Tag Archives: Whitney

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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Weekly Gems 42

Daniella Mason – Emotional Rollercoaster

Daniella Mason

Surprisingly, we’d not heard of Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Daniella Mason, before today, and quite frankly, we are blown away by her talent for crafting beautiful and intelligent pop music.

A journey of loss, Mason’s new record stands as one of four EPs that she’ll be releasing over the course of the next year as part of her State of Mine sound series. Each album — Emotional State, Physical State, Mental State, and Spiritual State — will explore the different parts of our humanity that we tend to suppress and have difficulty embracing.

Sounds like: Imogen Heap, The Japanese House, Robyn, Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish

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Charlee Remitz – Forever Like This

Charlee Remitz

Charlee Remitz creates synth pop full of big dreams.

Having recently moved from Nashville to Los Angeles, the singer/songwriter’s music shines. Her new single ‘Forever Like This’ has lashings of 80’s inspired synths and breakaway vocals that tell a story of the first flashes of love.

It is the third single from her upcoming sophomore album, ‘Sad Girl Music’, out on 9 November.

Sounds like: Dominique, CAPPA

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CUB – Obsessed Feat. Clara Hurtado

CUB by Matt Stephens

CUB by Matt Stephens

CUB blends pop and dance sounds.

We featured his new single, ‘Obsessed’ featuring Clara Hurtado, not that long ago and he’s come back with a lively new video for it. These two don’t take themselves too seriously, which is pretty refreshing.

If you follow CUB’s Twitter you will see more videos of him and Clara goofing around.

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

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Cool Sounds – Cassandra

Cool Sounds

Australian band Cool Sounds ooze a breezy swagger, with a tad of fun awkwardness.

The video for their new single, ‘Cassandra’, is an uncomplicated, rollicking riff-driven track, with a distinctly live feel.

Watch it below.

Sounds like: Kurt Vile, Washed Out, Whitney, Mac DeMarco

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LCMDF – Waterfalls

f-2-7-2111517_N35In8fO_LCMDF1_by_silja_minkkinen

Finnish sister duo LCMDF release ‘Waterfalls’, taken from their ‘Sad Bangers’ album, out now.

Don’t be misled by the ironically positive pop keys and resulting euphoric climax in ‘Waterfalls’, as this is an ode to Generation Y, the modern day “baby boom” generation who were born in the 1980s and 1990s…and the ones who struggle in today’s society.

Sounds like: Icona Pop, NONONO

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YOUTH – Fire

YOUTH

Newcomer YOUTH (aka songwriter and producer Steven Mudd) is also one half of the critically acclaimed indie-pop duo, Golden Coast.

His debut single ‘Fire’ is energetic from the get go, with a steady drum beat and finger clicks throughout, perfectly blending with the anthemic feel of the song.

Sounds like: Imagine Dragons, Golden Coast

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Playlist: Erin K

Erin K

Anti-folk artist, Erin K, has been keeping herself very busy. Originally born in London, but now residing in the States via Italy, she has just shared the video for ‘No Control’, filmed across Iceland, and released her album ‘Little Torch’, which you can listen to on Spotify here.

To celebrate, Erin K has put together a playlist for us.

Tennis – Night Vision
I love the immediate hood of this cool drum beat and the contrast between the closeness of the verse against the dreamy delayed vocals in the chorus. I just walked to the flight gate listening to this in my headphones. Great walking song!

Perfume Genius – Learning
The simplicity of Perfume Genius is a breath of fresh air, reminiscent of the honest lyrics encountered in Andrew and the Johnsons or (kids soundtrack guy). I especially love the lyrics “blah blah blah” at the end of this intimate song. I’m inspired by this artist! I have tickets to see him at Heaven in London in a few weeks!

Hospitality – Going Out
I don’t have much to say about this other than it’s been my song to start my day with for the past 2 weeks! Makes me feel like dancing! I’d love to see them live.

Whitney – No Woman
I LOVE this artist. It’s rare that you find a drummer that is also the lead vocalist. Check out their live sessions online, definitely one of my top favourite new discoveries at the moment.

Cass McCombs – Bum Bum Bum
A friend of my from Fort Lauderdale introduced me to this band (amongst others) recently and I think I had this song on repeat for an hour after the first listen. I love songs that push along with a constant repeated beat and sound. Check out his other songs, they are all beautiful. Something very nostalgic about this sound.

Sufjan Stevens – All of Me Wants All of You
This is one of my favourite songs at the moment. It’s so beautiful. He recently came out with a live version of this, amongst others. Personally, I prefer the live versions but worth checking out.

Leon Bridges – River
When I first heard this I assumed it was an old recording from the 60s. I love the way this song builds and Leon’s voice is flawless and emotive. Goose bumps.

U.N.P.O.C. – Here on My Own
What’s not to love about early Modest Mouse! Great build, beautiful lyrical rhythm, one to scream along to at home, or in my experience, the customs line at Heathrow Terminal 4 (in my head of course).

Shuggy Otis – Strawberry Letter 23
Yes Yes YES! I love the every part of this. If you like retro 60s jams, you’ll dance along to this.

CAN – Vitamin C
I remember the first time I heard this in some shop in London. I couldn’t wait to get home and listen to it properly. I’ve loved this song for years. The vocal, the consisting arrangement and cool organ sounds. Might not be a new find for me but I’ve included it here nonetheless.

Sounds like: Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, Alev Lenz, alt-J, Pam Ayres, Susan Vega, Kim Boekbinder, Lily Allen

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Playlist: Avante Black

Avante Black

Avante Black

Meet Avante Black, a musical project led by Ottilia Zimmerman Kjulsten, a 22-year-old Swedish native living in London.

She’s put together a playlist, to get us hyped up for the weekend.

Frank Ocean – Ivy
I took time listening to Frank Ocean’s new album driving down the coast from Cape Point to Cape Town. This song fits perfectly into the scenery and I think I had it on repeat for almost an hour.

The Internet – Get Away
Sydney Bennett’s vocals and melodies are just truly magical. Listening to this track makes you just wanna take long drags on cigarettes in slow motion whilst watching the sun go down.

Sälen – Coppar Kiss
I’ve known these guys for a while know. Paul is even the first person I got to know when I moved to London. The people combination is perfect, this song is so pretty and brutal I wanna marry it.

Flamingods – Rhama
There is nothing you can’t love about this. A trippy beat, Middle-Eastern riffs and hitting vocals. Was sold within the first seconds and it keeps growing.

Acid Arab – Stil
My friend showed me this track on a recent trip to Berlin. I’m just getting into dance music and this was a really good introduction. Right up my alley.

A Band Called Flash – Phantom
Another track I was shown that really showed me a new way of writing. Close to perfection, this track will take you everywhere and back.

Valdemar – Soë Chlevigny
Ben used to play the keys in Avante, but is now based in Sweden. He was always the one knowing everything about everything. We do miss his music knowledge! This is his own project and it sounds incredible!! We’re so proud!

BadBadNotGood – Lavender
I first encountered this band whilst flicking through Tyler, The Creator videos on YouTube. Since then I’ve been glued to their sound.

Lil Silva – De Ja
I found this track stalking Ben’s (Valdemar) playlists on Spotify. As I said he always knows what’s good and fresh out there. It’s a brilliant pop track, so simple and clever. I find myself singing this all the time.

Flume – Say It Feat Tove Lo
I’m a massive fan of Tove Lo and Flume. I love the feel and the lyrics. Always lose my shit when she sings “let me fuck you right back oh oh oh oh”

Miss Li – Bonfire
Since I picked up a guitar for the first time I was practising to her songs and really excited about this sound she’s bringing! Can’t wait for spring listening to this in the car! (with someone else driving ’til I get my license)

Otzeki – Already Dead
If you haven’t witnessed these guys live you HAVE to. It’s a truly magical experience. Mike and Joel will take you places. Even tho the song is called ‘Already Dead’ I’d say it’s immortal.

Soft Hair – Lying Has To Stop
Brilliant combination, magical people. True Love.

Whitney – Golden Days
I was probably a year later than my friends to start listening to this band, I’m happy I did! It’s the song you listen to on a double decker with your head against the window, gazing out, not really knowing what you’re thinking about.

The Parrots – No Me Gustas, Te quiero
I met The Parrots through Hinds, first time a saw them was at The Garage in Highbury & Islington – the vibe was insane. There is always a special place in my heart for this music. It makes me feel 14 again.

Avante Black has signed to Different Recordings (Anna Of The North, Claptone, Kllo), and expect a very cool remix coming out next week. In the meantime, check out the ever so dynamic track, ‘Drug Money’.

Sounds like: Anna Of The North, Anteros, Lilly Allen

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