Tag Archives: Chess Club Records

L’objectif – Feeling Down

L'objectif by Dan Broadley

L’objectif by Dan Broadley

Iggy Pop-endorsed, Leeds band L’objectif release their new EP, ‘We Aren’t Getting Out But Tonight We Might’ via Chess Club Records.

Comprised of schoolmates Saul Kane (vocals, guitar) and Louis Bullock (drums) – who first formed a band together at the age of 12 – Ezra Glennon (bass) and Dan Richardson (guitar), the young friends have a shared love of genres and musicians that belies their tender age: jazz funk, hip-hop, punk, post-punk, and almost everything in between.

Watch the video for current single, ‘Feeling Down’ below:

Commenting on the EP, Saul says:

“I hope this project is a progression from the first, stylistically at least. The influences for it feel more varied as, naturally, what you’re listening to changes. More synth and electronic parts were something that I wanted to include as well as more piano. I wanted to combine different textures into our sound that we hadn’t done before, so there’s more layers to our songs this time around. As an EP itself, it’s another insight into what we want this band to be and how it should sound. It’s one more step forward, but it’s not the final destination.”

You can listen to the EP in full here:

 

Tour Dates

22 Jun | The Dome, London*
25 Jun | Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow*
26 Jun | YES, Manchester*
27 Jun | Brudenell Social Club, Leeds*
29 Jun | Rough Trade, Bristol*
5 – 7 Aug | Distortions Festival, Birmingham
1 Oct | Neighbourhood Festival, Manchester
20 Oct | Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

*supporting Geese

Sounds like: Folly Group, Sports Team, Courting, Home Countries, Everything Everything

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WEEKLY GEMS 177

Milky Chance – Synchronize

Milky Chance by Anthony Molina

Milky Chance by Anthony Molina

Returning from their sold-out US & Canadian tour, German duo Milky Chance share their brand new single ‘Synchronize’.

The nostalgic indie-dance number takes us back to better times and the video exudes joy, to match. It’s out now through their independent label Muggelig Records.

Sounds like: Will Heard, KYKO, Paul Simon, Jagwar Ma

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36Birds – BOY

36Birds

Queer artist 36Birds wants us to fall in love with rave again, and his new single ‘BOY’ does just that.

Interpolating Underworld’s iconic ‘Born Slippy’ and underscoring it with a tough kickdrum while also referencing Bronski Beat’s ‘Hit That Perfect Beat’, his vocals, seduced in autotune, fuse heart-on-sleeve R&B with rave. In a bid to give something back, 36birds wanted his fans to receive it as a free download, which you can get below.

Sounds like: LSDXOXO, serpentwithfeet, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Britney Spears

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Phoebe Green – Make It Easy

Phoebe Green

24 year-old Manchester rock chic Phoebe Green releases ‘Make It Easy’ on Chess Club Records. Bang on trend, Green is establishing herself as one of the UK’s leading contemporary lyricists.

The video, directed by Lillie Eiger, showcases the lighthearted theme behind the song, and lends more towards darker electronic pop than previous guitar heavy endeavours from Green.

Sounds like: Billie Eilish, Self Esteem, Baby Queen

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The Ology’s – IJWICHTY (I Just Wish I Could Have Told You)

The Ology’s

Introducing The Ology’s, a five-piece indie pop/rock band from the UK.

Echoes of 60’s sentiments, their hazy new single ‘IJWICHTY (I Just Wish I Could Have Told You)’ is a psychedelic journey to a slow-rock, retro world.

Sounds like: Fleetwood Mac, Kings of Leon, The Libertines

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Coach Party – Bags

Coach Party by Charlie Jones

Coach Party by Charlie Jones

Isle Of Wight band Coach Party shares their latest track, a cover of Clairo‘s ‘Bags’. A huge fan of Clairo’s album ‘Immunity’ and a result of their combined restless lockdown creativity, the visuals were made remotely and can be watched below.

The band’s debut 6-track ‘Party Food’ EP was produced by their own Guy Page and is out now on Chess Club Records. You can listen below.

Sounds like: Wolf Alice, Lauran Hibbard, Honey Lung, Dream Wife, Talk Show, The Big Moon, Black Honey, The Amazons, The Strokes

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Weekly Gems 91

Love You Later – Said You’d Be There

Love You Later by Sara Anne Waggoner

Love You Later by Sara Anne Waggoner

Love You Later is the brainchild of Nashville-born, synth-pop artist, Lexi Aviles.

She creates heartbreaker bangers with dreamy landscapes and an infectious pop vulnerability.

Her new single ‘Said You’d Be There’ is about not getting caught up with the small things that happen in life, but to let go, be free, and dance your way through the endless horizon ahead.

Sounds like: The Japanese House, MUNA, Soccer Momm, Snail Mail

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Zoe Konez & Antonio Lulic – Echo

Zoe Konez & Antonio Lulic - Echo

Singer-songwriters Zoe Konez and Antonio Lulic combine on the rousing alternative-pop anthem “Echo”. Drawing on influences from Zoe’s indie background and Antonio’s stadium-filling pop tones, it’s an epic piece of pop-fusion that details a longing for adventure at the expense of personal relationships.

Sounds like: Oh Wonder, Of Monsters and Men, Ben Howard

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Yaeger – I Tried

Yaeger

Extreme sport fanatic and Swedish pop act Yaeger (“hunter”) shares her dynamic single, ‘I Tried’, out now on Chess Club Records.

It’s infectious pop with a solid backbone. Listen below.

Sounds like: Tove Lo, Zara Larsson

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STORME – Back To Her

STORME

Scandinavian STORME returns with her new single ‘Back To Her’.

Written in the Swedish wilderness, the track’s topic considers how beautiful the Earth is, but also how fragile it is in it’s current, dying state.

It’s out now via Humble Angel Records.

Sounds like: Rae Morris, KATE BOY, Björk, Aurora, RAINDEAR, CILVR, Bat For Lashes, The Knife, Róísín Murphy, Billie Eilish

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BOII – Footwork

BOII

British duo BOII have us quite taken aback with their ‘Footwork’. Seems like we’re not the only ones expressing our feelings through the mode of movement.

The track focuses on the time when you can truly experience the “moment” by moving away from a challenging place and escaping reality.

Sounds like: Zola Blood, Tourist, Mansionair

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Fruut – R.O.E (Running on Empty)

Fruut

Philadelphia based singer/songwriter/producer Fruut shares her lo-fi take on indie pop and RnB to create the smooth and breezy ‘R.O.E’.

The new single is her first collab with producer Fortunewest and it’s guaranteed to get those ears twitching.

Sounds like: Sorcha Richardson, Mallrat, Vera Blue, Geowulf

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Tensnake – Rules Feat. Chenai

Tensnake

After a two year hiatus, the greatly awaited single from Tensnake arrives. Titled ‘Rules’, the feel good track features vocals from Chenai in an ode to 90s house, with a modern twist.

It’s out now on Armada Electronic Elements.

Sounds like: MNEK, Le Youth, Joe Goddard, Disclosure, Fred Falke, Louis La Roche

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Ben Kidson – Money

Ben Kidson

Self-taught rock fan turned esteemed pop-writer Ben Kidson has given his hand to producing and the result is the energetic ‘Money’.

Featuring heavy sampling of 90s video game sounds hidden throughout the track, ‘Money’ calls on people who have said they can help you to “put your money where your mouth is”.

Sounds like: Billie Eilish, Yungblud, Twenty One Pilots

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Eli & Fur – Wall To Wall

Eli & Fur

UK-based rising stars Eli & Fur provide lush and haunting vocals in their new single ‘Wall To Wall’.

Released on Big Beat Records/SIKR (Gavin Koolmon from Disciples new label) the progressive electronic track works perfectly listening to at home as it does on the dancefloor.

Sounds like: Luttrell, Kidnap, Henri

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Benji Lewis – New Day

Benji Lewis

Benji Lewis returns with the wonderful ‘New Day’, conjuring up images of happiness and freedome.

Shot around Los Angeles by Chris Weigen, the video for ‘New Day’ features Benji singing in front of various pastel backdrops.

Sounds like: Troye Sivan, The Kite String Tangle, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, James Blake, Jack Garratt

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Skott – Wolf

Skott

Skott

Skott is an down-to-earth creature, who takes musical inspiration from the remote small town forest commune run by ‘outcast’ folk musicians, in which she grew up.

Although this small and supportive community exposed her to some music, it wasn’t until she visited the city for the first time in her mid teens that she experienced the sounds of contemporary music.

Her second single, ‘Wolf’, is a folk-inspired number about feeling of empowerment from never hiding away from your true instincts.

Aug 13 // Sweden @ Way Out West
Sept 28 // London @ Notting Hill Arts Club ‘New Shapes’
Sept 29 // London @ Birthdays
Oct 26 // Paris @ Pitchfork Music Festival

‘Wolf’ out now via B3SCI Records in the US and Chess Club Records in the UK.

Sounds like: First Aid Kit, Zella Day, Susanne Sundfør

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Sundara Karma – Vivienne

Sundara Karma

Sundara Karma

‘Vivienne’ is the first single from Sundara Karma‘s second EP – ‘EP II’.

The track is comprised of big vocals over addictive guitar hooks, which echoes the escapist feel of the track.

Oscar Lulu from the band describes the track:

“It’s a love song sure, but more to do with the escapism that love can offer than love itself. The world is pretty fucked, not that this is a revelation, nor am I saying anything new. I’m just singing about a type of love that blocks out all the noise.”

Their ‘EP II’ is set to be released on 6 November, through Chess Club Records.

Tour dates

21st October Manchester Apollo w/ The Wombats
22nd October Oporto, Leeds
23rd October Liverpool Guild of Students w/ The Wombats
24th October Soup Kitchen, Manchester
26th October Bodega, Nottingham
27th October Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
28th October The Horn, St Albans
31st October Sticky Mikes, Brighton
1st November Joiners, Southampton
2nd November Louisiana, Bristol
3rd November Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
4th November The Magnet, Liverpool
5th November Community, London
7th November Thirsty @ Readipop, Reading

Sounds like: The Wombats, Circa Waves, Biffy Clyro, CHAPPO, Arcade Fire

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Indietronica’s Guide to The Great Escape Festival 2014

Our ones to watch at this year’s TGE:

LAUREL

Laurel

Laurel

Laurel is a 19 year old from London who writes tracks about lust and love. She already has an impressive backlog of songs just waiting to be released to the public.

Have a listen ‘To The Hills’.

7pm on Thursday 8 May at Komedia.

Sounds like: Soft as Snow, Broods, Tove Lo, Lorde, Lana Del Rey

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TOVE LO

Tove Lo

Tove Lo

Tove Lo (aka Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson) is Swedish singer/songwriter. The feisty popstar-in-the-making has already written for the likes of Girls Aloud and Icona Pop, but this time it will be her taking centre stage at TGE.

Tove Lo is on a mission to get noticed and there is no doubting she will.

Tove Lo’s debut EP ‘Truth Serum’ was released via Universal Music in March and can be purchased on iTunes.

8.30pm on Thursday 8 May at Komedia.

Sounds like: Laurel, Icona Pop, Indiana

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CHILDHOOD 

Childhood

Childhood

Childhood were originally a duo who formed at Nottingham University. They have an expansive sound that has gradually flourished since their initial bedroom-recording days. We are expecting good things from these guys.

Sounds like: Be Forest, HAERTS, Swim Deep, Metronomy

10pm on Thursday 8 May at The Haunt.

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PAWWS

Pawws

Pawws

Pawws (aka Lucy Taylor) is a singer/songwriter from North London. She is classically trained on the flute and piano, but has branched into a more pop/electronic sound following tours with Kele Okereke and MGMT.

‘Give You Love’ is taken from her forthcoming debut EP ‘Sugar’.

9.15pm on Thursday 8 May at Komedia.

Sounds like: MSMR, RAC, Goldroom, MGMT, Daft Punk, Annie, Robyn

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ALL WE ARE

All We Are

All We Are

Years & Years count themselves as big fans of All We Are.

Rich, Guro and Luis originate from Norway, Ireland and Brazil and describe themselves as ‘Bee Gees on diazepam’.

8.30 pm on Saturday 10 May at The Haunt.

Sounds like: Stealing Sheep, Be Forest, Amason, Sir Sly, Years & Years, Warpaint, Frank Ocean, Metronomy, TV On The Radio, OutKast, Bon Iver, Broken Social Scene, Toro Y Moi

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EYEDRESS

Eyedress

Eyedress

Idris Vicuña is Eyedress. The 23-year-old Filipino largely conducts meetings from his bedroom in his parent’s house, where he makes his music as well. His music has a Nordic-sounding sadness to it, yet twinkles with hazy optimism.

9.15 pm on Saturday 10 May at The Haunt

Sounds like: I BREAK HORSES, Death Rattle, Soft as Snow, The Chain Gang of 1974

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JUNGLE

Jungle

Jungle

The music by soul collective Jungle has been bubbling away at the surface for some time now. With a pinch of Gorillaz-esque bass lines and sexy lyrics, these guys are definitely going to give Rudimental a run for their money. Expect to hear them on an advert near you very soon.

10pm on Saturday 10 May at The Haunt.

Sounds like: Rudimental, Disclosure, Le Youth, Clean Bandit, Gorillaz

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Y.O.U

Y.O.U.

Y.O.U.

Y.O.U (Your Own Universe) (aka Elliott Williams) has worked with Tigersushi owner, Joakim Bouaziz. Think 80s synth pop, nu disco, and house, with a nod to the legendary ‘French Touch’. This eclectic, forward thinking approach has placed Y.O.U in an esteemed class of artists, with Elliot’s ethos mirroring that of Tigersushi’s varied roster.

10pm on Friday 9 May at Blind Tiger.

Matt & Kim, Passion Pit, Miike Snow, Years & Years, Phoenix, GUSH, Holy Ghost!

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PHANTOGRAM

Phantogram

Indietronica wrote about ‘Fall in Love’ by duo Phantogram back in December.

‘Fall in Love’ is a powerful, heavy, track, with bass-driven pulsating sounds, and crunching synths reminiscent of Sleigh Bells. The drums are at times heading down a hip-hop route, all while Sarah Barthel’s vocals drive the melody, pulling the layered sounds together in this really cool track.

9.45pm on Friday 9 May at Digital.

Sounds like; Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metric, Sleigh Bells, Charli XCX

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AMBER RUN

There is some good music coming out of Nottingham lately. Amber Run are a Nottingham five-piece with a true talent to whip up indie anthems.

7pm on Thursday 8 May at Concorde 2.
2.30pm on Friday 9 May at Above Audio.

Sounds like: Young Kato, Two Door Cinema Club, Bastille, The 1975, Foals

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GHOST BEACH

Ghost Beach

Ghost Beach

We love a bit of tropitronica at Indietronica and Josh and Eric of NY-based synth pop duo Ghost Beach are no exception. Combing 80’s synth pop and 70’s disco vibes to create ultimate feel good tracks.

We aren’t expecting a visit from Noosa to this year’s TGE, but ‘Close Enough’ is just so catchy, it had to be included.

10pm on Friday 9 May at The Green Door Store.

Sounds like: Passion Pit, July Child, Noosa, Goyte, ASTR, The Knocks, Holy Ghost!, Smallpools, Goldroom, Oliver Nelson

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ULLA NOVA

Ulla Nova

Ulla Nova

Meet diverse London songstress, Ulla Nova.

From the get go, her debut track, ‘Kid From London’, fuses electro pop and hip hop beats, complete with cute snippets of chanson.

This London kid is tipped for big things.

10pm on Saturday 10 May at Sticky Mikes Frog Bar.

Sounds like: M.I.A, Iggy Azalea, Say Lou Lou, Lorde, CHVRCHES

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KIESZA

Kiesza

Kiesza

Shortly before the garage trend of the late 90s, the UK’s vice was house (acid house, deep house…you name it the UK loved it).

Kiesza is originally from Calgary, but is now based in NYC. The 25-year old started as a ballerina in her teens before joining the Canadian Navy. Training to be a sniper, she made the dramatic switch to music.

11pm on Friday 9 May at The Warren.
1.15am on Saturday 10 May at Brighton Coalition.

Sounds like: Disclosure, Aluna George

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WILD BEASTS 

Wild Beasts

With the distinctive falsetto voice of Hayden Thorpe loved and hated by all, Wild Beasts‘ songwriting abilities are unquestionably brilliant.

We are looking forward to watching these guys.

9.45pm on Friday 9 May at the Brighton Dome.

Sounds like; Foals, Antony & the Johnsons, Twin Shadow, Dutch Uncles

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SALT ASHES

Salt Ashes is 22 year old Veiga Sanchez. The Brighton-based dark electronica songstress cites influences from Kate Bush to Daft Punk.

11.30pm on Saturday 10 May at Brighthelm.

Sounds like: Daft Punk, Le Youth, M.I.A, Kavinsky, Kate Bush, Ghost Beach, Ronika, Kylie, Depeche Mode

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Youtube

BALLET SCHOOL

Ballet School

Ballet School

Berlin-based Ballet School is Irish Rosie Blair on vocals/guitar, Japanese-Brazilian Michel Collet on lead guitar and Louis McGuire on drums.

Blair and Collet met two years ago in Berlin when Blair heard Collet playing his guitar in the U-bahn. Sharing their love of the Cocteau-Twins, she immediately asked him to form a band. In 2012 they began collaborating with McGuire.

With a mélange of 80’s pop and R’N’B at the forefront of the band’s agenda, their tracks provide a meditative driving beat of pop at it’s best and showcases both Irish and Japanese influences.

8.15pm on Thursday 8 May at Brighton Coalition.
12.30pm on Thursday 8 May at The Green Door Store.
3.30pm on Friday 9 May at The Green Door Store.

Sounds like: Cocteau-Twins, The Cure, I BREAK HORSES, The Naked and Famous, Blondie, Claire, BLSHS, Kavinsky, Madonna, Robyn, Ronika, BLSHS

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BROLIN

Brolin

Brolin

Brolin is a UK-based vocalist, songwriter, producer and remixer. To date, he has remained pretty anonymous simply stating on his Soundcloud page; “I am a bedroom producer, self-taught, self-analysing, into beats, space, and melody”.

We are looking forward to watching him play.

3.15pm on Friday 9 May at Komedia.

Sounds like: Rainer, H A R T E B E E S T, Kaleida

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MØ – Waste Of Time

mo_wasteoftime

is the effortlessly cool Danish vocalist Karen Marie Ørsted and accompanying producer Ronni Vindahl. She first came to light with debut single ‘Pilgrim‘ at the end of 2012, and ‘Waste of Time’ is an equally catchy accomplishment with punchy beats and her trademark handclap throughout. ‘Waste of Time’ is out on 7th July 2013 through Chess Club Records/RCA Victor, available to preorder here.

Sounds like: Santigold, MS MR, Lykke Li
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