WATCH: Schande – ‘Relevant Campaigns’

Having been a big fan of noise-pop-shoegaze-tinged legends Schande for a while now, with my love of them being revived when they charmed our ears playing our first gig back after covid in 2021, I’m super excited to hear that they’ll be releasing their new album in April this year, via Thurston and Eva Moore’s record label. And now, following last year’s scuzzy ’52 Hz’, they’ve shared a truly enchanting new single.

To be honest, I can’t seem to stop listening to ‘Relevant Campaigns‘ and crying. It’s a thing of pure beauty. Its twinkling grace. The whirring to-ing and fro-ing, like the constant rippling of the tide that keeps going even when everything else seems like it’s stopped. The shimmering hooks that rise and fall. Jen Chochinov’s whispering vocals fading in and out with an understated melancholy.

Written while Jen’s mother was terminally ill, it’s an exquisite rumination on the fragility of life and the strength of love. Of the track, she explains:

“It was a way to conjure love and healing and try to balance out my own fear and anxiety which felt all too consuming. After my mom passed away at the end of 2023, this song being released now feels like a gifted timely reminder to hold on to what was shared while navigating loss. ‘Relevant Campaigns’ is essentially about picking your battles, to really assess where your priorities and energies lay because time is such a finite resource. More to the point it’s about choosing love, hope, and resilience.”

‘Relevant Campaigns’ is accompanied by a really beautiful animated video. Co-created by Sarah Lippett and Duncan Barrett, it perfectly depicts the heartfelt sentiment of the track as the protagonist engages in a stirring silent dialogue with the moon. Watch it here:

Once Around, the upcoming new album from Schande, is set for release in April via The Daydream Library Series, the house record label of Thurston and Eva Moore’s Ecstatic Peace Library collective.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Heidi Weber

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Five Favourites: The Fauns

Following a decade-long hiatus, and having received acclaim from the likes of Steve Lamacq on BBC 6Music over the years, Bristol based shoegaze ensemble The Fauns have now returned to charm our ears, releasing their new album, How Lost, this month.

With original members, Alison Garner, Michael Savage and Guy Rhys Davies, reuniting for the album, How Lost showcases the sweeping ethereal soundscapes that we’ve come to know and love from the band, whilst dipping into newer, electro-driven sounds. Oozing a mystical allure, each track floats into the ears effortlessly as glistening instrumentals provide a backdrop for Garner’s exquisite emotion-rich vocals. I’ve had it on repeat since first hearing it, finding myself truly immersed in its captivating blissful haze.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate the release of How Lost, we caught up with Alison from the band to ask about the music that has inspired her the most. Read about her five favourite songs and watch the video for latest single ‘Shake Your Hair‘ below!

Kate Bush – ‘Wow’
Since the days of listening to her on cassette on repeat during family car trips to the caravan when I was little, Kate Bush has been a huge influence on me. It’s hard to chose one track, but ‘Wow’ – with its experimental vibes and Kate’s ever changing vocal style – made my tiny brain say exactly that. Her quirky vocals in this song made me start to experiment with my own. I realised it’s not about hitting the perfect note (try telling my childhood singing teacher that!), it’s about feeling, about expression, about finding your own voice, and about pushing boundaries. Bush’s influence guided me towards a more open-minded vocal style and remains a reminder of the beauty in embracing individuality, and to explore the limitless possibilities available to us when using the voice.

Caterina Valente – ‘The Breeze and I’
This one holds a special place – it was my Grandma’s favourite song, and damn she had good taste! Valente’s voice is nothing short of sublime; from soaring highs to velvety warm lows, it’s downright sexy and captivating. ‘The Breeze and I’ is a soothing yet dramatic lullaby, showcasing Valente’s impeccable vocal technique. Her ability to effortlessly navigate the song’s nuances inspired me to explore the full range of my own voice (if only I could match her prowess!). Every single syllable she weaves carries an emotional weight that’s beyond inspiring. This song stands as a timeless reminder of the enduring power and artistry of a beautiful voice.

Cocteau Twins – ‘Pitch The Baby’
The first time I heard Elizabeth Fraser’s dreamy vocals riding the waves of atmospheric soundscapes it was like stumbling upon a musical secret. The whole Cocteau Twins influence was eye-opening and gently nudged me towards a more ethereal vocal style. This track in particular made me re-think my voice as an instrument. The song is like a musical playground, and urged me to explore, experiment, and break free from conventional vocal norms. It’s still a reminder to get playful with my voice, embrace textures and layers, and craft intricate sonic landscapes that go beyond the expected.

PJ Harvey and Nick Cave – ‘Henry Lee’
Each utterance from the sexy mouths of Harvey and Cave in ‘Henry Lee’ is a punch to my gut, laden with raw, authentic emotion. It’s a storytelling masterpiece and you hang on their every word. The palpable chemistry between these two music gods sculpts a vocal landscape teeming with passion and sexual tension. It’s beguiling and intriguing, and an inspiration for my own performance. For me, this track serves as a reminder that it’s not enough to just sing, that you have to feel… And the incredible potency that passion, intensity, and expression have in crafting a sonic experience that will resonate with the listener.

Aldous Harding – ‘Imagining My Man’
This track is a masterclass in the power of restraint and deep simplicity. The haunting ache in Aldous’s voice, set against a stripped-down arrangement, is downright mesmerising. As a performer she’s unmatched — I’ve never witnessed someone captivate an audience like her. Aldous’ voice celebrates the strength found in subtlety, revealing the authentic beauty of a voice laid bare. Although my musical style in The Fauns is more often enveloped within a wall of sound, her influence echoes in my latest album, serving as a reminder that impactful moments in music often arise from the simple, genuine, well-delivered expression of a powerful lyric.

Massive thanks to Alison for sharing her Five Favourites with us! Watch the video for latest single ‘Shake Your Hair’ here:

How Lost, the new album from The Fauns, is out now via Invada.

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NEW TRACK: SPIDER – ‘daisy chains’

Following on from last year’s smouldering single ‘straight out the oven‘, Irish-born, London-based alt-pop artist SPIDER has returned with a tenacious new anthem titled ‘daisy chains’. Taken from her upcoming new EP, an object of desire, which is set for release later this year, the track is a raucous ode to trusting your instincts and advocating for yourself when others encroach on your space.

“‘daisy chains’ is the epitome of ‘don’t take my kindness for weakness,’” explains SPIDER about her new single. “I wrote it about a really shitty experience where I continued being super kind to someone who invaded my personal space and made me feel really uncomfortable. I just didn’t think I was entitled to feeling weird about it and I didn’t feel like I could stand up for myself either. The lyrics are violent, but the invasion of someone’s space – in any type of way – is violent. Writing this song allowed me to reclaim that moment and properly feel the anger I had towards them without forcing myself to take the high road and ‘be above it.'”

Through her uncompromising lyrics and direct vocals, SPIDER explores these visceral and conflicting feelings. “I like to chase / and I hear that you’re a runner” she taunts over punchy beats and gritty riffs, gladly taking back control after feeling intense discomfort and unease about the situation. ‘daisy chains’ is aural proof that, as SPIDER states in her own lyrics: “I’ve got spine”. Her upcoming EP, and her previous releases (2022’s C.O.A, and 2023’s HELL OR HIGH WATER) all form what SPIDER coins as her “Unholy Trinity of Young Adulthood” collection. Through her music, she explores what it’s like to be a young black woman, coming of age in a Catholic household, and navigating the world and the music industry as a genre-blending and uncompromising new artist.

After watching SPIDER storm the stage at The Green Door Store for The Great Escape Festival in Brighton last year, we’re excited to share the news that she’ll be playing her first ever headline show at London’s Camden Assembly on 20th March. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘daisy chains’ below.

Follow SPIDER on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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PREMIERE: Sukie Smith – ‘Into The Light’

Having released critically acclaimed albums with her band Madam over the last decade, as well as collaborating with the likes of Tricky, multi-disciplinary artist Sukie Smith has now announced the release of her debut solo album, The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Into The Light’ reflects on summoning the power to leave a turbulent relationship that Smith found herself trapped in during lockdown. Showcasing her rich vocals alongside scuzzy hooks and a ’90s reminiscent whirring energy, a gritty, empowering spirit glistens throughout, creating an impassioned, yet catchy, indie anthem. A fierce ode to survival and understanding our own strength as women, from a truly innovative artist.

‘Into The Light’ is accompanied by an artfully created new video, directed by James Alexander, which beautifully portrays the sparkling energy and fizzing sense of celebration at the heart of the song. Watch, for the first time, here:

‘Into The Light’ will also feature an additional remix by Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, so keep your ears peeled for that too! The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell, the upcoming debut album from Sukie Smith, is set for release on 8th March.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: James Alexander

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