LISTEN: Husk – ‘My Innocence’

Having previously treated our ears to uptempo pop gems ‘Heal With Time’ and ‘Below The Neck’, and having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson, BBC Radio Cymru’s Janice Long and Gaydio, Manchester based trans masc, non-binary artist HUSK has now shared a brand new single.

Propelled by glitchy, tribal beats and a fiery, vibrant groove, ‘My Innocence‘ oozes a swirling, empowering energy. With an uplifting passion, HUSK’s distinctive, sweeping vocals flow as a shimmering euphoric splendour glistens with every note. A fiesty pop banger, it’ll leave you feeling energised – ready to hit the dance floor with loved ones and unite in the celebration of queer love and diversity.

Of the track, HUSK reflects: “I just wanted to make a song that you could dance to about new exciting queer love.“

They have certainly succeeded in this with ‘My Innocence’! And at a time when it is more important than ever to spread the message of equal rights for all, and love and solidarity within the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. So, press play, turn it up and celebrate queer joy!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Introducing Interview: Eddie Packard

Following their debut single ‘Microplastics‘ back in 2018, South London based artist Eddie Packard released their latest offering ‘CGI‘ this spring. A electro-inspired pop-punk soundscape reflecting on how the fantasy world of video games is so much more appealing than mundane reality, it’s an uplifting slice of escapism flowing with a lilting emotion.

We caught up with Eddie to find out more about the track, their inspirations and the industry at the moment… Have a read!

Hi Eddie, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Eddie Packard and I’m an independent artist from South East London. I love writing songs, it’s my passion. Writing down lyrics onto paper (or more often a notepad application on my computer) really resonates with me in ways I can’t explain. 

What initially inspired you to start creating music?
It was May/June 2012 and I was listening to ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift while watching the music video. Something clicked in my preadolescent brain. All the instrumentation and songwriting really just ignited something within me. I then swiftly (haha, get it?) told my parents I would like a guitar. They were very impressed by my enthusiasm and so my mum and I went out to my local guitar shop and I was bought a lovely guitar. I then learnt a whole bunch of chords and I loved the way they sounded when put together. It wasn’t until a few years later though that I actually realised this is what I want to do as a career and started constructing songs.

You’ve recently released your vibrant single ‘CGI’ – can you tell us a bit about this? Is it focused on any particular themes?
‘CGI’ is a whimsical pop-rock song that is inspired by the concept of escapism which can be defined as “the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy...”  It really reminds me of the song I talked about earlier (‘Love Story’) thinking about it now, as they are both quite whimsical sounding and both have elements of escapism (‘Love Story’ was inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, my song ‘CGI’ is inspired by daydreaming and video games). I really wanted the listener to feel like they’re immersed in a different world when they are listening to the song, so I had this idea of implementing a lot of ambient atmospheric sounds, like rain for example, and I think it works really well.

We love your colourful alt-pop sounds, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
As you might have guessed – Miss Taylor Alison Swift is the main one! But also Katy Perry and Marina Diamandis. Katy Perry in particular is a huge inspiration to me – her hugely commercially successful album Teenage Dream really blew my mind when it came out. Songs like ‘Firework’ I remember singing at the top of my lungs while skiing down snowy Italian mountains on a school ski trip and really connecting with the message of the song. But also that ‘California Gurls’ music video! I honestly did not understand the appeal of a California girl… Daisy Dukes? Cool I guess? But the music video is one of my most favourite things in this world. The way she holds her hand out while singing “you could travel the world, but nothing comes close” really strikes a chord with me. Katy Perry had a very religious upbringing and I did as well going to Catholic schools nearly all my life. I always felt this horrible feeling of social exclusion and being left out. I remember leaving my catholic confirmation group and crying to one of my friends’ mother because I just felt so unwanted by my fellow peers. I feel connected to her in this way.

How do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
I would say that it is quite good at the moment due to the power of social media. I think the power dynamic between record label corporations and artists was a little one sided fifteen years ago and artists probably needed a record label. But now you have completely independent successful musicians who don’t care about signing a record contract. However, for me, I would love to sign a record deal – I’ve been dreaming of it for years now.

Has there been anything/anyone specific that has been inspiring you, or helping to motivate you, throughout these strange times? 
I’ve been looking inwards since graduating from school and have been realising that I have a lot of shame based around my own character. I’m not a very masculine guy and I’ve always felt so much pressure to not be feminine. I’ve realised that shame is blocking me from achieving my own happiness. There’s an American show called Queer Eye that has really been a source of happiness and comfort for me; seeing five LGBT guys who are all so confident and portrayed in a good light, and not negatively as a joke, has really helped with my confidence. 

Finally, what does the rest of 2021 have in store for Eddie Packard?
I want to keep releasing music and make a name for myself. I have big dreams and I’m not going to stop until I make them come true!

Massive thanks to Eddie for answering our questions! Watch the video for their single ‘CGI’ here:

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Introducing Interview: Nghtfall

Having spent the last few years garnering streams and fans for their emotion-strewn alt-pop offerings, Toronto based non-binary artist Bradley Milosevic-Hill, aka Nghtfall, has recently shared their heartfelt new single ‘I’ll Be Fine‘. Shimmering with a twinkling musicality and a soaring, anthemic splendour, Nghtfall wears their heart on their sleeve with this raw reflection on identity and being accepted for being your true self.

We caught up with Bradley to find out more…

Hi Bradley, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m an independent queer non-binary artist from Toronto that releases music under the name Nghtfall. 

What initially inspired you to start creating music?
I’ve loved music since a very early age and started writing songs in my head long before I knew I was going to become a musician. It’s really the only thing I’ve ever been this passionate about.

You’ve recently released your poignant new single as Nghtfall, ‘I’ll Be Fine’, can you tell us a bit about this? Is it focused on any particular themes? 
This song is about coming to terms with how people’s view of me has changed since I came out as non-binary. There’s a lot of my fears and anxieties in the lyrics. Especially the feeling that a lot of people’s love is temporary when you know one detail about you would change their view of you completely. I feel so free in being able to express this in my music now, because it’s something I’ve struggled with for a while.

We love your heartfelt, anthemic pop sounds, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
It ranges from modern artists like Nothing,Nowhere and Halsey to stuff I grew up with like Fall Out Boy. Though honestly I get inspiration from all kinds of music.

You’re based in Toronto – in ‘normal’ times, how is the music scene there? Is it a good place for an emerging musician?It’s definitely a great place to watch live music, but I wouldn’t say it’s a super good place for emerging artists. It’s so competitive and a lot of the live music in the city is dominated by established US artists that often play there as their only show in Canada for that tour. I don’t really think about the local scene when it comes to my own music that much, but it is a great place to go to shows.

How have you been connecting with your audience and other musicians during the pandemic?
Maybe it’s because everyone’s been inside but I feel like I’ve made more connections than ever through social media this year. I do a lot of remote collaborations even before the pandemic so this past year or so has almost been better for a lot of what I do in a weird way. Plus it’s given me more time to find ways to connect with new audiences online.

And has there been anything/anyone specific that has been inspiring you, or helping to motivate you, throughout these strange times? 
I’m a huge movie & tv nerd so I’m always getting inspired by that. I’ve gotten really into David Lynch’s movies over the pandemic & recently read his book on creativity. I just find him such an incredible and inspiring artist. Also, I bring her up all the time, but Savannah Brown is someone whose writing and poetry I am such a huge fan of and find super inspiring. I wish I could write as well as her!

How do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
It definitely is, and a lot of the conversations I have with other artists reflects that. However, there’s so many cool things you can do outside of “the industry” with social media to connect with an audience. You just have to be creative with it.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists that you’d recommend we check out?
There’s this local band Softcult that I discovered recently that makes super great music with a lot of feminist messages in it. I’ve had the chance to talk with them a bit on social media and they’re super nice too.

Finally, what does the rest of 2021 have in store for Nghtfall?
I’m going to be releasing regularly till at least the end of the year, so just expect a lot more music!

Massive thanks to Bradley for answering our questions!

Listen to Nghtfall’s latest single ‘I’ll Be Fine’ here:

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WATCH: Meggie Brown – ‘Dusty Smells’

Having already been championed by the likes of Alex Kapranos, and The Guardian – who named them as ‘One To Watch’ at the beginning of 2020 -, North London-based artist Meggie Brown has now shared the first song taken from their upcoming new EP.

‘Dusty Smells’ is an anthem for anyone wrangling with their identity or trying to find their place in the world. Brown’s delivery is pure poetry, almost like spoken word, as they share a nostalgic take on identity. The lyrics transport us to a trashy old working men’s club, somewhere in suburbia, which allows us to reflect on who we are. It’s proper storytelling, amplified by super-sleazy guitars, primal drums and a trippy, art-rock outro that celebrates little nuggets of our collective memories – like skin on custard and getting all dolled up to show that you’re a fully functioning adult.

There’s such originality here; Brown’s vocals and lyrics sparkle, and the music feels fresh and exciting. When Brown sings “Why do I bother?” it feels like a revelation – something to liberate and inspire anyone who’s ever struggled to fit in.

Of the track, Brown – who recently came out as transgender – explains:

“Coming to terms with one’s gender identity has been both beautiful and challenging during this lockdown. When I wrote and recorded ‘Dusty Smells’ and the EP I wanted them to match through sound how non-binary those emotions and realisations were… True to the circumstance, Dusty smells is very nostalgic trying to connect the old ways with the new, the feeling of home, the smells and associations whilst trying to understand our place as young adults, why do we bother?“

‘Dusty Smells’ is accompanied by an immersive, artfully created, video, directed by Myfi Mountfordand produced by Creature Fleur. Watch it here:

HOME, the upcoming EP from Meggie Brown, is set for release later this year.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

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