‘Education Kills’, the new video for the track of the same name by the U.K. juggernaut know as The Vex, contains three of my personal guilty pleasures. A gnarly, gritty, dirty bass, buzzsaw attacking guitars, and a penchant for rebellion. The Vex not only combines these very guilty pleasures in such a sublime and cheeky way as to make an anthem for the angst but conveys the musical attitude that they live that angst. By doing that, they show that they are at the heart of indie music.
Whether these guys get signed or not, they will be huge. You heard it here first. As a matter of fact, I put that in here so we show up first on Google when it happens. No shame in my game. And no shame in the future of The Vex. Education kills, but take the risk in learning that.
About ‘Education Kills’
An electrifying injection of no-holds-barred punk rock, ‘Education Kills’ is a tribute to the extraordinary bravery of Malala Yousafzai, shot in the head by the Pakistan Taliban while campaigning for women’s rights to education. With this now Nobel Laureate in mind, The Vex’s treatise on the evil that men do is set to overdriven punky-reggae riffage and a fiercely anthemic chorus.
About The Vex
Though hailing from London’s outer fringes, where the capital unceremoniously bleeds into Kent, The Vex actually came into being some 1,500 miles away, with an Eighties pop superstar playing his part. While on tour in Moscow with a previous band, the schisms in the group were made apparent by an offer of management from one Adam Ant. The faction that opposed the deal broke away to form The Vex, playing their debut gig at Moscow’s BlastFest, where the only thing that wasn’t ice-cold was, typically, the band’s beer rider.
Back in the UK, Josh (guitar/vox), Jacko (guitar/vox), Andrew (bass) and Joshua (drums) soon honed a sound inspired by the classic roots and rock of both Kingston, Jamaica, and London, England. Dealing in dirty guitars and big beats, played with passion and precision, the quartet’s heavy rocksteady sonics became a draw on both sides of the Thames, their ferocious shows earning them a rep as one of the best live bands on the circuit. The Vex hit hard and they cut deep. Spin this EP and hear for yourself.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/thevexofficial
https://soundcloud.com/thevexofficial
https://www.instagram.com/the.vex
https://twitter.com/thevexofficial
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The Jasmine Minks – Step by Step
Scotland’s The Jasmine Minks have announced their new 7” single, to be released via A Turntable Friend Records, both digitally and on blue vinyl in a cardboard sleeve.
With almost the same line-up as on the very first recordings, Jim Shepherd, Martin Keena, Dave Musker, and Tom Reid recorded this new material together with producer legend Pat Collier at his Perry Vale Studios in London.
Presented as a double A-side 7“ single, ‘Step by Step’ and ‘Gravity’ shine as if the band had recorded it some 30 years ago. The first track is an upbeat and uptempo jingle-jangle harmony with a 60s chorus (written by Tom Reid) while ‘Gravity’ comes as a more fuzzy anthem reminiscent of ‘Cut Me Deep’. Here we see fantastic songwriting courtesy of Jim Shepherd.
The Jasmine Minks have been strongholds in the British music scene since 1983, originating from Aberdeen. In fact, they were the first band to be signed to Alan McGee’s fledgling Creation Records label back in 1984. Many classic songs, singles, and albums followed. ‘Think!’ or ‘Cold Heart’ are among the best songs released during Creation’s early phase.
“It was a moment of utter bliss when singer-guitarist Jim Shepherd confirmed that the single would be happening,” says Ulrich Hoffman, owner of A Turntable Friend Records.
As of March 22, this two-track single will be available everywhere digitally via A Turntable Friend Records with distribution worldwide by SRD (London, UK). The limited edition 7” can now be ordered on blue vinyl in a cardboard sleeve (with download code) via Bandcamp and Limited Run.
LINKS:
http://aturntablefriendrecords.limitedrun.com/products/635029-jasmine-minks-step-by-step-gravity-7-blue-vinyl
https://thejasmineminks.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/thejasmineminks
https://twitter.com/behappydadda
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-jasmine-minks-mn0000217301/biography
https://open.spotify.com/artist/79iNuVcranEFZo5z6yTdHc?si=CFYMorgUS8idzMue7y0yVg
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/the-jasmine-minks/202220877 -
Beauty in Chaos – Storm (ft. Ashton Nyte)
LA-based Beauty in Chaos has announced the debut album ‘Finding Beauty in Chaos’. Born of frustration and creativity, this is an audio assemblage curated by LA-based guitarist Michael Ciravolo and produced by Michael Rozon. This colossal work is previewed by the lead single ‘Storm’ featuring Ashton Nyte (The Awakening, MGT).
The debut album ‘Finding Beauty in Chaos’ features numerous luminaries in the music world, both as co-writers and performers. Apart from Ashton Nyte, these include Wayne Hussey (The Mission), Simon Gallup (The Cure), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Pete Parada (The Offspring), dUg Pinnick (Kings X), ICE-T (Body Count), Michael Aston (Gene Loves Jezebel), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Dirk Doucette (Gene Loves Jezebel), Pando (A Flock of Seagulls), Evi Vine (Evi Vine), Betsy Martin (Caterwaul / Purr Machine), Marc Danzeisen (The Riverdogs), Kevin Kipnis (Purr Machine / Kommunity FK), Rudy Matchinga (Red Scare), Johnny Indovina (Human Drama), and Tish Ciravolo (Stun Gun).
“I look at this as an evolving entity that I am the ‘curator’. For this album, ‘Finding Beauty in Chaos’, I am the only guitarist and no keyboards are used, but you will hear loads of textures created from guitars and effect pedals. This is a convergence of textures and styles that I envisioned blossoming,” says Michael Ciravolo.
“Assembling, or in some cases, disassembling beautiful soundscapes, melodies, and chords, while injecting harsh bursts of sonics … or visa versa. Light in the dark, dark in the light is the contrast that helps in realizing the goal of creating something musical that is also very visual and cinematic.”
Originally from New Orleans and now based in Los Angeles, Michael Ciravolo has played guitar in Human Drama for the past 30 years, most recently on ‘Broken Songs for Broken People’ (2017). Perhaps best known as President of Schecter Guitar Research, he has also played live and recorded with Michael Ashton’s Gene Loves Jezebel since 1998, along with Tish Ciravolo (wife and founder of Daisy Rock Guitars).
The lead track ‘Storm’ was co-written with and features vocals by Ashton Nyte, who also collaborates on another two tracks on this album. This, like many of the tracks on this album, features layers of alternative rock bliss, crowned by powerful and penetrating vocals.
‘Storm’ is about seeking a light in the proverbial dark, destructive, and a tediously distracting world we find ourselves in. “And the storm can wait, wait outside for another sacrifice”.
“I sat down with the intent to write something that would encompass all elements of what I wanted this record to be … a mixture of beauty via chords and textures with an interjection of a little chaos and brashness” says Ciravolo.
Originally from South Africa, Ashton Nyte is a pioneer of alternative music in his home country. The frontman of The Awakening, he recently collaborated with Mark Gemini Thwaite (Peter Murphy, The Mission) on MGT’s debut solo album, not a surprising collaboration considering The Awakening’s extensive touring experience with The Mission.
“Storm is the first song Michael and I wrote together and it happened rather effortlessly. Musically and lyrically, the artistic synergy was perfect… it felt like it was made for my voice and instantly inspired lyrics and vocal melodies we are both proud of. Michael has a wonderful sense of mood and melody and his songs are a lush landscape for me to add what I do best, in a very fluid, natural way,” says Ashton Nyte.
This record was mostly recorded and fully mixed at Ciravolo’s SAINTinLA Studio by Michael Rozon, who Ciravolo says “is a world-class engineer, mixer, producer, and musician, who pushed me to give my better-than-best on every note. A true sound alchemist, he encouraged me to explore the sounds and textures in my mind.”
In addition to the full version of ‘Storm’, which is now available in streaming, excerpts from three tracks off the album can already be previewed on the Beauty in Chaos website. These include ‘Man of Faith’ (featuring Wayne Hussey and Simon Gallup), ‘Finding Beauty in Chaos’ (featuring Ashton Nyte), and ‘I Will Follow You’ (featuring Evi Vine).
LINKS:
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com
https://www.beautyinchaosmusic.com/bic-blog
https://www.facebook.com/beautyinchaosmusic
https://www.instagram.com/beauty.inchaos
https://twitter.com/MichaelCiravolo
https://soundcloud.com/33-3-music-collective
https://beautyinchaos.bandcamp.com -
KnightressM1 – Butterfly
KnightressM1 has released her video for the track titled ‘Butterfly’. That continuance for an original sound from an artist who knows what she wants to achieve creatively is evident throughout ‘Butterfly’. Emily Palen has that captivating resonance sonically and musically both as a musician and songwriter that most people try to emulate much less maintain as a part of the self.
‘Butterfly’ is the perfect introduction to this artist as it shows both of those qualities plus brings forth a massive hook and enhances her instrument of choice, the violin, into a realm that most are not used to hearing. This is brilliant.
The ‘Dreams and Devastation’ LP is available now across digital outlets such as Apple Music and streaming platforms such as Spotify.
About KnightressM1
San Francisco Bay Area outfit KnightressM1 presents their new single ‘Butterfly’, the first track on their debut album ‘Dreams and Devastation’, an ambitious concept album that explores both the emotional depths of personal transformation and the journey of cosmic awakening. Co-produced by Palen and esteemed producer John “Lou” Lousteau (Foo Fighters, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett), it was recorded at Foo Fighters’ acclaimed Studio 606 near LA.
The accompanying video sees frontwoman Emily Palen as executive producer/ artistic director, and Van Spronsen Productions / Shena van Spronsen as executive editor/ director of photography with videography by Nick Bellarosa and Evan Lanam.
“Butterfly is about coming to grips with our own personal power, owning that and not letting anyone take it away from us. With grace and compassion, we can walk through the world harnessing our ultimate potential which as creative beings is our greatest service to the world. Our society, in its dysfunctionality, survives in its exploitation by manipulating and leeching off of people who are in servitude to its demands. Once we own the birthrights of our power, creative potential, and joy they no longer control us. This is how we break the system,” says Emily Palen.
KnightressM1 also presents a new mini-documentary on the band (below), produced by Evan Lanam, where Palen is accompanied by Larry Boothroyd on bass and Chad Tasky on drums.
Formed in 2011 by violinist, vocalist, pianist, and composer Emily Palen with support from drummer Rob Ahlers (50FOOTWAVE, Kristin Hersh), KnightressM1 was joined by bassist Uriah Duffy (Whitesnake) for this studio album. Fueled by a deep-seated necessity to defy limitation, their heavy driving bass and rhythm are rounded out with lots of harmonic layering and beauty.
Earlier, the band presented singles ‘Lock & Key’ and ‘Polarity Integrate’. KnightressM1 is the sonic manifestation of Palen’s heart. Their music is fascinating in the integration of specific musical frequencies – the further Palen ventures in this sonic journey, the heavier and heavier the sound gets. The crushing intricate rhythm section blends harmoniously with her driving, searing electrified violin tone as the lead.
“This is also a tale of my own healing, songs that helped me to get through impossible places. Music that saved my life. Everything that I have ever been through, every person I loved, lost, gained; every abandoned heartbreak, every dagger’s edge now makes sense in the context of this album. It was all so I could write these songs and experience the power of being within my own authenticity,” says Emily Palen.
“Music has always lifted me into an untouchable space, even when everything around me is breaking, when I am in unbearable soul pain, beyond what I myself can repair, the music takes that pain and morphs it into beauty and power. When I’m completely honest with the music, it alchemizes the deepest sadness and betrayal into an unbreakable strength and love. We become greater because of the life we have lived, not in spite of it.”
The embodiment of musical manifestations, KnightressM1 is based on the thematic concept of a female galactic warrior, who comes to Earth to bring justice, hunt corruption, and restore the truth. Within universal language, M1 is code for unity. This is her identifier. Her frequency. KnightressM1 (KM1) is the vessel through which Palen creates and shares her unique contributions to what is more commonly known here on earth as the music industry.
Palen is a classically-trained virtuoso who has spent her life mastering violin, piano, singing, and composition. As a young adult, she began exploring the concept of transmitting consciousness through improvisation. Emily explored this power through sacred solfeggio in the steadfast belief that these specific audio tones have transformative power.
Since releasing her first solo violin improv album ‘Glass ~ Live at Grace Cathedral’ in 2012 and ‘Creation’ a year later, she’s become a sponsored artist with Engl Amps, a crucial part of KM1’s tone, and has played or recorded with Foo Fighters, Eric McFadden and Gretchen Menn, among others, both as a live performer and a compositional recording artist, Earlier, she became a finalist in the ‘My Grammy Moment’ competition and played live with an orchestra at the Grammys, conducted by John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin).
LINKS:
https://www.knightressm1.com
https://www.facebook.com/knightressm1
https://www.instagram.com/knightressm1_band
https://youtube.com/emilypalen
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1rTKwDlXBNJnuOvmUhEQVy
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/knightressm1/id941125533