Showing posts with label Indie Rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indie Rock. Show all posts

Thursday, 26 June 2014

Howling Bells - Live @ Scala, London. 10th June 2014.


Arguably,  London-based Australian indie-rock outfit Howling Bells are one of the must underrated bands of our time. With ten years of experience as a band and four engaging, melodic-bluesy, albums under their belts, it astounds us that they still seem to be flying relatively low under the radar. Perhaps this works in their favour though. Their fan base remains solid, loyal and true and we witnessed this when we caught them playing to a sufficiently full, but still a little bit roomy, Scala on the 10th June.

There is only one word for a live Howling Bells performance and that's mesmeric. Be it the warm, ever changing strobe lighting that alternates between casting their persons into silhouetted shadows before changing and bringing them out into the forefront of our vision, or the gloomy, atmospheric use of smoke machines that gives a dreamy hazy feel; Howling Bells stage environment is completely in harmony with their sound. Free and allusive, emotive yet mysterious,  Juanita Stein is an incredible lead singer and rhythm guitarist. Cool and unassuming, delicate yet raw,  so alluring that watching the four-piece perform is almost spellbinding. Enjoy our highlights below.






























Howling Bells || Website || Facebook || Twitter




Sunday, 22 December 2013

Video: Tellison - 'Snow (Don't Tell The Truth This Christmas)' & name-your-price charity download.



For many of us, Christmas is becoming more and more of a chore where sentiment, tradition and generosity is seemingly lost amongst commercialism, materialism and bad temperament. We forget how lucky we are to have what we have, and we become irritated by the joy and cheer of the never-ending overly enthusiastic Christmas songs that bombard us at every opportunity.

West London, indie rock four piece Tellison, on the other hand, have done something selfless, productive and honest in releasing a brand new, albeit sombre, Christmas single 'Snow (Don't Tell The Truth This Christmas)' via their bandcamp page. The track is available to download below at a name-your-price cost (so basically free) with any profits going to the charity The Campaign Against Living Miserably helping to fight suicide amongst young men in the UK.

Inspired in equal parts by Dave Bazan, The Weakerthans and East 17's 'Stay Another Day' (odd mix we know) the song portrays an alternative view of Christmas, acknowledging the value in pretence and focusing more on the sadness and struggle that the festive season brings for many, and the desperate urge in avoiding reality to make it through the Christmas period. Take some time to check out the surreal and thought provoking accompanying video that features a sad cross-dressing Santa too. Nice one Tellison!



Tellison || Website ||  Bandcamp || Facebook || Twitter

Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Video: Smallpools perform 'Dreaming' on Jimmy Kimmel Live




Recently signed to RCA Records (also home to the likes of, Kings Of Leon, Everything Everything, Cage The Elephant, Kodaline and Imogen Heap to name but a few) Smallpools are an Indie Rock four-piece, based in LA whose dynamite debut single 'Dreaming' exploded its way to the top of the Hype Machine chart within a matter of hours. A track which may be familiar to you having featured on the FIFA 2014 soundtrack.



Check out the vid below that captures Smallpools making their TV debut performing 'Dreaming' on the Sony Indoor Stage on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'.

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Smallpools || Website || Facebook || Twitter || Soundcloud

Thursday, 19 September 2013

Art Brut announce line up change just days before UK tour


Who is in the picture you might ask? Well, it's the new line up for Art Brut of course! With only five days to go until the Berlin-based English and German indie rockers begin their UK tour, they've just announced a change in line up with drummer Mikey Breyer and guitarist Jasper Future respectively retiring from the band.
But, as the old saying goes, "as one door closes, another one opens" and the band have welcomed Toby Macfarlaine (guitar) and Stephen Gilchrist (drums) into the fold to restore the band back to its original five-piece line up.

In regards to the changes, frontman Eddie Argos has said : "Being a classic rock band isn't all just laps of honour round the World, and photo shoots in Rolling Stone, it also involves personnel changes. So after 10 years and 8 years of playing with them respectively we say goodbye to Mike and Jasper. Press releases are not the best place for fond farewells but it's been a blast and we'll miss them...... It's now time for Art Brut Mk III. Hello to Toby and Stephen. Lets start ROCKING THE FUCK OUT. See you in September!"

Fancy seeing Art Brut live? Catch them at venue near you via the UK tour dates below:

UK TOUR DATES
September

Tues 24 Manchester Academy 3


Wed 25 Glasgow Broadcast 


Thur 26 Newcastle Think Tank 


Fri 27 Wakefield The Hop 



Sat 28 Hebden Bridge Trades Club 


Sun 29 Hull Adelphi 


Mon 3 Nottingham Bodega 




October

Tue 01 Coventry Kasbah 


Wed 02 O Gloucester Guildhall 




November

Sun 03 Bristol Fleece 


Mon 04 Tunbridge Wells Forum


Tue 05 London Village Underground w/ special guests Blast Unit Moscow 


Wed 06 St Albans The Horn 


Thu 07 Bedford Esquires 



Thursday, 5 September 2013

Video: Phantom Runners - 'It Takes Me Away'

 

With an abundance of  generic start up indie bands floating around, sometimes it feels like it's getting increasingly harder to filter those who are worth getting excited about from the repetitious kind that leave you feeling lukewarm at best.  Fortunately, Brighton newcomers Phantom Runners are an exception who are developing a well deserved buzz about them throughout the UK with their wistful lo-fi/dream pop sound reminiscent of 80's English Indie Rock bands such as The Smiths, The LAs, and The Stone Roses.

'It Takes Me Away' is an airy, apparitional track thats contagious pop melodies, easy listening lyricism,  uplifting guitar hooks and refreshing bassline all fantastically fall into place in such a way that leaves you feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and revitalised. Check out the VHS tinged video that accompanies the track below.
 
 



Debut single ‘It Takes Me Away’ released through Stray Cat Records on September 23rd 2013.
Phantom Runners London dates
19th September at Tipsy (single launch party)
5th October at The Nest
Phantom Runners || Website || Facebook || Twitter