Track Of The Day: Berries – ‘Sprial’

2022 has been a big year for BERRIES. With their fiery yet honest take on grunge, alt, and rock ‘n roll, the London-based trio have staked their claim in the country’s live scene, as well as receiving international acclaim supporting bands such as The Subways. Much to the pleasure of seasoned fans of distortion, as well as newly of-age gig rats still enthralled to legally order a pint.

Such widespread appreciation is a direct result of the youthful yet mature energy BERRIES brings to their music. A type of energy that comes fully to form through their lauded debut album How We Function. Now, in the midst of an exciting series of tour dates that will continue well into 2023, BERRIES have shared a new single from the LP, ‘Spiral‘.

Coming in as hot as it does intriguing with an ensnaring syncopated riff, ‘Spiral’ bounces between various band-driven calls and responses. Switching back and forth between 6/8 and 4/4 with jazz-era precision, the song feels frenetic but also contained for when the bridge comes in and provides the reminder that everyone’s gone through a spiral of their own. Of the track, vocalist Holly explains:

“‘Spiral’ is about how easily we share insignificant details about ourselves but struggle to open up about serious matters through fear of seeming weak or vulnerable. And how what we do share with people is often for the satisfaction and approval of others and not for ourselves.”

Another uplifting anthem oozing all the trademark scuzzy allure and whirring charm that we’ve come to know and love from BERRIES.

https://open.spotify.com/track/5uQQnQOBB9iffWPaZSpKxh?si=97e63857e8154112

How We Function, the debut album from BERRIES, is out now via Xtra Mile Recordings.

Harry Levin
@harrywlevin

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Premiere: Tiger Mimic – ‘Everything You’ve Ever Wanted’

After a little bit of a hiatus to recoup and re-energise, John Kennedy acclaimed Tiger Mimic have returned to blast into our ears with a brand new single.

Reflecting on the worldwide challenges that women, minorities and the LGBTQ+ community have faced this year, ‘Everything You’ve Ever Wanted’ is an empowering ode to persevering through dark times. Propelled by the band’s trademark whirring scuzz and fierce, gritty energy, it showcases the rich, soaring vocals of front woman Jess as it builds with a sweeping majestic allure. Oozing a swirling impassioned splendour and haunting grace, it’s a fizzing slice of soaring alt-rock proving Tiger Mimic’s worth as creators of powerfully poignant anthems. Of the track, the band explain:

“The lyrics ask ‘Everything you’ve ever wanted, now you’ve got it, what’s the point?’, wondering aloud what drives the heartless people who work so hard to oppress, vilify, control, and harm innocent communities that just want to be allowed to live their lives. While the lyrics are grim, it’s ultimately a song about hope, how despite everything happening below, the stars go on shimmering above, lighting our way through the darkness.“

Listen, for the first time, here:

‘Everything You’ve Ever Wanted’ is set for release this Friday, 9th December.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Robert Alleyne

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Get In Her Ears Live @ Shacklewell Arms w/ Currls, 01.12.22

Following our lovely November gig at Sebright Arms with Breakup Haircut, our first December instalment of GIHE live saw us return to the Shacklewell Arms for a night filled with the best music, best people and best vibes to host Currls‘ EP launch. Massive thanks to Currls, Collars and Hypsoline, and to everyone who came down to support the bands and help us raise money for completely vital organisation, The Outside Project.

First up, Brighton’s Hypsoline kick off the night with all the fuzzy, sparkling allure you could ever desire. Having only previously heard one song of theirs (the immensely catchy ‘Space Babe’), it was a joy to witness more of their twinkling, swirling energy and scuzzy charm. Definite ones to watch!


Second band of the night, Cambridgeshire’s Collars put on an utterly unique live experience. As Kane simultaneously pummels the drums whilst blasting out whirring hooks on guitar, Dan exudes a captivating charisma as the soaring power of their vocals fills the venue, immersing everyone in the duo’s fierce, dazzling energy. New favourites for sure!


Closing the night, it’s an honour to host the London leg of Currls‘ debut EP launch – having them return to play for us after hosting their first London headline show back in November last year feels pretty special. And it seems their sweeping, empowering brand of garage rock has reached new heights since we last saw them; propelled by Han’s immense beats, and the buoyant energy of a jaunty new bassist, front woman Holly delivers her soulful vocals with an effortless grace and gritty power. As the crowd sing and bounce along to each enlivening offering (including a couple of unique takes on classics by Girls Aloud and The Bangles), Currls prove their worth as a compelling band on the rise.

Massive thanks to the three bands who played for us on Thursday and to everyone who came out to support them and us! We’re not staying away for long this time… We’ll be back next Friday 9th December at Shacklewell Arms for an epic night with Bad Sidekick, Alien Chicks and Cosmic Ninja – tickets on Dice now!

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Don Blandford / @snapperchap.don

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Track Of The Day: Jen Cloher – ‘Mana Takatāpui’

How am I so late to the Jen Cloher party?! An integral part of the Melbourne indie scene that also gave us Courtney Barnett, Cloher is a long-established and hugely respected songwriter and performer. And, when you listen to ‘Mana Takatāpui’, taken from their first album in five years, it’s not hard to see why. It’s dazzling. A masterclass in songwriting, ‘Mana Takatāpui‘ celebrates the indigenous Polynesian people of Aotearoa, New Zealand and the Māori, LGBTQ+ community. It’s also an important reflection on finding yourself and the concept of ‘home’. 

Cloher’s warm honeyed vocal, reminiscent of early Cat Power, is so soothing and spiritual that it makes your heart swell. And, while their lyrics are both personal and political, they are delivered with such love and pride that the song never feels heavy. From the opening harmonies to the upbeat affirmations that come later, it’s joyous. This is music to bathe yourself in.

Of the meaning behind the track, Cloher explains:

“I’m no expert but I’m guessing Māori pre-colonisation didn’t hold the same beliefs around gender and sexuality as Queen Victoria’s England. I’ve read that our men were hands on dedicated fathers and some of our best midwives; that our women fought side by side on the battlefield and that our wāhine atua (female gods) held as much mana (power and respect) as our tāne atua. Christianity came hand in hand with colonisation; their missionaries introducing the concepts of body shame, sexual repression, a woman’s menstrual cycle as impure, homosexuality as a perversion and gender as binary.“

Watch the poignant new video for Mana Takatāpui here:


Cloher’s upcoming new album, I Am The River, The River Is Me, is set for release on 3rd March 2023 via Milk! Records/Marathon Artists.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

Photo Credit: Marcelle Bradbeer

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