Track Of The Day: Pretty Happy – ‘Salami’

A raucous, wise-cracking anthem about the complexities of processed meat, Cork art-punk trio Pretty Happy have shared their latest single ‘Salami’. Full of sardonic lyrics, gutsy vocals and crashing percussion, the track is a ridiculously good off-kilter banger that rambles through the band’s many absurd thoughts and feelings about the pork-based snack.

Formed of Abbey Blake (guitar), Arann Blake (vocals, bass) and Andy Killian (drums), Pretty Happy have been busy cutting their teeth on the DIY Irish music and arts scene over the last few years. Abbey is a founder of Angry Mom Collective, a movement set up to challenge the gender imbalance in Irish arts, whilst Arann and Andy are keenly involved in the local drama and film scenes. Together, the trio combine their talents to create their distinctive sounds and ‘Salami’ is the first taste of what’s to come from them this year.

Arann tears through the band’s “demonic grocery list” via his silly-but-smart lyrics, Killian pummels the ear drums with his cymbal slams and Abbey brings the noise with her intense Earthquaker guitar pedals. The track is accompanied by a comical music video, which follows “pork connoisseur” Abbey on her quest to consume as much of the meat as she physically can. The band are set to release an EP in the coming months and we’re excited to hear more from the eccentric trio. Watch the video for ‘Salami’ below.

Follow Pretty Happy on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Nick O’Donnell

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Joanna and the Dropouts – ‘Bad News’

‘Bad News’ by Brighton-based Joanna and the Dropouts is a breath of fresh air. With its rather addictive opening riff, garage drums and retro Wurlitzer-style keys, it transports you to a stupidly fun world of badass b-movies – and, in times like this, that’s a pretty wonderful place to be.

Singer Joanna’s cool vocals drip with attitude, channelling the Cramps’ Poison Ivy, as she sings about having her heart broken. Yet despite the subject matter, her anger and directness make ‘Bad News’ more of a battle cry than a pity party.

The song’s raw and dirty production, which makes it sound like it was recorded in a (probably haunted) basement somewhere, seals the deal and makes ‘Bad News’ feel like a proper rockabilly anthem. It’s nostalgic, but with a kick-ass attitude that brings it bang up to date. And I’m gonna have that riff stuck in my head for days!

‘Bad News’ is out now. Listen on Spotify.

Vic Conway

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LISTEN: Bad Idea – ‘Happy’

An atmospheric, dizzy guitar tune about the unexpected relief a change of emotions can bring, Leeds four-piece Bad Idea have shared their latest single ‘Happy’. Released in partnership with RoseColoured Records, the track is a lush, woozy extrapolation on how refreshing your positive thoughts can be after you’ve been caught in the grasp of a low mood for too long.

Formed in 2016 on a drunken night out dancing to Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’, Bad Idea’s Sarah Sefton and Daniel Johnson chose the band’s name after entering into a new creative project and a new romantic relationship together at the same time. They put aside their concerns about how this might affect their musical dynamics and enlisted the help of new bandmates Charlie Peacock and Liam Lambert in 2019 to flesh out their lo-fi sounds.

In 2020, the band released their debut EP, the ironically titled I Just Want To Go Home, after recording the tracks intermittently between lockdowns in a friend’s basement. The result of their efforts is a joyful, fuzzy exploration of love, loss, nostalgia and moving on to new experiences. New single ‘Happy’ follows on from previous release ‘Winter’ and showcases the band’s ability to take simple concepts like a shift in mood and transform them into swirling, melodic aural head rushes.

Listen to ‘Happy’ below.

 

Follow Bad Idea on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Naoko Sakata – ‘Improvisation 3’

Gothenburg-based Japanese musician Naoko Sakata has now announced her new piano solo album Dancing Spirits, set for release next month via Pomperipossa Records, a Swedish label that has established itself as a beacon for avant-garde, drone, ambient and experimental music and is led by esteemed artist Anna Van Hausswolf. This will be Sakata’s second solo piano album and consists of seven free improvisations. It was recorded in August 2020 in Annedalskyrkan, a church in Gothenburg Sweden, and played on a Steinway grand piano.

‘Improvisation 3’ is the taster single from the album and is a glistening sign of things to come, being entirely free and spontaneous in character. It showcases Naoko’s innovative style, combining peace and chaos into sound. It begins with discordant, allegro piano keys signifying confusion, before becoming slower and more tranquil. It mellows out to an enchanting, light classical piece, becoming pastoral, gentle, and hymnal in turns. Oozing a graceful majesty as the twinkling keys flow, it builds to a perfectly soothing soundscape. 

Even if you might not usually listen to avant-garde piano pieces, here is your chance to open your ears and mind; let the pure expression of the music captivate you. A unique window to the world of Naoko Sakata and her intriguing interpretation of the meaning of art. A meaning that can only be heard, but not explained further.

 

Dancing Spirits will be released on 26th March via Pomperipossa Records. 

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

Photo Credit: Gianluca Grasselli

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