Theo Bleak ‘Megan In New York’
Theo Bleak has announced details of a new project called ‘Bargaining’, out on 19th December. Written during a very formative period of her life and inspired by the journals of her late uncle, it’s a mixtape full of heartfelt confessions, musings on grief and human connection – previewed by new track ‘Megan In New York’. Chronicling a trip to New York, it’s a gorgeous return in which the light sway of the instrumental is juxtaposed by her defiant lyrics – ‘You’re a righteous fuck who does just what they wanna do’. Set against glacial guitars, it’s lifted by some scuzzy hooks around the halfway point before seeing itself in dreamy, ethereal fashion.
“A song about the most damaging dynamics we can enter into driven by passion, emotion and connections void of any reasonable intellect,” explains Theo Bleak. “Inspired by the self-implosion of my life beginning in New York City, conversations with Megan, who accompanied me on that trip, and the reflections of a man who kept her frozen in time. It is the first single from my fourteen-song mixtape ‘Bargaining’ – each a song a painful step forward as I was stuck longest in the bargaining stage of grief.”.
Speaking about the project she said: “A chronological mixtape of my year through the most intense stage of grief I experienced- bargaining. Coming to terms with change, which felt unsurpassable, deep love, and brutal honesty,” Theo Bleak reveals. “My mixtape was recorded at each of the rawest, saddest moments. The creak of my studio chair was audible in some of the tracks where I sat down to reason with my life, my mistakes, and my choices.
“I navigated the mess of my life over the last year, inspired by the complex philosophy hidden within simple sentiments, imparted through my late Great Uncle’s journals. I read and annotated these, rich with his passion for cycling. These diaries begin in 1966, and although John died in the early 2000s, I could feel the friendship as though the veil was thin between the living and the dead. My best friend.”
LeisureLand ‘Tangerine Dream’
Paisley group LeisureLand have finally shared their eagerly anticipated new EP ‘Tangerine Dream’. No strangers to the local live scene, the five-piece have spent time the last couple of years honing in on their sound and adding more tunes to their increasingly impressive catalogue, all while amassing a strong word-of-following. Now all that potential has come to fruition on their five-track EP – a collection full of heart, soul and infectious energy. Known for pulling a variety of influences from the worlds of soul, pop, hip hop and slacker indie, Adam Dolan’s soulful and earthy vocals shine bright over jangly guitars and dynamic instrumentals, oscillating between the quiet and reflective and bright and upbeat. The result is an invigorating EP that is sure to seize the heart. They celebrate with a headline show at King Tuts tonight.
Cliffords ‘Marsh’
Cork outfit Cliffords show their gritty, gnarly side on new track ‘Marsh’. Marking their first release since the ‘Salt of the Lee’ EP, it’s a moody indie track driven by thumping drums and heavy guitars that deals with seasonal depression. Weighty in sound and feel, it’s another great addition to their growing catalogue. “’Marsh’ is a song that explores the heavy feelings of seasonal depression,” says Cliffords, “when the weight of it makes the air feel thick and hard to move through. Appreciating the little moments like the winter sun or walks with friends eases the overwhelming thoughts and feelings.”
Master Peace ‘Good Times’
Master Peace has shared a brilliant new track called ‘Good Times’, setting the stage for a new EP titled ‘Stupid Kids’ coming next year. Known for blending all different kinds of styles and influences, such as indie, electronic and alt, this new song is a blast of positive energy that encourages us to make the most of good times. It’s the perfect antidote to the winter weather.
Man / Woman / Chainsaw ‘Only Girl
Newly signed to Fiction Records, Man/Woman/Chainsaw have unveiled their first release on the label. ‘Only Girl’ sees the band at their most bright and playful – it builds from a scrappy, grungy jam into a noisy declaration of love, with a brilliant violin hook at the centre of it. They say: “Only Girl is our playful love song. Built around a ripping violin top-line and birthed from a grungy guitar jam, it gradually became something more boisterous and altogether more joyful – a total declaration of love. We had a lot of fun making it.”
