itm? is delighted to be able to bring you an exclusive – the video premiere of ‘Spectral Index’, the debut single from new Scottish/Cypriot outfit Jewel Scheme. more… “Video Premiere – Spectral Index by Jewel Scheme”
The first new album from Jason Sweeney since 2018’s sophomore effort ‘Tarantula’ is imminent, and the second taster from it, ‘Catharsis Dies’, is, as he describes it, “another brazen foray into hiphop/rap, via 80s electropop… about our obsession with stock narrative and points an ironic finger at those who push them.”
Album #3 from the side project of the sometime member of The Just Joans is as-yet untitled, and due in late June. The first single from it, ‘On The Surface‘, appeared in January, and both tracks do indeed show what he describes as an “upscaling of the overall recording sound whilst maintaining the home-recorded ethos and catchy, synthpop melodies that garnered the previous releases some good attention.”
Although the previous two long-players were collaborative affairs, this release is more of a solo and DIY effort – despite attempts to get his live band onto the recordings, only Rosie Stilloe provides backing vocals on the latest track, although Amanda Brown aka Jigsawtiger will, hopefully, rejoin the fray towards release time. Her absence does account for the rap on the new track – “I’d been watching ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ and listening to ODB and just loving his sort of brazen, sing-songy approach to rap and lyric construction,” Sweeney reveals.
If your appetite is whetted but you can’t wait until June or thereabouts, also available on Bandcamp are 2010 debut ‘Erect‘ and 2018’s ‘Ducks At The Moon’.
More at linktr.ee/sweeneystraddlesthesun.
‘Straight White Men’ is the first track to be taken from the Glasgow act’s forthcoming ‘Bars ‘n’ Loners’ compilation album, consisting of three EPs recorded in Barcelona over the last decade.
The band play a festive show – their first gig in the city in seven years – at Glasgow’s Glad Cafe on Tuesday 20th December, with guests Raza – tickets available now.
More (including umpteen years of back catalogue) at howtoswim.bandcamp.com.
Mathias Kom and Toby Goodshank, of Canadian heroes The Burning Hell, have recently paid tribute to Roger Miller with ‘Miller Time’ – their album of covers of songs penned by the American singer-songwriter.
The band recently toured the UK with Goodshank and Kom ‘supporting’, and when they stopped in Nottingham, visited the National Justice Museum. A Miller song, ‘Not In Nottingham’, features on the album as well as their live set, and attendees of Burning Hell shows will now know that not only did Roger Miller write The Proclaimers’ hit ‘King of The Road’, they will also have been educated fully in the eccentric singer’s career – including the fact that he wrote several songs for the soundtrack for the 1973 Disney animated movie of ‘Robin Hood’, and ‘features’ as a lute-playing cockerel.
The video for ‘Not in Nottingham’ was filmed by bandmate Ariel Sharratt with assistance from Amy, Alex, and of course, Judge Becky.
‘Miller Time’ is available now from The Burning Hell or Toby Goodshank or from the label BB*Island.
More at theburninghell.com.
‘Tell Me Who You Are’ is the second single from ‘Wandering as Water’, the forthcoming album which is now available to pre-order (and available on limited edition frosted green splatter vinyl, as well as standard black vinyl and slipcase CD).
All pre-orders will be entered into a draw to win one of two signed test pressings. Album launch gig is on Thursday 30th June at The Blue Arrow, Glasgow.
The second single from Jill Lorean is a quick follow-up to ‘Kneading’, and comes from debut full-length album ‘This Rock’, which will be released on April 1st, 2022.
The single is available on the Monohands label, which is run by Frightened Rabbit’s Andy Monaghan – and who also produced the video. more… “Video of the week – Jill Lorean”
The third single and title track from the Edinburgh keyboard virtuoso’s sophomore album switches down a gear for a departure from McLaren’s usual sound, opting for a soaring, cinematic orchestral arrangement, with a video to match, directed by Jordan Yorkston. more… “Video of the week – Stephen McLaren”
Leading up to their tenth album ‘Worthless Music’, ‘It Is The Face Wish How’ is another slice of epic, self-styled “cinematic punk” from the Leeds quartet.
The exclusive video premiere for their new single ‘Stuttered’ – read on for the full story behind the single and its animated short…
The exclusive video premiere for their new single ‘3000 Fists’ – read on for the full story behind the single and its animated short…