A Shoreline Dream & RIDE's Mark Gardener present 'Hollow Crown' jewel from new 'Whitelined' album

November 27, 2024

Riding a beautiful wave of collaboration with Ride frontman Mark Gardener, Colorado-based postpunk / shoegaze trailblazers A Shoreline Dream presents their new video for 'Hollow Crown' feat. Mark Gardener. Apart from contributing vocals and guitar, this release entails a full-on collaboration - from co-writing and recording through to co-production - between Gardener and A Shoreline Dream frontman Ryan Policky.

Earlier the two presented two collaborative singles 'Everything Turns' and 'Written In Dust', both reverie-laced trips revealed as part of A Shoreline Dream's new 'Whitelined'album - their eighth full-length record to date.

“Ryan wouldn't have had a clue what was going to happen until I got the tunes from him. That was the starting point and Ryan sent me quite a few different tunes and instrumentals that he was pulling together. Out of those, there was two or three which I just suddenly latched on to and obviously the first one that really drove and led the way was 'Everything Turns'. For me, that's kind of perfect because I like to live in the present," says Mark Gardener.

"Obviously I love being in Ride, but that is also tricky because we have a catalogue, so we have to kind of live in the past sometimes, as well as being present. So I actually love being in my OX4 Sound studio, which I created a few years ago, and to be sent music like this. This was a real treat and it's an honour to be tasked with trying to sit and marry words with music in a way that hopefully feels that they've always been there and have always been meant to be there".

Arriving two years after their critically acclaimed 'Loveblind' album, 'Whitelined' was released via Latenight Weeknight Records with Mark Kramer (Urge Overkill, Bongwater, Shimmy Records) overseeing mastering and the record's preparation for direct-to-vinyl production. The band's first album released as an LP, fittingly on 180g white vinyl, the album art is derived from a photo taken by Policky at Yellowstone and re-worked into an oil on photo on canvas, shortly after experiencing that place.

Formed in 2005, A Shoreline Dream is now multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ryan Policky and guitarist Erik Jeffries, who are based in Barnum, Colorado. Usually a self-contained unit on most releases, 'Whitelined' includes three collaborations with Mark Gardener. Together, they have crafted a record where shimmering walls of sound-wash of turbulent percussion and swooning vocals weave an otherworldly sonic reality.

Policky and Jeffries met Gardener at a Ride show in Denver on Policky’s birthday. Working throughout 2023 between tour dates, they wrapped up three songs, co-written and co-produced, near the one-year mark. This is the fifth time the band has worked with UK music legends. Ulrich Schnauss, Engineers, Chapterhouse and Rocket Girl Records have all been a part of the ASD family at one point or another.
The 'Whitelined' album is out now, available as a limited edition on 180g white vinyland digitally everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Tracks 2, 5 and 10 co-written by Ryan Policky & Mark Gardener
All other songs written by Ryan Policky & Erik Jeffries
Tracks 2, 5 and 10 co-produced and performed by Ryan Policky & Mark Gardener
All other songs recorded, mixed and produced by Ryan Policky
Mark Gardener vocals & bass recorded at OX4 Sound Studio in Oxfordshire
Mastered by Mark Kramer
Distributed by The Orchard
Copyright 2024 Latenight Weeknight Records, LLC
Cover art and photography by Ryan Policky
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Video created by Ryan Policky
Video filmed in Golden, Superior & Denver in July 2024, starring Jessica Halpine
Video copyright 2024, Latenight Weeknight Records, LLC

A SHORELINE DREAM share 'Hollow Crown' feat. RIDE's MARK GARDENER ahead of 'Whitelined' album (out July 19)

July 16, 2024

"Delicate curves and beauty... a glorious dawn" – PopMatters

"One of the leading lights of the neo-shoegaze movement" – DKFM

"Shadowy and storming dreaminess" – Stereo Embers Magazine

"A Shoreline Dream and Mark Gardener open the gate to a garden of sonic enchantment built on trance-inducing spine-tinglingly magnificence... a masterpiece – dare we call it an instant classic for lovers of post-punk, dream-rock and shoegaze" ~ Spill Magazine

Iconic Colorado-based postpunk-shoegaze outfit A Shoreline Dream release their eighth album 'Whitelined' on July 19. Ahead of this, they preview the infectious upbeat track 'Hollow Crown', the second collaboration with Ride frontman Mark Gardener from this record.

On 'Whitelined', Gardener, together with founding producer and vocalist Ryan Policky and long-standing collaborator Erik Jeffries, have synergized forces to craft a record where shimmering walls of sound wash of turbulent percussion and swooning vocals to weave an otherworldly sonic reality.

Formed in 2005, A Shoreline Dream has churned out numerous releases under their own label Latenight Weeknight Records, carving a unique path that has produced a treasure trove of music that continues to inspire and captivate listeners.

A Shoreline Dream recently shared the lead single 'Everything Turns' featuring Mark Gardener on vocals, but also as co-writer and co-producer. With three of the album's tracks being collaborations with the Ride frontman, this marks the fifth time the band has worked with UK music legends. Ulrich Schnauss, Engineers, Chapterhouse and Rocket Girl Records have all been a part of the ASD family at one point or another.

Policky and Jeffries first met Gardener at a Ride show in Denver on Policky’s birthday. “Right after seriously one of the best shows in recent memory, we threw around the idea of collaborating” says Ryan Policky. They worked together for the remainder of 2023, wrapping things up near the one-year mark. “It was such an amazing collab. Mark was super open stylistically and the ideas flowed. I think we created something neither of us were fully expecting.”

'Whitelined' album order https://bit.ly/3ViwOaB
Bandcamp https://ashorelinedream.bandcamp.com/album/whitelined
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1742404415

The idea of every beautiful thing having a completely alternate reality is a driving force behind the words and stories on the album. The music and dynamics were all created on the fly, with only about 60% of what was recorded making the final cut. “The flow was super important and we finally landed on a set of songs we feel represent so much of the current A Shoreline Dream vibe,” says Policky.

Gardener shares, “It was great and one of those life-fate meant-to-be chances to connect with Ryan and A Shoreline Dream. Ryan sent a good few tracks through to me from Denver to my Ox4 Sound Studio in Oxfordshire and the first backing track I totally connected with was to become 'Everything Turns'. Lyrically, it’s a reflection on how technology is taking over and, the more connected we get with it, the more alone we can find ourselves in the real World. The backing track was special and the chemistry really happened with this track. It was a joy to ride these sonic waves with Ryan throughout the whole creative process. IN the end “Everything Turns!"

'Whitelined' will be the first A Shoreline Drive album released as a vinyl LP, fittingly on 180-gram white vinyl. Mark Kramer (Urge Overkill, Bongwater, Shimmy Records) oversaw mastering and the record's preparation for direct-to-vinyl production. The album art is based off a photo taken by Policky at Yellowstone in 2008, and re-worked into an oil on photo on canvas.

Refining their sound since their 2014 album 'The Silent Sunrise', A Shoreline Dream has been constantly reinventing themselves. 2020's 'Melting' found Policky gain creative strength and determination from events around him and abroad to create the most refined and heartfelt music ASD has ever produced. In 2022 brought their sixth album, the critically acclaimed 'Loveblind'.

On July 19, the album will be released as a limited edition on 180g white vinyland digitally everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where 'Everything Turns' can already be downloaded.

Intuition' is the latest shimmering single by Oxford indiepop outfit JODY AND THE JERMS

June 3, 2023

“Evanescent jangle of endearing pop hymns... a celestial glow that lingers at the nexus of The Sundays, Belle and Sebastian, Throwing Muses, and the effervescent efflorescence of The Darling Buds” ~ Post-Punk.com

"It’s almost like power pop, a bit Bangles... or jangle pop. Lovely" ~ Radcliffe & Maconie, BBC 6 Music

"Jody had to be coerced into singing, and she does it really well. It's good isn't it!" ~ Janice Long - BBC Wales

"Poised and perfect... A joyous romp through everything that made pop so great... sassy and full of buoyant energy, shot through with chime and charm, and has lashings of sing-along-ability" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Aglow in sugar-spun pop confections and unforgettable harmonies that conjures the jangling heyday of The Bangles and the buoyant rhythms of The Regrettes" ~ Stereo Embers Magazine

"With positivity and buoyancy, their catchy music is light on mood and heavy on melody.... glossy pop, jangling guitar, elegiac harmonies, memorable choruses and wistful melancholy" ~ The Spill Magazine

Oxford sextet Jody and the Jerms welcome in the summer with a 3-minute pop classic called 'Intuition', arriving on a wave of rave reviews and airplay in support of their latest full-length album 'Wonder'.

"Is it Intuition, going round and round. The silent looks between you are dragging me down" sings Jody as she tells a heartfelt story of betrayal and temptation over the Jerms’ chiming piano, jangle guitars, and more harmonies, handclaps and tambourines that you can shake a stick at.

"Intuition is about how it feels being two timed and cheated on. But also how a broken heart can soon heal, and then you look back and wonder how did I let that happen and ask ‘had I listened to my intuition, the signs were there," explains frontwoman Jody Jeger.

'Wonder' (their third album to date) was produced, mixed and mastered at OX4 Sound Studio by RIDE frontman Mark Gardener, who notes, "Always happy days when Jody and the Jerms came into the studio to record ‘Wonder’. In a great way, the music and the people take me to a place and time where music and life felt easier, fresh and less complicated. There is a simple purity, real heart and soul, plus earworm catchy-as-hell tunes in all they do. Always a warm glow pleasure that never felt like hard work or ‘trying to split the atom’ when there’s absolutely no need to as soon as they start playing in the studio we’re back off to that lovely space again."

Championed by the late Janice Long at BBC, among others, Jody and the Jerms is a collective revolving around Jody Jeger (vocals) and Niall Jeger (guitars and vocals) with other band members coming from The Anydays, who have graced the pages of NME, played with Radiohead and Supergrass, and were featured on Mark Radcliffe at BBC Radio 2.

Jody and the Jerms create endearing jangle-pop songs that are both evocative and relatable. Formed in Oxford in 2019, they have been writing, recording and performing their blend of melodic and uplifting indie/ alt rock ever since, having enjoyed national airtime on Radio X (UK), Sirius XM (USA) and RTVE (Spain), as well as BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, BBC Wales and BBC Ulster.

Loaded with a healthy dose of melodic chrystallised indie pop that is heartfelt and honest, 'Wonder' follows the band's ‘Flicker’ album (2022) and debut album 'Deeper' (2020).

As of June 2, 'Intuition' is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the full 'Wonder' album is also on limited edition CD, digitally and on pretty pink vinyl.

Nordic prog-rockers Pennies by the Pound to release 'Nothingside' album with support from Mark Gardener & Rauli 'Rake' Eskolin

April 3, 2023

Finnish prog rock outfit Pennies By The Pound release their new 'Nothingside' album on April 7 via the Lilith label. A collection of 10 tracks primarily in prog rock territory, 'Nothingside' is a concept album that takes the band's music to a fantastic new realm beyond anything they've released before.

The Helsinki-based band worked with RIDE frontman Mark Gardener, who mastered this record at his OX4 Sound Studio in Oxford, and top national producer Rauli 'Rake' Eskolin, who boasts over a dozen No.1 records in Finland to his name.

Most recently, they shared 'Whispers Under The Willow Tree', a song about longing for the past and regret, which was preceded by the invigorating lead track 'Burning Wish' and 80s-inspired synth-laden single 'The End Times', a song about love gone astray and the consequences thereof, which saw the band depart from their trademark British-style progressive rock output for a one-off synth-pop adventure.

"This album is an abstract story about politics, failed love and the irredeemable bad choices one tends to make in life. I'm not too keen to open it up any further. I'm hoping that keeping it quite open-ended more people can try to fit what's inside their heads into the framework of the story. But, there's three people involved in it, who interact with each other at different times but at the same place - the village, which is the birthplace of all three. And due to circumstances and things happening in the outside world, the village isn't doing that great at the moment," says frontman Johannes Susitaival.

Formed in 2017 by Johannes Susitaival and Vesa Ranta, Pennies by the Pound later expanded with the addition of Tomi Laaksonen and Alexander Meaney. Having written for various bands, Johannes' exploration and passion for alternative and progressive rock led to Pennies' self-produced 'Bloodshed and the Blinding Sunlight' EP in 2018, followed by their critically-acclaimed debut album 'Heat Death of the Universe' in 2020.

As of April 7, the 'Nothingside' LP will be released everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where the lead singles are already available.

CREDITS
Music & lyrics by Johannes Susitaival
Arranged by Pennies By The Pound and Rauli Eskolin
Johannes Susitaival - vocals, rhythm guitar, drums, keyboards
Vesa Ranta - lead guitar
Alexander Meaney - rhythm guitar
Tomi Laaksonen - bass guitar
Rauli Eskolin - additional keyboards
Produced, recorded and mixed by Rauli Eskolin
Mastered by Mark Gardener at OX4 Sound

Jody and The Jerms dish up charmingly buoyant single 'Insatiable'. Third album 'Wonder' is out April 21

March 31, 2023

"Poised and perfect pop... A joyous romp through everything that made pop so great during what many consider its golden age.. sassy and full of buoyant energy, shot through with chime and charm, and has lashings of sing-along-ability" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"It’s almost like power pop, a bit Bangles... or jangle pop. Lovely" ~ Radcliffe & Maconie, BBC 6 Music

"Jody had to be coerced into singing, and she does it really well. It's good isn't it!" ~ Janice Long - BBC Wales

"Aglow in sugar-spun pop confections and unforgettable harmonies that conjures the jangling heyday of The Bangles and the buoyant rhythms of The Regrettes" ~ Stereo Embers Magazine

"Rapidly becoming Oxford’s most prolific band... Jody & The Jerms might be knocking out songs at a rate of knots but not at the price of quality" ~ Nightshift Magazine

UK indie pop outfit Jody and the Jerms present their infectious single 'Insatiable', showcasing exemplary buoyant indie pop that harkens back to the feel-good vibes of another less complicated time. This is the second taste of their full-length album 'Wonder', to be released on April 21 via JATJ Records, following up the lead track 'Started Something'.

"Insatiable was inspired by the personal story of someone I once knew. The lyrics are predominantly about a high octane, powerful, larger than life, selfish man who lives life to the excess and well beyond his means. His domineering appetite for the best of everything, combined with his complete sense of self entitlement, does not leave much room for others' feelings," says Jody Jeger.

"In this song, it leaves his neglected partner feeling ignored, playing second fiddle to his ego and needing the bravery to leave. If only someone could make him see!"

Their third album to date, this new collection of 12 tracks was produced, mixed and mastered by RIDE frontman Mark Gardener at his OX4 Sound Studio in Oxfordshire. Loaded with a healthy dose of melodic chrystallised indie pop that is heartfelt and honest, they present endearing jangle-pop songs that are both evocative and relatable.

"We recorded the guitars and drums with Mark Gardener at his OX4 Sound Studio almost as an afterthought following a long day of recording tracks for the 'Wonder' album. We were about to call it a day, but we just kinda let rip with the guitar riff and a real nice and simple rock drum beat. But it wasn’t until Jody set the song’s direction with the lyrics that we know we had a really good single," says Niall Jeger.

Championed by the late Janice Long at BBC, among others, Jody and the Jerms is a collective revolving around Jody Jeger (vocals) and Niall Jeger (guitars and vocals) with other band members coming from The Anydays, who have graced the pages of NME, played with Radiohead and Supergrass, and were featured on Mark Radcliffe at BBC Radio 2.

'Wonder' follows their ‘Flicker’ album (2022) and debut album 'Deeper' (2020). Here, the Jerms deliver 12 jangle-pop gems, crafted with a sanguine innocence and vivid relatability. Warmly nostalgic and graced by Jody’s sweet-natured vocal, the band's output radiates somewhere between The Go-Go's, Blondie, The Bangles and The Darling Buds.

ALBUM CREDITS
All songs written by Jody and the Jerms
except 'Get Your Feet Of My Shoes' originally recorded by Boothill Foot Tappers (1984) and written by Chris Thompson
Jody Jeger - vocals
Niall Jeger - guitars & vocals
Peter James Millson - guitars & vocals
Robert Anwood - piano & synth
David Meaden - bass
Alex Bridge - drums & percussion (apart from 'Don’t Look Back')
Steve Clark - drums, percussion, Melotron & vocals on 'Don’t Look Back'
Drew Atkins - bass on 'Safe', 'Just For Show' & 'Last Ones Standing'
Andy Boyd - trumpet on 'Bare'
Produced, mixed and mastered by Mark Gardener at OX4 Sound Studio
except 'Bare', 'Intuition', 'Don’t Look Back', 'Get Your Feet Out Of My Shoes' & 'Insatiable' mixed by Mike Bannard at Safehouse Studio, Oxford.
Cover artwork and design by Tim Manners

Jody and The Jerms present 'Started Something', first sugar-spun pop delight from new 'Wonder' LP

February 13, 2023

"It’s almost like power pop, a bit Bangles... or jangle pop. Lovely" ~ Radcliffe & Maconie, BBC 6 Music

"Jody had to be coerced into singing, and she does it really well. It's good isn't it!" ~ Janice Long - BBC Wales

"Aglow in sugar-spun pop confections and unforgettable harmonies that conjures the jangling heyday of The Bangles and the buoyant rhythms of The Regrettes... Jody and the Jerms summon the summer in the most effortless of ways" ~ Stereo Embers Magazine

"All exquisite... Breathtaking stuff" ~ Oxfordshire Music Scene

"At the top of their A-game... a welcome and liberating flame" ~ Nightshift Magazine

"Rich and diversely entertaining... they sparkle continually with ambition and poise"~ Liverpool Sound & Vision

UK indie pop outfit Jody and the Jerms are hot to trot with their new single 'Started Something', the first taste of their forthcoming full-length album 'Wonder', out in April via their own JATJ Records imprint.

Their third album to date, this new collection of 12 tracks was produced, mixed and mastered by RIDE frontman Mark Gardener at his OX4 Sound Studio in Oxfordshire. Loaded with a healthy dose of melodic chrystallised indie pop that is heartfelt and honest, they present endearing jangle-pop songs that are both evocative and relatable.

Championed by the late Janice Long at BBC, among others, Jody and the Jerms is a collective revolving around Jody Jeger (vocals) and Niall Jeger (guitars and vocals) with other band members coming from The Anydays, who have graced the pages of NME, played with Radiohead and Supergrass, and were featured on Mark Radcliffe at BBC Radio 2.

'Wonder' follows their ‘Flicker’ album (2022) and debut album 'Deeper' (2020). Here, the Jerms deliver 12 jangle-pop gems, crafted with a sanguine innocence and vivid relatability. Warmly nostalgic and graced by Jody’s sweet-natured vocal, the band's output radiates somewhere between The Go-Go's, Blondie, The Bangles and The Darling Buds.

Formed in Oxford in 2019, Jody and the Jerms have been writing, recording and performing their blend of melodic and uplifting indie/ alt rock ever since, having enjoyed national airtime on Radio X (UK), Sirius XM (USA) and RTVE (Spain), as well as BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, BBC Wales and BBC Ulster.

Despite the fact that Jody had never sung before joining the Jerms, the band has quickly developed into the real deal with last year’s 'Flicker' album, which received strong accolades with its modern twist on 90s influences, followed by a loaded UK tour and festivals over the summer.

Jody and the Jerms' sound harks back to those untouchable days indie music enjoyed in the 90s, possessing seemingly effortlessness melodies and choruses which embed themselves in your head for days.

"'Started Something' is about a chance meeting of two people which is so exciting and special that it just knocks them off their feet. Everything between them just clicks and fizzes with passion and verve. There are many reasons why they shouldn’t start something in this dreary world , with all their day in day out humdrum responsibilities, so they imagine that the world has stopped turning for everyone else, whilst they can have their time together," says Jody.

Niall Jeger adds, "Musically, this started as a riff on an acoustic, as many of our songs do, which Rob followed on piano and the rest of the song came together really quickly".

As of February 15, 'Started Something' is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music and other fine digital music platforms. The 'Wonder' album will be released on April 21 and available on limited edition CD, pretty pink vinyl and digitally.

In support of this release, Jody and the Jerms will be performing for select UK dates with more dates to be added. Further info can be found at https://jodyandthejerms.com/live

Nordic outfit Pennies by the Pound presents 'The End Times' single with gamesome video

December 8, 2022

"One of Finland’s best kept secrets... quite chameleonic. Best known for their British prog-rock stylings, the quartet try a new size on in this current single – synthpop... truly of the 80s, only with a vocal timbre and passion of Marillion" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Big and extravagant.... this is brilliant music for here and now, wherever that may be" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"A trippy ride... Loads of flair and professionalism from the band" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

"Indeed a wonderful affair... Pennies By the Pound should be on everyone’s radar as a band to watch in future" ~ The Record Stache

Finnish indie outfit Pennies By The Pound are back with their new invigorating single 'The End Times', the second single from their upcoming concept album 'Nothingside', which is anticipated for release in early 2023 via the Lilith label.

Relative to the first single 'Burning Wish', which was beautiful expression of optimism and adventure channelled through a fantastic prism of British progressive rock, this song explores the opposite end of the spectrum of emotions conveyed on this sophomore album.

Pulsing with the rhythms and sounds of the neon-lit eighties, 'The End Times' takes the listener on a ride through the turbulent times we (as well as the protagonists of the story) are experiencing at present, keeping sight of the light at the end of the tunnel - even if it is an oncoming train.

"This song is something completely different than anything we've ever done before, almost alien to us in many ways. Most of the credit for that goes to our producer Mr. Eskolin, who was instrumental in making this song happen in the first place," says frontman Johannes Susitaival.

"If I've mentioned before about the influence of all sorts of 80s records on this album as a whole, this is definitely the climax of all that. If you check out the video, you'll especially know what I mean. The subject matter of the album as a whole is a bit heavy, so we tried to bring out some light-hearted fun for a change!"

As with previous releases, the Helsinki-based band worked with Ride frontman Mark Gardener, who mastered the track at his OX4 Sound Studioin Oxford, and top national producer Rauli 'Rake' Eskolin, who has had over a dozen No.1 records in Finland to his name in the past 20 years.

Pennies by the Pound was formed by Johannes Susitaival and Vesa Ranta around 2017, with the lineup expanded in the next few years by first Tomi Laaksonen and then Alexander Meaney, both musicians from previous related projects. Having written for a variety of bands, Johannes began exploring his passion for alternative and progressive rock, which led to Pennies' self-produced 'Bloodshed and the Blinding Sunlight' EP in 2018, followed by their debut album 'Heat Death of the Universe' in 2020. This new release takes them to yet another realm beyond that.

As of December 9, 'The End Times' will be released across digital stores and streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where you can also pre-order the full album directly from the band.

CREDITS
Music by Johannes Susitaival and Rauli Eskolin
Lyrics by Johannes Susitaival
Arranged by Pennies By The Pound and Rauli Eskolin
Johannes Susitaival - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Vesa Ranta - lead guitar
Tomi Laaksonen - bass
Alexander Meaney - guitar
Rauli Eskolin - programming, keyboards, guitar
Produced, recorded and mixed by Rauli Eskolin
Mastered by Mark Gardener at OX4 Sound

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed by Martin Brown with Pennies By The Pound
Edited by Martin Brown
Cameras by Martin Brown and Sam Gurung
Post-production by Sam Gurung
With assistance from Jayson Rohde
'The End Times' ISRC FI-LLH-22-00010
'Burning Wish' ISRC FI-LLH-22-00002

Keep up with Pennies By The Pound
Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Booking contact | Press contact

Keep up with Mark Gardener / OX4 Sound
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | OX4Sound Twitter | Mark Gardener Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Pennies by the Pound present synth-laden indie-pop 'The End Times' single

December 1, 2022

"One of Finland’s best kept secrets... quite chameleonic. Best known for their British prog-rock stylings, the quartet try a new size on in this current single – synthpop... truly of the 80s, only with a vocal timbre and passion of Marillion" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Big and extravagant.... this is brilliant music for here and now, wherever that may be" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"A trippy ride... Loads of flair and professionalism from the band" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

"Indeed a wonderful affair... Pennies By the Pound should be on everyone’s radar as a band to watch in future" ~ The Record Stache

Finnish indie outfit Pennies By The Pound are back with their new invigorating single 'The End Times', the second single from their upcoming concept album 'Nothingside', out in early 2023 via the Lilith label.

Relative to the first single 'Burning Wish', which was beautiful expression of optimism and adventure channelled through a fantastic prism of British progressive rock, this synth-laced track explores the opposite end of the spectrum of emotions conveyed on this sophomore album.

Pulsing with the rhythms and sounds of the neon-lit eighties, 'The End Times' takes the listener on a ride through the turbulent times we (as well as the protagonists of the story) are experiencing at present, keeping sight of the light at the end of the tunnel - even if it is an oncoming train.

"This song is something completely different than anything we've ever done before, almost alien to us in many ways. Most of the credit for that goes to our producer Mr. Eskolin, who was instrumental in making this song happen in the first place," says frontman Johannes Susitaival.

"If I've mentioned before about the influence of all sorts of 80s records on this album as a whole, this is definitely the climax of all that. If you check out the video, you'll especially know what I mean. The subject matter of the album as a whole is a bit heavy, so we tried to bring out some light-hearted fun for a change!"

As with previous releases, the Helsinki-based band worked with Ride frontman Mark Gardener, who mastered the track at his OX4 Sound Studioin Oxford, and top national producer Rauli 'Rake' Eskolin, who has had over a dozen No.1 records in Finland to his name in the past 20 years.

Pennies by the Pound was formed by Johannes Susitaival and Vesa Ranta around 2017, with the lineup expanded in the next few years by first Tomi Laaksonen and then Alexander Meaney, both musicians from previous related projects. Having written for a variety of bands, Johannes began exploring his passion for alternative and progressive rock, which led to Pennies' self-produced 'Bloodshed and the Blinding Sunlight' EP in 2018, followed by their debut album 'Heat Death of the Universe' in 2020. This new release takes them to yet another realm beyond that.

As of December 9, 'The End Times' will be released across digital stores and streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where you can also pre-order the full album directly from the band.

CREDITS
Music by Johannes Susitaival and Rauli Eskolin
Lyrics by Johannes Susitaival
Arranged by Pennies By The Pound and Rauli Eskolin
Johannes Susitaival - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Vesa Ranta - lead guitar
Tomi Laaksonen - bass
Alexander Meaney - guitar
Rauli Eskolin - programming, keyboards, guitar
Produced, recorded and mixed by Rauli Eskolin
Mastered by Mark Gardener at OX4 Sound

VIDEO CREDITS
Directed by Martin Brown with Pennies By The Pound
Edited by Martin Brown
Cameras by Martin Brown and Sam Gurung
Post-production by Sam Gurung
With assistance from Jayson Rohde
'The End Times' ISRC FI-LLH-22-00010
'Burning Wish' ISRC FI-LLH-22-00002

Keep up with Pennies By The Pound
Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | Booking contact | Press contact

Keep up with Mark Gardener / OX4 Sound
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | OX4Sound Twitter | Mark Gardener Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Press contact

Pennies By The Pound present invigorating 'Burning Wish' single, channeling fab British prog rock

August 16, 2022

"Big and extravagant classic psychedelic rock.... this is brilliant music for here and now, wherever that may be" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"A trippy ride that recalls the familiar vibes and sounds of none other than Bob Mould, The Church / Marty Willson-Piper, Marillion and Jethro Tull. Yes, all of them. Loads of flair and professionalism from the band" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

"Indeed a wonderful affair... Pennies By the Pound should be on everyone’s radar as a must-have album of 2021 and a band to watch in future" ~ The Record Stache

Finnish prog rock outfit Pennies By The Pound are back with their new single 'Burning Wish', an invigorating sonic offering and beautiful expression of optimism and adventure, channelled through the prism of fantastic British progressive rock. It will be released on June 8 via the Lilith label. This is the first taste of their sophomore album, expected later this year.

Once again, the band worked with Ride frontman Mark Gardener, who mastered the track at his OX4Sound Studio in Oxford, and top national producer Rauli 'Rake' Eskolin. With over a dozen No.1 records in Finland to his name in the past 20 years, he also produced, recorded and mixed their 2021 record 'Heat Death of the Universe'. Both the album and its singles - 'Indigo Screams' and 'The Waters'- were critically acclaimed.

Hailing from Helsinki, Pennies by the Pound was formed in 2016 by Johannes Susitaival as a solo project, but quickly expanded, involving musicians from his past bands. Their unique sound blends '80s prog rock and '90s-early '00s alternative rock. Heavily guitar-driven with a touch of keyboards, they love big choruses, guitar and keyboard solos, bridges and grandiose arrangements.

While still in a punk rock band, Johannes began exploring quite different musical avenues, which led to Pennies By The Pound's self-produced 'Bloodshed and the Blinding Sunlight' EP in 2018. Having found their ideal producer, they recorded demos in 2019, but only recorded their debut album in late 2020.

"Sometime last year, as it seemed that the pandemic would not be over anytime soon and it was apparent we wouldn't be able to focus on playing live shows for a while, we decided just to keep recording more music. Luckily, I had quite a lot of inspiration for new material and we started putting songs together in late summer, with Alexander Meaney joining in as an additional guitarist. Although it doesn't necessarily show in this particular song, I'd been immersing myself heavily in Genesis (both Gabriel and Collins eras), and that influenced the up and coming album - called 'Nothingside' - a lot," says Johannes Susitaival.

"This is a concept album through and through (both lyrically and musically), containing an abstract story and all that. Thus, it was really hard to decide on any one song to represent the whole, but 'Burning Wish' probably hits closest to the mark. It has got bits and pieces of both the lyrical and the musical theme of the album. It's also definitely a track that sounds a lot like what people probably would expect from us!"

As of June 8, 'Burning Wish' will be released across digital stores and streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where you can also obtain the 'Heat Death of the Universe' LP directly from the artists themselves.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics by Johannes Susitaival
Arrangement by Pennies by the Pound & Rauli Eskolin
Johannes Susitaival - vocals, drums, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Vesa Ranta - lead guitar
Alexander Meaney - rhythm and lead guitar
Tomi Laaksonen - bass
Rauli Eskolin - background vocals, keyboards
Produced, recorded and mixed by Rauli Eskolin
Mastered by Mark Gardener
record label Lilith

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Léanie Kaleido releases Mark Gardener-produced 'How To Weigh a Whale Without A Scale' LP

March 11, 2021

"Great music with stellar delivery... Sheer light and positivity radiates through the confessional storytelling woven through her piano-based offering, leaving you eager for the next chapter" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

“Gets under your skin and you just end up playing it constantly... with echoes of the more ethereal parts of the British folk movement in the early seventies, Leanie Kaleido has that curiously English charm” ~ Bluesbunny Music Reviews

"There is a tenderness and pureness here framed in the braveness of revealing one’s soul to a beautifully raw and grounding melody" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Piano and Léanie's clear, strong voice are the primary instruments... nicely understated throughout, but you can hear just a little dreampop drift in, via heavenly harmonies and the occasional lush synth part" ~ Brooklyn Vegan

On March 12, UK singer-songwriter Léanie Kaleido will release her new album 'How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale', produced at OX4 Sound Studio near Oxford by Ride frontman Mark Gardener, who also contributes guitar on one track. Ahead of this, she previews the lead track 'All The Things I'm Made Of'.

No stranger to music, Kaleido grew up in a musical household. Her father Top Topham was the original lead guitarist in The Yardbirds and was signed to Mike Vernon's Blue Horizon record label as a solo artist.

"This album was recorded during very strange times but in fact, those in-between lockdown studio sessions turned out to be a godsend. Working with Mark Gardener, who understood exactly what my tracks needed, gave me the confidence to focus on my vocals and lyrics, and not to throw the kitchen sink at every song. He’s an amazing producer and his attention to capturing the ambient sound in the room as well as the instruments is something that sets him apart from anyone else I’ve worked with," says Léanie Kaleido.

On this long-play, Kaleido plays lyrically astute, laid-back pop, piano-based ballads with the odd quirky guitar ditty thrown in, showcasing Léanie’s eccentric look at life. This new release will thrill Léanie’s existing fans, giving them lashings of melancholia, but peppered with that ever-present tongue-in-cheek commentary that tells you she never has and never will take herself – or anyone else - seriously.

But this third album also cements her as a consistently accomplished songwriter, unbound by the notion of what is ‘cool’ as she sits back and enjoys the thrill of writing unabashedly from the soul.

Léanie, who grew up "snogging posters of Ride and wanting to be PJ Harvey", has, over time, settled into the acceptance that her songs just come out the way they do. “Not especially cool", she says, “but I’m really proud of some of my lyrics. Getting ‘salient verities’ into a song gave me a lot of satisfaction! Now Mark is a really good mate who knows what works best for my songs. And he has the best selection of green tea. I’m now a loose leaf connoisseur, thanks to him!”

Kaleido's 50th year went off with a bang thanks to Gardener's open-armed invitation to record at his Oxford studio. After four or five sessions throughout the less locked-down parts of 2020, and ten songs later, an album was born.

"The songs on this album represent the highs and lows I’ve encountered over the past few years, how I’ve dealt with them and what I’ve learnt through the process. It’s a mixture of love, regret, philosophies, humour and hope. I’ve always been a late developer, and so this to me feels like a coming-of-age album," says Léanie Kaleido.

As of March 12, the 'How To Weigh A Whale Without A Scale' LP will be released everywhere digitally, including Apple Music and Spotify. It may also be obtained directly from the artist via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Léanie Kaleido - Vocals, piano, ukulele, strings, drum programming, synth bass
Mark Gardener – Producer, guitar, bass
Jono Harrison – Guitar, drum programming, synth bass (Codeine, Kite String Mantra)
Chris Gussman – Guitar and engineer on ‘Hat Thief’, engineer on ‘Mr Dragonfly’
All songs written by Léanie Kaleido. Copyright @2021
Cover photo by Jono Harrison
Cover created by Sara Truckel

Keep with Leanie Kaleido
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