With that in mind, here are some acts we loved this month and who you should check out when they come to a town near you.
Cow
Founded in Wales and based in Liverpool, Cow owe their sound to the ‘90s grunge and alternative rock scene. After recently signing with MAI 68 records, with plans for their first physical release this Autumn, the band released their scintillating ‘Notemakers’ in April. With their plans to record, release and tour in 2020 having been put on hold, the hotly-tipped Cow, look poised and ready to take the rest of the year by storm.
Familiar Action
South London is proving to be the hotbed of musical talent and Familiar Action could very well be the next act to
blow up. Having already amassed a cult following thanks to their intense live
performances, the band released their dramatic yet thoughtful single ‘Such
A Waste’ last month to immediate acclaim. A slow-burning, art-punk
jam, the track sees its narrator tries to get to grips with the purpose of life
over a jagged three-chord riff, offering just a glimpse of what we got from
their self-titled debut album (both out now via Full Power Records).
Bollo Bollo
Buckinghamshire-based band Bollo Bollo cite The
Cure, Foals and Gorillaz as influences and took their name from a gorilla from the surrealist cult comedy ‘The Mighty Boosh’. All of this is
reflected in their latest single, 'Mental Mirror’, an eclectic,
bass-driven, reverb-soaked track that was recorded remotely due to the state
the world is in. Aptly, the song was itself inspired by Covid-19 and the mental
health issues that social restrictions have caused, the call-and-response
chorus portraying an inner turmoil we can all identify with.
Kaylyn Marie
Kaylyn Marie’s career has been as colourful as her
childhood. After a nomadic upbringing that took her from New York to California,
she passed on a potential career in teaching to enroll in Marymount Manhattan’s
BFA Acting Program, tour cross-country with Sofar Sounds, appear on both
American Idol and Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Post’ and record two
solo EPs! Her latest single, ‘Finally’, is taken from her second
EP, ‘Forget Me Not’ (to be released in June) and perfectly embodies
her rustic, soulful sound, and jazzy vocal cadence. An intimate, cathartic
song, it is a reflection on an abusive relationship and an ode to self-love.
Sunstinger
Formed in Fife in
2017; Sunstinger explore sound to unearth a contemporary take on
shoegaze. The quartet’s sound and audience have grown thanks to their
nationwide performances, radio airplay (XS Manchester, BBC Scotland), and their
relentless sonic experimentation – boosted by their habit of buying, selling
and swapping gear to find new sounds. This remains constant, as do their
artistic partnerships with Rory Cowieson of Domiciles (for their sublime gothic
visuals) and recording engineer Magnus Collie. Don’t take our word for it,
though. Check out their reflective single ‘Shadows’ from their
upcoming ‘Beyond The Frame’ EP, due for release this June.
Foggy May
Foggy May are veterans of the Maryland live scene,
having spent the last 11 years refining their funky fusion of reggae and jam
rock. The trio (David Kilma – vocals/bass, Reed Rhoads – drums/vocals, Ben
O’Brien – guitar/vocals) recorded their latest single, ‘Lady Lover’ at
home with fellow Marylander, Josh Earls. A stone groove with a warm, vintage
feel, it’s all about people who “wanna know what a true love looks like”.
Somefinn
Paul Finn, formerly of Irish Choice Prize nominees
The Flaws, started SOMEFINN from the comfort of his own home studio in Kilanny,
County Monaghan. There he has been writing and recording the band’s debut
album ‘… Tsk, Tsk…’, which includes their colourful debut single ‘Starlet’s
Dream’, an ode to self-doubt in the face of a cynical world. SOMEFINN have
expanded to include Paul’s brother Darren on keys and a trio of industry vets
in David Marron (ex-Sanzkrit, guitars), Paul Markey (ex-Sanzkrit, bass) and
Paul Carolan (ex-Finnian, drums), to create a sound that draws on eclectic
influences from the worlds of jazz, trip hop and alternative rock.
Penny Roox
24-year-old Dutch artist and Rock Academy graduate
Bo Knipples, aka Penny Roox, is a singer-songwriter in the classic sense.
Influenced by ‘60s icons like Elvis Presley, Nancy Sinatra and Dusty
Springfield; her latest offering, ‘Sad Sad Dreams’ is a heart
wrenching, yet irresistibly catchy torch song. Cinematic in its approach, it
brings a slow bass groove and swing-influenced guitars together with her
impeccable vocals, making retro sound brand new.
Hyooman
Hailing from Minneapolis, MN, Hyooman have yet to make
their live performance debut. Born out of songwriter Leng Moua’s independent
acquaintances with each of his bandmates - former bandmates Tamara Alswager
(guitar) and McCoy Seltz (drums) and friends Elise Bremer (keys) and Dillon
Marchus (bass), the band’s sardonically self-deprecating song ‘Half
Brain’ was recorded on borrowed equipment – their own had been stolen
from the studio before the single was recorded. Despite these setbacks, the
band’s warm, loose style reflects their ‘90s Amerindie influences.
Shayla McDaniel
Knoxville, TN based singer-songwriter Shayla
McDaniel’s ‘Better Days’ is a sweet slice of alternative
R&B. It’s all about self-care. Shayla wrote the song over the course of a
week during breaks away from her computer. She describes it as an “anti-hustle
anthem”. While these days she’s trying to regulate her sleep schedule, Shayla
is eager to capitalise on her rising stock on the local scene and return to
live performances – both with her band and solo.
Danny Kilmartin
Image: Sean Defrancesco
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