Oh, Brian Lightning, where shall we even begin? What an innovator we have here with Birmingham’s latest phenomenon! When he is not mesmerising his audiences with his mind-boggling magic skills, he is pleasing their ears with his brand new and debut single, titled “Pilot.”
A track which takes us far into his imagination, it explores an indie, jazzy sound which is soothing yet has heaps of power within its touch. The vocals from Brian are alluring, and he manages to stand out right from the start! One to watch for the future? We certainly think so!
The highly awaited new album, ‘Jeanie Is Out’ from Dublin’s own indie-rock band Von Venn will be released this Friday, June 23rd, including the riveting premiere of new track ‘In Time’. Thankfully, we were able to get our hands on a sneak preview before it was officially released, and the band’s performance does not disappoint.
The new material from Von Venn oozes charm and carries on from where previous tracks like ‘Ghost’ and ‘Constant Girl’, left off! Also, it displays their ability to integrate indie rock’s underpinnings with pop’s subtleties and they are artistically on par with that of modern greats like Blossoms.
Lead singer and wordsmith, Gary Cox, bewitches all with his entrancing vocals, seamlessly intertwining with the meticulously crafted instrumentation. The result is a harmonious fusion that will leave you spellbound.
‘Jeanie Is Out’ the new album by Von Venn will be out on Friday, June 23rd.
Hello, James, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Life’s Tasting Good’, what is the meaning?
Well at the core of it, “Life’s Tasting Good” documents the life of a young rat who dreams of becoming a chef at Auguste Gusteau’s restaurant and tries to achieve his goal by forming an unlikely alliance with… wait, no, sorry, that’s Ratatouille! It’s actually just simply about the joys of life. Because sometimes you need to sit back and appreciate the flavours of the world.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
Harry Styles has to hold that crown. What he’s done for combining the aura of a retro rockstar with the modern pop scene is right up my alley. Greta Van Fleet take a close second.
Photo Credit: James Sebastian
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?
Being active in the age of social media. Thousands of people can hear your music immediately and the challenge is less about getting your music heard and more just making it as good as it can be.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
I’ve tried to have a think but I don’t tbink there’s anywhere specific I write… what does tend to happen is I’ll come up with an idea somewhere like the library or midway through a theatre show and I have to sneak off to the toilet for a lil compositional wee break. Rock and roll, eh?
What is your first memory of music?
I was on a tricycle in my house around 5 years old and Johnny B Goode was on the radio. But I’m still not quite playing guitar like ringing a bell just yet… its more like juggling currently!
Hello, James, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Life’s Tasting Good’, what is the meaning?
Well at the core of it, “Life’s Tasting Good” documents the life of a young rat who dreams of becoming a chef at Auguste Gusteau’s restaurant and tries to achieve his goal by forming an unlikely alliance with… wait, no, sorry, that’s Ratatouille! It’s actually just simply about the joys of life. Because sometimes you need to sit back and appreciate the flavours of the world.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
Harry Styles has to hold that crown. What he’s done for combining the aura of a retro rockstar with the modern pop scene is right up my alley. Greta Van Fleet take a close second.
Photo Credit: James Sebastian.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?
Being active in the age of social media. Thousands of people can hear your music immediately and the challenge is less about getting your music heard and more just making it as good as it can be.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
I’ve tried to have a think but I don’t tbink there’s anywhere specific I write… what does tend to happen is I’ll come up with an idea somewhere like the library or midway through a theatre show and I have to sneak off to the toilet for a lil compositional wee break. Rock and roll, eh?
What is your first memory of music?
I was on a tricycle in my house around 5 years old and Johnny B Goode was on the radio. But I’m still not quite playing guitar like ringing a bell just yet… its more like juggling currently!
Pre-save ‘Life’s Tasting Good’, the new single by James Sebastian here.
Hello, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Rotten Circus’, what is the meaning?
Rotten circus symbolizes a broken pattern. I think it’s important to break patterns, in order to change. This song talks about that change, that broken pattern. And yet, the vision of the new pattern is still unclear, still uncertain.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
We really appreciate how prolific the Oh Sees are. We have been trying to write a lot and release a big catalog of material…so that is inspiring. So I guess that is a teaser to the amount of material we have coming down the line 🙂
Photo Credit: Zombiero Martin.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?
The tools that are available to make high quality music on a smaller budget. How the technology allows us to do so much. Way more than was possible in even the early 2000s. Also the fact that anyone can listen to your stuff at the click of a button is nice. Labels are not so important in pushing music on your behalf…and the good stuff can sort of rise/float to the top organically.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
Late at night with in my tiny apartment with my huge amp on the absolute lowest setting so that I don’t wake the annoyed neighbors. Something about the restriction of not being able to let it rip all the time causes me to write better riffs. Then I am not totally relying on the sound of my 2000 Euro amp to make my riffs sound good. At this low volume the musical content of the riffs has got to be good otherwise the stuff sounds boring. It’s a perfect filter.
What is your first memory of music?
My parents had a favorite vinyl with a folk singer who sang about “boney fingers”. “something about working your fingers to the bone”. I remember putting that vinyl in my mouth a few times to chew the corner.
Prague-based alt-rock outfit, Zombiero Martin, are making waves with their latest offering, ‘Rotten Circus’, which is nothing short of a musical tour-de-force. The trio, comprised of Nicholas, Stefano, and Lorenzo, draw inspiration from iconic artists such as Velvet Underground and Bowie, while infusing elements of post-punk and grunge into their unique sound.
The track itself is a gripping experience, featuring massive guitar riffs, thunderous basslines, and blistering drumming that’ll leave you reeling. Also, the raw and impassioned vocals deliver a message that’s both introspective and anthemic, driving home the band’s creative vision.
Hello, Gez and Kev, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Let It Out’, what is the meaning?
People’s experiences during the pandemic seemed quite polarised. Some thrived on the more isolated environment, which was good for song writing by the way. Other however struggled a lot which impacted upon their mental health. This song was about them.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
I love The Decemberists. Songs such as Legionnaires Lament or Mariner’s Revenge are so lyrically complex and interesting. Also Colin Melloy who fronts the band sings in a similar range so it helps to enjoy those songs even more.
Photo Credit: The Chewgs.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2023?
At one level the best thing in any era is creating something new where there wasn’t anything before. And when after a period of time this is still a song you enjoy playing and the audience responds to than that’s extra special. In 2023 the technology to support this process helps enormously, especially when experimenting.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
Nowhere specific but a quiet space. When the weather is nicer this seems to be the conservatory.
What is your first memory of music?
My mum would have the radio on constantly at home in the kitchen growing up. She’s a big fan of 60s music which I would have grown up listening to. It’s probably why I still love that era of music so much.
It’s a suite of songs about a woman called Chantal in a relationship that’s gradually falling apart. Partially but by no means totally drawn from observation, and experience.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
I greatly admire Kae Tempest, love Dry Cleaning, always get excited by what Kanye is up to (for all his faults) and really like the Sleaford Mods. Loads of others too, but those are the main ones at the moment.
Photo Credit: Voodoo Rays.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
The extraordinary range of technology. Recording songs on your phone. Mixing bands on your laptop. Buying vintage guitars on your desktop. Still seems like magic to me. The ability to reach hearts and minds anywhere in the world within a few seconds of uploading your new song. And hearing feedback from them instantly. Brilliant!
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
My living room; a Gibson firebird, Logic X, Rodes condenser mic and a Scarlett sound card. All you need to take a note for a walk. I never write on acoustic guitars or pianos. Instead I’m always on the look out for a texture or sound that grabs my attention. A bit like playing in a sandbox really. Keep messing around until something begins to take shape in your mind.
Voodoo Rays smash it with the release of their album, ‘Empire’. The record, which is comprised of ten tracks, offers something that will appeal to almost everybody, and the quality that the band has up their sleeve is invigorating.
They draw inspiration from legendary figures in the game, yet they are able to combine this with a look and feel that is uniquely theirs in the present era. They stand out thanks to their capacity to maintain their individuality within the scene while at the same time adhering to the course that has been established for them.
The album is full of twists and turns, and the strength it possesses is exhilarating to witness. Additionally, every member of the band rises to the occasion with vigour, whether it be the drums, which strike with intensity, the bass lines, which leave the mouth watering, the guitar riffs, which grip, or the vocal delivery, which is indenting!
Hello, Paraffin, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Mean’, what is the meaning?
The song embodies the feelings of watching someone turn from somebody you recognise into a human you no longer want to associate with. Whether that’s as friends or in a relationship.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
As a collective currently, we enjoy artists such as Kid Kapichi, The 1975 and The Snuts, and traditionally we have always been most influenced also by Muse and the Arctic Monkeys. It is also very inspiring to us what Sam Fender has gone on to achieve, the way he has broken into the mainstream is amazing and he couldn’t be more deserving.
Photo Credit: Paraffin.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
In short, being able to play live again. The lockdown was hard on everyone, and it very nearly killed off the music industry – us included. We had real momentum prior to the pandemic and it was absolutely stopped dead. But all things happen for a reason, and we are now a better band than ever before! Playing live is what makes it all worth it.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
We have always rehearsed in Portsmouth predominantly, however we all have our own environments and processes individually in which we feel most inspired – we all contribute to the creative and song writing process individually, before bringing ideas together in the room. Southsea Sound studios have always been amazing and very supportive with us, and that is our go to place to rehearse. But ideas can come to you anywhere at any time!
What is your first memory of music?
My personal first memories of engaging with music go back to my very early childhood, where family friends would come round and my parents would play a massively diverse range of tracks, alot of the time on compilation albums. Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene and other britpop bands, Duran Duran, The Human League and 80’s, ranging also back to Black Sabbath and Motörhead with my dad. A very diverse range of early impressions. – Tom
