Creatures of Love #3 - Barbatos

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Creatures of Love return with a sparkling new version of a track I first mentioned back in February, 'Barbatos' will be the London trio's second release and for those of you who prefer quick a summary, the first word that comes to my mind to describe the track is enormous.

"Barbatos" is epic and dramatic, CoL are, and to forgive the pun, creatures of the night, a veil of thick, misty gloom shrouds throughout, an atmospheric current of doom-laden shadowy beats, echoey guitars and icy chimes. "Barbatos" is unashamedly melodramatic and sumptuous for it, Bonita's vocals striking, effortlessly conveying equal measures of beauty and emotion through her incredible voice. Creatures of Love music maybe dark and window shattering in proportion but it is also quite gorgeous.

I can't see the accompanying video being shown on MTV any time soon, it features two girls dressed in school uniforms and swimming costumes (and a whale) and features them in all manner of provocative and suggestive positions (not the whale), not one for the easily offended I guess.

For those of you coming to see The Joy Formidable over the next three weeks get there early because CoL are the first support, I've seen them a couple of times already and their live show is stunning, extremely loud and maintains this incredible intensity throughout, when I first saw them at The Borderline in January the room went silent as soon as they started - not bad for a support band. They've also the biggest light bulb I've ever seen. Alternatively, they headline London's CAMP on November 24th.

Like their debut "An Introduction to Creatures of Love", "Barbatos" will be released on ultra limited (just 66 copies) via Red CD in 7" vinyl packaging, assumingly on sale in their shop here and on The Joy Formidable tour. You can get the track as a free download from the band with a quick trip here.

Listen / Watch:
Creatures Of Love - Barbatos by CreaturesOfLove

Esben and the Witch #5 - Hexagons

Facebook / esbenandthewitch.co.uk/

Just a couple of days after I mention Esben & The Witch teasing us with a trailer for a forthcoming EP the Brighton trio have released a track from it as a free download...

You can stream / download "Hexagons II (The Flight)" below. After their long awaited debut 'Violet Cries' February release you could have forgiven the band for taking the rest of year to promote and tour it, though I for one am happy to see them return quickly and can't wait to hear this standalone EP in full, given the six part hexagon title (including a revamped Hexagon IV from the album), I'm hopeful for a seamless listening experience.

I think it's safe to assume that fans of the album will be immediately at home with "Hexagons II", it continues with the eerie, atmospheric soundscapes heard on the full-length, the otherworldly vocals of Rachel Davies combine with creeping guitar line echoes and electronic rhythms to create an icy cold, misty fairy tale that's equal part celestial and nightmare. Esben & The Witch's hauntingly dark sounds definitely aren't for the mainstream (I'm still unsure as to how they got a BBC Sound of 2011 birth - not that I'm saying it's undeserved, I just don't see any mainstream crossover potential) yet for those willing to enter their bewitching (sorry) universe, the Brighton three piece are proving to be one of the essential acts of this decade.

The six part Hexagons EP is due for release November 7th (I've not seen any mention of physical/digital release method yet), the full track listing and a small handful of live shows can be found at their label Matador's site.

Make sure you buy the 'Chorea' 12" to, exclusive to Record Store Day but you can get a copy for a fiver from the band direct here.

 

Ellen and the Escapades - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / ellenandtheescapades.com/

I'm behind the times with Ellen and the Escapedes, other than the knowledge they won the Glastonbury Emerging Talent contest in 2010 I'd gone no further with the five piece until I listened to their forthcoming single 'When The Tide Creeps In’ (which is due for digital release October 24th), it certainly was enough to pull me in.

Ellen has this commanding vocal, dusky, warm and gorgeous, the country tinged a-side "When the Tide Creeps In" sweeps along with delicious melodies and passionate vocals, it's beautifully put together and delivered in such a captivating manner, a perfect choice for a single.

B-side "Always in My Heart" is slower, more delicate and intimate, Ellen's soulful vocals backed by gentle acoustic guitar and glorious harmonies. You can listen to both tracks below.

Ellen and the Escapades play an intimate show at London's Bowery tonight (details), the support is the wonderful Emily and the Woods and I'll be trying my darnedest to get there. Further dates throughout the remainder of the year can be found on Ellen's site.

When The Tide Creeps In by Ellen and the Escapades
Always In My Heart by Ellen and the Escapades


Green Man Session 017 // Ellen And The Escapades - When The Tide Creeps In from Green Man on Vimeo.

Paper Aeroplanes - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / paperaeroplanesmusic.com/

Over the next month or so I'm trying to make a concerted effort to write up some posts that I've had in 'draft' status for a period of time. This is a pure 'hobby blog' and finding the time to do everything I want is, at times, difficult... I've around sixty posts in various states of 'draft', some are half written, some purely a reminder to investigate a band further, I'll go through them as my mood fancies so be prepared for some blog post about bands with nothing to currently promote!

Anyway, waffling, I don't remember when Paper Aeroplanes came to my attention but their melancholia-laced acoustic / alternative pop songs are going to melt your heart with their honest, intimate approach to song-craft and the damn-right gorgeous voice of vocalist Sarah Howells.

Their most recent release is the 'A Comfortable Sleep' EP (which was released September 16th and can be streamed / dowloaded from their bandcamp page now) my stand-out is the stunning heartfelt "All You Need", I'm repeating myself already but the most important part of Paper Aeroplanes is Sarah's voice. Her gorgeous, soothing vocal steals the show, the melodies are simple and restrained, the lyrics thoughtful and reflective and backed by Richard Llewellyn's understated guitar the end result is beautiful.

Similarly check out the lovely "Tuesday" below, equally capable of caressing or soothing depending on your mood. I could easily say the same for "Painkiller" another luscious track which sees the addition of gentle strings to accompany intricate acoustic strums and the pitch perfect vocals.

The EP is their second release of the year, in April they released a mini-album, the seven track 'We Were Ghosts', I've included an acoustic video for a track that blew me away on first listen, the breathtaking "Same Mistakes" as well as the slightly more upbeat jaunt of "Safe Hands". Stream / download and purchase a CD copy here.

In typical me fashion, being late to the party, the band have already been on their UK tour for well over a week, though they have a handful of dates left including London on Wednesday (at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith) - full dates.

All You Need by Paper Aeroplanes
Paper Aeroplanes - Tuesday
Paper Aeroplanes - Safe Hands

Palms - New Music "Introducing"

http://soundcloud.com/palmstopalm

I don't have to much to tell you about Palms other than my introduction to the Glaswegian band was a satisfactory one for me, the reason I enjoy posting the odd interview here isn't for a lazy post where I can cut and paste someone else's words instead of think of my own but to see if people who make the music that I like can introduce me to further bands that I will too. That certainly appears to be the case with Palms, introduced by Veronica Falls' Roxanne here.

The three piece only have one song (so far) uploaded to their soundcloud page ( I can't find a facebook / website etc) but it's a great. It's called "Wolf" and it's lo-fi, raw, garage rock. A hypnotic, chugging bass-line and repetitive percussive beat lead to frenetic cymbal crashing crescendos and a closing salvo of screams and howls. It might be rough around the edges but there is nothing not to like here.

Palms are lined up to play in London along with CoverGirl at Powerlunches on October 28th, a gig I'm planning on attending so hopefully that will shed some light for me. Full details.

Listen:
Wolf by Palms

News Round Up - 1st October

A Saturday round-up follows, I've fallen way behind again thanks to month-end overload and a hectic schedule of gigs, I'll catch up as and when I can. Here are some quite wonderful things I've discovered this week;

I've mentioned Erika M. Anderson, better known as EMA quite a bit recently, I'm doing so again because another breathtaking session has turned up, a new version of "Butterfly Knife". I mentioned just how much I love EMA's normal live version of the track here, this one sees the dissonance of frenetic, grungey guitar shredding and crashing percussion shift for an equally intense version of droning guitars and moody grand piano. EMA, you are truly amazing.


EMA - "California" (Daytrotter Session)

I Break Horses released the second (of three) 'Bedroom Sessions' videos yesterday, this one is for "Hearts" and just like "Winter Beats" it's stunning. Staying quite faithful to the studio version, a beautiful contrast of light and dark through glistening soundscapes, soft keys, pulsating rhythms and echoing guitars. Maria stands almost trance like, gently swaying with both hands on her microphone as she sings her beautiful, ethereal vocals. Incredible.

The embed seems to crash my computer at the moment, but you can view it at the following link; I Break Horses - 'Hearts' (Bedroom Sessions)
I Break Horses - Winter Beats

Zola Jesus performed one of my favourite gigs of the year on Monday at Toynbee hall, she was phenomenal, her stunning voice and entracing stage presence combined perfectly with the foreboding synths (all three of them) and military drumming, it was quite wonderful. I cannot wait to see Nika again at Heaven in November (especially as she's backed by EMA!). The encore version of "Run Me Out" was stunning, her voice would give Simon Cowell sleepless nights, thankfully this star is already shining much brighter than anything that has come from him 'show'. Her frenetic cymbal bashing at the end of "Collapse" and the majestic "Night" other highlights. Zola Jesus released her second album 'Conatus' last week, it's quite wonderful, I've listened to it about a dozen times already, expect it to feature high in my year end lists. Get it here.


Zola Jesus - Run Me Out (Acoustic Version)

Brighton's finest (well up there anyway) Esben & The Witch have annouced something to be released on November 7th via the teaser trailer below, I've seen speculation that it's an EP called 'Hexagons' and will contain six exclusive tracks, if that is the case consider me excited. The band are set to play London's Corsica Studios on Wednesday 16th November - tickets. If you haven't got their debut full-length Violet Cries and the Record Store Day 12" get them asap because they are quite simply exquisite.


Esben and the Witch - Marching Song

Fanfarlo produced one of (in my opinion) 2009's most consistent and impressive albums with 'Reservoir', they've taken some time to record the follow-up but recently shared a video for the first single "Replicate, it's safe to say that it's excellent. Wonderfully produced throughout with sporadic noises, luscious orchestral arrangements and harmonious vocals. Incredibly addictive after a couple of listen, I for one can't wait to hear more. Fanfarlo were really great when I saw them live at Dalston's Servants Jazz Quarters before the set out to record the second album so I'll be excited to catch them again at Cargo on November 21st - tickets.


Fanfarlo - Replicate