LISTEN: Camp Cope – ‘Blue’

A heavy-hearted acceptance of love that comes in many different shades, Melbourne power-emo trio Camp Cope have shared their latest single ‘Blue’. Released via Run For Cover Records, the track is the band’s first piece of new music in three years and despite its softer sound, it rings with the same raw charm the trio have cultivated on their previous releases.

Since sharing their second album How To Socialise & Make Friends in 2018, Georgia Maq (vocals/guitar), Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich (bass) and Sarah Thompson (drums) have been working on their third album at their own pace, partly influenced by the global COVID-19 pandemic but also by changes to their careers and living arrangements. Taking time to reflect on and accept these changes meant Camp Cope were able to do what they do best – write cathartic and earnest tunes that provide joy and relief for their listeners.

New offering ‘Blue’ is a bittersweet contemplation on what it’s like to love and be loved in the midst of depression. Tapping into the chasm that’s left by the disconnection that mental illness can bring, ‘Blue’ doesn’t cushion listeners from the reality of depression, but it does gently remind them there’s still love in the world – even if they’re struggling to feel it in the present moment.

Listen to ‘Blue’ below.

Follow Camp Cope on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Michelle Grace Hunder

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Big Daisy – ‘Without Dreams’

Described by the band as a “sleepy lullaby-turned-powerhouse journey of a song,” Belfast four-piece Big Daisy have shared their latest single ‘Without Dreams’. Full of soft, yearning vocals and atmospheric guitar sounds, the track is a melodic slice of fuzz-pop that rings with genuine warmth and charm.

Formed of childhood best friends Aidan Reynolds, Ciara King, Dan O’Rawe and James Orr, Big Daisy released their debut single ‘Go Outside’ in November 2019, unaware that their agoraphobic anthem would become an appropriate soundtrack for a global pandemic. The band’s love for “whiny lyrics and big dreamy riffs” is something they take pride in, and latest offering ‘Without Dreams’ is another lush example of their penchant for blending the sad with the sweet.

“I dream of everything being better / I can’t wait for sweater weather” muses Ciara, as the track fluctuates between being content with being doe-eyed and daydreaming, before unwillingly following a tendency to self-sabotage feelings of joy. Penned as “a journey through the mind of someone who struggles with organisation & completing tasks,” ‘Without Dreams’ is a bittersweet, relatable tune that softens and soothes any inner chaos.

Listen to ‘Without Dreams’ below.

 

Follow Big Daisy on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: 26 North Productions

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Get In Her Ears Live @ The Victoria w/ Currls, 05.11.2021

Last Friday we were back for our first gig since February 2020 and what a glorious night it was! Huge thanks to the three incredible bands who played for each putting on a fantastic show, and to everyone who came out to support them and us in this first venture into hosting live music for over eighteen months…. We’re still feeling all the feels, and are extremely grateful to everyone who made it such a lovely night.

First up is the totally dreamy, shoegaze-tinged sounds of Schande. Treating us to a set of shimmering sonic delights old and new, they delive a perfectly head-bopping, heart-bursting set to start the evening.

Next up, The Other Ones blast onto the stage with their infectious riotous energy. With a playful charisma, they deliver their vibrant punk-pop with a swirling, gritty power as the crowd bounce and sing along in joyous unity (especially to a surprise cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Torn’)…

Drawing the night to a euphoric close, headliners – Brighton’s Currls – treat us to their sweeping, empowering brand of garage rock. Propelled by an immense rhythm section, front woman Holly delivers soaring soulful vocals with an effortless grace and sparkling witty rapport with the crowd. A band to watch for sure, it’s an honour to host their first London headline show.



Massive thanks again to all the wonderful bands, and to everyone who joined us in our joyous return to live music on Friday! Hope to see you all next month for our next gig, our first ever at The Shacklewell Arms, on 3rd December with Belfast punks Problem Patterns, and support from pink suits and GUTTS.


Photo Credit: Keira-Anee Photography

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Guest Blog: Potpourri (‘Love Letters’ to Sisters Uncut)

In the wake of events such as the murders of Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, and the recent passing of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, organisations such as Sisters Uncut have been doing vital work in uniting people to fight injustice, providing a strong voice to highlight diminishing funds and government representation that leave people vulnerable, protecting those in need.

Sheffield band Potpourri have recognised the immense of importance of Sisters Uncut, and so wanted to show their gratitude and love for the organisation by putting together ‘Love Letters’: a compilation of beautiful tunes by DIY artists who feel strongly about the cause. Including favourites such as PINS, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business, Y.A.Y MARIA and The Crystal Furs, amongst many others, it’s a heartfelt ode to not only draw attention to Sisters Uncut’s vital work, but to raise funds for them at a time when they need it the most.

We spoke to Lauren from Potpourri about the decision to release Love Letters… Have a read and buy on bandcamp now!

Sisters Uncut is an incredible British feminist direct action group that has catalysed a current of empowerment, creating accessibility for people to come together, find the confidence to open dialogue, and express their right to be free and equal citizens. The Kill The Bill coalition established consciousness of the danger against Roma, Traveller, and Gypsy communities, and unveiled the increase of tools of state violence against communities that already bear the brunt of a racist, sexist criminal justice system.

It felt important to send love and gratitude to the people working tirelessly to end violence against women and non-binary people. Their graft couldn’t go unnoticed and we felt that if there was a way we could use our art to stand in solidarity, we would.

The lockdown meant that a fundraiser gig couldn’t take place, but we could still contribute and act in a different way to fight the rollback of human rights. I wanted our first Love Letter compilation to reflect the Sisters Uncut feministo, reaching out to female and gender-variant artists who themselves are creating gorgeous music with a DIY ethos and building their own pockets of togetherness. It was a blessing to connect with fellow bands, especially when bands haven’t been crossing paths for the last year, and together support a movement we feel so dearly about. Everyone who contributed to the cassette condemns the awful systemic violence that Sisters Uncut work so hard to draw attention to and fight against.

Massive thanks to Lauren for talking to us about this vital and beautiful compilation. Buy Love Letters on bandcamp now, and find out more about Sisters Uncut here. And below see the accompanying ‘love letter’ from all the bands involved to Sisters Uncut.

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