Ásgeir makes music that penetrates a little deeper than most. A potent Icelandic songwriter, his debut album soared to success in his native land, before English language edition ‘In The Silence’ connected with an entirely new audience. An artist of rare scope, sincerity, and emotion, his next step might well be his bravest, and his most enduring. ‘Bury The Moon’ – or ‘Sátt’, to give the record its Icelandic title – is out on 7th February on One Little Indian Records.

‘Bury The Moon’ begins with heartbreak and escape. Ásgeir watched a long-term relationship disintegrate, and decided he needed to get away, to lose himself in the endless Icelandic countryside. Booking space at a summerhouse – a tiny rural home used by those on the island – he spent the winter writing, just him, his guitar, and those endless reflections on love and loss.

“I took my guitar, a small keyboard, and a very simple recording set up,” he recalls. “And that was it.”

Days, weeks went past, with close friends dropping by to hand over food parcels, and words of encouragement. “I’ve always had this longing to go somewhere on my own,” he says. “I think it was really good to go there and just think about music and have no distractions whatsoever. I went out running in the morning and then I wrote all day”.

The songs tumbled forth. Acoustic meditations intermingled with keyboard reflections, before Ásgeir was finally ready to return. “I went with just the guitar and piano for a reason,” he comments. “I wanted to make a simple album that didn’t process too much or think too much. It would just be what the songs were and nothing more than that.”

Unfurling his new ideas in the studio, he started to gather like-minds, fellow travellers, and guest lyricists to work on his music. Indeed, that’s the way he’s always worked – Ásgeir sculpts the melodies, the arrangements, while the words form this counterbalance, penned by other figures.

Take the first song he completed for the album. ‘Living Water’ is this gorgeous paean to Iceland’s astonishing natural resources, and the urgent need to protect them. It actually began life as a poem – penned by Ásgeir’s father, Einar Georg Einarsson.

“I’ve always been fascinated with how my father writes,” he explains, “and I probably started using his lyrics when I was about 12 or 13. With ‘Living Water’ I was singing it in my head as I was reading the poetry book, and this lyric popped out because it just fitted.”

Einar Georg Einarsson wrote many of the lyrics for Ásgeir’s extraordinary debut, and this partnership has only strengthened and deepened their father-son relationship. “I think the lyrical side of the album is, at times, a bit more personal for me now, because my Dad and I did it together. We spent a lot of time together”.

At times, ‘Bury The Moon’ is a bruising, achingly personal experience, with shades of the endless isolation Ásgeir put himself through in that remote summerhouse. ‘Rattled Snow’ shivers with the Icelandic cold, while ‘Lazy Giants’ peers into the lingering spectre of economic collapse. ‘Youth’, meanwhile, is about childhood, one of the lyrics Ásgeir and his father worked on together.

Musically, though, the record is a direct but continually surprising experience, moving from starkly beautiful folk passages through to clinical electronics. It’s a record that connects the innately personal to the outside world, by linking his instantly recognisable acoustic force to some refreshing, addictive new ideas.

“Sometimes I like just not having a clue,” he smiles, “so I begin with one instrument and see where it takes me. I don’t want to put myself in a box before going into the studio, but some of the songs just yelled out what they needed around them.”

That was the mantra Ásgeir used throughout those sessions: “Give the song what it needs, and not overdo it.”

Indeed, the title track is a microcosm of the way the album progressed. Initially an acoustic sketch, it becomes a bubbling, ruptured digital piece, one of the most daring songs Ásgeir has yet completed. “It’s an abstract lyric,” he says, “about a guy trying to save a relationship. But it doesn’t work.”

Pairing this with barbed electronics, he retained the initial Logic drum part he wrote in his bedroom. “Just don’t think too much about it,” he insists. “Let it be raw. Don’t get too lost in how it should sound. Don’t try to chase a perfect sound.”

In accepting his own imperfections, Ásgeir may well have produced his most remarkable work yet. American songwriter and Reykjavik resident John Grant assisted on translating the lyrics to English, but the voice could only belong to one person. It’s the same voice that drove debut album ‘In The Silence’ to such astonishing heights. Not that this success phases Ásgeir – his concentration is solely on the craft, on the art, and on his fans.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the reactions, and how it sits with people,” he says. “I wanted to take the project back to its roots, in a way, and make it more about honesty: honest songs with strong melodies and lyrics.”

UK TOUR DATES:

Fri 07 Feb 2020 Manchester, Gorilla
Sat 08 Feb 2020 Leeds, Community Room @ Brudenell Social Club
Sun 09 Feb 2020 Glasgow, Classic Grand
Tue 11 Feb 2020 Bristol, SWX
Wed 12 Feb 2020 London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Electronic-pop quartet VICTORS have announced a select number of live dates for 2020.

The band who recently released their enveloping new single ‘Craving’, are now sizing up two shows in March next year at the Islington O2 Academy (6/3/20), before a show that will see them go back to their roots at The Lending Room in Leeds later that month (21/03/2020).

Opening up about the upcoming live appearances, frontman Harry Waterhouse says: “Every time we come to London we see more and more people singing every single word back to us. Now we’re headlining our first O2 Academy show which is so exciting to say. London we can’t wait to see you.

And also, Leeds has watched us develop as an artist from the very beginning. It somehow feels stranger watching our fan base grow in our hometown. We don’t play in Leeds often but every time we do, it’s really special for us.”

Tickets for the gigs are on sale now, and available as follows:

VICTORS – MARCH 2020 DATES

6 – London, O2 Academy, Islington – tickets: www.ticketmaster.com
21 – Leeds, The Lending Room – tickets: www.lunatickets.com

The live announcement directly follows the release of the band’s current single: ‘Craving’.

A track unquestionably made-in and intended-for the nocturnal hours, ‘Craving’ is awash with lush, layered and pillowy sonic textures. From its gently glowing synthesisers, to Harry Waterhouse’s soothing, soulful vocal and Simon Appleson’s epic, cut-away guitar break; ‘Craving’ recalls everyone from INXS to The 1975 and Frank Ocean, and lays out their stadium-sized ambitions. The track’s intimate subject matter touches on the whirlwind of emotions that arise from moving away from home and your loved ones, while embracing the changes that inevitably come afterwards.

Created in the dead of night as the band addictively listened to Frank Ocean’s ‘Pink and White’, ‘Craving’ was then produced by Andy Hawkins and Ollie Brierley.

The new single follows the band’s previous single for the CLOSEUP label, ‘I’ve Been Missing You’ – a track that impressively stacked-up over 100K streams in under 3 months. With support for the band from the likes of Huw Stephens at Radio 1 and Shell Zenner at Amazing Radio, ‘Craving’ will be the latest addition to the rabidly received and quickly expanding Victors catalogue, which has already seen them garner over 7.6million streams across Spotify and Apple Music.

Scheduled to take place Thursday August 6th to Sunday 9th 2020 at its home, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Rebellion Festival is now widely recognised as the largest gathering of punks in the world and continues to grow every year.

2019 saw one of the most prestigious line-ups yet, with iconic acts from every corner of the globe rubbing shoulders with a multitude of thrilling up and comers. The Stranglers, Descendents, Fear, Spear Of Destiny, The Damned, The Skids and many more all topped the stages and left lasting impressions. You can view a fast-forward recap of 2019 here: https://vimeo.com/354631253

The line-up for 2020’s event is already coming together quicker than a Ramone could bellow 1234! with a feast of punk rock talent already confirmed to play. In terms of legendary, iconic punk bands, Rebellion 2020 is not falling short with Bad Religion, Stiff Little Fingers, Sham 69, Circle Jerks, The Undertones, Peter Hook & The Light, Anti-Flag, The Adicts, Steve Ignorant Plays Crass, Tom Robinson Band all now confirmed to perform as Rebellion enters a new decade.

For US hardcore punk fans, the addition of Californian icons the Circle Jerks, reunited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their fabled 14-songs-in-15-minutes ‘Group Sex’ album, is a thrilling proposition, especially for frontman Keith Morris who has appeared at Rebellion Festival before in the previous guises of OFF! and Flag.

“The music festival season’s upon us and there will always be the ‘too cool’ or ‘they don’t have enough great bands’ people bitching and whining and these are the ones with toothpicks lodged in their rectums,” states Keith. “Those not up for the fun and adventure of going out to see bands will miss witnessing Scream, The Undertones, Rezillos, GBH, 999, TSOL, Angelic Upstarts, Bad Religion, Channel 3 and Stiff Little Fingers which is just the top of the roster. All these groups and more will be appearing at Rebellion Fest 2020 which is held in Winter Gardens in the beautiful seaside city known as Blackpool. I’ve appeared with OFF! and FLAG during previous Rebellion Fest situations and had nothing short of a great experience! I’ll be participating with The Circle Jerks at the upcoming RF and for those of you who aren’t down with the situation there’s always “Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the end of May…………”

Despite many appearances at Rebellion over the years, Northern Ireland’s Stiff Little Fingers are still as excited as ever to support the festival.

“We’re delighted to be once again playing at Rebellion,” declares frontman Jake Burns. “A festival that’s very close to our hearts, having been involved with it for such a long time now. It’s always fun coming back to Blackpool, catching up with old friends and making new ones. Having grown from small beginnings in Morecambe all those years ago to one of the biggest punk gatherings in the world is fantastic and a real testament to the staying power of the music, the bands but mainly the audience. Can’t wait!”

These join an ever-expanding line-up that runs the length and breadth of the genre’s vast musical world, further highlights including The Dickies, Angelic Upstarts, GBH, Anti Nowhere League, UK Subs, Neville Staple Band, The Boys, Scream, Toxic Reasons, MDC, The Rezillos, Bouncing Souls, T.S.O.L., The Pack, No Fun At All, Conflict, DYS, Scream, King Prawn, Adrenalin OD, 999, Honey Bane, Grade 2, ATV and many many more.

For listings and additions head to: http://www.rebellionfestivals.com/line-up

Since its original inception in 1996 as the then named Holidays In The Sun festival, Rebellion has always aimed to bring together the best punk and alternative music from across the globe, and is still a family-run, family-orientated event that celebrates punk in all its forms.

Tickets available here: www.rebellionfestivals.com/shop

Rebellion Festival is an ALL AGES, family friendly event and children under 12 are admitted free of charge (accompanied by an adult). More information and tickets are available at:

Website: www.rebellionfestivals.com
Twitter: @rebellionfest
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RebellionPunkMuskFestival

LSF favs FUDGE. have announced their debut ‘Panic On’ EP will be released on 31st January 2020. The EP will bring together the band’s three singles to date in reverse chronological order – an extended, previously unreleased version of their third single HUGGER-MUGGER; their acclaimed second single, NOT A THREAT JUST A WARNING; and their debut WALRUS. The EP will also feature additional secret content and will be available on all digital platforms and as a highly limited edition of just 50 CDs.

The band have also been invited by Richard Watson of the 360 Club and Alan Raw of BBC Introducing to play their #360RAW12 night at Leeds Lending Room on Friday 7th February 2020, as one of their favourite bands to have played at the previous eleven. Ticket link: https://www.crashrecords.co.uk/360raw12

To coincide with their recently announced headline tour for Spring 2020, Barnsley’s ferocious four piece Hands Off Gretel have revealed details of The Angry EP set for release on their own Puke Pop Records on 9th March 2020.

The three tracks – ‘She Thinks She’s Punk Rock N Roll’, ‘Don’t Touch’ and ‘Bigger Than Me’ – are all live favourites that fans have repeatedly asked the band to release, and were recorded with Jim Pinder at Tree House Studio in Chesterfield.

The EP will be available on CD and limited edition 10” white vinyl – alongside all major download and streaming platforms – and can be pre-ordered now from: www.handsoffgretel.co.uk

Talking about the EP, singer Lauren Tate, who also designed the artwork, said: “It was great to get into the studio and record some tracks that didn’t make it onto the album. The Angry EP captures the energy and aggression of our live shows, which is something we totally wanted to do after releasing our latest album, which has a more polished sound. The EP is honest and raw, just how punk rock tracks should be, and we know these are favourites with our fans so it’s great to finally release them”.

To coincide with the release, the band embark on a huge headline tour of the UK and Ireland in the Spring. Full dates as follows:

FEBRUARY

Wed 12 CORK Crane Lane Theatre
Thu 13 DUBLIN Academy 2
Fri 14 BELFAST Voodoo
Thu 27 LEEDS Brudenell Social Club

MARCH

Thu 12 LONDON Camden Assembly
Fri 13 BRIGHTON Green Door Store
Sat 14 BRISTOL Thekla
Thu 26 NOTTINGHAM Rough Trade
Fri 27 MANCHESTER Deaf Institute
Sat 28 SHEFFIELD Leadmill 2

APRIL

Wed 08 BRIDGWATER Cobblestones
Thu 09 EXETER Phoenix
Fri 10 SOUTHAMPTON The 1865
Sat 11 BEDFORD Esquires
Wed 22 ABERDEEN Krakatoa
Thu 23 GLASGOW Nice N Sleazy
Fri 24 EDINBURGH Bannermans
Sat 25 LINCOLN Showground [with Skindred]

MAY

Wed 06 CAMBRIDGE Portland Arms
Thu 07 BIRMINGHAM Academy 3
Fri 08 CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
Sat 09 BUCKLEY Tivoli
Wed 20 OXFORD Bullingdon
Thu 21 YORK Crescent
Fri 22 BLACKPOOL Waterloo
Sat 23 NEWCASTLE Cluny 2

Tickets available from: www.handsoffgretel.co.uk

Speaking about the tour, singer Lauren said: “We are looking forward so much to getting back out on tour and kicking off in Ireland, which will be our first time playing there. Our tour in 2019 was fantastic; we had so many sold out gigs and we’re hoping we can do the same in 2020. The crowds have definitely grown and it’s nice to see the hard work finally paying off; playing to a full room is what any band works towards. There are some new venues on the tour as well, which we’re really looking forward to.”

They revive the white-hot rage of riot grrrl and grunge mixed with bubblegum pop. Following an incredibly busy and successful 2019 which included the release of their highly acclaimed second album, ‘I Want The World’, a largely sold out 38 date UK and EU tour, and appearances at major festivals including Isle of Wight, Kendal Calling and Y Not, the DON’T TOUCH tour in February, March, April and May is their biggest yet.

22-year-old Lauren Tate fronts the band. She has written both of the band’s albums as well as releasing and touring a solo album in 2019 on her own record label. She also designs all the band’s artwork and merchandise and is the creative force behind their DIY videos which have amassed over two million views on YouTube alone.

Speaking about the second album I WANT THE WORLD, Lauren says: “It feels like I wrote this album six years ago in a school toilet whilst skipping class and hiding from the world. I felt so ostracised and alone, like I didn’t fit in anywhere. It became my mission to sing for the outcasts, the weird kids, the ones that feel misrepresented in society and left behind like I do. I made it my obligation at 15 to make as much noise as possible as a young woman, to challenge everything.”

HANDS OFF GRETEL are completed by drummer SAM HOBBINS from Brigg; guitarist SEAN BON from Ireland; and bassist BECKY BALDWIN from Bristol.

WEBSITE https://www.handsoffgretel.co.uk/
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/handsoffgretel/
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/handsoffgretel/?hl=en