LISTEN: The Big Moon – ‘It’s Easy Then’

“‘It’s Easy Then’ is really about finding strength in strange times” explains Juliette Jackson, vocalist & lyricist for formidable indie-rock group The Big Moon. “I wanted to write a song that made me feel better. Something that captured the frustrations, but also the hope and joy all at the same time” – and that’s exactly what the band have achieved with their first piece of new music in over two years.

‘It’s Easy Then’ is a lush three minutes of escapism via grand keys and breezy vocals. It’s softer than the band’s previous singles – all lifted from their 2017 Mercury Prize nominated debut Love In The 4th Dimension – but it still retains the trademark Big Moon charm with its relatable lyrics and leftfield pop melodies. The track was recorded in Atlanta with Grammy Award winning US producer Ben H. Allen III (M.I.A, Deerhunter, Bombay Bicycle Club).

Juliette extrapolates on the single’s themes of breaking away from negativity: “We work too much, we think too much, we know too much so we all worry too much. Our anxieties are stoked every day. Music has this incredible way of helping us see with a new perspective, and ties up our feelings in a way that language by itself never could”. We couldn’t agree more. Listen to ‘It’s Easy Then’ below and follow The Big Moon on Facebook for more updates.

The Big Moon will be supporting The Pixies on their 2019 UK tour on the following dates:

13th September – Cardiff Arena
16th September – Birmingham Academy
17th September – Leeds Academy
18th September – Manchester Apollo
20th September – London Alexandra Palace
21st September – Newcastle Academy
22nd September – Glasgow Academy
23rd September – Edinburgh Usher Hall
25th September – Belfast Ulster Hall
26th September – Dublin Olympia

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Get In Her Ears 08.08.18

Tash & Kate were back in the studio this week with a hefty helping of new music and the lowdown from the Southbank Centre Women in Music event!

Music highlights from Fluxx.world, Foxgluvv, Babeheaven, TIIVA, Pom Pom Squad and a gentle nod to Amy Winehouse (always time for Amy!)

Listen back:

@getinherears
@KCbobCut
@maudeandtrevor

Tracklist
Eurythmics – Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves
Nabihah Iqbal – Zone 1 to 6000
TABS – Love Like This
Sink Ya Teeth – If You See Me
Pom Pom Squad – Honeysuckle
Delacey – Emily
The Elephant Trees – IDIOT
Amy Winehouse – Me & Mr Jones
TONI&MASH – LTGFU
Silver Pools – A Kiss for the Swimmer
Fluxx.world – Like Me
TIIVA – Make Me Pure
Halia Jack – Waited Long Enough
Another Crush – Hope You’re Happy
Babeheaven – Seahaven
Foxgluvv – Desperately Seeking Susan
Phebe Starr – Bad News
Kero Kero Bonito – Flamingo
Chic – Le Freak

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

ALBUM: Queen Bonobo – ‘Light Shadow Boom Boom’

Queen Bonobo’s engaging debut Light Shadow Boom Boom unites a broad array of textures into a coherent whole. Backed by a talented young group of Northern Irish jazz musicians, her ten tracks draw together the acoustics of jazz, direct songwriting, and an expansive range of other sounds.

This eclecticism is no surprise – born in an Idaho forest, Queen Bonobo has spent a lifetime on the move, pursuing spontaneous collaboration with musicians from all corners. The album showcases less idyllic themes too, with lyrics covering depression in the family and the difficulties of radical self-acceptance in changing circumstances. But the restorative power of music making is always at the core. In her words: “the title stands for the heavens above (light), the earth below (dark), and the pulse of life throughout it all”.

‘The Lord Does What He Wants’, opens the album, placing folksy melodies over joyous chord-strums, but the upbeat feel of the instruments is tinged with escapism too (“I’m plain dysfunctional / break me so I know nothing’s permanent”). ‘Light Me Up’ moves from sultry jazz to cracking, imploring screams, and ‘Shadow’ explores other shades of contrast, with light brushes of sax giving way to lilting solos.

‘Honey’’s brief stopover in 7/4 is balanced by the simple, earthy percussion of ‘Boom Boom’, reminiscent of Ibeyi’s back-to-nature approach. Inspired by the Appalachian Mountains, its signature line may serve as the album’s best summary: “My energy’s infectious, connected with the earth”. ‘Spin Me’ is unquestionably the album’s most intriguing track. Half-sketched melodies are pulled apart by a dream-swirl of languid synths, the music somehow seeming to rotate around itself without having a clear centre point.

The natural sincerity of Queen Bonobo’s voice superbly ties together the variety, elastically summoning energy and introspection in a fine balance. The album is a clear product of its situation – a collection of promising young musicians trying a range of styles on for size. This is an intriguing debut that bodes well for the future of all the artists at it’s core.

Follow Queen Bonobo on Facebook for more updates.

George Howlett

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

WATCH: HIDE – ‘Raw Dream’

**WARNING: Nudity & graphic content**

Brutal beats, abrasive synths and cutting vocals infiltrate HIDE‘s latest single ‘Raw Dream’, taken from their upcoming album Hell is Here, which is set for release on 23rd August via Dais Records.

Based in Chicago, HIDE are comprised of fine artist Gabel and percussionist Seth Sher. They describe their new single as “an anthem for the rise of the disenfranchised – a long overdue and joyous recalibration of an imbalance of power”. The track is accompanied by a video shot by Eon Mora, and edited by Christopher Michael Hefner and the band.

HIDE are renowned for their electric live performances, and dedication to channeling the voices of those who have been downtrodden, abused, or ignored. Their 2016 EP Black Flame was dedicated to the memory of Reyhana Jabbari – a 27 year old Iranian woman who was hung for allegedly killing someone who tried to rape her. Their 2017 debut album Castration Anxiety addresses issues of power dynamics and representation. Now, with ‘Raw Dream’ and their upcoming second album, the pair continue to transform vulnerability in to more powerful, distracting industrial tunes.

HIDE will be playing at The Shacklewell Arms on 3rd October, and we strongly recommend you grab a ticket before they sell out the venue. Watch ‘Raw Dream’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment