OUT JUNE 20: 'The Ocean Understands' EP from renowned NYC artist-producer CHARLIE NIELAND

June 13, 2025

NYC-based songwriter-producer Charlie Nieland releases his new EP 'The Ocean Understands' on June 20. Four years since releasing his acclaimed ‘Divisions’ album, he once again brings us a collection of sweeping melodies and restless rhythms, tastefully blending post punk, dream pop and prog rock.

The material from this EP and the forthcoming album 'Stories From the Borderlines' (out later this year) took root through the NYC performance series "The Bushwick Book Club" in response to various literary sources and was inspired by Nieland's deep love of David Bowie, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Cocteau Twins, Love & Rockets and The Cure.

"This set of songs is a kaleidoscope of styles. They are luminous secret rooms that reflect one human’s heart in a world at the precipice. Staying creative is resistance. As authoritarians attack culture, they make the mistake that imagination can be controlled when it actually emerges from the bottom up. Culture is not imaginary. It’s is rooted in imagination but it’s more real than what can be measured," says Charlie Nieland.

"These songs tell stories of growing up, of how we got severed, and how we connect. I burrowed into each idea over several years that were filled with love, uncertainty and family drama. The time allowed me to create and explore sound worlds with a cinematic eye; finding contrasts in texture and time. To create an experience that shifts with each listen."

Nieland recently shared the dream-pop single 'Redshift', delving into the profound experience of creating your own chosen family, viewed through the lens of cosmic expansion and astrophysical wonder, following the stunning reverb-laced lead track 'Drown'. The video, directed by multi-faceted artist Hypnodoll, was inspired by a dystopian vision of a mythical, psychedelic siren song that explores a dark, authoritarian past through jumbled stories of the future. Sifting through present wreckage, 'Drown' searches for grace amidst violent, oceanic forces.

Nieland’s musical backstory is extensive, having written, performed and produced music for decades, focused on the atmospheric and the imaginative. He also wrote for and produced such notable artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissor Sisters, as well as scoring the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (starring Glenn Close), the pilot episode of 'The L Word' on Showtime and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'.

Charlie was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced.

His dream pop band Her Vanished Grace made music for over 20 years before establishing himself as a solo artist with a mix of nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration, debuting 'Ice Age' (2014) and then 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016). Half of the literature-inspired songwriting and performing duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang, he also produces and co-hosts the 'An Embarrassment of Prog' podcast.

As of June 20, 'The Ocean Understands' EP' is available from fine digital music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. 'The Ocean Understands' EP, now available for pre-order directly from the artist.

CREDITS
Music & Lyrics written by Charlie Nieland
Recorded at Saturation Point Studios (Brooklyn, NY)
from January 2023 to April 2025 
'Elegy' recorded live at KGB Bar, NYC, October 3rd, 2021
Charlie Nieland - vocals, guitars, basses, piano, keyboards, percussion, G-Force M-TRON Pro IV
Billy Loose - drums 
Dan McAssey - guitar on 'Shame'
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
Cover Art by Hypnodoll
© 2025 Athame Music
'Drown' video directed By Hypnodoll™
Photography by Alice Teeple
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with Charlie Nieland
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BlueSky | Threads | Soundcloud | LinkedIn | Email

British Rock Icons SKUNK ANANSIE Release New Album 'The Painful Truth' — Out Now via FLG Records

May 23, 2025

Today, British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their long awaited brand new album, 'The Painful Truth.' To celebrate, the band has also released the focus track, "Shame," which is accompanied by a visualizer available to view below.

'The Painful Truth' is a truly mesmerizing, provocative, powerful and emotional album. It is the sound of SKUNK ANANSIE facing up to who they are and what they want to become. It is more than an album title, it's a reality that they have lived through and has been greeted by rapturous reviews.

Watch the Visualizer for “Shame” Below;

Produced by David Sitek of TV On The Radio fame, 'The Painful Truth' is a fresh, frank, uplifting, and richly textured album that proves SKUNK ANANSIE’s knack for writing big pop songs remains defiantly undiminished. If anything, their hooks are sharper than ever, sinking in quicker and hitting harder.

'The Painful Truth' marks SKUNK ANANSIE’s first release on the newly formed FLG Records, and it carries a vitality that belies their storied career and multi-platinum achievements. With 'The Painful Truth,' SKUNK ANANSIE boldly reclaim their place as one of the most exciting, visionary, and essential bands in British music.

On the new album, Skin confesses:

“When I really think about it, yes, we have made some good records in our time but it’s been a long time since we have made a great album. And that is the painful truth. Understanding that, led us to making what I genuinely think is our greatest record yet.”

Order 'The Painful Truth' HERE

Full details for all live performances can be found HERE

About SKUNK ANANSIE:

SKUNK ANANSIE formed in 1994 in London, and are a truly seminal band. One of the first multi-racial British rock bands, they are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.

Their debut album ‘Paranoid & Sunburnt’ (1995) and its follow up ‘Stoosh’ (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the UK, and with hits like “Weak” and “Hedonism,” they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, SKUNK ANANSIE closed the decade off in style by releasing their third studio album, ‘Post Orgasmic Chill’ and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001.

The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums - 2010’s ‘Wonderlustre,’ 2012’s ‘Black Traffic’ and 2016’s ‘Anarchytecture.’ In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with ‘25LIVE@25,’ a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums.

Throughout their career, SKUNK ANANSIE have sold over five million records around the world. The band’s international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent, and now with ‘The Painful Truth’ receiving rave reviews around the world, SKUNK ANANSIE are back at the peak of their powers.

Britain's DRAGON WELDING shares 'Start Believing, Start Living The Lie' from fourth album 'The Naughty Step'

May 5, 2025

UK electro noise-pop duo Dragon Welding presents 'Start Believing, Start Living The Lie', along with a new video filmed in locations from Romford to Manchester. In contrast to the visuals for the more sedate and introverted single 'Hiding Things For Fun', here Dragon Welding captures the raw energy explosion of this most frenetic end of the album’s scale.

Dragon Welding is Andrew Golding, multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of Essex-based indie noise-pop legends The Wolfhounds, and vocalist Nick Cockshott (formerly of leftfield indie rockers The Spores and The Keatons). Initially joining Golding for a one-off show in 2023, they soon began working together on new material, resulting in the 2024 single 'These Are Dangerous Times', a radical electronic reworking of Dragon Welding's debut release five years prior, marking Dragon Welding's rebirth as a group.

'Start Believing, Start Living The Lie' challenges the accepted truths of modern life and invites the listener to see them for what they really are. With so many meaningless job titles out there, it’s small wonder so many struggle to find fulfilment. "Why not just go for a walk somewhere pretty then sit down and read a good book? Not everything happens on screens," says Golding.

Dragon Welding's fourth album 'The Naughty Step' (out now via Dimple Discs) is the first record to feature Nik Cockshott. With a consistent voice, a solid focus on idiosyncratic and dark electronic backing, augmented by an increasing plethora of obtuse instrumentation, unpretentious ecologically and socially-relevant lyrics, Dragon Welding continues a tradition of blending clever guitar with mischievous sonic and rhythmic manipulations.

Dragon Welding recently shared a captivating 'stop-start' animation video for 'The Naughty Step', created by award-winning graphic artist Andy Royston, following the uptempo 'We Dance Among You', the video for ‘Up And Away’ and its related 3-track single - a clarion call to a dozing generation.

After debuting in 2019 with a well-received eclectic eponymous album, Dragon Welding released the all-instrumental 'Lights Behind The Eyes’ (2021) and then ‘Fictionary’ (2023), which featured guest appearances by Anthony Chapman of Collapsed Lung and Alice Golding of The Othyrs.

'The Naughty Step' album is out everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Musicand Bandcamp. Vinyl and CDs are also available from Rough Trade, Amazon and Resident Records. With another album already pretty much in the can, this duo has more to say than ever and are ready to move on to the next stage.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics - Andrew Golding
Vocals - Nik Cockshott
Guitars and programming – Andrew Golding
Mixed by Ant Chapman and Andrew Golding
Mastered by Ant Chapman
Recorded in London and Manchester 2023-2024
Cover design and videos by Andy Royston
Images by Andy Royston and Helen Golding
Album released via Dimple Discs
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Alt-rock duo THE YETS premieres 'Paper Ghost', a powerful elegy for a life taken too soon

March 24, 2025

A highlight of their debut album 'Pinup Girl', South Carolina alternative rock duo The Yets share the single 'Paper Ghost', a heartfelt tribute to a homeless woman who lost her life to the streets of Myrtle Beach. Its haunting video is a reminder that the individuals we see on the streets are not nameless, faceless statistics --they are people with stories, dreams and heartache, like anyone else.

The video premiered on the weekend at an ECHO (Eastern Carolina Housing Organization) event in Myrtle Beach intended to raise funds to support those experiencing housing instability, for which a stunning collection of art was also donated by local artists supporting ECHO’s mission.

Based in Myrtle Beach, The Yets is made up of guitarist-producer Craig Anderson Snook and vocalist Robin Wilson. Fusing Craig’s dynamic guitar work and production expertise with Robin’s rich, emotive vocals, their music sound is both powerful and distinctive. Their debut album blends modern and classic rock in music that is lush, atmospheric instrumentation, soulful melodies.

“I met Jeanette while doing community outreach in Myrtle Beach. She had been caught in the grip of chronic homelessness for years under the weight of mental health struggles that left her feeling isolated and deeply depressed. Over the years, her hope of finding stable housing faded as the systems that were supposed to help her repeatedly let her down. Her trust was shattered and when the chance for stable housing finally arrived, she couldn’t bring herself to believe it would truly change her life, so she turned it down. Just weeks later, her life was tragically and violently taken while she slept on a park bench at the bus station," says Robin Wilson.

“I was fortunate to be one of the few people she trusted to open up to, and her loss hit me deeply” Robin states. “The day after hearing about what happened to her, I wrote the lyrics to “Paper Ghost”, trying to make sense of the grief, the injustice, and the quiet connection I felt to her. It all worked perfectly along with the beautiful music that Craig composed. Hopefully it’s a voice for those who are not heard.”

Craig Anderson Snook played guitar in several popular 1980s bands, including Gross Negligence, while Robin, who led rock groups Skirt and Bachelors of Art (B.O.A.), adds depth and passion to their music. Craig’s intricate compositions provide the perfect backdrop for Robin’s voice to soar, creating immersive and atmospheric landscapes that push the boundaries of alternative rock.

Picking up where their 2022 eponymous debut EP left off, this album is a stunning collection of songs that dive deep into life and all the things that make us who and what we are. Earlier, the duo shared videos for 'Broken Arrow'. 'Enemy', the reverie-laden singles 'Define The Man' and '3's', and the nostalgic title track 'Pinup Girl', based on a deep longing for a past love, beautifully captured in the imagery of a weathered photograph.

The 'Pinup Girl' album is out now, available on CD via Bandcamp and digitally from fine online music platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.

CREDITS
Written and performed by Craig Anderson Snook & Robin Wilson
© 2024 Craig Anderson Snook/Robin Wilson Snook (BMI)
Robin Wilson - vocals, other instruments
Craig Anderson Snook - guitars, other instruments
Recorded, mixed & produced by Craig Anderson Snook at 3’s in Myrtle Beach, SC
Mastered by Jay Matheson
Videos created and produced by The Yets
Album and website art by Robin Wilson
Website design by The Yets
Band photos by Gordon & Jill Backman
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

UK alt-pop artist SICKY shares 'Billy Cousins' from adventurous third album 'Troubled Delight'

March 24, 2025

British indie alt-pop artist SICKY presents 'Billy Cousins', the first track on track on his third album 'Troubled Delight'. Written about a fictional character, Cousins is an imaginary superhero you can pretend to be when you find yourself doubting everything.

SICKY is the solo project of Mick Butler, whose brand of Britpop-infused indie rock borrows flickering elements from Beck, Supergrass and Blur. Originally from England's Black Country, he now lives in Shropshire. Formerly with several bands, ranging from the brass-soaked pop of Papa Mantra to the dirty stomp of SUMO, Butler now derives pleasure from banging out new SICKY material.

Empowering, fun and fearless, every track on 'Troubled Delight' is under three minutes. Three songs feature Jen Bone (Project Blues Band) on double bass, adding a bounce and flow to proceedings. Rebecca Butler sings on 'Mankind' and Lily and Scarlet Butler contribute backing vocals on the lead track 'I'm Happy If You're Happy'.

Just recently, SICKY also shared the single 'Slide', capturing the gritty reality of a relapse into harmful behaviour and the painful aftermath, reflecting a deeply personal and relatable struggle.

“'Billy Cousins' is a song about an imaginary character you can pretend to be when you find yourself doubting everything. The production is probably inspired by the Prince era, which left its mark on me. I’m talking about the Get Off/Sexy MF/Batman era. Big beats, outrageous grooves and killer hooklines. The little purple one blew me away with this stuff,” says SICKY.

“The video features a scene from the wonderfully nuts 1963 film ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’, which had just about every famous face from the time in it. A film that was shown regularly on TV, I can still hear my mom howling with laughter at the over-the-top characters – laughing so hard she’d have to leave the room. The Dick Shawn (real name!) character Sylvester in the video has something of Billy Cousins about him… Not a stoned care in the world, so the song’s a bit of fun in these trying times. If you want to step out and breathe for two minutes and fifty-five seconds, 'Billy Cousins' could be the perfect escape from the madness of reality.”

Other songs on this album are about real life happenings. Happy moments, fallings out, false promises and even a sense of fun even in the darker moments, showing that you don't have to make depressing music to talk about hard life realities. 'Ten Minutes'features Bridgnorth’s St. Leonard’s church bell. 'Money For The News' has sliding doors at a Stourbridge shopping centre. 'My Girl’s Gone' has a snippet from the film 'Quatermass and the Pit' with kind permission from Hammer Films in London. 'The Hill' recounts the pain of a 22-mile charity walk (never again!), kind of a metaphor for life.

SICKY first appeared on the scene (in this incarnation) during the lockdowns of 2021, releasing his debut album 'Bowling Balls', which was partially inspired by Prince, Bowie and Ray Bradbury's book 'The Martian Chronicles'. In 2023, SICKY released his sophomore album 'Garbage Town' to wide acclaim.

The 'Troubled Delight' album is out now and available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written by Mick Butler (SICKY)
Recorded, mixed and produced by SICKY in Shropshire
Mastered by Charlie Francis at Synergy Mastering Cardiff.
Photos by Helen Marshall
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Jen Bone - double bass on Tracks 2, 4, 5
Rebecca Butler - vocals on Track 11
Lily and Scarlet - back vocals & random noises on Track 2

Goth-darkwave act THE AWAKENING announces 'Haunting Tour 2025' in support of 12th album. Watch the video for 'Haunting'

March 3, 2025

Gothic-Darkwave act The Awakening has announced its first tour dates for 2025 in support of his eponymous album - his twelfth to date - recently released via Intervention Arts on vinyl, CD, digitally and various limited-edition formats.

The Haunting Tour 2025 dates include headline shows in Germany, France, the USA and Canada and co-headline performances at the legendary Castle Party in Poland and Brainstorm Fest in the Netherlands. The Awakening will headline the first edition of Glōm Fest, a new pop-up festival, which will take six international acts up the west coast of the US from Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada.

Now US-based, The Awakening was formed in Johannesburg, South Africa in the late ’90s as the creative expression of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ashton Nyte, who was anointed as "Johannesburg's Bowie" for his widely varying musical styles and theatrical performances. Having morphed over the years, The Awakening's sound incorporates numerous genres, including gothic rock, darkwave, post-punk, electronic rock, folk noir, new wave and more.

The Awakening recently released 'Haunting', the second video from the album. 'Haunting' has already amassed over 400,000 views in 3 weeks, following the first single 'Mirror Midnight', which has surpassed 1.2 million views. The videos for both come in his trademark black-and-white format, a rich and dark indication of The Awakening's return to its dark roots.

"'Haunting' is a celebration of old-school Gothic Rock, with a suitable dose of Post-Punk swagger and a wink at the camera. It's probably the most whimsical song on the album and one I greatly look forward to playing live later this year", says frontman Ashton Nyte. "I wanted the video to capture some campy Horror B-Movie goodness, and I am very happy with the result," says Ashton Nyte.

"After the intensity and social commentary of 'Mirror Midnight', it was a lot of fun to create a video on the other side of the spectrum. It is best enjoyed at very high volume!"

'The Awakening' follows Ashton Nyte's second book and eighth solo album 'Autumn's Children', which was selected as one of American Songwriter's Top 17 Albums of 2023. This new album is a celebration of the band's roots and influences. The last two Awakening albums were departures, with 'This Alchemy' (2021) exploring the electronic side of his musical personality, and 'The Passage Remains' (2022) including his previously-unreleased heavier material.

Ashton Nyte is a core contributor to LA-based supergroup Beauty In Chaos, involved with every album released to date, including the latest 'Dancing With Angels' and 'Signs in the Heavens Reality Upside Down'. Nyte has collaborated with members of The Cure, The Mission, Tricky, Peter Murphy's band and All About Eve.

Having toured extensively and headlined music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa to upwards of 30,000 people, Nyte has also written and performed in theatrical productions and hosted philanthropic events, including his “Rock Against Rape” concert series. He has also presented a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance. Nyte is also an author and actor.

With a catalogue of over 300 songs, Ashton Nyte and The Awakening have enjoyed airplay and chart success worldwide, with songs featured in popular TV shows like 'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' and 'The Purge'. Nyte has contributed to several scores, working with composer Ethan Gold for 'Don't Let Go' (premiering at the Sundance Film Festival) and 'Pale Horse', directed by the late Pearry Teo.

'The Awakening' album is out now on vinyl, CD, digitally and limited-edition formats. It can be found on Spotify and other digital platforms, and can be ordered directly from the artist. The Awakening will announce more dates for the 'Haunting Tour 2025' with shows in the UK, Mexico and Spain are rumoured to be added soon. Tickets are available at www.theawakening.com/live

CREDITS
All music and lyrics by Ashton Nyte
Published by Intervention Arts / ASCAP (2024)
Recorded, mixed & produced by Ashton Nyte at Intervention Studios (USA)
Cover artwork & artist photos by Ashton Nyte
Video created by Ashton Nyte
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

British alt-pop artist SICKY releases fun and fearless third album 'Troubled Delight'

February 14, 2025

British indie alt-pop artist SICKY presents 'Troubled Delight', an album that lives up to its name, doing exactly what it says on the tin. Dark, empowering, frightened, fun, determined and absolutely fearless. He also presents the video for 'Slide', capturing the gritty reality of a relapse into harmful behaviour and the painful aftermath, reflecting a deeply personal and relatable struggle.

SICKY is the solo project of Mick Butler, whose brand of Britpop-infused indie rock borrows flickering elements from Beck, Supergrass and Blur. Originally from England's Black Country, he now lives in Shropshire. Formerly with several bands, ranging from the brass-soaked pop of Papa Mantra to the dirty stomp of SUMO, Butler now derives pleasure from banging out new SICKY material.

This is SICKY's third album to date - a more organic beast than his 2023 widely acclaimed sophomore album 'Garbage Town', featuring instruments "borrowed from the kids' music room", he says, "including a broken violin, a ukulele, gloks, bells, drums and a mouth organ… Anything you could get a noise out of really". Literally everything you hear in his music is him squeezing noises out of anything that'll sing.

"This was an accidental project. It started with a sketchy song idea, which led to another to another. It's my way of venting life, offloading the good and bad stuff it throws your way. It's better than carrying it around with you. I feel very lucky to have this musical release so I can reboot and move on. Hopefully the songs are relatable to people, because surely we're not all that different are we?" says Mick Butler.

"'Troubled Delight' was a load of fun to make. Every track is under three minutes, so blink and you’ll miss it. Three songs feature Jen Bone (Project Blues Band) on double bass, adding a bounce and flow to proceedings. My niece (Rebecca Butler) sang on 'Mankind' after a big night out on the town and somehow still managed to sound like an angel. And last but by no means least, we have Lily (10) and Scarlet (8) on backing vocals for 'I'm Happy If You're Happy', adding in some junior punk chaos.

He adds, "This album kicks off with 'Billy Cousins', a fictional character - an imaginary superhero you can pretend to be when you find yourself doubting everything. Other songs are about real life happenings. Happy moments, fallings out, false promises. Hopefully there's a sense of fun even in the darker moments; you don't have to make depressing music to talk about hard life realities in my book."

'Ten Minutes' features Bridgnorth’s St.Leonard’s church bell. 'Money For The News' has the sliding doors of a Stourbridge shopping centre. 'My Girl’s Gone' features a snippet from the film 'Quatermass and the Pit' with kind permission from Hammer Films in London. 'The Hill' recounts the pain of a 22-mile charity walk (never again!) and kind of feels like a metaphor for life."

SICKY first appeared on the scene (in this incarnation) during the lockdowns of 2021, releasing his debut album 'Bowling Balls', which was partially inspired by Prince, Bowie and Ray Bradbury's book 'The Martian Chronicles'.

As of February 14, the 'Troubled Delight' album is available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written by Mick Butler (SICKY)
Recorded, mixed and produced by SICKY in Shropshire
Mastered by Charlie Francis at Synergy Mastering Cardiff.
Photos by Helen Marshall
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Jen Bone - double bass on Tracks 2, 4, 5
Rebecca Butler - vocals on Track 11
Lily and Scarlet - back vocals & random noises on Track 2

THE SPEED OF SOUND unveils 'Apocalypse Metropolis' from 'A Cornucopia: Victory' album.

January 13, 2025

Manchester indie rock outfit The Speed Of Sound present 'Apocalypse Metropolis', the latest offering from their album 'A Cornucopia: Victory', the second of the three-album set 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty', released via Big Stir Records.Earlier, the band shared videos for several tracks from this album - 'Apocalypse Acropolis', 'Underground' and 'The Same River'.

Formed in 1989, The Speed of Sound is made up of father and son John Armstrong(guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong (keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar) and John Broadhurst (drums). Their music has always been idiosyncratic and counter-intuitive, in search of something new. Creating music with lyrical bite, expanding their foundation of 1960s, punk and new wave influences, their dynamic and stylistic variation crossing borders and pushing boundaries at every opportunity.

Twinned musically with 'Apocalypse Acropolis', linked yet totally different in approach, feel and sound. 'Apocalypse Metropolis' envisions a bright, bustling, busy cityscape, of traffic noise and neon lighting creating shadows and glamour, reflecting a civilisation continuing onwards unaware of its imminent collapse. A three-line phrase skates across eight bars and then shifts in 3/4 time as Bob Dinn’s glorious trumpet is given free rein while ascending piano and vocal harmonies combine with a first Speed Of Sound usage of a string section. This is the very definition of the unexpected.

Full of ambition, energy and melodic brilliance, this three-album deluxe edition is available on vinyl and CD. Accompanying the earlier-released 'Minerva' album, The Speed of Sound shared videos for the hauntingly spacious 'Trickledown', the stratospherically vast 'The Great Acceleration', the uplifting 'Mind Palace' and 'West Wind', where a recklessly fast rhythm merges with a Wagnerian horn section.

Grounded yet trippy, this song brings a sobering view of the future. A 12-string picking pattern gives way to elevated vocals and overdrive, all while surveying a dead civilisation of industrial ruins and artefacts overtaken by nature, reclaiming the crumbling walls and empty windows of once self-important commercial buildings. All the workplace stress and crushing pressure of deadlines amounted to nothing. Industrial decay merges, becoming inseparable from the ruins of war which drives so much of that trade.

Following 2021's critically acclaimed album 'Museum Of Tomorrow', this trilogy sees the band returns triumphant, defiant and redemptive, marking their 35th anniversary. Most music is never even recorded, and most recorded music remains unheard. 'Victory' is a celebration of this unheard underground music and the counterculture itself - music made for the pleasure of making it.

'Victory' includes 14 wide-ranging pieces of unheard and highly contagious fresh and unexpectedly shape-shifting grooves. From the supremely danceable 'Underground'through the unabashed sensuality of 'Monsoon' to the gothic lounge jazz of 'Permafrost' and the strangely linked pairing of 'Apocalypse Acropolis' and 'Apocalypse Metropolis', they offer something special here.

From the hypnotic orange-and-sandalwood scented wisps of masala rock in 'Rock Paper Scissors', acoustic powered spaceflight 'in From The Cradle To The Stars' and the reckless garage punk punch of 'Go For It', it becomes clear. There is the data scraping warning of 'X-Y Axis', the post-nostalgia of 'The Same River',and swaggering rock with a pinch of Brazilian sway in 'A Walk By The Sea', while 'E to F' displays glam rock tendencies and a pinball metaphor before the soaring harmonies of 'Empathic Reaction' and ending with the triumphant shimmering elegance of 'Tranquility Falls'.

The full trilogy 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty' is out now and can also be obtained on CD or vinyl.

CREDITS
All songs written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Bob Dinn - trumpet and flugelhorn
Chris Guest - harmonium, vibraphone, organ, shakers, tambourine
Alex Armstrong - typewriter on 'Yet Another Tuesday'
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Vibratone Sound Studio in Manchester by Chris Guest, Adam Crossley and The Speed of Sound
Main sleeve image: Purple Spaceman © Lina Landers 2022
Artist photographs by Shay Rowan
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

South Carolina's THE YETS share providential single "3's" with superb video, previewing debut album

November 19, 2024

South Carolina-based alternative rock outfit The Yets presents their new single "3's", an evocative, haunting song that recounts the story of a circus performer teetering on a highwire, using her precarious balance as a powerful metaphor for the challenges of life.

Previewing their debut album 'Pinup Girl', to be released in February, this new single arrives on the trail of the reverie-laden lead track, 'Define The Man'. Both offerings showcase their evolution as artists, blending modern and classic rock elements to create music that feels both fresh and timeless.

Based in Myrtle Beach, The Yets features the creative synergy of guitarist-producer Craig Anderson Snook and vocalist Robin Wilson, both natives of the state. Their collaboration fuses Craig’s dynamic guitar work and production expertise with Robin’s rich, emotive vocals, resulting in a sound that is both powerful and distinctive. Further highlighted by their multi-instrumental performance abilities, The Yets have developed a sound which is truly their own. From composing to performing to production, Craig and Robin are a “duo” in the most genuine sense of the word.

As the song "3's" unfolds, the lyrics become a vivid illustration of her life as a performer – each line reflecting the beauty and danger of her art. The imagery of the high wire evokes a sense of tension and vulnerability, symbolizing the constant struggle to maintain balance amidst the ups and downs of humanity. She reflects on the thrill of the spotlight and the applause that once filled the air, eerily acknowledging the solitude that accompanies the act.

The chorus introduces the central theme of “3’s”, capturing the idea that life’s challenges often come in waves-trinity, calamity, and the search for serenity amidst it all. Her realization that no one can save her from herself metaphorically deepens as she ponders the illusion of control and the fragility of her existence. Ultimately, the performer recognizes the beauty of her struggles yet understands she must face them alone. Capturing the essence of resilience and the complexity of life, the song leaves its listeners with a sense of empathy and introspection, as they traverse high wires of their own.

"Life is a three-ring circus, where ego and pride take center-stage, performing illusions of perfection until the act unravels, revealing the calamity beneath. This song captures the tension between the false perfection of the ego and the inevitable unraveling of that facade, and also explores the discord between the constructed self-image and the underlying truth of human vulnerability," says Robin Wilson.

Craig Anderson Snook adds, "This song took on new dimensions for me when we did the video. Robin's theme evolved into images that conjured even more "3's" in my mind ... earth, fire, sky ... birth, death, afterlife... body, soul, spirit ... the list could go on. Musically, it crosses a few interesting borders from doom, to joy, to mystery; in sound."

In 2022, The Yets made their debut with a critically acclaimed eponymous EP, praised for its melodic sophistication and emotional resonance. They are now releasing their full-length album, "Pinup Girl", which showcases their evolution as artists, blending modern and classic rock elements to create a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. Their music is marked by lush, atmospheric instrumentation, soulful melodies, and a seamless fusion of modern and classic rock influences, establishing The Yets as a distinctive presence in the alternative rock scene.

Craig Anderson Snook, who played guitar for several popular bands in the 1980s, such as Gross Negligence, brings decades of musical experience to the duo. Robin, well known for her extensive touring with rock groups Skirt and Bachelors of Art (B.O.A.), adds depth and passion to their music. Craig’s intricate compositions provide the perfect backdrop for Robin’s voice to soar, creating immersive and atmospheric landscapes that push the boundaries of alternative rock.

As of November 19, the "3's" single will be available fine online music stores and streamable via Spotify. The full album, out February 7, can be obtained digitally or on CD directly from the band via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written and performed by Craig Anderson Snook & Robin Wilson
© 2024 Craig Anderson Snook/Robin Wilson Snook (BMI)
Robin Wilson - vocals, other instruments
Craig Anderson Snook - guitars, other instruments
Recorded, mixed and produced by Craig Anderson Snook at 3’s in Myrtle Beach, SC
Mastered by Jay Matheson
Videos created and produced by The Yets
Album and website art by Robin Wilson
Website design by The Yets
Band photos by Gordon & Jill Backman
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Liverpool's THE WOOD shares 'Thornside Walk', previewing eponymous debut album

November 8, 2024

Liverpool-based The Wood presents 'Thornside Walk', a song of hope, redemption and eventual triumph, and the second taste of the duo's debut 'Days' album, out on November 22 via Riverdream Records.

Made of up Alex Evans (vocals, backing vocals, percussion) and Steve Powell (guitars, bass, backing vocals, keys, percussion), The Wood bring rock solid grooves, creating melodies full of beauty, passion, pain and the power of real soul.

As a producer, Steve Powell is an expert at unearthing sonic magic, having recorded many notable artists records, including Michael Head and The Strands, John Power, def.fo, The Stairs and Ella Guru He also produced and played guitar on the first Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band record 'Arturius Revisited' and number one indie album 'Adios Senor Pussycat'.

“'Thornside Walk' was written in the darkest period of my life - a place filled with anger, confusion and sorrow. This was first time I was truly able to express my feelings through music and the beginning of The Wood creating music with real depth. 'Thornside Walk' serves to show that, even in our darkest hour, there lies resilience and hope. A true reflection of a moment in time and one of our proudest songs to date,” says Alex Evans.

Steve Powell adds, “This was the first song Alex and myself wrote together. It’s about being faced with the darkest of times, but there’s light at the end of the long tunnel. Allow yourself to embrace the joy life has to offer. Ultimately, it’s an uplifting song."

Last month, the band released the lead single 'Let It Loose' with a surreal video, filmed and edited by Dylan Cox at the Pro Flex Gym in Liverpool and featuring boxer Jake Harrison, along with a host of other shady characters.

The two met when Powell was blown away by Evans' voice while recording him at his Ark Recording Studios in Liverpool. From the outset, they realised they were creating music that was difficult to categorise yet somehow sounded familiar, meshing blue-eyed soul, southern and indie rock.

With Steve on guitar and bass, they enlisted several talented friends, including Martin Smith and Simon James (The Coral, Shack) on brass, and Jake Howden-Woodward (Nova Twins).

Alex Evans has a voice capable of turning real pain into raw beauty. Imbued with a rare natural soul, he leaps effortlessly from brooding, troubled depth to full-throated gospel glory as he leans in close to that groove. Together as The Wood, they create music of passion and pain, of glory and redemption. Songs where all the right decisions have been made, deliberate and slowly, without any external pressure, only the enriching pleasure of artistic collaboration.

As of November 8, 'Thornside Walk' is available everywhere online, including Bandcamp and Spotify. The 'Days' album is out November 22, accompanied by The Wood's album release show at Leaf - Bold Street in Liverpool on November 20 and December 6 show at A.R.C @ Camp&Furnace Liverpool.

CREDITS
Written by Alex Evans and Steve Powell
Alex Evans - vocals, backing vocals, percussion
Steve Powell - guitars, bass, backing vocals, keys, percussion
Produced and recorded by Steve Powell at Ark Recording Studios, Liverpool
Mastered by Pete Maher
Jake Howden-Woodward – drums (tracks 2,3,4,7)
Jay Irving – drums (1,5)
Roy CorkillL – upright bass (6)
Martin Smith – trumpet (1,4,5,7)
Simon James – sax (1,5)
Amy Chalmers – violin and backing vocals (2,7)
Matt Phillips – cello (2,7)
Andy Jacobson – piano (7)
Mike Smith – keys (5,7)
Phil Melville – slide dobro (6)
Charlie Griffiths – backing vocals (1,5)
Clair Griffiths – backing vocals (1,5)
Single cover artwork photo by Dylan Cox
Album cover graphics design by Pascal Blua
'Let It Loose' video filmed & edited by Dylan Cox @DylanCoxMedia
Featuring boxer Jake Harrison @JakeHarrison_Boxing at Pro Flex Gym, Liverpool
Photography by Kevin Barrett
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Texas' 9-VOLT VELVET present 'Hey, Candy’, previewing 7” vinyl single and debut 'Nude Beaches' album

April 30, 2024

"A glam-bam-thankyou-ma’am wall of roiling guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. It’s a 70’s stack heeled tour de force dressed in space-age fabrics and driving a rocket propelled Ford Transit into space... this is a jet pack so strap it on and brace yourself for launch" ~ Joyzine

Dallas-based indie dreamgaze outfit 9-Volt Velvet presents their new single 'Hey, Candy', a raucous foreshadowing of their debut album 'Nude Beaches', soon to be released on CD via Brighton, UK-based label Shore Dive Records. What can be said about the first single - oh yes, finding your first love attraction is exciting.

Out May 10, this 13-track collection blends washed-out fuzzy and feedback-laden guitars, driving bass, pounding drum beats and ghosty vocals. Taking their bring of 'rockgazedreamgloom' even further, they will also release a limited edition of twenty 7" lathe-cut vinyl via Cryptic Carousel at the same time, featuring 'Riptide' as the Side-A track and 'Hey Candy' on Side B.

Nestled in the fine territory between post-punk and shoegaze with a surf vibe, 9-Volt Velvet is made up of Mark Cross (lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion), Donnie Robertson (drums, percussion, keyboards) and Kevin Robinson (guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals).

Hailing from Muscle Shoals, AL and Dallas respectively, Mark and Donnie met through an ad in a local newspaper, hit it off instantly and formed a band, eventually being joined by Kevin soon after they began performing. Involving past members of of Viva Voce and The Northern Lights, they bring together several decades of experience playing shows with the likes of Starflyer 59, Spoon, The Dandy Warhols, Jimmy Eat World, Sunny Day Real Estate, Kill Hannah, Luxury, Lugsole, The Features, Bleach, Fold Zandura, 764-HERO and Morella’s Forest.

'Nude Beaches' is the culmination of 9-Volt Velvet's musical journey, showcasing their evolution as artists and the unique sounds they have curated together. Inspired by their natural chemistry and a like-minded approach to music-making, in June 2023, they embarked on an intense 3-week studio session in Dallas, crafting an album that explores the themes of freedom and self-expression.

From the introspective lyrics to the intricate musical arrangements, every aspect of 'Nude Beaches' reflects the band's commitment to pushing boundaries and taking risks. This is a sonic journey that invites listeners to embrace their own individuality and revel in the joy of truly being themselves.

Influenced by such artists as The Cure, Sonic Youth, Swervedriver, The Jesus & Mary Chain, DIIV and The Velvet Underground, 9-Volt Velvet emerged as a recording artist in January 22 with their debut 'Cathedrals' EP, followed by the 'Mirrors' EP in July of that year.

The 'Riptide / Hey, Candy' 7" vinyl edition is out on May 10. The CD for the debut 'Nude Beaches' album will also be available via Shore Dive Records. It can already be found digitally from fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Written and performed by 9-Volt Velvet
Mark Cross - lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion
Donnie Robertson - drums, percussion, keyboards
Kevin Robinson - guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals
Recorded at Starlight Studios (Dallas) by Donnie Robertson & Jeff Ross
Produced, mixed & mastered by Donnie Robertson
CD released via Shore Dive Records
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

GRAMERCY ARMS releases sophisticated & endearing fourth album 'The Making Of The Making Of' via Magic Door Records

April 27, 2024

"A fabulous and fresh slice of positivity, wrapped up in a finely-tuned package of upbeat and harmonious pop-rock that will leave you wanting more and checking local concert listings to see if the band is heading your way. Impeccably performed; superbly arranged and produced" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Perfectly straddles popularity and poise, chart potential and also satisfies more discerning tastes... Gramercy Arms is that rare thing. It is a band that makes great albums AND writes killer singles" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Wistful, bittersweet and soaring power pop... With echoes of the likes of Teenage Fanclub and Dinosaur Junior, as well as the classicism of 80s indie-pop, it’s yearning and hooky in all the right places, a gleaming melodic pick me up" ~ God is in the TV Zine

Bringing a little light into our lives, NYC-based collective Gramercy Arms has released their fourth album 'The Making Of The Making Of' via Montclair, NJ-based Magic Door Record Label. With nine tracks on offer, this album presents a varied smorgasbord of superb radio-friendly indie pop-rock gems and more intimate acoustic offerings. The band also present a new video for 'Never Say Anything (Magic Door Session)'.

A loose treasure-trove of musicians and artists, masterminded by Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole) and producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Luna, Elk City), Gramercy Arms is inspired by the artistic heyday of ‘70s and ‘80s New York, creating addictive indie pop with exquisite hook-laden melodies and lyrics that will have you floating back in time and remembering your favorite mistake.

With many of the songs recorded during the same sessions for the band’s 2023 'Deleted Scenes' album, 'The Making Of …' is decidedly more of a band album with a looser and more raucous approach featuring live in-studio performances and an even wider array of contributors.

Produced, recorded and mixed by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording in Montclair, NJ, it was mastered by Ketchem and award-winning engineer Greg Calbi (John Lennon, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Tom Petty).

Earlier, Gramercy Arms released 'Never Say Anything', a gorgeously performed paean to paranoid times featuring Lysa Opfer (Aeon Station) and Mark Lizotte (Diesel), and 'After the After Party', a rueful power pop gem about chances missed and taken, featuring longtime collaborators Kevin March (Guided by Voices, The Dambuilders, Shudder to Think), Hilken Mancini (Fuzzy, the Monsieurs), Rainy Orteca (Joan As Police Woman, Dead Air) and Mike Errico.

Both albums are loaded with talent, involving Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Nada Surf, Cobra Verde, Death of Samantha), Sean Eden (Luna), Phoebe Summersquash (Small Factory), Renée LoBue (Elk City, Flowers of America), Kendall Meade (Mascott), Verena Wiesendanger (Semi Gloss), Claudia Chopek (Bright Eyes, The Little River Band, Echo of the Ghost), John Leon (Roky Erickson, Royal Arctic Institute), Rafa Maciejak (Lloyd Cole and the Negatives, Ivy), Jules Verdone, Richard Alwyn-Fisher (King Canutes, The Winter Drinks), Steve Hurley (Gigolo Aunts), Carl Baggaley (Elk City, Royal Arctic Institute), Peter Hess (Phillip Glass Ensemble, Slavic Soul Party) and Gary Burton (Dovedale). 'Deleted Scenes' also involves the legendary Lloyd Cole.

"I initially thought about doing a double album and then decided against it. To me 'Deleted Scenes' and 'The Making Of The Making Of' are companion pieces and part of a larger work. I think of them as two sides of a double album and may release them as a double vinyl album in the future. To me, there is an understated, almost dark horse element to “The Making Of …” that gives it a special charm. In many ways 'Deleted Scenes' was more of the ‘obvious’ A-tracks, whereas 'The Making Of …' is just more fun. Songs like 'Lux', 'Susan' and 'The Long Game' capture that for me. The fact that the album has 4 different drummers with different feels and approaches has a lot to do with that because it still hangs together," says Dave Derby.

"Even though these songs came from the same sessions, this album was much more of a band record whereas “Deleted Scenes” was more about me and Kevin March building the tracks up together. Many of these songs were live full-band takes. I think that approach shows up in the final versions."

'The Making Of the Making Of' album is out now, available from fine music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Their record release party takes place on April 26 at Berlin NYC with support from The Gershwin Brothers and the Hilken Mancini Band.

CREDITS
Written by Dave Derby (Passive Aggressive Music BMI)
Recorded at the Magic Door Studio, Montclair, NJ
Engineered, Mixed and Produced by Ray Ketchem
Mastered by Greg Calbi and Ray Ketchem
'After The After Party' video by Max Skaff
'Never Say Anything' video by Debora Francis
Dave Derby photos by Debora Francis

Chicago rocker LEON FREAR releases debut 'Wild Rice' album, a survivor's tale of life-altering experiences and the aftermath

March 4, 2024

"Frear has a voice which somewhat recalls Marty Willson-Piper of The Church fame and his side project Nocturum... This is something for fans of Nick Cave and related"~ Side-Line Magazine

"Frear has a way of telling stories that draw you in, bringing to the surface a multitude of common points, memories and feelings that resonate with the listener... Leon Frear lives to tell a resounding tale through gifted songwriting and clever story-telling" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Track of the Day. The way he tells the story makes it seem like he and the listener are commiserating together... great story" ~ Chasing Destino

"With a unmistakeable voice deserving of becoming a regular fixture in the mind-memory of music lovers everywhere... catchy and contemplative, showcasing clever lyrics channeled through his smooth and deep timbre... an invested labor of love" ~ Rock n Roll Biz

"The combination of evocative lyrics and a dynamic musical backdrop creates an immersive experience, inviting listeners to delve into the complexities of love, longing, and self-discovery" ~ Skylight Webzine

Chicago-based rocker/ songwriter Leon Frear presents his debut album 'Wild Rice', a powerful 10-track offering that reflects a dramatic period in which he experienced a life-altering love affair, its implosion and aftermath, followed by a decade of reflection and changes.

His first release under this moniker, exemplified by focus track 'She Fed Me Water', this represents a new start for Frear since relocating from the south. Informed by his own experience, Frear's music speaks of love, lust, broken promises, miscommunication, and incinerated bridges.

This collection sees Frear playing every instrument and capturing every breath to tape during a recording process that took years to complete. A guitar-based post-punk / indie rock album at its core, 'Wild Rice' has a gentle soul - one could even call it “post-alternative”.

Earlier, Frear released the singles 'A Morning House' (about regret and hope), 'A Town Called Chapel' (a poison pen love letter to an historically musical time and place, ruined plans and lost relationships", and his first single 'Secret Second Moon' with a fantastic animated video by French artist Ronald Grandpey.

Laced with hints of sadness and regret, anger and remorse, the lyrics are tempered with sardonic wit that leaves the listener wondering if Frear doesn’t secretly savor feeling bad. If there’s an opportunity to mock an uncaring universe, this is an opportunity Frear doesn’t let go to waste.

Dubbing his brand of post-alternative music “vocabulary rock”, Frear aims to shift the emphasis away from the man and towards the music and lyrics, while inviting the listener to commiserate together through this exploration of grief, depression and sadness.

"I try to put less emphasis on sticking to one type of music and more emphasis on crafting songs with strong lyrics. So I’m really just trying to write in a way that the music compliments the lyrical meaning. And I think that can make pinning down my musical style a little more difficult. Broadly speaking, I cut my teeth on the post-punk guitar records of the late 90’s and early aughts and I think those influences still come through in the way I write music," says Leon Frear.

"Musically, I grew up listening to a lot of punk and indie bands. And the biggest influences for me are people I can admire for the way they behave and the way they treat people. Vanessa from Pylon, punk icons like Roger Miller and Patti Smith. Or bands who have had honorable careers like Fugazi or REM. These are the artists who I strive the most to be like."

On March 1, the 'Wild Rice' album was released on vinyl and will be available digitally from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics written by Leon Frear
Recorded by Leon Frear in his Chicago home studio
Mastering by Adam Boose at Cauliflower Studios
Vocals and instruments performed by Leon, except
Faye Whitt - backup vocals on 'Murder of Crows'
Front cover collage by Faye Whitt
Ronald Grandpey - Director / animator for 'Secret Second Moon' video
Artist photos by Jeremy Glickstein

The Shadow Majlis presents debut album 'The Departure' featuring guests from Bauhaus, The Mission, DakhaBrakha & more

February 27, 2024

A powerful achievement... I believe that there are certain tracks and moments that act as portals into another dimension - I'm not being fanciful here!" ~ David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets)

"With Ali Jafri at the helm on vocals, guitars, bass, electric sitar, synths, programming, this debut offering from The Shadow Majlis is diverse and stunning, involving a dream-team – not only in terms of production, but also collaborators, ranging from true music legends of our generation and top-notch artists from around the world" ~ The Spill Magazine

Toronto-based artist The Shadow Majlis presents their debut album 'The Departure', 10 tracks that showcase genre-fluid excellence and a wealth of raw emotional experience, fusing elements of Eastern modes with post-punk and immerses listeners in an alternative neo-global style that transcends borders. Just as the album's title suggests, this is a departure from the norm, a journey into something other, where there are no limits.

Revolving around Ali Jafri, whose reputation as a formidable and versatile multi-instrumentalist has led to involvement in various projects over the years. Whether as a member of David J's live band, playing rock-sitar for Pigface (or through his other projects ARIEL, The Gotham City Drugstore, Saintfield or his solo work), Ali Jafri has cultivated a multi-cultural artistic and musical vision. Now, he's bringing that vision further to fruition via The Shadow Majlis.

Produced and mixed by three-time Grammy Award winning producer David Bottrill (Peter Gabriel, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Tool, David Sylvian, Mastodon, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, Real World Studios), with Darren McGillengineering the album. Mastered by Noah Mintz, the cover art was created by Stephen Seto (Splintercage).

With Ali Jafri at the helm on vocals, guitars, bass, electric sitar, synths, programming, the debut album features the legendary David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets) on bass and drummer-percussionist Rakesh Tewari (Jaffa Road, The Special Interest Group). Adding colour and depth are various guest performers, including vocalist Olena Tsybulska (DakhaBrakha), guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite (The Mission, Peter Murphy, MGT, Tricky, Gary Numan), cellist Anne Bourne (Loreena McKennitt, Jane Siberry), Tuvan throat singer Soriah, Ravi Naimpally (Niyaz, Constantinople) on tabla, Pankaj Mishra on sarangi, Selmanpak Ayduz on ney, Kerem Koktas on kemanche, and Sasha Singer-Wilson on backing vocals.

Blending alternative music with the rich, diverse instrumentation and rhythms of world music, The Shadow Majlis leaves a distinct imprint on the ever-evolving soundscape. Recorded in Toronto, LA, Portland, Istanbul, Kyiv and Iceland, this is truly an international affair, with languages such as Urdu, Farsi, Arabic, Icelandic and Ukrainian woven with English throughout this album.

The most poignant and powerful artistic output stems from tragedy, and The Shadow Majlis is no exception. Amid a deluge of personal upheaval, this album has been Jafri's means to address his grief over losing his seven-year-old son Oisín, who passed away in September 2022 after a nine-month battle with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (a highly aggressive form of brain cancer), the dissolution of his conjugal relationship, and a year-long state of temporary homelessness. Recovering from such devastation is no simple task, but The Shadow Majlis has offered Jafri medicine for his soul, while presenting us an alternative sonic reality in which we can all find solace and relief.

"With the inspiration of his son's passing, he told me he wanted to create something to honor Oisín as well as cathartically express his experience. It was not to be traditional but experimental, incorporating his industrial sensibility, but also with an international flavor... The emotion was all Ali, and with his raw lyrics and strong melodies over the top of dark and beautifully gut-wrenching tracks, we hope we have created something both passionate and heartfelt that can reach others either suffering loss or grief, or conversely experiencing elation or euphoria as we believe it can touch either," says David Bottrill.

Calling the album a powerful achievement, David J adds, "I believe that there are certain tracks and moments that act as portals into another dimension - I'm not being fanciful here!"

As of February 27, 'The Departure' album will be available exclusively from the artist via Bandcamp. That evening, Ali Jafri will be holding an album listening and viewing party at Ground Control in Toronto. The album will be released on other platforms in early March and then in physical format this spring.

Album order https://theshadowmajlis.com
Bandcamp https://theshadowmajlis. bandcamp.com/album/the- departure

ALBUM CREDITS
Ali Jafri - vocals, guitars, bass VI, electric sitar, percussion, programming, synthesizers, electronics, solfeggio pipes
David Bottrill - backing vocals, electronics, synthesizers
David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets) - bass
Rakesh Tewari (Jaffa Road, The Special Interest Group) - drums, percussion
Olena Tsybulska (DakhaBrakha) - vocals
Mark Gemini Thwaite (Peter Murphy, Tricky, The Mission) - guitars
Anne Bourne (Loreena McKennit, Jane Siberry) - cello
Sasha Singer-Wilson - backing vocals
Soriah - Tuvan Throat Singing, Flute
Ravi Naimpally (Niyaz, Constantinople) - tabla
Pankaj Mishra - sarangi
Selmanpak Ayduz - ney
Kerem Koktas - kemancheh
Oisin Adams-Jafri - vocals, percussion, solfeggio pipes
Zayn Jafri - piano
Oscar Adams-Jafri - solfeggio pipes

All songs written by Ali Jafri and David Bottrill, except 'Elliðakot' (written by Ali Jafri) and 'The Departure (Kolyskova)' (written by Ali Jafri, David Bottrill and Olena Tsybulska)
Produced & Mixed by David Bottrill
Engineering by Darren McGill at Union Sound Company & David Bottrill at at Mainstatiion Music and Imagine Sound
Mastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel
Graphic Design & Illustration by Stephen Seto
Photography by Justin Minister @secondhand_daylight
For Oisín...

The City Is Ours Share Video For "Shame"

December 7, 2023

STREAM "SHAME"

In a striking and poignant new release, TheCityIsOurs unveiled their latest single "Shame," which shares the raw, emotional journey of their lead singer's personal experiences. Since openly revealing his true identity, the singer has faced a challenging path towards societal acceptance, a struggle that profoundly influences the lyrics of this powerful song.

Watch the video below.

TheCityIsOurs, through this single, have not only created a poignant and emotionally charged song but have also made a bold statement about acceptance, identity, and the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community. "Shame" stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and to fight against societal norms that seek to define and restrict. It's a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest of times, one can find the strength to push through and that, in the end, being true to oneself is the most important victory of all.

Personal statement from vocalist Oli Duncanson:

"'Shame' was written about the feeling of not being able to accept your sexuality; an aspect of yourself that can't be changed, and how it makes you feel that you don't belong anywhere. It affects every way in which you navigate through life and won't leave you until you come to terms and embrace it."

THECITYISOURS is a five-piece pop/metal band from London who has quickly garnered attention and growing support for peers, industry and fans alike, with their high-octane live show and the success of their sophomore album. COMA (2021) smashed into the Top 5 iTunes metal charts with several singles appearing in editorial playlists with the likes of Amazon, Deezer, and Spotify (Including 2 covers on New Core and Metal UK) supporting the band.

THECITYISOURS have become a upcoming staple on UK and EU festival lineups alike, with appearances at Camden Rocks, Macmillan Fest, Burn It Down, Holloween, a fly-in appearance at High 5 Festival in Sweden, a headline set in the Doghouse Tent at the revered Download Festival to a 4000+ audience of festival-goers.

THECITYISOURS ARE:
Oli Duncanson — Vocals
Mikey Page — Vocals / Guitar
Jamie Deeks — Bass
David Cardona — Drums