Anna Lena & The Orchids #3 - View of My Sanity

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I've been posting quite a few acts I've got an affinity for recently, I like that, I find it a lot easier to write about things that I know (though it does often end up with my waffling so apologies in advance!).

Anna Lena & The Orchids first came up on this little blog as long as last April and have played for three of my Beautiful Strange nights (as good enough indication as any I'd say) since she settled in London from Liverpool early this year and now after teasing us for almost all of the summer we've finally got to hear the first track from her forthcoming EP (coming early next year), it's a stunner too...

"View of my Sanity" is utterly gorgeous from the outset, from hushed beginnings the track blossoms amongst rich instrumentation and beautifully plaintive vocals, Douglas Dare's backing harmonies in perfect contrast to Anna's ethereal lead, clearly from the soul, it's an irresistible journey of emotion that you'll want to press repeat on pretty much straight away.

Anna is playing shows in Norway next week (along with Like Spinning) with more dates to follow I am sure.

Esben and the Witch #6 - Deathwaltz

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It's Halloween so what better than a themed post by a band called Esben and the Witch, who this week have announced their welcome return with the first track from their forthcoming second LP entitled Wash The Sins Not Only The Face (due for released January 21st 2013 via Matador). With their debut Violet Cries being one of my favourite albums of 2011 I'm obviously excited to hear this one in full and "Deathwaltz" has certainly done its job and peaked up my curiosity...

Esben and the Witch have always dealt in dramatic atmospherics and "Deathwaltz" is no exception, though not quite the grim death-march the name indicates, shimmering guitarscapes offer a kaleidoscopic tapestry not heard from the band before, but it wouldn't be the same Esben if the track didn't creep along with a mysterious intensity, with sonically unsettling swirls and Rachel Davies ethereal vocals at the fore "Deathwaltz" retains the haunting, creatures of the night air for which I, and so many others, have come accustomed to from the Brighton trio - they'll be more to come next year for sure.

The band have announced a UK/Euro tour for early next year (dates) and you can pre-order the LP direct from the band here (it comes with a limited 7" containing two exclusive tracks thrown in too) then make sure you grab the free Mp3 of the track here too.

Sophie Jamieson - New Music "Introducing"

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I've a lot of posts that I've been meaning to post for ages but not many of them have been waiting quite as long as this one for a write up, I've known about Sophie Jamieson for a while, I'm not quite sure where I first heard about her, I think it was through one of my gig attending friends who passes on some recommendations to me, if it was, and I know he really loves Sophie's music, he was right, Sophie has this beautiful soft voice and melt-your heart way with words...

I had Sophie down to play at one of my Beautiful Strange nights earlier this year but circumstances changed and that show never materialised, fingers crossed that once I get another folk night sorted we'll be able to make good on the promise of making the show happen... The catalyst to finally get this post written in full was yesterdays release of a compilation album from the good people at Folkroom Records (on a pay-what-you-like basis), to which Sophie has given them her incredible track "Dinah". Amongst the album there are plenty of other artists who deserve a write up including Worry Dolls and Ellie Rumbold who've both previously wowed me at BS nights, I'll leave this post to be about Sophie though.

"Dinah" is unbelievable, the subtle guitar plucks are intricate and provide a spellbinding simplicity to her hushed and fragile vocals, haunting and impeccably played it's simply a beguiling and timeless track that leave you with a warm, evocative feeling.

"Catch You Cry" is featured on Sophie's soundcloud (you can download it free too) and offers a similar level of purity and sincerity in its lyrics around a circling acoustic waltz, just gorgeous. There's a whole host of further tracks up on Sophie's youtube account, wrap yourself up warm (it's got chilly quickly!) and immerse yourself in the talent of this wonderful singer/songwriter. Sophie regularly plays around London and her current dates can be found here.

September Girls #5 - Man Chats

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Dublin's September Girls are amongst an exclusive bunch of acts for me, I live in (near) London and I'm spoilt in so much that I really don't have to travel around the country to see artists that I want to see, instead I reserve that for gigs I feel I can't miss, one instance was earlier this month when the girls were playing a Saturday night show with Pins in Manchester. I decided to take the plunge and book advance trains, a decision I don't regret (although my head didn't like me much the following morning), after being treated to electric sets by two of the finest new acts around.

Following swiftly from the wonderful Green Eyed 7" via one of my favourite independent labels Soft Power Vinyl September Girls have announced another slab of wax for release via US label Matinée Recordings in November. A three track 7" coming out on milky clear vinyl, it features two tracks I'm already familiar with and I've talked about on here before, the infectious, rough around the edges, garage pop of "Wanting More" and "Hells Bells", so I'll concentrate on the third, a new track, "Man Chats", a short, sharp burst of driving paranoia, full of psychedelic distortion and echoey harmonies it offers the perfect compliment to the catchy power pop of the other tracks, darker and mysterious it sees swirling key, chiming guitar and energetic drums gallop around your brain. Ace.

The girls promised me they'll be back in the UK early next year, I can't wait. I stole the attached picture from their facebook, fingers crossed for an 'I Want to Break Free' inspired video to follow!

Bird #3 - Shadows

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Here's a post I should have done ages ago but it took seeing Bird live twice in the space of ten days (supporting Tamaryn and Pins) to kick my arse into the gear and write a blog, Bird have changed their line-up since I introduced them here as long ago as July 2011, now a three piece (still) led by the celestial voice of songwriter/bassist Adele Emmas their atmospheric doom-folk has taken on a whole new level of ethereality thanks to the stunning guitar-scapes and complimenting harmonies of Sian Williams, with Alexis Samata providing the haunting beats.

Their recent EP Shadows portrays this dynamic with heavenly results, the title track flows with a dark, moody magic that highlights the bands sound perfectly, part spiritual beauty, part otherworldly and dramatic, with rolling beats and pure vocals "Shadows" intoxicates and sends you into a world of dimly lit cathedrals and Gothic wonder. "Monsters" is equally praiseworthy, intricate guitar plucks weave around repeating kick drums to create the chilly mood in which Adele's vocals soar and entrance, ghostly harmonies and textured arrangement that beguile in their beauty. Shadows is available via Jack to Phono on CD (at shows) or iTunes.

The live show deserves even more praise, swirling guitars and deep drums beats abound it was completed with a stunning version of Bauhaus' "Bella Lugosi Is Dead" which, while retaining its dark, sinister atmosphere metamorphosises into a dark fairytale with the siren-like harmonies of the Liverpool trio, so spine-tingling gorgeous are their voices, they could probably make a song about the apocalypse sound like a dreamy lullaby. By the magic of the 21st century you can see the version from one of the shows via youtube below, get ready for your knees to go a little wobbly.

Natasha Haws #2 - Stranger

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When I did an 'Introducing' post on Natasha Haws back in April I talked about her sparse, intimate folk songs with finger-plucked guitar melodies carried by beautiful, fragile vocals, six months later and my has she grown, on the title-track from her latest release Stranger there a strong, defiant edge that breathes through the dark, powerful track.

It starts bare enough but soon grows in strength when propelled by pummelling kettle drum beats and moody atmospheric glitches with Natasha's vocal soon possessing the sort of intensity you'd expect from a Bat for Lashes or Zola Jesus, not a 'finger-plucking folky singer-songwriter'. Quite stunning.

Stranger can be pre-ordered now via Tiny Light's bandcamp and is released on November 12th.