I,DORIS ARE POP’S WONDERWOMEN!

Escape from dystopia’s dreary nutsies “news” with ‘Wonderwomen’ the uplifting latest single from London’s ‘mummycore’ feminist pop band I, Doris!

Bright and catchy, this song is accompanied by a suitably DIY comic book strip video which stars the Dorisses donning superhero costumes to tackle everyday epic battles, like the school run, the office, and the supermarket. 

This is EXACTLY what 2020 needs. Right NOW.

I, Doris presents Wonderwomen - new single out 5 June 2020 Facebook - www.facebook.com/IDoris Bandcamp - idoris.bandcamp.com Performed by Cassie Fox, Lucy Mo...

An absolute delight, the video was filmed just before lockdown – in the supermarket scene you can see the last toilet roll being grabbed!). Dare you not to watch, thensmile!

Doris says of this hooky nu-vintage tinted pop TUNE: “Women are often praised for being multi-tasking superheroes – who needs that kind of pressure? This is a song about cutting yourself some slack. If you’ve managed to get the kids to school in one piece, and get through the day without thumping your boss, you’re doing fine.” 

The first week of June 2020 saw the first batch of UK primary school children return to school, and more employees returning to work – for many women the return of the hectic school run dash and/or tiresome workplace politics.

‘Wonderwomen’ follows the band’s previous singles -their theme tune ‘Just Some Doris’ and debut release ‘The Girl From Clapham’ – which both received airplay on Radio X and BBC London. 

On-stage, the band are all called Doris, as emblazoned in diamantés on their trademark tabbards. The ever ace Kitmonsters.com points out “you can imagine these Londoners going down a storm at any kind of event.”

Off-stage, they’re Cassie Fox (founder of the LOUD WOMEN festival – bass and vox), Lucy Morgan (keytar and vox), Abby Werth (guitar/vox, and Louisa Edwards Knight on drums.

We all know more than one person who could claim ‘Wonderwomen’ as their own theme tune!

I, Doris Facebook * Instagram * (lyrics; Bandcamp)

Words: Caffy St Luce

‘DUST’ BY GOOD FOXY

For fans of:  Tame Impala, White Denim, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Single release/Interview with Good Foxy by Kelly Munro

Tell us how long you’ve been making music… 

Good Foxy : “We’ve been making music as a band since 2013,  (when we were just 16 years old). After all meeting up at the same college in Blackburn.”

What’s been some of the highlights, so far, on your musical journey?  

“I’d say our high points over the years have been supporting acts such as Status Quo to over 10,000 people. But our most cherished moment would be playing prestigious festivals such as Beatherder and Y-Not festival, also when we played The Great Escape festival in Brighton!”

We hear shades of Joy Division in your sound amongst others. Who are the band’s musical idols? 

“We certainly do love Joy Divison, other influences include Echo and The Bunnymen, The Velvet Underground along with current acts such as Tame Impala, and we certainly can’t understate the influence Arctic Monkeys will have had on our music.”

Tell us more about the single. Is there a meaning behind the song? Story attached to it?

“Yeah, so essentially, the song ‘Dust’ deals with one of the main themes from the album – leaving this world both figuratively and metaphorically. The song tackles the mundane existence we often lead and offers an escape from daily life. Within the song, it follows the journey of a young couple, who decide to take a trip to another planet but get lost on their way there…”

What albums do you never get tired of listening to? 

“Our favourite albums currently would have to be;-

Josh Rouse – 1972 (featuring an amazing track called ‘Love Vibration’) the vibes on the album just make you feel like strolling down the street on a fresh summers day.

Broadcast – Tender Buttons, This very experimental album gave us the realisation that we don’t have to conform to anything when writing music structurally, merely just follow the crazy sounds that lead the way.

What can we expect from you this year? 

“This year we intend on pushing the release of our new album ‘Planets Over There’ and getting some decent airplay, which will set us up nicely for when we come to tour the album at the start of next year (providing the current world situation he improved by then). We’re also going to be writing a few new singles to get to work on in the studio next week… “

good souls in Blackburn, Lancashire…

The second album by Good Foxy, Planets Over There, leaves you feeling a mixture of emotions - the overriding theme being, leaving this world both figuratively and metaphorically. Lyrically, it tackles the mundane existence we often lead as humans living in 2020, and offers an escape from daily life. Musically, it flows like a rugged river from top to bottom, offering moments of serene relaxation on the opening track 'Midnite Flight' to the contrastingly punkier and energetic 'Witch Fire'.

MONTH: MAY 2020

Saturday 30th May #BalconyOnlineFest Live stream music show from 1pm for Music Venue Trust’s #SaveOurVenues campaign.

Hosted by Louise Schofield – Free to view. Donations Welcomed. Updates/Artists
https://facebook.com/events/700745894008346/

Saturday’s show features exclusive performances, curated by regulars of grassroots independence rooted under the radar where the exciting up and comers are. (scroll down for more)

A promoter on this circuit, notes:

“If artists and venues are the microcosm, the industry, community and abundance available is the macrocosm. You can’t build without a foundation so trust me, if these venues go, the artists and higher echelon industry can forget about pulling in loads of dosh.

The grassroots section of the music industry is the imperative cog in “the machine”. We also need to realise it affects all genres, it’s not something exclusively happening to some areas of music. Every aspect of art is under threat and if it all goes, we can’t complain, as we had the power to do something.” 

Digital gigs are one facet of lockdown creativity but nothing can replace being part of the show by attendance. That is what we’re campaigning for. The future is bleak but sparked with hope and potential by courtesy of how Music Venue Trust and more have galvanised. 

MVT’s 19th May newsletter; “140 UK Music Venues Removed from ‘Critical’ List …For Now.”In 3 weeks support at all levels raised over £1.5 million in donations, inititatied by MVT in response to the continued economic threat to over 500 grassroots UK music venues, nationwide. Stay updated/Save a venue via https://saveourvenues.co.uk/#/

We all have favourite starmaker spaces, I dig Amersham Arms in New Cross, Latest Music Bar in Brighton, Manchester Night & Day and The Thekla in Bristol. I asked Tiger Mimic who are coming up on the grass roots circuit (and also of the Balcony and CroCroLand Festivals alumni). about a fave space to play/save…

“Anything anyone can do to help #SaveOurVenues is great, but we’ll have to go with Dublin Castle. Can’t stomach the idea of never gathering in that amazing, sweaty, special place ever again. We’ve seen countless incredible gigs, found friends we’ll have for life, been soaked in beer and sweat time and time again, played our first proper Tiger Mimic gig (and several since), and we want to have one hell of a reunion party there when this is all over!”

Tiger Mimic at The Dublin Castle in Camden

Dublin Castle is also home to The Camden Mix Up and it’s extended rock and roll family. Often find each other mixed up at each other’s e vents.

For instance, the above mentioned Benumu is one of the (all multi tasking) music media/industry united to create Balcony events for charities. Luke of 
FALSE HEADS is on The Benumu Stage. 

Scrounge are playing The Joyzine Stage, instigators of this series, the established new music site, promoter and collaborator streams Balcony events on their YouTube channel. 

Clwb Fuzz grace The God Is In The TV Zine. Stage. Another key site, all have events and more to their name (Now with ace podcast, Editor, Bill, tipped me off about The Moon and TheZineUK team popped with Simon Benumu to Cardiff for a punk adventure. Hope to do it again!

Eilis Frawley is on The LOUD WOMEN Stage – even in 2020, mainstream music festivals are unable to emulate the buzz and success of this (international) organisation – a femme force of Nature.

The second single to be taken from Eilis Frawley's debut EP Never Too Emotional - out in early 2020 on Reckless Yes. 'strangers' brings together rhythm and s...

LE JUNK are on The GigSlutz Stage and HIDEOUS WHEEL INVENTION on The Louderthanwar Stage – two of the UK’s main publication for what is Happening. 

Described by DIY as “Sunken, serene guitar pop”, Firestations will play the effervescent Sonic Tonic Stage.  
Gig promoters of independent bands that they feel deserve wider exposure and also key to the South London new music (r)Evolution.

Balcony has a mighty alliance of passionate activists for every show. CroCroLand, for instance, helped make Croydon a Borough of Culture, on top of being a future blueprint for how to festival

Just massive thanks to all involved in Aid Of Save Our Venues, and for inspiring me over this lockdown period. I feel connected by the live chats with friends, too.

I’m gonna leave the last word with False Heads who recently spoke to GQ (full article here) about the importance of venues like, The Macbeth, a century old essential space that gave the band early support and “just put on bands they like and believe in”. Just one reason why we MUST save our venues!

False Heads: Barney Nash, Luke Griffiths, Jake Elliott by Neil McCarty

False Heads’ debut album ‘It’s All There But You’re Dreaming’ is a new Rock Classic, give it a listen (Spotify link) then enjoy singer/guitarist, Luke, stripped down, locked down and getting down at the #BalconyOnlineFest Live Stream on the Joyzine YouTube Channel, 30th May from 1pm GMT.

Way to round off 2020’s first half. Look at how many people are coming on board!!! Here’s to better days…

Words: Caffy St Luce

SICK LOVE, BABY, IT’S YOU!

‘I’m So (Fucked Without You)’ is the fourth track from Sick Love‘s no-holds-barred EP, ‘Baby It’s You’, which this track completes. 

It’s a major rock anthems alert, every song, with this band. As 21st Century up and comers go, they are easily one of the sickest of the slickest.

Photography by marthas_picsx

With ‘Im So…”, Rebecca Geary‘s voice entices us gently by a small side door into the aircraft hangar sized space that Sick Love fill to capacity with this song. Straight to any lockdown escapism with the increased relevance of the “so fucked without you” sentiment. 

You can hear, taste and feel the energy shaking this EP. Turn it UP.

Sick Love trade in songs we can relate to. They are “The Band Next Door” in our ears and bona fide star shaped shakers on stage. On the rise in an Irish music scene which is increasingly on the up, simultaneously, Sick Love have made friends around Britain with every show, also.

‘I’m So (Fucked Without You)’ is the final song from their highly anticipated EP, Baby, It’s You, completing ‘I Want You All Of The Time’, ‘Bad Girl’ and ‘My Man’. It’s a gold calling card for a top tier worthy group. Move-maker rhythms, power chord riffs, saucy licks and a singer who straddles being tiger and kitten at ease, on record or stage.

Listen to Baby, It's You on Spotify. Sick Love · Single · 2020 · 4 songs.

Words: Caffy St Luce

CASSIA ARE ‘DRIFTING’. UPWARDS.

The weather has come out for Cassia who’s new single, ‘Drifting’ sounds like a ray of sunshine that George Benson’s rhythm section have blown a kiss at. This is feel good, community-love Pop Music which follows their most recent success, the single, ‘Do Right’.

Macclesfield musicians, Cassia are catchy beyond the music, having grabbed not just the attention of BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music, Radio X and more national media heavy-weights, but also being heard at the prestigious BAFTA Awards (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts).  

Their debut album ‘Replica’ got huge tours (80+ gigs in 2019) andcred festivals including Reading, TRNSMT, Kendal Calling, and Boardmasters. They were nominated for Best Live Act by the Association of Independent Music Awards (alongside Idles and DMA’s) and got to session at the iconic Maida Vale Studios.

With over twelve million Spotify streams for their sounds of day dreams, it’s fair to say that Cassia are on their way to something special. They make a welcome change from misery and moaning. ‘Drifting’ manages to sing about our current dystopian situation, without bringing us down.

Listen to Drifting on Spotify. Cassia · Single · 2020 · 1 songs.

Watch Cassia go, and even more so when they’re allowed out again to bring us right back up again.

https://cassiamusic.lnk.to/DriftingAf


Words: Caffy St Luce