Daughter #2 - The Wild Youth

Facebook / ohdaughter.bandcamp

Exactly a year ago today I posted an introducing blog on Daughter, I said this back then 'Daughter is a new incarnation of Elena Tonra, I don't know too much about her other than that at the moment'.

A lot has changed in twelve months, firstly I used myspace to link to an artists' music back then, though more specifically to this post, Daughter has managed to amass a following of almost six thousand fans on facebook and gain hundreds of glowing reviews thanks to her exceptional live show (I can faithfully say that after, finally, catching Elena and Igor's acoustic show at Camden Barfly last week) and a couple of EP's that show off this hauntingly beautiful voice and a personal, intimate song-writing talent that should lead to her topping a lot of "industry peoples" tips for 2012 lists, no more than her prodigious talent deserves.

Daughter's latest release 'The Wild Youth' will be released on November 21st via Communion Records (digitally available on bandcamp now), it showcases Elena's staggering development over the year and is definitely her best release to date, expanding upon the delicate guitar-work and sparse arrangements that led me to fall for her early demos, now backed by a full band who add textured drums, shimmering guitars and a pulsating heartbeat to her tracks, most evident on the spellbinding "Medicine" where electronic programming create this hazy, smoke filled ambient air while gentle piano strokes and a bewitching vocal add to one of the most gorgeous, spectral tracks of the year.

Elena's voice remains pure and beautiful throughout, it's probably one of the most emotionally affecting, gorgeous voices I've heard recently, listening to the opening verse of the heartbreaking "Love" with its wounded, confessional lyrics is a provides a genuine goosebumps moment. If you aren't amongst those 6000 followers perhaps now is the time to stand up and pay attention, I'm sure dozens of A&R guys already have.

Daughter plays a special show at one of London's most gorgeous venues, St Giles-in-the-Fields Church on December 7th - full details / tickets.

Listen:
Daughter - Love (taken from 'The Wild Youth EP')
Daughter - 'Medicine' (Taken from 'The Wild Youth' EP)


Communion presents: Daughter from BABYSWEET SESSIONS on Vimeo.

Auction For The Promise Club #2 - One

Facebook /auctionforthepromiseclub.co.uk/

If I had my way they'd be a lot more hours in the day so I could give bands more attention and post a few more blogs, basically do more of what the one mission statement of this blog is, to promote the music that I like. Without painting an overblown and unrealistic scenario (life is hardly tough with a 9-5 job, a family, many hobbies, numerous nights out a week and a hobby blog) I get perhaps five to seven hours a week where I can sit down and listen to music, trawl other blogs, read my emails and write posts, it sometimes means I miss / neglect something that really deserves more attention.

One such instance is Auction For The Promise Club, the Cornwall based indie-rock three piece showed up here right at the start of February when I fell in love with four demos up on their soundcloud, I've been meaning to post an update for literally months.

Since, the band released their debut EP entitled 'One' and you can stream the last track "Dancer (Running in the Dust)" below, it's going to rock your socks off. An instant, commercially viable hit with the stunning, smoky vocals of Zoe at the helm, "Dancer" is a soaring, melodic noise-pop anthem that hits you like a freight train thanks to its rich vein of powerful beats, energetic riffs and blistering pace.

The first track on the EP is "Under China", one of those four demos I initially heard, equally confident and exciting, it's beautifully constructed around the thumping drums and loud guitar stomps, the sultry, beautiful vocals again ready to melt your heart; do yourself a favour and watch the video below.

You can order the EP on limited edition CD direct from the band here.

photo by Inigo Kennedy


Dancer (Running in the Dust) by auctionforthepromiseclub

EMA #5 - La Blogotheque Presents A Take Away Show

Dear EMA, please stop releasing so many extraordinarily amazing sessions, you are taking over my blog:

I said on Sunday that I'm continually posting EMA sessions because they keep blowing me away; guess what, it's happened again. Saying that, this one isn't just amazing, it's absolutely fucking essential. La Blogotheque Presents A Take Away Show are well known to me for being out of this world and this is no exception.

No more words, search the label for more on the songs if you want, just watch these, all of them, now:


EMA | Butterfly Knife | A take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

EMA | Marked | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

EMA | Anteroom | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Buy Erika's debut now - it's brilliant and then come and see her at Heaven in a few weeks, can't think of many better ways to spend your hard-earned myself.

The Staves #2 - Mexico EP

Facebook / thestaves.com/

The Staves have announced details of their new EP 'Mexico', released digitally on December 11th and available now on a limited CD run at the girls live shows - whose dates can be found here and includes a rather appealing one with Emily & The Woods, which unfortunely for me is on a day I can't make.

The three track EP starts with a new version of arguably the best track from their 'Facing West' release, "Mexico", highlights what the girls do best; seemingly simple yet beautifully created melodies based around gentle guitar plucking and divine three-way vocal harmonies.

New tracks "I Try" and "Icarus" shouldn't be missed either, both are simply exquisite, weaving an intricate web of rich harmonies which are captivating in their delivery. I try not to use other artists as comparison too often but imagine the delights of the Fleet Foxes at their finest sung by a trio of Marling-esque voices and you'll have some idea of the quality to be found within these three tracks.

As well as previewing the new EP, you can help yourself to two further tracks, (neither on which are on the EP) in exchange for an email address on the girls website, both taken from a live show at Cecil House and are equally wonderful. A full length is due next year and is one to put on your 'anticipated releases' lists.

Listen:
I Try by The Staves
Icarus by The Staves

Woman's Hour - New Music "Introducing"

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I had a blog about Woman's Hour ready for posting last week, I somehow managed to delete it before it was posted, clever hey, so consider this my second attempt. I've the memory of a sieve so I can't remember what it said, pretty much my normal thing, endless gushing praise and numerous adjectives to describe the (now) London based four pieces debut.

"Human" is the perfect introduction to the band, sparse soundscapes that utilise a similar sense of space and craftsmanship that took The xx to the top of the stratosphere last year. The opening three minutes of "Human" is a sumptuous marriage of subtle, relaxed electronic pulses, restrained shimmering guitars and the irresistible vocals of Fiona Burgess, at the half way point it morphs into a hopeful anthem with the repeated, euphoric exclamation of "oh, I'll get there, yes, I'll get there, even if I am scared", everything about it is really quite exquisite.

"Jenni" sits more in Wild Beasts territory (they share a producer) with calypso melodies and echoey rhythmic grooves. The double-a side is released December 5th through Dirty Bingo (order), the same label who brought us the wonderful Novella single and is highly recommended, a future collectors piece no doubt.

One thing my old post did have was a recommendation to see them play yesterday at Lock Tavern alongside Hella Better Dancer, unless you're off to see Doc Brown later that might be a bit tough now. I went and it was as fine a way to spend the last part of my weekend as I could think of, Woman's Hour did this particularly interesting take on "Heroes" which other than using a few lines of it's lyrics sound absolutely nothing like the original. They next play in South London on November 16th, entry just £1.50 - full details.

Listen:
Human by Woman's Hour
Jenni by Woman's Hour

Modern Superstitions #3 - Sunbleached Preview

Facebook /  modernsuperstitions.com/

Modern Superstitions have previewed three tracks on their brand new website as a taste of their new record ‘Sunbleached’, head over and listen, they are quite excellent. I recognise all three tracks from their current batch of UK shows (of which I've seen two), which sees them move their punchy, energetic rock-pop to the next level, led by the resonance and strength of Nyssa Rosaleen's impeccable vocals the Toronto four piece are one of the exciting and enjoyable acts I've had the pleasure of seeing multiple times recently.

"No Shame" shows off the tougher, gritty image, a stomping, pounding rocker, "School Days" production is sleek and dynamic, dripping with Nyssa's confident, powerful lead, ranging from sassy punk-rocker to snarling howl, the equally talented band are excellent throughout, hard charging drum beat, rumbling bass-line and jangling guitars, it's got the perfect amount of confidence and enthusiasm. "The Way I Want To" is the bands 'slow song' and is just gorgeous, one of my few criticisms of their debut EP 'All The Things We've Been Told' was that it was a little one-paced, this more plaintive and melodic number is just gorgeous, consider me exciting to hear about its, as yet unannounced, release.

The band are in the UK for at least the next month, they've been pretty poor at announcing the shows on facebook (two hours isn't enough notice!), I found out about both ones I went to through songkick, but they've got a few dates up here including London dates on November 17th and December 7th, hopefully they'll not be first band on like the two dates I've made, London punters really don't like showing up near the time that doors open! Go and see them, they really deserve some support.



Here are a couple of things I've posted before, a stunning live video and a stream of two of the highlights from their first EP, you can buy it for $5 here:

Modern Superstitions - Go-Between