WATCH: Charlotte Carpenter – ‘You’re My Reason Why’

To celebrate the release of her new album A Modern Rage, East Midlands singer-songwriter Charlotte Carpenter’s latest single ‘You’re My Reason Why‘ is accompanied by a cinematic video telling a dystopian gay love story. Charlotte Carpenter has previously released a string of successful EPs, which have garnered attention from tastemakers such as The Line of Best Fit, through to rock bible Classic Rock, and has received airplay from the likes of BBC 6Music, BBC Radio 2 and Virgin Radio.

‘You’re My Reason Why’ is a beam of light amongst a collection of darker-edged songs on the album. It has a sad, yet resolute, feeling, evidenced in the slow piano keys at the start – “Even if the world will fall apart, I’ll still be here falling down for you”. A burst of guitar builds towards the emotional chorus, as the uplifting message that love will sustain any disaster oozes through the shimmering musicality. Reflecting on Carpenter’s fond memories of spending time with her wife in a rural cottage during lockdown, it offers a heartfelt twinkling emotion and stirring grace.

Full of references to older technology, and harking back to a more innocent time – whilst exuding a subtle sense of foreboding – the video offers the perfect accompaniment to this comforting yet poignant ballad. If you require an “end of the world love letter to your other half”, this song is the one. 

Of the meaning behind the track, Carpenter explains:

“I can honestly say, they were some of my favourite times together. It put so much into perspective for me. I had stripped away all of those routines and expectations, and I found what I truly valued in life, which is love and time.”


A Modern Rage, the new album from Charlotte Carpenter, is out now.

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

Photo Credit: Fraser West

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ALBUM: REWS – ‘Meridians’

A raucous ode to persevering in the face of adversity and making yourself stronger in the process, Northern Irish songwriter Shauna Tohill aka REWS has created a gritty lament to hard-earned resilience on her latest album, Meridians. An empowering blend of heavy riffs, defiant vocals and pop-rock melodies, Tohill effortlessly delivers her assertive, cathartic energy across each of the album’s eleven tracks.

The follow up to 2020’s full length record Warriors, the independently released Meridians rings out with REWS’ trademark passion, mettle and charisma. A reflection on her experiences as a woman in the music industry, the pitfalls along the way and the strong mindset that’s born from carving out your own path, Tohill’s songs chime with a complimentary mix of relatable strife and carefree infectious attitude.

Kicking the album off with the driving beats and grinding riffs of ‘The World That You Left Behind’ and ‘Pretty Face’, Tohill asserts herself with two riotous statements of self autonomy. This is something which permeates Meridians. The album’s title alludes to both “a circle of constant longitude passing through a given place on the earth’s surface” and a practice in acupuncture referring to the “set of pathways in the body along which vital energy is said to flow”. Tohill has evidently been mindful of this, as Meridians flows with her vibrant, tenacious spirit.

This is best observed on cathartic anthems ‘Breathe Into Me’, ‘Not Your Soldier’ and ‘Lock Your Horns’, on which she overcomes feelings of exhaustion, burnout and indecision and transforms them into brooding pop-rock melodies. The songwriter’s vocals are the lifeblood of the album, her voice as commanding in its quieter moments as it is at full volume, highlighted at several points on the record. Tracks like ‘Misery’ and ‘Tears Of A Lion’ fluctuate between vulnerable lyrics in verses and powerful riff-heavy choruses, which makes for invigorating listening. The aptly named ‘On My Back (Giant’s Roar)’ sees Tohill flex her vocal range superbly, and will no doubt be a highlight when heard in a live setting.

Fuelled by the desire to liberate herself and encourage listeners to reject the expectations of others in order to live an authentic life, Meridians marks a new era of independence for REWS. Tohill has always provided her fans with with hefty riffs and chant-worthy choruses on her previous records, and the anthems on Meridians flow in that same vital vein.

Buy your copy of REWS’ new album Meridians here

Follow REWS on Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

REWS UK Tour Dates 2023
Wed 25th Oct: The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
Thurs 26th Oct: Bear Cave, Bournemouth
Fri 27th Oct: West End Centre, Aldershot
Sat 28th Oct: The Exchange, Bristol
Sun 29th Oct: Bodega, Nottingham
Mon 30th Oct: The Grace, London
Tues 31st Oct: Deaf Institute, Manchester

Wed 1st Nov: Zerox, Newcastle
Thurs 2nd Nov: Classic Grand, Glasgow
Fri 3rd Nov: Key Club, Leeds
Sat 4th Nov: The Live Rooms, Chester
Sun 5th Nov: The Asylum 2, Birmingham

Photo Credit: Shona Cutt

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Introducing Interview: Small Crush

Having just released their second album, Bay Area band Small Crush create their own distinct brand of dreamy surf-pop with a shimmering energy and whimsical nostalgic charm. With lilting scuzzy vibes and the luscious honey-sweet vocals of front person Logan Hammon, each track perfectly balances vulnerable a raw emotion with blissful, carefree vibes and glistening allure.

We caught up with Logan to find out more about the album – have a read, and make sure you check out Penelope now!

Hi Small Crush! Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you initially got together to start creating music? 
Hello Get in Her Ears! Logan here, We are an indie rock group from the SF East Bay Area! I’ve always written songs ever since I was little and always admired my dad for playing music. In high school, I joined up with Jackson, our guitar player, and started working on my songs more. We met our current drummer, Allen, and bassist, Joey, through mutual friends and the love of music. 

I really love your luscious scuzzy energy and uplifting surf-pop vibes, but who would you consider to be your main musical influences?
Some of my favourites are Cub, The Cardigans, and Joni Mitchell. I love looking up to other female musicians. It always inspires me to keep going. Cub has a great rock-pop vibe. The Cardigans are so dreamy and sweet, and Joni’s songwriting is unmatched. 

You’ve recently released a new re-imagining of an older song, ‘Rumblin Tummy’ – what made you decide to do this, and how does this differ from the original, ‘Tummy Rumblin’? 
When we played this song live we always felt an urge to speed it up and make it more dancey. We played it so many times this way, it just felt right to record a version that the crowd enjoyed as much as we did playing it. I like re-imagining songs because it allows them to transform in ways we didn’t think of initially. 

And you’ve recently released your second album Penelope,  which is very exciting – congratulations! Are you able to tell us a bit about it? Are there any particular themes running throughout it? 
Penelope is kind of my “saying goodbye to childhood” record. I chose the name because when I was little I named a lot of things Penelope. Stuffies, a chicken, a songbird, and a frog – pretty much anything I could! It felt right to name the album something I resonated a lot with when I was little. Most of the songs are about wishing for a simpler time and reminiscing on old memories. 

What was the recording process for album like? And how did it differ from your 2019 debut? 
We set some time on District Recording’s schedule for a week and basically worked day and night getting it done. We even slept over a few times in the studio for an album slumber party. We then just edited things here and there in the weeks after. It was pretty similar to our first record, but I’d say we had more self-confidence and drive to get it done. 

Being based in California, how would you say this influences you as a band? Would you say it’s a good place to be involved in music? 
Living in the Bay I have felt so lucky to be surrounded by so much good music and different influences. I’ve grown up here my whole life and it’s definitely had a huge impact on my music. I like to mix a lot of genres and ideas to form Small Crush’s sound as a whole, and I think living up north versus LA gives us a little more breathing room to grow. 

You’re setting off on tour with Jeff Rosenstock later this year, which sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun! When out on tour, are there any particular essentials that you like to take with you to keep you going when away from home?
My #1 tour essential is my coffee pour-over set up – I seriously can’t function without it! Also, noise-canceling headphones for our long van rides and small sleeping quarters. A few good books are great for when you get tired of staring at your phone too long. 

How do you feel the industry is for new artists at the moment? And do you feel much has changed over the last few years in its treatment of female/gender non-conforming and queer artists? 
Through the power of the internet I feel a lot of new artists have a lot of control in taking their art into their own hands. It’s great that through promoting yourself you can find the best audience for you and your music. Before IG and TikTok, you had to have a lot of outside help to promote and find shows. Now, we have the power to plan our own gigs and find our own connections along the way. I feel like there has been some change in regards to female/gnc/queer artists, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. 

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
I’m currently loving Similar Kind, Strawberry Launch, and Chokecherry!! 

Finally, as well as the tour, what does the rest of 2023 have in store for you? 
Mostly getting ready for the tour and working on some new stuff for 2024!

Massive thanks to Logan from Small Crush for answering our questions!


Penelope, the latest album from Small Crush, is out now via Asian Man Records. Order here.

Photo Credit: Trinity Gardener

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NEW TRACK: Dermabrasion – ‘Halberdier’

An ominous cacophony of industrial-tinged post punk, Toronto-based duo Dermabrasion have shared their latest single ‘Halberdier’. Taken from their upcoming debut album, Pain Behaviour, which is set for release on 26th January 2024 via Hand Drawn Dracula, the track is a heavy, brooding gothic anthem that rumbles with discontent.

Formed of Adam Bernhardt and Kat McGouran, Dermabrasion bonded over a shared fascination with punk music, the occult and the corporeal form. They released their debut EP, Luminate, back in 2021, but now the pair are gearing up to share their first full length record. Inspired by Roman Catholicism, LaVeyan Satanism, genre fiction and how these elements affect their outlook on their sense of power, shame and duty; Dermabrasion’s Pain Behaviour is a formidable concoction of post-punk, industrial and metal influences, culminating in a sound they’ve coined as “death rock and roll.”

Produced by Josh Korody (Fucked Up, Nailbiter, Breeze, Beliefs, Vallens), Pain Behaviour looks set to be a compelling listen, with first single ‘Halberdier’ offering a potent introduction to the record. Borrowing its title from a guard who wielded an ancient form of weaponry (the halberd), through their heavy hooks and gloomy vocals, Dermabrasion command the authoritative energy of a Halberdier, immersing their listeners in a shadowy, abrasive ether of noise.

The track is accompanied by a video, formed of a series of clips captured by members of the crowd at a Dermabrasion show in Toronto’s east end during the summer. It captures the gritty, grimy energy of the underground scene the band have cut their teeth playing live on over the years.

Listen to ‘Halberdier’ below.

Pre-order Dermabrasion’s debut album Pain Behaviour here

Follow Dermabrasion on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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