Tag Archives: Amy Winehouse

Weekly Gems 101

fakelife – Drugs All Night

fakelife by Dillon Couchois

Matt Couchois of atmospheric indie-pop project, fakelife, releases invigorating new single, ‘Drugs All Night’.

You can almost sense the energetic tension as Matt sings about a tumultuously toxic romantic relationship – what more could you want from a nightclub pop anthem?

Sounds like: The Knocks, Great Good Fine Ok, RAC, La Poré

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BLOODHYPE – Violent Heart

BLOODHYPE - Violent Heart

Born from a simple plan – make music friends in a flatshare in former East Berlin, BLOODHYPE is a Berlin-based, independent gang of four that demand to be noticed.

Masterminded by frontman Weyland and UK producer John “P Nut” Harrison (Amy Winehouse, Alice Merton), their new single ‘Violent Heart’ caught us from the get-go. It’s an addictive slice of modern indie pop full of 80’s inspired self-pity.

Sounds like: Ten Fé, Larkins, Dancing On Tables

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Limón Limón – Normal Now

Limón Limón - Normal Now

Los Angeles duo Limón Limón offer a zesty take on the past and the future with their captivating nostalgic soundscape sound.

The new single, ‘Normal Now’ is about being yourself in a world that is always trying to turn you into someone else.

Sounds like: Midnight Pool Party, La Felix, All The Rest, argonaut & wasp, Goldroom, Pastel, 90’s Kids

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Tina Boonstra – Out of my depth

Tina Boonstra

Churchgoer-turned-open mic singer Tina Boonstra has shared her interesting new track, ‘Out of my depth’.

With a sharp emotional intensity, you can feel the angst bubbling underneath as the track progresses into a crushingly honest rage against the universe, God and insomnia.

Sounds like: Regina Spektor

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SUMif – Collide

SUMif - Collide

SUMif shares her sensual new single, ‘Collide’.

Written after an enlightening, whirlwind romance, it’s a heady mixture of naivete, recklessness, seduction, and soulful connection.

Sounds like: REMMI, Cappa, Monogem, Evvy, Noosa, Sizzy Rocket

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NoMBe – HEELS

NoMBe - HEELS

German-born, Los Angeles-based indie artist NoMBe shares ‘HEELS’, a catchy AF funk-laden jam.

Oozing sass upon sass, it’s taken from his upcoming concept album, ‘CHROMATOPIA’ which is built upon the spectrum of colour and the spectrum of sexuality.

Sounds like: The Knocks, Jungle

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Foreign Fields – Rose Colored

Foreign Fields

Foreign Fields is US-based Eric Hillman and Brian Holl, who create a bewitching melting pot of acoustic sounds.

As with all promising folk contenders, the duo wrote and recorded their upcoming album, ‘The Beauty of Survival’ in the winter in a back-to-basics cabin with no heating built by a two-man father-and-son team in Western Wisconsin.

Listen to ‘Rose Colored’ below.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, Billie Eilish

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Bronze Whale – Let’s Go Walk

Bronze Whale - Let's Go Walk

Bronze Whale like to walk a lot. During this time, they talk about things they want to accomplish, music stuff and dinner.

This where the lyrical inspiration came for ‘Let’s Go Walk’, a resonating and atmospheric electronic piece about love, loss and learning. It’s out now on their own label, Magic Magic.

Sounds like: Glass Animals, Alt-j, OTR, CLN, Golden Vessel, Autograf

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The Policy Feat. CUT_ – NLYU

Dutch-based The Policy teams up with CUT_ to create the looping, synth-based, and nostalgic ‘NLYU’.

Looping lyrics reflect a DIY attitude, after all it’s only you who can make it come true.

Sounds like: Joe Goddard, Todd Terje, Jessie Ware, Disclosure, Kylie Minogue

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Zoë Phillips – Love Is Gone

Zoë Phillips - Love Is Gone

Multi-instrumentalist Zoë Phillips combines country with beautiful folktronica. Think Dolly Parton meets Bombay Bicycle Club.

Set for the same level of fandom, Phillips has already seen plenty of support from the BBC, and her new single ‘Love Is Gone’ is going to propel her closer.

Sounds like: Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Bombay Bicycle Club, Lucy Rose, Maggie Rogers, Birdy

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HUMANS – Beggin

HUMANS

Looking like they are having the best time, the video footage was taken from many of their past videos plus some extra shots from 2010 to 2019.

HUMANS is a Canadian indie-electronic duo made up of musicians Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq. Focusing on performance and production styles of both the past and present, HUMANS have consistently impressed upon audiophiles with their technical and compositional skills.

Sounds like: Madcon, Digitalism, Rudimental

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Fí – all i have

Fí - all i have

Dublin-based self-taught musician, drops ‘all i have’.

Written and intended as a diary entry, the electro-pop number holds a collection of emotions following a break up. Listen below.

Sounds like: Halsey, Låpsley, VERITE

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Mannequin Online – I Do

Mannequin Online - I Do

Introducing Zach DeGaetano and Bridget Boltz – aka Mannequin Online.

Pushing sonic and ideational barriers with gritty, yet refreshing off-kilter pop, may their sound forever remain bright, gritty, and unapologetic. Listen to ‘I Do’ and check out the glorious Gorgeous guitar solo.

Sounds like: Goldroom, Poolside, VHS Collection, The Knocks, Miami Horror

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SK – When You Know

SK

Exciting neo-soul newcomer SK shares ‘When You Know’, a song about knowing when you’ve found the one.

It’s evident that SK is trailblazing the British soul and jazz scene with her rich songwriting and shimmering vocals.

Immersed in the genre from a young age, she was raised on the sounds of Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway. As she approached her teenage years, her tastes evolved towards the jazzier sounds of the musical spectrum. SK also developed an appreciation of R’n’B after suffering a heartbreak.

Sounds like: Jorja Smith, Myo, Nimino, Yakul, Rosie Lowe, Amy Winehouse

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An Indietronica Preview of NOS Alive 2018

NOS Alive

We do like a good festival, and after hearing that NOS Alive in Lisbon, Portugal is up there as one the world’s best music festivals, we decided to plan a trip in July to find out what all the fuss is about!

In the mean time, buckle up and check out our ones to watch within the indietronica genres (looks like we’ll mainly see you at the Sagres Stage then!).

THURSDAY 12 JULY

Friendly Fires, Sagres Stage

Friendly Fires

Energetic Brit boys Friendly Fires return to the festival circuit after a hiatus.

Having already had massive success with hits such as ‘Paris’, ‘Jump In The Pool’ and ‘Skeleton Boy’, their new single ‘Love Like Waves’ doesn’t disappoint and continues the theme of tropical-tinged synth sounds.

Expect a highly fun and bold performance at NOS Alive.

Sounds like: Fenech-Soler, Two Door Cinema Club

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Jain, Sagres Stage

Jain

Jain is a multi-cultural singer/songwriter and self confessed beat-maker, originally from France, but who has also spent time in Dubai and The Congo.

Jain means achieving liberation of the soul, and that’s exactly what this music embodies with its flecked sounds of African rhythms with simple, yet vibrant vocals.

Watch the video for highly recognised song ‘Makeba’ below and catch Jain at the Sagres Stage on Thursday.

Sounds like: Brigitte, Santigold, L.E.J, Yodelice, Lilly Wood & The Prick

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Khalid, Sagres Stage

Khalid

One artist we are super stoked to check out live is Khalid.

The American singer/songwriter originally started writing music during his college years, where he was also declared prom king. Amalgamating an array of sounds from classical, pop to hip hop, Khalid shows a real sense of urgency in his music.

We can’t get enough of his track with Billie Eilish, and can’t wait to see him perform at NOS Alive.

Sounds like: Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Father John Misty, Frank Ocean, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, James Blake, Billie Eilish

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Wolf Alice, Sagres Stage

Wolf Alice

Indie rockers Wolf Alice have been our firm favourites from the UK for some time now. They never disappoint at a live show, fronted by a fresh-faced Ellie Rowsell’s seemingly blasé but endearingly nervous attitude.

Expect a set full of their most brilliant tunes…so that’s all of them then!

Sounds like: Black Honey, Peace, Superfood, Foals, Circa Waves, Harry

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Sampha, Sagres Stage

Sampha

Sampha is to be one of the UK’s best musical exports in 2018.

He has a knack for writing songs with deep and personal lyrics of pain and reflection, some of which have unfortunately has stemmed from health hardships suffered with his family at home, and we can’t help but think we are supporting him on this journey.

Truly thought-provoking stuff, definitely worthy of a slot at NOS Alive.

Sounds like: Jessie Ware, Frank Ocean, Solange, Moses Sumney, James Blake, Chet Faker, SBTRKT, Dallas Green

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FRIDAY 13 JULY

Two Door Cinema Club, NOS Stage

Two Door Cinema Club

We have watched Irish electro-poppers Two Door Cinema Club play live countless times, and that’s why they’ve made this list.

It’s hard to believe these youngsters have been around for over eight years. Still full of energy and banging tunes, catch them on the Friday!

Sounds like: Phoenix, Hot Chip, Passion Pit

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Future Islands, NOS Stage

Future Islands

Future Islands‘ front man Samuel T Herring’s dancing is reason enough to go watch these guys at NOS Alive. And of course, the US synthpop band are wildly brilliant in as many unique, refreshing and inspiration ways possible.

Expect big things on stage!

Sounds like: Arcade Fire, Perfume Genius, Twin Shadow, Sylvan Esso, Austra

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CHVRCHES, Sagres Stage

CHVRCHES

Feisty feminist attitudes and catchy lyrics is what CHVRCHES brings to the table.

Lauren Mayberry has faced her fair share of trolls online, but to her testament, the Scottish trio continue to go from strength to strength. We are very much looking forward to this show!

Sounds like: Kate Boy, Avec Sans, Purity Ring, Vogue Dots, R.A.B.B.I.I., Kaleida, Gems, IYES, For Esmé, ALMA, Pale Hands, Acre Tarn, Prinze George, Leitbur, Monogem, PALMEDO, NONONO, Still Corners, MUNA

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Portugal. The Man, Sagres Stage

Portugal. The Man

Bold American rock band Portugal. The Man have been making serious waves of late, and if you haven’t heard of them, you soon will.

An iPhone soundtrack waiting to happen; expect goosebumps, sway inducing vocal harmonies and a fist pumping bass line.

Sounds like: Foster The People, Broken Bells, Grouplove, Circa Survive, MGMT

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Surma, Coreto Stage

Surma

Imagine if M83 and Joanna Newsom met one day and decided to make some music. The result would be the quirky and ambient tones of Portuguese Surma (aka Débora Umbelino).

Working with loop pedals, the solo artist works with analogue and digital sounds creating a primal yet sonic environment.

Sounds like: Yellerkin, Yoke Lore, M83, Joanna Newsom

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SATURDAY 14 JULY

Lotus Fever, Coreto Stage

Lotus Fever

Kicking off Saturday’s ones to watch are Lisbon natives, Lotus Fever.

They fit somewhere in-between Alt-J and Pink Floyd and it’s really refreshing to hear. We are expecting a super tight performance, thanks to their longstanding stint together since 2011 and it being their local city.

Sounds like: Alt-J, Pink Floyd

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Mighty Sands, Coreto Stage

Mighty Sands

Mighty Sands is a Lisbon-based quintet.

Their music has tendencies to sway in the 60’s, psychedelic market – imagine riding on a surfboard in space. However, we expect their set at NOS Alive to be a relaxed affair, where you can chill out and have a cider…or ride a surfboard in space, whatever takes your fancy!

Sounds like: Father John Misty, Tame Impala, MGMT

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MGMT, NOS Stage

MGMT

Less under the radar than the counterparts in this piece, but still worthy of a slot on one’s to watch at this year’s NOS Alive. The mighty MGMT!

The eclectic US-based duo are known for their otherworldly take on modern indie rock music, often combining psychedelic synths, crunchy guitars and stodgy vocals with fun videos.

Sounds like: Empire of the Sun, Foster the People, Tame Impala, Portugal. The Man

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Perfume Genius, Sagres Stage

Perfume Genius

Covering topics such as sexual abuse, suicide and alcohol abuse, Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) is one such musical role model we want to be more involved with.

His music represents such struggles and recoveries in a camp but delightfully magnificent way.

Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Kate Bush, M83, David Bowie, Future Islands, Fever Ray

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Bernado, Coreto Stage

Bernardo

Wow, Bernado‘s vocals have blown us away after watching her live performance of ‘The Boy Is Mine’.

The London based British/Portuguese singer/songwriter effortlessly combines modern attitudes from London attitude with a jazzy flair.

Sounds like: Amy Winehouse, Jorja Smith

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Real Estate, Sagres Stage

Real Estate

With a warming lo-fi sound, Brooklyn-based dream team, Real Estate is our last act to consider watching at NOS Alive.

Run by childhood friends who played in their backyards during the summer months, Real Estate write simple and endearing songs full of luminous guitar riffs and delicate synths.

We envisage this show to be a perfect end to a perfect weekend.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, Washed Out, MGMT

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Find out more info about NOS Alive and purchase remaining tickets here.

Jorja Smith – Where Did I Go?

Jorja Smith

Jorja Smith

After the first listen of Jorja Smith‘s release, ‘Blue Lights’, we knew the independent 18 year old has something extremely special and were excited to hear more.

Her new track ‘Where Did I Go?’ doesn’t disappoint.

Produced by Cadenza, ‘Where Did I Go?’ gives us a deep insight to the thoughts and feelings of a break-up through elegant piano chords and Jorja’s soft vocals.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Izzy Bizu, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse

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Blooms – Love

Blooms

Blooms

Some serious talent. Blooms is Louise Cunnane.

The Hackney based, Irish born artist began writing music as a child, but crippling stage fright meant putting dreams on hold while finding another path. Her initial tracks were born out of heartache as a relationship with her then boyfriend came to an end. Moving out of their home in Dublin and back to her family home in Mayo, Cunnane used her feelings of loss and despair to create her debut EP, ‘If’, a collection of tracks which is described as “the story of a relationship from beginning to end”.

‘Love’ is the second track taken from her second EP, ‘Still’. Produced by PNUT (Amy Winehouse, Holychild).

Speaking on the track, Cunnane states:

” Love is a reflection on my first EP; remembering all of the great parts – which is so easily done after the breakdown of anything – but then strongly reminding myself that I have come too far to come back. I have been locked in this weird little personal battle and I refuse to be defined by it. ”

Also developing her own label, Skin On Skin Records, we can’t wait to hear more!

Sounds like: Banks, Evvy, London Grammar, Broods, Dominique, Ellie Goulding, July Child, Sasha Keable

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CHLØË BLACK – Cruel Intentions

CHLØË BLACK

CHLØË BLACK

Gothic soulstress CHLØË BLACK is back with stunning track, ‘Cruel Intentions’.

It’s an epic follow up from ‘27 Club‘, which was a little more bittersweet that ‘Cruel Intentions’. However, ‘Cruel Intentions’ is still about loss. The track is about cult classic ‘Killing Zoe’ and beseeches attention as CHLØË’s smokey voice surrounds your eardrums.

Sounds like: Hozier, Emile Sande, Sam Smith, Banks, Paloma Faith, Lana Del Rey, Amy Winehouse, Banks, Sky Ferreira, Lorde

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CHLØË BLACK – 27 Club

CHLØË BLACK

CHLØË BLACK

Fresh on the London scene is alt-soul singer Chløë Black. Originally from Australia though raised in Los Angeles and Paris, she calls her style nostalgic dark pop as Goth ‘n’ Soul .

Seemingly emerging from nowhere, Chløë has found her debut single ’27 Club’ receive buzzing underground support from the online blogging community, after uploaded the track to SoundCloud. With vocal stylings not too dissimilar to Lana Del Rey, the solemn, poignant synth arrangement of Banks, and the cross-subcultural edginess of Amy Winehouse, Chløë is certainly gathering an eager following with her uber-cool audio-visual aesthetic, which takes a goth semblance.

The song itself is an ode to the musical greats who died at the age of 27; the members of the 27 Club – Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison.

Sounds like; Lana Del Rey, Amy Winehouse, Banks, Sky Ferreira
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