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Collaborating for the first time, Ben Harper and Rhiannon Giddens have released a new duet of the Nick Drake song “Black Eyed Dog”. Featuring Harper on lap steel and Giddens on banjo, listen to the plaintive track HERE.
“Rhiannon and I are both black purveyors of American roots music, and while this is not an anomaly, it is an exception within a subculture,” Harper explained. “We have unquestionably tapped into the same creative well of influence, carrying on the tradition through our own individual instincts and perspectives.”
“I’ve been hearing and hearing about Ben Harper for a long time, but had never gotten to meet him until recently at an event in LA and I was immediately struck by a kindred spirit,” Giddens added. “Didn’t have as much to do with the kind of music we play, although we share many, many commonalities as black folk playing roots music, but more to do with the spirit that we access when we play it. I felt that spirit in him right off and knew if we ever got the chance, we could make something beautiful together.”
Rhiannon Giddens is a celebrated artist who excavates the past to reveal truths about our present. A MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, Giddens has also been Grammy-nominated six times. Last year she was nominated for her collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, there is no Other (2019), an album that is at once a condemnation of “othering” and a celebration of the spread of ideas, connectivity, and shared experience. In the past month she’s appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s #playathome series, and performed an NPR Tiny Desk from home. She recently spoke to Rolling Stone at length about “Rewriting Country Music’s Racist History,” and was also included in VICE’s recent feature on marginalised voices in bluegrass music.
“I’ve always wanted to cover ‘Black Eyed Dog’, but the song was intimidating in its haunted perfection,” Harper continued. “Only through collaborating with Rhiannon would I have ever attempted it. When I step back from it, this collaboration should’ve happened long ago, but I’m thrilled that it’s finally here.”
Three-time GRAMMY Award winner Ben Harper is also working on a new album that is scheduled to come out later this year. He’s previously released 15 studio albums garnering Gold and Platinum certifications worldwide, including his latest No Mercy In This Land with revered blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. In May, Harper released the new single “Don’t Let Me Disappear”, featured in The New York Times’ The Playlist, which “is about the fine line between loneliness, isolation and invisibility, to where you can’t seem to find a way not to be hiding in plain sight,” Harper explained. The black and white video for the song features two modern dancers intertwining fluid and fragmented movements while Harper performs the song on acoustic guitar.
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As a seasoned musician, multi-instrumentalist and accomplished performer, Melbourne’s Nicholas Martyn has lent his complex drumming wizardry to some of Melbourne’s most beloved acts. Since 2014, the prolific songwriter, producer, vocalist and sole performer began creating his own unique blend of genre-defying percussive explorations under, Las Mar. Releasing an EP and an LP in his first two years and staying relatively quiet ever since Las Mar is finally back with new music and thrilled to present his latest psychedelic art-pop trip, ‘Weekend Repair’, taken from his forthcoming album to be released later in 2020.
Out via Ditto today, the new single showcases Las Mar’s signature beat oddities beneath angelic yet urgent vocals, textured guitars and funk-driven basslines, in a frenetic gathering of organised chaos. Enveloped in a big chorus and even bigger finish, ‘Weekend Repair’s’ subtle rhythm shifts and deep grooves are as original and infectious as ever with lyrics paying homage to shedding skin, personal and collective growth and the ultimate search for survival in a rapidly shifting world.
“I wrote this song about the moves we must make to survive in a rapidly changing world. It’s a song for wiping the slate clean (or life doing it for you) and being pushed into personal growth. It’s also about parting ways with obsolete ways of thinking, stagnant ideas or damaging relationships. To break a cycle takes force and will-power – Weekend Repair pays homage to the movements, and individuals, that must gather this force to succeed. Percussion heavy drumming and sharp guitars create the perfect undertow for exposed, urgent vocals. my usual polyrhythms are more subtle here in favour of a pumping, bass-driven momentum and a big final chorus.” – Las Mar
Cutting his teeth in Melbourne’s thriving live scene led to working with some of Australia’s most highly regarded musicians such as Gotye, D.D Dumbo, Matt Corby, Nai Palm, Husky and Barney McAll. Nick was also a founding member of acclaimed outfit Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes and has toured with them extensively throughout the US and Europe. In the midst of all this Nick was compelled to create a unique project, something to call “home”, a journey into his DIY recording of borrowed instruments and microphones, and fusing disparate influences like Sonic Youth, Aphex Twin, Cornelius and Miles Davis into one artistic voice. Thus, Las Mar was born. From his first release, Las Mar has continued to forge a completely singular sound, funnelling post-rock epicness, Afrobeat funkiness, twisted beats and general trippiness into songs you can hold on to and live improvisations you wish you could bottle up for a rainy day. Now the epic live performer is thrilled to announce a specially recorded performance Live at The Grove airing online Thursday 23 July on YouTube. You won’t want to miss it.
Las Mar – Live at The Grove
Airing: Thursday 23 July
Time: 6pm
Where: The Grove Youtube
The Grove Facebook: www.facebook.com/livethegrove/
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Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?
Jordan: Auckland, full of talent. Almost everyone is making some sort of music, so there is always a decent amount of inspiration around.
Billy: Melbourne, the music scene here is really strong, especially the hip-hop scene.
Grateful to have worked with some of the best acts.
How did you first get into music?
Billy: Ironically I failed all my music classes in school but turned out really enjoy it in uni. Meeting so many great artists there really inspired me to give it a try.
Jordan: Primary school, I played the trumpet for the school orchestra. From there I just kept picking up new instruments, sounds and ideas.
How did Gated Community form?
Jordan: Long time school friends. We both ended up making tracks and decided it would be dope to link up for a song, titled “Low Life”. From there we just kept getting better and better, and found we make a great team when working together.
What’s been happening recently and has COVID19 impacted your workflow?
Billy: My workflow has been relatively the same,
although there is less for me to write about since I’m not outside as much.
Been pouring most of my music time into writing and producing my album.
Jordan and I work remotely about 90% of the time anyway so we’re still able to work on the same amount of bangers as usual in lockdown.
Jordan: Lots of life adjustments. Figuring out a way to do what I love and also make a living.
It has been a busy year! Solo projects are on the way, along with multiple collab projects.
Covid-19 may have impacted my job, but caused a lot more tracks to be made.
Your new single ‘Lay Low and Snitch’ will be out on August 21, what influenced the sound and songwriting for this track?
Jordan: I had just finished work and noticed Billy had sent me a new track he was working on. I was pretty amped up, and his flow / verse was just incredible. I wrote the verse in all caps to remind my self to go hard.
Billy: For me the beat just brought out a side of me I don’t think I see often enough, I just had the wackiest sh*t on my mind and wanted to rap it haha.
How did you go about writing Lay Low and Snitch?
Billy: I was blasting the beat on my speakers and ended up writing my verse way faster than I usually write one. I was so keen to record it, I knew Jordan would be a perfect fit for the track so I sent it to him as soon as I recorded.
Jordan: Locked in the studio, and full of energy. I wanted to maintain the flow from our previous collab whilst delivering a fresh sound. (also same answer as question above)
Where and when did you record and who with?
Jordan: My home Studio in Auckland. I recorded at about 1AM with my friend and frequent collaborator, Wizard of Oz.
Billy: I think we did this track back in May.
I was just home, alone in my room in the afternoon working on my verse and hook.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Billy: I’ve been listening to Mac Miller’s new album so much, absolutely love it.
I’ve had a lot of James Blake on repeat too.
Jordan: Logic, absolutely too excited for his new and last album, “No Pressure”.
Kendrick Lamar has always been my top favourite though.
Recently I have been listening to more ambient music for relaxation.
What do you like to do away from music?
Jordan: Traveling and road trips, it’s good to get away. I find new environments can help with my creative process.
Billy: I’ve definitely been less adventurous due to lockdown haha so for me I’ve just been chilling in quarantine with my girlfriend, playing Mario Kart and binging The Office.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020?
Billy: Trying to experience as much as I can with the circumstances being what they are while keeping safe of course.
Gonna be pumping out a single every month until December as well.
Jordan: Honestly just a lot of releases, more recordings and a general good time.
Hoping to get back to Australia to see the boy Billy for some more recording.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Jordan: The beer spot Whangaparaoa, honestly dope.
Burgers and beer, what else do I need?
Billy: There’s a Taco Bell near my new place so that’s been the spot at the moment haha.
Earlier this month, soulful UK singer songwriter, Alex Lleo presented the breathtaking single ‘4:05’, his first new material since 2018’s Park Studios, JQ and Emanate EPs. A nomadic globe-trotter, Alex has spent a lot of his music career seeking inspiration on the road less travelled, with his endeavours taking him from Norway to Scotland, and all corners of the UK and Europe; each trip harvesting inspiration for any number of songs aching to be written. One such occasion was a short trip to the coast for a change of scenery, whereby Lleo waited for the 4:05 train which was to become the catalyst for his stunning new single as well as a bunch of new tracks yet to be released.
In lieu of a live gig, Alex Lleo is thrilled to present a special stripped back performance of the single in his new video for ‘4:05’ as premiered by BBC last week for BBC Music Introducing in the West Midlands. Recorded in Birmingham at Park Studios JQ and directed by Owain Ulyet, the clip is the closest we’re going to get to an Alex Lleo live show in the foreseeable future. The video offers a perfect encapsulation of the intimate and raw energy of this immense international talent, centering Lleo’s captivating vocals with a minimalist setup that allows space for each note to linger a little while longer.
“Park Studio just feels like home base for me. Owned and operated by my good friend Ali, positioned in a 200+ year-old building that was once used to house many of the country’s most valuable gems (hence the name, gem building), the place just oozes character. Although these songs found their birthplace in Brooklyn, once back on home soil, this felt like the obvious place to tackle them alone!” – Alex Lleo
Recorded over five weeks at a small studio in Brooklyn last year, ‘4:05’ and the songs to follow were tracked with a full six-piece band of seasoned musicians including Quinn Devlin, Zach Calluori, Andy Shimm, Jordan Wolff, Eli Aleinikoff, Sarah Ciceroand and producer, Sahil Ansari. Be sure to keep an ear to the ground for more to come from Alex Lleo in the not too distant future.
Video Credits:
Recorded at Park Studios JQ, Birmingham, Uk.
Engineer: Alastair Jamieson
Director: Owain Ulyet
Artist: Alex Lleo
‘4:05’ is out now via AWAL
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Skelly says: “To me, pouring your sad heart out on a song is self-indulgent. When I am feeling down, I just put on T-Rex really loud and escape. I couldn’t write any sad songs when I was working on ‘Drifters Skyline’, it just had to be upbeat. Friends and family really liked ‘Jokerman’ from the start, so it seemed a good vibe. Then, when we recorded it, the entire process turned out to be great fun. It felt exciting. What should have been work in the studio turned out to be a jolly.”
The release of Drifters Skyline accompanies more exclusive artwork from Skelly, who, as a prolific artist, has illustrated numerous of his own and The Coral’s album projects, including promotional videos, all featuring his darkly comic, gonzo collage work as well as photography and drawing. In line with the gradual release via digital and streaming sites, Skelly’s social media channels will premiere new artwork, animated by animator and film maker, Dom Foster, every day until the album is available in full.
A founder member of The Coral, releasing eight studio albums since their self-titled debut album in 2002, Skelly released his first solo album, Cut From A Star in 2012. Together with former Zutons guitarist, now a full-time member of The Coral, Paul Molloy, Skelly has released two, critically acclaimed albums as Serpent Power, including 2017’s Electric Looneyland.
Connect with Ian Skelly online at:
https://open.spotify.com/
https://twitter.com/ianskelly1
https://www.facebook.com/
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The album opens with the powerful ‘We All Move Together’, featuring a monologue spoken by Idris Elba.
A title that means more now than ever, ‘We All Move Together’ represents the uplifting love and connection that music brings to Kevin Saunderson’s life, the Inner City group, and the rest of the world.
In their continuous quest to uplift people through the power of music, Kevin Saunderson, Dantiez Saunderson and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an delve into the new decade with the release of their first studio album together under a new formation, and the first released under Inner City for almost 30 years.
We All Move Together draws on Kevin Saunderson’s consistent drive to elevate, which has been present in him since he experienced the inspirational Paradise Garage in New York aged 17. A constant influence in his productions ever since, and a source which laid Inner City as a foundational group to lift spirits high.
The Inner City project fully relaunched in Spring 2019, with Kevin, Dantiez and Steffanie creating a major buzz across the globe. The trio treated both new and existing fans to fresh and exciting new music taken from We Move Together which proved to be the ultimate road test. The tour included headlining Kala Festival and shows at Glastonbury, Lost Village Festival, Electrico Festival, Moovin Festival, Three Mills Island, and Castlefield Bowl.
I Need Your Love, Save Me, and Living A Dream not only resonated with the fans during the live show, but also across the airwaves with Annie Mac, MistaJam, Danny Howard, Ana Matronic and Lauren Laverne all supporting the new wave of Inner City on their BBC shows.
After 18 months of studio sessions between touring, We Move Together is finally ready for full release. Kicking off strong with the eponymous opening track that features very special guest Idris Elba, speaking words of positive messages that continue to purvey through the rest of the album, which also includes guest vocals from Detroiter – ZebrA OctobrA.
Track List
We All Move Together – Inner City & Idris Elba
SoundwaveZ – Inner City (Feat ZebrA OctobrA)
Stop & Stare – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
Your Love On Me – Inner City (Feat ZebrA OctobrA)
Living A Dream – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
I’m A Believer – Inner City (Feat ZebrA OctobrA)
That Feeling – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
0I Can Feel My Heart Again – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
Dance – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
Save Me – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
Believe – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
Need Your Love – Inner City (Feat Steffanie Christi’an)
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Officially premiered during Martin Garrix’s radio show, ‘Make You Mine’, is the first Ytram release to see the light of day. Collaborating with one of the most exciting talents of the moment, Indonesian producer Bleu Clair, the track also features vocals from RA.
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