WATCH: Haiku Salut – ‘The More And Moreness’

Derbyshire instrumental trio Haiku Salut have been wowing us with their unique and evocative sounds for a while now. Following debut album Tricolore and its critically acclaimed follow up Etch And Etch Deep, they’ve now announced their politically charged third new release There Is No Elsewhere. Of the album the band explain:

“It is an album about occupying your space, being proud of what you believe in and who you are.. It’s about making small life changes, making better decisions, writing better songs, having better conversations, knowing that these can lay foundations for change. It’s about finding who you are and not being dictated to about what you should be. It’s about celebrating others. It’s about making changes for a better future.”

Taken from the album, new single ‘The More And Moreness’ is a simply beautiful offering. A delightful shimmering soundscape, it flows with whirring hooks and glitchy beats, interweaving intricate layers of twinkling musicality to create something stirring and gloriously cinematic.

Watch the deeply touching new video for ‘The More And Moreness’ here:

There Is No Elsewhere, the new album, is out on 7th September via PRAH Recordings. Catch Haiku Salut live at Indietracks Festival this Sunday, 29th July. And at the following dates:

4th August – Once Upon A Hill Festival
10th August – Centre For Life, Newcastle
27th August – Greenbelt Festival

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

 

Track Of The Day: Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something – ‘Heaven On A Plate’

Following the release of their debut EP Someone Else To Blame last year, and having just wowed us at Get In Her Ears live at The Finsbury, Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something are back with a dreamy new single. The first time that the band has truly written in a collaborative way, ‘Heaven On A Plate’ was simply jammed out in practice about three times and the results seemed too perfect to interfere with. 

A bittersweet ode to putting up with situations and people whilst maintaining a facade of grim determination, ‘Heaven On A Plate’ is a soaring slice of glitzy psych-rock. As Jemma’s sweeping vocals flow with an hypnotic majesty, eerie hooks underpin catchy melodies, taking your ears on a spacey sonic journey. With their vibrant charisma and immense guitar-playing skills, JFATC have once again created something truly captivating. 

Of the inspiration behind the track, Jemma explains:

I was inspired by the multi dimensional nature of the world’s evoked within science fiction novels (of which I am big fan) and the idea of hiding your true feelings when you are in certain scenarios or spaces. It’s also about mental illness and the distractions you can use as subterfuge to throw people off and avoid confrontation.

Filmed with ‘cosmic’ film-maker Taylan Mutaf, the accompanying video was inspired by the surreal performances on ’70s shows such as The Old Grey Whistle Test, and is a wonderfully trippy, kaleidoscopic work of art. 

Mutaf wrote some words about the filming of the video (whilst he was at sea on an unpowered boat exploring old trade routes!):

Jemma and myself had a chance to collaborate last year at a live performance of them at a small venue in our neighbourhood. We used 9:16 format and used multiple screens which made the video look like a kaleidoscope… When Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something was planning their next single release Jemma got in touch and told me about their idea for a new performance video for ‘Heaven On A Plate’. They had the idea of the studio, cosmic portraits and the footage from artist Lucietta Williams who created their own digital pin-hole camera… I  combined these ideas with a crystal lens, over layered images, and gelling everything together by filming the final edit with a very dusty high 8 camera that we found in Cosmic bassist Mark’s studio. I felt like a carpenter who works with a beautiful block of wood with the great tools that was given to me. I treated it step by step and I am so proud of the final product. ‘Heaven On A Plate’ was a great collaboration to be a part of and I really feel lucky to work with Jemma Freeman.”

Watch the epic, other-worldly video for ‘Heaven On A Plate’ now:

Catch Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something live this Wednesday, 25th July, at The Five Bells in New Cross, with fellow GIHE faves Scrounge!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Suzi Corker

WATCH: Macon Heights – ‘The Line’

Formed just this year, Scottish duo Macon Heights are already making quite an impression with their unique style of dystopian electronica.

Flowing with whirring electro hooks and immense, soaring vocals, new single ‘The Line’ is filled with an ’80s inspired, synth-filled scuzz. Accompanied by a video that incorporates elements of the lyrics – including feelings of isolation, displacement and being pushed to the edge – it’s an innovative sonic delight.

Produced in collaboration with Gregor Fergie and make-up artist Erin Culley, watch the vibrant new video for ‘The Line’ here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

WATCH: Low – ‘Quorum’ / ‘Dancing and Blood’ / ‘Fly’

Marking the 25th year of their career, in September, Low release Double Negative, their bravest and most experimental album to date.

Ahead of the release of the album, the band have shared a a triptych video for the opening three songs, ‘Quorum’, ‘Dancing and Blood’ and ‘Fly’. A trippy amalgamation of eerily captivating footage, it’s a poignant and subtly disturbing watch, charting memories of life and near death. Oozing a truly beguiling, majestic power, this first taste of the new album signals quite a step away from the band’s previous offerings, but something that’s no less beautiful in its dark, spine-tingling splendour. A haunting, thought-provoking work of art introducing’s Low’s most empowering work so far. 

Watch the video for ‘Quorum’, ‘Dancing and Blood’ and ‘Fly’ here:

Or watch all three videos separately:

‘Quorum’ [link here]
Directed & edited by Ben Chisholm
Filmed by Karlos Rene Ayala

‘Dancing and Blood’ [link here]
Directed, filmed & edited by
Karlos Rene Ayala

‘Fly’ [link here]
Directed by Mark Pellington
Edited by Jen Kennedy

Produced by B.J. Burton (Bon Iver, Lizzo), Double Negative is out 14th September. Catch Low live:

19th June – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
20th June – Queen Elizabeth Hall, London (for Robert Smith’s Meltdown Festival)

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Shelly Mosman