The Maccabees – Feel To Follow
Still haven’t gotten round to listen to the new Maccabees LP but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed what’s been released to YouTube thus far, including this new one.
Introducing… Freedom Fry
Marie (Paris) and Bruce Driscoll (New York) aka Freedom Fry came together with the pure intention of creating alluring and exquisite music. Using both French and English lyrics, the pair have hit the nail on the head when it comes to their sound which is already distinctive and inspired.
The above stream is taken from their recent debut 5-track EP, ‘Let The Games Begin’, which throughout incorporates their love of autoharps, ukeleles, dulcimers and harpischords and the this next song is a great example of that.
The next song is scheduled for release on Valentine’s Day (14th Feb) and the music video was released just recently. There’s a full length LP on it’s way at some point as well as some live dates due to be announced and given they’re listed as based in LA, you can expect the first run to in the States.
Clock Opera
I first heard Clock Opera back in 2010 when they released a lively upbeat single called ‘A Piece Of String’. Lead singer Guy Connelly’s slightly quavering vocals were just gorgeous and the mix of real instruments and samples gave them a unique twist to their indie rock sound. So I was pleased to hear that the band are due to release their debut LP ‘Ways To Forget’ in April 2012.
Clock Opera – A Piece Of String
Clock Opera – Belongings
The band use a combination of real instruments and samples, many of which are found sounds. The ‘Making of…’ video below really brings to life how Guy and the band weave these found sounds into melodies and beats. Its impressive stuff. If haunting tracks like ‘Belongings’ are anything to go by, the song writing is going to make for a brilliant album.
The Making of White Noise
New Jamie N Commons
In the run up to his first formal headline tour, Jamie N Commons has released a full length preview of his next single and it’s another confirmation of how powerful and evocative his music is.
With a similar big band feel to The Preacher, this song has a bigger soul punch to it whilst the gritty Americana remains.
Watch Jamie perform The Preacher on our Mahogany Session channel here.
Josh Record – New Demo
Josh Record is one of those artists on the cusp of something really big in 2012 and he’s certainly a man that deserves it. We showcased him alongside his band on our first Introducing sessions and he’s climbed to become the 9th most session overall this month.
He’s just revealed a new demo recorded at home but it’s a stunning piece of work and sets our tails wagging for the upcoming EP!
Watch his Introducing session here.
Introducing… Grimes
To say that Claire Boucher, aka Grimes, makes music that is otherworldly is a massive understatement. Her art house looks and siren-esque vocal style combine to make you feel like Grimes really did drop to earth straight from the heavens.
Hailing from Montreal Canada, Grimes should really need no introduction having recently released the sublime sounding single ‘Genesis’ from her 4th studio album ‘Visions’. Grimes has an hypnotic ethereal sound and as a performer she weaves visual arts, performance and culture into her delivery – making her one of the more unique and exciting artists out there at the moment.
Grimes – Vanessa
Grimes – Heartbeats
Grimes EP collaboration ‘Darkbloom’ with Canadian lo-fi RnB vocalist D’eon proved to be fruitful musical partnership. This EP saw this track ‘Crystal Ball’ alongside D’eon’s 90s inspired ‘Transparency‘. Both are synth heavy tracks which compliment each other perfectly.
Grimes – Crystal Ball
Catch Grimes’ dream-like live show on one of the below dates in May.
May 6th – Bristol, Simple Things Festival
May 7th – Glasgow, Berkeley Suite
May 8th – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
May 9th – London, XOYO
May 10th – Manchester, Islington Mill
Kate Bush
The ever eccentric and uber-talented Kate Bush has released a gorgeous shadow puppet video for her track ‘Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe’ from her most recent album ’50 Words for Snow’. This is a visual feast.
Kate Bush – Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe
Peñate Returns
It was in the height of the happy-go-lucky indie music scene when Jack Penate’s first album came out and it brings back so many memories of studying (or actually not studying) for my A Levels at college. I’ve actually put ‘Matinee’ on whilst I write this post and, albeit a perfectly nice album, I (alongside many others) have definitely grown out of that brand of indie rock.
The critically-acclaimed 2009 sophomore LP ‘Everything Is New’ came next which not only catapulted the artist into the safe zone of being highly credible away but also launched Paul Epworth as one of the brightest producing talents around and after a massively successful tour and tons of promo, Jack went into hibernation.
Over two years of hibernation have come to an end today though, as earlier he released a new song via his YouTube channel titled No One Lied. It’s a slow and heart-felt track with some lovely harmonies.
Looking forward to hearing more.
