LISTEN: Annabel Allum - 'Gravel Not The Grave'

It's somehow already a week since Annabel Allum released what is surely one of the best EPs of the year. Gravel Not The Grave is made up of a collage of sounds and influences, touching on elements of punk-folk and slacker-pop. It's a little dreamy in parts but with an overarching sense of feistiness throughout, as Annabel makes a call for change on various levels. She explains that in the EP "you are immersed in the process of revolutionising one's life. Conceptually it's about getting up and changing the thing you're most miserable about, whether that be an unhealthy relationship, political injustice, or addiction." An admirable and strong message!

In support of the EP, Annabel heads out on a headline tour this Autumn - taking in Guildford, Bath and Norwich soon - tickets/dates here.

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LISTEN: Annabel Allum - 'Altar to Alter'

You may have seen this track on the blog playlist (check that out here - it's where I add all of my favourite new tracks each Friday). Altar to Alter is the latest track from Annabel Allum, the third single taken from upcoming EP Gravel Not The Grave, which is due for release on 13th September via Killing Moon. Having gained much press and radio support, Annabel continues to show how deserved this all is with this ace new track.

Talking about the song, she explains that "Altar to Alter is my protest song, and I'm super proud of how it turned out. It's all about saying what you mean to say and standing up for what you believe in. In my head there's an altar in everyone's mind where they go and choose what they wanna change, and how they're gonna change it. Lyrically the song has a lot of religious themes running through, because we are our own religion and our own God. We forget to respect ourselves and our own powerful abilities to change things."

I haven't seen Annabel live yet, but through her tracks I get the sense that she is both a talented and compelling live act with a string of festival performances, support slots and tours under her belt. She's heading out on a headline tour to coincide with the EP release this Autumn, taking in shows in London (11th Sep), Guildford (22nd) and Bath (26th). Check out the dates and grab tickets here.

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LISTEN: Annabel Allum - ‘When The Wind Stopped’

Guildford's Annabel Allum recently shared When The Wind Stopped, the latest slice of punk-pop (if that's still a thing?) taken from her upcoming six track EP due for release in Autumn. I'm enjoying the subtle (but still very much present) fury that presents itself in the track, bubbling away at the surface. I'm not sure I'm digging this one quite as much as previous track You Got It Good, but that's more a compliment of the previous single than anything as that one was very, very good. The EP is going to be something special, I'm sure!

Talking about the new track, Annabel explained that "when I was a kid I had such big expectations of how life was gonna be. I think most people do. But somehow we lose track of our dreams and what we really want from life. It's so easy to shut yourself in a societal box and put your dreams to bed. I say fuck that. If you want something, go fucking get it. Less moaning, more chasing." (... mic drop.)

After a run of festival slots in the next couple of months and to celebrate the release of the EP, Annabel heads to the capital to headline The Waiting Room on 11th September, before playing at and running her own all-day festival at The Boileroom in Guildford on 22nd September and headlining Moles in Bath of 26th. All the info and tickets here.

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LISTEN: Annabel Allum - 'You Got It Good'

"What if I told you this is how it's meant to be?" 

Really digging this new track from Annabel Allum - You Got It Good is the first single to be taken from a forthcoming 6-track EP, due for release this Autumn via London label Killing Moon. She's been busy making a name for herself with her trademark punk sound for the past few years, opening for the likes of Nadine Shah and Beth Ditto, performing at The Great Escape, Reading and SXSW festivals and gaining support from DIY, The Independent and BBC Radio 1. 

Annabel describes the source of inspiration for the new track... "I wrote this song after a friend came to me in a very low state. This is the conversation I had with them. Sometimes we need to go through hardship to grow as people, and understand ourselves & the world around us better. To adapt & learn from negative situations allows us to appreciate life more."

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