indie – Page 70 – Get In Her Ears

ALBUM: Harkin – ‘Harkin’

Armed with experiences from a life of touring and collaborations, Harkin has taken her first steps towards a solo journey with her eponymous LP. The album is set for release on 24th April via Hand Mirror, a new label set up by Harkin and her partner, poet & live arts organiser, Kate Leah Hewett.

Well known for being a touring member of Sleater-Kinney, Wild Beasts, and Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett; Harkin has teamed up with Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint) and Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak & Bon Iver) to help record her debut album – but this doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s all Harkin, through and through.

Opening with the booming guitar of ‘Mist on Glass’, Harkin is off to a powerful start as bold, sharp vocals carry through from one track to the next. The swagger of ‘Nothing the Night Can’t Change’ gives way to the softer sonics of ‘Decade’, before the first highlight of the 10-track production comes in the form of thumping beats and husky vocals of ‘Up To Speed’. Next track ‘Bristling’ follows the same path, with a soundscape of drums and guitar.

At the halfway point, ‘Dial It In’ passes by, followed by interlude ‘Red Virginia Creeper’ before the undeniable stand out track of the album breaks through. The foreboding, looming and brilliant ‘Sun Stay With Me’ is the beginning of an eerie mood that travels through the remaining tracks of the album. Penultimate offering ‘New France’ is soaked in reverb-ridden sonics, and spoken word-esque delivery, vibrating with a presence that’s felt even after the last notes fade.

Harkin closes with the ringing acoustic stylings of ‘Charm and Tedium’, with a razor sharp focus on Harkin’s raw vocals. Completed over 16 days dotted between Harkin’s gruelling tour schedule, Harkin is a collection of gritty but smooth songs that showcase a unique trajectory; combining the warmth of nostalgia, with the glitchy pace of the modern world.

Pre-order your copy of Harkin’s debut album here.
Follow Harkin on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Tomm Roeschlein

Malvika Padin
@malvika_padin26

April 21, 2020August 3, 2020

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LISTEN: In Earnest – ‘Put Me Under’

A tentative, gentle “stock take” of the mind; alt-indie trio In Earnest have shared their latest single, ‘Put Me Under’. The track is inspired by the struggles vocalist Sarah has experienced with her mental health, and acts as an encouraging nod for others to open up about their own issues.

Based in Southend-On-Sea, In Earnest formed in early 2019 after band members Sarah and Thomas left their previous outfit, Carousel. Together with new addition Toby, the trio began to focus on writing poignant tracks based on personal experiences, and recorded in an “organic” setting – captured live without click tracks or autotune. ‘Put Me Under’ is the first example of this, and is lifted from their upcoming EP.

Sarah extrapolates on the context of the new single, which is written from her perspective: “I suffer from chronic anxiety and depression, to the point where I can’t hold down jobs or be left alone for too long. In my loneliness I am awash with negative thoughts. The song is about feeling overcome by an invisible illness, but knowing it’s a lot easier to cope in the company of a dog.”

Sarah’s soft voice and confessional lyrics are paired beautifully with Thomas & Toby’s acoustic and electric guitar parts, allowing the trio to gently explore an intimate, and difficult issue. Listen to ‘Put Me Under’ below, and follow In Earnest on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

April 20, 2020April 20, 2020

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#ThrowbackThursday: GIHE w/ Charmpit 10.08.17

Due to the current lockdown/coronavirus situation, we’re unable to make it in to the Hoxton Radio studio to broadcast our live new music show from 7-9pm for the foreseeable future.

We have plenty of past shows to share with you though! We’re sharing previous recordings as #ThrowbackThursday sessions, so you can still enjoy 2 hours of new music, and chats with some of our favourite artists each week.

Today, we’ve picked our August 2017 show with the wonderful Charmpit. The band recently released their debut album, Cause A Stir, via Specialist Subjects Records, which you can listen to/order a copy of here.

Music highlights of this show come from Carolyn’s Fingers, Sink Ya Teeth, Downtown Boys, HVMM, ESG, and GRIP TIGHT.

Listen back to the show here:

Featured Artists
Penny & The Quarters
Smoke Season
Grace Ackerman
ECKOES
Rat & Co
Isaac Gracie
GRIP TIGHT
HVMM
Dominique
Stress Dolls
Mini Skirt
Sink Your Teeth
Carolyn’s Fingers
Downtown Boys
Soft Fangs
Swine Tax
ESG

April 16, 2020April 16, 2020

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

EP: Something Leather – ‘Midnight Reverie’

Like stumbling through a distorted, pleasant daydream; Brighton trio Something Leather‘s debut EP, Midnight Reverie, is a cinematic blend of old and new sounds. Released via We Can Do It Records on 17th April, the band have created four tracks showcasing their talent for crafting psych-infused music, that explores the dark and the light within us all.

Formed of Phillie Etta Jane (vocals/organ), Greg Pass (guitar) and Mike Nussbaum (drums), Something Leather have been cutting their teeth on the London & Brighton live circuits for a few years now. The vintage 70’s Philips organ that Phillie plays is fixed up with old parts of her grandmother’s first colour TV, and combines perfectly with Greg’s distorted guitar, and Mike’s rhythmic drum beats. Engineered, mixed and produced by guitarist Greg, and mastered by Tim Rowkins at Hell Yeah! Mastering; Midnight Reverie is the product of the band’s hard work so far.

A smouldering, existential exploration of where we are, vs where we want to be; opener ‘Trip To The Sun’ is loosely inspired by the character of Icarus from Greek mythology. The band articulately describe the context of the track as “a sarcastic take on the ‘Fall of Icarus'”. It deals with our constant desire to escape from a deadly routine, and the fear that pushing too far might consume you. It has a frenetic pace, western B-movie shootout feel and layers of post-punk and Psychedelia on top.”

A dark, swirling mix of distorted guitar riffs and eerie organ noises, ‘Farewell Fareworse’ was born from the anxious thoughts surrounding co-dependent relationships, and the need for self autonomy. “It’s a bitter ode to personal traps and never-ending dilemmas” explains Phillie. The trio navigate this bitterness with impressive energy, over crashing beats and hypnotic vocals.

The solitary, strung out sounds of ‘Midnight Dive’ bring a change in pace, as Phillie muses about “going to the beach without my baby”. It’s a cinematic, moody lullaby; reminiscent of early Wolf Alice tracks like ’90 Mile Beach’. The dysfunctional, disorientating ‘Down Another One’ closes the EP with a blur of whispers, startling organ noises, and whirling guitar riffs.

Midnight Reverie is an impressive, polished debut from this exciting Brighton band. Drawing from the past, but rooted in the present; Something Leather’s EP is a frantic carousel of noise that will have you circling back for multiple listens.