‘Hellbound Heart’ is the hard hitting new single from Sheffield metal outfit Shadow Smile. Exploring the subject of lust – this hook-fuelled track is the second release from the band’s eagerly anticipated Seven Deadly Sins themed debut album ‘Signed In Blood’.
https://www.facebook.com/ShadowSmilemusic
https://www.instagram.com/shadowsmilemusic/
https://www.shadowsmile.world/
https://www.facebook.com/upstagedlimited/
Oh wow, this is bloody amazing. This burns with an emotional feel that somehow lies under what you hear. It’s chock full of beautiful sounds that thrill, that leave you gasping for breath.
I could carry on like this, but I think I need to step back for a moment here. You see when I saw that MABGATE had teamed up with August Charkes it made me more than a little excited. August Charles was my random Long Division artist last year, and what I heard was frankly astounding. He has a voice that encompasses jazz, soul and something quite theatrical, a voice that is pure emotion. I just knew that the combination of him and MABGATE would produce something amazing. I wasn’t wrong.
The sound here is a magical mix of desert blues, jazz and soul. The emotion of the track is conveyed in this angular sparse sound where instruments dart in and out over an oddly off-kilter drum. It’s sparse until a piano bursts in with a sound that sits somewhere near big band jazz and classical. Now this sounds as though it’s going to be an awkward fit, and it is to a certain extent. But you see, that’s the entire point; it’s all about communicating the emotion of the song
And over this August Charles weaves his voice into the track, telling a story. He comments “The guys came to me at a time when I was in a situationship with an Austrian girl who came to Leeds to study… immediately when I heard the track, I knew it had to be about how I was feeling in that moment, half of me, was fighting to maintain this lacklustre relationship and the other half was trying to shine a light on the fact that she was in the wrong and I was getting crucified for saying the obvious.”
Now do you see how the mix of feels and sounds conveys the mixed feelings of the song?
MABGATE are making some absolutely wonderful music. ‘Tell It How I See It’ is showing us another beautiful facet of their sound. This is a must listen.
A part of Leeds’ vibrant jazz scene, MABGATE were formed against the backdrop of the pandemic, coming together whilst living in a converted pub that became a hub for music creation. The trio consists of drummer Richard Moulton, organist/pianist Nico Widdowson and guitarist/producer Ed Allen.
The forthcoming EP ‘MABGATE’ is the first project written and recorded outside of the confines of lockdown, widening its scope and creative process and leading to the band shedding the confines of being an ‘organ trio’. It’s a celebration of creative freedom with a cinematic approach to songwriting, contrasting euphoric melodies against tense harmony, angular riffs and expertly crafted, crunching grooves. Across the project, the band invite contributors from the Leeds community, including saxophonist Alex Fisher and bass clarinetist Joel Stedman (Ancient Infinity Orchestra).
A five-piece formed out of teenage friendships and New Year’s Eve encounters, Leeds’ Treeboy & Arc share new single ‘False Objects’ taken from debut album Natural Habitat out 7th July 2023 via Clue Records who are partnered with EMI North.
“A lot of the vocal deliveries on the record are spoken word and lacking in a real melody, so I wanted to make an effort to sing a bit on at least one of them.”, says guitarist and vocalist Ben Morgan of the new single. “False Objects is a bit slower in tempo and the instrumentation felt more open, there was a lot of space to play with so I thought this would be a good song to do this on.”
Ben continues, “For some reason my girlfriend and I became weirdly obsessed with Jack Osbourne. We saw a programme called ‘Portals to Hell’ and the name sounded so ridiculous we watched it and it was him presenting it, that opened a can of worms. He also does a show with Sharon and Ozzy called ‘The Osbournes Want to Believe’ where he plays them spooky video clips of ghosts and UFOs and Bigfoot in an attempt to convince them it’s real and plausible. A lot of it is bollocks obviously but some of it is pretty compelling and left me thinking “OK well if that isn’t a ghost, then what on earth is it?”. At some point you can tell that Ozzy is really starting to buy into it all, and I realised that I was also starting to believe.”
On debut album Natural Habitat, they pit pop songs against avant-garde, kraut-punk noise to see which elements come out on top, perfectly setting the scene for abstract tales of disillusionment, loss, ill health and the occasional Bob Mortimer obsession. The lyrics often dark and sinister sounding, you don’t need to listen hard to hear the tongue-in-cheek wit and cynicism in their deliveries that is so often associated with the North of England.
Natural Habitat is Treeboy & Arc’s most ambitious release to date, after the original version was scrapped. With the opportunity to really experiment in the studio, the songs recorded became darker, harsher, and more brutal sounding than any of the original demos the band had recorded themselves. With two singers and two lyricists, the meaning of each song feels completely separate from the last. From anxiety to the supernatural, whether disguised by cryptic language or told as “matter of fact”, the album discusses the full spectrum of emotions.
The band felt it important to keep things homegrown and chose to work alongside seminal Leeds producer Matt Peel at his studio The Nave, who has worked on the likes of TRAAMS, W.H. LUNG, Eagulls, Pulled Apart By Horses, Heck, and more, helping them create a brand new sound.
Treeboy & Arc are:
James Kay – Bass / Vocals
Ben Morgan – Guitar / Vocals
Sammy Robinson – Synths
George Townend – Guitar
Isaac Turner – Drums
Natural Habitat
Out 7th July 2023 via Clue Records
Pre-order HERE
It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a release from Askies, way too long. I’ve missed their brand of alternative rock.
‘Leaving’ is alternative rock but it’s not that build to a ear battering climax kind of alternative rock. In the past I’ve described their sound as sophisticated alternative rock, as having a pop edge and even, rather desperately, as adult oriented alternative rock. Now while those might kind of describe their sound, it’s not quite right for ‘Leaving’ which comes with a sound as wide as the sky; it’s huge. It has, at moments, that chiming hugeness of U2. But then again it comes with a sort of restrained rawness – a hard guitar, a burning vocal. It’s undoubtedly rock but it comes with an earworminess that says rock pop crossover.
I’m obliged to comment on the playing, so let’s fulfil that. The playing is faultlessly fabulous, It’s an object lesson in the concept of how powerful restraint can be. And yet there is something that isn’t restrained, and that’s the vocals – from quietly emotional to raw and impassioned, the vocals are hugely compelling.
‘Leaving’ was worth the wait. This is amazing.
Stream: https://askies.lnk.to/leaving
Line up: Mark EG, DJ Poco (Uptown Funk), Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, 2 HOT (the Specials Tribute band), Don Gonzo. DJ City Skank, Boxteles, Tonia Victoria, Adenico, DuckLin Curls, Nadia Amini, Tray Tronic, Lennie & His Band
Compere: Blazin Fyah.
Live graffart from Oliver Lancaster (Fresh Kids Club)
“Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) uses the energy and vibrancy of the music scene to promote unity and celebrate diversity through education and events. Our message is simple, there is more that unites us than divides us; and nothing demonstrates this more than music. Whatever the genre, music is living testimony to the fact that cultures can and do mix. Music has the power to unite, to give strength and to effect positive social change.bRacism, on the other hand, weakens us; it creates barriers and turns friends and neighbours against one another.
Sadly, racism is on the rise in the UK and internationally. We believe that if we work together we can harness the power of music to stop this destructive force in its tracks.
Our aim is to use the power of music to bring together individuals and communities in a beautiful resistance against bigotry and hatred. Join the movement. Get involved.”
Website: https://www.lovemusichateracism.com/home/
Since the murder of Jo Cox, Huddersfield’s Love Music Hate Racism has put on a series of well received local events across Huddersfield
https://www.facebook.com/HuddersfieldLMHR
Enough is Enough is a national campaign to fight the cost of living crisis. “We were founded by trade unions and community organisations determined to push back against the misery forced on millions by rising bills, low wages, food poverty, shoddy housing – and a society run only for a wealthy elite. Our five demands are clear:
1. A real pay rise
2. Slash energy bills
3. End food poverty
4. Decent homes for all
5. Tax the rich”
Website: https://wesayenough.co.uk
Official Allen & Heath DJ and a main player in the UK music industry for 30 years. Mark EG has transmitted his musical message many times over from the UK to Australia, transcending generations and cultures by playing countless different styles of electronic music. With a unique and anarchic approach, Mark has won many awards and accolades. From chill out to techno, dark to minimal, acid to hard trance, rawstyle to hardcore, he plays exactly what the party requires – when it requires it. His versatility, energy, knowledge and passion for all genres of dance music is quite simply, unparalleled.
Mark is also widely credited as one of the main two pioneers of the hard trance movement, collaborating with many incredible labels and artists and of course, Mark is well known for his stechno releases on labels such as Stay Up Forever, Hydraulix, Rebletek, 303 Alliance producing releases with artists such as Chris Liberator, D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Sterling Moss, Geezer, Tiddles, Mobile Dogwash and newcomer Benji 303.
Recently he partnered with US analog synth master Freddy Fresh, as well as Germany’s number one early acid label, DJungle Fever.
Whatever your style, whatever your sound, Mark EG is one artist you don’t want to miss out on. There have been many imitators, but there is ONLY ONE MARK EG!
“Probably the star of the show! “Although only 11 years old, Lennie is an old soul keyboard player, loving soul, motown, blues and jazz. He is predominantly self taught and plays in his own distinct style due to his Cerebral Palsy” THIS IS HIS FIRST EVER GIG (come along early doors so you don’t miss it). Lennie has raised over £25k for various charities including his own specialist school – just by playing and sharing his tunes!
Uptown Funk is DJ/producer, Antonio Alexis AKA Poco. Antonio has a passion for the 4 to the floor funky dance music scene. So when the nu-disco scene exploded into the UK, he knew he could find common ground on which to build something special. That said, Antonio (Poco) is still in the early stages of building Uptown Funk. Hailing from the pennine town of Huddersfield, Antonio is currently building a reputation in the north for feel good, funky, nu-disco music through his residency at Small Seeds nightclub in Huddersfield town centre and dj guest spotting in clubs/bars throughout the north of England and can often be found playing both warm up sets for some of the most well known djs, and also headlining events.
Pat Fulgoni fronts this top notch 5 piece blues band already with European blues festival dates under their belts and equally at home in UK clubs, venues and festivals. Blues Matters Mag writes:
“I was completely blown away because he can sing, I mean, really sing. Ridiculously well” Pat has sung across many styles including Huddersfield’s Kava Kava and major dance floor collaborations with the likes of festival headlining acts Camo & Krooked, Zion Train, Technimatic, London Elektricity and Murdock. But it’s truly magical when he sings the blues especially when backed by the stunning musicianship of this band”.
“a new act from West Yorkshire playing ska, 2tone, rocksteady and reggae. “There’ll be no sitting down when 2hots in town, so get ya on and get ready for some serious moon stomping”
Fusing the raw energy of post-punk with the eerie weirdness of ’60s psychedelia, Don Gonzo have won a serious local following off the back of debut album Active Ingredients.
They’re currently recording the follow-up…
“at the heart of musical subculture vibes in Huddersfield since his early teenage Two Tone rude boy beginnings some of his musical highlights include founding all night Reaction Rave night Dub/reggae night Basement Dub Sessions and Dubstep night POWAH. Expect Sound System Love & Unity vibes”
Adenico’s sound is “characterised by a fusion of Soul and Indie Rock, which creates a genre-bending journey through intoxicating rhythms and melodic expression. He’s played events at prestigious venues in Leeds (Headrow House), Wakefield (Unity Works), Sheffield (Theatre Deli), London (Ronnie Scotts) & more” over a seven year span since his first live performance in 2016. A COLLECTIVE SESSIONS artist”
“Mixing the northern indie charm you know and love with a little bit of 60s-style pop magic thrown in for good measure. Having worked in the studio with Mike Spink (The 1975, Gaslight Anthem, Jake Bugg) during 2021 and 2022, the Boxteles sound has grown. With heavier riffs, bigger hooks and serious sentiments, the band are diving into the new normal with a lot to say. The 4- piece consisting of Tom Bedford (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Ollie Harrison (Lead Guitar), Alex Richardson (Bass) and Oliver Perry (Drums) have all been heavily involved in the music business for years, giving them a birds-eye view of the ever-evolving industry and a clear vision of where the system no longer works.”
Vocalist and producer Tonia Victoria is well known for her blend of soulful vocals and honest gritty lyrics. She has played many concerts including Tramlines, Royal Albert Hall and Soundwave Festival .
“The aggressive and emotionally potent music released by “punk-rapper” DuckLin Curls, is only enhanced by his intimate and energetic live performances. Inspired by everything from mental to political turmoil, Curls continues to take the north of England by the strings.“
New Huddersfield based artist singing acoustic soul with guitarist Rob Mear.
“Sometime esteemed artist and Timeless Festival resident DJ, Tray says ‘I like to play my guitar and sing, mostly pop covers with my own twist although I do write my own songs occasionally. I find a lot of satisfaction in playing other peoples songs that express how I feel. I especially like playing dance music and turning them into something completely different on the acoustic guitar!’”
Love Music Hate Racism Huddersfield
Smile Bar & Venue
38 Wakefield Rd
Aspley
Huddersfield HD1 3AQ
Tickets £6. Doors 7 pm til 2 am
Tickets: https://www.smilebarandvenue.co.uk/event/love-music-hate-racism
I loved Django Jones and the Mystery Men’s riotous debut release ‘Bad For You’ ‘Date Night at Joey’s’ has sealed the deal, as far as I’m concerned nothing they release will disappoint me.
Sounding like the bastard child of The Cramps, early Motorhead and The Sex Pistols ‘Date Night at Joey’s’ is a mosh pit of joy from it’s spoken intro – no, I’m not going to ruin that for you, listen to it for fucks sake – to its heavy as you like guitar riff, passing briefly over a lyrical reference to ‘Hey Mickey’ (I kid you not), to its unexpected sudden ending.
Trivia aside: If you think Toni Basil was the first person to record ‘Hey Mickey’ then you’re probably not alone but she wasn’t. British band Racey were. The original was entitled ‘Kitty’, (included on their debut studio album ‘Smash and Grab’ in 1979. The original Racey song did not include the “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine” chant, which Basil added. Trivia end.
Lyrically the song is unsurprisingly about a date night at Joey’s. It does what it says on the can, you get me. It does this in words that deserve some closer listening. I love a song that tells a story over music that blows my mind.
Django Jones and the Mystery Men make music to lose your mind to, music that’s the soundtrack to a riot.Crank up ‘Date Night at Joey’s’ to street disturbing levels and go crazy. This is absolutely fantastic.
MORE MUSIC FROM: Mae Muller, Ella Henderson, Professor Green, Chappaqua Wrestling, The K’s, Bilk, Bonnie Kemplay, The Scottish Flys, Aziza Jaye, Alice Ede, Sarinity Jones, Kid Blu3
PLUS: Barrioke feat. Shaun Williams, Sing It Back, Musical Bingo, Tragedy, Hip Hop Karaoke, Shell Suit Cher Bingo, The Mariachis, Brasswurst, The Daniel Wakeford Experience, The Sound – A Celebration of the 1975, ABBA Party, Club Tropicana, Under The Stars.
AND ‘Speakers Corner: Roqy Tyraid, Slambarz Takeover ft The 1 Devotion, Young Eman, 32 Offline, Omilea, W4nnjiro, Tiger, Nathanial Short, Keyz T.T., Aka Kelzz, Arielle, Cottingham, mui zyu, AFLO. The poet, Danaë Wellington, Sola, Tony Njoku, Wemmy Ogunyankin, Tai Ògún.
The 15th edition of Tramlines Festival, Sheffield’s Biggest Party, has just got bigger with the addition of even more music and quirky entertainment for the 2023 event. Taking place over three-days at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July, this latest announcement also reveals the lineup of Tramlines’ very own pub, The Open Arms. Famed for its weird and wonderful acts and games, its ‘Speakers Corner’ bill of lyricists and spoken word artists curated by former Sheffield Poet Laureate Otis Mensah, and crowd-pulling DJ sets programmed by the Leadmill, there’s a lot more now in store for the celebratory event.
A whopping number of artists have already been announced for Tramlines 2023, which includes Richard Ashcroft, Courteeners, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Sugababes, the DMA’s and so much more. Artists leading this latest announcement include the UK’s 2023 Eurovision entrant, Mae Muller. Sam Ryder road blocked the second stage in his appearance last year so Mae Muller is expected to follow suit! Unfortunately the previously announced Beebadoobe can no longer play at Tramlines, fear not however, as organisers have added more chart-topping names including the outstanding voice of Ella Henderson, and Professor Green who’s back with a new EP later this year. The hotly tipped shoegaze-Britpop outfit Chappaqua Wrestling have also been added alongside even more scorching talent including indie rap punk three-piece, Bilk, The K’s, Bonnie Kemplay and Pattern & Push 2022 winner, Sarinity Jones.
The Open Arms stage has been an absolute hit with festival goers ever since its arrival in 2021 for its buzzing atmosphere and cabaret-style billing. Tramlines is thrilled to reveal the return of Shaun Williams’ Barrioke for 2023 which pulls in one of the biggest crowds of the weekend. There will be sing-a-longs galore with Hip Hop Karaoke and Tragedy – Heavy Metal Bee Gees from NYC- games from Musical Bingo and Shell Suit Cher Bingo, world music from The Mariachis and German oompah band Brasswurst, and many more not-to-missed performances including, The Daniel Wakeford Experience, and the band born out of Sheffield’s disability arts charity, Under The Stars.
The Open Arms is also host to ‘Speakers Corner’, the only place on site to discover cutting edge lyricists, insightful poets and spoken word artists. Poet and hip-hop artist himself, Otis Mensah, is back to programme an exciting mix of talent that includes, San Diego rapper RoQy TyRaiD, a takeover from Sheffield’s urban lyricist competition Slambarz featuring The 1 Devotion and Young Eman, the caressing tones of Aka Kelzz, the emerging talents of poet Tai Ògún, Sheffield’s newest Poet Laureate, Danaë Wellington, and so much more.
And if that wasn’t enough, The Open Arms will also stage party-starting DJ sets when some of Sheffield’s favourite club brands takeover. Expect to flex the vocal cords and do some serious shape-throwing when The Sound – A Celebration of the 1975, ABBA Party, and the Club Tropicana DJs take control of the sound desk. There ain’t no party like a Tramlines party!
Final tier tickets for Tramlines 2023 are selling fast. Saturday General Admission and Weekend Payment Plan tickets have completely sold out, with Weekend tickets not far behind. Saturday VIP tickets are down to the final few, and are expected to sell out in the next week. For those wanting to join Sheffield’s Biggest party, the advice is to move fast! A weekend ticket costs £140 (+ booking fee) while day tickets are available from £60+bf. https://www.tramlines.org.uk.
Richard Ashcroft
DMA’s, Bloc Party
Sea Girls, Circa Waves, The Enemy (Special Guests), Pale Waves
The K’s, Cian Ducrot, The Bug Club, Rachel Chinouriri, The Mary Wallopers, Deadletter, Dead Pony, Lizzie Esau, Rumbi Tauro, Amaroun, Jetski, Delilah Bon
COMEDY: Jonathan Pie, Scott Bennett, Raul Kohli, Myq Kaplin, Harry Stachini, Host: Jojo Sutherland
Open Arms: Barrioke feat Shaun Williams, Sing It Back, Musical Bingo, The Sound – A Celebration of the 1975, Roqy Tyraid, Slambarz Takeover ft The 1 Devotion and Young Eman, 32 Offline, Omilea, W4nnjiro, Tiger, Nathanial Short, Keyz T.T.
The Courteeners
Blossoms,
Kate Nash, Katy B, Mae Muller, Spector, Red Rum Club
Stone, High School, Prima Queen, Chappaqua Wrestling, Modernlove
October Drift, Franz Von, Vivas, The Scottish Flys
(Special Guests) Everly Pregnant Brothers
COMEDY: Paul Smith, Tom Wrigglesworth, John Hastings, Matt Reed, Danny McLoughlin, Host: Jarred Christmas
Pattern+Push Pres: Coco, Deuxe, JxK, DJ Lamour, Aziza Jaye, Alice Ede, Sarinity Jones, Kid Blu3
Open Arms: Tragedy, Hip Hop Karaoke, Shell Suit Cher Bingo, ABBA Party, Aka Kelzz, Arielle, Cottingham, AFLO. The poet, Danaë Wellington, Under The Stars
Paul Heaton and Jaquie Abbott
Kaiser Chiefs, Sugababes
Reverend and the Makers, Ella Henderson, The Zutons (Special Guests)
Professor Green, Black Honey, The Beths, Wunderhorse, Matilda Mann, Bilk, Bonnie Kemplay
Courting, Creeping Jean, Weekend Recovery, Philippa Zawe
COMEDY: Omid Djalili, Nina Gilligan, Tamer Kattan, Kazeem Jamal, Host: Emmanuel Sonubi.
Open Arms: The Mariachis, The Daniel Wakefield Experience, Brasswurst, Club Tropicana DJ’s, Sola, Tony Njoku, mui zyu, Wemmy Ogunyankin, Tai Ògún
Tramlines Festival 2023
Friday 21st– Sunday 23rd July
Hillsborough Park, Sheffield, S6 2AB
Tier 5 Weekend tickets from £140 + bf
Day tickets from £60 + bf
Available from https://www.tramlines.org.uk
I’ve been blown away by the two singles – ‘With Ease’ and ‘Deepest Blue’’ – Sunday has released from this EP. The combination of her music – jazz-folk blended with electronica – and words that are thoughtful and full of meaning is incredibly compelling. So here at last we have her EP to immerse ourselves in. Let’s do that.
Opening with ‘With Ease, this gives me an opportunity to revisit the song. To be honest, apart from falling deeper under its spell, I have nothing else to add to my review. It’s lazy but here’s what I said about it.
The sound of this is at the same time rich and complex, and simple. It’s simple in that at its heart is a tune that is beautiful and quietly compelling. The richness comes from the music; a carefully crafted and fantastically played blend of vocals, instruments and electronic sounds.
It is not a case of when one of the sounds – jazz, folk and electronica – takes a lead; the feel ebbs and flows. Sometimes this is signalled by an instrument – the drums coming in – and sometimes by a stripping back of the sound – to voice, handclaps and synth washes. But it’s seamless, it’s sinuous.
But for me it is Sunday’s voice that charmed and mesmerised me. She goes from soft folky, to jazzy to spoken voice with astounding ease. And she is singing words with meaning. The song is about feeling lost, when your skin doesn’t seem to fit you perfectly and you are yet to grow into it. Sunday explains ‘I hadn’t given myself the time or patience to figure out who I was, during the final year of my degree covid hit and I felt like I was left with nothing. This song explores those feelings of drifting, feeling lost and unsure of yourself especially during such difficult times’
And to commit the same reviewer’s sin, I’m going to do the same thing with the next track ‘Deepest Blue’
The sound of this is at the same time rich and complex, and simple.It’s simple in that at its heart is a tune that is beautiful and quietly compelling. The richness comes from the music; a carefully crafted and fantastically played blend of vocals, instruments and electronic sounds.
It is not a case of when one of the sounds – jazz, folk and electronica – takes a lead; the feel ebbs and flows. Sometimes this is signalled by an instrument – the drums coming in – and sometimes by a stripping back of the sound – to voice, handclaps and synth washes. But it’s seamless, it’s sinuous.
But for me it is Sunday’s voice that charmed and mesmerised me. She goes from soft folky, to jazzy to spoken voice with astounding ease. And she is singing words with meaning. The song is about feeling lost, when your skin doesn’t seem to fit you perfectly and you are yet to grow into it. Sunday explains ‘I hadn’t given myself the time or patience to figure out who I was, during the final year of my degree covid hit and I felt like I was left with nothing. This song explores those feelings of drifting, feeling lost and unsure of yourself especially during such difficult times’.
And now to the first of three ‘new’ songs, ‘Bricks And Mortar’. In this song Sunday seems to be talking about walls as a metaphor for the structures of life, the things that provide the framework of your life, and how sometimes those things fall away and you are left without support.
Musically the song reflects this. It has an off-kilter, almost broken feel at times. While at others it feels reflective. Here the folk feel element of the track reflects a feeling of, what I’m going to call, feeling alone and needing help. While an increasingly chaotic complex jazz element might represent the things that break down those walls.
While this might sound complex, it isn’t; simply put the music tells the story of the words she is singing. Both in her voice and the music there is a theme, there are elements that repeat but they provide a framework for the unexpected, the emotional twists and turns the song takes. And also the build towards the ending of the song.
To get the best from this song you need to immerse yourself in it, take some time to really listen.
‘Breath Again’ brings a happier theme to the musical journey in this EP. The music is lighter, less dense, and Sunday’s vocals are lighter and joyful.
I may be reading something into this EP that isn’t there – but that’s OK, it’s part of being a music listener to layer your own interpretation of songs onto them – but there does appear to be a theme, a story arc in the songs of this EP. In this song it reflects a recovery, a climbing out of the situations in the first three tracks into a better place.
The music here is jazz-folk – skittering piano and guitar, soaring synths, Look I say jazz-folk but approached from another music direction it would be equally as valid to call it a big pop ballad.
The EP closes with ‘Alice’, a song that encapsulates the themes of the other songs. It’s a story of a child growing up to be an adult suffering the hurt that this can sometimes mean, but becoming an adult with hope in their heart having navigated their way through the twists and turns of life. This song, and it’s so entirely right, is the most folky of the five tracks.
It has become my ‘if someone forced me to choose a favourite. I’d choose this’. It’s bittersweet and beautiful. And don’t feel embarrassed if it brings a tear to your eye, it did that to me.
The songs on this EP are gorgeous individually, but listening to it as a whole brings another layer of meaning to the songs. Like a long exposure photograph, ‘Long Exposure’ captures several life stages – one on top of each other, telling a story.
The playing across the songs is absolutely fantastic, the way the sounds of Sunday’s influences – jazz, folk and electronica – are melded into something unique by the musicians is truly unbelievable. But what shines through is the songwriting and vocals. These are songs with emotion, with soul and with meaning. These are songs we can all relate to. And Sunday sings these songs with a voice that compels with its range and beauty.
This is an absolutely wonderful EP, full of beautiful songs and music, it’s that simple.
Songs co-written by Sunday Lendis and Ed Allen
Musicians:
Drums – Theo Goss
Bass – Joe Wilkes
Piano – Glen Leach
Guitars – Ed Allen
Strings – Jed Bevington
Production & Mixing: Ed Allen
Studio engineering: Ed Allen
Mastering: Shawn Joseph
I love the way Cliché Cult keep you guessing right up to the moment you click play; I mean you seriously don’t know what a track is going to sound like.
‘Veronica’ is seriously smooth indie. I guess it sits somewhere between indie-pop and indie-rock. It may have a poppy tune that’s as earwormy as hell but there’s guitar to die for. But, and not unusually for Cliché Cult, there’s something else. There is more than a pinch of big 80s’ pop – that to my ‘been there, got the t-shirt’ ears has the feel of China Crisis and King. Partially this is down to the way the bass sounds and is placed in the mix, and the big soaring chorus.
Anyway, enough of my ‘musical references that don’t mean that much, if anything, to you’. It’s not so much of how it sounds – you can check that out – but how it makes you feel that’s important here. It’s big uplifting joyful music that leaves you feeling happy and compelled to hit repeat.
If you’ve been keeping up with the band – and if not, why not – then you’ll know that this is a band who know their way around their instruments and this has some fab playing and some wonderful sonic nuances woven into the track that lift it way above the average. This rewards repeated listening.
Cliché Cult seem to be making a habit of making huge uplifting soaring tracks right now. ‘Veronica’ is, simply put, bloody fantastic.
Keating who became one of Europe’s most recognisable stars having shot to fame in the band Boyzone before launching a solo career, is expected to belt out hits such as ‘Life is a Rollercoaster’ and ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ – sure Popworld crowd pleasers. Pop star turned TV celebrity Peter Andre will be swapping the leafy suburbs of Surrey for the spotlight and stage as he makes a return appearance following the success of the inaugural festival in Leeds last year. Not so ‘boy’ band Blue who have sold over 16 million records worldwide will also take center stage with their repertoire of noughties hits.
As the home of Popworld, Liverpool has always been synonymous with great music, and with a passionate and dedicated fan base that spans generations. It was clear that Liverpool would be the perfect choice for the next Popworld Live festival after the huge success of last year’s festival in Leeds. With an amazing lineup of pop icons, a fantastic atmosphere, and a rich musical heritage, Liverpool is the perfect place to celebrate the magic of pop music.
Tickets are available to purchase at https://www.mandsbankarena.com from £39.95 each.
