Paraffin, The Interview Series.

Paraffin

Words By Joey Rochert.

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.

Paraffin
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

Photo Credit: Paraffin.

Darcy Louch, The Interview Series.

Darcy Louch

Words By Joey Rochert.

Hello, Darcy, Let’s talk about your new EP, ‘{re}defining’, what is the meaning? 

So the EP is a collection of songs that all mean something different to me personally, and each song has a different theme. The overall meaning of the EP is that I am ‘re-defining’ my outlook and using my music to do that! 

Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?

I love listening to Tones & I – I tend to sing a lot of her music in my gigs! I also am really inspired by an American artist called Teddy Swims who I was lucky enough to see in concert this year and he really inspires me firstly with his music, which I love, but also with his attitude to being a performer! I guess I’d also say that I am inspired by Harry Style’s performances – he is so at home on stage and seems so confident, which is something I’d love to be!

Darcy Louch
Photo Credit: Darcy Louch.

What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?

Everything is online! So I guess for artists that means that things are more accessible and there are a lot of online opportunities for artists that there might not have been before social media. Social media means that artists are in a much better position to be independent than they may have been before.

Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment? 

Not really – I usually have random ideas pop into my head which I write down in my notes app on my phone, so that could be literally anywhere! But if I am focusing on writing, then I sit at my desk at my PC. So I guess it depends!

What is your first memory of music? 

I’m not sure exactly, but I remember having a Walkman CD player when I was younger that I really loved and would listen to all kinds of music on! I would also say listening to music in the car has always been something that I love and really enjoy, and can remember doing from a really young age. 

Photo Credit: Darcy Louch.

Darcy Louch, ‘[re]defining’

Darcy Louch

Words By Joey Rochert.

This week’s top pick is “redefining,” which is brought to us by Darcy Louch, a vocalist from Hertfordshire. The singer-songwriter puts her best foot forward, demonstrating her talent and bringing with her a wide variety of flavours for all of us to savour.

The opening tune on the five-song EP is ‘Worst Enemy’, and it has Darcy mesmerising listeners with her unmistakable air of self-assurance. The track is an example of her soulful voice, which combines her tones with RnB and pop textures. The song ‘Love Game’ continues to be impressive by bursting the seal with its fervour, which then leads us to the song ‘Proud’, which is full of introspection and honesty. Both ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and ‘Same Stars’ are excellent, but ‘Imposter Syndrome’ is particularly thought-provoking.

Photo Credit: Darcy Louch.

Paraffin, ‘Mean’

Paraffin

Words By Joey Rochert.

This week’s New Music Friday hot pick is the indie band Paraffin, from Portsmouth, with their latest single, ‘Mean’. The song is out now, and it is not one that you will want to overlook!

Bringing the energizing force of indie rock to the forefront, the south coast band are not holding anything back in their pursuit to slake our desire. The voices stand out, making us want to press the replay button as soon as the song is finished. Also, the music is all-encompassing, with different styles and parts coming out at different times during the track.

Photo Credit: Paraffin.

Rodney Hazard, ‘The Man From Nowhere’

Rodney Hazard

Words By Joey Rochert.

Rodney Hazard, a beat creator and producer, has captured our attention with the release of his new EP, ‘The Man From Nowhere’.

‘The Man From Nowhere’, reflective and full of nostaglia, has the capacity to soothe us almost like a meditation session. The peaceful atmosphere is laced with hip-hop sounds and female voice layers that melt the ears! The opener, ‘Stardawg,’ kicks off the journey and whisks us away on an experience that will stay with us for a long time!

With a pulsing bass riff that kicks off the performance, ‘Rainforest’ is perhaps one of the EP’s most captivating tracks. The synths sparkle as the tune develops, and a groove rises to the top of the mix, demonstrating the artist’s versatility.

‘TwoWayCall’ is the EP’s final single to hit the airways, softly bringing us back down to earth!

Photo Credit: Rodney Hazard.

The Lucky 13s, ‘Gamble My Soul’

The Lucky 13s

Words By Joey Rochert.

Who among you watched The Voice UK and remembers Jamie Johnson? In the 2014 competition, he advanced to the final round, and now, he and his band, The Lucky 13s, are once again at the forefront of the business. The band, who hails from the south of England, let out their pent-up fervour and bestowed upon us all their album ‘Gamble My Soul’.

It is a recipe for triumph, and the album contains just about everything for lots of different sorts of listeners. The record boasts 11 tracks, all of which explore into various parts of the scene with elements of R&B fusing with pop, and soulful hooks meeting bluesy leads.

Standing out is ‘Sweet Sweet Love’. The song has a cosy vibe, which helps to cheer us up during these cold winter days. Additionally, it demonstrates the stadium-filling vocal ability that Jamie possesses up to this point. Also, songs like ‘Gamble My Soul’ and ‘Hold On’ are two of our absolute favourites from this album!

Photo Credit: The Lucky 13s.

T Brixson, ‘Bonita’

T Brixson

Words By Joey Rochert.

T Brixson and Westbrooke are the talk of the town currently thanks to their release, ‘Bonita’. It is a single that gets better with every listen, and the feel-good air it creates is what we need in our lives now!

T Brixson shines with his easy-to-get-lost-in vocal performance, and he bolsters his name into the modern songbook with the way he delivers his lyrics. Also, Westbrooke strikes with an equally as pertinent arrival, and the pair prove to be in perfect harmony with one another.

The music video is also available now, and it confirms the impression that we had while listening to the song. Since it takes place in Miami, the sweltering heat is impossible to ignore!

Photo Credit: T Brixson.

Akil B. Strange And Rodney Hazard, ‘Everything You’ve Heard Is True’

Akil B. Strange

Words By Joey Rochert.

The new album ‘Everything You’ve Heard Is True’ by Akil B. Strange and Rodney Hazard is a present to all of us! This new record is everything that we would expect from an artist of Akil and Rodney’s ability, and they smash through the industry noise with ease!

Featuring 13 tracks, this album shines a bright light on modern-day hip-hop and rap, and the pair hold nothing back with their effort to quench our thirst. The route is full of twists and turns, and we are itching to hit the replay button when it concludes.

Take a listen below.

Photo Credit: Akil B. Strange.

Von Venn, ‘Constant Girl’

Von Venn

Words By Joey Rochert.

Von Venn take over New Music Friday with the release of their new single, ‘Constant Girl’.

The new release by the Gary Cox led group is everything we would have hoped for from the band who took us by surprise with their last single, ‘Ghost’. This new delivery further bolsters the band as a name to remember in the indie space, and they further explore their newfound style while keeping true to the world of music around them.

Edgy with plenty of stand-out moments, ‘Constant Girl’ reaches out of the box with a vibe akin to that of Radiohead but with a unique twist that enables it to shine on its own!

Photo Credit: Von Venn.

Thomas Cole, ‘Free Fallin’

Thomas Cole

Words By Joey Rochert.

With the release of ‘Free Fallin’, Thomas Cole and Nathanael Hall have bestowed upon us an infectiously catchy piece of electronic music. Thomas Cole pushes the box once more with a musical panorama full of zeal.

Thomas makes history with a storyline that provokes thought with ‘Free Fallin’, which is one of the catchiest singles we’ve heard this week. He also talks about what it’s like to feel on edge, especially with those who make us feel uncomfortable, often leaving us having to convince people of our worth.

Photo Credit: Thomas Cole.