Dark Bells #3 - Want

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Here's a track I actually featured over a year ago as a (then) standalone soundcloud track, "Want" now sees its rightful release as a single on 7" (and no doubt download) via RIP Records (on 21st October). Dark Bells have slowly but surely been working their way up the London gig circuit this past year, steadily building a fanbase along the way with the ferocious roar of their live show and snarling intensity of tracks like this and previous single "Wildflower"

The tracks been mastered properly since and sounds better than ever with its rich, swirling guitar tapestry, deep throbbing bass and hypnotic drum patterns grabbing you by the bits and refusing to let go around Teneil Throssell's captivating vocals. Then it all slows down with a middle section full of tropical rhythms and dreamy psychedelia, it's a false dawn though as the track finds its strength again, soon reaching a climatic, sonic assault of a finale, the perfect balance of power and beauty, in a word - awesome.

Dark Bells #2 - Wildflower

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When I did my long, waffling introducing post on the London based (but 2/3's Sydney native) Dark Bells last year after the release of their first taster single "Want" I surmised that a live version of the track which has now been announced as its follow-up "Wildflower" was 'an equally incredible whirlwind of epic-sized, wall of sound'.

That in a nutshell the track may be, but I could elaborate and comment on the tracks swirling, guitar tapestry or its hypnotic beat or the beauty of the rich psychedelic melody or Teneil Throssell transfixing vocals. Basically what I am saying is "Wildflower" is, as I stated before, fucking incredible.

"Wildflower" is released on limited 7" via Tape Club Records on May 6th. The band have been added to the Field Day line-up, a sign of things to come indeed.

Dark Bells - New Music "Introducing"

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Dark Bells are a band I had planned to post about four or five months ago but just as I had a post almost ready their demos / tracks disappeared from their bandcamp.  I wasn't 100% sure what to make of it, I think it was a simple case of the band taking down some old material in preparation for new releases follow, which it now has, hence my overdue posting...

Dark Bells aren't really a new band either, primarily made up of vocalist/guitarist Teneil Throssell and bassist Ash Moss who moved to London from Sydney last year, the trio are completed by Luke Richardson on drums.

Yet to officially release anything (I think), "Want" (taken from a 'forthcoming' unannounced EP) changes that for the better and is sure to propel the band to the attention of many non-London folk who haven't already been transfixed by the ferocious roar of their live show. For one thing is for certain (and I've seen them twice now), if you see Dark Bells live, you're going to count yourself amongst their fans.

A band with a perfect balance of power and beauty, huge bass-lines and aggressive beats merge with intense vocals and chiming guitars and distortion, at almost six minutes in length "Want" transfers itself well to record from the live version I can recall from their recent Lexington show. With an ear bleeding howl of swirling guitar, throbbing bass and doom laden drums the infectious "Want" instantly penetrates your mind with frenetic vocals and huge, electric sounds, then it slows down with tropical rhythm patterns in a middle, instrumental sections which lulls you into a false sense of security before a deafening finale. Simply incredible.

I've also included a live Youtube version of one of the tracks which was removed from the bands site (presumably for a future release - hopefully anyway), the incredible "Wildflower", an equally incredible whirlwind of epic-sized, wall of sound. Do yourself a favour and listen below.

The Hall of Mirrors present… Psychedelic Sunday

I'm currently in Dorset on a mini holiday / End of the Road festival break so this is the last post until my return on Monday and it is a little break from my usual 'here is a band, check them out' style posting too because it features several acts I've already featured and a recommendation of a gig to go and see them.

An all day event takes place next Sunday, September 9th (from 4pm) at The Lexington (which I think everyone in London agrees is just about the best small venue in town) and comes with an incredible line up of acts with tickets available at a silly price of just £3 in advance (£5 on the door) - get them quick from wegottickets - this event real deserves a good turn out, reasons below...

Hosted and headlined by The Hall of Mirrors, a band I've been familiar with for a while but never quite got round to posting, possibly because one of the blogs nearest to this, the wonderful Breaking More Waves always covers them better than I ever could. Their retro, sun-kissed psychedelic pop is overwhelmingly gorgeous, nostalgic melodies and sweetly honed voices make for bright, harmonically brilliant pop that's going to cap off a truly wonderful day.

Before them though there are plenty of acts I've covered before and have had playing at my Beautiful Strange nights too, We Walk on Ice, a wonderful two piece led by Ida Jacobsson's compelling ethereal vocals and cinematic guitars backed by Lincoln's impressive powerhouse drumming (to be seen live), a band who create a sound that belie's their small number. Seawitches head down to London and I'll be seeing them for the first time, I can't wait to see how their twisted, trippy rhythms translate to the live arena.

Also playing are Carousels whose wall of sound shoegaze soundscapes I've been following for a while now, luscious boy/girl harmonies driving drums and swirling, layered guitars. A potent combination. From a similar aesthetic are the incredible Dark Bells, who literally blew me away at The Old Queen's Head back in May, led by Sydney natives (but London residents) Ash and Teneil the trio produce a whirlwind of epic sized dark-pysch noise that is going to bring them an army of fans once their nearly finalised EP is released.

Of the bands I've not covered or heard before I'm instantly enamoured to the 60's inspired good times vibe of The Hypnotic Eye, single "Marianne" is fast, energetic and full of power pop attitude, quite wonderful.

All that for £3.00. You'd be mad not to clear your diaries! Tickets from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/179613