Pillow Queens - In Waiting

Pillow Queens' debut has been four years in the making, anticipation built up through a series of EPs and then singles, the last five of which feature on In Waiting. It's an album of this time we live in, an introspective look at life in a modern city like Dublin from underneath the glossy veneer with stories of the shadow of religion, still visible homophobia and the difficulties of growing up and becoming an adult when the cards are stacked against you mentally and financially. It's direct, bold and uncompromising in both its sonic and verbal attitude yet refuses to allow itself to be compartmentalised into a genre - as impressive a debut in many ways as some of the lauded ones from the same streets.

Dave Fidler - Manchester Rose And Monkey - 27th September 2020

The latest in the series of outdoor shows at The Rose And Monkey in Manchester saw an intimate Sunday lunchtime show by Dave Fidler accompanied by Adrian Gautrey playing a mix of new songs as well as tracks from his two albums I'm Not Here and Songs From Aurora to an appreciative crowd.

The Blinders - Manchester Rose And Monkey - 22nd September 2020

The Blinders emerged from lockdown with a stripped back "lounge lizard" set at their second and spiritual home The Rose And Monkey on Tuesday night to a socially-distanced audience of forty lucky fans who snapped up tickets within seconds of going on sale. An hour-long song set took favourites from their debut Columbia and predominantly tracks from their 2020 album Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath and reinvented and redrew them for the intimate surroundings.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Test Card Girl - Holds Me Down

 

Holds Me Down is the debut single by Test Card Girl (aka Catherine Burgis). The song has already grabbed the attention of Tom Robinson and the evening show at XS Manchester. The song is a glorious mix of 80s-influenced synths, crystal clear crisp lead vocals with some delicious layering of backing vocals in parts and it's tinged with optimism and hope as she sings about the glorious feeling of falling in love and being immersed in it. 

Chris Helme / Hannah Ashcroft - Manchester Blackjack Brewery - 17th September 2020

Chris Helme played the latest of Jezebel Music's outdoor shows in the intimate surroundings of Blackjack Brewery's yard down by the railway arches near Manchester Victoria with support from Hannah Ashcroft. Mixing classic Seahorses tracks with a few choice covers and some excellent new material he delighted the small appreciative crowd with both music and self-deprecating humour.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Ist Ist - Drowning In The Shallow End

Recommencing their series of videos and limited edition prints to accompany each of the ten tracks from their independent top five album Architecture, Ist Ist reprise with track seven from the record Drowning In The Shallow End and a video shot in the first days of lockdown relaxation.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Déjà Vega - Spitting Gas

Déjà Vega have announced the digital and physical release of their new single Spitting Gas and their biggest UK tour to date. Clocking in at just two minutes and fifteen seconds, the song captures the exhilarating live performances of the track in the times before lockdown - and is likely to feature on their second album that they were recording at the start of the year.

Doves - The Universal Want

When Doves went on an indefinite hiatus after their celebratory homecoming at Warehouse Project in Manchester in 2010 the omens for them coming back at all weren't great. Rumours abounded of a breakdown in communications, Jimi headed off to produce a solo album and Andy and Jez combined on their Black Rivers project. Whilst the internet head of steam slowly built demanding a reunion, they'd already got together behind closed doors, rekindled old flames and started work on what was to become The Universal Want. Whereas their last album Kingdom Of Rust was fraught with the sound of fractious relationships, there's a joyful undercurrent of warmth and love that runs through The Universal Want. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : NewDad - Blue

Galway four-piece release their fourth track since March in Blue, a song about different perspectives in a relationship and how they ultimately end in division. 

INTERVIEW - Eimie

Eimie is the new solo project from operatically trained vocalist / musician / comedian Amy Webber and she has just released her debut single Not Enough. We caught up for a chat about branching out on her own, the single and its forthcoming video and how she's found ways in lockdown to perform and remain creative.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Matter Of Mind - Oblivion

Matter Of Mind return with Oblivion, their second single of the year after Poison Ivy featuring their new line-up. Their trademark sound is still very much intact, big powerful guitar riffs and drums and soaring vocals that build to a climax in the chorus. Oblivion is a very personal track that will resonate with many dealing with lead singer Jordan's anxiety. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : TV People - Nothing More

Dublin's TV People return with their third single of the year Nothing More. Accompanied by a strikingly simple yet complementary video, the song reflects on the endless struggle to survive and understand the world around you. Delivered with Paul Donohue's vocals imbuing a genuine sense of helplessness to control the uncontrollable that we're living in, it's their most reflective track to date without losing the energy and intensity of predecessors Kitchen Sinking and Time Eats Up.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Simeon Hammond Dallas - August

Simeon Hammond Dallas's new single August drops as that month draws to a close and moves into September. It's a break-up song timed to coincide with the end of the month - sharply observing that "we're all fools for love and desire" as it picks over the remains of a relationship and being misled by a narcissist and his games with a honesty and clarity before looking forwards.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Slow Readers Club - Yet Again

Yet Again is the first track to be taken from The Slow Readers Club's forthcoming album 91 Days In Isolation, an eight-track record written in isolation and recorded at their old haunt Edgar Street Studios in Bury once restrictions were eased. A powerful punchy song with a harder edge than their Top 10 album The Joy Of The Return, it finishes with a positive message amidst the doom and desperation of these extraordinary times we're living in.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Janileigh Cohen - To Be With You

Janileigh Cohen has returned with a new single To Be With You, the first officially released material since 2017's singles Sister and Same Old Road. Set to a warm evocative guitar accompanied by dancing strings, subtle brass and understated drums that give her space to weave her magic, Janileigh captures the feeling of insomnia that comes with emotional turmoil in her rich expressive vocals.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Glass Child - Letting You Go

Letting You Go is the new single from The Glass Child (aka Charlotte Eriksson)'s forthcoming album. It's an emotional track that deals with the difficulties of letting someone go when a relationship is over even though you know there's no way back and it's the right thing to do. It's delivered with a raw heartfelt vocal that feels like it is reliving every word and which, by doing so, accentuates the meaning of the words being sung.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Winter Gardens - Tapestry

Winter Gardens return with Tapestry, the lead and title track from their forthcoming debut EP on Austerity Records in September and the follow-up to last year's debut Coral Bells.

John Bramwell - Manchester Rose And Monkey - 9th August 2020

A gig! A real life gig! John Bramwell played two socially distanced shows in the garden of The Rose And Monkey in Manchester on Sunday afternoon, mixing old I Am Kloot tracks with new ones from his forthcoming album with his Full Harmonic Convergence project. As the afternoon progressed we inadvertently became the focus of the show.

The Slow Readers Club - Bury Met Livestream 2 - 7th August 2020

The Slow Readers Club’s second livestream from Bury Met brought with the inevitable announcement of the cancellation of their October tour but the reveal of a new album 91 Days In Isolation that the band have worked on over the past few months. A much-changed setlist, including an acoustic section, showed how you can do this regularly and keep it fresh.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Odd Morris - Your Four Walls

Your Four Walls is the new single from emerging hotly-tipped Dublin four-piece Odd Morris. Following on from their trio of singles - What Might Be, Lilac Leaves and Cold Water - the release of one of the standout tracks from their live shows is sure to increase the excitement around them.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Cabbage - Get Outta My Brain

Cabbage return with a new single Get Outta My Brain and the announcement of a new album Amanita Pantherina scheduled for release on September 25th.

Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death

Just over fifteen months after the Mercury Prize nominated debut Dogrel, which bagged a number of Album Of The Year awards, Fontaines D.C. return with a triumphant follow up overcoming the adversity of a turbulent, tumultuous and intense period for the band.

Silverbacks - Fad

With a series of successful singles and a growing buzz behind them, Silverbacks launch their debut album into the world. Fad is a record that manages the mean trick of taking a thrilling set of influences and blending them into an exciting sound that will be both familiar yet fresh. 

The Blinders - Live From The Bottom Floor

To celebrate the release of their second album Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath, The Blinders performed an hour long live set with an expanded five-piece line-up on Monday night that was streamed to purchasers of the album. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : Laurie Shepherd - Home

Home is the second single to be taken from Laurie Shepherd's forthcoming debut album Moon Moves The Sea that is due for release in October. It's a critical look at how the human race is treating the planet on which we live, oblivious to the long-term impacts.

TRACK OF THE DAY 2 : Ellysse Mason - I Don't Wanna Dance

Ellysse Mason today reveals the video for her latest single I Don't Wanna Dance, the follow-up to May's Something Good. The synth-heavy track is a departure from her previous work and heads, ironically given the title, straight to the dance floor. 

TRACK OF THE DAY : Turnstiles - S.O.S.

Well it really is the same old story as fifth single Same Old Stories sees Turnstiles continue on their upward trajectory with another punk rock number that leaves us with high expectations for their debut album.

Dulcimer Melody - Dark Alchemy

You won't have heard of Dulcimer Melody. We hadn't when we stumbled across a social media post hidden deep in a Facebook group about this remarkable debut album. It's been released with no fanfare, no singles, no marketing campaign yet something about the title and the mystery of the album's cover drew us in and revealed a meticulously constructed set of ten songs, taut with tension, rippled through with dramatic moments and with a voice that soars, drifts and takes the listener off on a journey through its creator's detailed mind maps.

Sisterix - Interview

They're only three singles into their life as Sisterix but Ornait and Siomha have already made their mark in their native Ireland with hard-hitting songs that pull no punches - whether it be about the oppressive nature of church-dominated society or the way women are viewed within that. With an EP due in September and a video for new single Family released today, we caught up with Ornait to find out more about the band, their inspirations and the groundswell of new female Irish talent and the challenges they're facing to break through.

Fontaines D.C. - Kilmainham Gaol - 14th July 2020

Fontaines D.C. followed in the footsteps of their brothers and close friends The Murder Capital by performing a socially distanced audience-free gig as part of the Other Voices #courage2020 series on Tuesday evening.

The Blinders - Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath

Following up an album with a such a striking audio-visual package as their debut Columbia was never going to be an easy feat for The Blinders. The imagery of Johnny Dream and the stories inextricably linked to the novel 1984 were striking, but something it would be unwise to try and replicate. What The Blinders have done with their follow-up Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath is to widen their horizons in terms of subject matter without straying too far from the subjects of the political systems around the world, societal issues and mental health. 

The Slow Readers Club - Bury The Met - 10th July 2020

The Slow Readers Club joined the growing trend of bands putting out ticketed live socially-distanced streams on Friday night with a set broadcast live via Veeps. Featuring a set heavy on their recent top ten fourth album The Joy Of The Return, they delivered a full set of fan favourites in Derby Hall at Bury Met.

Sons Of Southern Ulster - Sinners And Lost Souls

Originally hailing from Cavan, Ireland and with members now residing in the United States, Australia and Ireland, Sons of Southern Ulster return with their aptly named soul searching second album Sinners and Lost Souls.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Emily Mercer - Gallery

Describing herself as "a mix of folk, pop and soul", Emily Mercer's new single Gallery is a gorgeous piano-driven track that hides a darker side lyrically that contrasts with the warmth and openness of the music.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Ruby Joy - Hooked On Your Mind

Hooked On Your Mind is the debut single from Ruby Joy. The track tells the tale of a character who is obsessed with someone who has no interest in them and giving them firm and honest advice about how to deal with the situation.

SKIES - Interview

Our friends SKIES have been one of the busiest bands around during lockdown, performing daily livestreams from their home in Kent, strengthening the bond between the band and their dedicated fanbase. They've released a live album, recorded with full kit in a bedroom, and a series of acoustic songs. Today they release their new single It's Alright and we caught up with Alie for a chat about the craziness of the past few months and their plans for the future.

bdrmm - Bedroom

Hailing from Hull and Leeds, bdrmm have delivered their debut LP on the much loved and acclaimed Sonic Cathedral label. Stuart Ralston came across them late one night when his favourite 6 Music DJ Gideon Coe gave their track Happy a spin a few months ago.

The Murder Capital - Dublin Guinness Storehouse - 30th June 2020

The loosening of restrictions in their native Dublin allowed The Murder Capital to regroup and perform a social-distanced audience-free set from the Storehouse at the Guinness factory on Tuesday night with views over their home city and the streets on which the songs from their debut When I Have Fears were lived out.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Bryony Williams - I Can Be

I Can Be is the lead track from Bryony Williams' forthcoming third EP State I'm In. The single is the Wolverhampton singer-songwriter's first release on Beth Shalom Records and follows in the footsteps of her first two EPs Conscious and Wanderlust that got the attention of BBC Introducing and 6 Music.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Maitlands - Where Did It All Go Wrong?

The Maitlands return with their second single of the year - and their first with new keyboard player Wimmy - the brooding Where Did It All Go Wrong? Following up from their excellent January single Painting In Carlisle, The Maitlands have just released the equally impressive and somewhat prophetic Where Did It All Go Wrong?

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Fountainhead - In Chrysalis

Back in February Liam Frost announced his retirement as a solo artist with new projects promised rather than him disappearing from the scene altogether. In Chrysalis is the first track from the first of those projects - The Fountainhead - and Liam's voice is of course instantly recognisable, the musical direction has changed from his three solo albums. The Bandcamp exclusive version is an early "home version" mix of the forthcoming debut single.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Double You - Where You Go

Lockdown has decimated the music industry. For Michael Whalley, aka Double You (as one of many guises), backline work for the likes of DMAs and Echo And The Bunnymen stopped in its tracks. His response was to create - an album under the Elektrisch Nonne banner with Adam from Ist Ist has already seen the light of way and work continues on the debut Gravediggers Union album - but he's also created a solo project Double You and Where You Go is the second product of that following .

Ist Ist - Back Catalogue Reissues

Due to never-ending requests for their early material to be made available following their debut album Architecture hitting number 3 in the Indie album charts, number 4 in the vinyl and 5 in the physical album charts, Ist Ist have announced the reissue of their back catalogue for download via Bandcamp. 

The collection, which can be bought individually or a discounted pack, features both their EPs Spinning Rooms and Everything Is Different Now, their live Sessions EP, the Prologue compilation of their first five singles, three live "bootleg" recordings and their limited to 25 CDr B collection of early demos and rarities.

TRACK OF THE DAY : The Clockworks - The Future Is Not What It Was

The Clockworks return today with their new single The Future Is Not What It Was, their third for Creation 23. With verses set to a repetitive beat, it allows front man James to reel off with increasing edginess a list of society's ills and how they cloud the future for all of us.

TRACK OF THE DAY : Fontaines D.C. - I Don't Belong

Irish post-punk rockers Fontaines D.C. follow up their single A Hero’s Death (also the name of the hugely anticipated new album) with album opener I Don’t Belong giving us another taster of what to expect on the band’s second album.

Sonic Boom - All Things Being Equal

In the time between his first solo LP (1989’s Spectrum) to this his second, the reputation, adulation and respect for Sonic Boom has grown exponentially.  In the intervening years, he has recorded and released records under his Spectrum and E.A.R. aliases and enjoyed acclaim as a producer, most notably with MGMT.  All Things Being Equal is one of Stuart Ralston’s most eagerly awaited albums of 2020 and it lives up to expectations.

SKIES - Let's Do It All Again (Livestream Tour Compilation)

Living The Stream is the name SKIES gave to their series of live acoustic streams they've been holding daily six days a week from their Folkestone home for the past eleven weeks since lockdown began. When their tour got cancelled in May they responded by setting up drums and the rest of the kit in Jericho's bedroom and playing full on live sets on their own and the venue's social media - with the option of buying tickets to support the venues. They've compiled fourteen songs, every one they've released plus one as unreleased, recorded as part of those shows for a digital and very limited physical release.

Elektrisch Nonne - Interview

Elektrisch Nonne is the collaborative project of Ist Ist front man Adam Houghton and producer Michael Whalley. Out of the frustration of lockdown they've created an album called Winter - we caught up with Adam for a chat about the recording process, his myriad of other creative projects and where the lines get drawn between band and other projects.

Asthmatic Harp - Interview

Wednesday saw the release of To The Boats, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Sophie Kilburn, the second track to be taken from Asthmatic Harp's Things We Learned To Live With, due later this year. We caught up with Hannah for a chat about the new single, how she fell in love with the harp, the history of her project and the differences between working solo and collaborating.

Nicole Atkins - Italian Ice

Nicole Atkins' fifth album Italian Ice saw her decamp to Muscle Shoals in Alabama with a crack team of musicians from The Bad Seeds, Midlake and the Dap Kings to create a record that pays homage to the legacy of the music she grew up loving, but one that has her own personality scrawled large across it.