The heavymetalkids.uk radio show returns this Monday 20th May at 8pm (BST). Two hours of underground independent sounds with me as your host. As ever, http://www.sfob.co.uk is the place. I’d be delighted if you joined me.
For those busy on the night, the full playlist, Bandcamp links and all stream/download information will be posted on this page after the fact.
In the meantime, you can catch up with the previous show here.
heavymetalkids.uk does not operate a tip jar or any other such endeavour. If you’ve found the blog/radio show helpful in the pursuit of new and interesting sounds, please consider a donation to MAP.
Capturing the magic of the Bay Area underground in fullest flight and rearranging it into bold new shapes, the moog-bending progressive psychedelic pop of Magic Fig is a unique, all-encompassing journey into sound.
A post-pandemic coming together comprising members of The Umbrellas, Whitney’s Playland, Almond Joy and Healing Potpourri, Magic Fig have embraced creative collectivism to mould their self-titled debut into one of the most exhilarating releases of the year so far. Lead single Goodbye Suzy laid the groundwork with its ever-shifting dynamics and ear-worm hooks, a tantalising glimpse of a creative wonderland ripe for discovery.
Nothing encapsulates the EP’s infectious energy better than the vocals of Inna Showalter, her captivating melodies providing Magic Fig’s beating heart. You can simply feel the joy as she sings softly but stirringly of love, magic and mystery. Meanwhile, Jon Chaney’s keys probe endlessly amongst the fiery fretwork of guitarist Muzzy Moskowitz, whilst Matthew Ferrara and Taylor Giffin’s rhythm section provide groove and grit in equal measure.
From PS1’s cosmic psych-jangle through to the free-spirited folk of closer Departure, Magic Fig blend Canterbury-esque mysticism with an unmistakable San Francisco pop bite. It’s a heady, intoxicating combination that showcases the giddy talents of all involved and how beautifully they pull together as one. Essential.
Magic Fig releases 17th May via Silver Current and can be pre-ordered here. UK readers can head here for the vinyl.
Formed whilst ghost hunting around Barnsley market back in 2018, slacker pop trio Porcine’s irresistible melodies and endless hooks are inspired by the very best of 80s/90s shoegaze and indiepop, with a giddy emphasis on fun.
New line-up Sam Horton, Giannis Kipreos & Georgia Murphy released their self-titled third album earlier this year and Layaway is the final single to be taken from it. The band had the following to say about the song and its beautifully sun-addled video…
“We filmed the video after indulging in 30 drinks and 4 plates of food each the night before at our all-inclusive hotel. It was our last day in Turkey and we had been putting off filming the entire time. We trekked up a large hill, which overlooked the local town, with a few bottles of water, a strange mask and a dream to create something exciting to look at. Its supposed to be a funny video with plenty of juxtaposition to the lyrics of the song. In particular the chorus ‘I will never be outside.’ which is paired with an old man struggling to navigate the landscape in the blistering heat. The song itself is lyrically rooted around the idea of a subnormal type festering away in a half paid for dusty apartment. The video takes the character out of his apartment and into the heat for a parley with normality.”
Porcine – Layaway
Layaway was filmed by music producer David Watts on an old DSLR and acted/danced/edited by Yannis who plays guitar and sings in the band.
Riding soaring sonic waves with irrepressible melodic charm, Porcine is available now on CD/digital via Safe Suburban Home. Buy here.
Huge thanks to Safe Suburban Home and Porcine for granting heavymetalkids.uk this premiere.
Throughout his creative life James Hoare has been at the heart of some of the finest and most loved underground independent music to come out of the UK. His various projects have garnered praise and admiration not only here at home, but across Europe and the US too.
On Saturday 11th May James brings his new solo project Penny Arcade to Twenty One Southend, headlining Tim Keech’s latest Tea and Oranges night. Ahead of the gig, he very kindly agreed to answer a few questions for heavymetalkids.uk:
Hi James, thank you for talking to heavymetalkids.uk. For those unaware, please introduce us to Penny Arcade. Who are you collaborating with on this project and how would you best describe your sound?
Penny Arcade is my new musical project, effectively a solo project though i do have extra people playing on it. Max Claps from The Proper Ornaments plays guitar and organ on a few of the tracks, Nathalia Bruno (Drift.) is singing backing vocals. There is a selection of different drummers including Juan Jacinto (Ultimate Painting) and Daniel O’Sullivan.
I would describe the sound as minimal psychedelic/pop.
Throughout your career thus far, between Veronica Falls, Ultimate Painting and The Proper Ornaments, you have been able to connect with some of THE key independent labels both here and in the US. How has it been linking up with the likes of Slumberland, Trouble In Mind and Tough Love Records?
I’ve worked with various labels over the years. The best kind of label for me is the one that give you the most support, enabling you to tour and get things done.
When you feel like someone has your back, that’s a good feeling.
Penny Arcade – Jona
Penny Arcade’s debut long player Backwater Collage is out now via esteemed Hamburg based label Tapete. What inspired the writing/recording of this new album and what are your hopes and expectations for it?
The writing of the album was done over the last couple of years (2021-2023) In the post lockdown world. Much of it was written in my garage late at night which gave it a slightly subterranean feel. It’s about things that were going on in my life at the time, and various fictional characters and stories that came out of my mind during that period.
The album was recorded in my home studio on a 16 track Studer tape machine and an ex BBC console from the late 70’s. Sonically I was inspired by various albums and bands. Air, Canned Heat etc…
Having your own studio is great but it can lead to procrastination, I found that the best things I did on this record were the more spontaneous.
I’m looking to start playing more with Penny Arcade and releasing more music.
It’s GREAT to see you coming to Southend as part of the ever-growing Tea and Oranges nights underneath the pier at Twenty One, and you have brilliant support lined up from local bands Yes Today and Masal. Are you looking forward to showcasing your work at such a unique venue and are there other dates coming up for those who can’t attend?
I’m very happy to be coming to Southend. I really like the place and I’ve heard good things about Twenty One. There’s a great local scene there.
I’ve got some more UK dates coming up. Falmouth, Underland on the 8th June and Coventry, Just Dropped In on the 21st June. They’ll be some more announced later in the year.
Penny Arcade – Don’t Cry No Tears
Tickets for the Tea and Oranges gig are available here. Backwater Collage is a beautifully woozy nocturnal treasure loaded with emotive minor key melodies, you can pick up the vinyl here. Huge thanks to James for talking to the blog and to Marion Seury and Tim Keech for making it happen.
Reflecting on the blissful naivety of youth and it’s seemingly endless possibilities, Manchester based DIY artist Mat Mills returns with a new single for his indie/electronic project Goodbye Wudaokou.
Dialing back the emotive synth tones that so flavoured his previous cut Ultraviolet Kiss, New Century Regrets sees Mills with a freshly blooming spring in his step as he embraces the sonic rush of power-pop.
The third and final single to be taken from Goodbye Wudaokou’s forthcoming debut album Mirror Skies, New Century Regrets provides yet another angle to an artist bursting with pure creative spirit.
The fearless experimental sounds of prolific UK artist/producer Poppy H transcend boundaries until they first become part of our landscape and eventually part of us. It’s not so much that you’re listening to his creations, more like you’re somehow amongst them.
Hot on the heels of the recently released albums Grave Era and Confidence Of Crisis for Cruel Nature Records and the Tokyo recorded Nemurenai comes two deeply immersive self-released gems. Across both, Poppy H paints vivid pictures with sweeping lo-fi brushstrokes.
To The Dead, We Failed focuses in on haunted acoustic collages whereby Mother Give Bark Black Fire features fractured vocal explorations, minimalist soulful electronica and woozy ambient jazz. Both are worthy of the deepest of dives and both are available to stream/download now.
Jangle popping in determined defiance of projected perfection and the inescapable pressure it evokes, Yea-Ming and The Rumours’ new single Ruby is a soaring, soothing delight.
Building on the spirited indie country of her 2022 album So, Bird…, Oakland based Yea-Ming Chen has further refined her winning formula with a flourishing pop polish that renders her molten melodies and ever-comforting croon completely irresistible.
Working with new Rumours members Jen Weisberg (Hits) and Luke Robbins (Latitude) in addition to long-term collaborators Eóin Galvin and Sonia Hayden, new album I Can’t Have It All releases 24th May via Dandy Boy Records. You can pre-order the album here.
Arriving fully formed with devastating beauty, Scottish space rock trio Dream Bleeding have completely captured this blog’s heart with debut release Suddenly I Remembered Your Hands.
Somehow both huge in scope but intimate in execution, the band extract every inch of emotion from their soaring sonic assault, with enveloping waves of sound collapsing into ethereal, spacious moments of sudden calm.
About as essential as a band’s first actgets, Suddenly I Remembered Your Hands is available to stream/download here.
This latest release from the wonderful HHBTM Records sees the once lost art-pop/post-punk stylings of Is/Ought Gap brought passionately and powerfully out into the light.
Emerging from the same early 80s Athens, GA indie scene that spawned the likes of REM, The B-52’s and Pylon, Is/Ought Gap were always a looser, noisier proposition, their incendiary live shows a consistent highlight extending across the Southeast.
Despite their successes on the live circuit, the band’s debut album Lucky 7 remained unreleased, a wrong now put right on this vibrant and vital new compilation. Also included are tracks freshly recorded during the bands 2014 reunion, with some choice bonus live cuts to close.
Fizzing with electric energy, Is/Ought Gap have emerged from the shadows with a rousing, rowdy beauty certain to resonate deeply with a whole new enraptured audience. SUA is out now, you can purchase the vinyl/digital here.
heavymetalkids.uk 