LISTEN: Tally Spear – ‘alone again’

Hailing from London, queer alt-rock artist Tally Spear creates music that bridges the gap between pop and rock, and combines strong vocals, emotive lyrics and slick production. Having received received praise from Radio 1, BBC Introducing, Radio X and Kerrang!, she’s now shared her poignant latest single.

‘alone again‘ opens with a clear in-your-face vocal, followed by a thick heavy synth bass line and punchy electronic drums. It has an immediate energy which keeps it pacing forwards. The three part harmonies are a nice and satisfying touch, adding texture to a melodically sparse verse and bringing to mind artists like Billie Eilish and Aurora. 

The chorus is where the song really erupts and comes to life with metal-style heavy distorted guitars and a very catchy melody – “I fell in love but I don’t think I did it right”, Spear sings about the confusion that comes with love and dating. The move from electronic to thrashing guitars adds a unique edge, creating an interesting and engaging listen. ‘Alone Again’ is well-produced, taking elements from pop and EDM style – introducing an immersive fusion of sounds to excite your ear. 

Spear has said this is one of her favourite songs she’s written. On the lyrics she said: “‘alone again’ explores the confusion and conflict that comes alongside falling in love and dating, but at the same time it’s celebrating the love you have with yourself and your own company. I wanted the song to be vulnerable but also strong and independent”.

If you like this track, Spear released a 6-track EP in 2020 that is available on Spotify and she is currently gigging so keep your eyes open for new dates to be announced!

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

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WATCH: Alex Lahey – ‘They Wouldn’t Let Me In’

Following the release of lead single ‘Good Time’, the infectious ‘They Wouldn’t Let Me In’ is the latest single from Australian artist Alex Lahey‘s upcoming third album and debut for Liberation, The Answer Is Always Yes; a reflective post-punk track inspired by the isolation she experienced during her teenage years. “I spent a lot of time thinking about my own experiences growing up as a queer teenager…being excluded from conventional romantic rites of passage…feeling like I couldn’t relate to anyone around me.”

Finding inspiration after watching the coming-of-age TV romantic comedy-drama ‘Heartstopper’ (adapted from the webcomic of the same name by Alice Oseman), Alex put into words those tough moments many queer teens experience as they try to adapt to a seemingly non-inclusive world: “I couldn’t get into the bar or the church / Or the backseat of your mother’s car / The club or the bus or the band where no one plays guitar / The dance at your school / Or the change rooms at the swimming pool / The haunted house down the street / That all those people died in…”

Venturing into a furniture store for the accompanying music video – co-directed with Claire Giuffre – Alex Lahey furnishes us (literally!) with a multitude of emotions. Through self-discovery, co-writing alongside Chris Collins, she revels in the absurdity through propulsive rhythm and cathartic honesty; finding comfort in discomfort.

“Living in a world that wasn’t made for you makes you pretty strong and adaptive… It also makes you realise how absurd everything is. With this record, I wanted to get weird because the world is weird, and it’s even weirder when you realise you don’t fit into it all the time.”

“They wouldn’t let me in / C’mon just let me in / Why don’t you just fucking let me in?”

The Answer Is Always Yes, the upcoming album from Alex Lahey, is set for release on 19th May via Liberation.

Ken Wynne
@ken_wynne

Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana

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Get In Her Ears Live @ Shacklewell Arms w/ A Void, 13.04.2023

On Thursday, we were back at Shacklewell Arms with a truly immense line-up! Huge massive thanks to headliners A Void, as well as Collars and Banshi for being amazing! Thanks too to Sofia on sound, and to everyone who came down to support the bands, dance the night away, and help us raise £100 for Rainbow Migration, who do vital work to support LGBTQI+ folk seeking asylum.

Kicking the night off, Cardiff band Banshi treat us to their swirling rock anthems, each delivered with a unique sparkling energy as front person Yasmin’s incredible vocals soar alongside catchy funk-fuelled hooks.

Next up, Cambridgeshire duo Collars offer an utterly unique live experience. As Kane simultaneously pummels the drums whilst blasting out whirring hooks on guitar, Dan exudes a captivating charisma as the soaring power of their vocals fills the venue with a fierce, dazzling energy.

Headliners A Void fill the venue with their immense, grunge-fuelled anthems. Oozing a frenzied visceral energy, they treat the bouncing crowd to 45 minutes of wonderfully raging offerings as Camille Alexander’s raw, sultry vocals blast out with a captivating allure.


Massive thanks to the three amazing bands who played for us on Thursday and to everyone who came out to support them and us! We’ll be back at Shacklewell Arms on 19th May with Brighton band Hypsoline, plus support from The Ethical Debating Society and Rom Coms – nab tickets here!

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

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Get In Her Ears Live @ Shacklewell Arms w/ Me Rex, 10.02.2023

For our first gig of 2023, we were lucky enough to host a beautiful sold out night at The Shacklewell Arms, filled with the best music, best people and best vibes. Huge massive thanks to headliners Me Rex, as well as Dream Phone and Jen Denitto for being amazing! Thanks too to Sofia on sound, and to everyone who came down to support the bands, dance the night away, and help us raise £200 for vital organisation, Gendered Intelligence.

See below for some fantastic photos of the night, courtesy of our photographer Jon Mo…

Kicking off the night, London DIY legend Jen Denitto and her band deliver a career-spanning range of scuzzy indie-pop offerings. Covering themes from narcissists to the power of friendship, it’s a wonderfully uplifting set, oozing a unifying sense of joy throughout the crowd.

Next up, Oxford duo Dream Phone (aka my new favourite band) take to the stage. An utterly unique experience, their set offers voice augmentation and synth-driven glitch-pop soundscapes, all fuelled by Jen and Hannah’s sparkling charisma and vibrant energy. With the set lasting just under 20 minutes, every single second is a truly entertaining spectacle (a highlight being a swirling rendition of Papa Roach’s ‘Last Resort’), and I cannot wait to see and hear more from this exciting duo.

Headliners Me Rex take to the stage amidst a sea of adoring fans, treating them to 45 blissful minutes of indie-pop goodness. Oozing a swirling emotion alongside jangling melodies and luscious harmonies, each and every song flows with the band’s stirring lyricism, glistening musicality and impassioned energy; and I can’t help but lose myself in the rich, soothing catharsis that ripples throughout. Having been a mega fan of Me Rex for a few years now, it really is an honour to have them play for us – an experience that exceeded all expectations.

Huge thanks again to the three INCREDIBLE bands who played for us on Friday – what a dream of a night! Next up, we’re at Sebright Arms on 31st March for Gold Baby’s single launch, with support from The Other Ones and Argonaut – nab tickets here!

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

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