Stand by, here we go with 60 minutes of super new releases, plus an obscure oldie from my archives. To begin, Rodney Cromwell who tells all about Memory Box. Writing and recording in his home studio in Catford, South London, Adam Cresswell goes by the moniker of Rodney Cromwell, Memory Box is the title track of his forthcoming. Adam says he came across Wormtongue from Tolkien while he was recovering from an illness and in his disorientated state of brain-fog, riverbanks, woods, castles, and a perfumed rose garden sent his writing off in a more heady and fantastical direction. We approve. Peter Bogolub out of NYC goes by the moniker, Loops & Loops and has been making music for the last 20 years ranging from shoegaze to indie to lofi. Doubts, Peter’s latest single sounds familiar yet decidedly original. Not sure if it’s the languid vocals or the production that’s more complex than it first sounds that won me over. Excellent work, we want to hear more from Loops & Loops. From Tokyo, Re:Lapse give us Little, Little from their self-titled EP. Beneath those layers of sound, the boy-girl vocals may appear vulnerable against the steady-marching drum pattern, yet together it all works to full effect. Our feature on Mammal Sounds with Jez Ryan (LEM Vol 253) prompted a lot of curiosity about the excellent parade of music hailing from down under. So, when Jez sent us more releases it’s only fair we should share In Vain by Cin with you. A seemingly low-key song, but Cin says “I didn’t really go into this song trying to write something sad, but I guess that this song probably takes inspiration from the general state of the planet. I feel like a lot of people are hurting, and that the last few years have been difficult for most.Sometimes you just need a loved one or a family member to tell you that things are going to be okay” A serious sentiment, well put. Creating a stage or band name can result in some interesting choices. For instance, the name Soren Bryce selected – Tummyache. The musician and producer recently relocated from the USA to London and says this about their song, Soak, “It was inspired by newfound neurotic and tedious habits that formed during the isolation of the pandemic, whilst adjusting to being in a new country. A new kind of forced domesticity caused me to avoid reality and I wasn’t able to fall back on my usual escapism methods. I learned a lot about myself.” The pandemic and isolation has affected a lot of artists, Soren Bryce’s words probably apply to so many people right now. Listen carefully to Tummyache’s Soak. We love the boisterous guitar break. Earlier this year I invited Alice Kat and Liam James Marsh who go by the name of fine. to join the show for a chat. (LEM Vol 230). Alice was so appreciative that we had fine. on the show and that I raved on about their music, she very kindly sent us a limited edition of her Alice Kat LP on vinyl and a cd of her Telephone Conversations LP, along with a truly charming message. In return, I’ve included Glitter All Around, a cut from Alice’s CD. A truly talented artist. Recently, I was rummaging around in my archives looking for something, what it was, I’ve forgotten, but luckily I came across a true gem from 1963, it’s Susan King with Morning. The 7” disc is on Toy Records, with a bright pink label depicting a toy poodle in silhouette. Such a wonderful recording. From 1993 we come up to date with (Eli)Zabeth Owens and Once In A While from their new album, Knock Knock. I was alerted to (Eli)Zabeth Owens by the always astute Nancy Kells of grimalkin Records. Originally from the UK, Owens is now based in Richmond, Virginia, and says this, “I’m a poet & producer constantly coming of age”. (Eli)Zabeth is also a creative videographer who made excellent videos to accompany each of the tracks on their album. Peter Hall is out of Nottingham in the UK, The Best Idea is from his forthcoming LP, Light The Stars. This is one of those songs I think you need to listen to a number of times, then it all falls into place. This carefully crafted song could be described as misleading if you only hear Peter’s almost fragile-sounding voice. Listen again and you’ll realize his arrangement uses far more colors than you first thought you heard. Sine is an electronic band created by singer and drummer, Rona Rougeheart out of Austin. For the track Desolate District the always-on-form, Chris Connelly contributes his splendid voice. We selected the NITE remix. The LP is titled, Desire, Denial and Paramania. Make sure you investigate. Although 39 years have passed since the Cocteau Twins debut release, Garlands, founding member, Robin Guthrie prefers you focus on his latest work. Mockingbird Love EP is the first new music from Robin Guthrie since the ‘Another Flower’ album with the late Harold Budd, released just days before Budd’s passing in December 2020. About his new work, Robin Guthrie says, “Of late I’ve been very focused on my instrumental music, which is increasingly an intense endeavor, all the more so as I don’t really share it with anyone. So here I am, finally, with some words about my next releases. ‘Mockingbird Love’, a four-track EP, is the first small collection of music that I have felt comfortable to release for a while. This is my October.” For this volume, we selected My Courtesan. A conversation with Robin Guthrie is in the works. Next up, an EP I have been fascinated by and playing repeatedly since it arrived just a few days ago. It’s Lilacjack and according to the credits, the music and lyrics are by Jackie, and so is the production, can we presume Jackie is Lilacjack? There are four tracks, you’ll hear Her Heartbeat Pressed Against My Feet, but seriously, you have to check Lilacjack’s EP out for yourself. Mammal Sounds out of Australia won our attention with a continual array of excellent releases, so label-boss Jez Ryan joined the show for a chat recently. One of the artists Jez has been raving on about is Lemonade Baby who happens to have a brand new single, Ex Best Friend. Brannon Hughes AKA Lemonade Baby says, Ex Best Friend is about loss and missing someone that has gone away. “I feel like everyone can grow distant from one another and experiencing distance makes me self-reflective. I start questioning myself like; Why didn’t I reply? or How come I haven’t heard from you in a while?” Understood. Pure pop music at its best. To take us up to the closing credits, London producer and DJ, Hylu with Zaf from the Latent Variables EP. This is an example of new electronica music we will build a whole show around for an upcoming volume. As you listen carefully to Zaf try and identify the sounds from nature in the mix. Till next time, be well, be safe and you know it costs nothing, be nice.
Playlist
- Rodney Cromwell – Memory Box
- Loops & Loops – Doubts
- Re:Lapse – Little, Little
- Cin – In Vain
- Tummyache – Soak
- Alice Kat – Glitter All Around
- Susan King – Morning
- (Eli)zabeth Owens – Once In A While
- Peter Hall – The Best Idea
- Sine – Desolate District (ft. Chris Connelly) (NITE Remix)
- Robin Guthrie – My Courtesan
- Lilacjack – Her Heartbeat Pressed Against My Feet
- Lemonade Baby – Ex Best Friend
- Hylu – Zaf
Artwork by Chuck Benbow 1956 – 2015 “Chicki #4″ 2009 Kodachrome print 24″ x 24”. Courtesy of Norman B’s collection
Life Elsewhere 