It's May 2021 - It's time to find out what I've been digging over the last month. Twelve of these artists were unknown to me at the start of the year and there are only two artists I would have known about at the start of 2020. I love discovering new music and if your reading this then you probably do too. I'll get straight into it with another 20 recommendations. Quick reminder that it is Bandcamp Friday on 7th May 2021 so if you have anything in your wishlist then that's the day for an online shopping spree.
1) The Vanishing by Dunkie
This band are new to me but they have been working on their craft for several years in Welsh valleys. Dunkie create ethereal soundscapes and draw listeners into their world. This isn’t music for the indie disco but perfect for headphones, dark nights and swooning. The new EP, called the Vanishing and other Stories, features delicate orchestration, rousing rock and many emotional punches to the gut. The use of guest vocalists keep this 5 track collection fresh and a great introduction to the band.I urge you to save their EP until you find a quiet moment in your day without interruptions so you can take it all in.
Dunkie remind me of a mixture of many great musical talents. Here they fall somewhere between Portishead, the Manics and Moonlight Parade but it feels like Dunkie could spring in any direction. There is a collaboration with artist Michael Gustavius Payne and it is clear that they consider art as an integral part of the Dunkie experience. Punters that have purchased their debut album from https://dunkie.bandcamp.com/ have left gushing reviews of the attention to detail of the physical CD, artwork, booklet, poetic lyrics and the magical music on debut album - Working to Design. It is an album I definitely have on my mental wishlist and hopefully it will get a vinyl release soon.
The most shocking thing to me is that the band have just over a hundred monthly listeners on Spotify so give them some love and share their talents to like-minded musical friends. This is perhaps the longest review I have ever written on my monthly blog, which reflects just how impressed I am. Dunkie is a band that deserves to be elevated to a wider audience.
2) Rewind by Redwood
A hauntingly beautiful song performed by a uniquely talented singer in Redwood. The question here is whether you would change your life if you could rewind your life? It is a song that builds from a sparse piano ballad allowing Redwood’s vocals to shine through over a thunderous ending.
3) Puzzles by Michael Robert Murphy
Keeping things on an upbeat trippy er... trip, we have Michael Robert Murphy who is part of the Mersey Delta's current plethora of psychedelic-tinged artists. Puzzles was produced and features James Skelly - who appeared on last month's blog working with Lucy Gaffney. The Coral have also just released a brilliant album so he's been busy lately. Happily there is plenty more from Michael Robert Murphy to enjoy if you want to delve further with the Metamorph EP released last year and his previous band The Wicked Whispers. I expect to hear plenty more from Michael Robert Murphy now he's appeared on my radar.
4) Hide and Seek by Dictator
Dictator follow up Moonlight with another song with Michael’s vocals again pushed to the fore supported by minimal instrumental accompaniment. This unusual ploy seems to be working for them and you can’t mistake Dictator for anyone else at the moment. If you’ve got the range and the confidence then why not push it. Hide and Seek is a powerful performance and is available to buy from iTunes raising money for Women’s Aid charity. The Dictator lads feature and wear their hearts on their sleeves and have released two charity songs in six months. Support your favourite Dictator and an important cause by purchasing their Hide and Seek single from iTunes
5) All My Worries by Super 8
Super 8 brings the early Seventies vibes on All My Worries which is a contender for feelgood song of the year. "All My Worries have Gone" sings Super 8 channeling the ghost of John Lennon as he fronts Gorky's Zygotic Minci playing a free festival to the beautiful people in a sunny meadow. The influences are proudly on display and fun to pick out. With four albums recorded and a fifth on the way Super 8 is an artist worth discovering. https://trip8.bandcamp.com/
6) Ye'll Dae What Yer Telt Or Else by Fire Up The Sun
Taking a sledgehammer to the peace and love vibes are my favourite sweary Scottish act Fire Up The Sun. I realised that is crowded field but the new comers have snatched the title when they released Big Computer - their third EP. The lead track is a critique on the expanding power of the state and the population's willingness to surrender to it to a heavy beat reminiscent of Lust for Life. Just because you're paranoid don't mean their not after you. Elsewhere on the EP they explain the class struggle with Disney's A Bug's Life, and take on the rest of the world on Nae One Gives A Fuck (Part One). Bloody hope this means Part Two is coming 'cause it made me laugh out loud. Get onto this EP and if you're new to Fire Up The Sun then you're in for a rude awakening.
7) Get What You Deserve by The Kynd
The Kynd where a UK band from the late Nineties who have presumably reformed during lockdown. Get What You Deserve has got all the Britpop era traits, an anthem built with guitars and strings, a Hurricane#1 vibe with pure vitriol in the lyrics. I don't remember the band from the 90's so after a quick google I can confirm that they formed in 1991 and Andy Bell (Ah!) produced their debut single Egotripper in 1996. They released their only album Shakedown in 1999 and broke up the following year. It seems they have unfinished business and this is a strong comeback single.
8) Losing My Mind by Louis and the Shakes
This track opens with pounding drums and a great big dirty riff. It's a familiar tale of boy meets girl, boy loses his mind set to storming indie blues rock. It's over before its begun so play it a few times. A taster of things to come when the album arrives later this year.
9) (You’ve Gotta) Shout It Out by DDE’s
Another song about losing your mind, this time caused by months of lockdown. Manchester’s DDE’s first release since the excellent Calm Before The Storm EP from July 2020. There are samples of politicians lying about Covid and Brexit, blistering drums, squalling guitars and a pop punk rock tune that wouldn’t be out of place on Green Day’s Dookie. DDE's call for the end of physical isolation and a return to normality, lots of shouting and running it out of town. What 'it' is isn’t clear - the Virus? the Tories? the Madness? All of them? Whatever, it’s rock and roll and calling for a noisy uprising.
10) Through The Storm by Paul Nixon
The Warrington singer songwriter’s latest single is an acoustic take of his world weary Noel-esque song. Ultimately it’s a song about offering protection and support during tough times which strikes a chord with so many of us. It’s just a man, three chords and the truth strumming his guitar. But it affects you. https://paulnixon.bandcamp.com/
11) Touching Distance by GreenCircles
The new 4 track EP came out in Mid April and it’s a strong collection of tracks. I was honoured to have the lead track Touching Distance as an exclusive on my radio show and pleased to see the positive response to it upon release. It starts with some strumming guitar and Paul's voice then builds up adding more and more to the mix. Another string laden ending perfect for swaying crowds lighters held aloft with a tear in the corner of their eyes. The EP also includes the songs Wrecking Ball, Turn It Up plus the instrumental Gallowgate Ends which I understand is named after a stand at Newcastle’s FC stadium. Anyway this cracking EP isn't on Bandcamp so stream it. Older singles can be purchased here... https://greencircles1.bandcamp.com/
12) Clusterfuck by Byron Smith
Byron is a singer songwriter from Melbourne with a dry wit and his song Clusterfuck is about how close he is to achieving the beautiful life. There's only a few hurdles to overcome but unfortunately those hurdles are multiplying faster than they can be tackled. Some amazing lyrics here and I always hear something new that makes me chuckle on each play. https://byronsmith.bandcamp.com/
13) One Shot Remix by The Shed Project & MC Tunes
Once upon a time in Bolton there was a band that lived in a magic shed. When Roy said MC Tunes 3 times into a mirror he summoned the legendary Moss Side rapper. The lads decided to re-record their One Shot single in the magic shed - believing if they could recreate the baggy spirit of the 1990 Summer of Love, then why the fuck not? With an original Madchester MC on board, jazzy saxophones, phat beats, squelchy acid and Screamadelica era horns they crafted an groove so addictive that all the Shedheads who heard it lived happily ever after (in rehab).
14) Frontier Psychiatrist (Mario Caldato Jr's 85% Remix) by The Avalanches
To celebrate the 21st anniversary of the release of their acclaimed sampledelic debut album, Australia’s The Avalanches are about to release a deluxe edition with some bonus remixes. I’ve loved this track for two decades and it's refreshed on this new remix. I was meant to see them at a festival last weekend. Sadly, like so many gigs it was impacted by lockdown restrictions and has been rescheduled for later in the year. Then again fans of the Avalanches are used to waiting. Remember when The Roses took five years to release their second album? The Avalanches took fifteen years!
15) Fall For You (Chill UNE Remix) by Crimson Bloom
Fall For You is the jangly hit from Crimson Bloom's excellent debut album. It has got a chilled out Ibiza treatment at the skilled hands of UNE (Paul Langley and Mark Radcliff). It takes Fall On You into Together In Electric Dreams territory and bathes it is lush swathes of synths. Andy's voice and an acoustic guitar are still there but this version would be epic to hear whilst watching the sun rising over the sea. The EP is called At The Airport (Remix EP) and includes five remixes if you purchase it from https://crimsonbloom.bandcamp.com/
16) Sink or Swim by Mark Sharp & the Bicycle Thieves
A jangle indie rock pop tune in the best traditions of the genre. I like Mark Sharp but I'm not keen on bicycle thieves in general. Another awesome West Lothian band preparing for some gigs in the UK. https://marksharpmusic.bandcamp.com/music
17) Hold Me In Your Arms by Shark Star
A tear-stained personal lament dealing with his feelings related to the death of his father. This is wonderful and moving song.
18) I Said That You Looked Fine by Alex James
Alex James (not the cheese munching bass player from Blur - I did check) created this band whilst studying Music degree at Newcastle University and they are currently big in Helsinki at the moment. The music is influenced by dirty riffs and blues rock bands especially Royal Blood, The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys. Alex is wheelchair bound and one of his aims is to raise awareness push for more inclusion of disabilities in the music industry. This is his second single and Alex James are another to join the North East's roster of new bands.
19) Anything You Want by The Utopiates
A funky Indie rock band from London with stacks of tracks, grooves and fun attitude. Look no further than The Utopiates with their blend of synths and guitars which is finding a growing audience. This is their fourth release of the year for this new band and all have been top choons. https://theutopiates.bandcamp.com/
20) No Way Of Knowing by Moonlight Parade
Purveyors of cool indie melodies, Moonlight Parade have released a new single Wake Me Up and b-side No Way Of Knowing. I've picked the b-side to end this month's playlist cos it makes me smile. The Worthing Trio have unleashed around 40 songs over the last three years making picking my #MoonLightParadeTop10 another tricky twitter challenge. The countdown fun starts on Friday 7th May so get listening, put your thinking caps on and get involved. If you've not heard them then you're in for a real treat.as you discover all their marvelous tunes. https://moonlightparade1.bandcamp.com/
That's it for another month. Keep an eye on MobyTanner's Rebirth of Cool TV YouTube Channel for the next episode of the #Indie100Cup and I should be on InYourEarsMusic.com with the DAFT POM Radio Show on Saturday 16th and 30th of May. If you want to listen to my previous shows then they are collected here...
Laters Innovators
xxx
