LISTEN: Christof van der Ven - 'Vancouver'

There's just a couple of weeks to go until Christof van der Ven releases his debut record Empty Handed into the world and he's shared another track (to join the utterly sublime Killed This Stone-Dead and the title track Empty Handed) entitled Vancouver, with a premiere on DIY. In an interview for DIY, Christof explains that while many of the tracks have been years in the making, his decision to release a full record was fairly recent, having originally planned to release another EP. This new tune centres around Christof's stunning Bon Iver-esque vocals, gradually building to a beautiful horn section which closes the tune. If you like what you're hearing - check out the record when it is released on 13th April, and get along to the launch show at Paper Dress Vintage on 10th April, where Emma Gatrill and Bennie will be supporting.

Follow Christof van der Ven online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Cosmo Sheldrake - 'Wriggle' (Mr Jukes Edit)

Since discovering his music a few months ago, I've been pretty smitten with everything Cosmo Sheldrake has released, and I'm eagerly awaiting the release of his debut album The Much Much How How and I on 6th April! I'm continually amazed and mesmerised by the incredible sounds that emerge from Cosmo's tracks, particularly upon finding their often unbelievable sources. His latest single Wriggle is an instant favourite, jostling with the likes of The Moss and The Fly (the lyrics of which are from the William Blake poem of the same title) to be named my favourite tune of Cosmo's. If I thought that I couldn't love Wriggle any more however, I was wrong... Mr Jukes (aka Jack Steadman of Bombay Bicycle Club) has shared his edit of the track and it is completely incredible, in my eyes (and ears.) Take a listen...

Pre-order your copy of The Much Much How How and I here from Cosmo's site, where you can also check out his upcoming tour dates!

Follow Cosmo Sheldrake online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

WATCH: The Vaccines - 'Your Love Is My Favourite Band'

There is just one more day until the latest studio album from The Vaccines is released into the world - I've got some pretty high expectations for this one! They've followed up the likes of absolute tunes I Can't Quit and Put It On A T-Shirt with the brilliant new tune Your Love Is My Favourite Band, the most recent taste of the new record. The new tracks combined give some pretty strong What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? era vibes... it certainly isn't a bad thing if they've gone back to their roots with the sound for this new record. It's the latest track to be shared alongside a live performance video which I currently can't get enough of... probably because I'm seeing the band play an instore tomorrow in London! Pre-order the record here and check out the dates for their upcoming UK tour here!

Follow The Vaccines online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

INTERVIEW: Low Island

A second interview! Pretty excited about this one... I'm following up the Fil Bo Riva interview from a couple of weeks ago with a chat with another of my favourite artists at the minute, the wonderful Low Island! I caught up with Jamie (vocals, guitar and keys) to discuss the band's recent (and brilliant) This Other Life EP, their collaborative approach to live shows in the run up to their Scala headline and an upcoming support tour with the Gengahr boys. Get reading...

Hey! Firstly, how and when did you guys meet, and how long has Low Island in its current form existed?

Hi! We’ve all known each other - and made music together - pretty much our whole lives. I think we must have been about 13 once we all knew one another. Low Island formed properly just under two years ago. We'd all played in bands and been DJs together growing up, then we decided to start a project that brought together those two worlds: indie songwriting and electronic dance music.

You released the This Other Life EP a couple of weeks ago after teasing us with various singles over the last few months. How does it feel to finally have it out in the world?! How was the process of making the EP, especially fitting it alongside a fairly busy year of touring in 2017?

It’s really great to have it out after all this time. It came together quite differently to the first two EPs, which were mostly made up of songs that existed before we launched Low Island. Last summer, we took all our gear to this tiny cottage on the edge of a moor in Exmoor and just bunkered down to write loads of new music. We often go there to focus 'cos there’s no neighbours, signal or wi-fi. Somehow, it was absolutely freezing, despite the national heat-wave that was happening at the time...we were having to make fires in June!

We then went and recorded it all in a proper studio, which was a first for us. We were lucky enough to work with engineer Joe Hartwell Jones, who really helped us achieve the sound we were after. The timing of it all was pretty tight, as we were simultaneously playing loads of great festivals, so we’d be working in the studio then driving off to the Lake District to play Kendall Calling Festival, then returning to the studio at 05:00!

What are your favourite tunes (as a band or individually) from the EP to play live and why?

That’s a really hard one. They’re genuinely all fun to play… we even found a way for the whole band to play Tomorrow, which always seem to go down well. I suppose we particularly like playing Too Young, because we’re able to make quite a massive sound without too many instruments or parts going on.

If the recent shows at Corsica Studios were anything to go by I’m certain that you’ll have some pretty exciting plans up your sleeves for the upcoming London headline show at Scala… anything that you can talk about without spoiling it for us?

We can’t wait for Scala, it’s going to be the biggest thing we’ve ever done, and by such a long way. We're currently planning some really exciting non-musical things to take place in and amongst the great acts we’ve got with us (Fran Lobo, Wendy Rae Fowler and Sykoya).

I guess all I can say is that we’re gonna incorporate some art forms that we’ve never explored before.

It’s clear from your gigs and the recent mini documentary for DIY that you’re a band who love to join forces with others - it’s one of my favourite things about you, the inherent desire to collaborate. Why do you think that it is so important to you to work alongside not only other musicians but artists in areas such as design and movement when putting on a live show?

It honestly just felt like a really natural thing for us to do. It all sort of started this time last year, when we’d made this soundscape for a friend’s choreography piece, and we thought they should perform it at our show at Electrowerkz…so they did. We’ve basically been expanding on that concept ever since: how can we bring exciting and refreshing performances to the traditional gig experience, and how can we use the venue space in creative ways. The collaborative aspect is something we really enjoy; as it’s always fascinating seeing how minds work within different artistic fields. Also, it’s hard enough trying to get a foothold in the arts today, so it feels good to join forces and make stuff together.

As well as the upcoming Scala show you’ve got an exciting string of UK dates coming up as main support for the mighty Gengahr this April and May. A support tour is similar to a festival in that the audiences won’t necessarily know your music before the show - how do you approach shows like that?

We’re so stoked to support Gengahr and to go on our first UK support tour. At shows like this, we will probably feel a lot like the new kid at school, but you sort of have to deal with the situation in the same way: be yourself and be confident.

What are the plans for after the tour? A tiny bit of world domination, perhaps? Or maybe some festivals?

I love the idea of "a tiny bit of world domination”... I’m picturing some sort of village dictatorship. We’ll be doing lots of writing and recording and then some festivals. We’re particularly excited about playing the main stage at Common People Oxford this year. If I can get away, I’m gonna try and fulfil a recent dream, which is to swim to the real Low Island, which is about a mile out in the Atlantic off the coast of West Cork, Ireland.

Finally - what music is in your headphones or in the tour van stereo at the minute? Any local Oxford artists you want to shout about? For me it’s got to be BE GOOD and Catgod!

I’ve really been enjoying Boxed In’s Pushing On EP from last year, Rosebud by U.S. Girls, and bless ur heart by serpentwithfeet. My feel good tune at the moment is definitely It Makes You Forget (Itgehane) by Peggy Gou… give it a listen. Yeah, BE GOOD and Catgod are fantastic! Nightbus and Home In Your Heart are my personal favourites from each. We’ve got so much love for Willie J Healey too… it’s a great time for Oxford music!

WATCH: Rae Morris - 'Someone Out There'

Someone Out There from Rae Morris remains my favourite release of the year so far - lots of the tracks on the record stand out for various reasons, but a favourite is the beautiful and heartfelt title track. This week we've been blessed with a video which serves as a tribute to Rae's beloved hometown, Blackpool. The video features three generations of Rae's family, and various folk from the town with whom she grew up, alongside shots within the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom and of the local fire service's Red Watch, with whom Rae's dad served for thirty years. It's a real heart warmer and fits the track perfectly.

Speaking to DIY Magazine about the video, Rae commented that "This video is full of special moments for me. Playing on the Blackpool Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer after dreaming of it since I was a kid and dancing around the room with my nana are things I'll never forget. Someone Out There is a reminder that no matter who you are or where you are, there is always someone who loves and cares for you." A reminder we all need, I reckon. Do yourself a favour and give it a watch!

Follow Rae Morris online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: The Magic Gang release self-titled debut album

So I've been foolish... I've slept on The Magic Gang until now. The Brighton four-piece released their self-titled debut album last week so I decided to give it a go and after a few listens I regret not checking them out sooner - though a part of me is quite enjoying the charm of having a whole album of new music to discover! Stand out tracks for me so far include the 2016 single All This Way, my mum's namesake Caroline and the slow-burner Take Care, as well as Getting Along which you can check out below. The record has everything you expect of a quality indie record and a pinch of something unique - it's instantly earned a spot as one of my favourite records of the year so far! Listen to the record on Spotify here and grab your copy from the band's website here.

Follow The Magic Gang online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

WATCH: Banfi - 'Never Really Cared'

It's probably no secret that I completely adore the Banfi chaps, and it feels wonderful to finally have a full EP worth of their music to explore! Next step, an album...? They released The Jack Powell EP recently, featuring their tunes Never Really Cared, Future and Leaving Me Behind alongside their cover of Peter Gabriel's Mercy Street. With every new release they're growing in confidence, taking risks and the music is getting better and better for it. This EP is a beautiful collection of tracks, combining some great songwriting with vocalist Joe's unique voice, and some pretty catchy guitar licks and drum beats.

It's been pretty clear to me for a while that Banfi can't really do any wrong when it comes to music videos but they've completely outdone themselves with their new offering for the tune Never Really Cared. The video, in extension of the track's lyrics, explores the notion of finding it hard to tell somebody something that they didn't want to hear and "explores the concept of doing other people's dirty work". While the subject matter is pretty intense and sad, the video itself is hilarious (tell me you don't crack up at 2 min 46...) If all that isn't enough to persuade you to give it a watch - there's also an adorable dog!

Follow Banfi online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Self Help - 'Birthdayboy' EP

According to their bio online, Self Help "punk pops it with the jagged edges left on". One of the most charming sides of blogging on here is listening to music that I probably wouldn't have otherwise... pop punk isn't necessarily one of my genres of choice (or so I thought) but I'm really digging this new EP from the Oxford four-piece! BirthdayBoy features the brilliant tune Daydreams which I shared a few weeks ago alongside four more tracks. It's loud and a bit of a riot, whilst simultaneously being really well measured and never too much. There are powerful rhythm sections and some cracking guitar solos (especially at the end of the final tune Sensation, a favourite of mine), and it's all held together by lead vocalist Danny Jeffries and some pretty amusing lyrics. Get listening and if you're in Oxford, be sure to catch them this evening at The Cellar as they launch the EP with a special hometown gig!

Follow Self Help online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: PBSR - 'Holding'

London-based Spanish producer Pablo Serrano, who goes by the name PBSR, is back with the second single from his upcoming EP ... and dusky doors. I really enjoyed the first single Volcano which I shared on the blog back in January - this tune takes those electronic soundscapes and delves deeper. It's pretty intense, and has you hooked from the off-set.

Writing of the track, PBSR explains that it "was the last song I wrote for the EP. It is one of the most intense songs I've ever written, after I struggled to find myself and my mind space in London, and I think the song conveys that fragility. It includes some ambient recording from the Tate, where I spent quite some time during this period." 

You can catch PBSR live at the next Communion Music monthly club night on April 1st at Notting Hill Arts Club, where he'll be sharing a line-up with favourites of mine Tempesst, alongside Slow Riot, Ulysses Wells, Soleima and Luna Bay. Get more info about that show here!

Follow PBSR online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: PD Liddle - 'You Shouldn't Have Called'

Peter Liddle (of Dry The River fame) has frankly one of the most beautiful, delicate voices I've  ever heard. The band are one of my favourites and the first that I caught live in my first year of University, first at an acoustic instore gig at Truck Store and then at O2 Academy Oxford just a couple of minutes down the road, straight after. They were joined by Gengahr and Pale Seas, and the evening stayed with me for a long time - the band and their two records mean a lot to me.

Like many others I was immensely gutted to hear of the band's separation a couple of years ago but this week came some of the best musical news I've heard in a while. Under the name PD Liddle, Peter has recorded a solo record (with help from some DtR friends) entitled Casual Labour, due for release later in the year via Xtra Mile Recordings. The first tune is the beautiful You Shouldn't Have Called, which made me tear up a little in the staff room at work on first listen. How good is it to have Peter back, and how beautiful are those strings? I can't wait to hear more from the record based on this first offering!

PD Liddle launches this new single and premieres plenty of new ones with a show at the wonderful OMEARA in London, with a band of familiar faces, on 13th April. Tickets on sale here from 23rd March.

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