Even in the middle of what might well be the wettest Autumn Wales has seen in a long time, the sun shone on the 2019 edition of Sŵn Festival, both literally and figuratively. In its long history, the festival has rarely attempted to fit within its programme not only such a number of quality acts […]
“There were definitely a few nights where we didn’t sleep!” Archie recalls the last month on the road. Issy is typing one last email before she joins us. ”Hi Tom!” She calls down the line. Ferris & Sylvester have just finished their most recent UK tour. 24 shows in five weeks. You couldn’t tell by […]
When you hear the words Leif Erikson, your mind may take you to the name of the Icelandic explorer. Well, Leif Erikson, the band, also explore within the depths of their alternative based music. The London-founded fivesome convey swayful, melodious synths and ambiguous lyrics, creating a deliverance of excitement and tranquillity combined.
Despite labeling themselves “psychedelic indie-pop”, the Sheffield-based indie project Mr Ben and the Bens is much more than that, and the range and depth of their sound is on full display in their new album, Who Knows Jenny Jones? When we talk about music, we often describe it in terms of genres, of influences, of, […]
Let’s be honest. Adulting is hard. Wake, work, sleep, repeat. Don’t we all long for the simplicity of childhood times? Or at least for the friends and the bond of friendships we had then? They seemed a lot calmer, however, also much more intense. But honest. Well, Eliza Shaddad has managed to create a powerful […]
Two years after their last release, Seattle indie rockers Great Grandpa are back with something that sounds decidedly different from their previous effort, deceptively softer at face value but with a dark depth immediately underneath that surfaces in more than one point of this Four of Arrows, a long player getting its name from a […]
London-based artist Grace Gillespie last featured on Bitter Sweet Symphonies back in April, when she released her stunning single ‘Human (Heart).’ Having cut her teeth touring as part of the live line up for Pixx, she stepped out as an artist in her own right in early 2018, and this summer enjoyed much success from […]
What to say about this year’s round of Neighbourhood Festival? It was eclectic. The programming was focused on a few particular styles of music, yet the acts and what they brought in their live shows ranged from highly conceptualised spectacle, cathartic solitude, breathtaking precision, to beautifully collective uproar – as well as steadily providing entertaining […]
Currently touring the UK with emotive brethren Amber Run, London-living Stereo Honey are deep into a two-plus week span of live shows, utilising this time to unveil a host of new music as well as air beloved favourites, these dates symbolise the band’s first shows of 2019. The four-piece has been rolling under the radar […]
Having hosted numerous music events across the UK such as Goose Island LDN Block Party and more, I was so excited to get the chance to go to their Hop Party with the likes of Shame and Park Hotel performing as well as the fantastic Rockaoke – a live act in itself.
There are artists who approach their first long-player cautiously and others who like to go in all guns blazing, and even on the very first listen it quickly becomes apparent that FEET are definitely part of the latter group. The Coventry band’s debut album, What’s Inside Is More Than Just Ham, more than keeps the promise […]
This autumn, Snow Patrol will embark on a UK/IE-wide tour in celebration of their forthcoming Reworked album, due 8th November. Industry accolades and career-affirming milestones have been rolling in since the five piece released their long-awaited seventh studio album, Wildness, last May; completing a third appointment at Bangor’s Ward Park last year (which saw the […]
Back in March, I reviewed Chandler Juliet’s debut EP, Elements, here on Bitter Sweet Symphonies. It was a delightful EP about being a human being, a mix of quiet electronic production and spare organic instrumentation—everything is emotionally internal, and, correspondingly, aesthetically understated. While she lives in Los Angeles, California, she was in Nashville, Tennessee last […]
It’s that time of year again, as we reach the end of September the UK’s Northern climate becomes increasingly more seasonal, outdoor living starts to feel less practical, so we retreat indoors, and fill the hallowed spaces of cosy back rooms with renewed warmth. Just as festival season appears to be over for another term, […]
“Kill time, jump from the Hollywood sign.”
Some bands defy easy classification, eschewing genre stereotypes in order to dig deep into what their music is about and what they stand for. Galli is such an outfit. Hailing from Norwich, the four-piece gained plaudits earlier this year off the back of their debut single ‘Sabika,’ with airplay and support from 6Music and BBC […]
Some songs really mean something. Something more than 24 tracks in Logic. Something more than a ‘fresh beat.’ Michael Baker’s latest release ‘Baby Books’ remembers a friend of his who lost their battle with mental health. In June, I lost a friend the same way. This track hit home. And you need to hear it.
The age of indie music is on the rise once again. Walls of sound, layered guitars, repetitive few word choruses. It’s definitely something that’s gone missing between the multitude of smoother genres that have been holding our attentions over the summer months.
As a third wave of artist announcements has rolled in, and little more than a month separates us from the start of Sŵn Festival, the multi-venue musical event to take place in Cardiff on the weekend of the 18th to 20th October is shaping up to be one to remember. Our previous entries in the […]
On Repeat: the place where we round up the most exciting new music releases. Five tracks, all recently released, featuring artists we can’t get enough of right now – so, almost certainly, you’ll find at least one song in this bunch to add to your playlists.