Hella Better Dancer #6 - Like A Child

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You'll probably know that this is a band close to my heart, Hella Better Dancer return with their deepest track yet, "Like A Child", due to be released via Beech Coma on a super limited compilation tape Vol. 2 (that also features Tilly's solo project Lazy Day and is available to pre-order via Bandcamp now.

It must come with the precursor, of course, "Like A Child" is great, captivating around spidery guitar patterns, creeping bass-heavy rhythms and Tilly's intoxicating vocals, 'pure good vibes' was the pre-song promise, and yes, vibes (and reverb) are delivered aplenty, check out that funky rhythm section and the intricate guitar patterns that builds to a fascinating finale of awesomeness (solos). Cheers, once again, guys.

Listen below and don't hang around with those pre-orders...

Lazy Day - With My Mind

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Lazy Day might be a new name to you but perhaps Tilly Scantlebury and Hella Better Dancer are not, they certainly aren't new to me with HBD being a band I've supported on this blog for almost three years now with the relationship leading to my little label Beautiful Strange releasing a physical version of their (and with that knowledge you maybe aware that a biased opinion awaits) stunning single "Sleeptalking" late last year (the band also played for Beautiful Strange live shows on a couple of occasions, yes I'm lucky).

So with that in mind, it's with great pleasure that I got a sneaky early listen to the track I'm going to try and refrain from painting with too many superlatives today. "With My Mind" is most fully realised track that Tilly has released thus far under her Lazy Day pseudonym. Earlier tracks shared on her Soundcloud suited the band name (currently just Tilly, with hopefully a live band and dates to follow) perfectly, full of plaintive daydreams and spacious, echoed vocals. "With My Mind" takes that further with a brooding intensity and a hypnotic guitar riff that will embed itself in your brain, couple it with Tilly's magnetic voice, her sumptuous, soothing tones wrap around you and soon you're lost deep within. Quite brilliant.

Hella Better Dancer #5 - Sleeptalking

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Writing this blog has led to some great life rewards for me over the years, promoting gigs with acts that I've written about and releasing records likewise with my little label Beautiful Strange. Today sees a new chapter written...

Hella Better Dancer were featured here first back in May 2011 before I'd seen the London quartet play live or had ever spoken to them, simply one of the organic finds that make writing a music blog so rewarding for a music addict like myself. Since, I've seen HBD play on a good few occasions, the band played at the first ever gig I promoted (and then returned for another gig), I bumped into Tilly and Soph about 20 times during this years Great Escape festival and now, the band are releasing their new, incredible, single "Sleeptalking" through my little label of love.

I'm not down with self-promotion too much, check out the archive of my HBD posts for the praise I gave the band before I had a vested interest to see I really bloody dig this band but I'm not lying when I say that Sleeptalking is their best release yet. Listen to that bass-line and the guitar riffs and the beats and the harmonies - yes - it is bloody great.

The track comes out digitally today (grab it via soundcloud below) and on a super limited vinyl release (of just 100 copies) on November 11th. Each copy comes with a risograph print of the lyrics and stickers of the artwork too. The flip side is a super sweet acoustic take of "Sleep".

If you'd like to (self promotion alert) you can pre-order one from the Beautiful Strange Bandcamp or the band too.

Hella Better Dancer #4 - Sleep

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One of this blog's favourites Hella Better Dancer have kick started your post-Easter music fix with a free download of a new demo track "Sleep", the first new material heard from the quartet for about a year now (thankfully I've seen them live a few times over the same period)....

Recorded via a laptop's internal microphone, the same process that resulted in last years immersive Living Room EP "Sleep" glistens with equal sense of drama and melancholy, drenched in reverb the languid melody (well that's to be expected in a track called "Sleep") is sparse whilst the shimmering guitar textures and beautiful harmonies are heart-melting and rich, circling around Tilly's immediately identifiable honey-drenched vocals, it's the very definition of gorgeous indeed.

If you are new to HBD there are bountiful treasures to be found on their Bandcamp.

Hella Better Dancer #3 - Spring Demos

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One of my favourite bands of 2012 Hella Better Dancer have had a busy start to the year, with numerous live shows already under their belt and more lined-up over the forthcoming months, a drummer change and one CD already released (February's incredible Living Room) you'd be forgiven for allowing the London four piece some time to rest and record new material, instead, Hella Better Dancer have offered yet more new music, with the release of a new three track digital demo EP, the aptly titled Spring Demos.

More akin to their excellent live performances than the sparse, reverb-heavy beauty of the home-recorded project, Living Room, the three tracks highlight the young bands exceptional songcraft and gift for melody, exhibiting seemingly effortless progression through their career already "Dull" is a perfect example, the lead guitar has a bright, jangly rhythm which combines with chugging backing guitar and a driving rhythm section, luscious and melodic, the swirling atmosphere is explosive and powerful with Tilly's vocal as breathtaking as ever.

"Move Back In" and "Take This are equally worthy of my praise, the latter's sparkly riffs and punchy beats, the formers echoey guitar pop is moody yet quirky and catchy, these demos are the sound of a band comfortable with their craft and getting better.

You can download the Spring Demos for as little as you like (or as much, be generous) right now from HBD's bandcamp with physical version of the Living Room CD available now for just £2.50 here.

Hella Better Dancer #2 - Brother

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It's funny how it goes sometimes, Hella Better Dancer are a band that have been on my horizon for a while now but it was only recently that I raised the London four piece to the higher echelons of my (mental) list of favourite bands.

The catalyst perhaps was the second time I saw the band, after initially impressing with a show at The Lock Tavern towards the end of last year, the band headlined the first of this blogs very own monthly live music nights at the wonderful Old Queen's Head (read more about forthcoming events on the live page here), in January and were (although perhaps I may be a little biased) pretty bloody special. Still only 19 yet their level of musicianship is incredible, intricate guitar melodies, explosive drumming and heavenly vocal harmonies, without going on, a 35 minute set that was absolutely delightful.

"Brother", the lead song from a four track home-recorded project, 'Living Room' which will be released for free download on Feb 20th 2012 with a limited run of CDs planned is the sound of a band fulfilling their potential, it's fleetingly short at less than two mins but for the entire duration it immerses you in its bittersweet beauty, watch the rather great video for the haunting track below.

The same week Hella Better Dancer play a free show at The Silver Bullet (Thursday 23rd Feb - facebook event). You can also buy their first two EP's on iTunes now.

Hella Better Dancer - New Music "Introducing"

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I recently did a post about Ghosts You Echo who are signed to a small label, Roundhouse Records. At the same time I came across another band signed to the same label, Hella Better Dancer.

When I searched for some basic info on the group I came across this "All four members are in sixth form". That one sentence is enough to make me green with envy. Primarily because I'm getting to the stage where I can't even remember my sixth form days and secondly because for a group so young, they've got a fantastic sound that belies their jealousy inducing youth whereas I'm about as tone-deaf as it comes.

On "Last Song" and "Fuse" I can't help but think of another youthful band who swept the indie scene in 2008, Cajun Dance Party (who split but members have since formed a little band named Yuck). A gorgeous and restrained vocal from front-lady Tilly was the initial appeal, backed by some tight percussion, jangly guitar riffs and fantastic arrangement the group manage to infuse catchy indie-pop tunes with a great level of maturity. Instead of coming out all guns blazing and saving the "proper tunes" for the second album the London foursome have get their stall out from the beginning and crafted something extremely praiseworthy.

Their more recent EP 'Swimming' shows incredible progression, "Hundred Balloons" with some luscious melodies and shimmering soundscapes is immediately appealing and effortlessly cool, it's probably their stand-out to date though "Say It" and "Twenty Three" both have that catchy, jangly poppy beat that could well become their trademark. Cliché time, if Hella Better Dancer (it's a bit of a tongue-twister name guys!) were a stick of rock, they'd have promising written right the way through it.

The band are doing their A-Level's right now so are off the gigging circuit till the summer (good luck guys!) though again that just makes me go 'sigh', right, I'm off down the pub, I don't have any exams!

Listen:
Hundred Balloons by Hella Better Dancer

Say It by Hella Better Dancer