With today’s announcement of Genesis announcing a new tour, it seems even more apt that Brussels based singer, Tessa Dixson, is ready to release her aptly titled debut album ‘GENESIS’ on 13 March.
First single, and the track that kicks off the album, is Tender Me, a brooding slow-burner of electronic pop enriched by Tessa’s unique vocal style.
“One rainy afternoon, I was very bored and was just dicking around on my phone and I came across this drawing that was just passing by on my Instagram of what seemed like two human bodies with flower heads giving each other water”, Tessa explains, “The illustration was so simple but so pure and true as to what a relationship should be like. Two flowers growing and learning together, giving each other water to thrive and flourish.”
Watch the visuals below.
Sounds like: The xx, Kllo, Grace Carter, Lorde, Billie Eilish
The wonderful Belgian artist BLANCHE (aka Ellie Delvaux) shares the breathtaking visuals for ‘Empire’, out now via [PIAS].
The title track from her debut album, ‘Empire’ is a melancholic pop song blended with traditional instruments (piano, drums, guitar, cello) and modern electro to create an all-encompassing story about shutting down, explaining,
“Empire evokes these people who build a shell to cut themselves off from all their emotions and end up lying to themselves.”
The song was written by her and co-produced by Rich Cooper (Banks, MysteryJets, LucyRose) and FrançoisGustin (Girls In Hawaii), who are also involved in the making of the entire album. The video is a real piece of art put into images by Alexander De Bruycker under the artistic direction of Ludo Beun (Oscar And The Wolf).
Welsh musician, Ani Glass (also a former member of indie-pop group The Pipettes) shares the visuals for her new single, ‘Mirores’ – the title track from her forthcoming debut album, released in March.
The quirky and illuminating visuals wouldn’t go amiss in a Petit Meller or Yelle music video, as she shares a journey from dark desperation to motivation and inspiration.
Sounds like: Petite Meller, Giorgio Moroder, Vangelis
We’re very excited to share ‘Stay Fantasties’ by wife and husband duo, Hollie and Keith Kenniff aka Mint Julep, an expertly manicured electric-pop venture that stands in stark contrast to the nebulous and experimental Helios and Goldmund outputs for which the latter member is known.
The vulnerable track shimmers underneath an amalgamation of textures and is out now on Western Vinyl.
Sounds like: Beauty Sleep, Tame Impala, Electric Youth, The Naked And Famous, Cocteau Twins, Helios
From one lonely artist to another…introducing transatlantic duo FARR (by way of Los Angeles and London) vocalist Roméo and producer Linden Jay (who has also produced for Rejjie Snow, LION SNOW, RITUAL and more).
Born from London loneliness, the soulful new track, ‘Heal Me’, was written with Carl Barat and Olly Burden and is full of heartfelt longing for missed loved ones.
Sounds like: RKCB, Jadu Heart, Dan D’Lion, James Vickery
Renowned songwriter SHY Martin (Bebe Rexha, Astrid S, Kygo, Ellie Goulding, ALMA, Jess Glynne) picks up her beloved guitar again and shares the delicate, stripped back ballad, ‘Slow’.
Rich and organic, it shows another side to the popstar-in-the-making.
Los Angeles-based pop artist Steph Sandor is quite frankly over this shit.
Her pulsing new single ‘Circles’ is a straightforward pop statement shared from a place of vulnerability and frustration. It’s out now on BonFire Records
Tessa Dixson oozes determination in a chic and playful manner. Her music is often hypnotising and mournful, yet strong.
We had a quick chat with Tessa to find out some more about how she got into music and those visuals.
Describe your sound in three words. Melancholic. Tauting. Honest.
How did you get into music?
Music has always been a part of my life growing up. I started dancing lessons when I was very young, music would play in our house all year round playing all sorts of different genres and opening my ear to music more and more, I took piano classes as well at a young age then taught myself to play the guitar and shortly after that took singing classes to work on my craft. I always knew I was going to end up making music.
Your music visuals are always exciting and interesting, do you put a lot of effort into planning these?
Absolutely, the visual aspect of Tessa Dixson is as important as the music for me. They go hand in hand. I have surrounded myself with the right people to put my ideas in place and to be honest I wouldn’t say I put a lot of “effort” in the visuals, usually when a song is created I already know how I want it to look and how I want to transcribe it visually.
What was it like winning this year’s De Nieuwe Lichting prize?
It was great. I had the opportunity to meet amazing new people and talents and it’s given me a big boost in my career. I am very grateful!
What are your plans for the rest of 2019?
Performing a lot! This summer will be my first festival season so I’m really looking forward to that because I know it’s a totally different vibe than playing indoors. And really just living my best life, working on music, going out with friends, profiting of my youth and perfecting my craft.
We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
(A lot of what I’m listening to is not new but stuff I’ve just recently liked)
Tyler the Creator – Earthquake
Leon Bridges – Shy
Peggy Gou – Starry Night
Doja Cat – Juicy
Sunni colon – Mornin Dew
Solange – Weary
Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
Her new single ‘Ignited’ is out now on {PIAS} Belgium.
Sounds like: The xx, Kllo, Grace Carter, Lorde, Billie Eilish
This is not a warning, although it might first seem like that when listening to the debut single by pop impressionist MOTTRON.
MOTTRON creates a dark and melancholic atmosphere in ‘Lighter’ that is confusingly optimistic at the same time – chopped electronics with sobering vocals, woods, strings and pianos.
It’s out now via [PIAS].
Sounds like: Maribou State, Aquilo, SOHN, Thomas Azier
Led by effortless strings, Belgian-based songwriter/model Tessa Dixson‘s new single ‘Crystal Waters’ is emotive yet soothing in the same breathtaking moment.
Baring her soul once again, Dixson explains about the song,
“Crystal Waters is a song that I wrote a while ago, and it still stands so true today, it’s all about being crystal clear and people trying to change you none the less. The synths and strings work perfectly together, caught feeling a whirlwind of emotions, you are transposed through sad lyrics but an uplifting arrangement, the strings really brings the whole song together.”
British five-piece, Ten Fé have announced their second album ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’. It’s due for release on 8 March 2019 via Some Kinda Love/PIAS and is a ambiguous album full of pessimistic and optimistic traits.
We caught up with guys.
1. Describe your sound in three words.
Deep Soul Brothers.
2. How did you all meet?
Leo and I met at a party in North London, began writing and recording together and formed the band. Then Rob and Johnny joined as they were old school friends of Leo’s from Birmingham. When we were looking for a drummer, we were put in touch with Palex by a producer friend of ours, tapped him up, and first time he laid down that sexy Hammond shuffle we knew he was our man.
3. We can’t believe Ten Fé is gearing up to release a second album. Tell us about the process of creating ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’ and how it differs from your first album?
Yes, we can’t quite believe it either. We thought it would only take a few weeks, but we only finished about month ago.
We began recording in Oslo late last year with a guy called Christian Sprengfelt in his studio there, which was completely run on vintage music gear, and band equipment. It was the first time we’d gone into record as a five piece rather than just as a duo, and we’d had Fleetwood Mac, War on Drugs and the like on heavy rotation, so we were going for a classic ‘band’ sound, dynamic, but also lean, tight and pop.
4. What was it like working with Luke Smith?
We came to Luke when we were already someway down the line with the recordings. It was great because we knew him already from some of those early Fé singles we did together, he was able to get his head into the music straight away, and had strong ideas for how to take the songs forward. It was a really productive few weeks we spent with him in May, just as the summer was beginning, the sun pouring in to the studio all through the afternoon, vibing on the tunes, and just hanging with him was wicked.
5. You are going on a world tour next year. Where are you most excited about visiting?
Excited about all of it. Lots of new places we’ve never been to before both here, in Europe and the States. We’ve got a few dates in the U.S. driving through the south west, places like Denver, and Phoenix, I’m sure no one is looking forward to those drives more than our bass player Rob, who will surely be at the helm.
6. We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to
I’ve been listening to Amen Dunes record for a while now, his grooves, and his songwriting is deep. Westerman – is another recent favourite, from London, well worth checking out. We went to see a guy called Honey Harper play during the summer, he is a country singer from Atlanta but based here in London, very soulful, he will be supporting us out our next London show on the 15thNovember – one more reason to come down.
Sounds like: Bruce Springsteen, Night Drive, The Rapture, Jagwar Ma, CliffLight, War on Drugs, The Cure, Fleetwood Mac
Tessa Dixson is channeling artistic cultures with alternative pop genres in her new single ‘Beautiful Pain’.
The visuals follow Dixson covered in drippings of gold paint, evoking the pleasure and pain of young love and relationships, amidst a vintage backdrop.
The track is out now via [PIAS] and will be followed by three more songs and an EP over the coming months.
It’s no secret that we’ve been huge fans of Ten Fé since the beginning, and their album really is good, so to celebrate, here is a playlist of all their favourite tracks. We’re glad to see Bruce Springsteen makes an appearance too.
Happy Mondays – Wrote for Luck
Kevin Morby – Dorothy
Suicide – Ghost Rider
College – A Real Hero
Bruce Springsteen – I’m On Fire
Shuggie Otis – Strawberry Letter 23
‘Hit The Light’ is out now via SOME KINDA LOVE / [PIAS]. Order on iTunes here.
Tour Dates
Wed 08 March 2017 Brighton, UK Green Door Store
Thu 09 March 2017 London, UK Oslo
Fri 10 March 2017 Bristol, UK Louisiana
Sat 11 March 2017 Cardiff, UK Clwb Ifor Bach
Sun 12 March 2017 Birmingham, UK Hare & Hounds
Wed 15 March 2017 Liverpool, UK Buyer’s Club
Thu 16 March 2017 Nottingham, UK Bodega
Fri 17 March 2017 Manchester, UK Soup Kitchen
Sat 18 March 2017 Leeds, UK Hedgerow House
Sun 19 March 2017 Glasgow, UK Broadcast
Fri 24 March 2017 Paris, FR Pete The Monkey at Le Pop Up du Label
Sounds like: Bruce Springsteen, Night Drive, The Rapture, Jagwar Ma, CliffLight, War on Drugs, The Cure
Time for some more summery and tropical tunes! This time from Crystal Fighters.
Having premiered on BBC Radio 1 as Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record in the World, the upbeat ‘Love Alight’ has the Crystal Fighters Spanish-inspired stamp all over it.
As with all Crystal Fighers’ tracks, it’s a shame it has to end.
‘Love Alight’ is released on 4 August via Zirkulo/PIAS and can be ordered on iTunes here.
Sounds like: Is Tropical, The Foals, Crystal Castles, Rudimental, The Naked and Famous
