In this episode of The Week in #Indie we feature exclusive interviews with one of hip hop’s most notable artists, Sa-Roc, as well as one of the legends of the alternative scene, Wayne Hussey of The Mission, and the guitarist with The Sisters of Mercy, about his new charity project ReMission International and their new single ‘TOS2020’.
Also is an exclusive interview with Chicago based Microcosms well as premieres from Jessica Faroe, Attic Theory, Hunter Porter, Keep Shelly in Athens, Starwolf, and A Shoreline Dream.
About Sa-Roc
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with rap pioneer Sa-Roc. This, to me, is one of those interviews that is a privilege to be a part of for the simple fact that talking with Sa-Roc becomes one of those situations where you walk away all the better because you learn something. For one, you learn that becoming famous, much less good doing what you want to do is more than just realizing the dream, its hard work and commitment.
Sa-Roc is the epitome of that and more. She took a vision and learned all of the logistics necessary to achieve and sustain that vision and she did that while finding her own voice. We learn that and more in this interview.
We also learn about her new upcoming album titled ‘The Sharecropper’s Daughter’, which releases on October 2nd. The album is 15 tracks of insight documenting renaissance, revolution, and revelation. We are living in the perfect age for this album.
LINKS:
https://sa-roc.com
https://www.facebook.com/sarocthemc
https://twitter.com/sarocthemc
https://www.instagram.com/sarocthemc
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_AA8JeDxiPa5cojhQHOPOnmZC_YRn70s
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tjZzUU3KKhsxlmNjV3VZg?si=AbZr8vJ0RPyvKhbXZG9Pgw
https://soundcloud.com/sa-rocofficial
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sa-roc/461801551
About Wayne Hussey & ReMission International
We have an exclusive interview with ReMission International founder Wayne Hussey (The Mission, Sisters of Mercy) about the new multi-charity single and video called TOS2020 (Tower of Strength 2020). Began on the foundation on The Mission’s 1988 song of the same name from the album ‘Children’, we get a new take for a new time with a literal army of artists (list below).
In this interview, we hear from Wayne about the beginnings of the TOS2020 project as well as the inner workings and how the charities were selected and how each artist not only left their mark but a piece of their heart by not only helping but helping to direct the charity as a project and giving these valued charities a much-needed spotlight and more with their names and their hearts.
The song in every form of its glories is out now with the purchase links below.
Full artist video https://youtu.be/VE1I6q-s6Vo
Stream and order TOS2020 https://remissioninternational.lnk.to/tos2020
UK physical orders http://themissionukband.com
USA physical orders https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/tos2020
Check out our other features with Wayne Hussey HERE.
Check out our other features for TOS2020 HERE.
Track COVID-19 HERE.
LINKS:
http://www.themissionukband.com
https://www.facebook.com/themissionuk
https://twitter.com/the_mission_uk
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjpRLuH8jv
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/tos2020
About Microcosms
With the addition of Ronn Richardson on guitar, the sound is filled and full. And we get that in a glorious fashion in the new single ‘Better Together’ (player above). The sound is found, as is said in the interview. ‘Better Together’ will be, in my opinion, the song that could, or should, break the barriers to the masses for Microcosms.
We get an in-depth look at this new addition with an interview with both Ronn and front-man Andrew Tschiltsch about this evolution of revolution that Microcosms is in the midst of taking as well as the new music and what the future holds for the band as a whole in this world of quarantine.
‘For me its been cool because I haven’t really played with that many musicians in my life. I started Microcosms and that’s really been the only band I’ve ever been in. So, for me, it was great to get these ideas because Ronn can play bass, play keys, and more so we don’t have this issue on who should play what.’
– Andrew Tschiltsch
‘There is no ego for me in this band or any project I’ve done with Andrew. In my opinion, it’s more about friendship and fun.’
– Ronn Richardson
LINKS:
https://www.wearemicrocosms.com
https://twitter.com/atschiltsch
https://www.facebook.com/WeAreMicrocosms
https://microcosms.bandcamp.com
About Jessica Faroe
Jessica Faroe releases her new single titled ‘Beautiful’ today. In the age of the lockdown and with the world being in the state that it is, ‘Beautiful’ is a track that speaks the truth with feeling and sends it to the masses with earnesty.
Musically, ‘Beautiful’ is a somber yet uplifting track with Jessica’s angelic yet wise vocals with a solid hook and that certain something that compels a second listen.
Emotionally and spiritually, however, what we get is the self realization that we are all beautiful in our own unique and special way from someone who has been there and has ‘taken the red pill’. People can be cruel. But what we almost never realize is that they put us down to build themselves up. The danger comes when we take those words and let them define ourselves. I am one of those she says have ‘suffered silently’. And what I learned years ago is that, while I can never be the best, I can be the best I can be. I also learned that when someone puts you down they are really saying more about themselves than they are of you. Be beautiful.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/jessicafaroe
https://www.instagram.com/jessicafaroe
https://jessicafaroe.bandcamp.com
About Attic Theory
Attic Theory has just released their new video titled ‘Your Light’. A somber rock track from the start with heavy hooks and an old school persona throughout, the track really kicks in for the chorus and drives the message home in ways that bring rock back to the forefront at the start of a new decade, and about f*cking time.
In this new age of isolated angst, what better way to kick out the jams and let out the feels but with a true rock track. This is lightning in a bottle and that bottle just got smashed.
LINKS:
http://www.attictheory.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/attictheoryband
https://www.facebook.com/AtticTheory
https://twitter.com/attictheory
About Hunter Porter
Hunter Porter premieres his new lyric video for the track titled ‘Nothing Left to Lose’ right here on Jammerzine. This track is one of those quietly beautiful songs that creep up on you until the chorus when it brazenly announces its presence. I love that about this song. That sonic duality that is as seamless as it is timeless. That slow build to the crescendo done in such an impactful way like a book you can’t put down. It makes you wish the song was longer yet that too makes sense in the construction of the song. Some things were meant for the moment.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/hseporter
https://hseporter.bandcamp.com
About Keep Shelly in Athens
Keep Shelly in Athens has released their video for the track titled ‘Neon Glare’ from their upcoming album ‘Defy Me’ out on November 12.
With hints of Bowie, M83, and many other ethereal artists in their own piece of the stratosphere, Keep Shelly in Athens gives but a glimpse of things to come with a preview of their own lucid dreamscape that is as beautiful as it is dark and broading.
This is originality at its deepest.
LINKS:
http://www.keepshellyinathens.com
https://www.facebook.com/keepshellyinathens
https://twitter.com/keepshellyinath
https://instagram.com/keepshellyinathens
About Starwolf
Starwolf have dropped their new video for the track titled ‘Bad Feeling’. Combining a monster smooth groove with that subtle grit and sly wit, Starwolf gives a quasi electro dance rock in a track that’s hard to pin stylistically put stays faced down and secured to your ears. This is how music should be in the ’20s.
LINKS:
https://www.starwolftheband.com
https://www.facebook.com/starwolftheband
https://twitter.com/starwolftheband
https://instagram.com/starwolftheband
About A Shoreline Dream
A Shoreline Dream has finally premiered their new album titled ‘Melting’. I will begin by saying this: About f*cking time! Yes, that’s right. I have said time and time again the praises I have towards this duo’s music and how ‘outside of the box’ it really is. And, with ‘Melting’, we get ten more examples of this.
Ryan and Erik have this non-spoken symbiotic connection musically, I think. You can hear it in the almost symphonic layering of the guitars or slightly weathered and angelic vocals but it’s there. And it’s original. And it’s for us all.
As of August 21, the ‘Melting’ LP is available everywhere digitally, including Spotify. It can also be obtained on CD or digitally directly from the artist via Bandcamp.
Check out our other features with A Shoreline Dream HERE.
LINKS:
http://www.ashorelinedream.com
http://www.facebook.com/A-Shoreline-Dream-173485236012279
http://ashorelinedream.bandcamp.com/
http://twitter.com/ashorelinedream
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hfpwdCJzLO3epBifJcBSA
Click HERE to watch Season 6 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 5 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 4 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 3 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 2 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 1 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
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Traveller – All This Time
The summer of 2012 saw Gerry Sheridan and Simon Usher begin their songwriting partnership, which progressed to become Traveller in January 2016 when they were joined by Martin Yves on guitar and Brian Socha on bass.
By spring 2016 the band had written and recorded their debut EP at Chamber Studios in Edinburgh. Taking just four days to complete, ‘All This Time’ enabled Traveller to connect to an ever-growing fanbase who are drawn to their Anthemic Rock wall of sound.
Gerry started out playing violin and piano focusing more on Classical music before teaching himself guitar and concentrating his efforts on more contemporary music; his songwriting is influenced by bands such as The Stereophonics, The Beatles, Crowded House and Travis.
Simon started playing the piano and taught himself both the piano and drums from an early age by listening to artists such as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Elton John, Sting, Pink Floyd, Crowded House, as well as Coldplay and U2. Drummers such as Steve Gadd provided the initial inspiration for him to focus on his writing and playing.
Martin remembers seeing his dad play the harmonica that sparked the inspiration for him to dedicate himself to music and a lifelong appreciation for all styles of music though he’s particularly passionate about the late sixties to early seventies Rock, especially the sonic experimentation and sound of Pink Floyd.
Brian’s influences are very diverse from Rock and Pop to Jazz, Funk and Soul, from Frank Zappa to Pink Floyd, Brian’s bass playing provides a solid foundation for the band’s music.
“There’s a sonic harmony that is often created by the band during rehearsals and it’s often from this that sparks the imagination to write” explains Simon. “We write about life’s journey, from the people we meet along the way to all the various experiences that we have, both good or bad…”
LINKS:
http://travellerband.com
https://facebook.com/travelleruk -
An Interview with The Rah’s (The Week in #Indie Segment)
It’s always an interesting twist to catch a band in a musical transition. And to get an interview with them during said transition is an absolute lesson in evolution. That band, in this case, is The Rah’s, originally from Prestonpans, Scotland and now in the world.
This interview is also a splendid treat because I get to talk to the whole band. So I get some very distinct answers from a group of individuals that make up a very creative unit.
Stay tuned for some great things from The Rah’s in the near future!
Check out our review of one of their earlier tracks called ‘Sweet Talker‘ and their last video (as of this writing) titled ‘Take It All In’ below.
About The Rah’s
With two previously released EP’s under their belt (Give Me Life 2012) & Living The Dream 2013 and support slots with The Fratelli’s, The View, Chris Helme (Seahorses) & Steve Diggle (The Buzzcocks) the band have been working closely with Roni Szpakowski to produce the perfectly crafted ‘Sweet Talker’ which was released on October 24, 2017 and have additional material ready to be unleashed later this year.The band was selected by FACEBOOK to do a FACEBOOK LIVE show on February 24th, comprising of an interview and acoustic set that included performing the new single ‘SWEET TALKER’, thus far the session has received over 70k views.
LINKS:
https://therahs.bigcartel.com
https://www.facebook.com/therahsmusic
https://twitter.com/therahsmusic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCks2udwJN0vKiFpCrezcoaQ
https://therahs.bandcamp.com -
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