PREMIERE: Yumi And The Weather – ‘What Will Become Of The Wishing Well’ (Inwards Remix)

With acclaim from the likes of John Kennedy and BBC 6Music’s Nemone, Brighton based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Yumi And The Weather (aka Ruby Taylor) has now shared a fresh remix of her latest single ‘What Will Become Of The Wishing Well‘. Re-imagined by label-mate and rising Worcestershire producer INWARDS (aka Kristian Shelley), it’s the first single to be taken from Yumi And The Weather’s upcoming new EP, set for release at the beginning of next month. 

Maintaining the soaring rich vocals and twinkling uptempo vibes of the original, INWARDS’ remix enhances the already present glitchy beats of the track and creates a whirring, electro-fused soundscape, replicating the original instrumental parts with electronics. Propelled by a gritty, driving energy and sweeping, reverb-strewn splendour, this latest rendition of ‘What Will Become Of The Wishing Well’ is a truly captivating and instantly uplifting offering, reminiscent of the dreamy majesty of the likes of The Postal Service.

Listen to INWARDS’ remix of Yumi And The Weather’s ‘What Will Become Of The Wishing Well’ now, and read our interview with Ruby Taylor about the track and her inspirations behind it below.

 

Hi Ruby, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
Hello! I am a musician/songwriter/producer based in Brighton and I make music under the name Yumi And The Weather.

How did you initially decide to start creating music?
I suppose it was a natural process as I started playing guitar and writing songs so it just came about from that, so wouldn’t say it was a decision… I suppose it was more of an experiment! Some guitarists just stick to guitar, but I started writing songs and taught myself how to sing through doing that, and I am so glad I tried it out!

Your single ‘What Will Become Of The Wishing Well’ is out now – can you tell us what it’s all about?
It was written about the misinformation and lies from the government around COVID and how we as humans are trying to keep our heads above water at this very uncertain time. The title comes from the idea that we are heading in to a cashless society, so it made me think about coins and how we have always used them for making wishes in the wishing well.

And it’s now been remixed by INWARDS – how did this collaboration come about?
I’ve known Kris for a couple of years before signing to Small Pond. We met at Nozstock festival a few years back as Yumi were playing and our radio plugger introduced us, and I listened to his music on the way home and it was so sick. I’ve always been a massive fan of his music so I was so happy when he said he wanted to remix this song.

We love the dreamy melodies and soaring vocals of your songs, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Oh wow such a hard question… My main influences have changed over the years from starting the project, but I suppose to name a few for this EP would be: Mamman Sani, Secret Service, Alvvays, Dire Straits and The Cure.

Of course, no one’s going to see live music right now, but – in more ‘normal’ times – how is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
My local music scene is incredible and I miss it so much. I was trying to go to a gig a week minimum before lockdown, and I can’t wait to get out again. Live music is something you just can’t beat and all this virtual gig stuff I know people are trying but it doesn’t cut it for me. Nothing beats being in a room with people losing themselves and being immersed in sound waves that are being created right in front of you.

And what can fans expect from your live shows?
Me and my live band being there in person, and trying to imitate the recordings – ha ha! Yeah, nothing fancy, just maybe that we are wearing clean clothes.

How do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
As it’s very much a DIY ethos these days, you can’t just be a musician anymore – you kind of have to learn a bit about marketing and promotion etc. So, it’s a shame really because you would just want to spend most of your time writing and being expressive. So, it’s not difficult to get noticed, it’s more difficult to know how to get noticed, if you want to get noticed. But, ultimately, it’s being in the right place at the right time, because you meet people along the way and you don’t realise how people can have an effect until further down the line.

Finally, as we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend we check out?
At the moment I can’t stop telling people about a band called Actors. They released an album in 2019 and it’s fantastic. New/upcoming bands-wise I think keep an ear out for Club Kuru (UK), Oslo Parks (UK), Clementine Dream (FR), and SONS (BE).

Huge thanks to Ruby for answering our questions! 

‘What Will Become Of The Wishing Well’ is out now, taken from Yumi And The Weather’s upcoming EP, Some Days, set for release on 3rd December via Small Pond Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

#ThrowbackThursday GIHE w/ Celeste Bell 05.12.19

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and Lockdown 2.0, we’re unable to make it in to the Hoxton Radio studio to broadcast our weekly live new music show from 7-9pm. Instead, we’re sharing previous show recordings as #ThrowbackThursday sessions, so you can still enjoy 2 hours of new music tunes & chats with some of our favourite artists each week.

Today, we’ve picked our December 2019 show with musician and writer Celeste Bell. She spoke to Mari & Kate about co-writing her mother’s biography with Zoe Howe (Dayglo: The Poly Styrene Story), and how she’s keeping the legacy of her mother’s work alive by working on a new documentary film, Poly Styrene: I Am A Clichéwith director Paul Sng. You can find out more about the film and how to donate to its Patreon Crowdfund here.

Listen back to the show:

Tracklist
X Ray Spex – Oh Bondage, Up Yours
MAITA – Can’t Blame A Kid
Mango – Demons
King Hannah – Creme Brulee
Hezen – Whole
Fassine – Limbs
Eilis Frawley – Strangers
Calva Louise – Adelante
Small Man Society – Songs I Write
Calista Kazuko – Benzo Belle
Jaguary Jonze – Kill Me With Your Love
IVEY – Scream
LibraLibra – Loverboy
Toni&Mash – I Want It
X Ray Spex – I Am A Cliche
Zola Jesus – Bound
Foxcunt – Merry Christmas, Fuck The Patriarchy
Kate Stapley – Hermit
Peggy Sue – White Christmas
Suggested Friends – Cygnets
Tinx – Wait & See
Frazey Ford – The Kids Are Having None Of It
Alanis Morissette – Hand In My Pocket

Track Of The Day: Circe – ‘Dancer’

An evocative dark-pop gem inspired by a morbid fascination with an infamous cult, London-based artist Circe has shared her latest single ‘Dancer’. Taken from her debut EP She’s Made of Saints, which is set for release on 25th November via Jazz Life, the track is a sultry, cinematic offering exploring the dangerous yet seductive allure of Californian cult The Source Family.

“’Dancer’ is a song that grew from a documentary I watched about The Source Family…examining a radical experiment in 1970’s utopian living,” Circe explains. “One of the young girls involved from the cult had a line in an interview about how she gave up all ownership of herself for the cult leader ‘Father Yod’, even dancing. That line always stuck with me. The thought someone could surrender their own movement and body-ultimate freedom. I waver on this dangerous line between interest and intrigue into cults, particularly the 60s-70s ones based around Hollywood. It’s always been a fascination for me that there is a surreal romance to these set-ups, in contrast to some horrific actions.”

Accompanied by a captivating video directed by Rachel Povey and Circe, the visuals for ‘Dancer’ incorporate symbols of Catholicism to explore the thrilling feeling that sacrificing yourself to the light – even if it is only a glamorous neon sign – strangely brings. Inspired by the visuals and soundtracks of David Lynch’s films, Circe’s compelling electronic sounds teeter on the edge of dystopia and utopia, whilst dissecting personal and social norms with breathtaking grace.

Listen to ‘Dancer’ below.

Follow Circe on Spotifybandcamp, YouTubeTikTok, Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@kate_crudge

LISTEN: Divide and Dissolve – ‘Denial’

An exhilarating, powerful soundscape that aims to erode the foundations of colonialism and liberate the land for black and indigenous communities, multidimensional duo Divide and Dissolve have shared their latest single ‘Denial’. Taken from their upcoming album Gas Lit, which is set for release on 29th January 2021 via Invada Records, the track is an eerie cacophony of thunderous riffs, ear-shattering percussion and uncanny saxophone notes that aim to eradicate white supremacy.

“Sometimes we don’t need to talk in order for others to understand what’s going on,” the duo explain about their intense instrumentals. “We are communicating with our ancestors through the music. Our ancestors help us to communicate with each other on a deeper level as well. This deep connection is able to be achieved without words.” Through their blend of visceral noise and captivating visuals, Divide and Dissolve – formed of Takiaya Reed (Black & Tsalagi [Cherokee]) and Sylvie Nehill (Māori) – dismantle the social frameworks that prevent black and indigenous communities from thriving in an equal society.

The accompanying video for ‘Denial’ was shot in Taupo, Aotearoa by indigenous director Amber Beaton. “I’m a huge fan of Divide and Dissolve and so happy to have made this video for them,” Beaton explains. “I understand and appreciate the message behind the music and I wanted to make sure the video held the same intentions no matter how subtle.”

“For instance, we start off with a shot of a Kōwhai tree. Native to Aotearoa, Kōwhai in bloom signifies to Māori that some seafood is ready for harvest, the roots can be used to make fishing hooks, the sap on the sunny side of the tree can be used to heal wounds… but the vibrancy of the yellow flower was also the first thing Captain Cook saw when he arrived on the shores of Aotearoa signalling the start of colonial violence on this whenua/land. The changing colours of its flower in the video represents our change as a country and as people since that fateful arrival.”

Dedicated to shining a light on social injustices both past and present, Divide and Dissolve continue to demand equality on thunderous new offering ‘Denial’, which serves as another reminder of the duo’s talent for creating abrasive yet graceful soundscapes.

Listen to the track below.

 

Follow Divide and Dissolve on bandcampInstagramSpotify, Twitter & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Billy Eyers

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut