Browsing Tag

SXSW

Nikol spoke for the outliers in their electroclash hit, Not Like You

Posted on 26 January 2023

The Nashville Alt-Pop trio, Nikol, seared their authenticity across the defiantly autonomous latest single, Not Like You. After hearing the disjointed electroclash instrumentals pulsate against the hypersonically sticky sweet vocal lines, you will never think of individually the same ever again.

After a turbulent storm of distorted electronica sets an instantly anthemic tone, the confessional lyricism fed through effect-laden pop vocals affirms that true outliers don’t colour outside of the lines through an edgy wanton desire to create a difference from the mainstream. The lyric “It’s not that I don’t want to fit in, life is better with imagination” poignantly says it all.

Any fans of Dead Disco and Shiny Toy Guns will undoubtedly want to discover Nikol before they get even bigger. So far in their career, they’ve hit the stages at The Vans Warped Tour twice and secured multiple licencing offers, which placed their alt-pop hits on hit shows, including The Real World and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. If any act has what it takes to blow up like an atom bomb in 2023, it is Nikol.

Not Like You was officially released on January 6th. Stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Texas alt-rockers Tough On Fridays knows that something needs to change on ‘Covet’

Posted on 1 April 2022

With their newest album ‘The Encore You Didn’t Ask For’ set for November 2022, Tough On Fridays reimagine a top track that was made famous by the UK act Basement, with a thrilling cover of the 2012-released single ‘Covet‘.

Tough On Fridays is a fast-rising Georgetown, Texas-based gloriously grungy alt-rock band who have just returned from their prestigious slot at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

As one of the most exhilarating bands to emerge from the USA in recent years that have been waiting for their shot to show their ever-increasing brilliance to the masses, Tough On Fridays rocks out as the greats do with a splendid cover that has been made with their own signature style attached to awesomely delicious effect.

‘Covet‘ from the Georgetown, Texas-based rock band Tough On Fridays, is a simply ravishing exertion and you can see why they have been chosen to support the legends Everclear in May. With a track all about wishing that you weren’t with this person who makes your blood boil – as you feel like something is off –  you will feel like you have just witnessed a demanding dream that has to change real quick, for your priceless soul to be free as a frolicking bird again.

Hear this guitar-driven track on Spotify and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

A&R Factory Present: KYTES

Posted on 16 May 2016

After a successful run at SXSW, KYTES return with their new Single “I Got Something” featuring a remix by Berlin’s hotly tipped producer, Robot Koch.

Celebrated in their native Germany, Newcomer KYTES have grown from strength to strength over the past year with their releases of their acclaimed singles “Inner Cinema” and “On the Run”. Charting on German radio, winning accolades and kudos from broadsheet media and blogs locally, the band look to to take their inimitable sound further abroad; taking their cross over indie-dance grooves to this year’s SXSW.

KYTES also impressed the powers of Vodafone Germany, who immediately chose “On The Run” to soundtrack the new Vodafone CallYa Campaign nationwide.

“I Got Something” creates a positive feeling, telling us to look ahead in life, to take the leap and try something new.

Remix duties come courtesy of XLR8R favourite, Robot Koch, who lends his melodic, delicate touch to the track. His organic, textured productions were deemed “wonderful and strange” by the late and great John Peal.

KYTES’ new single “I Got Something” is definitely a song “you should try”. The single and remix are now available in all digital stores.

KYTES will appear at a series of festivals this summer including MELT! Festival and Dockville in Hamburg.

http://kytesmusic.com/