Tag: Newcastle

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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OUT TODAY: Listen To Jamilah’s Brand New Single, ‘SOS’

Hailing from Nascastle, songstress JAMILAH expresses her frustration when a friend doesn’t seem to advice on board, after making the same mistake over and over in brand new genre-blending single, ‘SOS’.

Housing a percussive production courtesy of Footsteps, Jamilah’s signature buttery vocals sit centre stage as she vents her frustrations. Merging elements of both R&B and Pop into one feel-good sound, ‘SOS’ is the call for help we’ve all needed! Paired alongside a set of story-telling visuals, we follow as Jamilah sits down with her girlfriend who’s experiencing yet another problem in her relationship.

Gaining previous support from various BBC Radio stations, and Capital Xtra, as well as being picked as one of BBC Introducing’s ’10 Tips for 2020’, her single ‘After 10’ was picked as BBC 1xtra’s #TrackOfTheWeek. Having recently joined radio heavy-weight DJ Ace on his recent #EverythingRnB tour representing her city in the Newcastle show, Jamilah has also opened for the likes of Nelly, Tinie Tempah, and Jocelyn Brown.

Have a listen to SOS below…

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Jamie Lee Harrison Delivers Powerful Pop Ballad, ‘Say It Out Loud’

Following last summer’s ‘Scars At Night’ collaboration with Swiss producer Nicolas Haelg, which amassed over a million streams on Spotify alone, and on the back of opening for Ronan Keating in concert, British singing sensation JAMIE LEE HARRISON is back with a brand new single titled ‘Say It Out Loud’.

Produced by Lewis Gardiner, who has previously worked with Ellie Goulding, Nick Jonas and Chvrches, among others, and written by Jamie along with Gardiner and Nick Bradley, ‘Say It Out Loud’ is a glorious pop ballad for the ages, which captures Jamie at his very best, with his amazing voice, vibrant lyricism and relatable songwriting taking centre stage.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Say It Out Loud’ and how the track came together, Jamie Lee Harrison says, “The song was written in lockdown. All of my writing sessions were cancelled when the world came to a halt, so the songwriting world turned to Zoom and it kinda worked! It’s weird trying to write a song over the internet, but it has become the new norm and allowed me to collaborate with some incredible producers. The song speaks to that bond you have with someone special, when you know what you’re both feeling, but you don’t want to ruin it by saying anything. The production on this track is also a little different for me, which I like”.

Newcastle-born Jamie Lee Harrison is one of the most promising music prospects coming out of the North East, and has grown to become a real staple of the region’s music ecosystem. Having spent years developing his melodic sound and purposeful songwriting, he has steadily grown a tribe of people passionate for the genuine music from the heart that he offers. He captured the nation’s hearts on BGT in 2017, before releasing his first series of singles and collaboration to rave reviews, selling out his nationwide tour, and headlining the prestigious Newcastle Cathedral,
garnering support from CelebMix, Affinity Magazine and The Chronicle, along the way.

Having spent the first half of the year collaborating on new music, with writers and producers that have worked alongside the likes of Ed Sheeran, Ne-Yo and Celine Dion, Jamie Lee Harrison is poised for a breakout summer of 2021, led by his brand new single ‘Say It Out Loud’, which will be followed by a string of further singles and live shows over the summer, leading up to his debut EP, which arrives via Humble Angel Records next year.

For now, have a listen to ‘Say It Out Loud below…

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Song of the Day: Moving – John Dole

Hailing from Newcastle, alternative hip hop and electronic artist JOHN DOLE‘s single, ‘Moving’, is a reflection of his own personal
battles.

The latest release opens to paranoia-drenched synth strings, lending a tense and uneasy feel that sets the
scene for the bars to come. Dole’s vocals enter alongside hard-hitting percussion which
immediately ups the intensity levels further with an itching, fervent energy.

With regional and national support from the likes of Nick Roberts (BBC Introducing North East),
Huw Stephens (Radio 1), John Kennedy (Radio X) and Tom Robinson (BBC 6Music), ‘Moving’
follows in the footsteps of earlier releases, ‘Rolling’ and ‘Collective Thoughts’.

This one’s a true banger…have a go at ‘Moving’, out now via Snide Records

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Song of the Day: The Light – Kyoti

Released just before the Xmas period, pop/electro trio KYOTI‘s latest single ‘The Light’ is a song for those cold, winter months. They wanted to create something dark to reflect the season but that was ultimately full of hope and joy.

Singer Ed took influence from his own struggles with depression during the festive season to write the lyric. He said this about the track:

“The Light is a really personal song. Once we started writing I realised how complex and at times fraught the season can be. I’ve always been fascinated by the symbolism of light in the darkness and wanted that to be the main driving image behind the song. Last year I was in a very bad place in November and December which culminated in me calling The Samaritans, but thanks to a lot of self-care and therapy over the year my mental health has dramatically improved and for the first time in a long time I feel hopeful. It seemed to me that the line “I’m beginning to see the light” perfectly summed up that feeling.”

KYOTI have recently embarked on ‘Project Twelve’, where they will be self-releasing one track every month for a year. ‘The Light’ is track #3, with nine more to come in 2020. Their previous single ‘Restart the World’ was released through Seahorse Music (Bryde) and Kitsune Musique in early 2019, gaining airplay on BBC Wales and BBC Newcastle.

Have a listen to ‘The Light’ below…the proceeds of the single does to The Samaritans.

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