Browsing Tag

Newcastle

Crux sharpened their socially conscious knife in their garage rock protest ‘Dreamseller’

Posted on 1 December 2023

For their latest ensnaring alt-rock synthesis, Dreamseller, Newcastle’s breakthrough act, Crux, took a break from touring the Seattle sound through mutative prog-rock instrumental arrangements and left plenty of room to explore garage rock nuances, noted through The Strokes-esque vocal delivery which adds an element of precariousness to the deadpan croons Alex Turner wishes he could execute with such devil may care finesse.

As the basslines stab and roll through the electrifyingly vintage production, the angular guitar lines carve through the atmosphere and the percussion consistently works to the singular aim of adding an element of tension to the single that will pull you back in time after time. The magnetism within the refreshing distinction and creative confidence which sees the release swathed in swagger is far too addictive to quit.

Since emerging in 2019, Crux’s name has become synonymous with their fiercely uncompromising style and their ability to sharpen their grungy prog-rock signature with a socially conscious edge. With Dreamseller, the outfit revamped their sound and scathed at the commodification of musicians and the industry which sees no value within art, unless it can be exploited at the expense of the artist.

Dreamseller was officially released on November 24; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

No More Monsters In My Bed: Kamanda helps us find a purpose on I Will Always Shine (feat. Regikay)

Posted on 8 March 2023

Neglected when young and feeling like everything was going under, Kamanda heats up the airwaves with a visualizing greatness soundtrack of the highest standard on I Will Always Shine (feat. Regikay).

Kamanda aka Nehemiah Kamanda is a Liberia-born Newcastle, Australia-based indie poet, rapper and songwriter who makes the kind of music which helps wounds heal.

”Kamanda raps about his life, his struggles and overcoming hard times.” ~ Kamanda

Displaying much leadership and projecting a superb anthem for anyone who feels rejected in this odd world, Kamanda and Regikay join forces rather smoothly and calm all anxious hearts on this rather special song. This is a track about clawing out of the struggle when it’s easier to just give up.

I Will Always Shine (feat. Regikay) from Newcastle, Australia-based indie poet/rapper Kamanda is a thunderously emotional single which is a real stunner in a cold world. With enlightening melodies to ease all worries away into the distance, we are treated to a proper message to the world.

Shining no matter what the past, is more valuable than anyone can quantify.

Listen up on Spotify. View more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Autoleisureland Interview: Showing us what fresh experience sounds like on Infiniti Drive

Posted on 25 November 2022

Opening up the cupboard and slicing us some tasty 80s nostalgia to nibble on, the excellent UK act Autoleisureland sat down with A&R Factory to delve into about all things Infiniti Drive and more. Honest and insightful, we’re even bigger fans now and unconditionally love their late career resurgence while doing what they love.

We appreciate you taking the time to chat with us today Autoleisureland. Firstly, please guide our loyal readers deep inside where your new music creation is currently based and who is involved in the project?

Autoleisureland: Hi, we’re Autoleisureland and we’re based between Sunderland and Newcastle, two cities in the North East of England. We’re a duo, comprising of Paul Woods, vocals, and multi-instrumentalist David Brewis. In a previous life, we were two founding members of The Kane Gang, a successful and critically acclaimed indie soul band.

Let’s swerve into your upcoming debut album Infiniti Drive, can we? What was the vision around the release and process to get the sound you both desired?

Autoleisureland: I suppose it started a few years ago when Dave was working on his instrumental album. Every week before we popped out for a beer, he’d drop off a new mix or new track. I really liked them and started on lyrics for some of them. I started giving him lyrics and ideas for new songs. Eventually, we came up with the song Autoleisureland and that was the catalyst for the sound we were going for in our heads. Stylish, sophisti-pop, sort of all our influences coming together. After that we never stopped, songs just kept on coming. We are what you could call music veterans and we never thought we’d be doing a late-career thing, but we felt it was so good and fresh, we had to put it out there.

How is the music scene doing in your local area and do you feel like live music is 100% back or not yet?

Autoleisureland: We’re no experts anymore, but it seems to be making a very slow recovery. I think it’s going to be hit again shortly with the UK recession looming.

When you close your eyes and imagine playing inside a packed stadium live with screaming fans aplenty, what does it feel like?

Autoleisureland: A long time ago, packed venues and a little less screaming. Sadly, nowadays I probably wouldn’t go to a place with that many people. Also, Autoleisureland so far is strictly a recording project. We’re in a hurry to get so much out there, before even considering live work.

If you could open for any band currently performing live, who would it be and why?

Autoleisureland: Dave suggested Hall & Oates as back in the day we had a planned tour with them cancelled, so it would be nice to have a dream fulfilled. For me, Poolside plays some interesting gigs – beautiful Mexican coastal venues and Californian wineries. I could go for that.

What do you think the music industry in the UK and worldwide needs more of?

Autoleisureland: More streaming payments for music creators should be a priority. Musicians should be fairly paid for their creations. People pay for food, chocolate bars, and beer, so why not music? I’ve worked in newspapers and music, two products that people expect to have for nothing. You can bet when that happens, the products will in time become devalued. When you have so much free music, for instance, that you have not invested in, you won’t even invest your time in it. Hence, usually a one-minute cut-off time on songs on streaming platforms. Sorry, I’m on my soapbox.

–

Infiniti Drive is ready to be loved on Spotify. Find out more about these well-chiselled gents on Facebook.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Kamanda moves away from the darkness that had his soul sore on ‘Stuck in the Spotlight’ (feat. Regikay)

Posted on 29 July 2022

Comprehending this scary world that had him flipped around for too long as he struggled to be accepted, Kamanda takes time to drop an important message for all those who feel like giving up right now on ‘Stuck in the Spotlight‘ (feat. Regikay).

Kamanda is a Liberia-born, Newcastle, Australia-based indie hip hop artist who courageously moved with his family from West Africa in 2005.

”Growing up in a musical family, Kamanda started writing Poetry, Rapping and Singing at age 9, thereafter spent years working on improving his Rapping and songwriting skills.” ~ Kamanda

Moving away from the doubt-fueled clouds up above that threatened to storm on him like an angry tornado, Kamanda has a presence that is mightily astute. He raps about damaging moments in the past that have now made him so much more self-enlightened. Gloriously, too. His persona is humble, brave and his wizard-like wordplay has you tuned in for the show.

”Kamanda raps about his life, his struggles and overcoming hard times, his music is spiritual.” ~ Kamanda

‘Stuck in the Spotlight‘ (feat. Regikay) from Australia-based indie hip hop artist Kamanda is certainly an impressive performance from a rising artist with plenty of that much-needed grit, style and persistent attitude that makes him someone to ultimately get behind. There are powerful statements to get lost inside, too. Packed with a timeless edge, this is a song for anyone who has ever been an underdog at some stage in their life.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

DFTCNT shows us the current mass anger of the world in their outstanding video, ‘Flux’

Posted on 24 June 2022

Dropping an authentic debut video that shows us right inside exactly what is wrong with the current world, DFTCNT displays that rare world class intensity that unwraps the unnerving predicament the world finds itself in with, ‘Flux‘.

DFTCNT is a Newcastle, UK-based indie musician, electronic artist and director who has won over 50 international awards for best video recently.

With one of the finest visual arrangements you are ever likely to see in 2022 that is loaded with a menacing sound that pulsates all your senses, DFTCNT is quite sublime and shall take your breath away shockingly.

Sometimes remarkable songs show you deep inside the truth, and this is one of those explosive moments that needs to be applauded for its realistic brilliance.

‘Flux‘ from Newcastle, UK-based indie musician, artist and director DFTCNT is a haunting reminder that things need to change rather quickly before absolute carnage ensues. There is violence, anger, war and destruction in droves here, with a soundscape that might find your body shaking with fear. The visuals are top-notch and the slow buildup will probably take your breath away, as we are placed into a real visual that will have you pondering where humanity is headed.

See something rather special on YouTube and view more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Kamanda feels blessed that he is still breathing as he shows us to stay true to ourselves on, ‘Tighes Hill Memories’ (feat. Regikay)

Posted on 20 February 2022

With a soothing environment that is sealed with a head-nodding beat and quality vocals, Kamanda knows that the past shall never define him as he takes us back to where it all started on ‘Tighes Hill Memories‘ (feat. Regikay).

Kamanda is a Liberia-born, Australia-based indie Hip hop artist who rivets the airwaves with accounts about what happened before and he vows to silence those who doubted him before through his lyrical acumen.

”I write lyrics about my life, my struggles & overcoming hard times.” ~ Kamanda

Pulsating the mic awake with a smooth flow and smartly contested bars that have you feeling rather refreshed like a cold shower after a scorching day outside dealing with fools, Kamanda dusts off the doubts and keeps us in the loop of where he is headed. It feels like he has a smart head on his shoulders on knows where he needs to be in order to succeed, on a track that will light up your mood like candles on a date night with that genuine lover.

‘Tighes Hill Memories‘ (feat. Regikay) from the Newcastle, Australia-based indie Hip hop artist Kamanda, is a wall-around-my-heart message that urges us to stay real and to never falter from that path. With advice from his Grandma and a determined outlook on life – this is that true message that so many need to hear again and again until it sinks in like glue – that fills you up with hope after hearing those small-minded naysayers try and bring you down to their level for too long.

Listen to this new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Our Chemistry: Outstanding Newcastle singer Beth Macari takes away all of our insecurities on ‘Love You More’

Posted on 8 August 2021

With a thrillingly sensual energy that transmits such stunning elegance to make you blush glowingly, Beth Macari takes us to those rare dizzy heights we forgot were actually possible on the effortless gem ‘Love You More‘.

Beth Macari is a wonderfully talented indie RnB/soul singer-songwriter based in passionate Newcastle, England. She makes that glorious love-letter type of music, which is such a beautiful listen as her glorious voice brings some classy heart-warming vibes on this scrumptious effort.

After previously blessing us with a 90’s dance floor vibe on her last release, you feel more of a delicious jazzy/RnB element on this stunning new single. Her gushing vocals has your neck and back shaking in delight – as her voice is so perfectly toned that you feel an urge to close your eyes – so that your can relax into her utterly transfixing and rather unforgettable experience.

This is the loving story of catching your eyes together as you both smile and come closer, you feel a bolt of electricity and know that this is going to be something rather special. You know that they may have some doubts about if they are worthy to be with you, but you sense this quickly and just want to keep things sweetly textured, without overthinking things.

‘Love You More‘ from the lovely Newcastle-based indie RnB/soul artist Beth Macari, is that sweet moment when your heart tells you that this is someone you should spend more time with. Her lusciously gorgeous vocals are such a pleasure to lather into this bubble-bath of a single, that has your beaming brightly from all the romantic energy.

This is such an excellent single, and one to bring you back to simpler times, when love wasn’t so unnecessarily complicated.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify and see her IG page for more visuals.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

She breaks free: Newcastle upon Tyne legends The Questionnaires show us that class is permanent on ‘The Illustrated Woman’

Posted on 19 February 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ_6tRJb84Y

The Questionnaires show that years of experience and training does indeed matter, on a special song taken off their long-awaited album ‘Atlantic Ridge‘ and this is a spectacular single that has undeniable class that is called ‘The Illustrated Woman‘.

The Questionnaires are a North East, UK-based band lead by the lyrics and direction of Steve Hall and Jane Wade. A multi-genre group with elements of alt-folk, alt-country, soft rock and pure pop wrapped with so much authenticity, this dynamic group meshes in some of Tyneside’s most well-respected musicians to formulate a mixture of that quality golden sound, that you hardly hear these days.

Featuring a full six-piece band plus four guests to make this a truly memorable old school experience, you can’t help but smile and appreciate a quality band like this. From the classy vocals that put your anxious body at ease, to the drums, electric and acoustic bass guitars, violin, piano, organ (and probably more hidden instruments)- this is a something that the whole family can enjoy.

This is the story about how a woman has set herself free from being stuck inside as she knows herself so much better now. That ultimately rewarding feeling is so special and one that you only know when you feel it. From being inside the glass and not being happy with what you are doing, is an inner stomach-churning moment that you know you need to get out of and when you do- it feels like you can fly to the moon. Doing what you know you are capable of, is the only way to feel that genuine contentment in life.

‘The Illustrated Woman‘ from Newcastle’s The Questionnaires is a truly classic song from a rare, proper band that put their heart and soul into every note on this single. This is an experienced act that deserve respect in an often fickle music world that either makes you or breaks you in an instant.

They have proven that they wiser heads can still put on a show and that real musicianship takes years of practice and to master your instruments, you’d better be willing to put in the effort otherwise you won’t be timeless.

Support these terrific musicians on YouTube and see more on their FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Taking back those tears: KRAiG DiEL wants to make it all right on ‘i’M JUST TRYiNG TO APOLOGiZE’

Posted on 27 January 2021

‘i’M JUST TRYiNG TO APOLOGiZE‘ is the latest song from the dazzling talent of KRAiG DiEL, as he aims to make it all better one last time.

KRAiG DiEL is a talented Newcastle-based pop/trap solo artist, who has made a huge impact of humongous proportions, since entering the scene a month ago. He makes that smoothly delivered music that gets you thinking deeply and dancing with that special soul in your life at the same time.

With electro vibes that strike at your speakers hot, they steam up quickly with this love story that is in peril. His effortless voice brings to you to a reflective state as you recall past relationship and how sometimes, they just ended so suddenly. whist others stood the test of time and survived all rocks being thrown as your core was built to last forever.

‘i’M JUST TRYiNG TO APOLOGiZE‘ is an indie-pop tear streamer as he puts us into the story of attempting to put things right but is having trouble doing so. With a smooth voice and bags of charm, fast-rising UK artist KRAiG DiEL will surely get through to her but it will take a bit longer and the tissues might need replacing first.

Sometimes you try and make it right but you somehow end up making it all worse, as you pierce through the glass memories that are now broken and you are the glue to put things back to together, no matter who’s fault it was. You can try and fix it but ultimately, it will never be the same.

Stream this fresh new track on Spotify and see his stylish ways on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Cave Suns – Sloop John Dee: Tribally Entrancing Dark Psych Rock

Posted on 28 December 2020

Even with the Avant-Garde obscurity in Cave Suns’ danceably electric single ‘Sloop John Dee’ from their New EP ‘Surt Skum’, the tribally rhythmic pull of the single allows your pulses to register the arrestive instrumental improvisation from the first progression.

Each new evolution in sound hits you like an emboldening, radiating incantation. Any fans of the Telescopes, Gnod, Kill Your Boyfriend, Goat, Grateful Dead, Femur and Television will undoubtedly want to delve into the transfixing release which takes you on a 6 minute journey through the Newcastle, UK-based artist’s ingenuity.

I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to hear a new luminary powerhouse offering galvanizing droning fuzzy dark psych-rock instead of appearing  as a carbon copy of the Beatles, The Doors or Pink Floyd. It’s probably for blackened hearts instead of the faint of heart.

You can check out Cave Suns’ single Sloop John Dee for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast