ALBUM: ¡Ay Carmela! – ‘Tokens’

Tokens, the long-awaited second album by Bristol-based indie rock trio ¡Ay Carmela!, brims with sass and sincerity. At heart, this is a melancholic record, exploring themes of grief and disappointment, but it never feels like ¡Ay Carmela! want your pity. Front-person Carmela’s understated, downbeat vocal is supercharged by a banging rhythm section, giving the whole album a powerful swagger. 

The band wears their ’90s alt influences on their sleeves, and fans of Belly and Warpaint will find a lot to love on too. Opener ‘Host’ gets the album off to a memorable start with heavy guitars and punchy, powerful vocals that lure the listener in, before it builds to a proper pop chorus with swooning harmonies.

Recent single ‘Magnolia Walls’ is real standout. Carmela’s evocative, relatable lyrics reflect on ageing, the threat of unfulfilled potential and craving stability. “It used to be fun, living in a dump…”, she sings, “I thought I’d have moved on, instead I’ve just moved around.” ‘Rear View’ is another high point; it’s quieter and more intimate than some of the other songs on the album, bringing in keys rather than guitars, so we can really focus on Carmela’s vocal and lyrics. A torch song, tinged with nostalgia, it’s a beautiful portrait of loss and longing. 

It’s been seven years since the band’s debut album and it’s been worth the wait. With a new line-up and a different home city, the band seem re-charged and reinvigorated. And that’s a great thing, because songs as beautifully written and crafted as these need to be heard.

The band has been playing shows throughout 2023, and we’re super excited to have them playing for us at our next gig at Shacklewell Arms on 2nd February next year, supporting German dream-poppers Roller Derby with faves Panic Pocket. Nab tickets on Dice now!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DNhsLvLqXS0%3Fsi%3D5uziouz94hpRmSLJ

Tokens is out now. Download / buy the album on Bandcamp now.

Photo Credit: Elise Wootten

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WATCH: deep tan – ‘xenomorph queen’

Having been a big fan of London’s deep tan for a few years now, I’m excited to see that – following last year’s diamond horsetail EP – they’re back with a brand new single, and new line-up, ahead of their live shows supporting QOTSA on tour next month.

Reflecting on themes of matriarchy, queer parenting and sapphic love, ‘xenomorph queen’ oozes all the discordant immersive allure that we’ve come to know and love from the trio. Instantly captivating the senses with its mystical ethereal majesty, it showcases deep tan’s ability to create their own truly unique brand of other-worldly angular post-punk.

Of the track, the band expand:

“‘xenomorph queen’ witnesses the real star of the alien franchise in a new context: in the throes of a lesbian romance. a sensual – but still punk – track about matriarchy, queer parenting and sapphic love, this close encounter offers a new, intergalactic perspective on #hotmilfsinyourarea #xenomilf”

‘xenomorph queen’ is accompanied by an animated new video; in equal parts playful and enthralling. Watch it now:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=URZQ5XjtpnE%3Fsi%3DnINfKYZTpj9QaphP

‘xenomorph queen‘ is out now via Practise Music.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Guest Blog: Tina Boonstra

Having received acclaim from the likes of Tom Robinson on BBC 6Music and BBC Introducing, London based artist Tina Boonstra has been charming our ears for the last few years with her shimmering folk-strewn melodies and raw, immersive emotion. Now, following the release of her latest album Circle back, start again., she is about to head off on a small European tour. However, it’s not just your average tour; she wanted to make her live shows as accessible and affordable as possible during this cost of living crisis. So, with her fans, she came up with a plan for enabling those with low/no income to be able to attend the events…

Here, Tina talks about her inspirations behind the new album and the idea of gathering funds for sponsored tickets for her gigs. Have a read, and make sure you listen to the stirring sounds of Circle back, start again. now!

When Sarah and Luke told us they were expecting a baby, we couldn’t be happier for them, they were one of our first close friends to have kids, and the excitement was written all over their faces. I saw Sarah just before Christmas, the baby would arrive in just a few months, and they still had so much to do. Three weeks later, we got a text from Luke. Sarah was in hospital, the baby had died. It was like watching a tornado rip through your next door neighbour’s house, while you stood next door unharmed. We were in shock, but they were in the wreckage.  

Nobody plans for heartbreak, and yet, there’s so much in our life that we just can’t plan for. In the end, that’s what my debut album Circle Back, start again is about. It’s stories of ordinary people navigating difficult circumstances; a retired nurse re-telling family trauma, an unexpected illness, a missing friend, a miscarriage, a broken relationship… 

We all go through hard times and that can make us feel so lonely. So, when it came to planning a tour for this album, I wanted to find a way to include more people in the performances. What if fans could sponsor tickets for people who’ve been through a tough time, or couldn’t afford a ticket? I put the idea to my fans and they responded with a resounding YES. 

My goal was to be able to sponsor 10% of the tickets. We achieved it in the first week; such an incredible result, and testament to the generosity of my fans. It’s not like coming to a concert will somehow magically fix anything, but I hope a gift like this could be one night where things are just a tiny bit easier – a tiny bit more bearable in a hard time. Anyone can apply for a sponsored ticket for themselves or for a friend by messaging me on my website.

I’m really excited about hitting the road with my band and playing these songs live in a room full of people! For me, this album is all about figuring out how to do life together. Learning how to share our sorrows and joys; our hopes and our heartbreak, our faith and also our doubts. And knowing that we’ve been able to include people who didn’t think they’d be able to come to a show like this will make it even more special. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8qp1n05_hsQ%3Fsi%3DmUtb-ehL7Zb5RdG8

Massive thanks to Tina for telling us about her album and sponsored gig tickets! If you fancy catching her immersive live set, nab a ticket here or apply for a sponsored ticket by messaging her on her website! Dates below:

Saturday 7th October – Folklore Rooms, Brighton
Saturday 14th October – The Grace, London
Tuesday 17th October – Retro, Manchester

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LIVE: All Points East, Victoria Park, 25.08.2023

Arriving at Victoria Park to the sound of Le Tigre blasting from the sound system by Goddess, I have a feeling it’s going to be a good day… And I’m not wrong! 

Ensuring we arrive with plenty of time to nab a beer from one of the (very well staffed and efficiently run) bars before Hastings ones to watch HotWax take to the stage, I’m ready for a day of good vibes and fantastic music from predominantly female artists in the East London park. 

Starting bang on time at 3.35pm on the West stage, GIHE faves HotWax kick off their set with the sultry, seething tones of ‘Barbie (Not Yours)’. Looking out at an ever increasing crowd, seemingly consisting of both a large devoted existing fan-base and festival-goers coming across them for the first time, the young trio deliver each immense offering with a truly immersive stage presence – their sparkling, driving energy emanating throughout. As the rich, gravelly vocals of Tallulah flow effortlessly, bassist Lola darts across the stage with a fierce charisma, and drummer Alfie’s pummelling beats pound consistently, and I’m instantly captivated by their visceral power; I can certainly see why they’ve been garnering so much hype over the last few months. Treating us to songs from this year’s EP A Thousand Times, as well as newer songs such as latest single ‘Drop’, HotWax ripple with excitement whilst losing none of their polished-yet-gritty grunge-fuelled sound. “It’s such an honour to be on this stage with so many amazing artists”, Lola gushes at one point, and I can’t help but share their sense of excitement and pride at their recent success – it’s clearly so well-deserved, and I have every confidence that they’ll continuing wowing us with their blistering offerings for a long while yet. Whilst clearly not taking any of it for granted, they ooze a quiet sense of confidence and self assurance that makes it hard not to become utterly engrossed in all they’re creating. Even when they’re told they only have two minutes left, they make every second count; delivering a ferocious rendition of fan-favourite ‘Rip It Out’ to close the set. So, thank you HotWax for kicking off All Points East in style, and thank you to my GIHE team mate Kate for introducing me to this exciting new band… I can’t wait to see and hear more from them very soon!

After a little break with some cajun fries in the sunshine, we make our way to the East stage in time for Nashville’s Be Your Own Pet. Part of their first UK tour in over ten years (and their first time on a festival stage in fifteen), they prove themselves to have lost none of their immense punk-rock energy as front woman Jemima Pearl instantly immerses the crowd in her magnetising charisma, emanating a raw empowering presence throughout. Declaring it a good day – “Trump got arrested and our new album came out” – Pearl leads the way in delivering a gloriously raucous set filled with both classics like ‘Becky‘ and ‘Bicycle, Bicycle‘ and new, but no less exciting, offerings from said album (Mommy). A pretty magnificent return to form from a noughties favourite.

Staying put at the East stage to be spellbound by the beautiful emotion-rich splendour of Angel Olsen, we then head back West to witness the raging ferocity of Amyl and The Sniffers. Having been keen to catch them live for some time now, the Aussie punks exceed expectations. As front woman Amy Taylor’s playful allure and boundless seething energy race throughout each riotous offering, I don’t even mind getting completely soaked to the skin as the heavens open and the crowd – very fittingly – mosh along to ‘Monsoon Rock’. And it doesn’t seem to bother Taylor either – “I had a feeling you’d be getting a bit wet today…”, she jests cheekily, as she continues to swirl around the stage; charming us all with her quirky, effervescent spirit.

After indulging in some tasty vegan macaroni cheese to keep me going, I’m ready to live the dream of seeing total hero Karen O in real life for the first time. And calling the experience dreamy is no exaggeration. The minute the Yeah Yeah Yeahs take to the stage, an all-encompassing majestic splendour takes hold, and I’m left completely under their spell. Whilst they remain refreshingly nostalgic (so many memories of dancing to them at The Pad in Bedford throughout the early noughties), they seem to have mastered staying relevant and truly exciting; creating a live experience like no other. From the surreal, enchanting spectacle of giant eyeballs floating through the crowd, and the band’s refreshing tongue-in-cheek wit throughout (like when O stuffs the mic down her pants), to the heartrending grace and shimmering emotion of ‘Maps’, the “Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ love song” – which O movingly dedicates to the late Sinead O’Connor – it really is the perfect set; a sparkling balance of spine-tingling rippling emotion with fierce, chaotic energy. An experience I’ve been waiting on for twenty years, and won’t be forgetting for another few decades I’m sure.

Whilst The Strokes don’t really fit with our GIHE ethos, what I will say is that I really enjoyed their set. Despite the frustration of not being able to hear everything clearly because of sound issues which were out of the band’s hands, they delivered a fantastic array of favourites, with a joyous energy and slick musicianship. 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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