PREMIERE: bigfatbig – ‘Science’

If you’re fed up of casual dating and sick of being treated like a hole instead of a human being; bibgfatbig‘s debut single ‘Science’ will help to remedy that frustration. The trio’s blend of buoyant guitar melodies, crashing percussion and relatable lyrics are a welcome tonic against toxic masculinity.

With a friendship spanning over a decade, vocalist Robyn Walker and guitarist Katie Ryall began writing songs together as a way of privately putting the world to rights behind closed doors. As things progressed and more ideas flowed, the notion of taking their work to the stage became within reach, and once bass player Chaz Hall was recruited, bigfatbig became a reality.

Guitarist Katie extrapolates on the themes that fueled the band’s debut single ‘Science’: “Being single for the first time as an adult opened my eyes to modern casual relationships. The complexities that social media, free thinking, and a misogynistic world has had on 2018 “dating” weren’t a shock to me – I hadn’t been living under a rock – however, I also hadn’t considered how they could equal a lack of respect. Without going into detail, Science came after growing tired of being mistreated by men who believed that because a relationship is casual, respect doesn’t come into it. We all came to the conclusion of writing Science as a big “fuck you” to this – song writing is cathartic to us, and screaming this song every practice has certainly helped me navigate what it means to be a single adult.”

We’re thrilled that the bigfatbig grrrls have stepped out of their bedroom and on to the stage with their catchy, reassuring tunes. You can listen to ‘Science’ below, and you can catch the band live in their hometown of Newcastle at the Cumberland Arms on November 10th.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Get In Her Ears w/ DIY Thursdays 24.10.19

Tash & Kate played more of their fave new music tracks this week, featuring highlights from RUMIA, Catbear, Jeana, JFDR, Sassy 009 and Peggy Sue.

They were joined by the legend that lives Dell – aka MUTHA from DIY Thursdays – who spoke about her motivations for starting her knockout gig nights with a community vibe. See for yourself this Saturday 26th October at DIY Thursdays “Halloween Haunted Hole of Noise” (event info here)

Listen back:

@getinherears
@KCBobcut
@maudeandtrevor

Tracklist
Enya – Orinoco Flow
Catbear – Unrequited Love
Gold Baby – Philadelphia
Keltoum – Stop To Play
Fig By Four – Plunge
Bugeye – Electric
Kim Gordon – Air B&B
Calva Louise – Sleeper
Pallas Athene – Through Hell
Leisure Tank – Moema
Cherry Glazer – Call Me
Bang Bang Romeo – Love Yourself
FKA TWIGS – Home With You
JFDR – Taking A Part of Me
SASSY 009 – Maybe In The Summer
Peggy Sue – Motorcade
Me Not You – America
Lucie Hill – Precious Time
Lexytron – Couples
JEANA – Nameless
RUMIA – No One Is Going Out
Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

EP: Vulpynes – ‘Dye Me Red’

With four unforgiving, relentlessly scuzzy songs, Irish grunge duo Vulpynes release their second EP Dye Me Red.

Kicking off the stormy ride with a riveting riff dripping in fuzz, Molly and Kas launch their EP’s roller-coaster ride with ‘I Can’t Sit Still’: immediately introducing listeners to a perfect taste of what’s to come. Tastefully driven angst spoken through guitar tones meets hard hitting vocal melodies that marry in a chaotic yet sparse way. No matter the moment, Dye Me Red hosts a harmony between noise and sparseness throughout, allowing each instrument their room to thrive and dance within their own vein. With such tight instrumentals in correspondence to rebellious, catchy melodies, Vulpynes draw wisps of early Foo Fighters or The Distillers with a chanting tone throughout the whole of this EP. 

It is hard not to feel Riot Grrrl energy with the powerful vocal doubles coating Dye Me Red. At just the right times, listeners feel like they’re invited to the party with the EP’s punchy communal vocal layers. ‘Bitches Are Like Waves’, the follow up track to ‘I Can’t Sit Still’, serves a protest-like disposition. As much as this song emotes lyrically, it also draws severe attention with its instrumentals. With delicate percussion sounds in a punk setting and classic guitar character, Vulpynes do an incredible job of showcasing the dance-ability of electric guitar. It is indeed hard to sit still throughout the journey of this EP’s sounds, there is truly an undeniable movement to it. 

In more ways than one, Vulpynes embody their lyrics – “won’t settle down, gotta settle up” -throughout their music that doesn’t wait for anyone. ‘The Hunt’, the EP’s finale, is a noisy, ghostly outro that haunts the EP with its feet sturdy in the ground. With elements reminiscent of Kim Gordon, Molly and Kas leave us with a hushy universal sentence: “I am not your prey.” Through their bold lyrics, sharp instrumentals and unique chemistry, Vulpynes create a space for everyone to celebrate themselves as emotional human beings. Dye Me Red is an empowering, charging EP for anyone seeking a release. 

 

Jillian Goyeau
@jillybxxn

LISTEN: Lunar Sounds – ‘Reputation’

Inspired by the dark side of modern dating, Leeds-based riot grrrls Lunar Sounds have shared their debut single ‘Reputation’. Filled with thumping beats and defiant vocals, the track pushes back against the patriarchal pressures women face when it comes to their appearance and their behavior on dating apps.

Formed of Chesca Henderson-Cox, Anna Reed and Caris Shekell, Lunar Sounds began making music together in early 2018, and releasied their debut EP The Void in September of the same year. The band launched their new single with a hometown gig last week, supported by Sheffield synth-pop heroes DUCK, and Leeds’ scuzz-pop duo Bad Idea.

Produced by band member Anna Reed, and mixed Brighton based engineer Katie Tavini, ‘Reputation’ is a raw slice of riot grrrl attitude and a welcome antidote to the often toxic results of trying to form romantic connections in the digital age. Band member Chesca explains further: “The song questions how men view women, and how women often feel like they need to portray some ideal version of themselves to be found attractive”.

We’re glad to see this trio challenging these insecurities, and having fun in the process too. Listen to ‘Reputation’ below, and follow Lunar Sounds on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut