Track Of The Day: Real Big Sky – ‘Another Day’

A fluctuating, brooding guitar tune that swells with anticipation, Gothenburg four-piece Real Big Sky have shared their latest single ‘Another Day’. Taken from the band’s self-titled debut album which is set for release this summer, the track blurs powerful riffs with distant, elusive vocals to create a powerful four and a half minutes of swirling, enigmatic sound.

Originally created as a distraction for multi-instrumentalist Sara Kleppe (You Break, You Buy, Gold Baby) during the Covid-19 lockdowns here in the UK in 2020, Real Big Sky began life as a solo project which Kleppe worked on at home in her bedroom in Hackney. Making good use of her time during an unpredictable year, Kleppe picked up her old electric guitar and began working out songs and sounds that would eventually form the eight tracks on Real Big Sky’s album. Kleppe relocated back to her native Sweden in 2021, and now Real Big Sky have now blossomed into a full band, made up of her friends and family members.

With the help of friend & long-term collaborator Luca Romano – who also played drums and was on recording, mixing and production duties for the record – Real Big Sky’s sound is now fully fleshed and ready to be released into the world. The band’s previous singles ‘Long Lost’ and ‘Jess‘ were perfect introductions to their heavy, introspective noise, and their latest single ‘Another Day’ continues to flow in this vein.

“I wanted to experiment with introducing new elements to a song as it went along, but still try to keep it as coherent as possible,” explains Kleppe about the process of writing ‘Another Day’. “Changing dynamics throughout a song is something I try to give a lot of attention to, as well as trying to break free from the standard song structure.”

Listen to ‘Another Day’ below.

 

Follow Real Big Sky on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Johanna Kleppe

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LIVE: The Great Escape 2022 (Photos & Highlights)

We were back at The Great Escape for the first time in 3 YEARS at the weekend, stomping around Brighton trying to catch some of our favourite women and LGBTQ+ artists in new music. Spread across multiple venues in the city, the festival showcased an eclectic line-up of talent, and our Features Editor Kate Crudgington and official photographer Jon Mo were there to capture just some of the highlights of the prolific 3 day event.

Of course, clashes, queues and timing issues meant we inevitably missed some artists, including sets from ZAND, Ailbhe Reddy, Mykki Blanco, A.A. Williams, Witch Fever, Bad Waitress, Kills Birds, LibraLibra, PEANESS and Grandmas House, but we tried to get to as many gigs as possible on Thursday & Friday. Read about the performances we did manage to catch and take a look at our pictures below…

 

ARXX remain one of our favourite bands, both on and off stage

Whether it’s vocalist & guitarist Hanni casually saying “let’s break up this wall of men” as we moved towards the front for Fräulein’s set at Queens Hotel, or drummer Clara cracking up the crowd with her story about a seagull stealing her croissant during their own set (she’s a Brighton resident as well, rookie mistake) – ARXX truly are the definition of an iconic duo. Their set at The Hope & Ruin was so packed we couldn’t get in, but it was worth running up the hill to Brighton Youth Centre to catch them performing later on the same day. Full of their trademark riotous riffs, anthemic vocals and knockout percussion, the duo tore through renditions of ‘Deep’ and ‘Call Me Crazy’ as well as previewing their new single, ‘Couldn’t Help Myself’. We can’t wait to have them headline for GIHE again at The Shacklewell Arms on the 22nd July. (tickets here)

Fräulein are your new favourite grunge duo

Joni & Karston aka Fräulein blew us away when they headlined our first GIHE gig of 2022 back in January at The Victoria in Dalston. Since then, the duo have been playing across London non-stop and have been out on tour with The Mysterines and Coach Party too. They performed their brooding, captivating grunge sounds to a full house in the basement at Queens Hotel on Thursday afternoon, with singles ‘And I Go (La La La)’ and ‘Drag Behind’ being set highlights. They played a show on each day of the festival over the weekend, so if you didn’t catch at least one of their sets, you definitely missed out.

We are in love with Brimheim and her band

We had a lot of FEELINGS watching Danish artist Brimheim perform to a packed crowd at seafront venue WaterBear – and all of them were GOOD. Clearly loving every moment of her set alongside her equally enthusiastic band, she thrashed around with her guitar, enjoyably scowling down at her mic as she delivered her pitch perfect vocals. Performing songs from her debut album, can’t hate myself into a different shape, she thundered through ‘favourite day of the week’ and ‘baleen feeder’, her exquisite, confessional lyrics were given a new edge by her raw, more abrasive live performance. We cannot wait to see her live again.

The Irish showcase at Prince Albert is always a festival highlight

Year after year, the line-up for the Irish showcase at the Prince Albert continues to impress us. Even when we can’t physically get into the venue to see the bands (we heard SPRINTS sounding HUGE as we stood in the queue on the stairs) the atmosphere and the talent is always worth sticking around for. We caught Tolu Makay in her stunning sequin-drenched outfit on Thursday, performing infectiously fun tracks from her debut album Being, including ‘Me, Myself & I’ and ‘You Are Enough’. On Friday, we were front row for CMAT’s show (read more on that below) and to catch Kynsy live for the first time. Since the release of her debut single ‘Cold Blue Light’ in 2020, we’ve been keen to see her show and she did not disappoint. Accompanied by her band, she ripped through singles ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’ and ‘Elephant in the Room’, her voice sounding superb despite her saying she was “a little croaky” on the day.

Tolu Makay

KYNSY

CMAT is Queen

Despite their best efforts to make things work, CMAT’s band couldn’t play along with her due to tech difficulties, so the Irish pop sensation shrugged it off and performed a superb solo acoustic set instead. Armed with her guitar and her trademark white cowboy boots, she performed seamless renditions of ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’, ‘Nashville’ and a “lounge version” of ‘No More Virgos’ with keyboard player Colm, all taken from her debut album, If My Wife New I’d Be Dead. A mix of stand up comedy and stand out vocals, CMAT’s sets are always a total joy to witness, and listening to other folks in the crowd sing along to ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’ never gets old.

Lido Pimienta is a L.E.G.E.N.D.

Full of her stunning vocals, metal-esque screams, sharp wit and strong pro-choice vibes, award-winning Colombian-born, Toronto-based artist Lido Pimienta had the crowd dancing, cheering and laughing along during her set at Jubilee Square. Performing tracks from her 2020 album, Miss Colombia, including a flawless rendition of ‘Eso Que Tu Haces’, Pimienta cracked jokes about the Queen’s Jubilee between songs and made valid comments about the importance of respecting women’s reproductive rights. Her charisma, euphoric live energy and candid comments will remain embedded in our memories for weeks to come.

We want to join Softcult

We’ve been looking forward to catching Canadian twin siblings Mercedes and Phoenix aka Sofcult live since the release of their debut EP, Year Of The Rat, in 2021. Informed by their experiences of sexism and objectification as young women in the music industry, the pair performed their bittersweet grunge-pop anthems to a packed crowd at Volks, with songs ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ and ‘Gaslight’ providing an empowering and cathartic moment to push back against toxic masculinity.

We want to scream in tune like Lucy from Projector

Brighton band Projector have always impressed us with their live shows, but their set at The Tempest Inn on Friday evening truly excelled all other times we’ve seen them play. The four piece smashed through a set full of visceral alternative noise, with bassist & vocalist Lucy’s cord-ripping screams absolutely decimating our ear drums (in the good way), especially during the band’s latest single ‘hell in my head’.

Like most major UK festivals, The Great Escape has room for improvement

Whilst our experience of The Great Escape was a positive one, we know that’s not the case for everyone who attends or plays at the festival. We saw a tweet from artist Billy Nomates explaining that there was “no water no towel no buy out no rider [and] a microphone that doesn’t work” – therefore she couldn’t perform to the best of her ability at her set on Friday night.

We also saw a tweet from the band PEANESS, rightfully lamenting the lack of opportunities for artists playing the festival to have access to complimentary food and drinks, whilst delegates are often bombarded with these invites. It was both disheartening and comforting to see replies on these threads that echoed similar sentiments, especially as artists (particularly female artists) are often labelled as ‘unappreciative’ or ‘difficult’ when they highlight these issues. It’s not fair that people’s experiences of the same festival differ so vastly.

There are plenty of artists, promoters and PR teams working towards a better and more equal music industry – we met and saw some of them at The Great Escape! – but until everyone is on the same page, we will continue to elevate the conversations that challenge the unfair “norm”.

In terms of its line-up, 2022’s Great Escape really did feel like one of its most diverse and entertaining yet. But there’s always more to learn, more work to do both on and off stage, and more reason than ever to speak out when you think you’re being treated unfairly. Respect to the artists who were bold enough to do so this year.

CIEL

BERRIES

Gen & The Degenerates

Words: Kate Crudgington / @KCBobCut
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophotography

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PLAYLIST: May 2022

The Get In Her Ears team have put together another eclectic mix of guitar tunes, indie gems & immersive electronic sounds for your listening pleasure. Take some time to scroll through our track choices below and make sure you hit play on the Spotify playlist at the end of this post.

Follow GIHE on Spotify to hear all of our previous playlists too.

 

VERO – ‘She’s Scared Of Everything’
I can hard relate to this aptly titled track from Stockholm-based trio VERO, who have released their debut album, Unsoothing Interior, today! (6th May). The band feel the fear and do things their own way via swirling guitars, moody vocals and angsty lyrics and I’m a big fan of everything they’ve released so far. I can’t wait to give the vinyl a spin.
(Kate Crudgington)

Deep Tan – ‘Rudy Ya Ya Ya’
The latest single from London trio deep tan, ‘rudy ya ya ya’ offers a bizarrely witty ode to the former mayor of NYC. Maintaining all the wonderfully wacky yet seductively dark sentiment we’ve come to know and love from the band, it’s beset with haunting, glitchy hooks and sweeping, sultry vocals, resulting in a strangely addictive, fizzing cacophony. diamond horsetail, the upcoming new EP from deep tan, is released digitally today (6th May) and physical copies will be available on 22nd July. (Mari Lane)

Momma – ‘Speeding 72’
New York-based Momma just keep releasing alternative banger after alternative banger, and this track ‘Speeding 72’ is no exception! It’s taken from their upcoming album Household Name, which is set for release on 1st July via Lucky Number. (KC)

Ghum – ‘Some People’
The latest single from long-term faves, GHUM, ‘Some People’ reflects on the fear of hurting someone who you may have fallen out of love with. Rippling with a seductive ethereal allure and dark hypnotic splendour, a colossal grunge-tinged anthem is created. I’m super excited that Ghum’s debut album is set for release on 17th June via Everything Sucks. (ML)

Bad Waitress – ‘Spit It Out’
Following the release of their debut album No Taste last year, Toronto-based four-piece punk rock band Bad Waitress are back with a new single ‘Spit It Out’. Showcasing the band’s gritty, fierce energy and empowering drive, it’s a wonderfully raucous, punk-fuelled anthem. And I cannot wait to finally see Bad Waitress live at Moth Club, supporting Gustaf, next Monday 9th May! (ML)

Real Big Sky – ‘Jess’
I love this reverb-heavy, atmospheric guitar tune from Gothenburg four-piece Real Big Sky. The track blurs powerful riffs with melancholic vocals to create a commanding four minutes of brooding indie noise. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on Real Big Sky’s self-titled debut album, which is set for release in July. (KC)

Bestfriend – ‘Someplace Else’
Following last year’s debut EP, places i’ve lived, LGBTQ Vancouver/Toronto based bedroom-pop duo Bestfriend have now announced the release of their upcoming new EP, due out in the summer. Ahead of the EP, they recently shared an utterly dreamy new offering. Reflecting on the optimistic feelings of a new crush, ‘Someplace Else’ oozes a lush, ethereal soundscape as sugar-sweet harmonies flow with a shimmering, uplifting energy. (ML)

Martha Rose & GRIP TIGHT – ‘Never B Mine’
I am loving this collaboration from Martha Rose and GRIP TIGHT which has such a soft sadness to it. (Tash Walker)

Jelly Crystal & Seinabo Sey – ‘I Tryyy’
A truly delightful piece of music from Swedish artists Jelly Crystal and Seinabo Sey. Serving as a fervent love song, with those beautiful vocals from Seinabo Sey soaring over the top of the synthy crescendos. It’s the latest single to be taken from Jelly Crystal’s forthcoming EP, ILY, which is out in June. (TW)

Shivum Sharma – ‘Overload’
This was my Track Of The Show on the May edition of our Soho Radio show, from Indian Irish artist Shivum Sharma. I am loving it! (TW)

Hannah Holland x Planningtorock – ‘Planningtobeams’
A collab from two of our faves here at GIHE, Planningtorock and Hannah Holland. What a tune! looking forward to hearing this on our Spring dancefloors. (TW)

Nikki & The Waves – ‘The Phone Song’
The new single from Liverpool band Nikki & The Waves, ‘The Phone Song’ instantly hits you with its jangly, quirky energy. Propelled by an uplifting, vibrant groove, it flows with fizzing hooks and Nikki’s lush, sugar-sweet vocals, as voicemails from those closest to the band – spanning Hong Kong to America – are interwoven into the funk-fuelled musicality. Complete with swooping trombone solos, sparkling harmonies and a relatable witty lyricism, it showcases all there is to love about Nikki & The Waves. (ML)

Secret World Orchestra ft. Circe – ‘It’s All Over’
Taking musical and lyrical cues from Circe’s previous single ‘Mess With Your Head‘, Secret World Orchestra aka Jules Konieczny (who is one half of alt-pop duo APRE) has extrapolated on her original piece and created ‘It’s All Over’. It’s a tender electronic musing on the fluctuating nature of love, designed to capture that end-of-the-night feeling on a lonely dancefloor. (KC)

Grawl!x – ‘Hopelessness’
Grawl!x’s first new music since 2010, ‘Hopelessness’ showcases the band’s newly expanded line-up with front person Maria Micheal Machlin’s lush vocals at the forefront. Flowing with a twinkling, ethereal splendour, it’s an utterly dreamy offering oozing both a joyous energy and reflective vulnerability. A thoughtful, yet uplifting, ode to hope and honesty. Spring, the upcoming new EP from Grawl!x, is set for release later this month via Reckless Yes. (ML)

Beauty Sleep – ‘I Love It Here, I Hate It’
The latest single from Belfast duo Beauty Sleep, ‘I Love It Here, I Hate It’ is a perfectly shimmering slice of stirring alt-pop. Juxtaposing lush melodic grooves with a rich orchestral splendour, a sweeping, utterly dreamy soundscape is created. (ML)

Ethel Cain – ‘American Teenager’
This Ethel Cain song is absolutely lushhhh and I cannot wait to hear her full album, Preacher’s Daughter, when it’s released on 12th May via her own imprint Daughters Of Cain. Please check her out. Her gorgeous, moody sounds will melt the ears right off the side of your face. (KC)

Queen Kwong ft. Roger O’Donnell – ‘On The Run’
I remember interviewing Queen Kwong before her in-store show at Rough Trae East back in 2018 and being dazzled by her live performance. Her sound has evolved beautifully since then, and I’m loving this moody cut ‘On The Run’, featuring The Cure’s keyboard player Roger O’Donnell. This track is taken from Queen Kwong’s upcoming album, Couples Only, which is set for release on 12th July. (KC)

Bloomsday – ‘ISO’
This earnest, poignant musing from New York duo Bloomsday extrapolates on vocalist Iris Garrison’s journey to become “acquainted with their body and the inner parts of their experience” and to “learn to like themselves and what came with being in transition.” This track is taken from Bloomsday’s debut album, Place To Land, which is set for release on 10th June via Bayonet Records. (KC)

Amaroun – ‘Orchid’
Amaroun’s latest release is a celebration of self-love and queerness. ‘Orchid’ is about slow-motion growth, in Amaroun’s words “It’s a pledge to my lover to bend and grow together, entwined but independence, embracing all our differences. It’s a story of taking your time and staying in the present, a reflection of a beautiful moment.” (TW)

Art Moore – ‘Snowy’
‘Snowy’ is the debut single from new collaborative project Art Moore – aka Taylor Vick (Boy Scouts), Sam Durkes and Trevor Brooks (Ezra Furman’s band). This track is inspired by loss and loneliness, described as “that feeling that someone is right next to you, but you know they can’t be.” (KC)

Kindred Fawn – ‘Silver Blanket’
The new solo project from GIHE faves Naz & Ella’s Ella Patenall, Kindred Fawn has shared her beautiful new single. Inspired by Patenall’s comfort in listening to the shipping forecast, ‘Silver Blanket’ combines rich aural textures with reflective pastoral musings to create a captivating, melancholic soundscape. (ML)

Ydegirl – ‘I Need This’
‘I need this’ by Copenhagen-based artist Ydegirl, taken from her 2019 self-titled debut album which I have only just discovered. Some lovely chamber art-pop for you all. I’m looking forward to Ydegirl’s music weaving into my ears more over the coming year. (TW)

Maria BC – ‘Betelgeuse’
“Betelgeuse is about coming to terms with one’s role as a victim, bystander, and perpetrator,” explains Maria BC. Through tender vocals and atmospheric guitar sounds, Maria ruminates on the nature of anticipation, abandonment and disappointment, but despite its melancholy context, the track is an oddly comforting listen. ‘Betelgeuse’ is taken from Maria’s debut album Hyaline, which is set for release on 27th May via Fear Of Missing Out records here in the UK. (KC)

Hercules Love Affair, ANOHNI – ‘Poisonous Storytelling’
I was so excited to hear the news that ANOHNI has teamed up again with Hercules & Love Affair, their last collaboration happening back in 2008. This is the latest single from In Amber, producer Andy Butler’s first Hercules & Love Affair album in five years, which also features Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer Budgie. Speaking about the track, ANOHNI explains that this song is an attack on misinformation that permeates the news cycle and social media: “We must be careful with new narratives, because everyone is rotted out from poisonous storytelling.” Hopefully this will not be the last we hear from ANOHNI. I have everything crossed to be able to see them live at some point again in my life. (TW)

Erasers – ‘A Breeze’
The new single from Perth-based ‘dungeon synth’ duo Rebecca Orchard and Rupert Thomas – aka Erasers -, ‘A Breeze’ evokes the raw beauty of their native landscape of Western Australia oozing an immersive ethereal splendour and poignant, layered musicality. ‘A Breeze’ is taking from Erasers’ hypnotic latest album, Constant Connection. (ML)

Zola Jesus – ‘Desire’
I am so happy to see that Zola Jesus is releasing new music! This powerful track ‘Desire’ is taken from her upcoming album, Arkhon, which is set for release on 24th June via one of my favourite record labels, Sacred Bones. Her voice makes my heart ache (in the good way) and it’s showcased in all its glory on this emotive and poignant track. (KC)

 

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Peaness 06.04.22

Tash was back on the Soho Radio airwaves playing loads of new music from some of the GIHE team’s favourite artists.

Chester indie trio Peaness also had a chat with Mari about their upcoming debut album, World Full Of Worry, the music that inspires them, the festivals they’ll be playing this summer and the joys and challenges of being in a DIY band.

Listen back below:

 

Tracklist
Nova Twins – Cleopatra
Ibibio Sound Machine – Electricity
t l k – IWNU
Fears – 16
Midwife – Send The Pain Below (Chevelle Cover)
SASAMI – Call Me Home
Jenny Hval – American Coffee
Ydegirl – I Need This
Coco – Last of the Loving
Hannah Holland x Planningtorock – Planningtobeams
Real Big Sky – Long Lost
Ethel Cain – Gibson Girl
Francis Of Delirium – The Funhouse
x/o – Red Alert
Peaness – How I’m Feeling
**Interview with Peaness**
Nikki and the Waves – Online Chess
Horsegirl – Anti-Glory
Proper. – Huerta
CRi – Something About
Problem Patterns – Y.A.W
LibraLibra – Here’s To You Mr Robinson
Scrounge – This Summer’s Been Lethal
Breakup Haircut – Out Of My Way (I’m Not Getting On The Nightbus)
bestfriend – someplace else
Julia-Sophie – Dial Your Number
Wet Leg – Too Late Now

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