NEW TRACK: heka – ‘i’m the thorn’

A gentle blend of melancholic lyrics and evocative, ambient synth textures, Francesca Brierley aka heka has shared her latest single ‘i’m the thorn’. Taken from her upcoming EP, swan songs, which is set for release on 22nd September via Practise Music, the track is inspired by the Italian-born, London-based multi-disciplinary artist’s ruminations on a broken romance.

“’i’m the thorn’ meditates over the spoils of an unhealthy relationship,” heka explains. “It’s about love that doesn’t work and ends up hurting both. It’s about feeling liberated by putting an end to it and still sensing a bond with that person through the mutual wounds inflicted. It was conflicting to feel comforted by it and I wanted to express the dichotomy of that feeling.” Through her poetic words and considered instrumentation, heka explores these clashes of emotion, offering her listeners a moment of respite whilst doing so.

The opening line of the new single also references the title of heka’s upcoming EP swan songs – “I wait for your song to calm / I wait for your song / your swan song” – which is a collection of six affecting “butchered folk” tracks. It’s an intimate, warm exploration of the songwriter’s experiences of life, love, loss and nostalgia, all filtered through a classical-contemporary musical lens. heka moves through these states with impressive transience and grace, reflecting the growth and resilience that comes with processing these often complex emotions.

Listen to ‘i’m the thorn’ below.

Pre-save heka’s swang songs EP here

Follow heka on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Holly De Looze

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

 

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NEW TRACK: Big Joanie ft. Kim Deal – ‘Today’

Currently touring North America before a busy festival season in Europe, black feminist punks Big Joanie have shared a deluxe version of their track ‘Today’ featuring Kim Deal. Lifted from their 2022 album Back Home, which they released via iconic Riot Grrrl label Kill Rock Stars, the band were thrilled to have The Breeders frontwoman and Pixies bassist add her twist to their buoyant, lo-fi offering.

“Whether through Pixies, Breeders, or her solo work, Kim has been a vital influence on us as a band and we’re so happy that she’s become part of the Big Joanie world,” explains vocalist and guitarist Stephanie Phillips. “Originally this was a song we were working on years ago that Chardine was going to sing on. I found the old demo while we were on tour and started writing new lyrics to the music with my laptop balanced on my lap in the tour van. I really love that it sounds like a classic C86 type lo-fi indie song. We are immensely proud to announce our new version of ‘Today’ featuring Kim Deal.”

Having already played support slots with their musical heroes Bikini Kill, Skunk Anansie and Sleater-Kinney, this new collaboration is further proof that Big Joanie embody the raw, cooperative spirit of Riot Grrrl. The band are keeping the flame burning brightly for future generations of DIY feminist punks, and we look forward to celebrating with them at their London Back Home anniversary show at EartH in Hackney on 4th November. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘Today’ ft. Kim Deal below.

Big Joanie UK Live Dates 2023
07/10: Birmingham, UK @ The Crossing
03/11: Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall – Back Home Anniversary Show
04/11: London, UK @ EartH – Back Home Anniversary Show

Follow Big Joanie on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Maia Saavedra

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Wise Up – ‘House Cat’

A grungy, laid back ode to “nature’s most temperamental muse”, Dublin-based trio Wise Up have shared their latest single ‘House Cat’. Taken from the band’s debut EP, Soothe The Soul, which they released at the end of June, the track is described as “an anthem for all pet lovers and alt rockers who see themselves feeling like a house cat from time to time.”

Formed of Courtney from Canada on vocals and bass, Garry from Cork on guitar and vocals, with Juan from Venezuela joining on drums earlier this year, Wise Up have been jamming and recording tunes together since the beginning of 2022. Starting with the release of their debut single ‘Conjure The Feeling‘, the have steadily been sharing music over the past year, with the five tracks on Soothe The Soul being the culmination of their efforts over the past few months.

Citing Pixies, Pavement, Yard Act, Chastity Belt, Courtney Barnett and Big Thief as their main musical influences, Wise Up are motivated by the need to cut loose and enjoy the songs they’re performing, rather than agonising over being cool or counting the number of heads in the room. This energy shines through on latest single ‘House Cat’, which is a playful, melodic grunge tune celebrating introvert and extrovert qualities via the vessel of Courtney and Garry’s cat. The track is accompanied by a music video which follows the adventures of their feline companion Lucy, which the band filmed at Belfast Castle and gardens.

Watch the visuals for ‘House Cat’ below.

Follow Wise Up on Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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NEW TRACKS: AVR – ‘Confirm Humanity’ and ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’

Two tender, ambient musings on the complexities of human nature, multi-instrumentalist, producer and 4D pop artist AVR (formerly known as ANNAVR) has shared her new singles: ‘Confirm Humanity’ and ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’. The tracks are the first of three planed AA-side releases that are taken from AVR’s upcoming debut album, Salvation, which she will be sharing in October later this year.

On ‘Confirm Humanity’, AVR combines orchestral strings, dreamy electronics and the voices of a children’s choir alongside her own to explore a simple mantra: “How are we supposed to live with all the dark and doubt / inside of us / how can we let it out?” Her considered instrumentation and effortless blending of these human and digital elements reflects her belief that both can exist in harmony and enhance our connection with one another. The track acts as “a reminder to all of us, that in a more and more digitalised and fragmented world, we have the power to unite in our shared humanity and address the change we need to support the future of our planet and its inhabitants.”

Whilst ‘Confirm Humanity’ spans a wider, far-reaching concept, on her accompanying track ‘Nous Aimons on 80bpm’, AVR explores her more intimate thoughts. Described as “a love anthem for the ‘feeling everything all the time’ internet era, between lust and desperation, seeking for freedom but also for romance”, it’s a warm, sensual embrace. Both songs showcase the emotive, cinematic qualities of AVR’s sound, but on ‘Nous Aimons on 80bpm’ she revels in and celebrates her own vulnerabilities, mixing piano fragments from an unknown Debussy piece alongside high pop notes and glitchy 808 drum machine sounds to reflect the contradictions of romantic infatuation.

Following on from her previous EPs, Hallucination (2018) and Vibration (2019), AVR’s debut album Salvation will act as a bookend in this trilogy of her artistry. “I see myself in a tradition of artists who go all in for their artistic vision, owning the craft, with no compromises to playlist principles,” she explains about her process. “Everything I do is ultimately about freedom, and works musically in a landscape of references where Debussy, Rihanna and Bernini sculptures can freely collide.” We look forward to hearing more of her eclectic offerings later this year.

Listen to ‘Confirm Humanity’ here:

Listen to ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’ here:

Follow AVR on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Alex de Brabant

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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