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

We Walk on Ice #2 - One Fine Day Part II

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I came across the luscious "Sea Sick" and "The Beast" by London based We Walk on Ice nearly a year ago now, I'm always partial to dreamy melodies and soft, ethereal vocals so really it wasn't difficult for me to fall for their gorgeous music. Since the band have stayed firmly on my radar and were amongst the first acts I asked to play at my recently started live music night (shameless plug: We Walk on Ice play my night at The Old Queen's Head next Tuesday, 21st February - full details / £3 tickets).

The duo release their debut 7" single "One Fine Day Part II" on March 19th (stream / watch below), a beautiful continuation of their cinematic soundscapes, Ida's compelling vocals combine with breezy guitar, focused drum beats and glistening xylophone(?) to create a soaring, energetic anthem that will surely sound even better live (hint!).

No pre-order details yet, so follow the band on facebook to keep up to date with the latest.

We Walk on Ice - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook // I was recommended We Walk on Ice by a very reliable source, once again he was bang on the money. The duo is made up of lead singer and guitarist Ida Jacobsson orginally from Sweden and drummer Lincoln Trevisani from Brazil, they are based in London. With such wide ranging upbringings their sound could have been anywhere from Abba to CSS though thankfully We Walk on Ice appear not (I'm basing this on two songs after all) to be an amalgamation of those two acts. Instead there is a lush and ethereal indie-pop sound, oozing with a dreamy atmosphere and soaring melodies.

If you listen to the quite brilliant tracks available on Soundcloud, "The Beast" and "Sea Sick" you'll see why. Ttwo sugar-coated wonders, Ida's vocal flows through with a real breezy beauty, backed by some precise percussion and echoey guitar. I am certainly looking forward to seeing / listening to more.

Sea Sick by wewalkonice

The Beast by wewalkonice