POSTS TAGGED : Pysch

The Bug Club – ‘The Fixer’

The Bug Club are the creative trio of Sam Willmett (guitar/vocals), Tilly Harris (bass/vocals) and Dan Matthew (drums), from the little-known rock n’ roll hotbed of Caldicot, Monmouthshire.

Together they craft tight-knit, catchy and memorable tunes; sometimes blistering, fiery and fierce and other times, melodic and playfully addictive, and always fizzing with humour and riffs-a-plenty – attributes on display in abundance on their brilliant debut EP Launching Moondream One which was released earlier in the summer.

Hot on the heels of their debut EP comes new single ‘The Fixer’ – a blistering bolt of fizzed-up garage-rock – lifted from their forthcoming new mini-album ‘Pure Particles’ due in November. Propelled by an unrelenting stomping beat and electrifying energy, guitars buzz as meaty  raucous riffs roar amid lovely layers of warm fuzz and lashings of distortion as Willmet & Harris deliver brilliant dual vocals. ‘The Fixer’ finds a sweet spot between melodic and muscular; an utterly addictive scuzzy jam hooks you could hang your hat on.

Yet another brilliant and utterly addictive jam from The Bug Club and the mini-album is one to really look forward to.

Listen to ‘The Fixer’ below:

Sons Of Zöku – ‘Sacred’

Sons Of Zöku are Adelaide-based psych-rock outfit comprised of Portuguese-born Ricardo Da Silva and Ica Quintela, and Australian-born Jordan Buck, Oscar Ellery, and Eddie Hannemann.

They have been making waves in their native Australia (surely the most reliable source of modern psych) for a while with their free-flowing, energetic and colourful explorations and are now readying the release of their debut album and ahead of which, ‘Sacred’ is the first single lifted from the record.

In keeping with tradition, ‘Sacred’ draws influences from across the globe crafting a hypnotic haze of colourful kaleidoscopic sounds, wholly their own. Propelled by a lush, swirling groove and meandering rhythm it is adorned with languid guitars, sitar flourishes and dreamy, hushed vocals that drift melodically above the warm blanket of dreamy fuzz. Sons Of Zöku have struck gold once again and with a debut album on the horizon, it is a timely reminder of their prowess – hopefully the wait isn’t too long.

Listen to ‘Sacred’ below and get ready to be entranced. 

Boe Weaver – ‘Polcut’

Boe Weaver are Isle of Wight-based production, mixing and songwriting duo centred around brothers Jim and Rob Homes.

Back in 2010, in the very early days of this blog, Boe Weaver released their self-titled debut record; a great record then and a great record now. Since then, the brothers Homes have concentrated their attention on production duties, most recently working with the likes of Rhys Lewis, Wolf People, The Archie Bronson Outfit, 77:78, Whyte Horses and Lauran Hibberd. However, nine years later, Boe Weaver are back with new material of their very own in the shape of single, ‘Polcut’. Enlisting the assistance of Isle of Wight musicians Samuel James and Pete Corney, as well as drummer Rupert Brown, for the single; ‘Polcut’ is magnificent.

It is an intoxicating cocktail of strange, exotic and heavily instrumental psychedelic tune. From the opening furious blast of organ, ‘Polcut’ demands your attention as we are dragged headlong through a frantic organ-led funk, that swaggers and cavorts on its way though an exotic world of kaleidoscopic escapism. Aided and abetted by glorious blasts of brass and organ as it grooves along, reaching explosive colourful highs before slumping to spooky subterranean vaults, then surging toward spectacular climactic eruption. A ferocious, exhilarating and imaginative five-and-a-half-minute trip; ‘Polcut’ is a phenomenon.

You can listen to ‘Polcut’ below. Nine years old it may be but I also wholeheartedly encourage you to check out their self-titled debut LP here.

Drinker – ‘Sinking / Feeling’

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LA / NY psych-pop pairing Drinker have just this month released their debut Happy Accident EP and ‘Sinking / Feeling’ is the latest track to be lifted from it.

Comprised of two former members of NYC outfits Isadora (Aaron Mendelsohn) and Stone Cold Fox (Ariel Loh), ‘Sinking / Feeling’ offers a perfect summary of the talents. It’s a slow-burning, gentle undulating jam imbued by a sense of yearning and melancholic vibe. A mournful melody and murmuring vocals serve as the lifeblood of the song, which floats as if soundtracking a hazy, half-memory until introducing flares of synth, slices of acoustic guitar and twinkling piano. These little flourishes help develop the atmosphere further before culminating in a surprisingly frenetic, climactic swirl.

The Happy Accident EP is out now via Dollar Slice Records. Listen to ‘Sinking / Feeling’ below.

Omaloma – ‘Aros O Gwmpas’

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‘Aros O Gwmpas’ is the brand new single from Omaloma, the latest musical incarnation from Welsh artist George Amor; formerly of now defunct Welsh psyche supremos Sen Segur.

Following on from shimmering, psychedelic escapism of debut single ‘Ha Ha Haf’ and ‘Eniwe’, with this new one ‘Aros O Gwmpas’, Amor has distilled the very essence of summer. Self-described as ‘Welsh language psychedelic space schmooze’, the song dazzles us with three minutes of shimmering, sun-kissed and gravity defying and dreaminess. A slinky soft-disco groove, spacey-synth and alluring, peaks through the haze to mingle gracefully with floating vocals, delivering the poetic welsh language. This is soft, soothing and effortless psych-pop perfection. Ladies & Gentleman, we are floating in space.

Tune into the sound of summer below. ‘Aros O Gwmpas’ is out now via Recordiau Cae Gwyn.

Introducing: The Intelligence Service

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The Intelligence Service – Alex P., Heather Campbell, Sam Daoust and Dror Zur – are a four-piece psychedelic garage rock band from Vancouver, BC.

The brand of psych-rock this foursome pedal is a crazed delight for your ears; for a rather lazy comparison, it’s a catchy concoction of The Doors meets The Velvet Underground with a dash of Frank Zappa. Having already released their latest and great EP, Maladies back in April, their debut album Transgressions and West Coast tour, is set to follow in October. As a taste of the former, ‘Driving To My Sun’ is pumped with a real air of positivity and optimism. Swaggering along a smooth groove set out by the vintage organ work, it is met by a wall of fuzz, solid drums and delightful harmonies, with the kind of hazy, nonchalant drawl of the lead singer atop. ‘School Me’ meanwhile, is an altogether rowdier, scintillating sonic burst of psych. Fuelled by relentless hammering drums, the guitars remain fuzzy and the organ catchy, but the vocal interplay between Alex and Heather is the key; the juxtaposition of the dreamy and the manic is divine.

Maladies is out now and available here, with their debut set to follow in October.

Introducing: Jons

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Jons are a four-piece from Victoria, BC – Patrick Rendell, David Parry, Logan Holmes & Keenan Mittag-Degala – who’ve got a penchant for laid-back, lo-fi, psych-tinged guitar-pop.

Jons’ debut LP, Serfs Of Today (just re-issued by Solitaire Records), brings the mellow, hazy vibes. Their soothing, sun-kissed sounds wash over you with such an ease, like a lullaby, as guitars chime and shimmer, and riffs meander, amid the mellow undulation and frazzled production. Jons’ sound is just so pleasant on the ear, music to get lost in (with), the vocals are easy and practically float atop of fuzzy, mild distortion and warm go-with-the-flow harmonies.With the aid of iPhones and cassette recorders they carve out their own modern day niche, distilled with an endearingly authentic, excellently arranged, mellow, breezy and bright psychedelic sounds.

You can sample the sweet and soothing delights of ‘Don’t Complain’ and ‘Sugarfree’, perfect examples of their incredibly warm and inviting style. If they are to your liking, you can try out Serfs of Today, here.

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #16

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After some Mac related issued hampered our first attempt at Podcast #16, we’re thrilled (and relieved) to share yet another Millions Like Us with you all.

Every two weeks, Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now, aim to deliver an eclectic and hand-picked selection of top class music. There’s plenty to chew on with #16, well over an hour in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat, encompassing all manner of topics and music including festivals as we talk Music Waste and Levitation Vancouver.

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, Mixcloud & SoundCloud, or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

As mentioned previously, Justin has been busy compiling tracks featured in the series. If you’re a Spotify user, then you can access this 6 hours plus playlist here.

Podcast #16 Tracklist:

PLAZAS  – ‘2 leave U Behind’

Jay Arner – ‘Like A Dracula’

Rusangano Family – ‘Lights On’

Ffug – ‘Love is Stupid’

Com Truise – ‘Diffraction’

Holy Wave – ‘Minstrel’s Gallop’

IcebergFerg – ‘You’re All On My Mind’

Words Hurt – ”Chekov’s Gun feat. Marilyn Carino’

Hinds – ‘San Diego’

Jade Statues – ‘Hydra’

Trails & Ways – ‘My Things’

Jo Passed – ‘Lego My Ego’

Introducing: Omaloma

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Omaloma is the new musical project of Welsh artist George Amor. Formerly of now defunct Welsh psyche supremos Sen Segur, and current bass player for Palenco, Amor has heralded this fine news with a debut single of shimmering, psychedelic escapism, in the shape of ‘Ha Ha Haf’.

Released on Cae Gwyn Records, ‘Ha Ha Haf’ (translates as ‘Ha Ha Summer’) is ever so pleasing on the ear. Imbued with a suitably sunny disposition, it is a bright, cheery and beautiful, psych flavoured pop song. Awash with undulating effects, cosmic rhythms and meandering melodious, it perfectly combines piano, jangly guitars and soft, soothing vocals (sung in Amor’s native Welsh). Breezy pop brilliance from Omaloma, which much like April in Vancouver thus far, is an early taste of summer.

Needless to say, it is going to interesting tracking Omaloma’s progression through 2016, and beyond. For now, you can enjoy the wonderful Ha Ha Haf’ and ‘Lutra’, Omaloma’s inclusion on Swooshed; Cae Gwyn Records’ most recent and most excellent compilation (it is available here).

 

Introducing: Amber Arcades

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Amber Arcades is the moniker of Dutch-born musician Annelotte de Graaf.

De Graaf first started writing songs while temporarily living in Philadelphia back in 2010, and on her return to her native Netherlands, she released a first EP in 2012. Four years on and now signed to the ever reliable Heavenly Records, she is gearing up to release her debut LP. Produced by Ben Greenberg (Beach Fossils, The Men, Destruction Unit) and backed by a band comprised of members of Real Estate, Quilt and Kevin Morby, the album is a culmination of songs written over the years, and what we’ve got to go on so far, is ever so good.

The most recent of which, ‘Right Now’ is a dazzling piece of ‘60s inspired, meandering psychedelic pop. It simply drifts along, unhurriedly, over floating pop melodies, hypnotic, lush jangly guitars, frazzled electronics and punchy beats are coated with light layer of fuzz and an incandescent glimmer, as de Graaf’s dreamy, breathy vocals hover above majestically. This is flawless jangly fuzz-pop with an upbeat groove and distinct ’60s retro feel, but importantly while sounding familiar, it stays on the right side of familiar. ‘Turning Light’ meanwhile, is consumed by a similar luminescence. Harnessing a beautiful blend propulsive beats, krautrock drums and shimmering guitars, like ‘Primary Colours’ era Horrors, with a touch less distortion and the inclusion of de Graaf’s soft, soothing vocal.

De Graaf’s musical vision works like a dream and there you have it, two very good reasons to be excited about the forthcoming record. No definitive date for the release of the debut record but you can check out ‘Right Now’ & ‘Turning Light’, below.