Introducing Interview: Nelson Can

Nelson Can’s EP3 is out now on Alcopop! Records and we just love their attitude-fuelled sound, all drums and all bass with those raspy vocals.

We caught up with the Danish trio in the run up to their upcoming gig for JaJaJa Music at The Lexington on 30th November to talk about how it all started, EP3 and world domination…

Hi Nelson Can! Welcome to Get In Her Ears – can you tell us a bit about Nelson Can and how it all got started? 
It all started out as a lie actually. We had no band. But we had told all of our friends we had a band, and suddenly we got caught up in our lie, and we were booked to play a gig. We had to write some songs fast, even though we had never played music before. This was with our first band in high school. Then, after that our first punk band – which lasted a year or so – we actually stopped playing music because it stopped being fun. Thankfully all that changed when we got the idea of making a new band – the band we are today. Nelson Can.

We understand that you started and built yourselves up from a DIY aesthetic which we totally respect, how did you find that in such a competitive industry?
Well, we didn’t know any better at the time. We just wanted to keep playing music, and no labels fitted our profile at the time we started out. So we just decided to do it all ourselves, release our own music, and just see how far we could go. We still have and run our own label – Like A Can Of Beans Records – and have several artists signed to it (The Entrepreneurs, Gurli Octavia) – but last year we met Jack, and his passion for music and his artists just won us over immediately, and we finally felt like we found the perfect match with our label Alcopop! Records

We’re loving Nelson Can at Get In Her Ears HQ and have played you a number of times on the radio show. Can you tell us a bit about your latest release EP3 out now via Alcopop Records?
EP3 is really about listening to yourself and your inner thoughts, and sharing it with your favourite people in the world; it’s about mending friendships and not forgetting that it’s okay to feel bad sometimes. You can’t always be on top and be at your best all the time. Our society has become so focused on being perfect all the time, everywhere, always, that people tend to forget themselves – you have to go through some tough stuff sometimes. But also remembering not to just keep it bottled up inside – share it, and you might even feel better.

Many female artists get categorized by their gender first, before the music they are making even gets a look in – e.g. girl band, female singer/songwriter – have you had the same experience?
Not really actually. I mean, in the beginning we could get questions like: “Do you realise you’re playing bass on a guitar amp?” Yes. Yes we know. It’s a choice we made. But to be honest, I think it has little to do with our gender, and more to do the ignorance of commenting on such a thing, when the musician clearly knows herself, haha. It’s just because it’s not a common thing to have a lead bass instead of a lead guitar, but luckily we’re here to change that.

You’re currently touring all over the UK, including The Lexington for JaJaJaMusic, on the 30th November – how’s the tour been so far?  
The tour has been amazing so far!  We’re so happy that Jaws brought us with them for the first part of the tour, and getting to meet so many cool and nice people at the venues has made it even more brilliant!

What can people expect from your live shows?
Being a three piece you always have to really give it all you have. There’s no “hiding” away on stage, because there’s only bass, drums and vocals – you gotta give it all you have. Let’s just say we LOVE playing live, and we have a lot of energy to give!  We will definitely play songs from EP3 and older material as well.

What’s 2018 got in store for Nelson Can? 
Uuuh, well, as always it’s WORLD DOMINANCE! We’ll keep working hard and playing live as well as writing new songs! It’s gonna be a really good year, I can feel it.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out? 
JADA is a really cool pop project with an amazing songwriter and singer. Also Yangtze is my new fix! His music is a magical mix between pop and psychedelic – both artists have this kinda Nordic glow over them! In LOVE!

Huge thanks to Nelson Can for answering our questions! 

Nelson Can’s EP3 is out now via Alcopop Records! And catch them live at The Lexington this Thursday 30th November – event info here.

Tash Walker
@maudeandtrevor

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Introducing Interview: Kraków Loves Adana

Kraków Loves Adana release their first single ‘American Boy’ from their upcoming album Songs After The Blue this month via Better Call Rob & Rough Trade. The song channels the anger one feels in a world with its recent political developments and the inevitable powerlessness that comes with it – meltingly melancholic and raging in equal parts.

We caught up with Deniz, one half of Kraków Loves Adana to talk DIY production, inspirations and what 2018 has in store…

Welcome to Get In Her Ears!  Can you tell us a bit about Kraków Loves Adana?
We are a duo living in Hamburg consisting of me, Deniz Cicek, and Robert Heitmann, who also has his own label Better Call Rob. We founded the band in 2006 after meeting in a night club and have since released three LPs, the last one Call Yourself New on Rob’s own aforementioned label. The upcoming record ‘Songs After The Blue’ is set for release early in 2018.

Deniz, we understand that you record and produce all the music yourself, which we totally respect, what inspired you to do this?
I have worked with several people on our first two records and was never satisfied with the final outcome. I often felt overlooked, undermined and almost crippled in my own work, so becoming truly independent – especially as a woman – was a rebellious act for me at that time. Being capable to write, record and produce all the music by myself also heightened my creative abilities as a songwriter so I encourage everyone to do so in the first place. It is always good to know what you are doing. But I don’t live under a bell jar, so if the time and the chemistry is right, I am open to any kind of collaboration with other creatives.

Your previous single ‘Never Quite Right’ was inspired by a Bukowski quote, but who would you say are your main artistic and musical influences?
I am influenced by all the pictures and movies I see – the songs I hear, the books I read, the people I meet etcetera. But I am truly inspired by great minds that have something to say and make their mark on the world. For the upcoming record, I was mostly inspired by books like Rainer Maria Rilke’s ‘Letters To A Young Poet’, Julia Cameron’s ‘The Artist’s Way’ and Patti Smith’s ‘Just Kids’. I also rewatched a lot of movies from my youth like Heathers, Girl Interrupted and The Breakfast Club.

Deniz, how have you found the transition from working full time as a dentist to now fully focusing on your music?
I still have a day job, but not as a dentist. Rent in Hamburg is high and being unemployed for a while I realised that not having any touch with reality actually blocks me in my creative endeavours. People sometimes ask me why I torture myself by doing a job that doesn’t match my education, but little do they know about the profession. I am happy with how things are for now, but am open for anything new that comes my way.

What can fans expect from your live shows and, more importantly, are you planning on coming to the UK anytime soon??
People who will see us live can expect a strong and memorable performance. I may be an introverted person in real life, but as soon as the lights turn on I am a full on entertainer. Sometimes I even think to change the genre and become a comedian, but maybe I have watched too much Seinfeld the last couple of months, so who knows… We haven’t any confirmed shows for the UK yet, but would be happy to play there, so if you are a booker in the UK and are reading this, hit us up!

We’re loving the new single ‘American Boy’ which we played on the last radio show – what’s it all about?
Thank you! With everything that is happening in the world, especially with someone like Trump becoming president, I felt that writing music for the sake of itself has become a selfish and almost hollow act. I had the urge to express the anger I felt with the world, but also the frustration and lack of power that arises when you want to do something about it but are left with a feeling of powerlessness. All these ambivalent emotions are captured in the song.

Your next album Songs After The Blue is set for release in 2018, what can we look forward to on the record?
The main theme of the record are the struggles and aspirations of the self-made creative.  The songs are definitely catchier than their predecessors with much more use of synths and drum beats. The order and mood of the songs go hand in hand and reflects the stages of being creative.

Finally as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
I must admit that I mostly listen to old stuff, but you should definitely check out our Swedish label mates Wy who released their debut Okay in October. They make music that is dreamy and melancholic and they are also doing everything themselves with a lot of love for the visuals.

Huge thanks to Deniz for answering our questions! 

‘American Boy’, the upcoming single from Kraków Loves Adana, is out now.

 

Tash Walker
@maudeandtrevor

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Introducing Interview: Circumnavigate

Having met at school in Norway, Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen and Carl Frederik Kontny have been creating music together. Now based in London, they’ve joined Ross Craib and Charlie Fowler to form Circumnavigate, have supported the likes of Gabrielle Aplin and Crystal Fighters, and are now set to release their debut album.

As we prepare to be treated to their emotion-strewn, dreamy folk creations, we caught up with Sigrid from the band to find out more…

Hi Circumnavigate, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about the band?
Hey, thanks for having us. We’re a four piece, half Norwegian/half British and we create cinematic folk-pop. We’re currently based in London and ready to release our debut album on 14th December.

How did you initially all get together and start creating music?
Carl and I (Sigrid) started playing together when we were fourteen basically covering Coldplay songs and writing jazzy folk songs along with our friend Jakob on trumpet. We kept exploring and writing together and had the odd gig now and then, but it wasn’t until we met Ross & Charlie in London that we became a band. That’s when we wrote and released our debut EP Stranger.

Your new album When Worlds Collide is out very soon – can you tell us what it’s all about? Are there any themes running throughout the album?
The album is a collection of honest songs about finding connections, love and community with people from different backgrounds, cultures and countries. It’s a collection of songs written since we started together and includes a lot of different perspectives on life, love and friendships.

You’ve been compared to the likes of The Cinematic Orchestra and Billie Marten, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Cinematic Orchestra, Thomas Dybdahl and Daughter are major influences to us. We also take inspiration from film scores and pop songs to create a mixture of what we think is beautiful and emotive.

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
London has such a cool live scene so we go to a variety of gigs here to discover new artists, support our friends or see our main inspirations!

And what can fans expect from your live shows?
We give everything when we play live. Our goal is to make everyone feel exactly how we felt writing the songs and it’s the best feeling when we manage that. We have a lot of fun together as well so always stay around the venue after any gig to talk to everyone. Our album launch gig is on the 14th December at The Sebright Arms, and we plan on doing a bit extra for it so hope people come down to check it out!

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend we check out?
Yep! Philippa, Exes, Japanese House, Emilie Nicolas and Highasakite.

And how do you feel the music industry is for new bands at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
They industry is in the middle of some very exciting changes at the moment. We’re really grateful for the ones who are watching us and believe if artists keep persisting and enjoying performing, the recognition will come in the end.

Finally, what does the rest of 2017 have in store for Circumnavigate?
On the 1st December we release our lead single ‘Another 20 Seconds’, and then we are releasing our debut album When Worlds Collide on 14th December. We are very much looking forward to showing everyone what we’ve been working on the last few years!

Huge thanks to Circumnavigate for answering our questions! 

When Worlds Collide, the upcoming album from Cicumnavigate, is out 14th December.

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Introducing Interview: Amaroun

Amaroun released her debut single ‘Bed Bugs’ this month, a beautiful shimmering song, that dissolves into a total husky delight.

We caught up with Amaroun to talk about her roots, 2018 and her upcoming gig supporting Benedict Benjamin where she will deliver “genre-mashing alternative pop songs, true love stories and a little swearing”. Can’t wait.

Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about Amaroun and how it all started?
The name Amaroun comes from my ancestors – escaped slaves who became ‘maroons’ in the Caribbean. The name relates to my roots and on a deeper level it also relates to myself. I came out last year and escaped to Paris, where all the songs we’re playing and recording now flooded out of me. Amaroun songs are a mix of all that: my emotions, echoes from my past and ideas of the reflective future. That’s the heart of Amaroun.

You’ve been described by Chris Hawkins (BBC 6 Music) as “A new artist with a bright future – one of my Ones To Watch for 2018”. It must be great to receive this sort of support from the music community?
Oh yes definitely! It feels so good to get some positive feedback for my music. It feels good to see the music growing.

We’re loving the new single ‘Bed Bugs’ at Get In Her Ears HQ, which we’ve played on the radio show. Can you tell us a bit about the song and what inspired it? 
Thanks so much for playing it! ‘Bed Bugs’ was written at a time in my life when I was learning a lot about myself. I was heartbroken, introverted and confused. Definitely in a transitional period. I was writing song after song trying to release this feeling. ‘Bed Bugs’ are the digital noise in your head. The doubt and the dirt. But it’s a song for lifting and inspiring.


 

Your music has been likened to Erykah Badu, PJ Harvey and Feist, all amazing female artists. Who would you say influences you musically?
All three of those artists have definitely had an influence on the subconscious choices I make when I’m creating music. I grew up on a big mix of genres. People like Eels, Damon Albarn, Serge Gainsbourg, Stromae, Julian Casablancas, Bjork, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and many others. They’re all artists I admire and it’s a great feeling to be compared to some of them. I take it as a massive compliment.

How are you finding being a solo female artist in the male dominated music industry?
I stay strong and proud as a woman in every aspect of my life, whether I’m in music mode or not. I try to only give out love and respect, and to call people out on it if I don’t get the same back in return.

So you’re playing at the Sebright Arms on the 29th November, what can people expect from your live shows?
Genre-mashing alternative pop songs, true love stories and a little swearing.

What’s 2018 got in store for Amaroun?
I’ve got two more singles to come on LGM Records. The next one is called ‘Made A Fire’ and is a narrative sequel to ‘Bed Bugs’. I’m also working with some incredible artists on a top secret recording project, and am about to announce my first ever London headline show. That’ll be in March and I can’t wait!

Finally as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
Sure! Francobollo, Nervous Conditions, Charles Watson, Oh Sister, Athlete Whipet, Jo Goes Hunting.

Huge thanks to Amaroun for answering our questions! 

The debut single ‘Bed Bugs’ is out now via LGM Records and you can catch Amaroun live at The Sebright Arms on the 29th November.

Tash Walker
@maudeandtrevor

Photo credit: Anna Michell

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