Guest Playlist: Temples Of Youth

Covid 19 and the necessary restrictions surrounding it have brought about a number of cancellations of music events, including what would have been Get In Her Ears’ very first festival. It would have taken place on Saturday, 18th July, and was set to be a pretty special day, filled with some of our favourite female and non binary artists. Fingers crossed we can finally make it happen next year.

One of the bands set to play was total faves Temples Of Youth. Captivating us with their hypnotic, musically rich neo-pop and majestic, emotion-strewn splendour, the Winchester duo have charmed us live at The Finsbury more than once and we were very much looking forward to hosting them again.

In the absence of our festival, and any gigs, at the moment, Jo from the band has put together a playlist of songs that have shaped her songwriting, and written a few words about the inspirations behind Temples Of Youth. Have a read, and listen, below!

Inspiration…

As I sit to write this a few days after my 30th birthday, I can’t quite get my head around the fact that Temples of Youth is already five years old. I don’t know where that time has gone – it’s the longest relationship I’ve ever had.

So often in life, we are reaching for the next achievement, trying to make each one bigger and better than the last. I find this is so prevalent in the music industry, with something you worked so hard on becoming “irrelevant” so quickly. It’s a tough place to be – overcrowded, competitive and at times, disheartening. It is important to take a step back, and to reflect on what you have already achieved, and take note of its value.

Paul and I came together with a shared interest in starting something new, and whilst our influences have grown and changed, our ethic has stayed the same. We write for us, we play for us, and we hope that people will find something to connect with.  Paul is very driven by sound and the feel of a track, where as I find myself drawn to the lyrics and the vocal melody – so we make a good team.

Our inspirations are hard to pinpoint – from ’80s dream-pop, to grungier sounds and modern US indie bands, plus art and film soundtracks. To give you an idea, we’ve curated a playlist of some of the tracks that have shaped the way we write, and we hope you enjoy listening to it.

We’re currently working on recording our third EP remotely, and I think it’s the best thing we’ve done so far. We always hope these things won’t be released to ‘disappear’; forgetting that they can’t.

Listen to Temples Of Youth’s playlist below, and also make sure you check out their spellbinding latest single ‘Silver Cross‘ now. 

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WATCH: Maria-M – ‘Endtimes’

Having previously captivated us as front person of ambient alt-pop outfit Grawl!x at the last gig we put on at The Finsbury, Maria-M has now shared their first solo offering.

A song of hope during this uncertain period, ‘Endtimes’ flows with glitchy hooks and swirling atmospherics, creating a euphoric, cinematic soundscape, propelled by the captivating majesty of Maria’s soaring vocals. Oozing a twinkling musicality and effervescent charm along with uplifting ’80s-infused vibes, it’s a perfectly uplifting offering, tugging at the heartstrings with a poignant, stirring emotion.

‘Endtimes’ is accompanied by a beautifully hand-crafted video, reflecting on the feelings of isolation that come with lockdown, but with an overriding sense of hope and unity within the LGBTQ+ community. Depicting a transgender couple communicating whilst separated during the pandemic, it’s a heartfelt and moving visual accompaniment to the track.

Of the song and video, Maria expands:

“… it’s a song of hope, reminding myself mostly that though things can seem a little overwhelming these days, things are hopefully getting better (particularly for marginalised groups) & that while there are doomsdayers, the naysayers; there are also brave wonderful folks who are fighting to make people’s lives better… I decided it would be nice to convey this through a trans couple Yvonne & Chloe, who have been separated because of the pandemic but are there for each other with love & here’s hoping – I chose to use text-to-speech voices cos I thought it sounded cool!

Watch the video for ‘Endtimes’ here:

‘Endtimes’ is out now via Year Of Glad, a Derby based collective specialising in outsider music, art and writing. The track features a garage influenced remix by label mate Tom John Hall, and a stunning nine minute ambient B side, and all funds will be donated to the charity Derbyshire LGBT+. Download/buy on Bandcamp now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Laura Mi

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LISTEN: Husk – ‘Heal With Time’

Having caught our attention with their last uptempo pop gem ‘Below The Neck’, trans non-binary artist HUSK has now shared their new single ‘Heal With Time’.

Following Pride month, and the need to celebrate/protest in different, more distanced ways from usual, ”Heal With Time’ oozes a celebratory sound juxtaposed with a poignant, reflective lyricism: “Some things never heal with time” referencing the heartbreak of a damaged love affair.

Propelled by ’80s-inspired glistening hooks and synth-soaked uplifting summer vibes, it’s a vibrant, danceable anthem, shimmering with a sparkling empowering energy. Despite its melancholy reflection, ‘Heal With Time’ seems to be the perfect antidote to all that’s happening at the moment; we can get through this and come out stronger!

 

‘Heal With Time’ will be released tomorrow, 3rd July.

 

Mari Lane 
@marimindles

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Introducing Interview: St. Blue

Following the release of her latest single ‘I’m Not Your Baby’, St. Blue has proven that making the leap from cover artist to singer-songwriter in her own right was a risk worth taking. We caught up with the South London based singer to find out more.

Hi St Blue, welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about your sound?
Thank you for having me. The sound I set out to achieve for this first collection of songs was dreamlike and uplifting. I grew up listening to indie and ’80s music, so I’ve always loved finding hooks outside of the vocal melody, with the guitar and bass lines having just as much of a catchy input. 

When did you decide to pursue a career in music?
I’ve been in and out of music for about fifteen years. It was always something that I kept going back to but more as an escape from whatever else was going on in my life. In terms of putting original music out there, I guess I never really had the confidence to think about it seriously until two years ago. The records I have today are created by piecing together years of song writing material – it felt like the right time.

Your new single ‘I’m Not Your Baby’ is out now – can you tell us what it’s all about?
‘I’m Not Your Baby’ is about a girl I was dating after a major relationship ended. There was so much about the two of us together that we knew would never work but I think that’s why it was right at the time. I wanted to get across that sometimes we are able to act out of habit rather than feeling.

Who would you say are your main musical influences?
So many artists have inspired my music, whether directly or indirectly. I’d say my older influences include Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick. More recent artists include Banks, Lykke Li and Jessie Ware.

How is your local music scene? Which venues did you enjoy going to before lockdown?
The North/East London music scene is great! Favourite venues have got to be The Old Queen’s Head, The Victoria, Oslo, EartH and The Roundhouse.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any new/upcoming bands or artists you’d recommend to us?
My favourite finds of 2020 are The Big Moon, an indie band called Palace, and Arlo Parks is an absolute inspiration.

How do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment?
I think it can be really tricky for new artists at the moment, especially as audiences have become more focussed on social media rather than live experiences. I think it can be harder for people with more of an old soul approach as well; this notion that they may not be heard if they’re not promoting online. I’ve learnt so many things since I first released music in November. I think it’s important for us to focus more on our art and not necessarily the amount of attention it’s getting. Your audience will follow in time if you are true to yourself.

Despite the lockdown, what are you hoping to have achieved by the end of 2020?
I’ve been writing brand new material and I’m planning on releasing an EP by the end of 2020. The sound will be more of a relaxed, off beat vibe and more vocally lead. I’ll still be adding some catchy bass lines and guitar parts, as I will be concentrating on a sound that is more organic and live. I have an amazing relationship with my producer and he manages to capture exactly what it is I’m going for.

Huge thanks to St. Blue for answering our questions!

 

‘I’m Not Your Baby’ is out now.

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