JAM

INTERVIEW: DEAR TRACKS ANNOUNCE NEW EP 'SOFT DREAMS'

Dear Tracks announced a few weeks ago that their debut EP ‘Soft Dreams’ would be coming out on the 26th of February next year. Along with the news they shared the first song of the EP ‘All The Outs Are Free’ which you can listen to at the bottom of the page. We caught up with Matt from the band to chat about what inspired the new EP as well as whats next...

First off how are you doing?

I'm doing well, thanks!

Have you been up to much recently?

I think so. We currently don't have many shows lined up but we've been focusing on a few things before the new year arrives. We're finishing up a music video for Soft Dreams & we're piecing together a few new songs to demo out in the new year. I've also been saving up to buy a new van so we can tour around North America in 2016.  

What can you tell us about your newest ep?

Soft Dreams is a collage of songs that were written and performed throughout this past year. Half of the songs are newer unreleased tunes & the others were previously recorded more lo-fi quality & singled out on a few compilations. Soft Dreams was an experience of being able to capture these songs at more hi-fi quality yet still DIY production. We had a lot of leisure time since we recorded everything on our own, We feel this EP has definitely helped us grow and expand with writing more music.      

What have you been listening to recently?

Donovan Blanc, Belle And Sebastian - The Boy with the Arab Strap

Do you feel the music you've been listening to influenced how the ep sounds?

I think most of the music that sticks in my head, always has an influence on what I'm writing and recording. We try to capture our own feel to what we're writing. We all enjoy that sunny pop sensation - so it's easy to get something going. I feel there's some artists that forever will carry an influence in anything we write, such as - Jesus And The Mary Chain & earlier Captured Tracks releases,

What are your plans once the ep is out?

The physical copy release date is February 26th so I think around that time we'll be doing a tour around the east coast in North America & try to play more shows in new areas. We're also in the midst of coming up with new tunes that we feel really good about. I think we'd like to record around that time too & try to single out one of these newer songs as soon as we can! Our essential plan is to try and get some new exposure so we can play vibing shows & meet like-minded people who really love heavenly indie pop music.  

Are there any new and upcoming bands you'd recommend?

Our friend Dave, based in Chicago. He goes under the name Dave B. Our drummer Alex has been working with him on some new material & it's pretty catchy. You can hear his recent cassette debut "Messed Up"here

And finally if people wanted to listen to your music where can they find it?

REVIEW: TRUST FUND - SEEMS UNFAIR

Seems Unfair is Trust Fund’s, aka Ellis Jones, follow-up to debut album “No one’s coming for us”. Since being released this February, Ellis has let loose his confined bedroom project, deciding to move to the studio for the latest record. This freedom can be heard throughout the record, with a general enthusiasm and passion dominating its mood.

Despite an overall increase in tempo and thrill, the ethos of Trust Fund remains the same, yet somewhat heightened. Alongside the addition of the occasional synth (‘Can You Believe’) and a huge improvement on production, Jones has replaced many of the softer, mellow tracks with an impressive frenzy of pop-punk, whilst somehow remaining their gleeful attitude throughout. Highlight track Dreams sprints through its 2:11 length with Jones’ high-pitched vocals taking centre stage, with the female harmonies adding a touch of Pixies to the bands lo-fi nature. However, a lovable ferocity on ‘4th August’ does reveal an indecisive nature to the band, as they bound from the glazed falsetto harmonies of ‘so quiet for so long’ to an immediate cacophony of indie-pop turbulence, bringing to mind the likes of Menace Beach and Paws.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: LITTLE GIANT BY ROO PANES

PALM HONEY RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘BEWITCHED’ SO WE CAUGHT UP WITH LEAD JOE TO HAVE A CHAT

Newcomers Palm Honey have just dropped thier latest single ‘Bewitched’ so we caught up with lead Joe to have a chat about near enough everything.

How would you describe your music?

Music you can lose your mind to. I want our songs to sound like they’re inside your brain.

What sort of music have you been listening to recently?

Massively into this band called Wand, they’ve got a stupidly good album out called Golem. Sounds like Tame Impala played by a doom metal band or something. Been listening to a lot of electronic stuff that Harry has shown me too, Honne, Bibio, Flying Lotus... Also just really enjoying the  latest Swim Deep album a whole lot - saw them live at New Slang the other week and they completely blew my mind.

Has the music you've been listening to influenced you in any way?

Definitely! Think it’s showing a lot in our newer material. There’s a more upbeat, dancier element to the music.

Can you tell us a bit about your latest single?

Bewitched is more or less a narrative, which isn’t the way I usually write songs, so it’s interesting. I think you can definitely hear it in the instrumental more than anything - it’s supposed to be a documentation of the feelings you go through during a night out, or a trip, or whatever. The excitement, the anxiousness, the unknowing, the come down…

Got any plans for a future single/EP?

We’re recording and writing a lot of sweet new music at the moment. Just keep your eyes and ears peeled.

Have you got any gigs planned for later this year that you could tell us about?

We’re playing a festival at Patterns in Brighton next weekend, on the Sunday. Me and Harry will be doing a stripped down set in the Pretty Green Brighton store during the day too so definitely come down for that. Then we’ve got a gig in St. Albans at The Horn in December which should be cool. Got a load of stuff in the pipeline.

Are there any new and upcoming bands you’d recommend?

A band called The Vryll Society and a band called Vinyl Staircase. Two exquisite psych bands with the same initials. Check them out.

What's the best gig you've ever played?

Did this gig in Hertfordshire recently with our mates Raays which was a complete fucking disaster. Promoter didn’t show up and we literally played to an audience of zero. Best gig, however, because we all ended up getting on stage together at about 1 in the morning, completely out of our heads, busting out Krautrock jams for hours. Ayden attacked me in the street on the way to our hotel, he strangled me and almost decapitated me throwing his cymbals. Great night.

Where would you like to be in a couple of years?

Was saying to the guys yesterday how I’d love to do an album with a film alongside it that we basically soundtrack and have playing behind us at shows. That’d be sick. Jools Holland would be nice too. Maybe I’m too ambitious, but I don’t think that’s anything to be ashamed of.

INTRODUCING : SPRING KING

LIVE: PEACE – 25/09/2015 

Supports – 9/10 

Peace – 7/10

Crowd reaction – 8/10 

Overall – 8/10

After playing a string of smaller venues following the release of their sophomore album, "Happy People", Peace set out on yet another UK tour, this time round playing larger venues and attracting larger crowds. 

There was the distinct buzz in the air of glitter-clad teens, all eagerly waiting for their idols to take to the stage; it was clear that Peace had still maintained their God-like status in the indie scene. 

But first, it was time for Hackney based support act Splashh to play their set. They offered a hypnotic, rhythmic pulse, provided by the bass and drums, which was complimented by jangley guitar riffs and some atmospheric synth leads. All of these elements combined equated to a very good response from the crowd and a solid set overall, which set things up perfectly for the headliners, Peace. 

Peace started with the distinctive chords to the opening song of "Happy People", "O You". Instantly the crowd got moving and started religiously humming along to every note of Douglas Castle's intricate guitar riffs.

Next up was "Wraith". Despite it being the 201st time the band had played the song live, (according to setlist.fm) they played it with youthful enthusiasm. This enthusiasm clearly rubbed off on to the crowd, as security helplessly attempted, and failed, to stop people crowd surfing. As Peace dove deeper into the set, playing fan favourites from both the LP's, they were suddenly interrupted by a three song acoustic segment in the set. This acoustic segment ended with the uplifting "Float Forever". 

Wasting no time, they got straight back into it with "1998," which has been dubbed as a religious experience live by fans. I'm sure if you ask anyone who has witnessed it they would say: 

"1998 Live Changed My l   i   f   e"

One lull in the set was "Saturday Girl", which wasn't received well by the crowd. Despite this, by the encore they were back on track. 

"World Pleasure" was the last song to be played, where Sam Koisser moved to the front of the stage to perform his iconic bass solo. The night ended in typical Peace fashion with a glitter cannon being fired into the crowd. 

VICTORIOUS FEST REVIEW

INTERVIEW: WILLIAM FROM FLYTE

We spoke to Flyte frontman William about their new single ‘Closer Together’ and how far they’ve come in such a short period of time. You can listen and watch to new single ‘Closer Together’ bellow...

First off, how have things been lately?

Excellent. We've been feeling especially creative recently for some reason, it's a good time right now

How do you feel about the man behind Bombay; Jack Steadman, making a remix of your single 'Come Together'?

It was quite a strange experience handing over the multi tracks like that, we've never been remixed before, but what better way to start? Jack's such a innovative and talented musician it was fascinating to hear his reinterpretation.

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?

It's very melodic and always harmonious. We take the lyrics very seriously and consider them almost the most important part of the process. It's essentially four guys playing live in a room, we haven't overproduced the records in anyway. Lean, clear and we hope meaningful.

Who would you consider as your main influences? 

For songwriting it's Beatles, Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and all the other obvious choices. Sonically we listen to acts like Talking Heads, Radiohead, Mac Demarco, Arcade Fire. As I'm sure it is with most bands, it's a mixed bag.

How does it feel to have been playing on Portobello Road in 2013, to supporting the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club just a year later?

It does feel surreal. We're proud of our time playing on the street though, it's what sparked our desire to write and sing in the most immediate way possible- when you're on the street, no one wants to stop and listen, but if you're doing something they can't ignore then they do stop and they might even give you money. I don't think the position we're in now is any different, it's just you can't look your audience straight in the eye anymore.

What's been your favourite gig you've played?

We just had an amazing show at Secret Garden Party. We were playing the main stage which was really nerve-wracking and on top of that it was pouring with rain, but everyone still came out to see us and were all singing along. Very honoured that people were willing to brave the rain for us.

Are there any new and upcoming bands that you'd recommend?

Movie are a great band, we took them on tour with us last year and they are terrific pals. Teleman are also excellent, they put their first album out last year and we've listened to it over and over- every track is a winner

Have you got any gigs lined up this year that you could tell us about?

We're currently plotting out a tour for November, as well as heading out with Lucy Rose for a few weeks which we're very excited about. 

And finally is a debut album on the cards yet? 

It is very much on the cards, yes. We will say no more.

THE MACCABEES @ HMV 363, 6TH AUGUST

ALBUM REVIEW: DON BROCO - AUTOMATIC

Bedford rock band Don Broco will be releasing Automatic on August 7th.

Automatic is the follow-up LP to their 2012 debut, Priorities, and delivers a much more mature, refined sound.

Rob Damiani’s vocals are far more varied in pitch in comparison to those featured in Priorities, particularly in the opening track, Superlove. The album’s opener is catchier than the majority of Don Broco’s previously released material, featuring funkier bass lines and more prominent drums, a theme that runs through into the title-track and beyond. The standard of the first two songs on the album sets the bar high for the remaining eight tracks, yet listeners aren’t left disappointed. Even as the pace slows with ‘Nerve’, the quality isn’t lost. 

Automatic delivers much more mature, refined sound, which could possibly be due to the production by Grammy Award winner Jason Perry. As well as the refinement, Don Broco have included signs of influence from vastly different genres within their upcoming release - pop and funk were easily noticeable. Overall, the entirety of the album is very enjoyable to listen to.

In all honesty, Don Broco have a little way to go should they want to dominate the charts, but by releasing material as good as Automatic, they don’t have long to wait until they’re as recognised as they deserve to be.

         Can’t get enough of the boys from Bedford? Catch them on their headline UK Tour, as well as at Reading and Leeds (28/08 and 29/08 respectively)

TOUR DATES

06/08 – Bedford, Esquires

07/08 – London, Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen

09/08 – Colchester, Arts Centre

10/08 – Stoke, Sugarmill

11/08 – York, Duchess

12/08 – Birmingham, Temple

14/08 – Glasgow, Kings Tuts

13/12 – London, Brixton Academy

15/08 – Make A Scene Festival, Middlesbrough

28/08 – Reading Festival, Reading

29/08 – Leeds Festival, Leeds

SWIM DEEP RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘NAMASTE’

Following the release of ‘Grand Affection’,  btown band Swim Deep have release yet another single which will be included on their second LP ‘Mothers’. ‘Namaste’, like most of the bands new material features a large presence of synthesizers. you can give it a listen for yourself below...

Swim Deep are also back out on tour in October for a string of UK dates which you can find beneath.

Tour dates:

BABY STRANGE ANNOUNCE A STRING OF UK DATES

Following the release of their new single California Sun, Scottish rock trio Baby Strange have announced a handful of tour dates for October of this year. It's no secret that Baby Strange's unique raw punk sound has already won them a massive amount of support and comparisons to the likes of The Clash and Palma Violets, and embarking on their biggest tour yet will without a doubt mean big things for this band. 

Coming a long way from their first gig playing at a house party, they will play 9 dates at various small venues across Britain, including one at Saint Luke's, a brand new venue in Glasgow (due to open its doors later this year), and support will come from the excellent Catholic Action and Halfrican. 

Baby Strange's fast-paced and snappy grunge rhythms have sent previous crowds into a sweaty and pulsating madness, and with new tracks, a new tour and inevitable new fans, this can only get better.

Tickets are available now. 

October 2015 tour dates

DARWIN DEEZ DEBUTS NEW SINGLE 'TIME MACHINE'

The incredibly catchy, feel-good musician Darwin Deez has released his second single ‘Time Machine’ for his upcoming third album. The song debuted just yesterday on Beats 1 as Zane Lowes ‘World Record’. To celebrate the release of the new single hes added a London date to his European tour at the Assembly Hall on the 27th of October.

Its been just over two years since he released his second full-length LP ‘Imaginative People’ and nearly five years since his super successful debut. The forthcoming record ‘Double Down’ looks to be the most exciting of the lot, it has an all round more upbeat dancey feel to it. The actual single its self (Time Machine) has a rather more sadder tale to tell about a strained friendship. Darwin explains “I don't like having enemies or being on bad terms with people, But an old friend of mine is keeping me at a distance” and that was the inspiration behind the song. You can check out all his tour dates bellow including the recently announced London date. As well as this you can listen to his latest single ‘Time Machine’ underneath.

Tour Dates:

JAM PRESENTS: TRUCK FEST AWARDS 2015

Best Performance - Darwin Deez

With their new album on its way in September, Darwin Deez headlined the Market Stage on Friday putting on great feel-good performance. Featuring sporadic dance routines and funky riffs, it was the stand-out act of the weekend.

Best Crowd - The Wytches

By playing mostly B-sides and new songs, you would expect little response from the crowd. However, with their doom infused riffs and Kristian’s signature screech, the onlooking audience were sparked into a savage frenzy.

Most Evolved Band - Eagulls

“We’re fucking sick of playing the old ones,” said the Eagulls frontman, George Mitchell, as they delved into a previously unheard song. Layered with reverb-tinged guitars, the band used the same explosive formula to a more down tempo rhythm.

Best Upcoming Band - Cassels

Newcomers Cassels kicked off JAM’s Saturday with a particularly festive yet surprisingly poignant set in ‘The Grotto’. Although second on the Barn Stage, they weren’t short of words with some relevent messages throughout their set.

Most Controversial - RAT BOY

With a performance hot enough to make you faint, RAT BOY truly showed off his potential by causing ‘absolute fucking scenes’ (havoc) with a full blown stage invasion, finishing by saying, “Thank you all. I doubt we’ll be invited back!”

Most Energetic - Allusondrugs

The Market Stage was once again set alight on Saturday with a raucous performance from Leeds’ latest grunge band, Allusondrugs. A sense of madness surrounded the crowd as each member brought their own style of wild insanity to the festival.

Most Nostalgic - Peter Hook and the Light

Almost 35 years after the end of Joy Division, Truck Fest were treated to a set which spanned Peter Hook’s whole career. From Blue Monday to Love Will Tear Us Apart, a crowd of all ages came together to enjoy some timeless classics.

Best Attempt At Engaging A Crowd Full Of Tank-Top Clad Lads, There For ‘The Experience’, With Kaleidoscopic, Glittery Psychedelia - Temples

SINGLE: DEMOB HAPPY - WASH IT DOWN

EP: RALPH COLA - NATIONAL ZERO

Bringing the sounds of the West Coast to England, we have upcoming slacker solo artist Ralph Cola (or Kenilworth based teen Aidan Leather). With his debut EP out today, the world will no doubt be astounded by the sheer brilliance which laces each soothing track. Although hailing from the midlands of Britain, ‘National Zero’ would be more at home as a Captured Tracks release, with shimmering guitar licks and jazz-inspired melodies that bring to mind the likes of Homeshake and Alex Calder. Along with a brittle – yet invitingly warming – tone to Aidan’s voice, the sparse lyrics are comforting accompaniment to the music, such as the thought provoking ‘Sat alone, Sat forever’.  As a perfect soundtrack to a chilled summer’s evening, ‘National Zero’ could be the breakthrough Ralph Cola thoroughly deserves.

INTRODUCING RAT BOY

Rat boy is, in his own words, a ‘19 year old solo music boy signed to parlophone records’ - according to his twitter bio anyway.

Already featured as NME’s ‘gig of the week’ whilst remaining relatively unknown, you could say he’s doing well. At only 19, he’s lined up to support The 1975 on their upcoming 16-date UK tour, as well as a handful of dates for Circa Waves’ tour later in the year.

His sound can be compared to Jamie T - rap over some pretty nifty guitar works, which he plays himself. He’s not one of those “all-i-can-do-is-sing” people constantly thrown at us by the media.

Rat Boy’s material can be found on his soundcloud, and certainly makes for good listening, particularly when you’re doing something you shouldn’t be.