On such a good day for new music, TrueStyleMusic’s new friends Old Selves have released their latest single today, ahead of their new EP, scheduled for January next year.
Talking about the song, the band said: This track illustrates a panic attack and communicates the vibe of such an experience not just in the lyrics, but in the sound and feeling of the song. It is intense, puts you on the edge of your seat and has that vibe of intense, but strangely enjoyable angst. Heavy guitars, sections that are designed to compel you to move, a constant melodic build up to a very panicked, harrowing but hang-bang- worthy breakdown.
As well as being featured in TrueStyleMusic’s playlist “Rock Out”, the single is now available across all steaming platforms.
Old Selves will also be playing at Exchange Bristol on the 4th July 2021 (c-word permitting), with The Vega Bodegas and Ghost Of The Avalanche, tickets can be purchased here:
Another month is upon us, which means another edition of TrueStyleMusic’s playlist. Featuring 11 of our favourite tracks, discovered over the last month. Expect a mix of indie, rock, pop and even some R&B.
Opening up this month is Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, with their latest single, Peaches, released today. This bands out-there name matches their out-there style, combining elements of rock and pop to create a feel-good dance song, one which we could probably all do with at the moment. Their second single as a band, this song really pushes the limits of creativity.
Next up is This Dance, from Liverpool based band The Garnetts. They were supposed to release this song back in April, but with the way the world is it has had to be pushed back a bit. This is another feel good anthem, and hopefully one that we will one day be hearing live. A simple meaning within the song, knowing where you are, what is coming but still taking your chances, this is one most of us will feel a relation to in some way, and has a good place in this playlist.
The Garnetts
This is followed by Control, the new single from local talent Conal Kelly. Released at the end of last month, this track combines shimmering synths, dynamic percussion and a groovy bass to create a sound that gets you moving – it looks like there is a bit of a dance theme to this month’s edition. Conal does all the singing, instrumentals and song writing himself, as well as producing all his own music, the true definition of an indie artist.
After this is Mongrel Dogs, with their newest single Le Chat, released last week. This London based rock band has members from all over the world, and their combined experience and culture create a track with genuine passion behind it. This song has a classic rock vibe to it, and is one that could really rock a live venue one day.
Next up is I See You In The Dark, the latest track from Bournemouth Based singer-songwriter DD Allen. This single brings in influences of 80s pop-rock, with a voice that DD Allen describes as “Neil Young style” (and I would agree). This track and artist is definitely one to look out for in the coming weeks and months.
Sticking on the brit-pop/rock/indie theme, the next track, Nosedive, by Spangled, certainly fits within that category. Another track combining that of-so-classic bright guitar riffs and a dancing rhythm, this is another track with the potential to go far. The message of risk-taking and youthfulness sound like they stem from the band directly, and this personal message make the track stand out even more. These guys also feature as the cover for this month’s edition of the playlist.
There’s only one from the US this month, and that comes in the form of Walking Backwards, the latest single from Brooklyn based indie-rock band Diary. This jangly, dream-pop single has that proper classic indie feel to it, and the message of wistful longing give it a real smiths-vibe (just without the latent bigotry)
Diary
This next one is definitely from the best place in the England, not only the south but also enjoying being in tier 1, Falmouth’s Mog Jones latest single It Ain’t Easy was released back at the start of this month, and has its place in this month’s playlist. Mog has been making music since she was 9 years old, and also writes, records and produces all her music on her own or with her sister. An awesome Dolly Parton-David Bowie-Queen hybrid, this song is one I can see doing well, and Mog’s next released are one to watch out for.
Another one released today, Forgotten Sons latest track, Last December, is a sneaky lockdown song. Now, I’ve been pretty anti-lockdown-songs (except a few which I have mentioned previously), but this ones stands out to me because it doesn’t actually feel like a lockdown song. The pop-punk style makes this feel more like a song to headbang and mosh to, rather than one that makes me sad for better times. The message of the importance of live music industry and the arts as a whole is also so important in this song.
The penultimate song, don’t worry, you’ve nearly made it through another months round up! Elixir, the latest single from London’s Latenight Honeymoon, is a pop-rock track, an although it was put together in a less than conventional way, the layers being built up together shows both in the physical and metaphorical sense in this song, and hopefully we will be seeing a video to accompany the song soon!
And to round off this month’s playlist we have the brilliant latest single from Sacropolis, Home. This German group released their second single last week, and in short all I can say is “why are you not listening to this?” Catchy melodies, driving guitars and a bass and percussion line to keep the song going, what more do you need. I can see these guys rocking every small venue across Europe, and hopefully will be seeing them one day (can you tell I’m missing gigs?)
That’s it! Another month in the mad world we live in, and another playlist to sink your teeth into. So what are you doing? Go and listen to these awesome 11 tracks, and hopefully something takes your fancy.
In the meantime, stay safe, wash your hands, wear a mask and one day we will all see each other again.
Earlier this month, London indie 4 piece Carcrash Casino released their debut album, Nobody Knows More About Carcrash Casino Than I Do. Certainly a long name, but definitely one I will not be forgetting easily.
The album opens with Breach OfThe Peace, immediately starting with a classic indie style guitar riff. This song combines punchy rhymes, sometimes bordering on cheesy but not quite overkill, an upbeat style and dark overtones to create something that has vibes of The Clash, especially the song (and album) London Calling. I also really like the droning guitar about 2/3 into the song, to me it further emphasises that dark, almost criminal overtone that the song and title suggest. Overall, a good opener to the album.
Next up is Don’t Make Me Laugh. Another song with an overall happy sound to it, but the lyrics still show that there is something more going on behind that happy front the singer/main character is putting on. This is also the shortest song on the album, coming in at just over 2 minutes, with the same punchy element driving it home. It might just be me hearing it, but this song seems to have a theme of trying to escape from a beach, so the joyous title nicely goes against the message behind the song.
Number three is titled Doormats Of The World Unite!. Normally, with a song you can get a very general idea about what it is about by the title, however I learned that, with Carcrash Casino, you get anything but what you expect, so going into this song I have no idea! The song opens with an almost reggae drum beat, and that drum is what drives this whole song. Instead of the clean, indie style guitars we saw in the first two tracks, this ones uses heavier, dirtier distorted guitars and bass, and helps to create a mood of confusion and fear, which the lyrics really show in this song. I really like the guitar solo towards the end of the song. There’s not much to say other than it really fits it well! I could imagine, with an ending like that, it is the perfect song to finish a show with.
Come Back To Me is next. The track’s opening reminds me of American Midwest Emo bands, think Tigers Jaw, Brand New, The Hotelier. However, when we get to the singing it goes back to the London Indie style the band have shown themselves to be so far. This song also starts to paint the picture of the album, and I can start to see a story line forming across these four tracks that I’m hoping will continue on. I don’t know if that was intentional by the band, or it was one of these things that just happen. On the first listening of this song I already find myself sinning along. The guitar solo near the end of this one really brings that flange effect to its full use, something that can easily go wrong, but one I think they’ve got right on this occasion.
At nearly 8 minutes long, Cease & Desist is the longest track on this album. Opening with an acoustic guitar, before going into the driving electric guitar and drums, this tracks continues the story that is either in my mind or deliberate. To me, it tells the story of the unknown of entering a new relationship, and everything you risk giving up. The slower, slight change in style really helps break up the album at the half way point. At the just-before-5-minutes point, the guys go back to the acoustic style that opened the song, followed by the mixture of driving acoustic guitar and backing electric, giving me a late Frank Turner vibe.
Following on is In Ascension, more of a pop-punk style, with the driving guitars and drums throughout. It also continues to tell the story of the album, and is even complete with the short guitar solo at about midway through. Again, this song gives sounds happy from outside, but on deeper listening it is pretty dark, and with the confession like bridge, makes me somehow both confused and really enjoying it.
Number 7, the penultimate track is Five Favours Please. This song opens with a retro style, almost washed out guitar rhythm, with the lyrics coming in to create a radio like effect. Think Green Day – Song Of The Century. And then, at just under a minute in, we get the full effect, complete with twangy bass and the driving drums this band does so well. Expect more guitar solos and dark overtone lyrics, although these do give a hint of things getting better, a nice turnaround from the start of the album.
And to finish it off is Something’s Happening Here. At just over 4 minutes, this song sits at the midway point in terms of length. The track opens in a quieter way, before hitting into the punchy, scratchy guitars that we have seen throughout the album. The message of this final song is starting to have a happy overtone to it, and although the lyrics first appear sad, I soon realised this is more about healing and getting better, giving a nice end to the album. The happy style gives me a kind of The Who-The Beatles hybrid mood to the song. This is also one which pushes lead singer Jon up to his highest notes.
So if you are looking for a new indie album full of guitar solos, punchy rhymes and a bit of twangy bass, this is the one from you. The guys have really pulled this out of the bag for their debut album, and this is one that will hopefully be playing live soon, and releasing more in the future. In the meantime, you can listen to Nobody Knows More About Carcrash Casion Than I Dohere, and find out more about the band here.
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After their whole tour was cancelled back in March due to the c-word, REWS haven’t been able to play any shows since then.
But there is hope on the horizon! It was annouced today that Shauna and her band will be playing a socially distanced show for the 27th January, at The Black Heart in London.
In person tickets are limited, and can be purchased here. Alternatively, you can buy tickets to the live stream here.
We cannot wait to see REWS rocking a live venue again soon! The live sessions Shauna has been doing are great, but you cannot beat a proper gig.
After the release of their debut album back in November, I thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up with the band about all things music.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from and how did you all meet?
We’re from all over the country, literally. Jack and Ric knew each other from powerlifting in London and we met Billy & Owen through JoinMyBand
Where did the name Orbital Junction come from?
Coming up with a band name that we all agreed on is probably the hardest thing we’ve ever done. It took probably weeks of suggestions being shot down. I think eventually someone was like “how about orbital something?” and then Billy got the junction bit from going through Clapham Junction.
If you had to sum up each band member with one word, what would you say?
Ric: Woody Jack: Eely Billy: Eggy Owen: Artoisy
You recently released your debut album Egos & Instincts. What does this mean to you as a band?
It’s an important milestone for us! It’s a sign of things to come and a testament to our fans that have supported us along the way, especially with the virus doing it’s best to screw us over at every turn.
What is the one song that has a special place in each band member’s heart?
I think we’d all say Green Man.
Who produced this? How was working with them?
We worked with Ian from Emeline Studio in Whitstable. Very thorough but relaxed dude with some great ideas. He never ate the jellied eels though.
The video for Creep is very well made. Was it fun to make?
To be fair – all the credit goes to Andy from Very Metal Art, he did a killer job on this. Would highly recommend him!
Are there any plans to go on tour (once it is safe to do so)?
Yes sir. Keep your eyes peeled!
How have you been keeping busy during lockdown?
We’ve been writing and demoing some new material which we are very very proud of, it won’t be long until we’re back in the studio recording number two.
Where can we find out more about you?
Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify. All the usual places. I think we’ve got a website in the works too.
Anything else you would like to tell us?
Thank you for the interview! Oh yeah actually we do, PLEASE BUY OUR MERCH!!
It’s a Friday, which means a day for new music! As well as being the last Bandcamp Friday of the year, there also the release of a brilliant new video from Tony Goff & The Broken Colours, which accompanies their latest single, released back in June.
This video is the perfect pick-me-up that so many of us could do with right now, with the sound one that will hopefully get everyone moving.
This is one band we hope will be playing live as soon as it is safe to do so!
The song can also be found for all streaming services here
York based metal band OLD SELVES are coming to Bristol next year, as part of their short tour of England next summer.
Expect this to be loud and heavy, as well as being at (probably) the best venue in the UK – Exchange Bristol basement. There’s not many tickets, so get them while you can, and at only £6 (+bf) each, why not?
With support from Bristol favourites The Vega Bodegas and Ghost Of The Avalanche, this is set to be one killer night.
Watch the video for Breathing Space here:
Tickets can be found here, and the official Facebook event can be found here.
Although TV was released back in September, we still thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up with Nikki from the Merseyside based band. TV is now available across all streaming services.
Who are The K’s and how would you describe your sound?
We’re a four piece band from Earlestown in the North west of England. Jamie Boyle (Vocals and guitar), Ryan Breslin (Lead Guitar), Dexter Baker (Bass) and Jordan Holden (Drums). It’s hard to describe our sound because we can’t really be put into one category. It’s like energetic indie-punk but we like to mix it up and slow it down with fan favourites like Hoping Maybe and Valley One. We can’t be put into just one category, we take the best bits of them all and throw it all together and people buzz off it.
If you had to sum yourselves up in three words, what would you say?
The Best About
What’s the main reason you make music?
We were all mad into good music at a young age which is why we all decided to pick up instruments in the first place. I don’t even think it was ever a conscious choice at the beginning to be like ‘Right today I’m gonna make some music of my own’ or anything like that. It starts off as learning to play bits of tunes on a guitar and just snowballs into writing full tunes of your own, then if people like it you’re addicted and can’t stop. Lucky enough for us people love it and we have the best job in the world. I don’t think we’ll ever stop. I’ll still be smashing tunes out when I’m 80.
You’ve just released your new single ‘TV’, could you tell us more about it?
I wrote ‘TV’ probably at the back end of last year. It’s a sort of sarcastic account of my experience growing up in modern England and I know it’s the same in many parts of the world. We’re sold these dreams on the TV showing the lives of celebrities and socialites and when you’re younger, it’s like you believe it’s real life and it’s what you should be aiming for. As you get older though you realise it’s all bollocks. None of it matters, really.
Did you have any help with the writing and recording process for TV?
We recorded it at Parr Street studios in Liverpool with Chris Taylor. Chris is a great bloke and a great producer, who works with some mint bands. He did all the recording and production of the track. As for writing no we don’t have any help with any of it, I think if you’re a band and are asking for outside help to write your tunes it’s probably time to knock it on the head.
What’s you’re favourite memory of a gig?
Every gig we do is always class. The crowds keep getting bigger and bigger, which means only one thing, the parties get better and better! I think a favourite to date would be Kendal Calling last year, they had to close the tent down as there were too many people trying to watch us and to get that at a festival where it’s not really ‘your crowd’ is ace.
What advice would you give to those looking to make music?
I’d say stay true to yourself when writing. That’s pretty vague but I mean like, write about stuff that you actually care about or that means something to you, however abstract it may be.
For example in my situation, I’m a lad from a little shit town in the NW of England, I’m never gonna sit and write about driving a Cadillac down route 66, am I? I mean I could, but it’d be proper shit, haha. So yeah, I’d say write stuff that matters to you – people connect with it more! I think they do, anyway.
What is next for The K’s?
We’ve an absolutely stacked calendar for next year, we’re gonna try and do two years worth of shows in one! And there’s some absolutely massive things happening behind the scenes that we obviously can’t talk about! But yeah, our main focus is at the minute is getting back out and seeing our fans as soon as we can. The best part about being in a band is the live shows by a mile, and we miss it more than anything!
In the meantime, I’d like to thank Nikki and the rest of the band for answering my questions and wish them the best of luck for the future. I hope to catch them at one of their live shows next year! You can find their show listing here
With a whole new design, the latest edition of TrueStyleMusic’s monthly playlist is now live. With nine of our favourite tracks discovered over the last month (some may have been released over a month ago).
Kicking off this month is Wanna Be, the latest single from Shawn Rushil Mathews. Coming from Harrisburg, PA, this indie-pop-rock track brings together elements of a romantic song, but with the hidden layers behind it. This song is also produced only using electric guitars, bass and a live drum kit (no synths!). Shawn has also provided us with the artwork for this month’s edition of the playlist.
Next we have Overwhelmed by Crossing I’s Dotting T’s, another one from across the pond. This new era punk-track really demonstrates the message of feeling overwhelmed with emotions and feelings of lack of identity. Matthew, the main man behind the music, also has Tourette’s, and uses his music to help raise awareness and wants to help others with the condition.
Following on we have Self Love, the debut single from Ellie Lave. This Greek/British singer songwriter combines a mix of washed out guitars with soft indie melodies to create a track that is destined to go far.
This is followed by Springbar, with their new single If I’m In Trouble, released TODAY. This is Springbar’s second single of the year, after their first single in 2018 and their debut EP last year. Another indie track in this playlist (notice a theme yet?), this song is one I cannot wait to hopefully hear live. Also their guitarist has my favourite guitar, I’ll let you guess which one…
After this is Loops, the latest single from dream-pop-lowfi-rnb artist Emmy, from London. This is a bit of a different style to the others on this playlist, and hopefully the messages behind the song come through to everyone. Talking about the song, Emmy said “I wrote Loops during lockdown about feeling unfulfilled in your twenties. At the same time it’s about learning to accept that you won’t feel like this forever and not to be so hard on yourself. I’m hoping many people will be able to relate to the topic of finding yourself lost in the loops of your 20’s. Loops will be streaming on all platforms from Friday 13th November 2020.” I personally really like the addition of the synth-saxophone in the middle of the song. The single is also released today.
Another one from across the pond, The Magnolias latest single The Painting is next to feature on this month’s playlist. Although the lyrics seem quite literal, about a painting or statue, there is a clear hidden meaning behind the song, and the washed out guitar sound really helps drive this home. Unfortunately, the dreaded C word hit just as this band were hitting it off, but I hope they will be playing live shows as soon as it is safe to do so!
This next one is another with a unique story behind the music. Man and Boy, the “naturally talented 14 year old drummer” along with his “Britpop father” recently released their debut double-single, with their two tracks 1996 and Adelaide, which features on the playlist. Completely recorded at home during lockdown, the father’s old ways mix with the boy’s young style to create something truly unique, but still wonderful.
Deafpony follow, with their latest track Break Me, a reverb-drenched, upbeat indie rock track dripping with pop swagger that was recorded in unconventional spaces over the COVID-19 lockdown. This song really demonstrates the tough times we have all been facing over recent months, the music industry especially so, and how hard we are all working to get through it. Another indie banger, this is one I can see getting some play time on a Thekla Thursday (if you know, you know).
And to round it all off, we have Answer Back with their track Blissful, taken from their latest EP Fate And Fortune. After taking a few year break from making music, the band are back, with the kind of music you can expect at grassroots venues across the country (#SaveOurVenues), the mix of hard driving vocals and well thought out sounds make this track one to look out for.
And that’s it, another month and another edition of the playlist. Hopefully you have found at least one track that is to your liking, and please do keep supporting these bands and artists, they really do need it. And hopefully we will all be able to see each other at a gig some time soon! Find the playlist here
Can you tell us a bit about the band? Where are you from and how did you all meet?
Aaron: The Baskervilles came to life after two previous bands died due to various members leaving to focus on day jobs and other interests. Me and James coming from one band and Callum and Blair coming from the other. James had already started playing under the name of The Baskervilles as a solo project, when the rest of us joined up we sort of decided to restart the The Baskervilles as a collaborative project but decided to keep the name because we all really liked it.
Where does the name come from?
James: The name comes from the Sherlock Homes Novels. Sherlock was always obsessed with the puzzle rather than an external notion of justice or right and wrong. it needed solving because it hadn’t yet been solved. That’s how I’ve always felt about songwriting. I don’t sit there trying to write songs, I kind of trip over the cusp of one, like a little artefact poking out of the sand. Once I know they’re there I can’t stop until I’ve uncovered the whole thing, and once you’ve really got the dust off them it’s the best feeling in the world.
If you had to sum each member of the band up in one word, what would you say?
Aaron – Spine Blair – Heart James – Lungs Tam – Appendix B
You recently released your latest single Only Human. What does this song mean to you, as a band?
James: Lyrically it’s very much about this idea of lust under quarantine. The desire to see someone when you can’t, and almost enjoying the fantasy that things would go better than they really would if only you could see each other. Aaron: I also feel this song was born from really different process of us, we had to write it during lock-down, while being completely separated from each other. It meant we couldn’t test anything out in a live environment and had to rely on messages and phone calls to relay notes and ideas. It was different for us, but ultimately it worked out really well and we’re really happy with the final song.
Planning the video was also really tricky because most venues and locations were shut. So we ended up filming the whole thing in a small garage on the hottest day of the year.
Where did the inspiration come from?
James: I’m not sure where the lyric “only human” came from but it’s what I started with and then Aaron kind of started suggesting video ideas based on this super natural vibe and I tried to mix that with the whole lust under quarantine vibe. Aaron: Visually I wanted to take the title ‘Only Human’ and flip it on its head. The idea that we’re all only human on the outside but inside we all have thoughts and feelings that make us question our humanity. The idea was to bring that to life by having Roxy play this almost supernatural monster that was tugging away at James’s humanity.
Is this a hint at more new music on the way?
Aaron: Absolutely! We’re always working on new material and we’ll certainly be releasing new music in 2021… the real question is when will we be able to play it live?!
Did you have any help with the writing and recording process?
Aaron: We do all our own writing and as I mentioned before lock-down has forced us to adapt our writing process. But the great thing is we’re each now set up to write and record demos at home, so it’s now super easy to throw ideas at each other on a regular basis. For recording we work with a producer called Tom Donovan, the guys is a crazy sort of genius who really helps us capture the ideas we put in our demos in their best light, he’s really helped us push our ambitions for what we put into our music production wise.
How have you guys been keeping yourself busy during lockdown?
Aaron: I think we’ve all been working really hard on producing new music. Trying new directions and finding out what direction the band can take sonically.
Which artists are you currently listening to?
Aaron: Personally I’ve been listening to a lot of Bring Me The Horizon, While She Sleeps, Machine Gun Kelly and Nothing but Thieves.
What is next for The Baskervilles?
Aaron: Definitely more music! Everything else is kind of COVID dependant, we’d love to be playing live again as soon as possible… but who know’s when that will happen at this point.
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