Formed in Brighton nine years ago, The Academy of Sun is a four-piece comprised of Nick Hudson (piano, synths, Hammond organ, harmonium, vocals, percussion, synths), Kianna Blue (bass, synths), Guy Brice (guitars) and Ash Babb (drums).
Together, they present dystopian fantastic creations that combine the deeply personal and the poetically arcane. Dark yet buoyant, this is a controlled explosion of psychedelic and dark power pop with atmospheres couched in vast and expansive landscapes and cinematic arrangements.
The video for this single was directed and edited by Nick Hudson with cinematography by Samuel Horn. It features Wolfgang Storm with dinner guests Mark Walter, Gillian Rodgers and TAOS frontman Nick Hudson in what seems to be a red-brushed-culinary spread of grisly delight held in a gothic lair.
“The Parts That Need Replacing’ was written to sate my desire to ‘reconsecrate’ 16th Century Hungarian countess and noblewoman Elisabeth Bathory, whose reputed cannibalism and serial murders were most likely reputation-staining fantasies dreamed up by the church out of institutional jealousy. How could a woman possess such vast wealth and estates AND resist conformity with the church’s ways of being. Same tarring-brush as used on Jeanne D’Arc and Gilles de Rais. Usually, Bathory is immortalized in doom and black metal, so I wanted this reconsecration to take place by feeding these myths, scenarios, and allegations of bloodbaths, black magic, and eternal life into the medium of a hyper-catchy, high-energy pop song,” says Nick Hudson.
“The video, just as the song, alludes to various parts of the Elisabeth Bathory mythos – the alleged bathing in blood to replenish her youth, the cannibalism, the occult, and gnostic preoccupations, the aristocratic sensibilities, etc., whilst also ‘queering’ Bathory by having her played by the 23-year-old musician and artist Wolfgang Storm. The local butchers are getting fairly accustomed to my infrequent but memorable extra-curricular requests for off-cuts. As the song states “the best special effects are those you cannot see”… we shot it in one, fevered, orgiastic and insanely fun day. The dinner sequence was as deranged to shoot as it looks to be in the resultant video.”
Following 2017’s ‘Codex Novena’ LP, a hypnotic, doomy opus that found its way onto both Dangerous Minds and Sweeping The Nation end-of-year lists, ‘The Quiet Earth’ offers a colossal meditation on dystopia, irradiated landscapes and extreme states of human emotion. This 15-track collection of post-punk, chamber ballads and darkly prog studio epos was recorded at Church Road Studios with Paul Pascoe, whose work includes the last 2 albums by Barry Adamson (Magazine / Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds).
Nick Hudson’s musical juggernaut has been active in various incarnations since 2012, always transcending expectations. The Academy Of Sun has collaborated with Massive Attack’s Shara Nelson, members of NYC’s Kayo Dot, David Tibet of Current 93, Asva and Matthew Seligman (Bowie, Tori Amos, Morrissey). Hudson has also collaborated with Wayne Hussey of The Mission, as well as Canadian queercore icon GB Jones.
Known for explosive and psychedelic live shows, The Academy Of Sun has performed in a medieval castle in Italy, a boat on the Thames, an abandoned railway carriage in Offenbach, colossal churches, The London College of Fashion, The Old Market theatre in Brighton, the MS Stubnitz in Hamburg, Brighton Dome, and a string of L.A. shows in 2019. Having toured 3 continents, highlights include appearances with Mogwai, Toby Driver and Keith Abrams from Kayo Dot, and Timba Harris (Mr. Bungle, Amanda Palmer).
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/TheAcademyOfSun
https://nickhudsonindustries.bandcamp.com
https://www.twitter.com/theacademyofsun
https://www.instagram.com/The_Academy_Of_Sun
https://www.youtube.com/user/NickHudsonMusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5CxsNgEPz9v8iBgO52VUUd
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Vandebilt – Dream In Colour
Vandebilt {ˈvændəbɪlt, pronounced in three syllables ‘Van’, ‘Duh’ & ‘built’} is a four piece dance-floor inspired indie disco band from Sunderland, in the North-East of England.
Taking their name from the Paul McCartney song “Mrs. Vandebilt”, the band are not one for gimmicks or Instagram inspired fads or the rush of the industry and take inspiration from the song of their name – don’t worry, no need to rush. Their music is honest, positive and centered around the band’s experiences of love, lust, and loss as well as frequent experiences of north-east working clubs.
LINKS:
https://tippingpoint.lnk.to/vandebilt-dreamincolour
https://www.facebook.com/vandebiltmusic
https://www.instagram.com/vandebiltmusic
https://twitter.com/Vandebiltmusic -
Stereo Satellite – Glass Houses
Stereo Satellite plays hard rock music that flirts with alternative rock influences. By melding hook-filled melodies with heavy guitar riffs and hard beats, the band shows their ability to compact a vast array of influence and experience into a signature sound with substance, style, and spirit. Mike Orlando and Lukas Rossi are the key architects behind the band’s vibrant, modern rock-inspired sound – powered by seamless songwriting adeptness that combines a story of both the joys and heartaches of life.
Mike Orlando is no stranger to heartaches, having recently been involved in a tragic accident on July 14, 2017, while on tour in Florida with his former band Adrenaline Mob. The crash occurred when a tractor-trailer veered off Interstate 75 and struck the band’s RV, van, and trailer, which resulted in the death of Adrenaline Mob bassist David Zablidowsky, tour manager Jane Train, and seriously injuring six others.
“Over the past recent months, I have learned a lot about how cathartic music can be, especially after going through such a heinous life-changing tragedy”, said Orlando. “It’s been a complete uphill battle in even trying to begin to heal physically and mentally. I have a long road ahead for sure and will have to undergo many more procedures and ongoing therapy.” Orlando adds, “I don’t think I’ll ever fully heal mentally but I’ve been moved to write songs again with my brother Lukas who I feel is an amazing songwriting partner, and start this new band along with my brothers John Moyer and Jordan Cannata. I find it really helps me to cope and I can’t wait to share all the music we’ve written and started touring again full-time.”
John Moyer admits to having mixed feelings about the band being dubbed a supergroup. “We hate the supergroup thing because it’s a new band in its own right,” Moyer says. “But I think it’s important for us to say we’ve been around the rock music scene for a long time and in various ways. Stereo Satellite is a new beginning for us all, and I’m looking forward to sharing our new music with the fans very soon.”
Lukas Rossi concurs, saying, “I can’t wait to release our new songs and perform them live with these awesome guys. Regarding the supergroup thing, look I don’t care what you call us, just call us!”
You can Pre-Order the band’s street single “Glass Houses” and their upcoming radio single “My Last Words” on iTunes before the official release date on January 23, 2018. The band will also make their live debut on the ShipRocked cruise on January 23rd.
Furthermore, Stereo Satellite is running a PledgeMusic campaign where you will have access to EXCLUSIVE PLEDGE-ONLY items, such as signed albums, VIP tickets, bundles, one of a kind signed instruments, lunch with the band and/or have the band come to your house for a show especially for you! Plus, the band will give fans an exclusive insight into the process of making the new album with behind the scenes videos, photos, rehearsals, streamed sessions, and live Q&A. Visit their Pledge store and sign up to keep updated on the band’s progress and the making of their new Album!
For all things Stereo Satellite, including upcoming tour dates and news on the band’s upcoming album, check out the links below.
Stereo Satellite’s new album is tentatively set for an April 2018 release and the band will hit the road in full support worldwide.
LINKS:
http://www.stereosatellite.com
https://www.facebook.com/pg/stereosatelliteofficial
http://www.twitter.com/stereosatellite
http://www.instagram.com/stereosatellite -
Greywind – Am I Asleep?
Greywind has released their new video for the track titled ‘Am I Asleep?’. Starting with that subtle burn of a hook and the lush vocals of Steph O’Sullivan on vocals and the brilliant guitar work of her brother Paul, ‘Am I Asleep?’ hits you right in the creative feels in such a way that it will stay with you and become a part of your musical conscious. This song is beautiful.
ABOUT GREYWIND
Making little secret of their ambitious global plans, Greywind is fast proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Raised in the Irish town of Killarney, their mutual passion for expansive, stadium-sized rock music has since propelled them beyond the confines of stifled opportunity and into realms of superstar potential.
Produced by Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon) the duo’s brand-new single, ‘Am I Asleep?’ bursts with textual, cinematic magnitude. The track’s sweeping post-rock soundscapes alternate between tender, evocative and aggressive. Steph O’Sullivan’s voice is the magic ingredient that elevates Greywind into another dimension. And don’t miss the epic accompanying video, see here.
Greywind: “During the writing process for ‘Am I Asleep?’, we were heavily inspired by movies. We’ve always aimed to bring a cinematic sound to our music and visuals, and we wanted to expand on that more than ever.”
Formed by siblings Steph (vocals) and Paul O’Sullivan (guitar), Greywind are an alternative rock duo from Killarney, Ireland. Armed with a powerful mission statement, painstaking years calling out to be noticed were condensed into a single week, when the first song they uploaded to SoundCloud was picked up by Zane Lowe and Daniel P Carter on Radio 1, a deluge of industry interest followed, and a bidding war with all the major record labels.
The band’s eventual 2017 debut album, Afterthoughts would go on to address the dark heart of the human condition and lay out the foundations for the band’s thirst for stardom. Recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios in Texas with Grammy-award-winning producer, Jason Perry, the album was released through Universal and charted in the Official UK Rock Charts on the day of their sold-out debut headline show in London.
In 2020, Greywind toured with the American rock band, Palaye Royale, and was selected to perform for the US Embassy. They’ve also played some of the biggest stages around the world, including Reading and Leeds Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Download Festival, Rock Am Ring, and have supported the likes of You Me At Six, Thrice, and The Coronas. Greywind has been heavily backed by BBC Radio 1, Zane Lowe, and MTV.
LINKS:
https://greywindband.com
https://twitter.com/greywindband
https://instagram.com/greywindband
https://www.facebook.com/greywind
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QFfYJq7jdx8GnVrePpZm4?si=oJgIZGaoSiaDjO4l9YkqKg