LIVE: Hilary Woods – St Pancras Old Church, London 11.06.18

Bitter sweet and deeply affecting, Irish multi-instrumentalist Hilary Woods‘ performance at St. Pancras Old Church provided a startling insight into her darkly ethereal debut album Colt, released via Sacred Bones on 8th June.

Stood behind her keyboard, Woods performed solo for most of her set with only projected visuals and a violinist to accompany her on a handful of tracks. Her achingly pure voice floated gently across the heads of her congregation, who sat listening in attentive, respectful silence.

Woods’ solo work is far removed from the alternative 90s sounds she helped to create as a member of JJ72. She’s clearly invested a painstaking amount of time and energy in assembling her new album, and the two EPs – Night (2014) and Heartbox (2016) – that preceded it. Perhaps that’s why she was so nervous performing, something she didn’t admit until the penultimate track, but she had no legitimate grounds to be on edge. Her recent singles ‘Inhaler’, ‘Prodigal Dog’ and ‘Black Rainbow’ were all mesmerising, even in their stripped back states.

Footage from her recent videos played out across the back wall of the Church, as Woods performed beautiful renditions of ‘Take Him In’, ‘Kith’ and ‘Limbs’, the latter standing out due to Woods’ clear, measured vocal delivery. Switching between keys and guitar with eas, Woods’ performance style was quiet and introspective, but its impact was one of powerful, all encompassing melancholy.

Whilst Colt is an album about grief, loss and abandonment, we left St Pancras Old Church awash with raw and unexpected emotion, feeling like we’d gained rather than lost something from Woods’ performance.

Photo Credit: Joshua Wright

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Gurr – ‘Hot Summer’

Contrary to its title, Gurr‘s latest single ‘Hot Summer’ was conceived on a grey day in London town. The Berlin duo tried to capture “that feeling of despair when everyone around you is happy, but somehow you just don’t feel it,” and the result is a frustratingly catchy “anti-summer” anthem.

Produced by Richard X (Roisin Murphy, Goldfrapp, Kelis,) ‘Hot Summer’ is the first taste of new material from the band since the release of their debut album In My Head, which won the IMPALA European Album of the Year Award in 2016. Gurr – comprised of Laura Lee & Andreya Casablanca – wanted to explore the idea that as the temperature rises, so does the pressure to enjoy and partake in all things summer related.

“Summer is such an iconic time of year and something we long for so often, but it ends up having very little to do with reality,” the band explain. “We wanted to write a song that sounds like you want to get fucking crazy to it, but also shout: Shit, maybe the condom did break? Or shit, did I forget to take the pill? Or shit, why is everyone around me doing ok and I feel like I need therapy? It’s a celebration of the imperfect summer, and everyday neurosis.”

The duo are gearing up for their Hot Summer Festival Tour which will see them grace the stages of over 20 European festivals this year, including performances at Rock Am Ring, Melt and Lollapalooza Berlin. They can also exclusively announce a headline show at The Garage on November 29th, their biggest show in the UK capital to date.

Listen to ‘Hot Summer’ below and follow Gurr on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Rowan Allen

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Dott – ‘Heart Swell’

A shimmering blend of optimism and adrenaline, Galway band Dott‘s sophomore record Heart Swell lives up to its name. Released via Grave Face Records, from start to finish the album make your garage-pop loving heart palpitate with glee.

Upbeat single ‘Bleached Blonde’ opens the record, and it’s the perfect soundtrack for those who love sunshine, surfing and intensely singable choruses. If you’ve ever tried to surf on an ironing board (watch the video below, you’ll understand), you’ll sympathise with guitarist & vocalist Anna’s struggle when it comes to catching waves.

Activism and garage-pop collide in anthemic style on second track ‘Like A Girl’. The band released the song ahead of Ireland’s vote to Repeal the 8th Amendment on May 25th, but it rings out with truer intensity now the “yes” result has been confirmed. The song features an impressive guest appearance from Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz on guitar too.

The unapologetic, carefree ‘Not Sorry’ transitions gently into the restless bass lines and riffs on ‘Floating Arrows’, whic will keep your feet twitching and heads bopping. ‘Swim’ paints an enviable picture of losing yourself by the seaside, with Anna’s clear vocals as bright as the sun she sings of here. The eponymous ‘Heart Swell’ is a wonderful ode to finding love, a genuinely satisfying aural head-rush. It flows into the gentle sounding ‘Self-Help’ which shimmers with sensitivity. “I try to live my life without forgetting anyone,” sings Anna, a poignant and admirable sentiment.

‘How Do I Feel?’ is another joyous offering of buoyant guitar and feel-good lyrics, before listeners are urged to reject the “double standards” that girls are subject too on ‘You Don’t Have To’. The age of independence and ambition is reminisced about on ’18’, which fades effortlessly into penultimate track ‘Do Ya?”. The beautiful ‘Wedding Song’ closes the record on a reassuring note. Anna’s lyrics systematically strip away the traditions and expectations that come with wedding ceremonies, revealing the only thing that truly matters when you consider spending the rest of your life with someone: Love.

If you’re searching for the soundtrack to Summer 2018, invest in Dott’s second album Heart Swell now. Download it here.

Follow Dott on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Alison MW

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Get In Her Ears w/ Naz & Ella, 07.06.18

Tonight Tash, Kate and Mari were reunited in the studio for the Mayor of London’s #SoundsLikeLondon campaign, playing some of their favourite new music from Colour Me Wednesday, M.I, Peluche, Hilary Woods, Bryony Williams and Lump.

They also had duo Naz and Ella in for a bit of a chat and to play some beautiful acoustic tracks.

Listen back to the show here:

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