Indie

Indie Powerhouse The Publics release explosive new track: Karen’s Song.

8th Aug 2023 — 1 Comment

Someone get the manager…

We all know one, we’ve all heard the horror stories, some of us have even been unfortunate enough to endure one, the Karen experience is a memorable one. In the moment a source of rage but later a laughable dinner time anecdote, the Karen is defined by their outrageous rhetoric and need to micromanage strangers in the streets. Never satisfied, the Karen lives to complain.

Karen’s song

Yet the Karen creatures ways have inspired viral trends, haircuts and now an energy infused song by indie favourite The Publics. Infused with wit and attitude Karen’s song is a trumpet driven, tongue in cheek homage to all those so called ‘Karens’ in the music industry. With a propulsive drum beat, distinctive guitar solos and a booming baseline The Publics have once again delivered, this time dropping the sound of summer, one that will give you the audible armour to show Karen the door before they even open their mouths.

Elliot Stephenson, Ollie Siggee, Ebony Broughton, Josh Porter and Tom Scott- a.k.a The Publics.

Its a song so good Karen themselves would probably be inclined to tap their foot too it, a song dedicated to their relentless mission. It offers the schoolboy charm of rebuttalling a teacher who’s out of place, mischievous yet assertive Karen’s song like the creature itself gets stuck in your head, but this time for all the right reasons, for those of you that have listened to the tack I bet those additive “da dada da dada da’ have come back to the forefront of your brain, hopefully they’ll be there, blocking any Karens out.

Lead guitarist, Elliot Stephenson, has described the song as “a party from start to finish, with the single’s chanty chorus, a fitting juxtaposition to the relentless nagging of a textbook ‘Karen’. The track is proven in winning over large crowds unleashing dance moves from the masses, with a recent live performance even enticing a standing ovation from an audience member in a wheelchair”

The Publics with honourary member Taylor Gadsby.

Maybe it is the refreshed format that have got the band landing on the right ears, since Bassist Tom Scott (formerly of The Crooks) and drummer Ollie Siggee joined the band in April, alongside established trio: Josh Porter (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Elliot Stephenson (Lead Guitar) and Ebony Broughton
(Keyboard/trumpet) the band have seen debut performances at Splendour and YNOT? festival.

Although this does come after a slew of successful gigs, including a sold out headline show at Rough Trade a sold-out Rough Trade supporting the likes for music giants The Reytons, Reverend
and the Makers and Corella, it is perhaps just the feel good formula The Publics posses that is finally landing them their well deserved success.

A formula that is seeing them perform on some of the biggest stages of their career in late 2023; Supporting The sherlocks at rock city and playing alongside noughties favourites McFly at Camper Calling and headlining their own show at The Bodega on December 2nd.

Upcoming gigs
27/08/23 – Camper Calling
14/10/23 – Rock City (supporting The Sherlocks)
02/12/23 – The Bodega (first headline Nottingham show in 18 months)

Explore another world with the ‘Drawing Wings From The Light’ EP released by CIRCE.

20th Jul 2023 — Leave a comment

An ethereal ode to escapism and a transcendent take on reality.

Circe Captured by Zak Watson

An audible tapestry of the Ethereal, Circe’s latest EP ‘Drawing Wings From The Light’ effortlessly encapsulates an otherworldly spirit. 

Drawing Wings From The Light

Embroidered with escapism, her voice offers a surreal experience, entering a dreamlike soundscape, it feels as though you’re listening to the songs with the sun in your eyes, you’re laying on the grass and you are comfortable. A future version of yourself forms as a silhouette, with indistinguishable features this shadow becomes a beacon of security and support providing welcome shade from the light, you feel solid, more human than before.

Eccentric and flamboyantly authentic this EP explores art, mythology and multi-dimensional forces, acheiving an audible experience unlike any other. Songs that feel like upturned earth after a thunderstorm, like blossoming violets in winter.

The EP started as an echo of what it would become 10 years ago when Circe was still a teenager. Witnessing the boisterous and brilliant, critically acclaimed play Jerusalem by the delectable Jez Butterworth, Circe was transported, exposed to an unexplored realm full of new selves and potential. Riot of Sunlight, the opening track to the EP was written as the first incarnation, becoming a display like ode to Jerusalem.

We are all the Universe, experiencing each other as we experience ourselves, strangers, curious strangers hoping to find a guiding light someone who will bring us back to who we are, or show us how to be the people we are meant to become. We are al mesmerised by a peaceful lake after hours int he dark wood, that once too fascinated us, a journey through the mist, we are all reaching for each other. Perhaps I too am reaching, but this EP touches on that, becoming that journey, a testament to our existence and what we all endure.

Glow by Circe

Glow offers an orchestral exploration of the soul, leaving us questioning ourselves,  we wonder what echoes  will we leave behind, if our actions define our essence what should we do and who should we listen to. Here, Circe sounds distorted, a distant voice that borderlines on disoriented with her delivery which makes it that much more divine to digest. Her humming feels like a heartbeat the driving force that guides the listener through an unravelling road she is the halo, the lighthouse we are searching for. A blend of electronic beats and reality epitomises my interpretation of her music, the ethereal fantasy and the monotonous reality, it is a cacophony of what could be, an ode to living happily.

Circe captured by Zak Watson

True to her name Circe’s songs host a certain sort of magic one may search for, for years only to find it under a fossilised pebble at the steps their town library a day after they’d giving up the journey. She is hypnotic, offering a kaleidoscope of different perspectives she shares through her sounds.

My Boy Aphrodite by Circe

A stand out track of  the EP is ‘My Boy Aphrodite’. Harmonic and deity like this song starts off as a rippling harp until an electronic sounding dagger slices through this illusion of peace and tranquilly, a strobe of reality akin to divine revelation breaking through to Circe’s captivating vocals, she is Zeus in this song commanding attention and power through her mesmerizing voice.

Aphrodite is the epitome of beauty, a beacon of sexuality. Circe discussed that her childhood best friend inspired the song; “a boy that used to wear my dresses and I would wear his suits. Both from nowhere, he saved my life, together we were goddesses, adorned in glitter and smiling faces music to the disapproval of the townsfolk.

Circe captured by Zak Watson

It’s also an ode to Bjork’s Venus as a boy a song and phrase that just blew open our baby teen world. Even though we didn’t have the vocabulary at the time, we were working through the sparkly fields of gender and queer identity questions, and the feelings we had about it all – in the safety net of a magical, surreal  Bjork song”

Experience the other world at her upcoming headline show at London’s Brixton venue the Windmill on September 21st, buy tickets here Keep up to date by following her socials.

‘Healthy Mind’ released by Emily Howard

17th Jul 2023 — 1 Comment

An outstretched hand on the journey through grief.

Emily Howard, a talented musician, recently released , “Healthy Mind,” featured on her album titled “Good Grief.” This emotionally charged track delves deep into the complexities of navigating grief, offering listeners a raw glimpse into tragedy. With a delicate balance of humor, hope, and moments of profound despair, Howard’s hauntingly beautiful composition strikes a chord with our innermost emotions.

Emily Howard Healthy Mind.

Simplistic and stripped back this song is all the more effective with it’s acoustic sound and complex lyrics. By embracing vulnerability and finding resilience Howard has created an intricate insight into loss and hope. Her honestly and humour demonstrate her humanity in the face of adversity. This song also serves as a reminder that sometimes, putting yourself first does not equate to selfishness in actuality it equates to survival. Despite such a strong emotion, Howard demonstrates there is sometimes peace in a storm with her effortlessly empowering Jazz influenced vocals.

After losing her boyfriend in a motorbike accident when she was 17 , her album Good Grief offers an honest and insightful, outstretched hand on others who have also been pushed onto this unfortunate journey. Grief encompasses the sorrow and pain that follows a major unexpected change in our lives whether it be divorce, losing a job or the sudden loss of a loved one. It is an experience that transcends language and affects each individual uniquely. Numbness settles in, a spectre of who you once were this should of silence and eruption of inner turmoil, our once known world now an alien planet. As time passes, emotions surge, fluctuating between anger, sadness, and profound longing for what once was. Grief is an uninvited companion that walks beside us, reminding us of the depth of our love and the irreplaceable void left behind. It is a process of learning to navigate life without the physical presence of the one we mourn, while still cherishing the memories and the impact they had on our lives. It is an uninvited teacher, demonstrating the fragility of existence and the resilience of the human spirit. Through grief, we learn to honour and remember, to find solace in the bittersweet beauty of the past, and to forge a renewed sense of purpose in the wake of loss.

Good Grief Album by Emily Howard

It is not just the incident that impacts us, it is not just them who we mourn but also the loss of the It is in the future we had envisioned too. Full of promises, shared moments, cherished memories, and hope, seemingly fade away like a distant mirage. However, within the depths of grief, we can also discover a profound sense of resilience and the capacity to find solace in treasured memories. It is through embracing these memories and honoring the legacy of those we have lost that we can ultimately begin to heal and find a renewed sense of purpose.

Time may not heal all wounds, but it has the power to bring comfort and grant us the strength to carry on. The experiences we hold close to our hearts continue to shape us, leaving an indelible mark on our souls. Memories intertwine with our thoughts, etching their presence in our minds. We carry them with us, forever tethered to the stories that unfolded. Healing is an ongoing journey, with its ebbs and flows. Even as wounds fade, the occasional ache serves as a gentle reminder of what once was. Yet, amidst the darkness, there is always a glimmer of hope, much like the moon shining through the night sky. Grief can also bring gratitude, enriching each experience we did share with who is gone, allowing us to appreciate each moment more and experiencing it for the both of you, choosing to honour their memory by embracing life, cherishing the lessons learned, and forging ahead with resilience, we go on knowing that by doing so they continue to live within us.