NEW ALBUM 'How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me'
Out September 2nd 2022 on Fiction Records
New Single 'Bloodrush' Out Now
October UK Headline Tour Announced
We take a listen to 'The Death of Death', the recent release from metallers PLAYGROUNDED
A while back, “The Death of Death” caught my eye. being observant and a writer and lover of music, this piqued my curiosity. As soon as I pushed ‘PLAY’, my body language completely altered. My heart rate increased, my pupils dilated, and my usual easygoing walk became a sudden walk with purpose, almost driven by a cadence, if you will. My feet were in a procession of some kind that ultimately the music was controlling involuntarily; I did not quite understand what I was hearing but I was instantly encapsulated. And I knew this was something extraordinary that demanded my immediate attention.
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We catch up with Jesse Wood from REEF ahead of the release of their new album 'Shoot Me Your Ace'....
You’re no doubt already familiar with a rock band called REEF who burst onto the scene in the early 90’s with their heady blend of surf infused rock music, well folks, they are set to release their 6th studio album ‘Shoot Me Your Ace’ on April 29th and embark on a UK wide tour to promote its content.
We were asked if we’d like to chat to Jesse Wood (Guitarist) from the band, naturally I said yes and immediately set about creating some thought provoking questions for him to answer.
We chatted about the recording process for the new album, the UK tour and summer festivals (along with festival survival tips), cassette tapes and minidiscs and whether or not it is Jack Bessant wearing the wolf mask in the ‘Wolfman’ skateboarding video, for all this and more, read on….
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SAMANA took over The Crofters Rights for a spellbindingly amazing live show - Read our live review
In a backroom, in a less than salubrious part of town, the ethereal Samana wove a trance over the audience and we all left a little more relaxed on a warm spring evening.
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musomusofm on the radar playlist #39 - Fearn, Jordan Jones, S.A.A.R.A., Homiejohn, Groan Room, OneNamedPeter and more....
We have delved deep this time to find some eclectic artists to bring you a playlist which ticks pretty much every box, to learn more about some of the acts included on the playlist, check out the featured artist bios and social links below the playlist.
See you on the other side.
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The new track 'So Emotional' from Alt-Pop sensation BEREN OLIVIA is out NOW....
THE FUR hits the ground running with new synth-pop influenced pop banger 'Autograph' - Listen here....
The Fur is back with another hit track, and his first release of the year, with his brand new single - ‘Autograph’. Delivering more addictive dance-pop vibes, ‘Autograph’ is a combination of early 90s synth-pop influences, perfectly blended with more modern, up-tempo dance-pop energies. With a captivating atmosphere, this is the latest taste of The Fur’s show-stopping artistry.
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ETOILE MARLEY starts a new chapter with latest single 'The Hunt' - Listen Here
After only two short years on the music scene, rising genre-bending artist and singer-songwriter Etoile Marley prides herself on breaking traditional stereotypes when it comes to het artistry; diving into an array of genres that span across alternative electro-pop and hip-hop, alongside elements of jazz and funk influences.
Back with her first release of the year, Etoile is delivering her exciting new single, The Hunt. The beginning of a brand new chapter for the artist, The Hunt is the first release taken from her upcoming debut album, LOUVE; set for release later this year.
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We lift the lid on 'Never Let Me Go', the new long player from English rockers PLACEBO....
Placebo are a life changing band for me, I heard half of 'Nancy Boy' on the radio in 1996 and was instantly hooked. So the prospect of their first album since Loud Like Love in 2013 fills me with excitement, but also some nervousness. I want the bands I love to grow and not be stuck in the past; but the itch of nostalgia also definitely wants scratching. I needn't have worried, Never Let Me Go immediately feels like coming home in all the right ways, the home you live in now which contains all the bits of past you, rather than the teenage bedroom that hasn't been touched since you moved out.
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musomusofm on the radar playlist #38 - The Rapports, Danni Giddings, Graybeat, Ceyeo, Jordan Pratt and more....
We have acts from all over the world and a multitude of styles for you to get your teeth into. Whilst you’re listening, why not check out the bios of our featured artists, click their socials and have a dig through and you might just find something interesting….
See you on the other side.
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We catch up with Norwegian 'Spaghetti Wop' guitar bandolero MORGAN OLAI to chat about the release of his debut album....
"Nothing at the End of Everything" is the debut album of Norwegian ‘spaghetti wop’ guitar bandolero Morgan Olai. Playing every instrument on every track of the release, Olai showcases both his writing abilities and spontaneous vocabulary - accompanying his dry-wit lyrics in delicate fashion.
After giving the album a play through, we did it again and again whilst I did the hoovering which wasn’t as good as the first two listens but still managed to make me smile as the house got cleaned up!
We wanted to speak to the man behind this incredible body of work s we set up a call and chatted to Morgan Olai about a ton of things including his early musical memories, first gig, influences, the music scene in Åmli, his approach to recording and most importantly, what he’ll be cooking for us when the musomuso team arrive in Norway for a guided tour of his wonderful sounding town!
Read on to see how we got on….
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JOANNA COOKE returns with a heartfelt and personal ballad 'Like a Lover' - Watch the Video here....
Following on from her recent Spotify Editorial playlisting and welcome support from the BBC and other radio stations, soulful singer-songwriter Joanna Cooke releases 'Like A Lover', a heartfelt and personal ballad touching on themes of unwanted attention, sexual harassment and abuse.
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NOUVELLE VAGUE performed to a packed house in Exeter on the penultimate night of their UK tour - Read our live review
Ask people if they’ve ever heard of a band called Nouvelle Vague and the majority would say that they haven’t, after all, a French band that perform covers of classic songs with their unique and mesmerising ‘Bossa Nova’ style may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But dig deeper, to the hardcore that ARE fans of this fascinating band and you will unearth a treasure trove of tracks that demand to be heard.
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musomusofm on the radar playlist #37 - Jacob Humber, Gergely Kalapis, Diego Philips, Malin Wättring, Slow Fall and more....
As the playlists are released, the days are just rolling by, I can’t really believe that it’s 21st March today, it seemed like a couple of weeks ago since I started the ‘on the radar’ playlists and here we are, publishing #37 for you to tune in and enjoy!
We have delved deep this time and unearthed 9 brand new tracks from acts and bands from all over the world, there are some absolute gems in here but I’ll let you have a listen and work that out for yourself!
I was half hoping that the playlists may start to quieten down sometime soon, give me a bit of a break but owing to the sheer quality of music coming through, I’m going to keep them on a bi-daily basis for the foreseeable future and review things around mid-April to see if I can relax things a little! We’ll see….
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musomusofm on the radar playlist #36 - The Banquets, The 139, Sabertooth Swing, Nicolaas Walle, Couvo, Aridonis, King Kismet, Huru and more....
This playlist is going out on Satruday 19th March but as I type these words, it’s Friday 18th March, I’ve just finished work for the week and am looking forward to letting my hair down tonight.
Onto the playlist, same old drill, another 9 incredible tracks from bands and artists all over the world, as usual, I don’t set any rules so the mixture of genres is often wide and varied meaning that on every playlist, there’s bound to be at least one track that floats your boat hopefully more!
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The Fleece in Bristol hosted a night of acoustic music from some familiar faces - Read our live review....
A midweek acoustic intimate gig at The Fleece featuring a group of musicians who you may not know the names of but you will be familiar with the bands they used to play in.
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RATTLERFEST takes place in Cornwall from 22-24 April - We recommend some bands to watch out for....
You’ve got the weekend of 22-24 April booked off from work, you arrive at Healeys Cyder Farm, the home of RATTLERFEST, start getting stuck in to the many cyders that they have on offer but you’re not sure about which bands to go and watch….that’s where we come in!
If you’re into your music, you are no doubt well versed with the headline acts (Utah Saints, Dub Pistols, Scott Mills (Radio 1 DJ) and The Feeling) but do you know anything about the other acts on the bill? If the answer is ‘no’, then read on to learn more about some of the acts that you should definitely check out whilst you’re there.
Antimatador
Antimatador are an 8-strong synth laden, horn heavy outfit from SW:UK, fusing hiphop, funk, jazz, electronica, soul, rock and DnB.
They deliver a nuclear explosion of high energy and positive vibes and have crafted a sound all of their own.
Whether it’s the cerebral vocals and tricksy horn licks or huge synths and earthy rhythms, they bring something for everyone to every show.
Catch them playing on Friday.
Black Friday
In 2006 singer Tom O Reilly started a folk band, joined by Party on mandolin and Helen on bass. many years and hundreds of gigs later and the line up has grown to include Ryan on fiddle, Kit on guitar and Jovian on drums. The band have racked up an impressive list of festival peformances including Glastonbury, Boomtown fair, Boardmasters, Trowbridge folk festival, Little Orchard Cider festival, Port Eliot, Eletcric Picnic (ireland) and Madhatters (france). Since 2009 they have visited Austria on many occasions and regularly played christmas parties and europes largest festival – Donauinsel fest. This year the band made their TV debut on Sky 1’s most popular drama ‘Delicious’ with Dawn French.
The band have played support for Canadian folk-punk band Mahones, Ferocious Dog, The Wurzels and Brendan Shine. They have also been joined on stage by a huge range of local and international folk musicians including Seth Lakeman, the Belfast Busker, Maddog Mcrea and Simon the national Spoons Champion!
After playing at the renowned Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues Club in London, they were invited to record at the famous Maida Vale studio in London for a live BBC session. While they were there, they met their hero, Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, who enjoyed the band’s rendition of Dirty Old Town enough to buy Tom a Jamesons.
In 2008 the band broke a Guinness Record by performing the most gigs in one day – 30 gigs in 12 hours.
Catch them playing on Saturday.
The Busketeers
The Busketeers are an energetic, instrument swapping, vocal harmonising group formed on the streets of Plymouth, Devon, UK. The band is made up of four artists in their own right, Ken Williams (Kenoby), Luke Engel (and the Mountain People), Matthew Gordon Price and Olly Parker (Pint Sized Tiger). The band labels itself as a “Progressive Busking” act which is also the title of their debut EP.
The members are from different backgrounds and have unique styles, but what really makes these guys stand is that they are multi-instrumentalists, perform classics from every decade; have unique twists, mid-song switching & harmonies that will melt your heart.
Catch them playing on Friday.
Company B
Company B are a jump jive band hailing from the “sunny” county of Cornwall, England. Over the last 11 years this rowdy 7 piece have been popping up all over the South West and further afield at various locations from London Science Museum to headlining slots at various festivals, playing support to many international artists.
Company B brings the sights and sounds of the 1940’s bang up to date with a rowdy energetic show full of swing and swagger. The band, who have built a reputation as one of the most entertaining acts in the South West, boast a rock-solid rhythm section, an exhilarating horn section and dynamic vocals which veer from rowdy chant to tight harmonies.
Company B play the songs of Louis Prima, Louis Jordan and others alongside their own “tongue in cheek” originals to create a hot atmosphere that is surprisingly cool to all ages.
Catch them performing on Sunday.
Roguey Roads
Hailing from Oxford, Rhys, Calum and Gus Warriner founded the lovable band Roguey Roads in the summer of 2017 and have been making waves in the indie music scene ever since.
These three brothers have gigged all over the country and internationally from pubs, clubs, music venues, festivals, private parties and weddings supporting the likes of Nathan Ball, Thrill Collins, Waiting for Smith and Andy Bennett.
Their refreshing style, genetic harmony and infectious energy make them the band you don’t want to miss!
Catch them live on Saturday.
Sam and the Womp
Sam and the Womp are a British group experimenting by mixing different genres from Dub and Drum N Bass to big brass fueled Balkan Funk and beyond.
Fronted by trumpeter and chief rabble-rouser Sam Ritchie and Dutch born singer/songwriter Bloom de Wilde. The group’s debut single ‘Bom Bom’ shot straight to No 1 in the UK music charts in August 2012 and has sold over a million copies worldwide.
The band prioritize the party and break free of conventional genres creating a fun, upbeat dance-floor vibe.
Catch them live on Saturday.
So there you go folks, just some of the many acts that are performing at RATTLERFEST, hopefully you may have just found a new favourite and you’ll be at the front of the stage, dancing along to their vibes…..
To see ALL acts that are playing at the festival and to purchase your tickets, head to the official RATTLERFEST WEBSITE
We curated our very own RATTLERFEST playlist which can be seen below, just hit play and get a flavour of what to expect.
Remember that RATTLERFEST is strictly over 18’s but if you are looking for more of a family friendly vibe, why not look at the Little Orchard Cider Festival (Kula Shaker, The Celtic Social Club, Feeder and many more) that takes place at the same venue from 9-11 September.
We suggest 6 bands and artists that you should check out at this year's BLACK DEER FESTIVAL OF AMERICANA
No doubt you’re all familiar with the heavy hitters like Van Morrison, The Waterboys, Wilco and maybe some of the other more popular names but what about the acts that you’ve never heard of before? do you leave them out as you’re not familiar with their music? if so, let us help you….
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We chatted to Louise Wener from Britpop heroes SLEEPER ahead of their 25th Anniversary tour to celebrate 'The it Girl'....
When I heard that 90’s Britpop darlings ‘Sleeper’ were playing a bunch of UK live dates to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their sophomore album ‘The It Girl’ which was delivered back in 1996, I was excited. I love Sleeper and when I was approached by the band’s PR company to ask if I wanted to speak to Louise Wener about the forthcoming tour and the album, naturally, I dropped everything and started drafting questions for our chat.
We talked for a good 25 minutes about the 90’s, the album, overseas promotional events including a stint on a prime-time Japanese TV show where they were repeatedly beaten with an inflatable pugil stick by a dwarf (as one does)…. For all of this and much more, read on!
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musomusofm on the radar playlist #35 - Tertia, The Valery Trails, Bjartmar, Stemin, Charlotte Hall, Glow Beets and more....
It feels like a Friday but it’s only Wednesday, this is what happens when I spend 2 days back to back in the office with a stopover in Bristol, I honestly did wake up today thinking that it was Friday, I even got a bit excited thinking about the weekend, only to have my dreams dashed when my 06:30am alarm started ringing!
The new music is coming in thick and fast, I’m receiving on average 4-5 tracks a day meaning that I am still pumping out a new playlist every couple of days, as things slow down (if they ever do), I would like to be putting out a couple of playlists a week but as they say, make hay when the sun shines so we’ll see how we get on going forward.
The playlist is embedded below for you, hit play, have a listen and see if there are any acts that float your boat. I have included the bios and social media links for our featured artists, have a read, go explore and show them some love by liking and sharing some of their posts.
See you on the other side.
Tertia
London-born, Dublin-based, Tertia (tersh-a) is a multi instrumental artist, producer and songwriter.
Tertia put out her debut release, ‘Tertia’s Mixtape’ last year which gained traction from some of Ireland’s biggest music magazines including GoldenPlec and District Magazine as well as Radio plays in Dublin and the UK.
The release of her single and music video, ‘Normal Stuff’ on March 2nd will be her first release since and an example of her evolving talent as a producer and songwriter. ‘Normal Stuff’ depicts the frustration of comparing oneself to someone who is very stable, content and ultimately, normal.
Tertia’s influences include Sault, Billie Eilish and Alice Phoebe Lou, as such, her music is unique, balancing indie-pop, jazzy elements with more experimental synth-based undertones.
Tertia has performed live in prestigious London venues such as Laylow, The Olympic Studios and Camden Assembly as well as Dublin’s Workman’s Club, Sound House and has many more gigs penned for 2022
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The Valery Trails
When a year-long trip around the world with his family was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew Bower (vocals/guitar) ended up back in his hometown of Brisbane, Australia.
This unplanned relocation means that after several years of being separated by an ocean from bandmates Sean Bower (bass) and Dan McNaulty (drums) while Andrew was living in Houston, Texas, the band now all live in the same city.
The first result of this newfound proximity is the Introvert Blues EP (released on 25/2/22). The title track pairs raucous guitars with an infectious drumbeat (plus more cowbell!) with lyrics that are on point for the lock-down life we are all too familiar with after the last couple of years.
The EP also includes ‘The Benefits of Motion’, an ode to restlessness and travel which provides a counterargument to main track’s celebration of staying home, and Araby, a song originally recorded by 80s Austin band The Reivers.
Further releases are planned for 2022, including the Valery Trails’ fourth album in the second half of the year.
Having given them a good listen on Spotify, they transported me back to the 90’s with their heady blend of guitar led indie rock which is my bread and butter, great stuff!
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Bjartmar
Icelandic artist Bjartmar Thordarson is on fire these days. Having recently celebrated the release of retro synthpop single Danger Zone at club Kiki in Reykjavik, he´s ready to put forward his latest offering, the dynamic single Catching Fire.
Catching Fire, is best described as dark, dreamy, and experimental electronic pop, influenced by the music of nineties trip-hop legends Massive Attack, Icelandic electronic group GusGus with a hint of late Bowie. Bjartmar´s velvety vocals add a soft, melancholic vibe and lush harmonies lend an epic, almost cinematic, feel to the material. It is the second out of 4 planned singles from Bjartmar´s EP single collection Secondhand Dream.
To make the body of work Bjartmar got songstress and producer Zöe Ruth Erwin to lend her production magic to his material. Zöe is probably best known as front woman of Los Angeles based band Little Red Lung, but also for writing the title track for the hit Icelandic film Lof mér að falla. She has just released her album, Shook, which is out via Alda Music (Now part of Universal).
Catching Fire revolves around the theme of love, but not in the most traditional sense. It´s about red hot smouldering love that feels great to begin with but makes us blind to everything around us. The all encompassing kind that can make us ignore red flags, leaves ruin in its wake and, if you´re not careful, burn you to ashes.
As with Bjartmar´s former body of work, Catching Fire is very personal, warm but with a hint of darkness and an eerie sense of danger underneath the smooth surface. His material never shies from self-exposure, and, despite the pop structures underpinning the writing, plays with unusual key changes and experimental soundscapes.
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Stemin
Award-winning singer/songwriter/musician Stemin has officially released his eagerly anticipated new album, Unspoken Dreams.
The self-written eleven-track collection was written and co-produced by Stemin, Benjamin Ventura, and Filippo Bubbico and features collaborations with musicians including Jacopo Volpe, Adriano Matcovich, Pedro Millan, and Chiara Stroia.
The release of the album follows the successful worldwide release of three singles, “Our Universe, Our Galaxy,” “Falling,” and “Love Never Felt So Right.”
In Unspoked Dreams, Stemin explores the dissociation of keeping feelings hidden from ourselves and others — and the liberation of speaking them aloud. The album uses dreamy synthesizers, sharp vocal harmonies, and strong synth-bass lines to create a galactic vibe that bounces, soars, and explodes like the birth of a new star.
Unspoken Dreams is a musical universe where unspoken desires come to life; where tension and excitement collide with vulnerability; and where a kaleidoscope of love — in all its forms — shines light into darkness.
“Allowing your inner dreams and desires to see the light is always a struggle, especially in a society that still struggles with tolerance,” said Stemin. “As a queer artist, I want to tell stories about conquering fears, embracing our true selves, and most of all, celebrating queer love. This album is about the insatiable feeling of falling in love and I invite listeners to embrace every complex emotion that comes with that experience.”
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Charlotte Hall
“‘Telepathy’ is about a controlling friendship I had a few years ago and sharing what that experience was like to listeners. It is about encouraging people to stand up against being treated unfairly and to fight for what is right”, says Charlotte Hall of her latest track.
As an artist, she is influenced by the likes of Yungblud, Blondie, Paramore, Fleetwood Mac and Sam Fender. ‘Telepathy’ however, is very much influenced by Tears For Fears; their song "Shout" in particular, a song released in 1984 about protesting for what you believe in, which still stands true 38 years later in 2022.
Charlotte Hall is a songwriter based in Chesterfield U.K. and her ambition is to be a full-time songwriter. She has written songs under a variety of genres from Country to Indie Rock. She has taken on many different subjects such as sexual liberation, the "Quarter-Life Crisis", toxic relationships and the importance of friendship.
Two singles so far have had airplays on BBC Introducing York and North Yorkshire, and one, "Stratosphere" secured Record of the Week on the same platform.
All in all, a wonderfully written synth led pop banger that reeks of multiple influences harking back to the golden age of synth-pop.
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Glow Beets
‘Better Times’ is the first single of 2022 by EDM Producer Glow Beets.
The UK based DJ Producer has enjoyed a prolific past two years releasing 18 singles throughout 2020 and 2021.
His first single of 2022 features the vocals and songwriting of widely respected UK Singer Songwriter, Joe Jury who also has had huge rise in popularity in recent times.
‘Better Times’ sees a return to the upbeat and positive vibe that Glow Beets is often best associated with. Opening with the central theme of the song’s essence, Jury pleads for the “better times” that surely await us as we move towards the beginning of the end of the global pandemic. Glow Beets’ signature upbeat pallet of guitar sounds, pads, plucks, claps and snaps is met with choppy percussive rhythms, tightly diced catchy vocal chops and a bass guitar that forces your foot to tap before you’ve even noticed all the sonic ear candy that is ladened throughout the track. Add these sonic elements to the hopeful yet melancholic story telling and vocal delivery from Joe Jury and the fusion is a catchy house song that fuses the sensibilities of the singer songwriter genre with summer soaked tropical house.
The track is the ultimate antidote to a long cold winter and heralds the coming of spring which will finally lead to Summer and better times for all!
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SO there you have it folks, another 9 awesome tracks for you to get your ears around. If you liked any of them, please hit them up on the socials and tell them, mention that you heard them on the musomusofm on the radar playlist and they might even buy me a cookie if our paths ever cross!
Please take a moment to spread the word on social media, it’s on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, just head to musomusouk on either platform and give it a LIKE, SHARE, THUMBS UP or whatever you can!
Until next time…..