2013 Preview: Listen Out For – Seasfire

In our 10 previous Listen Out For posts so far, we have spoken about the varying busyness or not of the acts we have featured. Some have been quiet release wise, focusing on gigs and studio time while others have put a lot of tracks out and gathered radio play and blog support. Seasfire haven’t chosen one or the other; they have been doing it all.

The band itself, comprised of four like-minded gents from Bristol, has only been around for just over a year so to have crammed in so much in such a short period of time is impressive. There have been singles, videos, blog love and gigs a-plenty including a slot at the Guardian’s New Band of the Day Live and a number of support slots on tours (they are currently on tour with Bastille). In the last few weeks the excitement level has hit 11 for the band as “We Will Wake” rocketed to the top of the Hype Machine chart, they recorded a session for Radio 1 and today, they release the We Will Wake EP.

As you’d expect, it is full of atmospheric melodies, and dark glitch electronics. Josh Thorn’s vocals are whisper like they are so soft, adding another haunting layer to the sound. There’s something a little new here as well, be it a further evolution of the band or wider influences seeping through. Their live performances offer a slightly rockier edge than you’d expect and such elements are now making their way into the studio. “You Won’t Be” for example features some fairly angular guitar sounds butting up against the smooth electronic polish. “Human Sacrifice” too, an early Seasfire demo that has been re-produced and tarted-up (technical term) for this EP, is rougher around the edges than perhaps we are used to. There’s even a little bit of Foals-esque funky math-rock creeping into “How Do You Sleep”. It’s good to hear.

The band clearly aren’t prepared to rest on their laurels and keep producing the same song time after time, nor are they stupid enough to jettison what has fast become their trademark sound. On We Will Wake, the blend is spot on not only does it show Seasfire are capable of living up to the hype, it bodes really well for what promises to be a pretty big year for the guys.

The We Will Wake EP is out today via Cheap Thrills.

Stalk Seasfire: Tumblr / SoundCloud / Facebook / Twitter

Read More: Listen: Seasfire – “We Will Wake” / Watch: Seasfire – “Heartbeat”

Review: Milly Hirst – Milly Hirst EP

Becoming an overnight success can often take much longer than we might appreciate. It is possible that, after years and years of hard work and gigging, Milly Hirst could have wondered if it would ever happen. Now, after the release of a live EP, Equator, earlier in the year and radio play from Gideon Coe on 6Music, it must feel like everything is happening all at once. To top it all off she has just released her debut studio EP, the eponymous Milly Hirst.

Blessed with a voice that is soft as a mother’s touch, yet rich and emotive, this young singer from Norwich has the capacity to melt hearts with her beguiling folk songs. The minimalist nature of the arrangements belies their complex musical dexterity, complementing the tone and content of each song. On “Tides” for example, the backing vocals murmur and hum like the sea caressing the beach and gently fading away once more. Each track has been considered, crafted with a care and attention oft forgotten with the increased prominence of music making software packages. Each brush on a drum, pluck of guitar string or draw of bow on violin is done so to add meaning.

Hirst sings with her soul, of love, longing, pain, melancholy and joy. Its close your eyes and sing-along as it washes over you music. “Rose”, in particular, is sublime. As delicate as its subject, wistful and heartfelt it leads you, floating to meet this Rose, to see her and understand her. Its porcelain fragility is divine.

It may have taken a number of years for her to get to this point, but with this debut EP, Milly Hirst has announced herself as an enchanting new talent whose music deserves to be fallen in love with.

The Milly Hirst EP is out now on Bare Feet Records and is available on her href=”http://millyhirst.co.uk/” target=””_new””>Bandcamp page.

Stalk Milly Hist: Bandcamp / Facebook / Twitter

Competition: Win a signed Alice Jemima CD

If you don’t already know the name Alice Jemima (and after our review you really should) then pay attention because it is only a matter of time before everyone else does. Just last week the still-so-young-it-makes-us-jealous singer-songwriter from Devon was up London recording a session for Radio 1. That’s the BBC, AKA the big leagues.

She released her debut EP just a few weeks ago and, because she is such a lovely person, she gave us a signed copy on CD (yes, we know it looks like it is on vinyl, it’s supposed to and yes, it fooled us too) to give away as a competition prize to one lucky reader.

So what do you need to do to be in with a chance of winning this exclusive prize? Just answer this simple (and we mean simple) question:

What is the name of the first track on the All The Boyfriends EP?

Send your answer to alphabetbands@gmail.com with the subject line Alice Jemima Competition.

UPDATE: The correct answer was All The Boyfriends

Congratulations to Stewart Power who wins the signed EP.

Keep your eyes open for more contests in the future!

UK Premiere: Mercies – This Is Not About Control EP

Remember Stout Cortez? We featured his most recent, Illuminator produced, single a couple of weeks ago. Well the man behind the cosmic ‘avant electronic indie pop’ is back, but this time Justin Hunter Scott is rocking out as the bassist for the much more earthbound Mercies and Alphabet Bands is pleased to present the UK premiere of their latest EP, This Is Not About Control.

Accompanied by the guitar sounds and vocals of John Russell and the skin thumping skills of Ezra Finney, this three piece from Washington DC, described themselves to us as being “heavily influenced by post punk”. Makes sense, the indie rock showcased on this, their second EP, is discordant and intimidating in places, harmonious and undeniably infectious in others. Indeed, title track “This Is Not About Control” encapsulates all such qualities has no right to be as catchy as it is.

All three tracks have a raw and gritty energy and you can’t help but see the band rocking the hell out in your mind as you listen. We bet live shows are an absolute blast. If you like your indie rock a little rough and ready, you’ll love this.

If you like This Is Not About Control”, why not pick up their debut EP for the bargain price of just $1?

In Review: Vuvuvultures – “VVV EP”

Making a play for both the best band name and best song title of the year is London four piece, Vuvuvultures. After establishing a strong reputation on our capitol’s live circuit and evolving from a previous incarnation that was devoid of a real live drummer, their debut EP, VVV, was released last week on Popular Recordings/PIAS. Even based just on the ridiculously catchy, brilliant and wonderfully named lead track, “Ctrl Alt Mexicans” (which you can stream below) expectations are high.

Suffering from acute Schizophrenia, “Ctrl Alt Mexicans” sets the tone for this multi-stylistic EP perfectly. Jittery, fractious guitars jump and scuttle about while the beat pounds, pounds, pounds relentlessly underneath and the bassline growls. Ultimately, one of the most compulsive pop hooks we’ve heard this year gives way to a grand art-punk finale and with less than 3 minutes on the clock, we are away to “Safe Skin”.

Only slightly less addictive than “Ctrl Alt Mexicans”, “Safe Skin” treads a more contemporary electro-indie path. Occasionally it wonders off into the woods before running back, grinning, arms laden with delicious synth fruits and a chorus for a disenchanted youth, “You find yourself stuck again in/the middle of nowhere”. The schizophrenic feeling remains constant and contradiction is once again embraced with “Pills Week”, a hyperactive, psychotic synth heavy, indie anthem and closer “I’ll Cut You”, a slow burning, grinding howl of a song.

It may only be four songs long, but VVV manages to cram in more ideas and styles than most full lengths releases these days. It’s a cracking debut and well worth checking out.

VVV is out now digitally and a physical release of the EP is also available, which you can buy here.

“Ctrl Alt Mexicans”