I was in a lifeguard’s garage in a tiny seaside town the first time I saw Her’s live. It was in August last year and I’d taken the cutter to Isle of Wight for Ventnor International Festival. The pocket-size festival took place in three makeshift venues across Ventnor’s hilly terrain. The venue in question for Her’s…
Read more
There’s nothing like a brush with death to give you a new lease of life. For Swedish artist Sara Steele, it was a life-threatening bout of meningitis which left her with epilepsy, that changed her whole perspective on music. “For a long time I pushed away my natural instincts, impulsively grabbing on to stuff that I didn’t…
Read more
New York Times Popcast Each week the NYT music team take an in-depth look at the week’s biggest music news story. NYT pop music critic Jon Caramanica hosts but he often invites special guests from the music industry to discuss with. Topics have ranged from The Weeknd’s mysterious internet presence to Mariah’s awful New Year’s…
Read more
IOTAPHI have one mission: to bring around change and inspire growth. This is evidenced nowhere better than their captivating music video for ‘Kids of Chaos‘. The duo bring their dark-hued, cinematic soundscapes to life with a visual that sees athletes from Greece’s Down Syndrome Association throwing shapes in a derelict-looking gymnasium, shrouded in fog. “Our goal…
Read more
A Flock of Seagulls have been slipping into your subconsciousness for years, you just don’t know it. From popular american sitcoms to world renowned video games and iconic cult films, the 80’s new wave outfit have been referenced throughout our modern popular culture. So to celebrate the band’s return, we’re giving you an education on…
Read more
Sam Fender Thurs 10 May | 19:00 pm | The Portland Arms | Tickets The Music Machine definitely doesn’t need any more doe-eyed singer-songwriters, penning heartbreak anthems for the masses. It needs more solo artists like Sam Fender. In his small but promising catalogue, there’s not a love song in earshot. Instead, he tackles issues such…
Read more
Indie Crush’s top picks for vinyl For the extensive list of this Friday’s physical releases: Jessie Baylin – Strawberry Wind Click here to pre-order Blossoms – Cool Like You Click here to pre-order Dylan Carlson – Conquistador Click here to pre-order God is an Astronaut – Epitaph Click here to pre-order Godsmack – When Legends Rise Click here to pre-order Hawthorne Heights – Bad Frequencies Click here to pre-order Michael McDermott – Out…
Read more
Our sister site Lightning Nation recently talked in depth with Slim Loris about the process of transforming their personal pain into sonic pleasure. The Scandicana lot have moved away from the melancholia of their first three full-lengths and into more uplifting pastures. This brighter, most optimistic approach is evidenced nowhere better than album opener and brand new single…
Read more
Despite being a lifelong music fan, sometime music journalist, and owner of a much-loved record player, I hadn’t attended a Record Store Day until this year. The idea of shoulder-barging through a scrum of hipsters at Rough Trade East never appealed to me, plus there was never anything on the product list that I was…
Read more
From a studio retreat in the depths of Ibiza’s valley, IOTAPHI have emerged with their hot take on electronic music: debut EP “Kloudland”. Dark-hued, cinematic soundscapes and ethereal vocals are stock-in-trade on this offering, but it’s the Greek twist that sets their music apart from the likes of James Blake and co. The Athens-via-Italy duo…
Read more
For all you record buffs who want to be in the thick of it on Record Store Day, there’s only one place to be in Cambridge. From 6 am to 6 pm Relevant Records will be fulfilling vinyl wish lists, hosting performances, and providing much-needed coffee for the early risers. It’s the store’s fourth Record Store Day…
Read more
It’s no secret that Scandinavia has produced some of the best songwriters in contemporary music. Needless to say, Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own’ has been a permanent fixture in our playlists since 2010, but there’s been several waves of formidable Scandi talent since the hit-maker’s prime. Rather than lazily pointing you in the obvious direction…
Read more