Thank god this track is coming your way close to the weekend. If I had been covering it prior to Thursday, I’m sure I’d be getting some angry tweets for unintended consequences from listening to this smooth-as-fucking-silk track from NW England-based Butterjack.
“Good Girls” has an undeniably catchy feel to it, with underlying R&B undertones coupled with sexy percussion and glowing synths. It’s one of those tunes you can’t help but nod along to, as it encourages you to head out for a wild night on the town. Don’t hold back. Give in. Let it take you for a ride.
The video for ‘Good Girls’ is special to me because all of the ideas for things like this feel like your babies. I saw this idea when we were thinking about videos and it was an idea that I took through all the stages and ended up with EXACTLY what I wanted. Emmie Bednall, who helped create the vision is an absolute animal. She totally understands the project and the evolution in the videos and having her on the team is priceless. I think videos are really important as it’s a chance to give the song another narrative, fresh ears through your eyes!
Aside from this funky fresh new tune to add to your collection, we also have a first look at the accompanying music video, which will surely be a treat to graphic novel and Archer fans around the globe. Have a look below:
Depending on how you look at it, a little bit of gorgeous, haunting synth-pop is either the perfect thing to welcome winter in, or is better served for the shimmering light of warmer months. Personally, I feel like today’s offering from Toledo-based Bliss Nova aligns with the former, providing the perfect soundscape for the upcoming chilly months.
“Now” is the latest offering from this fraternal duo comprised of Daniel and Joel Trzcinski, which follows up their last EP release, just six months back. It’s gorgeously layered with fluttering synths paired with solid guitar work and heavily treated vocals. From a structural point of view, it serves up plenty of intrigue, straying away from a traditional pop model, especially towards the end.
On top of a first listen, we’re also bringing a first look for you today. The music video is one hell of a trip, taking you on a psychadellic ride as you listen along.
Earlier this year, I brought you a first look and listen at former popster Tessa Rose Jackson, under the gleaming new moniker of Someone. Since then, she’s been busy releasing a handful of new tunes, each one showcasing the sophisticated breadth of both musicianship and songwriting abilities.
“Forget Forgive” is the most recent offering. Softly sung and set to a repeating guitar strum, it has an intentional simplicity that’s positively haunting. The uncluttered soundscape is perfect for the emotive lyrics and beautifully layered chorus, which will leave you completely and wonderfully enveloped.
This release came out earlier this month via [PIAS], but today, you’re getting a first look at the accompanying music video.
Because the subject matter of this track is so straight-forward, I wanted the video to give the song a twist. During a brainstorm with my manager, we settled on the idea of translating this internal struggle into an actual struggle. A fight. Skin-on-skin action; rough, ruthless and messy. Just like the way we treat ourselves sometimes. But to support the dreamy, emotional quality of the music, we wanted to film it in super slow-motion, so that the colliding movement between the two characters can become almost like a dance.
Being a massive sci-fi lover, the intro to the video is a big nod to all my favourite B-movies from the 1980’s (which also gave me a great excuse to write an intense opening score full of vintage synthesizer madness). – Someone
Have a look below and then make sure to mark your calendars for the 27th. She’ll be playing at Cinetol in Amsterdam, and if you’re in the area, you should definitely go catch her live performance.
If you added up all of the festival experiences across each and every one of our writers, you would stand in awe, jaw agape. It’s a lot. And, it’s not just because it’s part of the gig. It’s because we love each and every live music experience, from the smallest of dive bars, to the most elaborate main stages. They all hold a special place in the collective heart of our dojo.
For me, personally, I first fell in love with live music as a business at raves when I was a teenager. Mind you, these were the days where you had to call a phone number to find the event’s location. Yep, that’s right. We had no idea where we were going until the day of the party. But, that was part of the allure. The entire experience, from start-to-finish, was completely encompassing, to me. I loved the theatrics, the mystery, and everything that added up to create that.
That interest continued throughout the years, eventually leading me to the very same blog you find yourself on today. Live music is the one constant throughout my adult life, which is why I’m heading out to XLIVE in Vegas.
No, I’m not going to throw my own party some day. We won’t be hosting a TMN Festival next year, but you’d be crazy to think I wouldn’t want to experience teachings from those who craft the biggest and best parties across the globe. Who are these industry leaders? Here’s a highlight of a few of them: AEG Presents, Firefly, Electric Daisy Carnival, Goldenvoice, Superfly, The Confluence, Country Music Association, Newport Jazz Festival, Bonnaroo, Life is Beautiful, Coachella, OutsideLands, FYF Festival, Lost Lake Festival, and on, and on.
The Las Vegas-based conference covers numerous different facets across the live music space, covering everything from ticketing, to event tech, to even security. While I’m sure I’ll find myself popping in and out of different presentations, I’m admittedly most excited for the following talks:
Lessons Learned From The Year’s Biggest Failures : Tim Epstein: Partner, Duggan Bertsch
A Show Of Their Own: The Rise Of Artist Championed Festivals – Sam Hunt: Agent, Paradigm Talent Agency / Phil Quist: Agent, CAA
Keep It Local: Including Local Artists And Emerging Talent In Your Lineup – Adam Chernick: Co-Founder & Director Of Operations / Arcartists Craig Asher Nyman: Head Of Music & Live Performances, Life Is Beautiful / Kurt Melien: President, Live Nation Nevada / Trevor Solomon, Boston Calling
Multi-Platform Juggernauts in Your Town: The Explosion of Radio Station Concerts & Events – Gary Krantz: Krantz Media Group
Turn it to Eleven: Elevating the Fan Experience – Emily Cox: AC Entertainment, Lindsay Glatz: LUNA FETE
The Future is Female: How Women are Playing a Crucial Role in the Creation of Extraordinary Live Events – Kate Levenstien: Cannonball Productions, Martha Donato: MAD Event Management, Emily Cox: AC Entertainment
The best part about this conference? You can still pick up tickets and come hang out with your favorite bloggers. Ok, that might not be the best thing, but it is, well, a thing. Click here to buy your pass and let’s hang in Sin City!
For a debut release, “Symptoms” is one hell of a first look. Soulful, bluesy, and larger than life, it immidiately grabs a hold, refusing to let you go.
This is the first experience I’ve had with Moncrieff, and I’m sure some of you are in the same boat. Yet, it shouldn’t take you more than thirty seconds before you realize that you’ll soon be hearing more and more of this London-based raconteur.
“Symptoms” certainly displays an anthemic nature, one which alludes to sync deals lining up around the block. Set to the backdrop of haunting guitar riffs, big, booming percussion, and rhythmic claps, it’s a genuine thrill ride through-and-through. While the instrumentals are immensely powerful, they wouldn’t be as impactful without the most engaging part of this experience — the god damn vocals. Lyrics, resonance, and vocal tone combined — they’re just so, so good.
Symptoms is essentially a song for people who’s only religion is for making bad decisions”. There is something irresistible about being in a slightly unpredictable relationship. Somehow the highs and good times seem so much more vivid and defined. Not good for your health on many different levels but that doesn’t stop people from choosing it.
Though the track has been out for a month now, we’re bringing you the first look at the accompanying music video. Taking inspiration from Quentin Tarantino and neo-noir films, both of which have influenced Moncreiff’s songwriting, it’s as thrilling as the track itself. Which, says quite a bit.
Before you dive in, though, please note that he has two live shows coming up, which you should really check out, if you can swing it.
October 1st, London, Notting Hill Arts Club (Communion showcase)
October 3rd, New York, Rockwood Music Hall (Communion showcase)
This is, admittedly, the first time I’ve heard anything from Argentinian-born Malena Zavala, but it only took one spin through “If It Goes” to hook me in for the long haul.
Following up on her last single, “Should I Try,” this alluring songstress is offering up her newest single via your favorite neighborhood music blogger. “If It Goes” is a positively enchanting number, complete with soft, Latin guitar work, and subtle, humming basslines. Malena’s verses call on associations of early Lana Del Rey, showcasing a seductive style from the get go. Yet, as dreamy as those words are, paired up with luscious guitar notes, it’s her falsetto in the chorus that really gets me. I’m pretty sure you’ll agree.
Aside from a bevy on influences, including one of my all-time favorites, Devendra Banhart, this song was inspired mainly by her mother.
The song connects me to my South American roots through my mothers’ Latino feminine character which she passed down to me. That fire is one of my only perceptions of my roots and I had a definite fear of losing that growing up in a different country/ in a different culture. It wouldn’t be me if I lost it.
If you’re enjoying this tune as much as I am, I highly recommend heading out and supporting her live show.
September 22nd , London, St Pancras Old Church *
October 24th, Cologne, Artheatre **
October 25th , Hamburg, Mojo Jazz Café **
October 29th , Amsterdam, Sugarfactory **
October 30th , Utrecht, Club Nine **
December 8th , Manchester, The Castle **
December 11th , Bristol, Louisiana **
December 12th , London, Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen **
“Cable-Built Dreamland” is a trippy walk back, past a couple of decades, landing squarely on the corner of Haight and Ashbury sometime in the late 60s. Crunchy guitar riffs are paired perfectly with soaring basslines, and radio-friendly choruses, making whoever is enjoying this audible trip through the space-time continuum want to sprawl out on the floor with a tasty joint, a hoppy IPA, and some top-notch speakers. In fact, when I’m done writing this, I might do just that.
Until then, I will let you know that this peach of a track is coming to you via fresh, new indie rockers, White Room and the fine people at Deltasonic Records (The Coral, Vryll Society). It’s the latest offering from their upcoming EP, Eight, which I’m eagerly waiting to dig into further after hearing this gem.
As I mentioned before, it definitely bubbles up with influences from well beyond these cats’ times. Yet, as much as it beckons on an entirely different era of music, it maintains plenty of modern pop sensibility that could very well swing some youngsters into exploring their grandparent’s vinyl collection in the basement. And, for that, I’d like to offer up a profuse message of gratitude. It’s not every day an act can pull off a decade-transcending feat like “Cable Built Dreamland” does.
If you’re digging this tune, I’m guessing you’ll dig their live show. Find a date below and go pick up some tickets.
Live Dates:
Oct 22 – The Loft, Southampton (w/The Vryll Society)
Oct 23 – Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, London (w/The Vryll Society)
Nov 25 – Live At Leeds Big In 2018 Showcase
Debut Headline Tour
Nov 27 – The Hope & Ruin, Brighton
Nov 28 – The Shacklewell Arms, London
Nov 29 – Actress & Bishop, Birmingham
Nov 30 – The Magnet, Liverpool
Dec 02 – The Eagle Inn, Manchester
