‘Ray Of Hope’ (Ferret Forever) is a sparkling indiepop single release by Jean Genie’s Massive Hugs during Independent Venue Week on #BandcampFriday 3rd February raising funds to help #SaveTheFerret in Preston
Read MoreThirty Three Kylie Minogue classics (99% recorded for this project) byoriginal, inventive new star turns.
ArtBeat : Illustration by Kevin Alvir
Kylie Minogue is the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time. A genuine icon of positivity, reknown for reinventing herself in music, fashion and culture. Perfect for this collection of eclectic, electric sparky versions of her classics from Feral Five, BLAB, Piney Gir, Charley Stone, Helen McCookerybook, Natalie Shay, You The Living, Kids Love Surf, Rob Britton and many more.
An unstoppable pocket rocket, Kylie is no stranger to indie rock. A decade ago, Nicky Wire of Manic Street Preachers apologies for not doing better with the single ‘Some Kind Of Bliss’ which they wrote for her. Recorded with Dave Eringa (who has just worked with Asylums on their forthcoming album). He said “I was so excited to be writing lyrics for Kylie because I used to wander around in my Kylie T-shirt getting odd looks.” It was her first single not to go Top 20 (reached 22) but “Indie Kylie” is proof that this is an artist who will actually reinvent outside of the box from starting as a TV soap star pop idol. ‘Come Into My World’ is a fitting tribute.
Love At First Sight. A quality selection, God Is In The TV! This is BLAB, a BBC Introducing Artist Of The Year AND an inventive creator performer. It was meant to be.
On a personal note, I’m still buzzing from Kylie Minogue joining the Manics on stage at Shepherds Bush Empire, thanks to their collaboration. Now, in 2022, a variety show of genre interpretations from disco and industrial goth to electro pop and folk have been curated by God Is In The TV. Independent artists across Europe (with a strong contingent from the once-united kingdom) working with producers and labels to create a Kylie community of alternatives. There’s something for everyone - especially charity.
Indie Kylie is joined in 2022 by a carnival of Kylie genres! Follow God Is In The TV for news updates https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/
Among notifications I got from Bandcamp Friday (5th February), this one stood out. Perhaps surprisingly, because before its brief announcement earlier that week there had been no publicity - usually a risky publicity stunt, but we're reassured: “It's just that Sam is bad at business.”
After Long Teeth and new band Big Sea Creature, Sam has released a second solo EP. With the first, ‘Bored In A Beautiful Place’, the lyrics really stood out for me and this is again something I love in ‘Show Me The Best Thing You Can Do’.
The EP cover is perfect for the mood of the songs and the last year too. The sun streaking in through a restricted window, showing a fantastic day - outside. "Baby it's like how it was, but it's how it's become, Sunbathing on the steps cos the beach is shut" sung with a slight accent that seems to emphasise the normalness of this slight disappointment.
Harmonies throughout the EP are impressive (with I suspect occasional vocals from Big Sea Creature bassist Jade) remind me a little of the chilled warmth of The Velvet Underground and Nico and the 60's, combined with an uneasy, socially aware commentary that feels bitter. However unless you're listening to the lyrics you might feel upbeat by the tunes, and as I think this, Sam sings, "Don't talk to me until I'm listening".
This, mixed with the lyrics of 'Bent Back Mud Men Monster'. feels like whistling in the park, content with trying to forget what you're really thinking about. "Yeah the lights okay, but I think we're better in the dark anyway".
All this to say, it's not a sad EP and there is a depth and intelligence to the contradictions in music and lyrics. You'll go about your flat happily humming ‘Bent Back Mud Men Monster’ to your cat.
On third track 'Wet Hair', layers of guitar, harmonies and trumpet - played by Sam - feel a lot like the end of a day spent feeling slightly out of place, coming home to someone you feel safe with. The anxiety you might feel perhaps, having someone ask you to 'Show Me The Best Thing You Can Do'; before helping you relax while listening to it.
All proceeds will go to the Mind charity. www.mind.org.uk