Five Favourites: Supersaurus

Self described “non-binary fronted indie-pop girl band”, London-based Supersaurus’ influences range from MUNA to The 1975, and with acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing, they’re really starting to hone their place as esteemed creators of sad-pop bangers. Reflecting on queer love and being part of the LGBTQ+ community, latest single ‘Let U Down‘ offers a swirling electro-pop energy as it soars with instantly catchy singalong refrains and a shimmering emotion-strewn splendour.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate ‘Let U Down’, we caught up with each member of Supersaurus to ask about the music that has inspired them the most. So, read about their favourite albumsthere’s four of them, so actually only four choices this time, but we’ll let them off! Have a read and make sure you take a listen to ‘Let U Down’ now!

Tayla’s Pick:

Pale Waves – Unwanted
There’s actually so many albums that I could choose from for so many different reasons either because they have a personal nostalgic meaning to me and/or they’re just purely no skip albums for me. But if I was to pick one at this very moment in time I’d have to go with Pale Waves – Unwanted. I’ve been a fan of their music for a while, ever since I first heard ‘Change’ a while back and then recently just suddenly had the urge to binge listen to all their stuff again after seeing them at Truck Festival. When I get obsessed with a song or an album trust me, that’s going to be on repeat for a good few weeks at least and the songs on this album really made me feel a lot, which is mainly what I look for. Don’t get me wrong, I love lyrics and all that but for me to really be obsessed with a song it’s got to make me feel a certain kind of way – and this album does just that. If I’d have to pick a favourite off the album I’d probably go with either ‘Lies’, purely for the insane amount of energy and the cool guitar riff, or ‘Reasons To Live’, which – ironically after saying that the lyrics aren’t the main reason that draws me into a song – the lyrics for this one did just that. An all round banger album for me – plus they’re sick live, which makes listening to their stuff even better.

Lauren’s Pick:

Kings Of Leon – Come Around Sundown
Come Around Sundown is an album I’ve come back to again and again since I was about 17. I never get tired of listening to it from start to finish, and it remains one of the select few albums I keep in my car. Originally, it had this new feeling of reflection that Kings Of Leon managed to write into their songs, a sense that you’ve been here before even though you’ve never heard it. Now it’s got the added nostalgia of driving around town with college mates (as well as many other KoL albums). I was introduced to the album by an old band mate, and I remember us being amazed at the ending of ‘The End’ – the beautiful, almost mystical keys that seem never ending but a perfect fit. Musically, the album has influenced my drumming to be more creative, following rhythms of different band members more than just the bass. It’s also a great lesson in playing what is necessary for the song. Some of the tracks on the album have huge choruses, but Nathan never goes over the top. 

Bec’s Pick:

Caroline Polachek – Desire, I Want To Turn Into You
I have a strong attachment to this album, mainly because of the way I felt when I first heard it. I was hooked, instantly. It was kind of fated to be a pretty significant album for me. The day it was released (Valentine’s Day), I was driving back from a weekend in Wales with my girlfriend to watch Caroline perform; the weather was pretty shocking but kind of added to the atmospherics of the album, and I was about eight songs deep when I realised that I could listen to this album, on repeat, forever. ‘Blood and Butter’ started and, if I am being honest, I was shook to my very core – bagpipes! She had only gone and done it. From that point on, it became my favourite album. Accidentally, Caroline has ended being my most seen live act, she was my last gig before lock down and the first one out of it. And, with each iteration, she has added more to her live show; this last time watching her with a full live band really brought this album to life. The opening track from the album, ‘Welcome To My Island’, exploded to life with loud guitars and thumping drums, and I just beamed… This is what music is all about. The past few years I’ve really been getting into more electronic indie pop music, and this album still uses a lot of live instruments, including guitars. Which for me is key – live is king. This album is full of incredible left of centre pop moments which lean into catchy hooks without being cheap. ‘Bunny Is A Rider’ is a perfect example of not taking yourself too seriously, but landing the finish. Dido, Grimes, and Bagpipes. Sold.

Benji’s Pick: 

Jimmy Eat World – Clarity
I kinda can’t not pick Clarity by Jimmy Eat World. It’s the only album that can make me sad and happy at the same time. It’s a weird one, because it’s my favourite album but I really don’t listen to it very often; it makes me feel too much, and I could do without that! But it’s a masterpiece, more albums should open with a ballad. It was either this or Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge by My Chemical Romance, but I think Clarity has the edge.

Massive thanks to Supersaurus for talking about their favourite albums with us!

‘Let U Down’ is out now, and we can’t wait to hear more from this lot!

PREVIEW: Sounds Queer: Rehearsing Utopia – An All Night Music Queertopia

Ahead of its second event this Saturday 17th September at Rich Mix, Ellie of Sounds Queer has told us about all they stand for and what to expect from the event. Have a read, and join in the fun tomorrow!

Sounds Queer is an innovative live music showcase spanning genre, expression and identity. The event will champion diverse voices and sounds from the LGBTQIA+ community, whilst providing a safe space for audiences within it.

Despite London being a cultural hub for both music and the queer community, there are few live music nights whose priority it is to provide a platform for LGBTQIA+ artists. In addition to this, there is a lack of truly inclusive events, gigs or venues for emerging music that caters to the specific needs of the community. Run by music lovers and queer creators, we aim to provide a platform for those artists as well as a safe space for the community to discover and support them.

For our next event, we are excited to announce we have partnered with the wonderful team at Rich Mix for a show called Rehearsing Utopia – An All Night Music Queertopia, this Saturday, 17th September 2022! 

A night dedicated to the celebration of queer live music, Queertopia is about giving a much-needed space for the creation of a queer live music utopia where audiences and performers alike, from the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, can enjoy, celebrate and connect around queer music and creativity. We will be launching our new season with an all night music extravaganza with the one and only Nimmo announced to be headlining.

The evening will be hosted by London’s undeniably talented and multi-faceted drag queen Barbs, who will also be giving us an extra special solo performance ahead of Nimmo’s set. Also supporting will be Amaroun (a GIHE fave!); a triple threat multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter with warm silk-like vocals that make kaleidoscopic alt-r&b. Our very own co-founder Toby Corton will also be supporting; a “charismatic queer cockney creative” who describes his sound as “a modern British take on neo-soul built on a foundation of frank queer storytelling”. We will also have the unreal DJs Bestley and D’vey taking us into the early hours with their wonderfully woozy soundscapes.

We are so incredibly proud of how far we’ve come since our first event in March and we are so excited about what’s to come. Watch this queer space!

It sounds right up our street! Nab your tickets here and check out an awesome playlist featuring the artists who’ll be gracing the stage tomorrow here.

Track Of The Day: adults – ‘all we’ve got // all we need’

Following the release of their debut EP The Weekend Was Always Almost Over back in 2018, and last year’s split Space Armadillo EP with fellow GIHE faves Bitch Hunt in 2020, South London band adults have now announced that their debut album will be released later this year via Fika Recordings. To celebrate the news, they’ve shared a shiny brand new single.

Reflecting on the importance of coming together within your community to resist social injustice, ‘all we’ve got // all we need‘ is a perfectly lovely ode to looking out for one another during hard times. With relatable lyrics about having a breakdown on the Megabus, it flows with a quirky, jangly energy as fuzzy hooks whirr alongside candied harmonies. Simultaneously oozing a sense of joyous unity whilst shades of despair at the state of the world remain evident, ‘all we’ve got // all we need’ glistens with all the dreamy, indie-pop feels and honey-sweet heartfelt emotion I could ever desire.

for everything, always, the upcoming debut album from adults, is set for release later this year via Fika Recordings. And you can catch adults live this Friday 8th July at The Sebright Arms, supporting Charmpit’s last London gig, along with Bitch Hunt – get tickets while you still can via DICE!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Track Of The Day: Cheerbleederz – ‘Nail Biters’

With their new track ‘Nail Biters‘, London trio Cheerbleederz have released an anxiety anthem that perfectly captures what it’s like having an internal monologue hell bent on torturing you.

The song feels simply constructed. It’s got a steady rhythm, lively guitar and backing vocals that weave around each other beneath the lead lines. Its complexity creeps in as the track goes on until it echoes the anxiety at its core; whilst the vocals begin softly, the lyrics describe anxiety that persistently nags at you and – while it lingers in the back of your mind as you go about your day – it never goes away. While the lead vocal puts the general pressure into words, the backing vocals reflect the teasing voices behind the scenes that induce the undue stress.

As anxiety finally takes over, the song ramps up into a panic. The lyrics stay the same, but everything gets louder, with the lead vocals becoming sharper and more emotive – you can feel the distress as it all finally becomes overwhelming. The repeated line “no worries if not” as the energy builds really captures the way anxiety makes you feel. It’s desperate to not take up space, not to burden anyone, not to cause any unnecessary problems. It’s insistent that there are no worries when the song as a whole is, in fact, about all-consuming worry.

‘Nail Biters’ encapsulates what anxiety feels like, in a fun way – a way that makes you feel seen. It’s reassuring to know that there are other people out there who overthink, and a gift to know that some of them are so talented that they can boil the awful experience down into a two-and-a-half minute indie-pop banger.

Cheerbleederz are set to release their upcoming debut album, even in jest, this summer via Alcopop! Records.

Kirstie Summers
@Actually Kurt


Photo Credit: Rich Mandell