WATCH: Ritual Forms – ‘Down’

A brooding, atmospheric soundscape that explores the way our moods fluctuate during uncertain times, Ritual Forms have shared their latest single ‘Down’. Lifted from their upcoming debut album, Nighttime Economy, which is set for release on 2nd March, the London-based trio’s new offering is another captivating blend of hypnotic loops, steady beats and intoxicating vocals.

Formed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, good friends Anna Marcella, Curtis Elvidge and Joe Cross decided to combine their distinctive musical backgrounds into a new project. Under the moniker of Ritual Forms, the trio wanted to remove all of their self-imposed constraints and rediscover themselves in an a new and uninhibited creative process. This culminated in their debut single ‘Dreaming‘, which seamlessly shifts between the lighter and darker shades of human emotion, and the band’s latest offering ‘Down’ flows in a similar shadowy vein.

“’Down’ was planted in retro territory when Curtis created a warped 90’s hip-hop sample, which in turn inspired me to create impactful lyrics and groove melodies around a unique song structure,” vocalist Anna explains about the track. “The lyrical backdrop here is both personal and politically charged, but we wanted to layer sounds and textures to bring a sullen and dreamy vibe that represents both the anxious undertones many of us are feeling, along with the flow and relief of moving forward.”

Ritual Forms will be playing a FREE show at Hoxton Underbelly on Wednesday 25th January in order to celebrate the release of their new single.

‘Down’ is accompanied by a cinematic monochrome video which you can watch below.

Follow Ritual Forms on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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New Track: Death Valley Girls – ‘Sunday’

Having been big fans of LA’s Death Valley Girls for a few years now, I’m super excited to hear that they will be announcing their new album at the end of next month. Our second taster from the upcoming release (following 2021’s ‘It’s All Really Kind Of Amazing’) comes in the form of truly dreamy new single, ‘Sunday‘.

Oozing a glistening, ethereal splendour, ‘Sunday’ offers a sweeping slice of anthemic, soul-strewn psych-rock. Building with a fizzing energy, it harks back to the psychedelic sounds of the ’70s California scene, whilst showcasing the bands’ ability to create something that is utterly unique. Reflecting on the process of addressing your pain and being honest with yourself, it’s a beautifully immersive trip into the cosmic world of Death Valley Girls; stepping away from some of their previous scuzz-filled post-punk offerings, but no less stirring. So, bathe in ‘Sunday’s blissful haze as Bonnie Bloomgarden’s distinctive impassioned vocals ripple throughout this uplifting shimmering soundscape.

Of the track, Bloomgarden expands:

“Recently I realized I have been numbing, medicating, intellectualizing, and avoiding my pain and feelings for most of my life. Over the past few years I learned you have to feel and move through your feelings or they get stuck, and then you become a vessel or container for all the feelings you are trying to avoid! If you acknowledge, feel, and process them, you get to release and move them out of you! This song is to honor that process! Feel your feelings, be so sad you wanna cry forever, and then move on, you gotta keep moving!”

‘Sunday’ is accompanied by a wonderfully trippy, animated, Alice-In-Wonderland-inspired video, directed by Arturo Baston. Watch here:

Islands In The Sky, the upcoming new album from Death Valley Girls, is set for release on 24th February via Suicide Squeeze Records – pre-order here. And catch Death Valley Girls live when they’re over in the UK next month – more info here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Neto Velasco

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New Track: girl with dream – ‘HRT’ (Heart Replacement Theory)

A creator of dreamy, bittersweet “songs to make or break your heart,” Montreal-based artist Chris Lawson aka girl with dream has shared her debut single ‘HRT’ (Heart Replacement Theory). Full of hazy riffs, gentle beats and Lawson’s smooth vocals, the track is a warm reflection on the transgender songwriter’s own experiences of transitioning, as well as an anthem for others, urging them to embrace and celebrate their own identities.

Playing as a bassist in indie-rock band Dresser and many other musical outfits gave Lawson the skills and experience they needed to begin making their solo offerings. Working alongside drummer Rhys Climenhage, Lawson crafts vulnerable, yet buoyant indie-folk sounds under her girl with dream moniker, with ‘HRT’ being the first of many lullaby-esque tunes to come from the new artist.

girl with dream has developed from a private outlet for Lawson to explore her own inner thoughts, into a platform that is connecting communities and sharing the joy of queer and trans stories. Lawson’s music centers around “the sacred power found in embracing yourself and participating in an act of healing, guided by self love and harnessing agency.”

Speaking about her debut single ‘HRT (Heart Replacement Theory), Lawson explains: “This song is as much a celebration of transitioning, an anthem for those who are set free by taking that step for themselves, as it is for everyone facing the struggle to connect with others and to show them who we really are and how we really feel – even when that casts us into vulnerability.”

Listen to ‘HRT’ (Heart Replacement Theory) below.

 

Follow girl with dream on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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First Timers Fest Returns For 2023!

We’re big fans of First Timers here at Get In Her Ears, so we’re thrilled to share the details of their upcoming gigs and workshops for 2023’s edition of the DIY festival!

All information and links to tickets can be found below.

Background Info

First Timers Fest are a London-based DIY community of musicians and activists who believe that having access to creating & playing music should not be a privilege, it should be a joyful and social experience that empowers everyone.

They encourage people from all walks of life – particularly those who identify as non-binary, LGBTQ+, disabled or female – to attend their workshops and gigs in order to experience and create music in a non-judgemental, low pressure environment. They aim to build people’s confidence, as well as forming a community of like-minded individuals who feel empowered to tackle the lack of diversity in larger music industry spheres.

Some of the bands who formed at First Timers and went on to release records and perform bigger shows include Big Joanie, Breakup Haircut, Bitch Hunt and Charmpit!

How To Sign Up For First Timer’s Fest 2023

First Timers is a two day festival where every band on the bill plays its first ever show! This years festival will take place on 28th May at The Victoria in Dalston.

The deadline to sign up to play is Sunday the 1st of March 2023. Sign up as an individual if you don’t yet have a band, or even if you’re just interested! You’ll be contacted closer to the time for further details.

Click here to sign up to play the festival!

IMPORTANT: To play in the fest, you need to be able to say yes to BOTH of these two statements:

1. One or more band members have never been in a band before OR one or more members has never performed that role in a band before (e.g if a drummer is having a go at vocals)

2. One or more band members belongs to one or more of these identity groups; a person of colour, a woman, LGBTQIA+, Jewish, people from Gypsy, traveller or Roma background, disabled- including non-visible, chronic health conditions and neurodiversity, working class, refugees and asylum seekers. (these identity groups aren’t exhaustive, let us know if we’ve missed any out)

Fundraiser Gig – 12th Feb, The Cavendish Arms

The team have organised a showcase featuring some of the bands that have formed at previous First Timers festivals and to raise some much needed funds!

The gig will take place on Sunday 12th February at The Cavendish Arms (SW8 2HJ). SKSIE, Melhole, Bulkwash and Gross Misconduct will all be performing. Tickets are £5.

Buy your ticket here!

First Timers Workshops – Feb-May 2023

If you’re keen to try out an instrument for the first time in a low pressure environment, then definitely consider attending one of the First Timers workshops listed on the poster below. We’ve attended them ourselves before, so we promise they’re fun and everyone is incredibly friendly!

This years workshops run from 19th Feb up until 7th May.

There are individual events on Facebook for each workshop that you can RSVP to by visiting the First Timers page here.

Individual workshops cost £5, however, the team don’t want anyone to feel excluded because of finances. Email dsflfirsttimers@gmail.com for information about concessions.

(FYI: the Stage Presence Wworkshop takes place on 16th April, not the 2nd!)

Follow First Timers Fest on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram to keep up to date!

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

 

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