In my case I was curious. I liked getting my hands dirty and the physicality of painting. Re studies: I went to college to get out of the house, literally. I needed some structure at that point in my life and I was lucky enough to be awarded some funding to go. It was all a bonus then to be super excited by what I encountered and be inspired by the material I was reading and seeing.

You described Colt as a way to “explore aloneness”, which is particularly poignant as many people use music to escape this feeling. What artists or bands do you listen to when you want to feel less alone?

Gosh, I think a good definition of a good film is one which makes you feel less alone, Music wise: I genuinely don’t have one specific answer to that, anything from Sybille Baier to Jlin to Father John Misty and beyond.

You have two upcoming London shows, St Pancras Old Church on June 11th and Southbank’s Meltdown Festival with Moon Duo on 20th June. What are you anticipating from these gigs?

I’m looking forward to them, they’ll be intimate and atmospheric.

Finally, you’ll be playing at The Sugar Club in Dublin on 14th September. It’s a hometown show, so are you anticipating something extra special from the night?

It’s always different playing at home, feels more vulnerable if anything. It’s a beautiful space with the best of promoters and a great PA and some good friends helping out. I have some plans for it, it’ll definitely be a special one for me.

Huge thanks to Hilary for answering our questions.
Colt is released via Sacred Bones on 8th June. Pre-order your copy here.

Photo Credit: Joshua Wright

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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