Hectorine – Arrow of Love

There is a tenderness and directness at the centre of Sarah Gagnon’s songwriting that stands alone amongst the busy and beautiful Bay Area underground. Unabashed and unafraid, she wears her heart on her sleeve, wrapping her incomparable vocals around soulful dreampop melodies steeped in magic.

New album Arrow of Love, Gagnon’s third under the Hectorine banner, is an indisputable triumph, assured in its conception and emphatic in its delivery. Assisted by key Bay Area players such as Itinerant Home Recordings’ Geoff Saba and long-time collaborator Max Stanley, the album’s sumptuous arrangements ebb and flow beautifully. From Is Love An Illusion’s weary battlecry through to the all-consuming hope that drives penultimate track Take A Chance With Me, no stone is left unturned in Gagnon’s search for truth, meaning and understanding. Essential.

Hectorine – Take A Chance With Me

Arrow of Love is available now via Take a Turn Records. You can order vinyl or digital here. UK readers can pick up the physical at Monorail.

heavymetalkids ep.24

My latest radio show is now available to stream via Podbean, Apple, Mixcloud, Deezer and other leading apps.

Alternatively, you can now listen directly via the embed below…

Playlist: Monday 19th May

  1. Lone Striker – Never Blown A Kiss https://hiddenbayrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lone-striker
  2. Rhymies – I Dream Watching https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-dream-watching
  3. Sea Fever – Go To Ground https://seafever.tmstor.es
  4. Autocamper – Again https://autocamper.bandcamp.com/album/what-do-you-do-all-day
  5. Lunchbox – Letter From Overend https://tim-and-donna-lunchbox.bandcamp.com/album/evolver
  6. Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal https://whitneysplayland.bandcamp.com/album/long-rehearsal
  7. Lightheaded – The View From Your Room https://areyoufeelinglightheaded.bandcamp.com/album/thinking-dreaming-scheming
  8. Jeanines – What’s Lost https://jeanines.bandcamp.com/album/how-long-can-it-last
  9. Ryli – Medicine Speed https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/come-and-get-me
  10. Artsick – Ghost Of Myself https://artsick.bandcamp.com/album/fingers-crossed
  11. Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band – New Threats From The Soul https://sophomorelounge.bandcamp.com/album/ryan-davis-the-roadhouse-band-new-threats-from-the-soul
  12. Ulrika Spacek – Interesting Corners https://ulrikaspacek.bandcamp.com/track/interesting-corners
  13. Index For Working Musik – Sister https://indexforworkingmusik.bandcamp.com/album/which-direction-goes-the-beam
  14. Midding – Good Boy https://middingband.bandcamp.com/album/nowhere-near-today
  15. Hattie Cooke – Mistaken https://hattiecooke.bandcamp.com/album/bliss-land-2
  16. LOWMOON – Find A Reason https://safesuburbanhomerecords.bandcamp.com/album/cathedrals
  17. Red Pants – All Your Pink Stars https://redred.bandcamp.com/album/when-we-were-dancing
  18. Now – The Ballad Of Joy Bang https://nowww.bandcamp.com/album/now-does-the-trick
  19. The Pennys – One Million Things https://mtstmtn.bandcamp.com/album/the-pennys
  20. Hospital – Dad On Vacation https://hospitalsf.bandcamp.com/album/ii
  21. Daltons Fen – Mead Head Mick Goes (demo) https://www.instagram.com/daltonsfen?igsh=Z2R3bzVucHFiZzJi
  22. The Tumbledryer Babies – Compassion Fatigue https://thetumbledryerbabies.com/album/my-dinner-with-andrew
  23. Hectorine – Take A Chance With Me https://hectorine.bandcamp.com/album/arrow-of-love
  24. Arthur Russell – Planted A Thought https://arthurrussell.bandcamp.com/album/love-is-overtaking-me
  25. Linda Smith – I So Liked Spring https://lindasmith2.bandcamp.com/album/i-so-liked-spring-2
  26. Cindy – A Trumpet On The Hillside (demo) https://slothmate.bandcamp.com/album/cindy-standard-candle
  27. Seablite – Blink Each Day https://seablite.bandcamp.com/album/lemon-lights
  28. Mo Dotti – For Anyone And You https://mo-dotti.bandcamp.com/album/opaque
  29. Aluminum – Everything https://aluminum.bandcamp.com/album/fully-beat
  30. The Velvet Underground – Ride Into The Sun

Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal

It’s no secret that this blog fell hard for Bay Area duo Whitney’s Playland’s 2023 debut Sunset Sea Breeze. Loaded with charm, melody and garage indie riffing, the album captured hearts from the very first listen. 

With Inna Showalter (Magic Fig, Blades of Joy, Modern Charms) and George Tarlson (Grandma’s Boyfriend) now joined by Evan Showalter (Blank Square) and Paul DeMartini as an expanded four piece, new 7” Long Rehearsal sees the band’s sound evolve and flourish in glorious technicolour.

Introspective but enrapturing, Inna Showalter’s vocals and spirit provide the beating heart of the three jangle pop gems that make up the release. The immediacy of the title track is tempered beautifully by expansive closer Talk, with melody and magic abounding throughout.

Long Rehearsal releases 20th June, split between Dandy Boy Records (US) and Meritorio Records (EU). You can preorder the vinyl or digital here.

Autocamper – Again

Manchester fourpiece Autocamper have had my heart ever since I watched them scurrying mischievously around Oslo Hackney following their triumphant set in support of Bay Area jangle heroes The Umbrellas early last year. There is a gritty realness to the band’s sound that truly sets them apart.

New single Again presents a band gloriously in their stride, primed and ready to take on the indie pop world. Glistening pure pop melodies dance in and around urgent jangle and driving rhythms, building on the momentum of last year’s cassette singles. It’s a gloriously giddy introduction to their highly anticipated debut album What Do You Do All Day? Essential.

Autocamper are: Harry Williams (bass), Arthur “Junior” Robinson (drums/vocals), Niamh Purtill (keyboards/vocals), Jack Harkins (guitar/vocals).

What Do You Do All Day? releases 11th July via Safe Suburban Home (UK) and Slumberland Records (US). You can preorder the vinyl or CD here.

Rhymies – I Dream Watching

Fresh out on the relentlessly dependable Oakland based Dandy Boy Records comes this solo debut from Seablite’s Lauren Matsui. Trading in that group’s multi-layered dreamgaze in favour of melody drenched electronics, Rhymies’ inaugural EP I Dream Watching is a giddy synth-pop triumph.

From the pulsating urgency of the title track’s soaring chorus through to The Hesperian (Again)’s sweepingly atmospheric climax there is a purity to Matsui’s rhythmic explorations that is both spellbinding and highly addictive. I Dream Watching serves as a devastatingly effective introduction to a project loaded with promise and purpose.

Rhymies – I Dream Watching

I Dream Watching is available now on vinyl or digital download, buy here.

The Pennys – s/t

I have been excited to hear the first fruits of this collaboration between Bay Area underground heroes Michael Ramos (Tony Jay/Flowertown) and R.E. Seraphin ever since it was first mentioned in my interview with the latter, published last year.

Say Something sways soothingly in perfect alignment with where I’d expect the pairs music to land. Drenched in melody, it brings Ramos’ fragile but full hearted dreampop out into the light, whilst simultaneously softening Seraphin’s power pop edges into a hazy blur. Working in unhurried harmony, magic abounds.

The Pennys self titled debut EP arrives 1st May via Mt.St.Mtn. You can pre-order the vinyl here.

heavymetalkids.uk ep.23 *cancelled*

As some of you may already be aware, I refused to allow this month’s show to be broadcast due to technical issues. The intended playlist and necessary Bandcamp links can be found below.

If you’d like to hear the show in playlist form, you can do so via Tidal here.

I need a minute to take stock, I hope you enjoy the tunes… x

Playlist: Monday 24th March

  1. Lone Striker – Never Blown A Kiss https://safesuburbanhomerecords.bandcamp.com/album/lone-striker
  2. Sea Fever – Breaking Out https://seafever.tmstor.es
  3. Rhymies – I Dream Watching https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-dream-watching
  4. Autocamper – Summertime https://autocamper.bandcamp.com/album/summertime
  5. Lunchbox – Letter From Overend https://tim-and-donna-lunchbox.bandcamp.com/album/evolver
  6. Artsick – Ghost Of Myself https://artsick.bandcamp.com/album/fingers-crossed
  7. Red Pants – All Your Pink Stars https://redred.bandcamp.com/album/when-we-were-dancing
  8. Sumos – Small Talk https://sumos.bandcamp.com/album/surfacing
  9. Stuart Pearce – Rope https://stuartpearce.bandcamp.com/album/all-this-vast-overproduction
  10. Index For Working Musik – Sister https://indexforworkingmusik.bandcamp.com/album/which-direction-goes-the-beam
  11. Now – The Ballad Of Joy Bang https://nowww.bandcamp.com/album/now-does-the-trick
  12. Hospital – Dad On Vacation https://hospitalsf.bandcamp.com/album/ii
  13. The Plan – Pier Party Nerves https://theplan1.bandcamp.com/album/nervous-energy
  14. The Tumbledryer Babies – Compassion Fatigue https://thetumbledryerbabies.com/album/my-dinner-with-andrew
  15. LOWMOON – Cathedrals https://safesuburbanhomerecords.bandcamp.com/album/cathedrals
  16. Eddie Chacon – Good Sun https://eddiechaconofficial.bandcamp.com/album/lay-low
  17. Hectorine – Is Love An Illusion? https://hectorine.bandcamp.com/album/arrow-of-love
  18. Anna Domino – Everyday, I Don’t https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.bandcamp.com/album/east-and-west
  19. Linda Smith – I So Liked Spring https://lindasmith2.bandcamp.com/album/i-so-liked-spring-2
  20. Cindy – A Trumpet On The Hillside (demo) https://slothmate.bandcamp.com/album/cindy-standard-candle
  21. Firestations – All The Way Back Down Here https://firestations.bandcamp.com/album/many-white-horses
  22. George Children – Lucille https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kitchen-sink-drama
  23. Ryann Gonsalves – Kid Chores https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ouch
  24. Seablite – Blink Each Day https://seablite.bandcamp.com/album/lemon-lights
  25. Mo Dotti – For Anyone And You https://mo-dotti.bandcamp.com/album/opaque
  26. Monnone Alone – Dry Doubt https://monnonealone.bandcamp.com/album/here-comes-the-afternoon
  27. Aluminum – Everything https://aluminum.bandcamp.com/album/fully-beat
  28. Dummy – Unshaped Road (GMO’s Gummy Remix) https://notdummy.bandcamp.com/album/bubbelibrium-dlc
  29. forceghost – oh no you didn’t (microcosm glow-up mix by Rainbow Cave) https://forceghost.bandcamp.com/album/remixed-hearts

Lone Striker – s/t

Lending dewy-eyed romanticism to even the daftest of decisions, the rueful musings of UK DIY indie project Lone Striker consistently bring forth both comfort and closure.

This latest creative outlet for Tom Brown (Rural France/Teenage Tom Petties) sees the artist embrace samples and off-kilter Americana in pursuit of meaning, understanding and melody. The resulting self-titled debut album stands tall as possibly his finest, fullest statement to date.

Full hearted pop nuggets such as album highlight Never Blown A Kiss and horn augmented closer Blip Two bring to mind the Brill Building golden years with their sweeping arrangements and aching vocal deliveries. Meanwhile, looping rhythms and found sounds render the album vividly now.

With Brown’s ability to pack a ton of fun into a two minute pop song fully intact, his quick witted, slow burning songwriting hits all kinds of new peaks across this most special of albums. Essential.

Lone Striker – Blip One

Lone Striker is available via Safe Suburban Home (UK), Hidden Bay Records (EU) and Repeating Cloud (US). Order here.

Hospital – Hospital II

I’ve held experimental Bay Area trio Hospital in the highest regard ever since the initial tape release of this collection back in summer 2023. Three brilliant minds working at the very edge of their creativity and allowing us in to hear the results, what could be better?

Combining the talents of Kevin Linn (Sad Eyed Beatniks/Present Electric), Karina Gill (Cindy/Flowertown) and Michael Ramos (Tony Jay/Flowertown), Hospital’s DIY improvisations veer from lo-fi ambient to bare bones indie-that-doesn’t-pop, with all kinds of twists and turns along the way. 

The scene is set from the off, with off kilter instrumental breaks and instinctively melodic explorations abounding until Dad On Vacation works itself into a deftly understated groove, over which Gill lays down a largely unintelligible vocal swathed in deadpan cool. 

Further highlights emerge as the album progresses, subtly and at their own pace. Earl’s Star intersperses its gritty guitar changes with brief but wildly captivating soloing, whilst Music For Millbrae unsettles and beguiles in equal measure with its creaking haunted house ambience.

Hospital – Egyptian Jukebox

Initially released on Paisley Shirt Records, Hospital II is now available on vinyl for the first time via Tough Love Records. You can order here.

Middle East Children’s Alliance fundraiser…

Hi all, I hope you’re well. For my birthday this year, I’m asking for donations to Middle East Children’s Alliance. The vital work that MECA are doing provides a constant source of hope and strength for children enduring unimaginable hardship. Any amount you can possibly contribute would be greatly appreciated.

The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) is a non-profit organization working for the rights of children in the Middle East by sending humanitarian aid, supporting projects for children and educating North American and international communities about the effects of the US foreign policy on children in the region.

If you wish to contribute you can do so via my dedicated Facebook fundraiser here, or via my Instagram page.

I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of the readers, artists and labels who have been so kind with their words and generous with their time across the two years I have been writing this blog. I love and appreciate you all.