Jen Dan: August 15, 2020

AS ALWAYS, CLICK ON THE 'READ MORE' BUTTON TO FIND OUT DETAILS ABOUT THE BANDS/ARTISTS, ALBUMS, SONGS, & VIDEOS.

The top half of this rundown is all about videos/songs that deal with today’s unsettled and unsettling world, while the bottom half is all about escapism – into dream worlds and imagery, with fantastic(al) sounds – and voices. Or at least that’s the aim…

1. Too Many T’s – “This Earth Is F**ked”
The lyrically astute British twosome roll out another super-perceptive and fun rap about the sorry state of the world, with wacky visual to boot. And even though they’re in the UK, they manage to get their jabs in against our so-called president, among other easy targets. They do it all with an easy flow, but in wordy ‘n’ wise way – so you can get educated and enjoy the music at the same time.
MY VIDEO PREMIERE of “Tearing Us Apart”

2. The Velvet Hands – “When This Is Over”
In support of #SaveOurVenues in the UK (and #SaveOurStages in the US), this fast-rising British garage rock ‘n’ roll band offers up a cheerful and hopeful anthem for when (not if, please; when!) the pandemic is finally over. So let loose a hearty cheer and raise a glass to commiserate with the lads in lockdown – and then donate to help save our bars/pubs, clubs, and other entertainment locales.
MY VIDEO PREMIERE

3. Ultrviolence – “Self Care”
Canadian singer-songwriter/musician Nate Jespersen returns with this post-punk/rock project and switches from his usual moodily brooding self and delivers a vibrant and diverse upcoming album, titled Sally Would Say on September 25th.
MY VIDEO PREMIERE

4. Gjon’s Tears – “Repondez-Moi”
Okay, this video clip is about 5 months old, I think, but I just found out about this Swiss-based singer with an amazing vocal range and intense emotion. He broods in a crestfallen, lamenting tone on the verses of this track and implores with sharply keening cries on the chorus sections. He had entered the Eurovision 2020 contest, but it was cancelled because of the pandemic, so he plans to return to the competition in 2021 with a new song.

“Repondez-Moi” with rudimentary English sub-titles:

5. Seasurfer – “Too Wild”
German dream-punk outfit led by Dirk Knight is awash in shoegaze splendor and diaphanous vocals. A new album is in the works and I cannot wait for it!!
MY VIDEO PREMIERE of “Lovers Breakdown”
MY VIDEO PREMIERE of “venusberg”
MY VIDEO PREMIERE of “Into Dust”
INTERVIEW by Big Takeover writer Elizabeth Klisiewicz from 2014
ALBUM REVIEW of Headlights EP by Elizabeth Klisiewicz from 2015

6. Swirlpool – “Spinning in Reverse”
I recently found out about this German shoegaze/dream-rock band and I’m swooning over their densely textured, dynamic sound. A new album is in the works and I cannot wait for it!!
MY VIDEO PREMIERE

7. Liar, Flower – “Little Brown Shoe”
Katiejane Garside (Daisy Chainsaw, QueenAdreena, Ruby Throat, more) and her music/life partner Chris Whittingham morph into this new compelling entity, unveiling delicate reveries, intense rockers, and psych(e)-outs on new album Geiger Counter via One Little Independent (out now, with CD format arriving on August 21st, I think), including this skewedly enthused blues-rock tune.
MY SONG PREMIERE of “Geiger Counter”
MY VIDEO PREMIERE of “and also elizabeth, daugther of the above” by Ruby Throat

8. mr. Gnome – “Psychonaut”
The psych-spiked alternative rock duo are finally returning with their latest double album opus, The Day You Flew Away, on October 16th via El Marko.