Track Of The Day: Bang Bang Romeo – ‘You & I’

Following the release of their much acclaimed debut album A Heartbreaker’s Guide To The Galaxy, GIHE faves Bang Bang Romeo are back with another empowering offering.

A poignant, impassioned anthem rallying against the injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community, ‘You & I’ blasts into the ears with the soulful, emotion-strewn vocals of front woman Stars, oozing an immense fiery power alongside catchy frenzied hooks and a driving energy.

Confronting Stars’ anger and heartbreak about the Florida shootings at Pulse nightclub and at violence against the LGBTQ+ community in general, it’s a heartbreakingly stirring anthem; a true cry for solidarity by the out and proud artist, that we all need now more than ever. Of the track, Stars explains:

I was sat at home when the news came through about the shootings at Pulse. Someone who was being interviewed explained that there were two people in there that had just got engaged to one another. Their lives were about to begin together and someone took that away from them, purely because they were gay. So I wrote this song. It’s a Romeo and Romeo tale, with some personal bits in there too. It’s me at my angriest and most protective of my sexuality.”

Watch the poignant new video for ‘You & I’ here (Trigger Warning: Explicit content and images of violence):

Tickets for Bang Bang Romeo’s tour are out now. Though, in these uncertain times, keep an eye on the band’s social media for all updates.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her Ears Live @ The Finsbury w/ Grawl!x, 14.02.20

Following a host of amazing bands playing for us throughout 2019, including Screaming Toenail, Salad, GENN, Chorusgirl and Witching Waves, and Personal Best kicking off 2020 in empowering style, we were back at The Finsbury on Friday for our second gig of the year, with a rather dreamy line-up for Valentine’s Day.

Kicking off the night are post-punk duo I Am HER. Captivating the crowd with the soaring majesty of her gritty vocals, front woman Julie Riley delivers their dark, stirring anthems with a raw emotion.

Second band of the night, Captain Handsome, treat us to their twinkling indie-folk gems with a refreshing wit and sparky charm. With an infectious lo-fi scuzz alongside shimmering violin melodies and Lily’s perfectly relatable lyricism, their effervescent, catchy offerings tug at the heartstrings in all the right ways – providing the perfect Valentine’s/Anti-Valentine’s soundtrack.

Having initially been set to headline, but swapping set times due to travel issues, Piney Gir take to the stage with all their colour-coordinated sparkling charm. Oozing an infectious joy, Piney and her band deliver their fitting honey-sweet romanticism and shimmering catchy melodies. As an endearing, vibrant energy flows throughout, they treat us to a truly uplifting half hour of the most dreamy tunes.

New headliners, Derby-based Grawl!x, bring the night to a captivating close with their euphoric cinematic soundscapes. With a brand new album out today, they deliver their twinkling electronic hooks and spellbinding harmonies as Maria’s distinctive impassioned vocals soar. A truly enchanting set oozing a poignant stirring emotion.

Massive thanks to the four wonderful bands who played for us on Friday! Make sure you catch our next night at The Finsbury on 13th March when we’ll be hosting super exciting headliners Ghost Car, with support from The Other Ones, Gaptooth and Minimals.

 

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

 

 

Get In Her Ears Live @ The Finsbury w/ Screaming Toenail, 13.12.19

On what was a pretty devastating and terrifying day for most of us, on Friday 13th December – the day it was announced that we have to live under a Tory government for another five years – many of us ventured out, despite feeling emotionally drained by it all, for a night of live music. And what a special night it was; like-minded people coming together to share music, rage and love at a time when we need it the most.

Kicking things off, Foxcunt deliver their immense punk spirit and catchy tunes. Rallying against the patriarchy, ACAB and the home office, their energy-fuelled anti-establishment anthems are just what we need right now.

Next up, Manchester’s Dollie Demi lift our spirits with their sassy, vibrant spirit. As front woman Demi wows us all with her sparkling confidence, incredible classic-rock inspired riffs and driving beats are delivered with a swirling, fun-filled energy.

Third band of the night, Brighton’s LibraLibra, completely blow me away. Delivering their immense dance-punk creations, it’s utterly impossible not to become completely captivated by front woman Beth’s incredible dazzling magnetism as the full-force of her impassioned vocals blasts out alongside tribal beats and whirring hooks. A colossal cacophony that empowers and enlivens.

Headliners Screaming Toenail bring the night to a poignant end. Despite letting us know that they’re feeling emotionally drained by the awful revelations of the day, front person Jacob leads the band in uniting us in love and rage with their resonant, cathartic creations. Whether we’re being encouraged to scream ‘No’ in the face of any racism/homophobia/ableism we encounter, share names of powerful women we love, or simply acknowledge how cute we all are, Screaming Toenail ooze a a frenzied, raw emotion and vibrant spirit. And, with powerful – and all too resounding – offerings such as ‘Swarm’ and ‘Sever’, they soothe some of the day’s pain, filling the venue with a comforting sense of unity, as like-minded people come together to dance and sing in solidarity against the forces seeking to crush our spirit.

Massive thanks and love to the four incredible bands who powered through devastating times to come and play for us on Friday, and made it such a special night. We’ll be back at The Finsbury on 10th January 2020, with headliners Personal Best.

 

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

Get In Her Ears w/ Maya Yianni 17.10.19

This week, Tash & Mari played out some of their fave new music from the likes of Deux Furieuses, Scrounge, Genau, ILL and Pallas Athene.

Maya Yianni also popped into the studio for a chat about her upcoming single ‘Red Drapes’ and played a beautiful acoustic rendition of her song ‘Call Me Anytime’.

Listen back:

 

Tracklist
Jackie Shane – ‘Any Other Way’
ILL – ‘Kick Him Out The Disco’
Tanya Harper – ‘Crash Pad’
Bang Bang Romeo (feat. Example) – ‘Love Yourself’
Brooke Bentham – ‘All My Friends Are Drunk’
Lewin – ‘The Giant’
Dishpit – ‘Seven’
Cherry Glazerr – ‘Call Me’
After London – ‘You Know What I Mean’
Nina Harries – ‘Lose Yourself’
Two Tribes – ‘Videodrone’
Van P – ‘Ala.Ni’
Emily Breeze – ‘Heaven’s Gate’
Hourglvss – ‘Dead Man’s Hand’
Superglu – ‘Forever Endeavour’
Pallas Athene – ‘Through Hell’
Deux Furieuses – ‘Let Them Burn’
JEANA – ‘Nameless’
Scrounge – ‘Badoom’
GENAU – ‘Open’
Dolly Parton – ‘9 to 5’