Premiere: Tiger Mimic – ‘Everything You’ve Ever Wanted’

After a little bit of a hiatus to recoup and re-energise, John Kennedy acclaimed Tiger Mimic have returned to blast into our ears with a brand new single.

Reflecting on the worldwide challenges that women, minorities and the LGBTQ+ community have faced this year, ‘Everything You’ve Ever Wanted’ is an empowering ode to persevering through dark times. Propelled by the band’s trademark whirring scuzz and fierce, gritty energy, it showcases the rich, soaring vocals of front woman Jess as it builds with a sweeping majestic allure. Oozing a swirling impassioned splendour and haunting grace, it’s a fizzing slice of soaring alt-rock proving Tiger Mimic’s worth as creators of powerfully poignant anthems. Of the track, the band explain:

The lyrics ask ‘Everything you’ve ever wanted, now you’ve got it, what’s the point?’, wondering aloud what drives the heartless people who work so hard to oppress, vilify, control, and harm innocent communities that just want to be allowed to live their lives. While the lyrics are grim, it’s ultimately a song about hope, how despite everything happening below, the stars go on shimmering above, lighting our way through the darkness.

Listen, for the first time, here:

‘Everything You’ve Ever Wanted’ is set for release this Friday, 9th December.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Robert Alleyne

Get In Her Ears Live @ Shacklewell Arms w/ Currls, 01.12.22

Following our lovely November gig at Sebright Arms with Breakup Haircut, our first December instalment of GIHE live saw us return to the Shacklewell Arms for a night filled with the best music, best people and best vibes to host Currls‘ EP launch. Massive thanks to Currls, Collars and Hypsoline, and to everyone who came down to support the bands and help us raise money for completely vital organisation, The Outside Project.

First up, Brighton’s Hypsoline kick off the night with all the fuzzy, sparkling allure you could ever desire. Having only previously heard one song of theirs (the immensely catchy ‘Space Babe’), it was a joy to witness more of their twinkling, swirling energy and scuzzy charm. Definite ones to watch!


Second band of the night, Cambridgeshire’s Collars put on an utterly unique live experience. As Kane simultaneously pummels the drums whilst blasting out whirring hooks on guitar, Dan exudes a captivating charisma as the soaring power of their vocals fills the venue, immersing everyone in the duo’s fierce, dazzling energy. New favourites for sure!


Closing the night, it’s an honour to host the London leg of Currls‘ debut EP launch – having them return to play for us after hosting their first London headline show back in November last year feels pretty special. And it seems their sweeping, empowering brand of garage rock has reached new heights since we last saw them; propelled by Han’s immense beats, and the buoyant energy of a jaunty new bassist, front woman Holly delivers her soulful vocals with an effortless grace and gritty power. As the crowd sing and bounce along to each enlivening offering (including a couple of unique takes on classics by Girls Aloud and The Bangles), Currls prove their worth as a compelling band on the rise.

Massive thanks to the three bands who played for us on Thursday and to everyone who came out to support them and us! We’re not staying away for long this time… We’ll be back next Friday 9th December at Shacklewell Arms for an epic night with Bad Sidekick, Alien Chicks and Cosmic Ninja – tickets on Dice now!

Words: Mari Lane / @marimindles
Photos: Don Blandford / @snapperchap.don

Track Of The Day: Jen Cloher – ‘Mana Takatāpui’

How am I so late to the Jen Cloher party?! An integral part of the Melbourne indie scene that also gave us Courtney Barnett, Cloher is a long-established and hugely respected songwriter and performer. And, when you listen to ‘Mana Takatāpui’, taken from their first album in five years, it’s not hard to see why. It’s dazzling. A masterclass in songwriting, ‘Mana Takatāpui‘ celebrates the indigenous Polynesian people of Aotearoa, New Zealand and the Māori, LGBTQ+ community. It’s also an important reflection on finding yourself and the concept of ‘home’. 

Cloher’s warm honeyed vocal, reminiscent of early Cat Power, is so soothing and spiritual that it makes your heart swell. And, while their lyrics are both personal and political, they are delivered with such love and pride that the song never feels heavy. From the opening harmonies to the upbeat affirmations that come later, it’s joyous. This is music to bathe yourself in.

Of the meaning behind the track, Cloher explains:

I’m no expert but I’m guessing Māori pre-colonisation didn’t hold the same beliefs around gender and sexuality as Queen Victoria’s England. I’ve read that our men were hands on dedicated fathers and some of our best midwives; that our women fought side by side on the battlefield and that our wāhine atua (female gods) held as much mana (power and respect) as our tāne atua. Christianity came hand in hand with colonisation; their missionaries introducing the concepts of body shame, sexual repression, a woman’s menstrual cycle as impure, homosexuality as a perversion and gender as binary.

Watch the poignant new video for Mana Takatāpui here:


Cloher’s upcoming new album, I Am The River, The River Is Me, is set for release on 3rd March 2023 via Milk! Records/Marathon Artists.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

Photo Credit: Marcelle Bradbeer

PLAYLIST: November 2022

The Get In Her Ears team have put together another eclectic mix of indie tunes, guitar anthems and electronic sounds for your listening pleasure. Take some time to scroll through our track choices below, and make sure you press play on the Spotify playlist at the end of this post.

Follow GIHE on Spotify to hear all of our previous playlists too.

 

Big Joanie – ‘Sainted’
HUGE congratulations to GIHE faves Big Joanie on their nomination for Best Alternative Music Act at this year’s MOBO Awards! This groundbreaking new category also features our faves Nova Twins, who wrote an open letter to the MOBO Awards back in 2020, asking the panel to include an alternative category. This is a massive and hard won achievement, respect and solidarity to all those who engineered this much needed change! To celebrate, we’ll be playing this spooky Big Joanie tune, lifted from their superb new album Back Home, on repeat. (Kate Crudgington)

Currls – ‘Nerve’
Taken from their brand new debut EP Hello My Name Is, Currls’ latest single ‘Nerve’ is a perfect slice of gritty, scuzz-filled garage-rock. Propelled by the band’s trademark empowering energy and soulful allure, it leaves you longing to catch them live and dance along in joyous unity with fellow fans. And it just so happens that this is something you can do next Thursday 1st December at Shacklewell Arms! We’re hosting Currls’ London EP launch, with support from Collars and Hypsoline – tickets on Dice now. (Mari Lane)

Bad Sidekick – ‘I Ain’t Sick’
You may have noticed that in December we’re hosting not one, but two, gigs! The second sees brooding Bristol band Bad Sidekick headlining for us on 9th December. They’ve recently released an epic debut album Daily Lottery, but I couldn’t resist including this track from their 2018 EP – I just love its raging energy, frenzied, reverb strewn riffs and Cooper’s fiercely powerful vocals. Bad Sidekick will be headlining the Shacklewell Arms on 9th December with support from Alien Chicks and Cosmic Ninja – tickets on Dice now. (ML)

The Pearl Harts – ‘More’
Loving this new single from London-based duo The Pearl Harts! It sounded great list night at their sold out gig at Blondies too. The track is lifted from their upcoming album, Love, Chaos, which is set for release in early 2023. (KC)

Django Jones and The Mystery Men – ‘Bad For You’
Described as “music written for the restless”, this is the debut single from Sheffield post punk trio Django Jones and The Mystery Men. Loving the brooding intensity of this one. (KC)

Grandmas House – ‘How Does It Feel’
Unsurprisingly, we love this new tune from GIHE faves Grandmas House. It’s a bi-lingual blast of angst, pairing frontperson Yasmin Berndt’s French vocals with drummer Poppy Dodgson’s English vocals as “a call and response between two people about the feelings of confusion you go through when breaking up.” (KC)

Panic Shack – ‘Meal Deal’
This recent single from Cardiff’s Panic Shack reflects on the realities of the cost of living crisis as working people are increasingly undervalued and underpaid, whilst musically its swirling punk spirit and tongue-in-cheek lyrics uplifts and energises. A fun-filled, yet meaningful, indie-pop banger. Baby Shack, the latest EP from Panic Shack, is out now. (ML)

Human Interest – ‘Mixing Paint’
The latest single from London duo Human Interest reflects on the darkest crevices of the mind with a fizzing post-punk energy. Oozing the band’s trademark gritty allure and the sweeping power of Tyler Damara Kelly’s vocals, ‘Mixing Paint’ cements Human Interest as my favourite new band right now without a doubt. (ML)

Ideal Host – ‘The Conflict’
A sardonic cacophony that explores the antagonistic nature of the everyday routine, I love this single from Ideal Host. Led by Heather Perkins and Sean Hughes, both former members of the band Slowcoaches, the pair have returned to work together and evolve their sound under this new moniker. The band are planning to release their debut album in early 2023 and will be playing a string of live dates too. (KC)

M(h)aol – ‘Asking For It’
We’ve been following Irish post-punks M(h)aol (pronounced “male”) for a while now, and this track has always been a favourite of mine. Fueled by a palpable rage against rape culture, the band have re-released this track alongside the news of their debt album, Attachment Styles, which is due on 3rd February via TULLE Collective. Watch the poignant accompanying video directed by bassist Zoë with input from vocalist Róisín here. (KC)

New Pagans – ‘Karin Was Not A Rebel’
Following on from their stunning debut album, The Seed The Vessel The Roots and All, Belfast’s New Pagans have announced that they’ll be releasing their second LP, Making Circles of our Own, on February 17th via Big Scary Monsters. ‘Karin Was Not A Rebel’ is the first taste of what’s to come, celebrating the overlooked artist and designer Karin Bergöö Larsson, one of the foundational modern interior designers. I can’t wait to hear the band’s new record early next year! (KC)

The Empty Page – ‘Dry Ice’
Reflecting on pre-lockdown nightlife, this new single from Manchester’s The Empty Page soars with a dark energy and gritty allure, evoking feelings of nostalgia for that woozy joy of nights soaked in a smokey, sweaty haze. And it’s impossible not get utterly immersed in Kel’s sweeping vocals as they swoon with a haunting power alongside a riotous grunge-tinged musicality. (ML)

ARXX – ‘The Last Time’
The latest single from absolute long-term faves ARXX, ‘The Last Time’ reflects on feelings of heartbreak whilst referencing queer TV show Euphoria. An uplifting yet emotion strewn fizzing pop anthem, it oozes a shimmering synth-soaked musicality and catchy driving energy whilst maintaining the duo’s gritty, colossal power. It was absolutely wonderful to catch ARXX in all their empowering, endearing charm at The Social this Wednesday! ARXX’s long awaited debut album Ride Or Die is set for release very soon – pre-order here. (ML)

Collars – ‘Rainbows’
Providing main support at the Currls EP launch at Shacklewell Arms next Thursday, Collars are fast becoming a new favourite with their energy filled, fuzz-strewn catchy indie-punk offerings. Delivering rich impassioned vocals alongside jangling hooks and driving beats, I cannot wait to see this duo live! (ML)

Ailbhe Reddy – ‘Shitshow’
We’re big fans of Irish songwriter Ailbhe Reddy here at GIHE, so we’re thrilled to hear that her new album, Endless Affair, is due early next year on 17th March. “’Shitshow’ came from a lyric I played with for a few months which was ‘my god, look at the state of me, this is so embarrassing'” Ailbhe explains about this latest single. “It’s about looking back on a night out with regret while also addressing and apologising to an ex-partner about my antics. The first verse is to myself and the second verse is to someone else. It’s kind of a tongue in cheek examination of a bad hangover.” Hard relate to that one. Check out the excellent accompanying video for ‘Shitshow’ here. (KC)

Kierst – ‘How To Be’
This poetic rumination on a past relationship features on Brooklyn-based songwriter Kierst’s debut EP, Thud. Inspired by her memories of moving between people and places, the record is a heartfelt reflection on “how bizarre a thing a relationship really is.” (KC)

Dayydream – ‘Wasn’t’
A tender reflection on the transient nature of emotions and our attachments to other people, this track is lifted from Glasgow-based songwriter Chloe Trappes aka Dayydream’s debut EP, Bittersweet. Filled with delicate guitar strokes, dreamy vocals and affecting lyrics, Trappes ruminates on distance and desire across the record and the way these things can shift our perspective towards ourselves, and to others over time. I really recommend giving it a listen. (KC)

Queen Colobus – ‘5/9’
South London based indie-jazz collective Queen Colobus’ latest single is taken from their recent EP Think Fast, and I just can’t get enough of its blissful hooks, luscious swooning vocals and glistening laid-back beats. A wonderfully woozy euphoric soundscape. (ML)

Σtella – ‘Nomad’
Athenian Σtella has released ‘Nomad’ taken from her album Up and Away, which was released earlier this year in June. I’ve only just come across her now for the first time, but her music is beautiful, described as “vintage-flecked pop to the pangs and raptures of love.” This track is simply beautiful, and as with many of the tracks on the album, uses traditional Greek instruments (bouzouki and kanun). Be prepared to be swept away to the Greek seas. (Tash Walker)

Prima Queen – ‘Butter Knife’
Produced by The Big Moon, this bittersweet offering from London-based duo Prima Queen is a reflection on the cruel nature of Alzheimer’s disease. Blending spoken-word verses and softly sung choruses with gentle guitars and percussion, the track is poignant and personal lament to slowly losing a loved one. (KC)

Blonde Maze – ‘When You Move’
Another utterly euphoric creation from my most played artist over the last few years, ‘When You Move’ comes from a collection of equally dreamy tracks that the New York based artist has released recently. Oozing an immersive, shimmering splendour, it offers a comforting embrace in audio form, as rippling waves of electro hooks sparkle with an exquisite majesty alongside heartfelt vocals. Blonde Maze never fails to soothe and uplift with her blissful creations. (ML)

Maria BC – ‘ROF’ (Rachika Nayar remix)
Ohio-born songwriter Maria BC has shared a remix EP of their beautiful debut album Hyaline, and it’s just as dreamy and poetic as their original record. Featuring No Home, Rachika Nayar, Nina Keith, Lucy Liyou, and Ragana, the altruistic ambient-folk sounds are a perfect distraction from life’s more stressful moments. (KC)

paun – ‘Earth Timeline’
Berlin-based paun released this eclectic ambient track earlier this year in addition to being featured in the first Éclat Various Artists compilation. It’s been in my ears for most of this month, so definitely check out the rest of paun’s work on bandcamp if you’re into this. (KC)

Babyfather, Tirzah – ‘1471’
‘1471’ is the second collab between Dean Blunt under his alias Babyfather and Tirzah, the first being her track ‘Recipe’ off of her album, Colourgrade. Always thirsty for more Tirzah content me! (TW)

HOLDA SEK – ‘At Twenty’
This is the debut single from the London based HOLDA SEK, made with producer Caezar. I can’t stop listening to this song, very catchy beats which drill down through your ears into your brain. (TW)

Tempers – ‘Unfamiliar’
New York City duo Tempers specialise in a sleek strain of low-lit poetic synth pop, I got to see them in London at studio 9240 and they were fantastic. This is their lead single from their album New Meaning, which was released earlier this year via Dais Records. (TW)

Twin Rains – ‘Nothing in my Purse’ (Secret Sign Remix)
Inspired by the concept of death and possession, I’m a big fan of this shadowy remix of Toronto-based duo Twin Rains track ‘Nothing In My Purse’. Re-worked by Secret Sign’s Phil Baljeu, a Toronto video artist & longtime friend and collaborator of Twin Rains, the track is an industrial-shoegaze tinted gem. (KC)

DOUBLE HELIX – ‘Rat Rave’
I first heard this track at the hand of Kate, so I’m going to dedicate this one to you mate. Double Helix were another of the bands that I saw at Studio 9294, alongside the likes of Tempers and Curses. A pretty epic live performance, some serious shoulder shuffling from me. (TW)

LibraLibra – ‘Frenemies’
The new single from total faves LibraLibra, ‘Frenemies’ reflects on the comfort we may find in fake or damaging ‘friendships’. Lulling us into a false sense of security with a sweeping orchestral intro, it builds with a colossal magnificence as front woman Beth’s vocals simmer with a sultry allure, before exploding into a riotous anthem seething with dark undertones. And LibraLibra were absolutely spectacular, as always, supporting other faves ARXX at The Social this Wednesday. (ML)