Tag: Indie pop

OUT TODAY: Sleepy Days share nostalgic single, ‘Night Owl’

Hailing from Dublin, indie rock band SLEEPY DAYS came to fruition after an act of kindness: whilst studying at BIMM Dublin (Dublin Music college), the quartet quickly rallied into the college’s recording studio, to rescue a mutual friend’s final assignment.

From that moment, Conor Dwyer (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), Michael O’Kane (lead guitar & backing vocals), Alex Ganje (bass) and Aaron Lacumber (drums), realised they had immediate chemistry and, as the saying goes, the rest was history. From that undeniable bond, Sleepy Days has conjured their trademark that takes inspiration from Japanese rock, synth pop and surf rock and perhaps a hint of shoegaze.

Their new single,’Night Owl’ immediately transports you back to the late eighties/early nineties when shoegaze was at its best. With reverbing guitar riffs and hypnotic rhythms, ‘Night Owl’ reflects lead vocalist Conor Dwyer’s struggle to transition from the nocturnal life of the college days into the early starts in the real working world.

With the ahead on, brash arrangements, perfectly reflecting the dreaded changeover, this single should be an ode to any soon-to-be graduates who are anxious about to that major life leap.

‘Night Owl’ is out today (21st February) across various music platforms. To commemorate the release of the single, the guys are headlining a show in The Workman’s Club Main Room, Dublin, hosted by Ex-Oh Promotions, on Friday, 7th March.

Why listen to ‘Night Owl’ below…

Connect with Sleepy Days via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sleepydaysband
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sleepydaysband
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepydaysband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sleepydaysband

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Song of the Day: Sea Son – Colin Manson

Scottish singer-songwriter COLIN MANSON‘s latest offering, ‘Sea Son’, is a powerful indie-folk ballad that is so compelling from the very first note.

A thoughtful lyricist and contemplative songwriter, Colin’s unique ocean sailing experience shines through in this heartfelt single. Each line from Colin’s thought-provoking lyrics takes the listener on a journey of self-reflection, making them linger over each line, savouring every moment of this captivating track.

Tasteful guitar melodies are accompanied by warm bowed double bass and enhanced further with ethereal female vocal harmonies, by fellow singer-songwriter Billie Maree, throughout the song. His subtle but powerful voice is carried by delicate instrumentation and simple drum beats which highlight the mellow vibe of this beautiful track.

On this song, Colin works with Chris Bond, platinum award winning producer and instrumentalist, who is featured on the drums. Have a listen to the stunning single…

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DIY outfit VACATIONS share album ‘No Place Like Home’ + ‘Over You’ video

Two-time platinum-selling Australian band VACATIONS release their long-awaited new album, ‘No Place Like Home’. The record follows an intense period of transformation for the lead singer Campbell Burns, who was diagnosed with Pure OCD (or “Pure O”), a subtype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder marked by intrusive, unwanted, and uncontrollable thoughts. His experiences learning to live with this while touring the world informed the record, which also engages in nuanced discussions around personal growth and sexuality.

The band tapped Georgia Maq, formerly of the band Camp Cope, for their last official music video for the album release single, ‘Over You’. The band explains, “I thought it would be really fun to lean into this idea of ‘Over You’ as an exploration of self-obsession. The high peaks and low valleys of ego just make for a funnier visual story, I think. We’d saved a silly goofy video until last. I’d originally planned for Campbell to be in the role of protagonist and therapist, but circumstances meant none of us would be in the same city at the same time to work with the director, Jax Anderson, and their wonderful team. To our rescue came Australian darling Georgia Maq, of Camp Cope fame. We were so lucky to have them involved, and their charisma really brought a sensuality and hilarity that was needed.”

Following 2020’s ‘Forever In Bloom’ album, ‘No Place Like Home’ finds the Newcastle, Aus DIY outfit comprised of Burns and bandmates Jake Johnson, Nate Delizzotti, and Joseph Van Lier, expanding their trademark melodic indie rock to new sonic horizons. The first Vacations record to be produced by Campbell Burns and an outside producer, John Velasquez (Zella Day, Broods), it comprises ten shimmering tracks brimming with indie-pop hooks and just a touch of bittersweet sensitivity.

“I had this loose concept of ‘No Place Like Home’ being an Americana-influenced album,” Campbell says of the album’s sonic inspirations. “I wanted to incorporate more pianos, acoustic guitars, Nashville tuning, and country-inspired lap steel, but then also bringing in drum machines and synths and finding a mix between the two.”

The album features singles, ‘Terms & Conditions,’ ‘Midwest,’ ‘Close Quarters,’ and the buzzy radio single, ‘Next Exit,’ which has over 15 million streams.

Formed in 2016, Vacations’ feverishly expanding fanbase has seen the band play host to multiple sold-out UK tours in 2023, including a rapturous headline at The Garage and a slot at All Points East supporting The Strokes.

Vacations have lots to celebrate with the new release. They were picked by Pandora as one of their ten artists to watch for 2024, their single, ‘Telephones,’ was certified platinum in the United States in December, marking their second platinum track stateside (the other is ‘Young’). Recently, the quartet has made their debut TV performance on CBS Saturday Morning.

Vacations’ new album ‘No Place Like Home’ is out now, released today 12th January via Nettwerk. Have a listen to the set below…

Must Listens: Slow Motion, No Place Like Home, Over You

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Song of the Day: Feathers – Jessica Wilde (ft. Zoe Kypri)

Singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and South London native JESSICA WILDE, returns with the second single of her forthcoming album, ‘Feathers’, featuring the soul searing vocals of Zoe Kypri. With the first release of the project ‘Freak Out’ garnering heavy support on BBC Radio 1 ‘Future Artists’ with tastemakers Jack Saunders and Jess Iszatt who championed the track on both Radio 1 and BBC Introducing, saying ‘This has to be the coolest tune on the lineup’.

‘Feathers’ now continues the empowering themes of this album, slated for a May 2024 release, as Wilde joins forces with the deluxe rich tones of Zoe Kypri, just back from performing at the iconic Madison Square Gardens (New York) with Black Coffee.

‘Feathers’ is a song about rising together, realising your strength and power, breaking old behaviours, and creating new pathways to grow, as they hypnotically enchant, “I got feathers in my back, that I didn’t know I had, now I know who I am.”

For these two artists in their prime, who are also close friends, this was a special moment, getting in the studio together has been a long time coming, and they both had a feeling there would be real chemistry and a great track recorded in the process and they are clearly clairvoyant. The song reflects both of their personal and mirroring journeys in how they have uplifted and helped one another through times of shifts and darkness, to step into their light.

Both singers bare their hearts and souls through their music, with Wilde’s debut project ‘Sober, Wasted, Wasted, Sober’ sharing a brutally honest account through confessional lyrics about her journey in addiction and toxic relationships, metamorphized to a life committed to self-love and living sober, juxtaposed by Zoe’s introspection of private worlds, feelings conflicting the mind and soul, revelations on experience and desires of a better world. It truly showcases a unique and compelling drawing together of two incredible artists able to entwine layers of luscious vocals in the cage of a raw unmistaken London grit.

The two independent artists have been making waves individually too. With Wilde gaining growing support from not only BBC Radio 1 but also 6 Music, BBC Radio London, KISS, editorial playlist support across DSP’s with regular ‘Fresh Finds’ support as well as features in CLASH, Complex, Wonderland, The Independent and many more – To Zoe Zypri going global this summer with her song ‘Horizon Red’ with Made by Pete, which hit over 150 million streams worldwide, championed and remixed by the legends Black Coffee and Damian Lazurus. Between them, they have caught the attention and collaborated with the likes of Rudimental, Emeli Sande, Grammy award winner Kizzo, Todd Terry, Sigma and Black Coffee.

Have a listen to ‘Feathers’ below…

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OUT TODAY: Rlyblonde’s Debut Single Is The Ultimate ‘Fantasy’.

RLYBLONDE– the project of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Carina Allen – is making her musical debut with the release of her first single, ‘Fantasy,’ out on all streaming platforms today.

While this may be her debut as a singer-songwriter, rlyblonde is no stranger to the music industry. The New York-based twenty-something has long been the go-to photographer, videographer and creative director for numerous musicians. After years of supporting other artists and friends’ visions, she decided to put down the camera and pick up the guitar for a change.

rlyblonde’s well-established visual world is given new dimension with the launch of her music project. In addition to handling all of the songwriting and creative planning, she has also overseen the conception, production and direction of the music video (out February 17th), and collaborated with friends to plan out and shoot her own artwork and imagery.

Her introductory single, ‘Fantasy,’ flickers between gritty alt-rock and serene, melodic pop. Lyrically, the song echoes the familiar themes of heartbreak, identity and growth that can also be seen in her past self-portraiture and personal photography work.

“‘Fantasy’ is really about being frustrated with dating culture and the performances that women (especially women dating men) have to put on, almost out of necessity, until it hits a point where it all becomes too draining,” she explains. “At the same time, it’s also a song about the power of women, the power of illusion and seduction, the power of confidence, and the power of being anonymous.”

rlyblonde will be unveiling the ‘Fantasy’ music video at her debut performance at Heaven Can Wait in New York on 17th February…but for now, have a listen to the single below…

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