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Introducing… Lessons
"...hitting the mark of here and now; way beyond retrospective repetition." - Nothing But Hope and Passion
Finland's Lessons release their debut EP Tempest on June 17th 2016 via Sinnbus. The EP touches upon subjects such as near death experiences, addiction and oppressive regimes via the eyes of an imagined, ‘fictional’ character.
Lessons' title track 'Tempest' is available now via YouTube.
After disheartening times in their personal lives, two quirky nerds from Finland left their hometown of Helsinki for Berlin in search of new horizons. The brothers Samu and Ville Kuukka soon met Patrick Sudarski, who was touring with his folk project Montauk at the time. Sudarski then moved back to Buenos Aires and the brothers moved back to Helsinki but, despite the distance, they all stayed in touch and formed Lessons.
The following winter, the three came back together in a windowless basement somewhere in Scandinavia and started creating music. Being shut away in this windowless environment with an old mattress and barely functioning toilet were integral to Patrick’s writing process and in this darkened, claustrophobic space, he was able to access dark recesses of his creative mind.
On the EP, the trio have created their own electro gloomgaze sound channeling the synth pop of Devo and Suicide with a hint of 90s shoegaze akin to the Cocteau Twins. They join an array of darker electro artists that have hit the scene in the last few years, like SOHN and James Blake, who have added an intimacy and reflective shade to the genre. However, Lessons have made the genre their own, with a dark intensity that’s seductive and intriguing.
Lessons’ Tempest EP is released via Sinnbus on June 17th 2016.
Introducing… Captain Casanova
Captain Casanova’s latest single Futures will be released on 10th June 2016 via Tapetown Records.
The video for Futures is now available to via YouTube.
The Aarhus based three piece channel grunge-infused garage rock on their latest offering and whilst the chorus feels bright and uplifting, the message behind the song takes on a more sombre note. “The song is written as an explanation and a goodbye to the son of my former girlfriend,” explains guitarist and singer Rasmus Bredvig. “It’s also a song about the frustration of loosing and not wanting to loose that naïve point of view where you think something will last forever.”
The video for the track features video footage taken from Rasmus’ childhood days, which are deliberately more uplifting than the message of the song itself. It’s a nostalgic look back into Rasmus’ past, wanting to keep that feeling and those times alive in his memory.
Captain Casanova formed in 2012 “in a big yellow house on top of a hill,” the band say. Their sound channels the 90s alt rock sound of bands like Dinosaur Jr. with the underlying melancholy of Pavement. Their live shows are intense and exciting and touring has taken them all over Europe, playing more than 150 live shows in just over two years.
Although Captain Casanova are delving back into the past with this single, Futures is also about looking forward as well. “We make our own future, it’s better to make it bright,” Rasmus concludes. Captain Casanova are a band who use their past to make a better future, something we can all take comfort from.
Captain Casanova’s single Futures is out on June 10th 2016 via Tapetown Records.
Introducing… yllwshrk!
After appearing as a violist on a number of tracks on Radiohead’s new album A Moon Shaped Pool, classically trained composer Ian Anderson, along with bassist Dave Brown (who performed double bass on A Moon Shaped Pool), have released their debut EP under the name yllwshrk (Yellow Shark) due for release July 22nd 2016 via IMOGEN Records.
To celebrate the announcement the band have shared their homagé to Jeff Buckley, Pull Me Under (In Memory of Jeff Buckley) which is available to download for free via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
Anderson (rhythm guitar) wanted to tap into his impressive musical knowledge by utilising complex ideas taken from classical compositions, relating to form and harmony, with the aim of implementing them within the context of an alt-rock song structure. Reaching out to Brown, whom he met while touring with Jonny Greenwood and the London Contemporary Orchestra, as well as a number of other musician friends, yllwshrk made their live debut at a London gig in January of this year with Sam West (vocals), Matt Isaac (lead guitar) and Feargus Brennan (drums) completing the line-up.
The band headed to Woodworm Studios in Banbury with the aim of recording their first tracks with producer Graeme Stewart (Radiohead, Ash, Zero 7), the session resulting in three exquisitely crafted songs contained on the EP. All three tracks bear the characteristics that Anderson originally set out to instil into the project with complex rhythms and harmonies scattered throughout, taking inspiration from his work with Radiohead, allied to the majestic, vast vocal stylings of West reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. West’s vocals come close to reaching the same range and emotional intensity as the renowned singer/songwriter with the band giving a clear nod to him on the ode ‘Pull Me Under (In Memory of Jeff Buckley)’.
The rest of the record consists of the tracks Northern Soul, showcasing gorgeous intricate guitar work which is blended beautifully with technically impressive drumming, and 'Into Her Sleep With Envy', highlighting another incredible vocal performance by West and drawing comparisons with acts such as Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors.
yllwshrk’s self-titled debut EP is out July 22nd 2016 via IMOGEN Records.
Twinnie announces new single ‘Home’!
"...anthemic..." - Ultimate Music
Twinnie is back with her latest single Home, out on 1st July 2016 via TLM Records.
The single premiered on Ultimate Music and is also available to stream on Twinnie's Soundcloud page.
Home is a heart wrenching and defiant track about losing love with a swelling chorus and soaring vocal hooks that beautifully narrate the journey of a break-up. The feeling on the single is reminiscent of artists such as The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons, whilst also transcending into a more traditional pop feel akin to the likes of Ella Henderson. Twinnie is bringing a new edge and is a fresh new face to the country pop music scene - a welcome change from the dated look and feel of the genre.
After securing a publishing deal with Universal, Twinnie has branched out into all areas of the entertainment industry. She has performed backing vocals for the likes of Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke (Blurred Lines and BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge), Brian May and Roger Taylor to name but a few. Although her roots are in England, Twinnie also travels extensively to LA and Nashville, working alongside the critically acclaimed songwriters behind artists such as Pink, James Bay, The Shires and Jason Mraz.
Twinnie’s first single Cool reached number 2 in the iTunes county charts and she has already received support from the likes of Heat Magazine, Digital Spy and Songwriting Magazine. Twinnie is now focusing her talents solely on music, particularly her own solo material, to great effect.
Home is out on 1st July 2016 via TLM Records.
Introducing… Jack Ellis!
Multi-instrumentalist Jack Ellis is set to release his new single The Storm out July 1st 2016 via District South Records.
As part of the build up to it's release, Jack has made his previous single Pocket of Lint available to stream and download for free via the ABoF Soundcloud page.
You can also watch the video now on Jack's YouTube channel.
Held together beautifully by Jack’s wonderful guitar playing and emotive vocals The Storm is a song that tackles themes of love and loss, as snapshots in our life strip us bare, leaving us afraid of allowing ourselves to love again. While growing up Jack was influenced by the likes of Jeff Buckley and REM and has taken on board their unerring ability to write and producing relatable yet emotional music, something which impressively shines through in the passion he puts into his music.
After playing in bands for several years, Jack took the decision to go solo in 2014 in order to focus on his songwriting and develop his own distinctive sound. The opportunity to play bass, guitar, piano and sing has allowed Jack to really stretch his creative muscles and, with the success of previous singles Pocket of Lint and Stepping Stones, it is clear that Jack’s music is making an impact on the wider music world.
Jack was voted Best Breakthrough Act 2015 and was nominated for Best Live Act at The Cardiff Music Awards and has also received radio plays from BBC Wales as well as receiving significant support from
the likes of Dermot O’Leary on BBC Radio 2, including being invited to perform live in the studio. This has culminated in Jack becoming one of the rising stars of Welsh music, an artist who looks set to continue his growth through the release of his latest single.
The Storm is out on 1st July 2016 via District South Records.