This is fine.
People, it’s the last business day before SXSW kicks off this weekend and into next week. We will be shutting this ‘ol site down while we are out finding the next big thing so this will be some of our last coverage. Hopefully this has been fun for everyone to catch some differing perspectives of bands coming into town. Our Friday interview set comes by way of another Welsh band, HMS Morris. Hit the jump for all them usual deets.
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.
New to me Cardiff based band SYBS just dropped this new single today called “Gwacter” that you should definitely check out below. It features a great, indie rock sound that doesn’t tend to mess about and gets straight to energy and power from the get go. Hopefully it will improve what may have been a downer of a day. Stay tuned for more from SYBS as a debut album is coming soon and will feature more of this badassery.
2023 is underway, and we’re already back on our indiepop kick, with this fresh new tune from Welsh outfit, the Hepburns. Jumping off immediately with this jangle adjacent springy bounce, the song moves quickly into delivering melody via the vocals from Matt Jones; I love the way he tends to drag out the last syllable with an extra blanket of cool. Plus, we get Estella Rosa of Nah (among other projects) doing some backing vocal work here, only thickening that sweet pot of pop. The tune hits out on trying to find a little meaning in the songwriting when everyone’s fighting for the crumbs on the indie rock table. Enjoy.
It’s funny that the email I got about YNYS mentions T. Rex in a nod to the string work on the band’s latest single, as I was just thinking there was something about Bolan lurking in the shadows of this song. There’s this bit of bravado and swagger to the performance of Dylan Hughes here, but don’t let that deceive you as this is every bit a big sweeping pop tune. From the arrangements to the backing melodies, every note seems intent upon carrying you away with huge emotions, albeit with a little bit of that effortless cool. Guess I’m just a big old sucker for pop tunes; the band release their self-titled album on November 4th via Libertino.
There was something immediately gratifying about the sound of the new Holy Coves single; the squall of light feedback working over a steady bit of rim shots, opening the way for this wash of guitar noise to hit hard. As the song builds, the Welsh outfit slowly starts to apply a heavier hand, though they never entirely stray from the tasty pop center, with Scott Marsden’s voice bringing in the huge wave of emotion. Interestingly, the Welsh bunch got a little tie to Texas, linking up with local Erik Wofford to handle the mixing and mastering of the track, which is brought to us courtesy of Yr Wyddfa Records.
As soon as I clicked on the new single from The Hepburns (featuring Esteslla Rosa of Nah), I knew that it had to be the first track I’d post this morning. The horns light the song up almost immediately, sort of begging you to take in the sunshine as you sip on your morning coffee or tea. Crooning vocals, both male and female, offer up a smooth little lounge vibe; I feel like I’m being serenaded at some matinee show on a cruise ship for aged hipsters. I guess I’m just a suck for really lush orchestration, which this song has in abundance. Yet another reason to keep an eye out for the new LP, Architecture of the Ages, out via Elefant at the end of November.
In just over a moth, Roseship Teahouse will be releasing their Fine EP, so they’ve offered us another exciting glimpse at what’s in store on the horizon. Rogers opens up the song, working their vocals over a careful keyboard line, soothing your eardrums with phenomenal melodic notes. Just as the one minute mark ticks, the band joins Rogers, building in this texture with guitar notes that match the keyboards, along with some subtle drumming; Rogers still seals the show, but those added touches make it much more of a group affair. The full Fine EP will be out on December 9th via Big Indie Records.
We were really fortunate to have Seazoo play for us this past year at our last-minute SXSW party; we were treated to an energetic pop set that was equal parts entertaining and catchy. The band just returned with this fresh single, an early hint at what’s to come from their sophomore LP (which should be out early next year). At first you’ll want to give the whole of this number to the guitars and the vocals; they offer the most obvious hook for a listener. But, what I loved about the band, which is apparent here, are the extra little layers; there’s some nice keyboard/synth marks within this number, backing vocals come in at just the right places and the rhythm section might just be the best part! What I’m meaning to say is that this group is a whole lot of fun, and they’ve got the songs to match! If you haven’t already, please go check out Trunks, while we wait for their next LP!
I’ve spent a lot of this year relishing in my adoration of Spanish indiepop, but I need to also remember all the various languages should enjoy as much consideration, which is how I’ve stumbled upon Welsh act Papur Wal. On the band’s latest single it’s this odd lo-fi slacker journey, sort of plodding along with indifference; it all seems just like a casual stroll down the street. But, just as you’ve settled in, someone jumps on the pedal and the song blasts off into this world of discordant pop music. It’s a fun twist that adds a nice energetic kick to the tune; the release is being handled by Libertino.
