Tag Archives: Draper

Playlist: Larkins

Larkins

Rising Manchester four-piece Larkins recently dropped their highly-anticipated EP, ‘Hit and Run’ on Good Soldier Records.

It’s a finely-crafted mix of melodic futurism and vulnerability. We decided to have a chat with the guys ahead of their US tour to find out what’s going to be on their travelling playlist.

This is the outcome…

Khalid – Intro

Production-wise this is a pretty perfect track. Always feeling like it could kick in at any moment and it never does but still manages to bang. Incredible opening track to have on an album.

Gengahr – Icarus

Gengahr have completely taken up a level on this album. Produced by Jack Steadman from Bombay Bicycle Club, this track just makes your head move.

King Princess – Talia

Proper digging King Princess at the minute, love how this track goes from the laid back folky verse then hits you with the massive chorus. She’s proper pushing boundaries with her visuals as well, need to catch her live.

Whitney – Valleys (My Love)

Literally first heard Whitney for the first time a couple of weeks ago and fucking love them. Love how this track is kinda like a mellow Beach Boys without the harmonies on top of 70s acoustic folk with Bon Iver horns.

Friendly Fires – Pull Me Back To Earth

Whenever we’re trying to get a clean electric guitar sound in the studio we seem to reference this track. I remember when PALA came out and it blew my mind.

Jai Paul – Do You Love Her Now

Just absolute vibes. Again, that clean guitar sound is mad.

Foals – Spanish Sahara

Such an anthem. Seeing this track live and how the crowd reacts to it made me want to be in a band. The drop never fails to hype me up.

Bon Iver – Naeem

The vocal on this song is madness. The piano and the whole feel is just badass. Bon Iver can do no wrong. This album has been a massive reference point when we’re in the studio, especially when it comes to synth and drum sounds.

Bon Iver – 33 “GOD”

Another Bon Iver, 22 a million is top 5 best albums ever. The production on this track just blows the roof off. Cant even quite comprehend how good this track is. No idea what the lyrics mean but this track is just insanity.

Biffy Clyro – Different People

This song really marks two defining moments in Larkins career.

1. They opened with it when they headlined T in the park in Scotland and it seemed to be such an emotional moment for everyone there, it really made us realise that we wanted to do this.

2. Dom decided he wanted to be Simon and grew his hair really long.

Radiohead – Weird Fishes

In rainbows is such a monumental album and it was hard to choose one track but Weird Fishes really sums up Radiohead’s visionary blend of pop, rock and dance music.

Haim – Summer Girl

Such a great nod to the 60s with the Lou Reed sample but with such a modern LA vibe. We’d just got back from our first trip to LA when this came out and it proper seemed to sum up the city for us. The scene out there is so vibrant at the minute.

Khalid, Disclosure – Talk

Love this track. Another one we try to reference a little bit with the style of the synths and the drum sounds. The riff is so good.

US/UK Tour Dates

12 Mar – Toronto, The Monarch
13 Mar – New York, Pianos
14 Mar – Brooklyn, Elsewhere (Zone One)
18 Mar – Austin, Maggie Mae’s
19 Mar – Austin, Rainey Street
21 Mar – Austin, Broad Studios
21 Mar – Austin, Cedar Street Courtyard
24 Mar – Los Angeles, Moroccan Lounge

15 Apr – Bristol, Thekla
16 Apr – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
17 Apr – Birmingham, Castle & Falcon
19 Apr – Glasgow, Stereo
22 Apr – London, Heaven
23 Apr – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
24 Apr – Liverpool, Academy 2
25 Apr – Manchester, O2 Academy 1

Tickets are available here.

Sounds like: Flawes, Draper, The 1975, Sea Girls, The Wombats, Biffy Clyro, Friendly Fires

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Larkins – Not Enough Love

Larkins

Manchester-based band Larkins release their brand new single ‘Not Enough Love’ via Good Soldier Records.

The rich synth-infused, guitar-led track has just the right amount of The 1975 in there, whilst retaining their vibrant originality.

Regarding the single frontman Josh Noble says,

“‘Not Enough Love’ was born from thinking about our hometown. I just remember feeling like we just had to get out of there and moving to Manchester was such a big deal for us. The production is my favourite yet. We slowed stuff down to record and then sped it up to create really cool guitar tones. I think lyrically I just wanted to talk about everything that went on when I was a kid and being so frustrated with the politics that comes with a small suburban town.”

Tour Dates
[Tickets here]
October
12th – Manchester, Neighbourhood Festival
16th – Derby, The Venue
17th – Tunbridge Wells, The Forum
18th – Bournemouth, The Anvil
21st – Southampton, Joiners
22nd – Bristol, Rough Trade
23rd – Exeter, Cavern
24th – Brighton, The Pipeline
29th – Leeds, Wardrobe
31st – Glasgow, King Tuts

November
1st – Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s
3rd – Newcastle, Think Tank?
4th – Nottingham, Bodega
6th – Birmingham, The Sunflower Lounge
7th – Bishop’s Stortford, The Half Moon
8th – Leicester, Duffy’s Bar
11th – Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre
12th – London, The Garage
13th – Stoke-On-Trent, Sugarmill
14th – Liverpool, The Zanzibar Club
16th – Huddersfield, The Parish
18th – Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms
20th – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
21st – Hull, The Polar Bear
22nd – Sheffield, Leadmill
25th – Dublin, Academy 2
27th – St Albans, The Horn
29th – York, Fulford Arms
30th – Sunderland, Independent

December
5th – Wigan, The Old Courts
6th – Banbury, Also Known As
8th – Plymouth, Junction

Sounds like: Draper, The 1975, Sea Girls, The Wombats

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PLYA – Dynamite

PLYA - Dynamite

Electro-pop trio PLYA shares new single ‘Dynamite’.

Julia Sykes is one frontwoman not afraid to get intense with her listeners – explosive melodies and powerful synths depict a fiery relationship that may not be good for you, but one that you just can’t get enough of.

Sounds like: Fickle Friends, Draper, Sykes, Broods, Phantogram, Monogem, SADSUN

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Weekly Gems 46

WILLA – Cause You Did

WILLA

Much like Charli XCX, Toronto-based pop artist WILLA has music and colour synesthesia; a cross-sensory condition which allows those who have it to experience things with more than one sense.

Channelling a new sparkling colour in ‘Cause You Did,’ WILLA confronts the feelings of pain associated with the person that hurt her the most.

Sounds like: Billie Eilish, VÉRITÉ, Charli XCX

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Coach & Ref – Decisions Feat. Mike Taylor

Coach & Ref - Decisions

Boston-based futurist nu-electro/synth-pop duo Coach & Ref team up with Los Angeles-based talent Mike Taylor on their highly optimistic new single, ‘Decisions’.

Speaking of the track,

“Decisions is a song that answers a question people ask me all the time “Why are you so damn happy” and the answer for me is, “I choose to be so damn happy”. It’s as simple as that.”

Sounds like: Sofi Tukker, Taylor Swift

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RKCB – Know Love

RKCB

RKCB is Los Angeles-based twosome comprised of Riley Knapp and Casey Barth.

Their single ‘Know Love’ is about accepting change, inspired by a book written by Alan Watts during the duo’s time in London, and is full of R&B leaning pop melodies and waves of synths loops and impassioned vocals.

Sounds like: Talos, Aquilo, Solomon Grey

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CUB – Don’t Wanna Know Feat. Clara Hurtado

CUB - Don't Wanna Know

Rising young producer CUB shares his new single ‘Don’t Wanna Know’.

Once again featuring the vocal talents of The Voice UK’s Clara Hurtado, CUB and Hurtado manage to perfectly unite electronic dance and pop realms.

Sounds like: Draper, Jake Alder, Diplo, Mura Masa, Zedd

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Joakim Molitor – Back To You

Joakim Molitor by Niklas Åkerlund

Arguably Sweden’s best kept secret, Joakim Molitor today shares his short and snappy single ‘Back To You’, out on TEN (Zara Larsson, Icona Pop, Niki & The Dove, Benjamin Ingrosso).

All good things come to end, but luckily SoundCloud has a repeat play button for this uplifting romantic, electronic ballad.

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Whethan – Superlove Feat. OH Wonder

Whethan

Following his awesome collab with Broods and still buzzing from a second Coachella appearance, Whethan shares news single ‘Superlove’ featuring London-based alt-pop duo Oh Wonder.

It is essentially an extremely happy love song with delicate tropical rhythms. Expect no sullen vocals and sultry tones here!

It’s out now on Big Beat Records.

Sounds like: Fickle Friends, Bastille, Kid Astray, Banks, Paperwhite, Years & Years, Bipolar Sunshine, Broods, Draper

Whethan
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OH Wonder
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Colouring – Time

Colouring by Grace O'Neill

London boys Colouring hit us unexpectedly with new single ‘Time’.

A slick and steady piano beat begins before frontman Jack Kenworthy’s heavenly vocals kick in, soon to be followed by some seriously addictive pop harmonies.

Just. Take. A. Listen. Now.

‘Time’ is the first single to come from Colouring’s debut album expected later this year on Interscope/Polydor.

Sounds like: Youngr, Ten Fé, Bruce Springsteen, Honne, The Japanese House, RÜFÜS, LANY, The 1975, Phoenix, Draper

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NASAYA – Orange Feat. Cehryl

NASAYA - Orange Feat. Cehryl

French musician and producer NASAYA releases new single ‘Orange’ featuring LA based singer-songwriter Cehryl.

Opposing in directions, ‘Orange’ is both dreamy but danceable with psychedelic vocals and futuristic funk moves full of bass. Listen below.

Sounds like: Goldroom, Le Youth, Autograf, Pat Lok, Kaytranada, Shay Lia

NASAYA
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Cehryl
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Hanne Leland – Carry On

Hanne Leland by Maddie Cordoba

Meet Norwegian born, London based electro-pop singer and songwriter, Hanne Leland.

Like many good pop artists out at the moment, Hanne has also experienced a stint of working in Nashville before focusing more on electro-pop sounds that country-pop.

Sounds like: All Saints, Nelly Furtado

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The Hails – Younger

The Hails - Younger

The Hails is a fresh young four-piece from Florida.

They make music that has a generous nod to 70’s groove-oriented pop but maintains a modern perspective on rock and electronic.

Sounds like: Fleet Foxes, Fleetwood Mac

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KIDDO – TROUBLE

KIDDO - TROUBLE

Stockholm-based KIDDO is following in the cool Scandi footsteps of Dagny and Sigrid.

Her brazen new single is a song about escaping relating, as KIDDO reminisces “about a time when I knew I had lost everything but it was too painful to face it so I tried to ignore the truth for a little longer in every possible way.”

It’s out now via Stockholm-based independent label BLNK Music.

Sounds like: Kesha, Billie Eilish, Sigrid, Dagny, Soleima, Icona Pop

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Knox White – You’ve Been My Girl

Knox White

Time to get funky and sexy with Knox White‘s new single ‘You’ve Been My Girl’.

Following some unexpected advice from music kings, Lionel Ritchie and Paul McCartney, the Los Angeles-based Knox decided to hit up New Orleans to gain some creative perspective. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Knox started collaborating and touring with producer Josh Legg aka Goldroom, and the result is an exciting throwback style of chill wave pop.

Sounds like: Prince, Blood Orange, Harts

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Phil Good – Better

Phil Good - Better

Los Angeles-based Phil Good shares a positive new tune called ‘Better’.

As his cover shot suggests, some days Phil wakes up and just can’t face life, but remember you just need to ride it out and things always get better.

Sounds like: Draper, Honne, Joseph Salvat, Miike Snow, Glass Animals, Joywave, Just Kiddin’

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Stage Republic – Rise and Fall

Stage Republic - Rise and Fall

Stage Republic is a two-person music project based in The Netherlands.

Citing a strong influence from the 80’s, the duo’s new single ‘Rise and Fall’ started as a one minute piece of improvisation to test a new synthesiser and the end result now showcases a brilliant way to bridge the gap between indie and pop.

Sounds like: CHAPPO, Steely Dan, Maroon 5

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Year of the Brother – Slow One

Year Of The Brother

Portland-based indie-pop trio Year of the Brother share the video for ‘Slow One’.

Directed by independent filmmaker Derek Mari, the video follows the boys on promo night! Groovy!

Their ‘Filling Empty Pools’ EP is out now.

Sounds like: Kyko, Will Joseph Cook, Owl City

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PLYA – Adrenaline

PLYA - Adrenaline

With just two tracks under their belt, PLYA‘s sound is already becoming very recognisable as energetic pop that is full of adrenaline. Handy that, as their second ever single is called ‘Adrenaline’!

Speaking on the single, PLYA explain,

“Adrenaline is about that perfect high you feel when you fall for someone new. For us, the track captures the rush of living in that care-free moment, but not knowing where it will take you.”

Lock in, watch below and enjoy the ride.

Sounds like: Fickle Friends, Draper, Sykes, Broods, Phantogram, Monogem

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LCAW – Hummingbird Feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor

LCAW

Wow, this is a strong pop number to kick off 2018!

23 year old Munich native and classically trained producer LCAW (aka Leon Weber) has teamed up with pop superstar, Sophie Ellis-Bextor on new single ‘Hummingbird’.

A modern approach to nu-disco, ‘Hummingbird’ has loops of grand keys and sky-high vocals, the result being a fun indie-dance track.

The song will be available on 26 January via Columbia Germany / Ultra Music.

Sounds like: Draper, ODESZA, ZHU, Parov Stelar

LCAW
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Sophie Ellis-Bextor
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Weslee – Boy Like You

Weslee

Mysterious UK-based duo Weslee share their visuals for ‘Boy Like You’.

Another lip-smacking and dreamy song, the Alexandra Gavillet-directed video for ‘Boy Like You’ takes inspiration from Kanye West and centres on the infatuation of the lead male figure through a series of personal camcorder style shots filmed around a hazy American summer.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, Kacy Hill, Blood Orange, Wet, Off Bloom

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Scene Writers vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners – Real Life Baby

Scene Writers

Exciting Berlin-based duo Scene Writers (aka Christian Huerter and Sebastian Nouvortne) take inspiration from the art amidst the urban sprawl of Berlin.

They have produced a vibrant re-work of 3 Burners‘ ‘Real Life Baby’, which you can listen to below.

Sounds like: Becky Hill, Kungs, Draper

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joan – Tokyo

joan - Tokyo

We are still massively crushing on duo joan.

Continuing their knack for producing heartbreaking pop songs with a retro twist, ‘Tokyo’ is inspired by that moment of falling for someone but your time is running out. ​​​​​​​

Sounds like: Shura, Two Door Cinema Club, St. Lucia, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The 1975

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Argonaut & Wasp – Radio Sound

Argonaut & Wasp

Boom! Argonaut & Wasp are back with a funky new number called ‘Radio Sound’.

It is part of a double single, and combines elements of alternative, pop, indie, and funk to provide a bright sound, inspired by the bustling streets of Brooklyn.

It is released on the band’s own Bang! Jango Records.

Sounds like: The Strokes, Bad Sounds, Modest Mouse, Talking Heads, Phoenix, Miami Horror, Bag Raiders

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ELD – Desire

ELD - Desire

Swedish trio ELD share their brilliant new single ‘Desire’.

Creating a big emotions and an anthemic sound reminiscent of Arcade Fire and The National, ‘Desire’ amalgamates electronica with post punk elements, and even enters the shoegaze realm in parts.

Listen below and prepare to be blown away.

Sounds like: Arcade Fire, The National, Interpol, Ulrich Schnauss

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Amanda Mair – Empty Blockings

Amanda Mair

Rising Swedish teenager Amanda Mair shares ‘Empty Blockings’.

In the video, Amanda broaches the highly important topic of anxiety and depression,

“I wanted to show the feeling of the continuously searchers desperation. The every day hope for running away from anxiety and sorrow but the faith is to weak and puts you in a circle of running and running until you don’t know what you’re running away from.”

It’s out now via Despotz Records.

Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, OH Land, Zola Jesus

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