ZAMBRI

Zambri have featured on this blog before. But because their music is worthy enough and Jessica, who makes up one half of the band, lent some meat to the bones this time round it makes sense to give them another shout out.

We lifted sounds from our daily lives/routines, so it makes the music somewhat nostalgic and familiar even though it’s drastically new. 

It certainly has a drastically new feel, like something from the not too distant future.

The heavy distortion adds to that dystopian feel and in general it feels like there is a whole lot of experimentation going on.

So what were the influences?

The music on Glossolalia is wild and maybe even a little animalistic. We stuck close to what we know best musically, and that is our voices, so you'll hear lots of sounds that originated from there and grew to places we never knew it could. 

You can listen to some of their stuff on Facebook. But for now here is one of their tracks, On Call.

Enjoy.

 Zambri OnCall by kaninerecords 

BORDEAUXXX

                                                                                                                     

If you’re ever in need of cheering up, perhaps you’ve got withdrawal symptoms from the baking summer (autumn?) that we had, then throw on a bit of Bordeauxxx. These guys and girl are a exuberant little four – piece from round the way.

You’ll love their fresh indie style, and vocal quirks.

You’ll also love their taste in music. I asked them what the last albums they purchased were:

Nat (guitar): Jonny Kearney &Lucy Farrell after I saw them, and I let them know in no uncertain terms how much I didn't mind spending my £6 on it.


Martin(lead vocals and keyboard): The new Girls record on the day it came out and Stagecoach We Got Tazers. 


Charlie(guitar): Janelle Monae and the new Girls album.


Amy(bass): Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony and Peter and the Wolf.


Jon(drums): Laura Marling's new album, but it was for my dad's birthday ‘cause I'm generous like that. 

No idea why they are called Bordeauxxx, but, thankfully, when asked about their favourite wines they had plenty to say for themselves.

Nat: My favourite wine has the heady aroma of being given to me for free at some public event that underestimates my shamelessness in repeatedly going back for more


Martin: Free event wine is both the best and worst kind of wine. If people are giving out wine it probably means they're more important than you so you should probably show some self control so as not to make a fool of yourself. But, it's free. Catch 22 or what? I like red wine most, then rosé, then white. I'm not particularly fussy as long as it's cheap, though I once had a brilliant rosé. I can't remember what it was so I've never had it again.


Amy: My favourite wine is the “brilliant” rose that Martin mentioned and I was lucky enough to have it on more than on occasion.


Charlie: I'm not really that much of a wine drinker. Rose is the most pussy one right? I think I like that the most.


Brace yourself...


Jon : Given the choice, I'd go for a sharp red with sophisticated berry accents, filtered for 2 weeks through Claudia Schiffer's cleavage into a bottle made of the frozen tears of joy of all of my adoring fans. #rockstardreams

Bordeauxxx are currently touring – If they keep the booze in check they could be ones to watch.

Here are some of their songs. Enjoy.

 Mother's Ruin by bordeauxxx 

CARDINALS

I saw Cardinals play a few months ago now; they were the first on the bill and were a new band who I had never heard of. I didn’t hold out too much hope. But I was pleasantly surprised by a band who came across on stage as old hands at the game. I thought, even then, they would be ones to watch.

A few months later and they’ve released their first EP (which is self titled).

So then, to describe their sound. Well, this is what band member James had to say:

“I'd like to think our sound is a culmination of all our influences; ultimately elements of post-rock and modern indie. It's very guitar-driven, with heavy influence from 90's emo bands and other modern day ambient/crossover stuff like Brand New”.

James, I’d agree with you, but I think you're selling yourselves short a little here. Even after a few listens to the EP you can hear that there is a lot of experimentation. Case and point comes with The Salamander – a track which opens with acoustic guitar, again a pleasant surprise.

I must admit to feeling a bit of a rapport with this band (I suspect every one of a certain age and disposition will too), their experimenting with certain sounds, yet it still sounds very honest.

So then James, what does the future hold for Cardinals:

“We have started writing new material which will hopefully take shape of another EP at some point, we're really keen to carry on writing [and] this year we're going to have a lot more time for writing so it should come together pretty quickly."

Looking forward to it.

Cardinals – EP is out now and can be got from bandcamp. The band will tour in June. 

wild beauty

Well this is exciting isn’t it? Wild Beast have just announced that their third album is on the way, it’s  going to be called ‘Smother’. I can’t wait - this sense of anticipation must be what it has felt like to be a die-hard Radiohead fan over the last few weeks.

Two Dancers was a real treat of an album, and judging from the lead single off Smother, Albatross, the guys look like their continuing to develop the soulful pop/rock sound we’ve all no doubt grown to love.

Here is Hayden Thorpe then, below is a trailer to the album and a tracklist. Smother is out May 9th.

Wild Beast  - Albatross

 Wild Beasts - Albatross by 1FTP




Wild Beast - Smother 
01 “Lion’s Share”
02 “Bed of Nails”
03 “Deeper”
04 “Loop the Loop”
05 “Plaything”
06 “Invisible”
07 “Albatross”
08 “Reach a Bit Further”
09 “Burning”
10 “End Come Too Soon”