This week’s episode includes the latest from Electro London, Roger Shah, Moya Brennan, Ren Stedman, STFU, Naomi Scott, and the Blue Soap Music Blue Soap Box Top 10 in independent tracks.
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Magnus Premieres ‘Detachment’ Album (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Magnus has released their sophomore effort titled ‘Detachment’. ‘Detachment’ is an album that, if listened to in order, gives a brilliant perspective of the artists involved. Partly because of the songwriting but there is more than that. There is this fire of creativity within the guitars, vocals, and rhythm that bubble up and sometimes feel as if they need restrained. The hooks are encapsulated within a barrage of soundscapes both dirty and clean that give a wonderfully decadent vibe throughout no matter what the overall vibe of the track is. This is one of those albums you just hit play and drive down that highway, letting ‘Detachment’ attach itself to your future memories.
ABOUT MAGNUS
Sydney band Magnus formed in 2012 to bring their urgency, fearlessness in experimentation, and healthy disregard for genres to Australian music. Their name, derived from “Magn-hus” and translating as “powerhouse” in Old Norse, is a testament to their live performances. A casual open mic at Melbourne’s world-famous Cherry Bar landed them a residency there and eventually nomination for the Best live band of the year award by invite of owner James Young Himself.
Their debut album, “I”, received critical acclaim by both online and print media with The Sydney Morning Herald states: “The band clearly likes to tease and with terrific self-confidence, in their undoubted abilities the approach does create a lively anxiousness within their music.”.
In 2017 work on Detachment started with a DIY approach which resulted in recorded demos in their rehearsal space mixed at their home studio. Convinced this album needed to have an “all-or-nothing” approach, these demos were sent out around the world and sparked interest from big names such as Steve Albini, Alan Moulder & Bob Clearmountain.
In 2018 recording of the album took place under the supervision of five-time Aria award-winning producers Paul McKercher. With COG’s Lucius Borichon drums it promises an even more raw and visceral approach, yet maintaining the unexpected twists and turns Magnus has become known for.
Both Paul and the legendary Bob Clearmountain (multi-Grammy winner & nominee, USA – Rolling Stones, Springsteen, The Preatures) are credited in mixing and Big Bass Brian Gardner (multi-Grammy winner & nominee known for QOTSA Songs for the Deaf and his work with Dr. Dré), for mastering the album. Upcoming single “Detachment” came together in a completely haphazard way.
After stumbling over an essential bass groove, the band plugged it into their recording kit and made the rest of it up as they went along. Running themes for the song were inspired by a combination of the bleak aggression, stabbing guitars, and call to arms U2’s “Bullet in the Sky” boasts juxtaposed with the story of a man opting for a life of detachment. Detachment is set for release tomorrow (April 24, 2020).
LINKS:
https://www.entermagnus.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7nh8fJMJ1lLweOkBLJkUtS?si=6tJlDg9lRI-obMMJiwAocQ
https://entermagnus.bandcamp.com
https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/magnus/1452892942
https://www.facebook.com/entermagnus
https://instagram.com/entermagnus
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmRwaCZMSRE6smrseUT2ies5wBAeboVr5
https://soundcloud.com/entermagnus -
Tommy Down Drops ‘Superficial’ (The Week in #Indie Segment)
With a smooth groove and sometimes staccato-like rhythm within the lyrics, Tommy Down delivers a memorable track in the form of ‘Superficial’, which is steeped in melody and simply memorable in the aftermath. And now matter and antimatter collide musically with the help of Decca Records artist Rhys Lewis.
This dynamic duo chisel out ‘Superficial’ in a way that is anything but. This song is deep. Musically, creatively, maybe even spiritually on a guttural level. The chorus has such a lyrical delivery of the song title that it is actually still in my head. That is the mark of genius. When a song stays with you and becomes a part of you. That is more than superficial.
About ‘Superficial’
Produced by rising Decca Records star Rhys Lewis, ‘Superficial’ sounds like the brainchild of Nile Rodgers and Sade scoring a Boogie Nights sequel. Managing to tactfully balance its glossy velvet-toned nostalgic influences with a raw and stripped-back production approach, ‘Superficial’ sees Tommy Down analyzing the psychological perils of a generation addicted to selfies and social media. It’s all captured in the contradiction at the heart of its narrative: guy judges a girl for taking a selfie with him, yet harbors a desire to see himself tagged in it the next day.Ultimately ‘Superficial’ navigates the complex, maddening, and circular logic of technological overthink by asking us if we’re even perhaps a little attracted to the idea of our own narcissism. Maybe the fact that we go into these things ambivalently makes us more woke anyhow? It’s three minutes of clever, concise and thought-provoking pop that puts Down both sonically and lyrically on a standout path. With Tommy starring as himself and his own conscience, alongside live bandmate and Cold Feet actress Sylvie Briggs, and Raffy Ellison, the accompanying video, (directed by Toby Harris), is a colorful, slick and tongue-in-cheek dramatization of the lyrics.
About Tommy Down
Tommy Down is the sharp-suited and incisive lyricist and frontman to Harker Moon. He started the project in 2015 with schoolmates Hal Briggs, Ben Phillips, Olly Jay, and Joe Caplin. The band peddles an uproarious blend of rock, soca, funk, and roots with a trademark relish for old-school feel-good vibes. Tommy has been writing music and recording since he was fourteen, and since leaving university a year and a half ago, has been dedicating himself to it fully. In that time, he’s already netted a few accolades and picked up a wealth of practical experience – winning an award for ‘Best Original Composition’ at the UK Open Mic Competition, for instance. He also started performing as the male vocalist for Bristol University Jazz Orchestra in 2015 and now gigs in venues across London including the Camden Assembly.Tommy’s broad knowledge of musical styles and emphasis on innovative stylistic fusions make him one of the most interesting emerging British artists. >From London to New York he has also been forging some eminent collaborations this year, including Jeff Silverman, Charlie Perry (who helped produce Jorja Smith’s Lost and Found), and John Shave & Jason Pebworth from the Grammy-nominated “Invisible Men” – the hitmakers behind songs by Britney Spears and Rita Ora. Both as a bandleader and as a solo artist Tommy unequivocally shines, but it’s in the latter category that we’re seeing his unique artistry in its full resplendent glory.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Tommy-Down-138191366266833
https://soundcloud.com/nii-amar-children
https://www.instagram.com/tommydownmusic -
An Interview with Hugh Reed
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with the man himself, Hugh Reed from Hugh Reed and The Velvet Underpants. Hugh has a unique sense of humor all his own that makes him as endearing as it does just plain funny. But, he is also originally creative in many ways. His music has that outside-of-the-box thinking that makes it as original as you can get while still giving a nod to those influences that Hugh pays tribute to in his own way.
But wait, there’s more! There is the release of his new single titled ‘I’d Rather Have A Bottle In Front Of Me Than A Full Frontal Lobotomy’. And, if the title isn’t long enough to wrap your head around, the song will more than make up for that with an original style romp through the mind of a, well, mastermind. The song has as much personality as it does creativity.
About Hugh Reed and The Velvet Underpants
Hugh Reed, until recently was based in Beijing but has just returned to Glasgow his hometown. He’s a Scotsman with a long musical career, he’s toured with The Fall, Half Man Half Biscuit and has supported Mogwai, Simple Minds and Belle and Sebastian as well as many others.
Following local TV appearances his band The Velvet Underpants were invited by Deborah Harry of the band ‘Blondie’ to support her on 11 dates throughout Britain. This culminated in Hugh and Debs doing a live duet of Waiting for the Man, which can also be seen on YouTube should you wish to see it. Deborah also faxed Lou to tell him about Hugh who was happy to hear about him.
Hugh’s debut album Take a Walk on the Clydeside was released receiving a lot of radio play not just in UK but also throughout, Europe, America and Canada.
Hugh describes himself as “multi talentless” and can also be seen in a cameo role in the ‘coolest film of the nineties’ Trainspotting – More recently he acted in the Jackie Chan movie ’12 Zodiacs’ as a butler and has also appeared many times on CCTV – Chinese TV in many acting roles.
Hugh has toured extensively throughout the U.K., Germany, Holland, Belgium, Denmark and Ireland. Relocating to Beijing, he recorded his next album ‘Ni fa feng le ma?’ (R U Crazy? -in Chinese)
But for now, here’s the incredibly titled ‘I’d Rather Have A Bottle In Front Of Me Than A Full Frontal Lobotomy’
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010322434790
https://www.youtube.com/hughreed621