Video Premiere: Lial – ‘Dirty Little Lies’

Following her last single, ‘Embers’, earlier this year, London artist Lial is back with a haunting new offering, ahead of the release her second EP, set for release this summer.

Reflecting on the theme of betrayal and the thrill of desire for the forbidden, ‘Dirty Little Lies’ oozes a dark melancholy with hypnotic eerie undertones. Propelled by glitchy hooks and the soaring splendour of Lial’s rich vocals, a sweeping, shimmering emotion resonates throughout, creating a majestic slice of brooding alt-pop. Of the track, she explains:

“Connection is an inherent part of being human and so you do anything you can to justify it while you’re in it, but part of the appeal is its forbidden nature. Lies are enough in themselves to create a spark.”

Directed by Wolf James, watch the bewitching new video for ‘Dirty Little Lies’ now:

‘Dirty Little Lies’ is out tomorrow, 17th April. Made To Break, the upcoming second EP from Lial, is set for release on 12th June.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Bamboo Smoke – ‘Maybe I’

A soulful, lo-fi tune about hesitation and uncertainty; Bamboo Smoke have shared their latest single, ‘Maybe I’. Released via Swedish imprint Something Beautiful, the South London trio combine tentative electronics, smooth vocals, and echoing beats to create an ambient new soundscape.

Formed of vocalist Louise Wellby, multi-instrumentalist & producer Thomas Hollis, and percussionist Mark Gilyead; Bamboo Smoke captivated us with their live performance at our Notting Hill Arts Club gig in 2018. Since then, the trio have been busy creating new music to share with listeners over the course of 2020.

“I don’t wanna wish away time” muses Louise on ‘Maybe I’, a relatable sentiment that’s scored by subtle synth textures, and cautious percussion. The band explain the context of the track further: “This tune tumbled out in a tiny attic room on a trip at the start of the year. It’s about wishing you could draw someone out of their darkness. We find it so hard to talk about mental health, we hide away our shadows in dreamscapes.”

Listen to ‘Maybe I’ below, and follow Bamboo Smoke on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Diet Cig – ‘Who Are You?’

Having been pretty obsessed with their 2017 album Swear I’m Good At This since it came out, the return of Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman – aka Diet Cig – to my ears could not be more welcome. Ahead of the release of their second full-length, Do You Wonder About Me?, next month, the duo have shared a brand new single.

Flowing with Luciano’s luscious honey-sweet vocals, infectious jangly melodies and all the twinkling energy I need now more than ever, ‘Who Are You?’ is a delectably catchy slice of dreamy indie-pop. Juxtaposing an emotion-strewn lilting charm and subtle gritty angst, it’s a shimmering, sunny delight; perfectly uplifting isolation listening, leaving me desperate to hear the album in full as soon as possible.

Of the track, the band explain:

“‘Who Are You?’ is for anyone who’s ever received a completely self-serving apology from someone who’s hurt them. I learned that healing doesn’t wait for an ‘I’m sorry’ to appear, and it can feel silly to have one arrive when you’re completely over it. This song takes these bad feelings and turns them into a fun upbeat jam to dance around in your kitchen to!”

Do You Wonder About Me?, the upcoming second album from Diet Cig, is set for release 1st May via Frenchkiss Records. Pre-order here. Diet Cig were due to be touring the UK over the next month, but have now re-scheduled their dates to the Autumn (with some dates supported by GIHE faves Charmpit!):

18th November – Rough Trade, Bristol
19th November – The Bodega, Nottingham
20th November – YES, Manchester
22nd November – The Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
23rd November – Broadcast, Glasgow
24th November – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
27th November – The Dome, London
28th November – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

FIVE FAVOURITES: Harkin

Multi-talented Harkin has been a touring musician since her teens, and in addition to her own bands, she has shared stages with the likes of Sleater-Kinney, Wild Beasts, Flock of Dimes, Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett. She’s now set to release her debut self-titled album on 24th April, via via Hand Mirror – a label she founded with her partner, poet & live arts organiser, Kate Leah Hewett.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Harkin to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five songs that influenced her own writing techniques. Check out Harkin’s choices below, and scroll down to listen to her single ‘Dial It In’ at the end of this post.

 

1. Donna Summer – ‘State Of Independence’ (Extended Remix)
I’ve lived in London a couple of times, for Uni and then again around the time I started playing with Wild Beasts. I lived in a ground floor flat share with no living room and a galley kitchen, so we’d just hang out in each other’s bedrooms all the time. My flatmate had the 12” of this single and we’d put on the long b-side version and dance on her bed. That’s a feeling I come back again and again when I need to find some extra fuel for my fire.

2. Quack Quack – ‘Conversations’ (Live at The Brudenell Social Club) 
I feel so lucky to have grown up going to gigs at The Bru. Quack Quack were such an inspiration. Unquestionably virtuosic players, but it’s their passion that was so remarkable. Truly an alive live band.

3. Björk – ‘Crystalline’ (Jools Holland Live)
I feel the urge to listen to this song every winter as the cold creeps in. I saw one of the screenings she did of this album, it’s such a masterclass and was a real revelation for me as to how human electronic performances can be.

4. Ryuichi Sakamoto – ‘Forbidden Colours’ (Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence Soundtrack)
I discovered Sakamoto through a synthesiser compilation and there are a few different versions of this song, all wonderful. His melodies can inhabit so many different forms, it’s staggering.

5. David Axelrod – ‘The Mental Traveller’
I started recording my debut album in LA, and I listened to Axelrod a lot whilst driving around. I’d love to be able to sit in on one of those Capitol sessions from back in the day.

Thanks to Harkin for sharing her favourites with us. Follow her on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Tomm Roeschlein

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment