LIVE: Mally Harpaz and Her Merry Band of Musos @ The Victoria, 19.12.17

I was a dick as a kid and considered mainstream music to be Uncool. This was after the phase where ‘Barbie Girl’ was one of the only CD singles I’d bought myself, right after ‘Mulder & Scully’ by Catatonia, ‘course. Because Cerys has always been pretty cool…

The older I’ve got, I’ve eased up on my neurotic need to sought out the avant-garde, and I’m well open to admitting that Ariana Grande has a legion of what my generation calls bangers, but I’m still drawn to music that pushes me off the edge of the nearest precipice. Because then I get to indulge in l’appel du vide whilst actually still getting to go home at night.

Music saves lives, and Mally Harpaz is one hell of a music-maker.

There isn’t a single instrument out there she can’t play, and even before I had the chance to talk to her about her processes, I’d walk into an Anna Calvi gig and immediately go and see what new piece of equipment she had on stage with her.

2017 marked not only the process of professionally recording her own compositions for conceptual art videos by visual artist Clara Aparicio Yoldi, but also the the start of a series of concerts masterminded by Mally to not just play said compositions, but to also share the stage with a rotating band of incredible musicians from all walks of life.

Blind Dog Studios is Mally’s brainchild and heartchild – and I say heartchild because the mind has a tendency to stifle the creative process for fun, and Mary Wollstonecraft sure didn’t keep his brain in a silk bag. The concert series this year has introduced us to artists like Hazel Iris, Ciara Clifford, Colonial Sun, VÄLVĒ, Hana Piranha.

19th December saw the last gig of the year at The Victoria in Dalston – a fantastic way to end the year. And I can happily assure you there’ll be more next year, and that you should catch any/all of them that you can. 

We even got a guest vocals and guitar spot from Mally’s best friend and musical soulmate, the one and only Anna Calvi; a wonderful surprise, just over three years after her sold out orchestral gig at St. John-at-Hackney.

2017 was a great year for the London music scene and an even greater one for us girls, and 2018 looks to be shaping up to be even better, especially with projects like Blind Dog Studios flipping the scene on its head.

 

Em Burfitt
@fenderqueer

Get In Her Ears4 Comments

Get In Her Ears live @ The Finsbury w/ Temples Of Youth, 08.12.17

Following a host of super amazing bands playing for us over the last year – including The Magnettes, H.Grimace, REWS, Trash Kit, Kid Cupid and Deux Furieuses – we were back at The Finsbury last Friday for our monthly dose of incredible live music.

Kicking off the night is Dorset’s The Gravity Drive with their swirling, emotionally rich effervescent pop.

Second band of the night HMS Morris have travelled from Cardiff to blow us all away with the totally dreamy and impressively eclectic sounds of their playful, psychedelic offerings.

Returning to The Finsbury to play for us for a second time, headliners Temples Of Youth cast their hypnotic spell with their unique brand of sparkling, musically rich neo-pop. Oozing their impossibly cool swathe and majestic, emotion strewn splendour, the Winchester duo succeed in completely captivating us all once again.

Huge thanks to the three magnificent bands who played for us on Friday. And make sure you all join us back at The Finsbury to see in the new year in style on 12th January 2018 with Witch Fever, The Nyx, ARXX and more!

Words:
Mari Lane / @marimindles

Photo Credit: 
Paul Dawes / @paullikesrobots
Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

LIVE: Bloom Twins @ 229 The Venue, 07.12.17

Ukrainian multi-instrumental sister act Bloom Twins delivered their unique blend of electro-dark pop to an enthusiastic crowd at 229 The Venue last Thursday night.

Despite an overlay of darkness being their signature style on their tracks, Sonya and Anya bring a charismatic energy to their performance – being completely at ease joking with the crowd between songs, encouraging us all to let loose by jumping up and down on cue. There was no need for instructions in order to get the crowd dancing, however, as the energy from the twins is utterly contagious. Playing multiple instruments throughout a set would be enough to bring any musician out in a nervous sweat, but rotating through drums, flutes and harmonicas comes as second nature to Bloom Twins, as natural to them as breathing.

The twins’ first single ‘Fahrenheit’ evokes a sense of warm nostalgia throughout the crowd and reminds us just how far The Ukrainian sisters have come on their musical journey; not only being a part of UNICEF’s ‘Imagine’ campaign but also embarking on a world tour with Duran Duran in 2016.

We’re also treated to a preview of their latest single ‘Talk To Me’, an electro-pop ballad which tackles the heavy issue of mental illness. Whilst there’s been much coverage in the media surrounding mental illness in the music industry recently, ‘Talk To Me’ carries hope that one day the stigma will be removed entirely – giving the message to open up about issues that are weighing you down.

Being identical twins, it is an obvious cliché to state that Bloom Twins share a special bond. However, once they’re both on stage the bond between them is highlighted, reflected via beautiful vocal harmonies with both sisters possessing an effortless, extensive range.

Bloom Twins never fail to captivate with their performances; casting us all under their spell with haunting harmonies, boundless energy and overall raw talent.

Nicky Lee-Delisle

 

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

LIVE (Photos): Dance Like I’ve Got Diamonds with Dream Nails, 06.12.17

To round off a year of putting on fantastic events promoting women in music, Dance Like I’ve Got Diamonds hosted their last event event of 2017 at The Victoria on Wednesday. In true Christmas spirit, it focused on giving back to society, with all net profits from the event going to women’s aid organisation Nia, who specialise in helping victims of rape and domestic violence in North East London.

Kicking off the live music are Babyarms – Jen Doveton from Colour Me Wednesday’s solo project – delivering their luscious, twinkling indie-pop creations.

Next up, in place of DOLLS who sadly had to cancel due to illness (wish you better, DOLLS!), are Berries. Blasting out their impressive racing riffs and rolling beats with a riotous energy, their raw rock-fused power marks them out as definite ones to watch in 2018.

Headlining the night are our favourite feminist punk witches, Dream Nails. With their seething, punk-filled power, they treat us to a range of super empowering offerings, raging against domestic violence, misogyny and bullies with all the sparkling, buoyant energy you could ever desire. With their unique impassioned charm and raucous force, Dream Nails once again prove why they’re a necessity in our lives right now; continuing to inspire and motivate us all to get to the front and make our voices heard.

Photo Credit: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment