Meet the SXSW Band: Otto Aday

And here you were thinking we might just slow down for these last few days in build up to next week… WRONG! We still have several more SXSW interviews to bring your way in the final days leading up to the festival next week. Hopefully you are enjoying this short preview into what it means to play the festival for an artist and how to survive on the road. Our next interview up comes from London based artist Otto Aday. You can check all the deets and tunes after the jump.

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Cruush Share Stick in the Mud

We get sent a lot of songs during the day and very few will make me pause and start it over like this new one called “Stick in the Mud” from Manchester based cruush. Some may immediately call this shoegaze, which I guess it is, but it’s also super sludgy and dark and just downright nasty at times with the deep, vibrating sounds. I am loving the subtle heaviness of this track today.

Cruush will be releasing a debut EP entitled Wishful Thinker on April 14th via Heist or Hit.

New Single & Video From Divorce

Nottingham based band Divorce is an up and coming group who will likely be a new name for both you and me. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that new songs like this one, “Checking Out”, will quickly make the band a household name amongst we music fans. What I love about the song is simply that it’s hard to pin down into any one genre or style. It has these hints of Americana like Dr. Dog or Wilco, but also crazy rocking energy and lovely harmonies throughout. Check it out for yourself below.

Divorce will release a debut EP entitled Get Mean on December 2nd.

Straight Rocker From Jaws The Shark

Jaws the Shark is the somewhat ironic musical moniker of London based musician Olly Bailey. He’s been busy since starting the new project in 2020 with tons of singles and an EP entitled Another Day in Paradise coming out last year. For me, Bailey makes a brand of hook laden, riff heavy rock n roll clearly inspired by the late 90s with Oasis vibes mixed with more modern rockers like Wavves or White Reaper. His new track released today, “Destroy the World”, features guest work from Dinosaur Pile-Up and is a perfect example of this straight rock n roll with modern touches style. This one is out today via all platforms from So Recordings.

Infectious New Single From Wasuremono

Wiltshire based group Wasuremono released their catchy, dream pop inspired LP Let’s Talk Pt. 1 earlier this year, but surely you had to know a Pt. 2 was still in the works? Sure enough, the band has just announced the release of Let’s Talk Pt. 2 coming in January of next year via The Wilderness Records. Prior to the release this winter, Wasuremono dropped this new single entitled “Hi!” today and it’s already improving my overall mental state this morning. It’s a truly infectious bit of pop music with just enough quirk and silliness to keep it interesting and incredibly catchy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uW2HSG6LBY

New Luna Share Prunus

We’re closing down yet another week of mostly stay at home times and the fantastic music continues to pour in from musicians with a ton of time on their hands. Today I am pleased to offer you an impressive new song called “Prunus” from Manchester based group New Luna. What I tend to look for in new music is stuff like this with, what I consider to be, a fresh and unique take on genres which can otherwise get cluttered. These guys will at times remind you of a late 90s indie rock band, but then add in elements of fellow UK bands like The Twilight Sad to create something they can really call their own.

 

Real Banger From Leeches

Only a couple of months ago I shared with you all a catchy as hell song called “Fuerta Ventura” from my new pals in Dorset based band LEECHES. Well now the boys are back with this banging new number called “Man Up”. It features a nice blend of a shoe gaze inspired sound which meanders in and out of some seriously heavy, seriously loud, sludge rock. I think you will find it quite enjoyable.

LEECHES are releasing a singles collection EP called Easy on July 3rd via Leisure Records.

Cavernous Pop from Plainbow

One of the labels I’ve been keeping an eye on over the last few years is French outfit Hidden Bay Records; they’ve just put up a track from the forthcoming Plainbow EP, and it’s pretty special. While I can easily see cascading guitars and atmospherics filling in the space here, I love how they leave this vast expanse of negative space for the tune’s opening moments. In fact, it never fully reaches that sonic climax, almost always toying with the tension for an entire 3 minutes; the song almost just feels empty and hollow, save for the emotional pull of the vocal work. Of course, we get this beautifully noisy outro closing, and we’re grateful, but it only succeeds due to the craft of the song itself. The Super Super Super EP is scheduled for release on Friday!

Hey New Temples Song!

Not sure how we missed the news of another highly anticipated album from our UK mates Temples, but it’s never too late to share their fantastic music. The band’s latest single “You’re Either On Something” can be found streaming below for your enjoyment. As usual, the band continues to keep things focused on true rock music with heavy, fuzzed out guitars and a super tight rhythm section.

Temples will be releasing new album Hot Motion on September 27th via ATO Records.

Love This New PLAZA Single

Sometimes when you think bands no longer know how to rock, you come across a song like this new one from PLAZA, and you’re faith in rock is restored. Though “In the Know” does start as a fairly straightforward, chill indie song, it erupts into a more guitar driven rock song about 1 minute in. It reminds of a band like Super Furry Animals who also can lure you in with a mellow jam with the listener never really knowing when the next rising action may come. Prepare yourself for greatness.

PLAZA recently signed to Clue Records and are currently working on more new material.

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