Get In Her Ears Live @ The Shacklewell Arms w/ Problem Patterns, 03.12.2021

On Friday we were back for our second gig since February 2020, and our first time hosting at the glorious Shacklewell Arms, and what a fantastic night it was! Huge thanks to the three totally amazing bands who played (I was blown away by you all!), and to all the lovely folk who came out to support them and fill the venue with the best of vibes… We’re still feeling all the feels, and are extremely grateful to everyone who made it such a dream night.

First up, GUTTS kick things off in a wonderfully riotous way – blasting out their queer sax-punk with an angst-driven energy and magnetising charisma.

Next up, Margate duo pink suits deliver their poignantly charged, utterly immense punk anthems. With just drums, a guitar and the riotous force of their voices, Lennie and Ray offer an inclusive Feminist rebellion to bring about radical change. With a captivating, seething energy, each frenzied offering is propelled by a colossal force, leaving me mind-blown and ready to join their fight for an upheaval of a neoliberal society. 

Having travelled all the way over from Belfast for the gig, I’ve been excited about hosting headliners, Problem Patterns, for a long time now, and they do not disappoint! Continually swapping instruments throughout the set, the Northern Irish Feminist punks cover topics ranging from transphobia and sexism, to the power of female friendship and the damaging effects of toxic relationships. With each poignant, raging offering, the band ooze a swirling, empowering energy and fierce, infectious passion, uniting the crowd in solidarity with both their righteous anger and vibrant, joyous sense of fun. A truly exciting set from one of my most favourite bands.

Massive thanks to the three incredible bands who played for us on Friday and everyone who came along! Join us for our next gig, on 21st January at The Victoria with headliners Fräulein and support from Breakup Haircut and Naz & Ella.

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

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

LISTEN: Blue Loop – ‘Kodama / Pan’

Inspired by the conflicting states of mind she experienced during 2020’s winter lockdown, London-based producer Blue Loop has shared two new singles, ‘Kodama’ and ‘Pan’. Following on from her debut single ‘Before It Begins‘, the double A-side marks a progression in Blue Loop’s sound, venturing into new sonic territory but retaining her polished and considered approach. Both tracks were mixed by Omni Collective’s Joy Stacey and mastered by Stephen Kerrison at Tall Trees Audio Mastering.

Named after the forest spirits of the Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke, ‘Kodama’ is a soothing, graceful composition. The track fuses electronic and orchestral elements together – including clarinet improvisations by Rose Ford – to provide a tranquil tonic for tired minds. Second track ‘Pan’ is designed to awaken and distract, with its Jungle/Drum & Bass inspired beats and choppy, techno synths. Opening with samples of street drummers and cathedral bells which Blue Loop collected in France and Portugal in autumn 2020, the track’s pulsing, driving rhythm is complimented by her use of intermittent atmospheric synth patterns.

Together, ‘Kodama’ and ‘Pan’ represent the duality of experience. Blue Loop explores the space in between “light and dark, motion and stillness, tension and release” through these new soundscapes, and she does so with effortless flair.

Listen to ‘Kodama’ and ‘Pan’ below.

 

Follow Blue Loop on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Snow Coats – ‘Anyway’

The latest single from Dutch indie-pop quartet Snow Coats fizzes with promise. Taken from their forthcoming second album, ‘Anyway’ is a joyfully noisy pop gem. The band’s jangly guitars collide with toe-tapping drums and bubblegum vocals to create something incredibly catchy.

The result is polished and radio friendly. But, while ‘Anyway’ has plenty of style, there’s substance too. Front-person Anouk van der Kamp’s rich, sweet voice drips like honey as they sing about needing more from a relationship. They explain, “‘Anyway’ is a song about sometimes needing a less superficial and more sincere connection with someone, so you can be sad together.” It’s bittersweet, but bouncy too.

With their second album due out on the brilliant Alcopop! Records in early 2022, it feels like Snow Coats could be getting ready to make a more meaningful connection with the UK, too. Expect to hear more delightfully twinkling offerings from them soon!

‘Anyway’ is now available on Alcopop! Records.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

killingfantasy6583Leave a comment

Track Of The Day: ACTRESE – ‘It Might Be About You’

A buoyant synth-pop tune that’s laced with bittersweet realisations about heartbreak, London-based songwriter ACTRESE has shared her latest single ‘It Might Be About You’.  Following on from her previous single ‘LOLA’, this latest track sees the songwriter release the tension of holding her tongue via heady beats, direct lyrics and clear vocals.

“After my last single, which felt very thought through, planned and executed in the same way, I needed a change,” ACTRESE explains. “‘It Might Be About You’ feels like something that was on my mind and needed to get out of my system. It is personal. It is candid to the point, it is impossible to describe as anything else than the truth. It comes from a place of anger and frustration of coming to conclusions in the aftermath of heartbreak when I didn’t even realize there was something to be broken. And then the anxiety. The anxiety of not being able to speak my mind and heart for various reasons.”

Pushing through her uneasy feelings and finding confidence in her new sound thanks to producer William Baxter, ACTRESE is letting go of the pain that held her back, embracing a new way of writing and creating her alt-pop sounds.

Listen to ‘It Might Be About You’ below.

 

Follow ACTRESE on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment