NEW TRACK: Earthlung – ‘Joy¿’

A raucously relatable post punk tune that questions the mundane nature of everyday life, Brighton-based Earthlung have shared their latest single ‘Joy¿’. Full of sardonic spoken-word style vocals, cutting lyrics and distorted riffs, the band search for meaning and relief amidst the mind-numbingly ordinary tasks we undertake in order to keep living our best lives.

Formed of Ebony Grace (vocals & synth), Charles Backer (drums), Folly den Toom (guitar & production) and current bassist Alex Rushmer, Earthlung decided to experiment with their usual 80s-influenced pop sound on their new single. “Although our existing catalogue takes influence mostly from Ambient/Pop, with this track we fully embraced a Post Punk sound,” the band explain. Recorded in the Netherlands at Folly’s Low Road Studios, inspiration for ‘Joy’ sprang from moments of playful ridicule, and evolved into a sound that the band all wanted to embrace. Armed with a distorted riff and a disruptive energy, vocalist Ebony was quick to flesh out lyrics for the track.

“It was a matter of minutes before Ebony started mumbling words (whilst basically rolling on the floor),” the band continue. “She quickly grabbed a pizza box (still warm from the pizza consumed just moments earlier) and a pen, writing out most of the lyrics within minutes. In this moment we encouraged her to make it as cynical as possible. This gave such a clear direction to the track that we all instantly knew we didn’t want to over-complicate things. When we tracked it, the vocals were actually recorded through a harp mic with Ebony inverted hanging off a big leather chair.”

Earthlung channeled the track’s manic, direct energy into an accompanying video, which features vocalist Ebony prowling the streets of Brighton, trying not to choke on an insane amount of cornflakes and rum. The visuals perfectly encapsulate both the cynical and the silly sides of ‘Joy¿’.

Watch the video below.

Follow Earthlung on Spotify, Instagram, Tik Tok & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with First Timers Fest (06.02.23)

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves playing loads of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists! Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. The pair enthused about the eclectic mix of tracks on the playlist, including Circe, Ritual Forms, ALT BLK ERA and Spring & I.

They were also joined in the studio by Charlie and Mel from First Timers Fest. The London-based DIY community of musicians and activists believe that having access to creating and playing music should not be a privilege, it should be a joyful and social experience that empowers everyone. Charlie and Mel elaborated on this ethos, and shared details of the upcoming workshops and gigs that First Timers are hosting this year. You can find out more information and apply to play 2023’s festival by clicking here.

Listen back to the show below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Monday 6th March, 12-2pm!

Tracklist
Le Tigre – Deceptacon
Jadu Heart – Sway
Phoebe Troup – Worm Dance
Boygenius – Emily I’m Sorry
Ritual Forms – Down
CIRCE – Undone
Aby Coulibaly – Weekdays
Sylvan Esso – Echo Party
Grandmas House – Desire
Piss Kitti – I’m Jammed
ALT BLK ERA – Rockstar
Jennifer Evans – Very Fond
Karen Jonz ft. CSS – ET
Kara Delik – Strange Attractor
M(h)aol – Therapy
Spring & I – I Hate Your Money
Softcult – Dress
**Interview with Charlie & Mel from First Timers Fest**
adults – all we’ve got // all we need
Coi Leray – Players
t l k – Serenia
ARXX – Ride Or Die
Death Valley Girls – Sunday
Frankie Rose – Anything
HL Grail – OTD
Emily Mercer – Soft Place
Me Rex – Jupiter Pluvius
Destiny’s Child – Girl

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LISTEN: Kara Delik – ‘Strange Attractor’

An altruistic blend of post punk, spoken word and experimental sound, Berlin-based trio Kara Delik have shared their latest single ‘Strange Attractor’. Taken from their upcoming mini EP, Singularities 1, which the band will be self-releasing on 17th February, the track is a brooding, hypnotic exploration of the strange ways that we interact with each other as we meander through life at conflicting paces.

Formed of Baris Öner (Istanbul Ghetto Club), Andi Sommer (Henry Fonda, Afterlife Kids, Yacht Communism), and GIHE fave Eilis Frawley (Anika, Laura Lee & The Jettes, I Drew Blank), Kara Delik are three friends brought together by “coincidental kitchen encounters” and a shared enthusiasm for the Berlin DIY music scene. Inspired by everything from 70s Anatolian rock music, traditional Turkish folk, to German Krautrock and 80s punk, the band deliver their “odd timings for odd times” with gritty flair. The trio shared their debut EP, Tamam, in 2022, and now they’re preparing for another year of new music releases and live shows.

“‘Strange Attractor’ is a continuous stream of thoughts – some conscious and some unconscious – about the way in which people communicate and stumble through life,” Kara Delik comment about their latest single. “Musically you can expect to be lost in a 5 minute long dub trance.” Through a combination of Frawley’s distinctive spoken-word lyrics and percussion, and Öner and Sommer’s jagged riffs and distortion, the band grapple with clashes in communication and the strange and stunted paths we often find ourselves following (“too old to be relevant / old enough to be resented / everyone’s talking / but the conversation’s dead”).

Listen to ‘Strange Attractor’ below.

Singularities 1 will be available both online and on 7 inch vinyl.
Pre-order here

Follow Kara Delik on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Toni Petraschk

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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New Track: The Early Mornings – ‘Ultra-Modern Rain’

With the first single from their sophomore EP, London-based Mancunians The Early Mornings show that they are a force to be reckoned with! An instant post-punk anthem, ‘Ultra-Modern Rain’ fizzes with big, frenetic energy and dazzles with promise. 

I love post-punk, but so many bands who play it fail to bring something new to the party. And who needs a nostalgia fest? However, ‘Ultra-Modern Rain’ feels as fresh as its name suggests. The song’s driving, angular guitar is reminiscent of the likes of Gang of Four or The Fall, but the urgency of the drums (and cowbell!) provide a deliciously modern twist.  

The song’s spiky instrumentation is complemented perfectly by front person Annie Leader’s sweet, understated vocals, which bring in a real pop sensibility too. So it’s hardly surprising that, after just a couple of listens to this banger, it becomes a total earworm. I can’t wait to hear more from this exciting, energy-oozing trio!  

Ultra-Modern Rain, the new EP from The Early Mornings, is out now via Practise Music.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

Photo Credit: Luke Keatinge

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