Services for independent artists | Release tracker | Playlists | Chat | Support MO
Before I get into the usual content… if you happen to be looking for a small festival to go to this month, you must try 110 Above in Leicestershire. It’s a beautiful one, with a capacity of only around 1000 discerning visitors, all-age friendly, convenient approach to camping… and the chance to see some brilliantly curated bands in a very intimate setting. This year the lineup includes Lizzie Esau, Girlband!, Sports Team, Fletchr Fletchr, Chloe Slater and Vona Vella. See 110above.com for more…
Bek Jones - To Be Loved By You
Bek is another example of a vastly under-discovered artist producing great songs and ‘To Be Loved By You’ is a beautifully straightforward ballad, performed with welcome clarity and comforting honesty. Bek’s vocals make this one special — she’s just so on point, deftly poised and balanced as she crisply delivers her lines.
Dom Malin - Echoes of Light (EP)
This collection is a deep, reflective indie-folk gem from a Midlands singer-songwriter who has found support from a keen fanbase (who helped crowdfunded the EP). Dom’s voice is rich and low, full of low-key intensity, while his musical style veers beteen wide open Americana-influenced tales and more intimate songs reflecting his local connections. It’s a dream-like listen, perfect for these long, hot days and atmospheric evenings.
Florence Road - 7563
Here’s a swathy, sweeping song, riding on a bubbling rhythm and the urgent-to-strident vocal energy which has helped raise Florence Road so quickly. It feels massive in so many ways: weighty with confidence and experience, epic in ambition and execution, and somehow containing multitudes of sonic details in a very playable four-minute single.
Freyja Elsy - Another Life
Photo credit: Siria Ferrer
This is the third single from Freyja’s upcoming EP, ‘to stop the world turning’. Here, she plays with a myriad of sounds (both electronic and organic) to conjure swirling, starlit images - it’s a great example of her cinematic-folk approach, a mashup which few accomplish with such success.
Slow Fiction - dollhouse (Album)
I recently did this interview with Slow Fiction for DIY mag, where we discussed the album. It’s a really good record, packed with a hugely varied pantheon of sounds - check out the article for more.
I also highly recommend ‘I It Am’ by Susanne Sundfor and ‘Terror TV’ by Basht.
The latest instalment in my quest to admit to (and fix) some glaring holes in my listening history… #AISHLTBN
I’ve recommended Tiny Desk concerts several times before but I can’t resist doing it again. Here, clipping show their genius, using robotic MIDI-triggered devices to form their percussion section. The addition of vocals from Sharon Udoh somehow improves the music more, and there’s also a guest appearance from Kid Koala on decks…
As always, check the Release Tracker and look out for a new one from Welsh fuzz-rock purveyors The Family Battenberg tomorrow called ‘Bed Bug’
Services for independent artists | Release tracker | Monthly playlists | Subscriber chat
If you’d like to buy me a coffee or contribute towards my costs, you can do that here!
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.