Having been around the Toronto music scene as a solo artist and a member of the band Galaxy, as well as collaborating with a number of other artists, Latvian-Canadian Katie Stelmanis is now fronting so-called electro-goth trio, Austra. There’s no…
Category: Records
Album: The Felice Brothers – Celebration, Florida
When I think of Americana, I think of banjos, harmonica, gritty vocals with a bit of a twang. Frankly, I think of songs like the Felice Brothers’ ‘Frankie’s Gun!!’, with its old-time storyline and humming accordion. The New York band’s…
Compilation: Communion Records – The Flowerpot Sessions
There’s something that I’ve always found very compelling about music or collections of musi, which are intrinsically connected to the place in which they’re recorded. Tally that with the sheer sense of togetherness and collaboration that radiates out of anything…
Singles: Smoke Fairies, To Kill A King, The Musgraves, Billy Vincent, Looking Glass & Common Tongues
Smoke Fairies – Storm Song (V2) If you like the Smoke Fairies (and frankly you should) then you will love their latest single ‘Storm Song’. The song opens quietly but gradually builds to become something pretty epic. Always with the…
EP: Daughter – His Young Heart
Solo Londoner Elena Tonra, known musically as Daughter, quickly gained an online following after the release of a four track demo EP earlier this year. That collection, almost entirely recorded with just a guitar and Tonra’ s delicate vocals, revealed…
Album: Ra Ra Riot – The Orchard
The second offering from Ra Ra Riot, The Orchard, is more of the same from this rather fun, quirky band, and that is certainly no bad thing. The title track leads things off but is a poor indication of how…
Album: Wild Beasts – Smother
Wild Beasts, possibly the most exciting band to emerge from the British music scene over the last decade, have been criticised for being preposterous and overblown, and for taking themselves too seriously. As they open up their coruscating third album…
Album: Lizzyspit – I’m Alive You Know
Lizzyspit has gone from writing and recording music in her own bedroom to receiving national radio acclaim and seeks to build on her momentum with this new live collection. The songs are observations on life’s hopes, fears and relationships, and…
Album Review: Babel – Crooked Timber
Bristolian sextet Babel have produced an album they describe as an “erstwhile search for ‘the essence’ of things”.
The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow
It’s my belief that people who like music with guitars have every right to despair of our wretched decade and its tight-trousered ‘The … band’ sub-Ramones pop idols. Thankfully there is salvation out there is you are willing to find…