GIHE: Ones To Watch 2024

It’s fair to say that 2023 has been a tough one, but if there’s one positive to take away, it’s the immense amount of incredible new music that’s been released, and the hope of even more wonderful offerings from new bands in 2024.

Following our Tracks Of 2023, Albums and EPS of 2023 and Highlights of 2023 features, we’re now sharing our Ones To Watch for 2024 – naming a handful of bands and artists who have impressed us and that we predict will be reaching ears far and wide next year. Have a read of our choices and make sure you give them all a follow to keep track of their achievements over the next twelve months.

Dogviolet
The latest project of London DIY scene queens Naz and Ella, Dogviolet are already fast becoming a staple on any decent female/queer focused line-up in the capital. I had the honour of hosting the band’s first ever gig last summer, and since then they’ve been winning over crowds with their captivating grunge-fuelled post-punk. Returning to play for us this November at a sold out Sebright Arms to support Problem Patterns, it was wonderful to see how they’ve really honed their sound and built in confidence on stage; with their now established line-up of Brodie joining them on bass and Lauren on drums, they exude a subtle spellbinding power and gritty immersive energy, marking them out as truly unique. It’s easy to see why bands like Heartworms, The Wedding Present and folk legend Grace Petrie have been keen to share stages with them lately, and they have some exciting announcements in the pipeline for 2024. I can’t wait. Find out more about Dogviolet here.
(Mari Lane – GIHE Co-Founder)

 

ALT BLK ERA
Watching genre-defying sister duo ALT BLK ERA supporting STRAIGHT GIRL at our GIHE gig at The Shacklewell Arms earlier this year proved to me that the future is bright for alternative music. Taking cues from an eclectic range of artists – Ashnikko, Hacktivist, The Prodigy and Billie Eilish and Nova Twins to name a few – together, teenage siblings Nyrobi and Chaya  blur the boundaries of pop punk, nu-metal, rap and electronic music to form their riotous sounds. By combining jagged electronics, heavy riffs and racing beats with raging lyrics, the pair have created an alternative statement of self autonomy on their debut EP, Freak Show, which perfectly showcases their antagonistic, youthful spirit. They’ll be playing at The Hootananny in Brixton on 6th March, before heading to Download Festival next year. 2024 looks set to be a big year for them, so catch them while you can. Check out our recent interview with ALT BLK ERA here. Find out more about ALT BLK ERA here. (Kate Crudgington – GIHE Co-Founder)

 

Sheherazaad
One of my favourite new discoveries of 2023, Brooklyn based artist Sheherazaad left me completely spellbound with her debut single ‘Mashoor’ (so much so that it was one of my tracks of the year…) Reflecting on her South Asian sonic lineage, it draws on themes of displacement and nostalgia with a contemporary, genre-defying spirit, immersing you in its exquisite rippling allure on first listen. Produced by Arooj Aftab and released via renowned label Erased Tapes, this first offering from Sheherazaad showcases all there is to love about the innovative artist; a creator of intricate beauty, not afraid to share her values about what matters most. And, having already received acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork and The New York Times, I’m quite certain listeners the world over will be falling in love with her unique soundscapes throughout 2024. Find out more about Sheherazaad here.(ML)

House Of Women
2023 was a big year for Hackney-based alt-rock trio House Of Women. The band performed alongside Coach Party and Bedroom High Club at London’s Omeara at the end of the year, and they played knockout sets at All Points East and 2000 Trees festivals in the summer too. Perhaps most impressively though, they self-released their debut EP, People Printing, in November, cementing their status as a band with a compelling sound and truly exciting potential. 2024 looks set to be another big year for Elsa Malazogu (guitar), Poppy Miller (guitar) and Kyla Lanai (vocals, piano) and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next. Check out our recent interview with House Of Women here. Find out more about House Of Women here. (KC)

CHERYM
Since first falling in love with 2021 single ‘Listening To My Head’, I’ve been following Derry band Cherym, addicted to their empowering, nostalgia-tinged punk-pop. And, having been lucky enough to catch them live both here in London and across the pond in Belfast, I’ve become convinced that their perfect blend of uplifting honey-sweet allure and gritty riotous energy is headed for big things… Another band signed to the best of labels, Alcopop! Records, they’ve had an exciting 2023 sharing stages with the likes of The Beths and GIHE faves ARXX, spendin the summer playing festivals such as Truck and Rebellion, and even ventured to Austin for SXSW. Now, with their debut full length album on the way in February, followed by a European tour (including dates supporting Enter Shikari), I have a feeling that my convictions will be proved right; 2024 is going to be a big year for the Northern Irish trio. Find out more about Cherym here. (ML)

Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra
Watching Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra’s vocalist Sarah Deegan perform traditional Celtic song ‘Amhrán na hÉascainne’ (The Song Of The Eel’) at the band’s debut London headline gig for GIHE at The Shacklewell Arms was a cell-altering experience that Mari and I will never forget. Her effortlessly urgent vocals were totally captivating, and alongside her band mates (including the ultra cool Julie from HAVVK), she treated us to a set full of deeply poetic, melancholy shoegaze sounds. I’m grateful to Irish artist Constance Keane aka Fears for introducing me to the Dublin band a few years ago. If you get the chance to see Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra live, please take it. Find out more about Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra here. (KC)

Vyva Melinkolya
Angel Diaz aka Vyva Melinkolya is responsible for some of my favourite music from the past year. She worked alongside Midwife on their collaborative EP, Orbweaving, a moving rumination on healing from, and enduring pain, plus, she released her second album, Unbecoming, which features contributions from Midwife and the inimitable Ethel Cain. Her hazy, heavy shoegaze is perfectly complemented by her magnetic, far-off vocals. Listening to her music is a dreamy, disorientating experience. I’m hoping to catch her live at some point in 2024. Find out more about Vyva Melinkolya here.


Despite our apprehensions about 2024, at least we’re heading into the new year with some fantastic music to accompany it! Massive thanks to all who’ve supported GIHE throughout 2023, it really means the world. And huge thanks to all the amazing bands and artists who’ve soundtracked it, and who will continue to soundtrack 2024!

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Five Favourites: Supersaurus

Self described “non-binary fronted indie-pop girl band”, London-based Supersaurus’ influences range from MUNA to The 1975, and with acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing, they’re really starting to hone their place as esteemed creators of sad-pop bangers. Reflecting on queer love and being part of the LGBTQ+ community, latest single ‘Let U Down‘ offers a swirling electro-pop energy as it soars with instantly catchy singalong refrains and a shimmering emotion-strewn splendour.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate ‘Let U Down’, we caught up with each member of Supersaurus to ask about the music that has inspired them the most. So, read about their favourite albums – there’s four of them, so actually only four choices this time, but we’ll let them off! Have a read and make sure you take a listen to ‘Let U Down’ now!

Tayla’s Pick:

Pale Waves – Unwanted
There’s actually so many albums that I could choose from for so many different reasons either because they have a personal nostalgic meaning to me and/or they’re just purely no skip albums for me. But if I was to pick one at this very moment in time I’d have to go with Pale Waves – Unwanted. I’ve been a fan of their music for a while, ever since I first heard ‘Change’ a while back and then recently just suddenly had the urge to binge listen to all their stuff again after seeing them at Truck Festival. When I get obsessed with a song or an album trust me, that’s going to be on repeat for a good few weeks at least and the songs on this album really made me feel a lot, which is mainly what I look for. Don’t get me wrong, I love lyrics and all that but for me to really be obsessed with a song it’s got to make me feel a certain kind of way – and this album does just that. If I’d have to pick a favourite off the album I’d probably go with either ‘Lies’, purely for the insane amount of energy and the cool guitar riff, or ‘Reasons To Live’, which – ironically after saying that the lyrics aren’t the main reason that draws me into a song – the lyrics for this one did just that. An all round banger album for me – plus they’re sick live, which makes listening to their stuff even better.

Lauren’s Pick:

Kings Of Leon – Come Around Sundown
Come Around Sundown is an album I’ve come back to again and again since I was about 17. I never get tired of listening to it from start to finish, and it remains one of the select few albums I keep in my car. Originally, it had this new feeling of reflection that Kings Of Leon managed to write into their songs, a sense that you’ve been here before even though you’ve never heard it. Now it’s got the added nostalgia of driving around town with college mates (as well as many other KoL albums). I was introduced to the album by an old band mate, and I remember us being amazed at the ending of ‘The End’ – the beautiful, almost mystical keys that seem never ending but a perfect fit. Musically, the album has influenced my drumming to be more creative, following rhythms of different band members more than just the bass. It’s also a great lesson in playing what is necessary for the song. Some of the tracks on the album have huge choruses, but Nathan never goes over the top. 

Bec’s Pick:

Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You
I have a strong attachment to this album, mainly because of the way I felt when I first heard it. I was hooked, instantly. It was kind of fated to be a pretty significant album for me. The day it was released (Valentine’s Day), I was driving back from a weekend in Wales with my girlfriend to watch Caroline perform; the weather was pretty shocking but kind of added to the atmospherics of the album, and I was about eight songs deep when I realised that I could listen to this album, on repeat, forever. ‘Blood and Butter’ started and, if I am being honest, I was shook to my very core – bagpipes! She had only gone and done it. From that point on, it became my favourite album. Accidentally, Caroline has ended being my most seen live act, she was my last gig before lock down and the first one out of it. And, with each iteration, she has added more to her live show; this last time watching her with a full live band really brought this album to life. The opening track from the album, ‘Welcome To My Island’, exploded to life with loud guitars and thumping drums, and I just beamed… This is what music is all about. The past few years I’ve really been getting into more electronic indie pop music, and this album still uses a lot of live instruments, including guitars. Which for me is key – live is king. This album is full of incredible left of centre pop moments which lean into catchy hooks without being cheap. ‘Bunny Is A Rider’ is a perfect example of not taking yourself too seriously, but landing the finish. Dido, Grimes, and Bagpipes. Sold.

Benji’s Pick: 

Jimmy Eat World – Clarity
I kinda can’t not pick Clarity by Jimmy Eat World. It’s the only album that can make me sad and happy at the same time. It’s a weird one, because it’s my favourite album but I really don’t listen to it very often; it makes me feel too much, and I could do without that! But it’s a masterpiece, more albums should open with a ballad. It was either this or Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge by My Chemical Romance, but I think Clarity has the edge.

Massive thanks to Supersaurus for talking about their favourite albums with us!

‘Let U Down’ is out now, and we can’t wait to hear more from this lot!

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WATCH: Yay Maria – ‘L’Appel Du Vide’

Derby’s Yay Maria is back with ‘L’Appel Du Vide’ – a sunny bubblegum bop that fizzes with energy. While the song packs a proper electro pop punch, the lyrics are at odds with this lightness. Exploring themes of addiction and trauma, they are unafraid to discuss darker and more challenging issues. And, at a time when the trans and non-binary communities are subject to such hostility in the UK, it’s more important than ever to draw attention to these realities.  

While it doesn’t shy away from darkness, you’d be mistaken if you thought ‘L’Appel Du Vide’ was a sad song. Joyous and defiant, this is an anthem to empower and excite people. It’s accompanied by a fully animated music video, which brings together beautiful psychedelic colours, unexpected mythical guests, and a healthy dollop of northern deadpan humour! The effect is irresistible.

Along with the rest of her upcoming EP, Maria says that ‘L’Appel Du Vide’ is something of a love letter to the Queer community. She says: “I made this EP for Queer people in the sense that I feel there is a lot of negative coverage of the trans & queer community currently. So I wanted something that was just for us. Something that is audibly enjoyable whilst talking about real stuff.” 

The result is a real gift to anyone who might need it. It’s a song that’s going to mean the world to people. And this is a musician that’s going to mean the world to people too. In Yay Maria, we have a figurehead; a cheerleader who encourages the community and its allies to keep fighting and have fun. 

‘L’Appel Du Vide’ is taken from Yay Maria’s upcoming EP, Superbia, which will be released on 20th October via I’m Not From London records. Pre-order here.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

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Introducing Interview: Becca Mancari

Having received acclaim from the likes of the New York Times and queer publication them, and collaborated with big names such as Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Julien Baker (boygenius), Nashville artist Becca Mancari has just released their latest album, Left Hand. Rippling throughout with a beautifully heartfelt emotion and twinkling musicality, it offers a dreamy and gently empowering reflection on queer identities and our relation to the natural world; a shimmering and relatable ode to being your true self.

We caught up with Becca to discuss their new album, processing past trauma, being a queer artist today, and more. Have read below, and make sure you check out the exquisite new album!

Hi Becca, and welcome to Get In Her Ears! Are you able to tell us a bit about how you initially started creating music?
I actually started at a very young age! I felt safe when I was making music, and I always loved how the act of writing music helped me really feel connected to myself. I had so much fear as a young kid, and this helped me not feel alone! 

I really love your dreamy, twinkling musicality and emotion-rich vocals, but who would you consider to be your main musical influences?
I think the emotional music came from listening to Sharon van Etten, and then I also used to listen to mewithoutyou, and they helped me explore my religious trauma. 

And how much would you say your religious upbringing feeds into what you now create? 
I think that it really helps me see how it matters to find your own way, and to not be in a group think. The good parts that I received from my upbringing though were that I learned how to really be around so many different kinds of people. I learned how to love myself, with or without the love of religious people, and I am thankful for the chance to grow even deeper in love with the world around me! I fought for that hard! 

You’ve recently released your new album Left Hand,  which is very exciting -congratulations! It seems to reflect a lot on your childhood and family, are you able to explain a bit more about this?
I only started to fully process all of what happened to me as a kid recently, but it’s so important for me to keep healing and being in therapy! I started therapy in late 2020 and it was the first time that I had ever been in it, and it really did save my life. But for me, I process my feelings through music – I finally do feel like this is my last record about the past, and I am really looking forward to what’s next. 

And you also seem to draw inspiration from the natural world in your writing – how does this normally come about, and how do you feel it links to the emotions you’re expressing throughout the album? 
I grew up in a tiny town with only about 800 hundred people, so nature was such a big part of my childhood. I feel like I get physically sick and definitely emotionally unwell if I am not in nature.  So, I really wanted to honour what nature does for us all on this record, and also talk about how important it is for us to protect her!

It seems like you went through quite a difficult time after the release of your last record (The Greatest Part, 2020), was the process of creating this latest record a cathartic process for you? It certainly seems to emanate some really comforting uplifting energy and queer joy! 
Yes, this record really did bring me to the next level of self love and self acceptance! It’s been a really long journey for me in this way, and I am so glad that you feel the queer joy on this album! I make music for everyone, but especially the queer community! 

After initially starting the studio session to record the album with a producer, you then made the decision to produce the album yourself. What lead to this decision? And how was the process for you?
The process with that other producer was so terrible that I left it feeling like I needed to make a change to really start learning how to produce on my own! And thankfully my longest collaborator and dear friend Juan Solorzano was ready and able to co-produce the record with me, and it ended up being a record that really changed my life. I was on a path that was not really the right one, and by making this record myself I really feel like it changed the whole course of my life. 

You’ve collaborated with various other artists on the album (including personal favourite Julien Baker!). How did you decide on who to work with for the album? And how did the collaborative process go? 
So, living in Nashville for so long it was just a natural thing to make friends with other artists, and I feel so lucky to be able to collaborate with them on their music as well! We just end up working together because it’s fun and easy. With Julien, I knew that she was getting into engineering, and so I was like hey “Jb, do you want to engineer your own vocals?”, and she was just super down for it!   

You’ve played a lot of exciting live shows over the last few years, including one with Hayley Williams (Paramore) in Madison Square Garden, and sharing a stage with the likes of Sheryl Crow and Brittany Howard at Nashville’s LGBTQ+ benefit Love Rising. How were these experiences for you? And is there a particular show you’ve played throughout your career that stands out as a highlight?
I really appreciated Hayley asking me to do the Love Rising show because that show really meant so much to me and the community that I am in. It’s always really nerve-racking to be asked to play someone’s music with them because you want to make sure that you do it well, but H is just one of the best people I know, and has always made me feel seen and supported! 

As a queer person making music today, how do you feel the industry is for new artists at the moment? And do you feel much has changed over the last few years in its treatment of gender non-conforming and LGBTQ+ artists? 
I do think that there are way more opportunities for us than there were, but it’s STILL such a struggle and the industry is still geared to cis straight white people. So, my true hope is that the industry changes completely from the ground up! As queer people we are still fighting for our lives, and so I really hope we are not only respected for our music, but also that our lives are protected.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
Bloomsday! They are a great non-binary queer band out of Brooklyn, and they are opening a bunch of dates for me! 

Finally, what does the rest of 2023 have in store for you? 
Tonnes of touring all over the United States, and then making a plan to come to the UK and EU early next year!

Huge thanks to Becca for answering our questions! We can’t wait for them to come over to the UK sometime soon!

Left Hand, the new album from Becca Mancari, is out now via Captured Tracks. Listen / order here.

Photo Credit: Sophia Matinazad

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