Track Of The Day: Talk Like Tigers – ‘Sacred Feminine’

In anticipation of their debut double-EP release, Newcastle’s Talk Like Tigers reveal ‘Sacred Feminine’ – a feminist-indie-pop anthem. As identical twins and a two-piece indie band, the duo manifest a captivating presence the moment that their creative efforts join together.

Charlotte and Stephanie blend the melodies of indie-pop’s catchy merit with wisps of other outside influences like retro synth-pop and dreamy alternative pop. What remains steady in the vividness of Talk Like Tigers’ lyrical takes, which paint colourful images via the pair’s lush, velvety vocals. The vocal harmonies in ‘Sacred Feminine’ are a fierce, distinguishing element that adds a fizzing energy to the track. Many producers feel that this kind of oral chemistry is exclusive to siblings, so to hear the synchronisation of these gifted twins is quite the exhibition.

While switching between synths, guitars and snappy drum pads, the duo glitter ‘Sacred Feminine’ with quirky rhythms that are both abstract and infectious, symbolising the multi-faceted aspects of femininity. Celebration is a central sentiment as listeners are transported to a space where both the beautiful and the strong nature of femininity merge to reflect the goddess-like qualities of the phenomenon.

Talk Like Tigers summarise that their track “is a powerful, anthemic song about femininity and female worth.” ‘Sacred Feminine’ honours femininity, vulnerability and intuition as absolute strengths in this empowering anthem.

Watch the sparkling, uplifting video for ‘Sacred Feminine’ here:

Talk Like Tigers are set to release their debut double EP in May. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Lee Scullion

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Track Of The Day: Sassyhiya – ‘I Had A Thought’

Formally of the beloved cult guitar band Barry, who seemingly made everyone who saw them fall in love with them, Kathy Wright and Helen Skinner are now striking out on their own as Sassyhiya and have shared an uplifting new video. Taken from their debut EP, ‘I had a thought’ is just irresistible; a supercool slice of wonky post-punk that will, excuse the pun, get in your ears and refuse to leave.

The duo, who are real life as well as musical partners, have an undeniable chemistry and confidence. Recorded at home over lockdown, the song’s plodding, melodic bass, jerky guitars and twee, sing-song vocals collide brilliantly to make a modern, post-punk classic.

The song is a must-listen for fans of The Raincoats, Shop Assistants, Delta 5 and Shopping. A bold, brilliant and fully realised debut, the band have given us a very sassy ‘hiya!’ indeed. Here’s to many more! 

Gum Demos, the new EP from Sassyhiya is out now. And you can catch Sassyhiya at their first ever gig, playing for us with Fightmilk and Bitch Hunt at The Shacklewell Arms on 25th March. Tickets here.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

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LIVE (Photos): LIINES @ The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, 10.03.2022

On Thursday, one of our most favourite bands LIINES took to the stage at Hebden Bridge’s infamous Trades Club to treat the crowd of fans to almost an hour of all their brooding, frenetic material to date. A sublime night of the best live music. We can’t wait to see them when they’re back down south soon!

Our photographer Jon Mo was there to capture some of the action…

Photo Credit: Jon Mo / @jonmophotography

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Track Of The Day: Fears – ’16’

Transforming her ruminations on a troubled past relationship into an elegant, exquisitely raw new offering, Irish musician and producer Constance Keane aka Fears has shared her latest single ’16’. Released via her own imprint TULLE, the track is a combination of meditative synth loops, tentative beats – inspired by the traditional Irish bodhrán drum – and the instrumentals of her late friend, classically trained cellist and trans rights activist Sophie Gwen Williams, which all mesh together to create a truly soothing, magnetic soundscape.

Accompanied by a beautiful video, shot in The Maharees in County Kerry in south west Ireland and directed by Zoe Greenway who performs alongside Keane in punk band M(h)aol, the visuals are a poignant tribute to Williams too.

“Sophie was an incredible artist and a very close friend of mine,” Keane explains. “We did a filmed performance together last March, thinking we’d get a chance to record it ‘properly’ in a studio, but she passed away before we could. Zoe and I dedicate the video for ’16’ to her memory. I had made her a dress for the original performance out of pink tulle – the same fabric I have with me in the video. She was a really inspirational and encouraging person, and I wanted to create something that shows how I carry her with me, even though I no longer have her physically here.”

Using her art as a canvas to express and process her grief, Keane’s soft vocals and candid lyrics – “It’s been a while since I cried / unusual for me / normally once a week / since we were 16” – combine to create a delicate, shadowy landscape for her listeners to dwell in. On her debut album Oíche, she underwent a significant and moving personal metamorphosis and now with ’16’ she continues to shapeshift and thread her own experiences into immersive, illuminating sounds.

Fears will perform live in London as part of a TULLE Collective showcase on 7th May at Chat’s Palace. Watch the video for ’16’ below.

Sophie Gwen Williams was an acclaimed performance artist, classically trained musician and trans rights activist from Northern Ireland who co-founded We Exist, a charity which raises vital funds to help trans people across the UK pay for healthcare costs. She was also the chair and one of the original members of The 343, a Belfast-based queer art collective. Here she also founded 343 radio, which is Ireland’s first ever queer radio.

Follow Fears on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook
Follow TULLE on Instagram & Twitter

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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