Leeds punks Drahla have smashed us across the face with their new single ‘Form of Luxury’ a massive, bruising new track taken form their debut EP Third Article.
The EP is produced by Hookworms’ MJ and is destined to be a go-to for any punk DJ – do they still exist? A pounding and destructive piece it fills the airwaves with a sense of thoughtful dread normally reserved for horror flicks. The new EP is due out on November 24th which nicely coincides with a huge tour, supporting some quality bands all across the UK.
Hookworms have announced their first new work in over three years after unveiling plans to release their new record Microshift in February via Domino Recordings. The Leeds band have given fans a teaser of their new album.
There’s plenty of synths at play on this lead track ‘Negative Space’, from the forthcoming new album announced by Hookworms today. The album marks a seismic shift in their sound, dynamic, songwriting and production, whilst still bearing all the ferocious energy, intricate musicianship and bruised but beautiful song-craft of the previous releases which have quietly made them one of the UK’s most revered young bands.
This is the band’s third studio album technically but arguably the first in which the studio has been central to its creation. Pearl Mystic and second LP, The Hum were heavily informed by the band’s live sound, Microshifton the other hand came to life in the studio, formed out of loops, modular synthesizer sequences, drum machines, homemade samples etc. which were jammed around and layered until the songs began to emerge.
The record was written and recorded in full following a complete rebuild of the band’s Suburban Home Studio after the River Aire floods in Leeds in the winter of 2015 which devastated the studio.
‘Microshift’ is set to arrive on February 2nd 2018 through Domino Recordings, and you can hear its first cut streaming below. Hookworms will two solo shows before Christmas, followed by a UK tour early next year.
Rising up out of the bubbling Leeds DIY music scene, newly-formed three-piece Shadowlark have already graced the speakers of many-a-forlorn-romanced-bedroom. Last month, Shadowlark released their standout track “Control” along with a dystopian-inspired music video featuring a troubled future, a totalitarian regime broken up by a peacefully empowered heroine.
Frontwoman Ellen Smith (vocals, guitar) hosts an unrelenting desire to create raw and honest songs, laid over a foundation of synths. Speaking about the track, Smith says: ‘It’s about trying to figure out what you’re going to do when you don’t quite know yet, you just need a bit of time to get where you’re heading, take the plunge and do your thing…sometimes you need a little help.’
Rounded out by Chris Quick (keys, programming, synths) and James Warrender (drums) the noir pop electrofusion paints brilliant imagery.
Not only do they strike a perfect balance between slow-burning goodness and hard-hitting choruses, but they also attracted the illustrious ears of Dan Austin (Massive Attack, Doves, Biffy Clyro), to add his productions skills to already strong compositions.
Furthermore, Shadowlark packs a political punch with their music, adding an extra layer to their voluptuous instrumentation with feminist-forward lyrics and discussions around democracy and equality in general. Tested by the tryingly competitive waters of the Leeds’ music scene.
You know that one song, that every band worth their salt has in their repertoire. Often found glistening away in live sets even from their very formative years. The song an emerging new band’s fan base mutually take to and mark as the chosen one; gesturing to each other in intimate venues when the first chord is struck, appreciating it in any way possible upon hearing it.
For Leeds outfit The Strawberries that time has come. The stunningly sublime track ‘She Rhymes To Get Away‘ has been released and it’s every bit as juicy as the live cut we’ve been treated to for months. Their infectious, huge sounding psych-pop licks have seen them develop into a prominent fixture in the revitalisation of Northern rock ‘n’ roll on the underground scene with echoes of blossoms they could well be the next big thing.
They’ve been busy sharing stages with The Coral, The Kooks, Blossoms and the like as well as playing some rammed club nights for the mighty This Feeling. Whilst this summer has already brought a set at Isle of Wight Festival and there’s plenty more where that came from. They’ve just toured but they’re hard working lads so there’s no doubt another one around the corner.
Cowtown (est. summer 2005) are an ever evolving post-punk three piece from Leeds, consisting of Jonathan Nash on guitar/vocals (Runneres/Nope/Hookworms), David Michael Shields on drums (Monster Killed by Lazer) and founding member Hilary Knott on synthesizers/vocals. They began life as a bizarre grungy noise duo before succumbing to the influence of late 70’s/early 80’s punk, post-punk, new wave (Devo, B52’s, Pere Ubu, Walls Of Voodoo, ESG, Liquid Liquid, Black Flag, Minutemen, Tom Tom Club etc) and the soundtracks that galvanized their earliest listening experiences (Teenwolf, Karate Kid, Gremlins, Beverley Hills Cop, Ghostbusters etc). Couple that with an obsessive fascination with They Might Be Giants (which explains away their namesake) and you have some idea of what to expect from the trio.
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is back for a second year taking over Belgrave Music Hall and Headrow House for a weekend of unmissable live music brought to you by SUPER Friendz…
ALVVAYS /// PARQUET COURTS BEACH FOSSILS /// ULRIKA SPACEK COWTOWN /// MENACE BEACH /// SORRY OUR GIRL /// DRAHLA /// CHEST PAINS
…and many more to be announced over the weekend.
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August 2017 Belgrave Music Hall and Headrow House
2pm doors / 14+ / Day tickets and limited weekend
tickets available from Dice, Crash Records, Jumbo Records and See.
Saturday 26th August will feature performances from indie pop darlingsAlvvays returning to the UK for a short jaunt. Also joining them on the bill will be Beach Fossils, Sorry, Our Girl and Chest Pains with more to come…
‘It’s A Nice Ride (To Be Fair)’ is the first release through Clue Club. It was produced by Alex Greaves at Nave Studios, Leeds. Fighting Caravans are an alternative-rock quintet from Leeds. Taking influences from early American Blues and more contemporary Rock music, the group delivers bold social commentaries akin to sounds of Fat White Family, Grinderman and QOTSA, with subtle Country, Jazz and Psychedelic overtones. The vintage guitars lend to an aching exposition of lyrical variety; from the final confessional moments of a felo-de-se to narcotic anthropomorphism, Fighting Caravans have a burden only alleviated via public execution…
In 2015, Fighting Caravans released their debut EP, Beasts Of England, alongside a UK & EU tour, earning strong local and international plaudits. In 2016 the success of singles Tyrannosaur and Blue Heart Motel, provided the opportunity for the band to complete their first ever UK & EU headline tours and feature at a number of festivals, including; Reading & Leeds Festival, Live At Leeds, Liverpool Sound City and Tramlines. The band are currently recording their 2nd EP at The Nave (Kaiser Chiefs, Eagulls, etc.), from which the first single will be released by Clue Records ,
Band Members
Daniel Clark
Riff James
Cinnamon Lees
Ali Fletcher
Dave Hogan
WHAT IS CLUE CLUB? Clue Club is the monthly music club from Clue Records. Each month sees a different act have a track released alongside a fanzine curated & created by the act involved. People who join Clue Club get a monthly fanzine, a t-shirt, a tote bag, a compilation CD, monthly podcasts, discounts & more.
Ahead of their March headline tour, Weirds have released a new music video.
The Leeds psych-grunge band’s new single is taken from their debut album which is due out later this year via Alcopop! Records. Speaking of their new track, frontman Aidan Razzall explained: “’Valley of Vision’ was one of the first songs we wrote for the record. We wanted to create a pop song, and make it big, heavy and mysterious. We try to craft our songs in simple structures, and it came together pretty much in one night in our basement.”
Catch Weirds live at the following shows before they head to Camden Rocks and 2000 Trees Festival this summer:
Check out the band local dates in MARCH.
17th SHEFFIELD, Picture House Social
18th NOTTINGHAM, Rough Trade
Bruising only formed approximately a couple of years ago, after a chance coming together in a nightclub in the bands home city, Leeds. Singer Naomi Baguley spotted Ben Lewis wearing a Perfect Pussy t-shirt, and the rest as they say is history. Naomi may now be based out of Berlin, but the band managed to continue and at the back end of 2015 they released a new AA single, recorded as all Leeds acts tend to be these days, at Suburban Home Studio’s the home of Hookworms-frontman turned production genius, MJ.
That single, Emo Friends/Honey, was a wonderful slice of what people used to call college rock, fusing energetic buzz-saw guitars with Naomi’s beautifully sweet vocal. Its release coincided with a tour with Los Campesinos and a significant step up in the bands activities. Whilst no details of the band’s debut album have thus far emerged, it’s already looking like a fruitful year for the latest band off the Yorkshire music production line
The Fat Angel Sings 