Forming as a band just over a year ago, Heath haven't wasted any time in proving themselves to be a polished, mature and exciting new group. The self-produced three piece from Sussex (UK) released their debut single 'Give Me Over' back in early 2015 and received mass support from fans and the industry alike, gaining airtime through XFM and was crowned Track of the Day on BBC Introducing. They've now revealed 'The Outline Of You', the lead single taken from their new EP 'June', set for release on 29th April...
'The Outline Of You' Review: The lead single from their forthcoming EP, is fantastic! It's catchy, upbeat and subtly powerful. With cuts and builds throughout, their alternative pop vibe shining all the way through. If you like Amber Run and Little Comets that bring something new to the world of music, you're bound to love HEATH and their varyingly infused songs! Enjoy!
1. Fool - Junk Son Junk Son is the brainchild of London based musician John Dunk, and his latest track 'Fool' is a deep, hypnotic and vivid four minutes of late-night electro - driven soul. Following support tours with Ghost Poet and Maribou State, he has recently headlined London's Ace Hotel and will be appearing at The Great Escape in Brighton on 20th May, so if you're around be sure to check him out.
2. Neverending - Little Coyote Emerging from the sand of Sydney's Northern Beaches, alternative pop rockers, Little Coyote, have been playing venues since their first live show mid-2014. Combining thumping beats (Anto Dinh, drums) and funky resonance (Gareth Bussey, bass), with a vintage-feel 6-string twanging fluidity (Matt Coates, guitar) and powerful, rich poetics (Judd English, vocals). 'Neverending' is the lead track on their second EP scheduled for release in the first half of 2016; so keep your ears and eyes peeled!
3. Cabinet - The High Learys The High Learys are a four piece inspired rock band from Perth, Western Australia. Consisting of Jamie Turner (lead vocals/bass), Michael Nutt (keys/vocals), Matt Williams (guitar) and Mitchell J Benson (drums), the band formed in 2011 and have since released one album, and a number of singles. 'Cabinet', however, is the first time the four piece had ventured into recording entirely by themselves, and was recorded over the summer of 2015. The product is the fantastic track accompanied by a weird, yet very wonderful video - enjoy!
4. Ones And Zeros - Young Guns Young Guns kept busy throughout 2015, playing to packed out venues worldwide and touring with the likes of Three Days Gone, Black Stone Cherry and Breaking Benjamin. They've emerged as one of the UK's most electrifying new bands in the last few years, garnering heavy radio play and both US and UK chart success, attracting critical acclaim from the likes of Kerrang and BBC Radio , as well as US outlets too, Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Red Bull and more. They're heading out on the Vans Warped Tour (more info here), and enjoy their most recent single 'Ones and Zeroes' below.
5. Two Feet Off The Ground - Sara Hartman Sara Hartman continues to be one to watch for 2016 with her sophomore track 'Two Feet Off The Ground'. Sara entered the world of new music late last year with track 'Monster Lead Me Home', which has reached near ten million streams across streaming platforms, leading to Spotify making her one of their Spotlight for 2016 artists. Beyond that, Ellie Goulding invited her to play the European stretch of her arena tour! Sara Hartman's playing across the US and Germany in the next few months, so be sure to keep up to date with her throughout 2016 - she's one to watch!
Critically acclaimed psychedelic bliss-rock band, Givers and Takers, have quickly catapulted to success with their unique blend of soul and experimental rock. The four-piece came together in Santa Barbara, CA, and consists of members, Zack Greenwald, Alan Krespan, Drew Bruchs and Mark Pollack. They've performed alongside Walk The Moon, !!! (Chk Chk Chk) and Alberta Cross, and now they're set to announce their forthcoming EP in the coming months and will be touring extensively this summer!
General Questions:
1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how?
Zack: I was 8 when I started playing music. I grew up a lover of R&B and Soul music, but I was a basketball player. Around the same time I decided not to play in college, a guitar wound up in my hand for the first time, and the rest is history.
Mark: I was in the local music store when I was 7 or 8, and remember being so drawn to the electric guitar. My parents wanted me to play piano first, so I started lessons and a year or two later got my first guitar.
Drew: I was about 6 years old when I first started playing music. I feel that music was my first language. Many of my earliest memories revolved around listening to music / being around musicians. My father and brother are both guitarists, so I gravitated to that instrument at first, but then quickly realised that I didn't want to be the third guitar player in the family. The bass seemed to naturally come my way a few months later.
Alan: I was 6 years old when I first decided I wanted to play guitar. My parents wanted me to play piano first to get familiarised with theory. A few years later, I was at a friend's house where there was multiple instruments, including a drum kit. I started banging away and felt the need to keep at it. I then started taking lessons until I got my first kit at the age of 12. 2. What is the most inspiring musical performance you've ever seen? Zack: Easy question. My Morning Jacket at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Mark: Saw Brand New twice in April 2007 on tour with Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra. Those shows inspired me to pursue music. Drew:Robert Randolph & the Family Band opening up for Eric Clapton. Alan: MuteMath at The Satellite. It was a very intimate setting for such a successful band. They were so genuine, humble, and willing to answer any questions about their processes and gear. 3. Who have you been listening to lately? We've been getting into the new Ray Lamontagne and Matt Corby albums, along with our staples - Foals, MuteMath (their newest album is SO hot), Glass Animals, Erykah Badu, Fleet Foxes... The list goes on and on... 3 Qs for Givers & Takers: 1. Why / how did your name 'Givers & Takers' come about? We picked the band name based on the constant, invariable balance of the universe. We like to look at topics from as many angles as possible. Our name always seemed to fit the spectrum of our sound. 2. You're set to tour throughout this summer, but which three countries would you most like to tour and why? The UK - We have had a few people tell us over the years that our music would be well received over there, and we are itching to test that theory out. Many of our favourite bands/artists are British, as well, so we would like to tap into the soil of those influences. Japan - It would be such a treat to tour in a place with such a different culture. No other country has more dedicated fans. We know how revered live music is in Japan, and would love to be a part of it. Antartica - We have always wanted to play a show where the entire crowd is made up of ice. 4* - Texas 3. What process did you go through creating 'Strangers' and how did it differ to other tracks on your forthcoming EP? 'Strangers' was actually written quite a bit before all the other songs on this batch, so it differs most in that way. That song was slowly massaged out over time to become what it is today. Even the live version is still evolving. Our songs are never really done. Random Q: Major or minor chords? Pass! 'Strangers' Review: 'Strangers' is a fantastic track! The prominent bass line highlights the smooth soulful vocals and slick guitars, which grow to an emotive and raw chorus, with a grittier feel to it. Gradually building and ending in a crescendo. I really love the combination of genres pulled together by Givers & Takers as they've created a unique sound that stands alone as pure brilliance. A great track!
Futile met in Gothenburg, Sweden during their high school years, and after some changes of members in 2015, currently consists of Matias Cortes Santos, Tim Vikman, Magnus Nylander and Daniel Aslund. The four-piece band refuse to put their music within a specific genre but listening to them, you can't help but feel that you're back in the Hacienda days.
General Questions:
1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how?
We were pretty young, all of us. When we were round 10-11 years old we all started to play different instruments and started to study and play music just for fun. We all started to play cause of our friends. Everyone played and was starting different bands so after few years it became more serious.
2. What is the most inspiring musical performance you've ever seen?
Broder Daniel's last concert at Way Out West was great.
3. Who have you been listening to lately?
Jonas Lundqvist and Little Jinder.
3 Qs for Futile:
1. Who influences you musically and what inspires you lyrically?
The Gothenburg band's like The Tough Alliance, The Embassy and Bye Bye Bicycle have been inspiring bands. Both musically and lyrically.
2. Where in the world would you most like to perform live and why?
Japan. We've never been there and it seems like a cool country!
3. What process did you go through creating your forthcoming single 'Lust For Life' and how did it differ to the process for 'I Don't/You Don't'?
'I Don't/You Don't' was our first single that we recorded with Tim on vocals. We have been working a lot with the vocals on 'Lust For Life' mostly.
Random Q:
Three things you couldn't live without?
1. Dogs
2. Football / Soccer
3. Love
'Lust For Life' Review: This single is a brilliant flash back to the 80s/90s electronic music scene. It's an upbeat track with fantastic guitars and synths that skip and hop over the drums, left with the catchy chorus stuck in your head, and no choice but to hum along. This is a brilliantly infectious track that follows on from an equally brilliant debut single and leads the way for the rest of their album 'Night' (which is also available to stream now...)
After the success of their debut EP, 'Waxen Myriad', in 2014; Brisbane band Twin Haus have now returned with their sophomore EP 'Nothing Lavish'. The four-piece spent most of 2015 writing for their latest release and now to celebrate are heading out on their biggest tour yet. Travelling around Australia for most of April and May, which they kicked off with a hometown show, are now heading across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. Hopefully, they'll venture across to the UK and Europe soon, as their stage presence make them a band that have to be seen to be believed!
'Nothing Lavish EP' Review: It's not often you can truly appreciate a 10 minute track, however this EP is home to two of them and they're brilliant! The four track release opens with 'Synthetic Egg', which is understandably most people's favourite song from the EP. It's a dreamy track, with varying depths and intricate layers of horns and saxophone which really adds to the craft of the song. 'Self-Love' follows on well, has more of a psychedelic and intense rush of energy throughout. Whilst 'I Used To Think' holds a trippier vibe, and the vocals float over the top of the well crafted instrumental layers. The EP comes to a close with 'The Revue', stepping back into a dreamy pop track, slower in places, cutting and growing into a crescendo at the end, bringing the EP to a wonderful ending. Overall, a fantastic EP, four tracks that show what Twin Haus are all about and combining some great genres together into a creative mix of perfection.
British / Columbian singer/songwriter, Vanessa Forero, has just released her self-produced debut EP 'From The Uproar'. After being selected in 2015 by Brit Award singer/songwriter Beth Orton to write and perform at her UK show, Forero decided to become her own artist and record her own distinctive indie/folk style with Latino influences. We caught up with Vanessa for a Q&A about all things music...
General Questions:
1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how?
I started playing music as soon as my Dad could sit me up at the piano so I grew up on this thing. I penned my first composition at age 9 (called my 'first encounter' - inspired by ET!) but I'd been improvising long before that, I just didn't have the tools to capture the music.
2. What is the most inspiring musical performance you've ever seen?
I'm gonna say Foy Vance. He was playing in a beautiful wooden barn and ended on 'Guiding Light'. It has this almost hymnal vamp with lyrics; 'When I need to get home, you're my guiding light, you're my guiding light.' He stripped it down to just voices - everyone's singing. The people outside the barn caught onto it, then the people in the stalls, then the tech guys, and even when Foy left we kept going, walking around the fam and singing this thing out into the night, it was so moving! A real powerful and uniting moment, like we were all plugged together by this little bit of music, and that seemed like a good illustration of what music really is for me. Brought it all home again.
3. Who have you been listening to lately?
I'm pretty bad at listening to new music, spend too much time playing with it, but Jack Garratt and Gavin James are on my recent searches and I have not been disappointed. Sufjan Stevens is a recent regular too for me.
3 Qs for Vanessa:
1. Out of the instruments you play, which do you enjoy playing most and why?
Piano. It's not even my main instrument - it's my main language! I learned to play it at the same time I learned to talk, but even today the piano is my better way of communication for saying how I feel. It's also where I re-charge, it's my cave, my safe place, my therapist! Actually I think it might be my umbilical cord. Yummy.
2. Where do you tend to look / find inspiration, both musically and lyrically for your music?
Previously to everything outside; planet earth, whatever makes a noise or just music that moves me. Recently - to everything inside; musically translating who I am as a person, my culture, my character, my leanings etc. I'm new to writing lyrics but the generally come from me talking to myself - pulling me out of something or pulling me into something new. Sometimes just my observations of this quirky little planet.
3. Which is your favourite track from your debut EP 'From The Uproar', and why does it stand out to you?
Probably 'Raven'. Raven was my superhero nickname given by a friend who was trying to pull me out of old Vanessa skin and into the skin of something greater than I presently was. With public singing being my greatest fear and coming to face it on my first stage last year, I had to go out on Raven wings! So that week I wrote this pep-talk song: 'Listen you Raven, see what you're made of...' and all on a high note. It gave me something to climb for anyway, and I survived! It all marked quite a moment for me because that was the start of me freeing all the song I've had buried under fear for years. Lyrics aside, the song just happened to provide great grounding to get quite Latino on production, so all round it really does feel the most 'me' song.
Random Q:
All time favourite musician?
I'm more in tune to composers than musicians, but one muso that comes to mind is the drummer Vinnie Colaluta. Sting used him a lot back in the day. He's technical but musical, sensitive but commanding, complex but communicable, just a true, TRUE musician. I LOVE bassist Pino Palladino too.
'From The Uproar EP' Review: This release opens with 'Heaven Knows', a track that is led by beautiful guitar and is brilliantly folky. It's impossible not to hum along to and has a compellingly upbeat chorus, quite reminiscent of Angus & Julia Stone. The lead single from the EP 'Same Boat' follows next and is another cheerful track, with a fantastic indie style guitar riff and ukulele and guitar lines that come together really well, would be perfect for singing along to and would create an awesome atmosphere live. 'I'll Be Wrong Again' is a little slower, however it grows throughout with increasing layers and a wonderfully hopeful yet emotive tone. 'Raven' is possibly one of my favourite tracks from the EP, it's atmospheric and is a little more intense than the previous three. Strings, Spanish guitar and the percussion lead this song well, with a catchy and empowering chorus standing out. Closing the five-track release is 'Anhela' a beautiful bonus track, sung in Spanish and holding a stunningly haunting atmosphere. I got a little lost listening to this track and ended up with goosebumps. Really beautiful. Overall, a truly incredible release; each track offers something new and different to the EP (and the wider world of music too). It really showcases the talent, knowledge and passion that Vanessa has for music. Enjoy!
Wolf Choir are a young, Guildford-based band; comprised of Aram Bahmaie, Ed Guillaume-Smith, James Humphrys and Tom Hill. The four-piece are currently scattered across the country, studying and working in Birmingham, Guildford, Bristol and Plymouth and are still managing to reassemble in their bedrooms to write and record. Following their debut EP 'Mountains and Other Nice Things', 'Zoo of the New', finds them reborn, exploring more exciting sonic landscapes.
General Questions: 1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how? Tom: I started to play classical piano when I was about 9 but I only really started to enjoy playing music when I learnt the guitar at 11. From then that has been my instrument of choice. Ed: I was abnormally into playing the recorder when everyone starts learning. I had a Beatles book with a backing track which I loved playing along to. It was great. 2. What is the most inspiring musical performance you've ever seen? Tom: Volcano Choir played at the Barbican Centre a few years back which was an amazing experience. James: The most inspiring musical performance always changes each time for me. There's always something different I take from a performance, and want to try and incorporate into our music or performance. But one that stands out would be a recent one when I saw King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard play in Bristol. Their energy on stage was incredible. Ed:For me it would probably be either LCD Soundsytem at Brixton Academy, the first time I saw Arcade Fire on their 'Neon Bible' tour, or the two times I've been lucky enough to see Sufjan Stevens. 3. Who have you been listening to lately? Aram: David Bowie - Backstar, Esperanza Spalding - Emily's D+Evolution, Beat Music - The Los Angeles Improvisations, All Joanna Newsom records, Deerhunter. Tom:The War On Drugs, Polica, Slowdive... James: Recently I've been listening to Honne, Rhye, Liss, this Norwegian band I found on SoundCloud called BLØSH. But a lot of funk like The Metres and Herbie Hancock. Ed: No new releases recently apart from 'The Life of Pablo' and Grimes - 'Art Angels'. Otherwise been listening to a lot of DJ Shadow - 'Endtroducing...', Beach House, A Tribe Called Quest and M83. 3 Qs for Wolf Choir: 1. Which country would you most like to tour and which two artists/bands would you want to tour with? James: There's a few countries I'd like to tour. Germany and France would be cool. But we need to gig more here first... There's a band we're close with called Fossa. So that would be fun to tour with them one day. 2. What process did you go through creating 'Zoo of the New EP' and how much did it differ to 'Mountains and Other Nice Things'? Aram:It differed hugely. Firstly, we are all two years older than when we did Mountains and Other Nice Things. We've all left school. We all live in different towns and cities. James and myself are both doing degrees in music, and we all have broader tastes in music than our 18-year-old selves. Ed joined the band as well, becoming a key collaborator. The music has so much more depth, in part due to his knowledge of synthesisers and sound design, but perhaps more importantly, he could see very clearly where we were going with the project and always assisted us in the best way possible. Of course we all had specific roles, but each of us were very open to constructive criticism, so we never arrived at a situation where I play a bass part, or Ed keys part, and that became the final product. There was very little ego. It's too small a project for ego. We enjoyed ourselves. James: The main process didn't change a lot I feel, we left it for a while after Mountains and Other Nice Things. So in that time, as Aram said we'd all grown musically and our tastes obviously changed slightly. I feel we knew what we wanted it to sound like and we weren't as concerned about what people would think of it. There was also less pressure to release it, we allowed a lot of time to make sure it was where it could be. The arrival of Ed also changed the writing process and opened up new areas we now love exploring. 3. Amongst the band you also have a few solo projects, what always brings you back to Wolf Choir? Aram: We're very good friends, and making music with your good friends is tremendous fun. James: There are a few different projects for sure! Aram's off playing a load of bass with different bands, Ed is working on his project Mechajoy and I'm studying songwriting in Bristol and working towards releasing a new solo EP with that. So although we're all active in music in different places it's always nice coming back home to start on something new and fresh. I feel our different qualities help bring out the best in each other and we know how each of us likes to play and write so it's always good to combine talents. We'll never not play together! Ed: As Aram mentioned, 'Zoo of the New' was my first adventure with Wolf Choir. I'd be a fan from the get-go and love 'Mountains and Other Nice Things'. When I came on board to work on ZotN, I'd moved away from making indie rock music for a while and had focused more on producing pop/electronic as part of Mechajoy. So making music with the band was a lovely mixture! It was such a fun process , the rest of the group are a pleasure to create with and I'm grateful to have been a part of it. Random Q: Whose record collection would you most like to listen to and why? James: My friend recently watched a J Dilla documentary. He was telling me about the ridiculous number of records he had collected over time. He knew which records to find and use for different samples, which is coll and something, which also separates Zoo of the New from Mountains and Other Nice Things. So I guess I'd like to have a listen to his to try and listen out for what he would have looked for in the records. It's a skill! 'Zoo of the New EP' Review: There's no denying this is a maturer and more eclectic sound from Wolf Choir. The EP opens with 'Helios'; a steady track that grows from beautiful guitars complimenting James' vocals, underlined with bass and keys, to intense, thrashing drums and cutting guitars, ending on a crescendo. 'Number 7' follows on brilliantly, offering a funk-infused bass throughout, the song is layered so well it, they all work seamlessly together. My favourite track from the release is 'So Much Blue, So Little Time', and I still haven't quite worked out why it stands out to me. It's a little fuzzy and whether they intended it to or not, the music seems to reflect the lyrics in an almost metaphorical way, and of course the drums throughout work incredibly well with the synths and guitars. The release is finished off with 'Catharsis', an fantastic track with infectious guitars and melody. It's bursting with creativity and the addition of spoken word from Maddalena pushes it out the box and on the edge of the band's usual style. Overall, a brilliant EP that shows indie rock and dream pop doesn't have to exclude musician's influences from other genres.
