Promoting and Supporting Women in Music
Mari & Kate returned to the studio this week with plenty of new music from the likes of Wolf Girl, Fears, Em Hoggett, HAVVK, Petrol Girls & Piss Kitti.
Soraya & Nick from Gravey also came in to chat about their recent EP Who’s Yer Daddy, and for a live performance!
Listen back to the show here:
@getinherears
@marimindles
@KCBobCut
Whilst the original Argonauts were heroes of ancient times, sailing off on an epic quest in search of mythic treasure, the more singularly named Argonaut represent a group of indie-pop heroines creating their own musical treasure. Since releasing third album Forever last year, the band have undergone a line-up change, incorporating additional female members including former luminaries of legendary indie groups Hefner and Monochrome Set and UK Riot Grrrls Linus. Despite that lineage, the five-piece are still true to their DIY roots, The New Argonaut EP was recorded near live at Bally Studios with reassuringly light production.
The Riot Grrrl + indie-pop sandwich structure of the band is reflected in the EP’s running order. Opener ‘You Are’, with its gutter-deep bassline, Slits-style harmonies and choppy lead guitar, has a sinister and bitter irony in its simplicity. “You are a beautiful creature” is the refrain in the chorus – a celebration of women, possibly, or maybe also a comment on the less than charming ways men like to describe them. Closer ‘Girl Talk’ reprises the deep-bass and slashy guitar, but in more praiseworthy, upbeat style. It’s middle-eight handclaps are soulful (and almost gospel) in nature, before its closing coda goes into Le Tigre anthemic electro-rock, underscored by a swirly guitar line that shimmers before crunching the EP to a close.
Inbetween are two classic slices of off-kilter indie-pop. The first, ‘Since Yesterday’, is a cover of Glasgow duo Strawberry Switchblade’s song of the same name. Where the original was an electronic melange, this is a stripped-back version with the synths replaced by guitar feedback. It’s a reminder of the inherent contrast at the heart of twee indie: beautiful harmonies meeting angular post-punk experimentation. Following the cover is a return to one of Argonaut’s own songs – ‘March!’, taken from Forever. With its swoopy, pleading vocals, crooning guitars and deliriously contrasting male backing vocals, the track could be plucked directly from the Sarah Records back-catalogue.
Released on Analogue Rock – run by one former bassist, Joules – and available exclusively through KeyMailOrder – run by a different former bassist, Paul, The New Argonaut EP is indie through and through. The band’s press release, penned by their own guitarist, even mentions that the band had stormed through the recording session in just six hours: two hours less than originally booked. And, if it’s not the most slick and stately voyage you’ll ever embark on, at least with Argonaut, you’re not going to feel fleeced.
The New Argonaut EP is out 24th August, order it here. Catch Argonaut live at Byline Festival this Sunday, 26th August.
John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego
I first became aware of Norwich Riot Grrrls Peach Club seeing them support The Tuts at The George Tavern a couple of years back, and have been pretty much blown away by everything I’ve heard from them since. Now, following the release of their second EP, Cherry Baby, earlier this year, they’ve released a powerfully seething new single.
Delivering an important message with a tongue-in cheek wit, ‘Boy In A Band’ is a gritty, raging attack on those ‘boys in bands’ that we’ve all come across; those disgusting guys who use their self-proclaimed ‘fame’ to take advantage of young women.
With a raw ferocity, thrashing hooks and driving beats, ‘Boy In A Band’ builds with a frenzied energy to a riotous anthem, blasting into the ears with a racing sense of urgency. And rightly so. We need voices like Peach Club’s now more than ever; a voice that gives motivation and inspiration to girls and women to speak out and be heard in order to prevent the damaging actions of certain boys in bands continuing to be swept under the carpet (or even accepted as the norm) within the music industry.
Channelling anger into a wonderful outpouring of raucous energy, and with exceptionally powerful lyrics like “Why don’t we go back to my tour van? Doesn’t matter that you’re a little girl and that I’m a man! / I’ll take advantage, I’ll make you feel small
and then I’ll deny it all…” , ‘Boy In A Band’ is the song we all need to hear this summer.
And don’t miss Peach Club headlining for our Blogtober event at The Finsbury on 12th October – we can’t wait!
Mari Lane
@marimindles
Kate returned to the studio this week, armed with plenty of new music from the likes of Ghum; Basement Revolver, LOW, Skating Polly & Ellie Bleach. She opened the show with a tribute to the late, great ‘Queen Of Soul’ Aretha Franklin too.
Luna Neptune also came in to chat about her recent EP Next Automated Wave, and for a live performance.
Listen back to the show here:
@getinherears
@KCBobCut
@LunaNeptuneBand
Get In Her Ears 