The Jesus and Aeroplane! Seattle’s Drone Rock Masters, The Black Planes, Release Stunning Debut

Pining back to an age of a golden generation of what festivals were ‘meant to be about’, the heart of musical experience will forever remain in what can be achieved through performing live. With careful regard to not cast aside the casual listener, Seattle’s take on hypnotic psychedelia The Black Planes have crafted a new angle on seducing the masses with cutting edge mesmerism through debut album ‘This is the Black Planes’.

After initial viewing of their new video for ‘Stone in Love’, their style is self-evidently nothing short of a transfixing Austin Powers scene transition. The album was recorded and mixed over a 10 month period, with the mixing and mastering completed by local legend Chris Hanzsek (producer of Soundgarden; Melvins and many others), co-founder of Reciprocal Recordings (home of most early Sub Pop acts, including Nirvana) alongside Jack Endino. The overall concept that inspired the conception of The Black Planes was derived from an aim for a darker, heavier sound than predeceasing concept Friction Pitch, as a more encompassing affair that’s meant to be appreciated as a whole.

The experience is one of echoing back to an era of 70s psychedelia, indulging the audience in a kind of mesmeric gawp at proceedings while simultaneously letting them blow you away. Guitarist Dan Gallagher harks back to his own experiences of seeing Moon Duo perform at The Sunset Tavern in Seattle and heavily hopes to replicate a similar kind of performance in doing so. Listening to the tracks it’s already easy to see the dim lit decadence of the venue being illuminated by twin graphic visualisers projecting the sound waves for multi-sensual appreciation.

Much of the journey is perpetuated by the bass guitar, which slides elegantly through repeated groove patterns. At times, the experience is sustained by the absence of essence, enhancing a sense of calmness, bordering on asphyxiation. This doesn’t last for long, however, as the self produced synth-sounds and delicate guitar permeate a life-giving breath and ambience which serves as a light giving halo circling the all-round easy going vocals.

Since here we’re embracing the Seattle sound, slip your slippers on and settle down to a Starbucks-laden White Russian.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0FZkiUZJswsfgUt3MBV1nS?si=6hjk8T0lRPO3TWyPALxXww

Youtube:  https://youtu.be/QRYT0ynm8HA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblackplanes/

Website: http://www.theblackplanes.com

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New dance combo Woolfman and JStew inject some late summer sun

Urban nightlife has always heralded a heartfelt sanctuary for escapism and positivity. Such is the message from a new transatlantic collaboration: Woolfman and JStew who urge all to shed their burdens and ‘Listen to the Beat’.

This is an absolute stomper of a dance track and is nothing short of vibrant – coming in hot with a vision to inject new life into what they perceive as a colourless tapestry of music today. Heavy bass rhythm announces it’s presence on the scene before being interjected with mischievous and playful piano chords. JStew plays circus-master, leading you through the vision with guile and charisma; one moment taking you by the hand to sour through air before suddenly bright lights flash and you’re part of the masses that answered to call to ‘Listen to the Beat’.

The project itself is one that seeks to progress as a mainstream brand evolving from a club base as a collaboration between producer and artist, with future projects centering around different artists. Add in Steve Simpson at Concrete Promotions who played the vanilla version to ‘Mr E’ and come back with 2 special remixes of the track.

The Woolfman has been lurking in the shadows of the music scene for quite some time now. From a heritage of 90’s music and industry experience, Woolfman claims his creative insight for crafting tunes has come to him ‘’in dreams’’ and this is a recurring concept that embodies this track in particular with what they are trying to accomplish.

US Gospel singer JStew, who is also a pastor at his local church back in San Francisco, draws inspiration from heroic titans such as Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye arriving with his own vision to make wonderfully vibrant and exciting music. JStew’s personal angle is one of gospel in his heart saying: “I believe my grounding in this vibrant style of music gives shape to my current style. I sing from my heart…” Through this comes transcendence through music, born from dreams. Distinguishably Woolfman, one of the founding members of Gang of Four, was kicked out of the band for “meditating in soundcheck”.

As dusk finally settles on this most memorable of summers, don’t let the colours fade. A new sun has risen, and this one thrives at night as well. And it also mixes great with a dash of tequila.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/76d8bQ9hZTMwBShacmutif

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHhJYMCKyeMvKryfg1xqgmg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W.Recordings/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/recordings_w

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/w_recordings/

Website: https://www.wrecordings.co.uk

Alice’s Night Circus Walks the Tightrope between Theatre and Pop

Come forth, and cup your ears! Draped behind the curtains that blur the lines between obscurity and grandeur, you may begin to hear something emanating from the shadows. Stumble further and you may find your soul drawn deeper into the world of the mesmeric and magnificent, as you’re standing in attendance for the matinee of Alice’s Night Circus.

Julia Scott first announced her presence under the Alice pseudonym at the world’s largest and longest running Steampunk festival called The Asylum in Lincoln, where she now resides. From here she looks to flourish and encapsulate all that’s operatic and engaging. Furthermore, she’ll appear as herself and Alice as part of Gary Nicholls’ Imaginarium trilogy – an extravagant photography project centred on all things Steampunk.

Every note has been draped delicately around the show’s undoubted centrepiece, which are the vocals themselves. Having received classical training as child, Alice’s style encompasses all that exceptionally grand in its engaging performance.  Personifying its inspiration for the theatrical, a haunting echo hypnotises your attention towards levels of heightened captivation.

While a crooked waltz rhythm leads your hand down a darker path, it’s easy to draw perverted comparisons with Kate Bush and Florence and the Machine, but, unignorably, only while being handed candyfloss by an upside-down clown.  The traditional circus ambience of the sonic experience is one that is as equally compelling to imagine visually.

One can only assume a suitable accompaniment being a snow cone drizzled in Absinthe and dry ice – a little number to take the edge off.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/400uDlpep629T3L02HdJtr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnyOy98XOqXty8L8y49otwA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicesnightcircus/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/alicencircus

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/curiousbyalice/

Website:  www.alicesnightcircus.com

Son of William Add to Manchester’s Musical Dominance

Manchester – musically, forever entwined with Madchester, The Smiths, Elbow and seemingly a zillion other bands, it’s a place which cherishes its homegrown talent but isn’t afraid when someone new comes on the block to embrace them with open arms. As such, there can be any number of scenes existing in the city at any one time, all with their own gigs, labels and niches but with audiences who are happy to be entertained by all of them. Where is this going? Ah, yes, Son of William.

Son of William – so named as, though their surnames match, they are completely unrelated – are an acoustic duo who have already enjoyed a modest amount of success under their own steam. Hayley and Ben have the kind of acoustic sound which would happily see them being described as folk, country or sing-songwriters without fear of litigation being launched. Their craft is the old-fashioned art of song, with minimal instrumentation allowing the floor to be taken by involving lyrics which are conversational and meaningful, not just a collection of snappy rhymes. Colour of Love is their first release as a duo, an EP which leads with Dear Old Acquaintance, as delicious a song to listen to in a wood-lined bar as you could imagine.

To accompany your listening experience, we’ve shunned the obvious Boddingtons, and gone for something which is both classy and reflective of the environment. It costs a fortune, but try an Industrialist – bourbon, vermouth, mezcal, bitters, maple syrup and topped with candy floss. Chin chin!

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzJkbWowXtI4ZCr6pqo7Mfw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonofWilliamMusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SonofWilliam_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonofwilliammusic/

Drink Ya Later, Alligator – Strange Things are Going Down in Canada…

Big Dik Blak is very much the kind of band name you might find yourself mentioning in a pub-based conversation after a few cold drinks. It’s not necessarily the kind of act you’d want your grandma introducing on stage but then, we’d have to question that whole stage operation to be honest.

George Swan, BDB’s sole member, has been making music since anyone can remember, including himself. His press releases suggests he was born in a swamp and raised by alligators, information you might ordinarily find outlandish but in this case, almost doesn’t seem weird enough. Having survived the wreckage of the bands The Rash and Patsy Decline, BDB has gone solo, showcasing his skills as a bassist and portentous 70s organ (ironically) player. There’s so much to dig into, it’s difficult to know where to start in terms of recommendations. We’d suggest making a few of these, passing out, waking up terrified and starting the whole process all over again.

https://www.liquor.com/recipes/sex-with-an-alligator/#gs.Yvyhltg

After Hours Post-Rock with Broken Islands

Broken Islands may be the most heart-breaking listening experience of your year – or maybe the most uplifting, such is the strange brew of raucous guitars and honeyed vocals. Post-rock may have had a somewhat tumultuous hay day, evolving from sheets of amplified power chords to orchestral, if rather directionless, suites of floppy-haired yawning. It was a brave attempt to bring classical techniques to rock and indie music but it failed as bands either misunderstood what they were trying to integrate or took themselves too seriously to an alarming degree. And then there’s Broken Islands.

Broken Islands are the band post-rock should have used as its template for glory. Exceptionally grand and widescreen in scope, this is utterly thrilling, indeed the temptation to wheel out cliched phrases of rapture is almost too much to resist. Listen to the track “Crown” and you risk arrest if not moved to tears. It’s a stunning testament to a band who have only unleashed themselves on the world when they had fully developed as both a band and songwriters. Their album, Wars, has just been released (on red vinyl) and is a potential game-changer.

What to accompany this emotional experience? Well, the band are from Canada so it would be nice to bring that into the mix. Lo’, please enjoy a heart (and body warming brew from those good people at Canada Dry

https://www.canadadry.com/recipes/warm-ginger-apple-rum-punch

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-475951978/sets/wars

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/5gpCj0xQj8BwdG3uXPUJRr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvEJQKLM-qaFjTvMXxUMkWg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrokenislands/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/broken_islands

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/_thebrokenislands_/

Website: http://www.thebrokenislands.com/

‘When The Innocents Go To War’: Marilyn Carino

Having shared stages with the likes of Black Star and David Byrne, Buddhist musician Marilyn Carino has hit us with her second solo album Leaves, Sadness, Science. Also, featuring the talents of Mike Mills (bassist of R.E.M), the record is a unique fusion of electronic, hip-hop and soul vibes.

Carino’s vocals have been labelled, “powerful to the point of bringing you to tears” and it is easy to see why when listening to her music. The Brooklyn native wrote, recorded, mixed and performed all of Leaves, Sadness, Science – a collection of head-space grooves formed from layered, Moog-y synths and potent beats. Her long time practice of Nichiren Buddhism is the force that forms her songs into gripping monologues that explore themes of sex and radical self-expression.

Carino recorded her first album at Neil Young’s studio with Crazy Horse bassist Billy Talbot acting as producer. She then took a one-way ticket to London where she landed a job as an engineer in reggae recording studios. Upon returning to the U.S. she co-founded the vintage electronic group Mudville, producing three critically acclaimed albums and wrote lyrics for the great producers Sly and Robbie (Grace Jones, Simply Red). Mudville’s song ‘Wicked’ went on to win the 2008 Independent Music Award for Best Song. She recorded and produced her first solo album ‘Little Genius’ in 2011, and recently contributed vocals and lyrics to the Words Hurt indie hip hop collective’s ‘Fuck That Pretty Boy Shit’, featuring Samuel T. Herring, vocalist of Future Islands.

Consequently, you can see the experience that Marilyn has at her disposal as a musician and her latest album exhibits this perfectly. Certainly worth checking out if you fancy something a little different.

What Drink?

The craftsmanship in Marilyn’s music calls for something equally well made, like a cocktail- I’d suggest a manhattan.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/marilyncarinomusic

https://www.twitter.com/marilyncarino

https://www.youtube.com/marilyncarino

http://www.marilyncarino.com

Norell & The Dub Factory release new single ‘Diggin it Deep Down’

Pour yourself a rum and coke. This new infectious single from Norell & the Dub Factory offers a taste of the Carribean whilst containing a sweet and sugary pop vibe. It’s not too reggae-focused to put off pop fans and not too pop-focused to put off reggae fans, the group serving up the perfect mixture.

 

1 of Us releases new EP CIRCLES

What to drink with this EP? I’m feeling a Red Bull with Hennesey and a spot of Rose’s lime Juice. Something fun and bubbly, and equally sophisticated.

That is after all how I would sum up this new EP from Italian artist 1Of Us. The instrumentation is fun and bubbly, a backdrop of glossy electro that’ll get you putting your dancing shoes on. But the lyrics are very much sophisticated – the singer drawing influence from his life’s experiences and world topics such as the 2015 Paris Bombings (listen to track ‘Home’ below).

Previously signed to Warner, 1 of Us was forced to abandon his dreams of a music career 20 years ago. He has since poured his creative energy into a career in architecture. Now returning to his original passion, the artist shows us that he is still oozing with musical talent, but with a newfound maturity.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/1ofUsUk/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

https://twitter.com/1ofUs_Music

Get your summer cocktails out!

Get your disco moves out for this new groovy summer track!

It’s a finger clicking positive funky tune that would slip down nicely with a refreshing margarita – don’t forget your lime!

 

Errol Kennedy is the producer of You Can Be (All You Want To Be) and it’s an irresistible dance hit! I’m going to be listening to this all summer long…

If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket then catch Errol in Camden at the Forge in June.

www.theforgevenue/errolkennedylive

https://www.facebook.com/imaginationband

http://www.imaginationband.com/