DATE ARCHIVES : March 2016

Boxed In and Formation Team Up for Speedy Wunderground Single, ‘Running Out’

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London-based quartet Boxed In – headed up by Oli Bayston – have teamed up with fellow Londoners, Formation, for a new single as part of Dan Carey’s Speedy Wunderground label/project.

If you’re unfamiliar with Speedy Wunderground, here’s a recap: is a singles label where each release has been written and recorded in 24 hours, coordinated by Carey. The new single ‘Running Out’ sees the two bands collaboration deliver a fast-paced melody induced mix of dancey grooves and ravey tones, and more cowbells than you can shake a stick at. This is the first new material from Boxed In since their superb debut album, last year and the results are golden. ‘Running Out’ also heralds a new Speedy compilation. With the project up and running for two years now, a second compilation, ‘Speedy Wunderground – Year 2’, on 17th June, featuring tunes from Kate Tempest, Loyle Carner, Teleman and Telegram to name a few.

Plenty to look forward to in June, but for now, check ‘Running Out’ below.

 

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #12

 

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We’re thrilled to share yet another Millions Like Us Podcast with you all. It’s great to back with the latest in a series of music podcasts hosted by Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now.

On a bi-weekly basis we aim to provide  some lively and entertaining chat mixed with an eclectic selection of fabulous music from metro Vancouver and elsewhere. There’s plenty in there, well over an hour in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat.

You can read more on it over here and of course, listen below (and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too). You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

2016 has been good to us so far, so thanks for all the support thus far and once again, thanks for listening! We hope you enjoy Episode #12. And last but not least, thanks to Caroline for the super image.

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Kelly Lee Owens – ‘1 Of 3’

Kelly Lee Owens by Daniele Fummo

London-based producer, songwriter and vocalist Kelly Lee Owens has left quite a mark since debuting her own solo work last year – and long may her rising rep continue.

This week Kelly Lee Owens has shared her sublime new single called ‘1 of 3′. A song about empowerment, it is a moody, murky electronic pop number that nestles nicely, somewhere between pop and techno. It emerges from its ethereal origins like sunrise at dawn, imbued with an eerie mystique, which parts, making way of the squelching synths and acid-tinged electronics to kick in – and Lee Owens’ exquisite vocal is outstanding throughout. A splendid, and wholly unique return, showcasing her impressive talent and versatility. It also serves as a taster of what’s to be expected from her highly anticipated debut album.

No firm date on that debut album but you can check out ‘1 Of 3’ below, and we’ll keep you posted on the album.

Photo credit: Daniele Fummo

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Deep Sea Diver – ‘See These Eyes’

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Seattle-based indie-pop band, Deep Sea Diver is the creation of singer/songwriter/musician Jessica Dobson, who honed her craft touring with The Shins, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Beck.

Last month, Dobson and her band of cohorts released their second album Secrets, and it is pretty damn good. A diverse but cohesive exploration of experimental indie and powerful rock, with a pop sensibility lurking beneath. It’s an addictive and infectious record, filled with grit, power and control. Deep Sea Diver’s latest single take from their new album, ‘See These Eyes’ illustrates the beauty and brawn approach. A bright palette and luminescent spectrum of colourful sounds cavorts with the song’s buoyant and jaunty rhythm as Dobson’s vocals slide from powerfully emotive to beguiling whisper with an ease. This is just so good, and it is a sterling example of what awaits you on Secrets.

Secrets is out now on Deep Sea Diver’s own High Beam label. Purchase it here. You can check out ‘See These Eyes’ below, the video accentuates its colourful essence.

Deep Sea Diver play Vancouver’s Biltmore Cabaret, w/ Radiation City on March 17th – details here and full list of tour dates here.

 

Junior Bill – ‘Respectable Man’

Junior Bill 2016 by Tess Seymour

Junior Bill are a Cardiff crew who’ve built a reputable name for themselves thus far, with a superb blend of punky, ska-tinged and soulful and rock ‘n’ roll. And it is business as usual, as Junior Bill continue this fine, fine form with new single ‘Respectable Man’.

Taken from their forthcoming new EP, Off Broadway, Respectable Man’s punky, ska-tinged skank falls somewhere between The Specials and The Clash. Amid all the steady ska-punk rhythms, sunny guitars, energetic escapades, organs and reverb-laden dubby tendencies, combining to stunningly ear-catching effect, there is substance to this slick style. Nichols’ lyrical prowess and storytelling ability has, and remains, second to none. The song’s got a clever narrative, of a narrow-minded Daily Mail readying type (ya know, like Alan Partridge, with even less charm) and his encounters with people in search of a few charitable quid. The video by Joe Marvelly is none too bad either, as it further elaborates on the tune’s narrative. Brilliant!

Off Broadway is released on April 1st, Pre-order it from here. You can check out ;Respectable Man’ below. (Photo credit: Tess Seymour)

 

Introducing: Estrons

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Based in Cardiff, ESTRONS, are powerful and self-evidently brilliant guitar band, fronted by bilingual Canadian-Swede, Taliesyn Kallström.

Their name is Welsh for ‘aliens’ or ‘strangers’, a reflection of their mixed national heritage. Recording in English and Welsh, sometimes flitting between the two, their debut EP ‘Whoever She Was…’ was released in December of last year. The EP is a ferocious 4-track introduction to Estrons and their furious and undeniably excellent sound, can be summed up in a little over three-minutes of the EP’s lead single, ‘Make a Man’. It is everything a great ‘indie-rock’ belter should be, and more. ‘Make A Man’ blazes a trail with a ferocious explosion of energy, anthemic guitar riffs, pounding drums and Källström’s incredibly powerful, searing vocal delivery, shaking whatever’s left of the house down. ‘Make A Man’ is an emphatic exhibition of their considerable talent, and a clear indication to why there’s been quite a bit of fuss surrounding Estrons over the past 12 months or so.

They are promising more new music soon, which is great but for now get your ears around the frenetic, electrified and scintillating master-class that is ‘Make A Man’ below.

Teleman – ‘Düsseldorf’

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Following on from the news that they’ll be releasing their second album this April, Teleman have released another new track from their forthcoming album Brilliant Sanity.

Following on from ‘Fall In Time’, ‘Düsseldorf’ is the latest to track be lifted from the follow-up to their debut Breakfast. Aesthetically, it shares a similar space to its predecessor and showcases brilliance for crafting an immaculate pop song. However, Thomas Sanders & Company’s signature jangly pop, dulled guitar tones and glistening synths are given a much meatier, muscular coat. And in doing so, as has so often been the case, Teleman eek out that sweet spot between pop and indie, so splendidly well. Magnificent, as per usual. Roll on April 8th.

Teleman’s new album Brilliant Sanity, is produced by Dan Carey in his South London studio and released through Moshi Moshi on April 8th. Check out ‘Düsseldorf’ and the Daniel Brereton directed video, below.

The Brilliant Sanity tracklisting is as follows:
1. Dusseldorf
2. Fall In Time
3. Glory Hallelujah
4. Brilliant Sanity
5. Superglue
6. Canvas Shoe
7. Tangerine
8. English Architecture
9. Melrose
10. Drop Out
11. Devil In My Shoe

 

Cate Le Bon shares ‘Wonderful’ from new LP, ‘Crab Day’

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Welsh Songstress Cate Le Bon has unveiled ‘Wonderful’, the first single lifted from her forthcoming fourth LP, Crab Day, which is due out on April 15th and follows 2013’s decidedly special Mug Museum.

‘Wonderful’ is Cate Le Bon personified, a totally unique song from a completely unique artist. Transfixing yet unsettling, awkward and jerky, off-kilter concoction of sax, xylophone and guitars, which is sort of offset by Le Bon’s rich and beautiful vocals. There is something about her thick Welsh accent and lilting elocution that just makes her voice swirl around words and utterly all consuming manner. An absolutely marvellous talent, one that would exhaust the use of superlatives.

The Casey Raymond directed video for ‘Wonderful, is available below, for your perusal. Cate Le Bon has confirmed a whole host of live dates across Europe and N. America, including Vancouver on May 12th, at The Cobalt – the full list is available here. (Photo: credit Ivana Kličković)

Slow Riot – ‘Trophy Wife’

Slow Riot 2016

Limerick post-punk trio Slow Riot have returned with a heavy-hitting new single, ‘Trophy Wife’.

Following in from 2015’s impressive debut EP Cathedral, which combined the band’s classic post-punk influences – Gang of Four, Television, Wire – and infused them with more contemporary bands such as Girl Band and Future of the Left; the seething new single has added a further dimension to their already peerless sound. Fueled by a deep undercurrent of despondent-aggression, ‘Trophy Wife’ like a slowly uncoiled spring, a seething, pent up anger is released across a just shy of 4-minutes, hurtling toward a turbulent post-punk climax. It is intense, insistent, menacing and demands your attention as frontman, Niall Clancy serves the vocals, exploring a more laid back, art-rock groove (reminiscent of Julian Casablancas and early Horrors). ‘Trophy Wife’ is Slow Riot’s best work to date and decisively demonstrates the trio’s considerable promise.

Check out ‘Trophy Wife’ below, it is released on April 15th (pre-order):

 

Bousada – ‘On My Own’

‘On My Own’ is the latest in a line of top class singles from Victoria (BC, Canada) based producer, Bousada.

Bousada has impressed us at every opportunity thus far with his infectious, natural, refreshing electronic sound; and his latest cut is no different. ‘On My Own’ is all sultry, smooth and seductive, with an emphasis on dancefloor readiness, synths and bass sounds. There’s some phenomenal beat work on show, with an abundance of interesting and layered sounds and noises, permeated, ultimately by rather cool vibes. But, not for the first time, this, select as it is, is but a backdrop for Bousada’s smooth, soulful and melodic vocals – his voice is the key to everything. Magnificent once again from Victoria’s secret – at this rate, it won’t be for too much longer.

Check out ‘On My Own’ below, now!

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