Introducing Interview: Candice Gordon

Candice Gordon is a Berlin based Irish artist who delivered a big slice of high-tension, trashy, garage rock with her latest single ‘The Kids Are Alt Right’. We talked about the mundanity of mainstream music and pop-culture phenomenons, before she signed off with an excellent list of artists that she recommends. Oh, and a shout out to a lost pair of her most valued black jeans.

Hi Candice, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about how you got started as an artist?
I don’t think there was one definitive lightning bolt of a moment for me. It was a part of my personality to be turned on by exploration and adventure. From when I was a kid I loved the freedom and independence that busking allowed me. I travelled with my guitar and later with a crystal ball. Songwriting as an artform also appealed to me from early on.

You are originally from Ireland but now living in Berlin, what were your reasons for moving to Berlin?
Before Ireland I lived in Botswana. I had been living in Ireland for long enough that I wanted to get the fuck out again. I was depressed and suicidal, and Berlin seemed to be a decent option, and when I first came here it felt really right. I like the grassroots movements that happen in Berlin. At the moment there is a fightback against Google moving into a neighbourhood. I don’t think that sort of thing is common in a lot of other places. In Ireland they welcomed Google, Apple, and Facebook with open arms and tax breaks.

What are the differences between the music scenes in Berlin and Ireland?
Both Germany and Ireland have terrible taste when it comes to mainstream music. But I’m in Italy at the moment and there’s that common thread of god awful music on most all the radio stations, so I don’t know if there’s a place in the world that’s immune. There’s a lot of talent in Ireland for such a small country, but it’s not getting nurtured and celebrated like it should. Berlin is comparatively huge so there’s a huge amount of artists. A lot of great artists live here. I think in Berlin there’s an effort to push boundaries and break standards. I like that.

We’re loving your latest single ‘The Kids Are Alt Right’ (great name) – can you tell us a bit more about what inspired this?
I was looking at modern culture and the alt-right movement. When there’s the idea that young people are progressive, looking forward, and open-minded, it’s a surprise to discover that they are conservative traditionalists, looking backward. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that “alt” means “old” in German. Every time I see another pop-cultural phenomenon my expectations in humanity are lowered yet again. Be it ‘Gangnam Style’, or Nigel Farage. I think they’re all the same. It’s mob mentality and veneration. The chorus is a play on The Who song, but I don’t think they’re alright. I think they’re fucked. We’re fucked. But yeah, the song is roughly about data analytics and propaganda. On a deeper level, I think capitalism causes media to do shitty jobs – they can’t afford to have integrity, so they give Farage a microphone because he’s entertaining.


Am I right in thinking that it was aptly recorded in a basement in Texas soon after Trump’s inauguration? And you have been targeted by members of the alt-right online since it started streaming?
Yeah, I recorded it in Texas. We went over last year and the only food I could afford was tacos and donuts. Yeah, because of YouTube and Facebook algorithms, when I put the song up it got directed to alt-right people and they write comments and emojis, but it’s probably time sensitive because it was only during the first week or so. I feel if they are distracted by my video it’s serving a valuable purpose. The finished video is coming soon though, so fingers crossed I can catch some trolls.

The single was launched at Berghain in Berlin, how was the party?
It was a great gig. I lost a bag with my most valued black jeans and red Hawaiian shirt though, if anyone finds it.

Your music has been described in such a variety of ways from “gothic guitar-noir” to “garage rock raucousness” to “sweetly dark folk-tinged music” … Do you feel that you fall into any of these descriptions?
Yes, I think they’re all really good descriptions of elements of what I do. But I think genres are for marketers.

You are in the midst of your current tour, how’s that all going?
I am currently in Terni, Italy, eating cherries and drinking coffee in the sun. So it’s not bad. Great shows, great audiences, not enough sleep, too much car. Unsurprisingly incredible food.

What can fans expect from your live shows? And, more importantly, are you planning on coming to the UK anytime soon??
Let’s see… There’s drums, bass, synth, electric guitar. Sometimes there’s other instruments. I sing. I wear shoes. People clap. I sing some more. I was planning on a London show but now I’m booked up until I don’t know when!

Finally as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
A.S. Fanning – lyrics and tone to die for.
Alice Dean – acid beat straight from the lab.
Louis Brennan – Sartorial quips in song form.
Nina Hynes – fourth dimensional.
Paddy Hanna – manufactures earworms.
Badhands – sensationally crafted songs.
Gordon Raphael – endlessly entertaining.
Medicine Boy – representing psychedelic desert blues from Cape Town.

Huge thanks to Candice for answering our questions! 

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Introducing Interview: Greta Isaac

Innovative Welsh artist Greta Isaac has previously charmed our ears with singles ‘Tied’ and ‘Comfortable’ and is now back with another addictive slice of glitchy electro-pop.

Her project, as a whole, is an exploration into habits and destructive human tendencies. Each song explores and exaggerates a different unhealthy trait from the perspective of a neurotic character, and we can’t get enough of her sweeping soundscapes and soaring vocals.

With new single ‘Undone’ out now, we caught up with Greta to find out more…

Hi Greta, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello! Sure – I’m welsh, 5ft 1 and I enjoy long walks on the beach.

How did you initially start creating music?
I’ve always loved singing, writing and listening to music – my parents are musicians so it was always in the house growing up. I was lucky enough to have an introduction to harmony and songwriting from an early age.

Your new single ‘Undone’ is out now – can you tell us what it’s all about? Are there any themes running throughout?
All my songs are sung from the perspective of various neurotic characters, all exaggerated versions of the fleeting thoughts we often have. ‘Undone’ is the embodiment of narcissism, someone who enjoys the thrill of perusing someone only for the joy of being admired.


You’ve been compared to the likes of Billie Eilish and Maggie Rogers, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Ah that’s cool! I love Randy Newman’s chords and lyrical concepts, Rufus Wainwright’s theatrical and classical references, Nickel Creek’s percussive bluegrass folk instrumentation and Son Lux’s sparse and genreless production.

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
The art scene in Cardiff is a humble one – there’s so much going on and so many talented folks doing amazing projects. Art wise – I’m a huge fan of Lucy Dickson, George Manson and Stephen Madoc Pierce – who did all the artwork for my releases. In terms of music, I tend to see a lot in London since I work there often. I’m seeing Yung Blud and my good friend Orla Gartland there this month.

And what can fans expect from your live shows?
Lots of dancing, drum bashing and awkward stage chat.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend we check out?
I love Sasha, Hannah Grace, Emma Miller and whyetc.

And how do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
I think the industry and how music is being listened to is changing rapidly all the time – the thing that’s consistent throughout these changes are originality and a love for songwriting and connecting with an audience. I guess as long as you stay true to those things you can’t really go wrong!

Finally, what does the rest of 2018 have in store for Greta Isaac?
More music, more projects, collaborations, and a music video for ‘Undone’ coming soon.

Huge thanks to Greta for answering our questions! 

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Introducing Interview: Sabatta

Having wowed audiences with their electric live show at Dublin Fringe Festival, the Decolinise Punk Fest and Punx of Colour Fest in New York, London duo Sabatta create immense, genre-defying offerings, full of heavy riffs, heavy grooves and heavy beats.

With the new album set for release next month, we caught up with Yinka and Debbie to find out more…

Hi Sabatta, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and what you do?
Yinka: We’re Sabatta, a duo from South East London. Our music is a mixture of rock, punk, funk, soul, psychedelia and even a little hip-hop – we call it grunge-soul ourselves, but some call it rock, some call it punk – it’s all good to be honest.

How did you all initially get together and start creating music?
Yinka: Well, Debbie and I got together in 2016 along with our previous drummer Adriano, who I’d been playing with since 2015 – who appears on the upcoming album.

You’re set to release your new album Misfit Music next month, can you tell us a bit about it? Are there any themes running throughout it?
Yinka: Yeah we’re really excited about it. Theme-wise, it’s almost like everyday where you go through different emotions. Some of it’s all out energy, some is pensive, some is political. A lot of it is trying to reflecting from the perspective of a person living in this society; whether a town, city or the country. It’s really just thinking about and observing aspects of life. For example, ‘Feel It’, for instance, is about the aftermath of a relationship, specifically dealing with how that feels with so much being shared and visible on social media. ‘Rock Star Shit’ is about the ‘real’ life of a ‘rock star’ – in all its ‘glamour’. ‘Scream’ is how you feel every morning when you wake up and get on the tube or in the car to work. It’s little vignettes of life I suppose. Musically, it’s all the styles and vibes you hear living in London – mixed into a blender with reckless abandon and the sludge and funk that comes out is what you hear – at least it’s organic!
Debbie: This album has been born through an array of emotions – as well as blood, sweat (buckets and buckets loads), and tears. Mainly me screaming at Yinka whilst his voice still dominates the conversation (I don’t know how he does this still…). It’s special because it was created in a small sweaty home studio in north London (and also one just as small South of the river!) during the hottest summer that I can remember. It consisted of 3 people pushing each others musicial boundaries, evolving with each other, fighting, drinking, sweating, playing and bonding. In the midst of all that, something very special was created. Sure, we had more arguments to make than probably Trump could muster, but what we learnt together in that room was indelible and our musical intuition, magical.

You’ve been compared to the likes of Bad Brains and Dead Kennedys, but who would you say are your main musical influences? 
Yinka: Wow. Those are nice compliments. We’ve had a few comparisons but influence wise it’s accurate to count those two. Fela Kuti, Tupac, Parliament/Funkadelic, AC/DC, Guns n Roses, Metallica, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Living Colour, Simon and Garfunkel. I could go on and on. I mean it’s Misfit Music!
Debbie: There is some cross-over here – I grew up on mainly soul, old skool RnB and pop classics. And then, towards my teenage years, it was the intelligent punk phase of 3 Colours Red, The Clash, early Manics, but through playing there’s a bit of everything these days – Sabbath, Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Thin Lizzy. There’s no limitation of choice at my musical buffet!

You’ve played alongside GIHE faves Skinny Girl Diet at Decolonise Fest, but would you say there’s been a particular gig you’ve played that stands out as a highlight for you? 
Yinka: That would be one of them. Especially since it was the first Punx of Colour Festival over here in London so it was special to be included. We just played a show in New York in March as part of a mini tour of New York and Philly – that was memorable. Oh and we did one of those shows in Dublin too last September. I get it in the neck from Debbie when I mention this place (apparently I love it) but we’ve had some crazy shows at the Windmill (yes, we love The Windmill too!) in Brixton. Near stage invasions and a whole lot of WTFs – in a good way. Literally sweat dripping off the ceiling. I like gigs like that. I do remember this one gig we played at the Mau Mau in West London where I think I managed to knock the guitar amp off the stage – it can get hectic! I love it! Oh shit – how can I forget – we also played a big show in Florence in Feb 2017 – that was INCREDIBLE!! We have clips of it up on our Facebook page – that’s probably the one!

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see much live music? 
Yinka: It’s happening. I’ve mentioned a few places we’ve played. I try to get out as much as possible – there are bands you mentioned like SGD, some cool guys called Coltana who are also female led (we love Coltana too!). Elephant 12. We’re friends with the Deadcuts. There’s a few bands out there making it happen. A few venues have shut down or moved in recent years like the 12 Bar, but you still have places like Dublin Castle, Camden Assembly, The Windmill. A cool place for more soul and funk and hip hop music is The Ritzy in Brixton – we’ve actually rocked out there – I think we were a bit loud though. There are still places to go.
Debbie: Yeah, devastated to see Proud Galleries as a music venue bow out earlier this year, however there are still people fighting the good fight out there. Lewis and Izaak always put on an amazing shindig at the end of every month at The Engine Rooms in Bow – great atmosphere, nice people, those guys are really flying the flag for independent music.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new upcoming bands/artists who you’d recommend we check out? 
Yinka: Looks like I answer too soon – see above for some cool bands!
Debbie: LACK, an awesome based Luton band who are amazing to watch live, they are killing it north of the river.

And how do you feel the industry is for new bands at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
Yinka: Honestly I’d say yes. I’ve said this before and probably will again. With how things are with social media – it’s like being in the ocean with a lifebelt trying to get noticed from miles away by a plane, at night – it’s gonna be tricky. Meanwhile major labels pass by like super tankers. Who is it going to be easier to see? I think a super tanker is gonna stand out against a sea full of bobbing heads. What we wanna do is maybe find a little island out there and draw people to it. Then maybe after a while we can make a fire and more people will see that.

Finally, what does the rest of 2018 have in store for Sabatta? 
Yinka: Playing, playing, playing. The new album is out on Monday 4th June. We’d love people to stream, download or even buy that. We’ve got a launch party on Sat 26th May at a venue I believe you guys know (we do indeed) – The Finsbury – and people can get free tickets for that here. They are limited so get them as soon as poss.
Debbie: Other than that check us out at www.sabatta.net, www.facebook.com/sabatta or www.youtube.com/sabatta  Or just Google us!

Huge thanks to Sabatta for answering our questions! 

Misfit Music, the new album from Sabatta, is out 4th June via Blackfriars Entertainment.

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Introducing Interview: Meduse MagiQ

Meduse MagiQ is an innovative arts collective and music label based in Amsterdam. It serves as a community focused on sound that supports locals bands and artists to explore music through collaboration, art, performance and exhibition.

We spoke to its founders to find out more…

Welcome to Get In Her Ears!  Can you tell us a bit about Meduse MagiQ and how it all started?
Meduse MagiQ is a sound and art collective driven by our love for music. We are a record label, a radio station and a recording studio that are located in the centre of Amsterdam in a building with a theatre, a venue and a vegetarian restaurant called ‘Plantage Dok’. We share our headquarters with 50 creatives consisting of artists, ngo’s, food waste collectives, tattoo artists and experimental composers. We started the Meduse MagiQ collective a couple of years ago when we decided it was time for a community that was about sound and only sound. We wanted to support our local bands, artists and our creative network and bring back the focus to art and music. I can see at Meduse MagiQ you are focused on giving musicians their own voice and space to explore music through collaboration, art, performance and exhibition.

What have you been most proud of so far at Meduse MagiQ?
We are dreamers. The most proud we are of daring to dream and the materialization of those dreams. All projects, collaboration and tours came from an open and curious mind. Blue Crime driving 9500km trough Canada, Spill Gold going trough Switzerland and filming in the snowy mountains, making new records in China, the Moon Festival, our research in the Sahara desert and our summer festival in a small french Village in the south are all examples and started with a simple conversation in our studio. We never say no to the possibility of a sonic adventure.

So you’re both in bands – Blue Crime and Spill Gold – can you tell me about about them?
Our bands and musical collectives are a creative group of people where everyone is equally important, whatever it is that they do in the band. We go for unity. Spill Gold is a psychedelic three-piece that unwinds vivid, spiralling stories with their eerie yet persistent songs and brings listeners into a trance-like state. They saw the sirens– and just like that, as they were sitting in the rain, daydreaming on a foggy mountain trip with Japhy Ryder, witnessed the rising of an unusual new moon. A revelation that would not be contained, an unrelenting vision that demanded to be shared. Blue Crime’s stars have a gloomy shine, inspired by myths and dreams and parallel universes. Earth felt too low; space is the place. They started out as a glowworm in a dark atom shelter, and emerged as eerie moonpop, growing grittier in time. Call it moonpsych, noisefolk, call it earthquakes with guitars and vocal eclipses. Or just feel it, and call it nothing at all. Be it love or hate, dark or light… Blue Crime shows no mercy for the sober and cold-hearted.

What are your thoughts about female representation in the music industry? 
We love females in the music industry. We love guys in the music industry too. We love genderless. It is true that at the moment the balance between men and women is rather disturbed, like in many parts of society and the world. This is why we like to support women creators and we choose to program them. We don’t think it is important to explicitly focus on gender. A musician is a musician,  whether they are man, woman, both or none. We do think it is important to bring back balance. We should all support each other and create equal chances and conditions. It’s everyone’s job to protect diversity in the music industry. The more diversity there is the more interesting it gets. Music is about free expression and that means that every musician is free to be whatever they are. We think it’s important to focus on the artists’ music instead of their appearance or gender.

If someone wanted to get involved with Meduse MagiQ, would they be able to? If so, how?
Yes they would. Come visit our headquarters. Everyone is welcome to write us if they want to get involved in any way. Mail or letter, sonically or images, feel free to connect. You can find all information on www.medusemagiq.com

Finally, as we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
Ada Gadass is our newest project. It consists of a continuous sound wave inspired by the Desert. Spill Gold just has an EP out on our label, called Mercury that they will tour in Canada and Blue Crime is off to China to record ‘Xinshi’, their new art project with a Chinese poet and tour. Soon we’ll start our new program called ‘Melting Universe’ which consists of 5 dialogues between female experimental composers such as Jessica Moss and Baby Alien Collective.

Huge thanks to Meduse MagiQ for answering our questions! 

Spill Gold play MOTH Club on May 27th – tix here

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