Promoting and Supporting Women in Music
Tash & Kate were back in the Hoxton Radio studio playing the freshest in new music from the likes of Maeve, Friedberg, Adryelle and Adia Victoria.
They were joined by the lovely Bleak Terrain in the studio, talking all things interpretive dance and about their upcoming 2019 tour.
Tune in next week when we’ll be back in the studio for a LGBT History Month special!
Listen back here:
At a time when the world is making us feel pretty powerless, the new single from Ex Hex offers a much-needed kick up the arse. An anthemic, empowering call to arms, ‘Tough Enough’ will have you running to the dance-floor and vowing to get shit done.
Reminiscent of the Runaways and The Go-Go’s, ‘Tough Enough’ is all massive power chords and soaring harmonies that beg to be shouted along to. According to the band, it’s about “turning on your tough switch and forging ahead through whatever storms are happening around you.” It feels like a feminist theme tune.
Described as “the power trio for our generation”, Ex Hex have spent the last few years building their reputation. And with ‘Tough Enough’, they prove that they’re still a badass force to be reckoned with. I wanna be in their gang. Or at least get hold of their new album.
Ex Hex’s second album It’s Real is out on 22nd March on Merge Records.
Victoria Conway
Inspired by the feminist writings of film critic Laura Mulvey on ‘The Male Gaze’, Northern Irish trio VOKXEN have shared visuals to accompany their latest single ‘Crystal Eyes’. Produced by Definitive Film (Netflix, Disney and Google) and with allusions to Jim Henson 80’s cult film The Dark Crystal – ‘Crystal Eyes’ is a captivating visual delight.
Premiered on Hot Press, ‘Crystal Eyes’ is a catchy blend of pop-hooks and strong vocals, underscored by bouncing synth beats. The video for the single tells “a tale of (false) perception, entrapment and breaking free of bonds that hold us back”. VOKXEN have had a busy year playing shows in Dublin and Berlin, and we’re sure we’ll be hearing more from the trio in 2019.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
Ahead of their single launch show tomorrow at Servant Jazz Quarters, GIHE faves HAVVK have shared a striking new video for their latest single ‘Always The Same’.
Addressing society’s gender norms and the everyday worries of safety women face because of their gender, ‘Always The Same’ asks men to question their sense of entitlement and imagine what it’s like to walk down the same street in a woman’s shoes. Perhaps more explicitly gritty than previous offerings, it flows with frontwoman Julie’s trademark celestial vocals, but with a raw, emotion-strewn edge, creating an immense sense of urgency within its soaring soundscape. Building to a stirring, punchy climax, it’s an utterly gripping creation from a band continually combining activism with their unique musical prowess. Of the track, Julie expands:
“It’s only in recent years that it’s occurred to me how many of my daily decisions are made with this unconscious effort of weighing up safety and I’ve started to imagine what daily life would be like without a constant sense of caution ready to bubble to the surface.”
Featuring original footage from psychology and relationship videos from the ’50s, with Julie explicitly dismissing these outdated gender roles by scribbling over the projections, the new video for ‘Always The Same’ is a visually exquisite offering with an intensely poignant message. Watch it here:
And don’t miss HAVVK live at Servant Jazz Quarters tomorrow night, along with other beauties After London and Rookes. Doors at 8pm. Tickets and info here.
Mari Lane
@marimindles
Get In Her Ears 