Listening Post – February 2023

Words: Andy Hughes

Happy New Year, yeah? We’re not too late are we? You’re looking well, anyway.

Sorry for the delay – we took a wee break for January (due to 9-5 commitments, walking the dog, staring at the calendar waiting for dry January to end and other endeavours) but the monthly playlist is back!

To bring you back up to speed, every month we put out a new playlist – 20 tunes, old and new – featuring everything that tickles our fancy. Get involved and maybe discover something new!

NEWS – We’re chuffed up to say Birthday Cake For Breakfast turns 10 this year! It all started back in February of 2013 when a couple of young guys interviewed The Computers in a bar that no longer exists. We’ve not looked back since! Keep an eye out for developments within February for what we’ve got in store to celebrate!

Decisive Pink – Haffmilch Holiday

Regular readers might’ve cottoned on that we love the work of Kate NV, the Russian artist who creates such wonky pop pieces. We’ve got a soft spot too for Deradoorian, the NYC based artist who wowed us with her ‘Find The Sun‘ album in 2020. Now they’ve come together as the dreamy, synth-heavy Decisive Pink, and their debut ‘Haffmilch Holiday‘ calls to mind another pair of mega collaborators, DRINKS (Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley). Their bio suggests they both play “a bunch of modular synthesizers“, which is vague enough to build much excitement in us!

Jamie Lenman – Deep Down
(The Athiest)

Lenners, you dog! Talk about anthems, this cut from the latest Jamie Lenman record is such a heart-sweller – thumping chorus and a vocal that just won’t quit, it’s hard not to pump your fist throughout its duration. Word has it that a demo of ‘Deep Down‘ existed way back in the Reuben days, tucked between the second and third records, just waiting to be plucked out of the archives over a decade later!

We interviewed Lenman late last year at LENMANIA III, where he spoke of ‘Deep Down‘ and lots more. Read all about it here!

Kadhja Bonet – JGS

Kadhja Bonet has been on our radar ever since ‘Childqueen‘ scored the Album of the Year honours from Piccadilly Records back in 2018. On ‘JGS‘ (Just Getting Started), the California based artist offers up more transcendence, utilising her heart-stopping vocal to stun the listener, subsequently strapping them into a soulful time machine and flicking the switch back a few decades. Said to be a peak at an upcoming full length on the horizon, we can’t wait to go along for the journey.

Apollo Ghosts – Pink Tiger
(Pink Tiger)

Bloody hell, this is lovely. There’s a bit of a Purple Mountains vibe within, Canadian outfit Apollo Ghosts here captivating from note one. From a full length record of the same name out last spring, ‘Pink Tiger‘ is a proper peaceful cut. Love that intriguing, slightly abrupt ending as the vocals ring out ‘I never said I love you too…‘

Traffik Island – Go!
(Sweat Kollecta’s Peanut Butter Traffik Jam)

A lockdown discovery (remember the pandemic?), ‘Go!‘ found its way back to us recently, the Cornelius style mind-enhancer really taking you on a journey. From the brilliantly titled ‘Sweat Kollecta’s Peanut Butter Traffik Jam‘, it’s a swish, psychedelic trip, peppered with nifty samples.

Bolis Pupul – Neon Buddha

Having topped our Top 50 Songs of 2022 list at the tail end of last year with the equally brilliant Charlotte Adigéry, Belgium-based producer Bolis Pupul followed up their collaborative joys with the super cool, head-spinning electronica number ‘Neon Buddha‘. Released in May of last year, it’s said to have been inspired by a dream Bolis had of a pagoda in Hong Kong, featuring a contemplative Buddha made of neon lights.

Nine Below Zero – Eleven Plus Eleven
(Third Degree)

Love discovering things like this! Sounding very much like it could come out tomorrow but also couldn’t have come out any other time than 1982, ‘Eleven Plus Eleven‘ packs loads into just over two minutes, calling to mind the likes of fellow Brits The Jam, The Housemartins and XTC. 

Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band – My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains
(Clear Spot)

At the start of the year, I was chuffed to discover a playlist curated by journalist Andrew Male that catered to those who like their Beefheart soft rather than hard. The ‘Captain Sweetheart‘ playlist comes up with the goods again and again, with this delightful piece from 1972 release ‘Clear Spot‘ suggesting that the Captain wasn’t just about drugging up his bandmates and making their lives hell…

Scritti Politti – Wood Beez
(Cupid & Psyche 85)

Woof, where have Scritti Politti been all my life?! Exactly my kind of 80s art-pop, this sounds like it influenced a lot of what I like, but might’ve also been on the soundtrack to ‘A Goofy Movie‘. Two thumbs up, either way.

You’ll Never Get To Heaven – Caught In Time, So Far Away
(Adorn)

Fair play to Canadian duo You’ll Never Get To Heaven – everything about them seems perfectly plotted to match the music. The hazy, mysterious imagery of the cover for ‘Adorn‘ is complimented by the floating sense one has listening to the dreamy, shoegaze-y ‘Caught In Time, So Far Away‘, its explosions of percussion reminiscent of fellow countrymen Preoccupations.

Jeshi – This Thing Of Ours
(Universal Credit)

From debut album ‘Universal Credit‘, ‘This Thing Of Ours‘ hit us instantly with the line ‘…I should probably go and see my family more, probably text more‘. Relatable! The LDN based artist that is Jeshi is said to have written the record whilst broke and having nothing to look forward to, a feeling shared by many – “We’re in deep, me and you…“

GOAT – Do The Dance
(Oh Death)

Having been mildly obsessed with the debut offering from GOATMAN back in 2018, it’s a trip to once again enter the hypnotic world of mysterious Swedish collective GOAT. ‘Do The Dance‘ is such a cool, hypnotic vibe of a track, with dancing in mind – one that makes you want to join a drum circle posthaste!

CIVIC – Blood Rushes
(Taken By Force)

During the first lockdown, as I took myself on yet another walk up and down the River Mersey to stave off boredom, the search for new music always unearthed CIVIC as a recommended artist. From a new album out this month, new single ‘Blood Rushes‘ is a nostalgia-tinged, heart-pumping anthem that leans more toward a poppier side from the Aussie punks.

Mock Tudors – Bin Day

Ripper! Love the glam-stomp on this from nostalgia-peddlers Mock Tudors, channelling Sparks and T. Rex, as well as recent tourmates The Bug Club, across the super catchy ‘Bin Day‘. Quick break before the end for a spoken word passage and a disgusting wee tale about a bloke licking bin rims and “tasting what you’ve had for your dinner the night before“. Grim.

First Day Of Spring – Moon Boy
(Fly Over Apple Blossom)

I remember doing the washing up (where music sounds best) and being glued to the spot when first hearing this from LDN outfit First Day Of Spring. With influences ranging from Silver Jews to Sonic Youth, a hushed beginning and delicateness blends in with fuzzy guitar for an engrossing listen. When those strings come in, it’s bliss.

(Photo Credit: Ranishka Kumarage)

Bo Gritz – Observes and Selects

Half a decade on from their last release, Londoners Bo Gritz return with nails new one ‘Observes and Selects‘, a thudding, moody two minutes that hardly lets up. Vocals hit direct, put together using the cut-up technique favoured by Burroughs and the like.

Bo Gritz talked us through the track on their return – read all about it here!

Terry – Gold Duck
(Call Me Terry)

What a mega start to 2023 with the announcement of a new record from Aussie quartet Terry! It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since their last full-length, ‘I’m Terry‘, and in typical Terry fashion, their forthcoming new album is simply called ‘Call Me Terry‘. Lead single ‘Gold Duck‘ is another sun-soaked, catchy-as-hell weirdo-pop delight. Never change, Terry.

Sarabeth Tucek – The Gift
(Joan Of All)

Known for her work with Bill Callahan, Anton Newcombe and others, Sarabeth Tucek has returned following a decade away from it all with news of a new album and a new moniker – SBT. Starting life as a breezy, warming piece, the second half of new single ‘The Gift‘ takes a turn for a more serious sound, drums more urgent and guitar teetering on wigging out as the instrumental cuts loose. 

Screaming Females – Brass Bell
(Desire Pathway)

It’s still a trip discovering a band that have been at it for yonks but have completely flown under your particular radar. Seventeen years into it, New Jersey formed outfit Screaming Females are set to release a new album this month! Lead single ‘Brass Bell‘ had me gripped straight away, each step of the way leaving me guessing as to where they were headed next. Proper nails blend of punk and Sabbath-style old-school metal.

Dutch Uncles – Tropigala (2 to 5)
(True Entertainment)

I was hooked on ‘Tropigala (2 to 5)‘ as soon as I heard the (almost inaudible) mumblings of the title during its opening seconds. Dutch Uncles sure know how to write a bop – the type of bop that has you singing the lyrics back when the second chorus comes around and dancing around the kitchen (chances are I’m doing the washing up) when that ripper guitar solo breaks out. It’s good to have them back!

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Listening Post – October 2022

Words: Andy Hughes

October then? As you stick on your jumper and slap the hand of anyone trying to put the heating on, you need a soundtrack, right?

Back we are with 20 big hitters, old and new, to treat the ears of all – from Amsterdam to Bristol, Philadelphia to Liverpool, Brussels to Brighton – it’s all here for you to hear!

Damaged Bug – The Thunder Speaks
(Bug on Yonkers)

With such a varied and plentiful back catalogue, it’s often hard keeping up with John Dwyer – he of Osees, Coachwhips, Pink and Brown and so many more. As Damaged Bug – his semi-solo efforts – Dwyer took on the work of cult Minneapolis figure Michael Yonkers for this 2020 release. ‘The Thunder Speaks‘ sounds wall-shaking large!

Personal Trainer – Milk
(Big Love Blanket)

LCD Soundsystem via Amsterdam here from the seven-strong Personal Trainer, vocalist Willem Smit doing his best James Murphy on the thrilling ‘Milk‘. With shades of Dexys and fellow countrymen The Homesick too, it all comes together on their hotly tipped debut album. Here’s a challenge: Try getting ‘I drink straight from the carton‘ out of your head after hearing this.

Willem Smit recently answered our tough series of questions – get the scoop here!

Katy J. Pearson – Riverbed
(Sound of the Morning)

I first saw Katy J. Pearson at the hallowed Brudenell Social Club back in 2019, part of the Heavenly Weekend in Leeds. It was obvious back then that big things were on the horizon and sure enough, the Bristolian artist has been making big strides ever since. ‘Riverbed‘ is a glittering, luscious cut from her recently released second album, ‘Sound of the Morning‘.

Mr Ben & the Bens – When They Hear Your Name
(Good Day For Drying)

On their forthcoming new album ‘Good Day for Drying‘, Ben – he of Mr Ben & the Bens – is said to be airing out “songs that have dwelt in his head for a while“. There’s a pang of nostalgia on new single ‘When They Hear Your Name‘ – all warmth, the vocalist and band leader hypnotising throughout.

Dummy – Mono Retriever
(Mono Retriever)

On loan from tastemakers Trouble In Mind Records, Los Angeles based quintet Dummy deliver the goods for Sub Pop as part of their Singles Club, ‘Mono Retriever‘ propelled forward in a haze of poppy shoegaze.

Momma – Motorbike
(Household Name)

Taken from their third studio album ‘Household Name‘ out earlier this year, Momma’s ‘Motorbike‘ is grunge-y alt-rock heaven, reminding us quite a bit of local favourites False Advertising. That hushed, closing stretch is proper lump in the throat territory.

Protomartyr – Wheel of Fortune
(Consolation E.P.)

Inspired by an incredibly spot on Instagram Reel about right-wing fuckwit Alex Jones aping Joe Casey, I’ve been hammering this gigantic Protomartyr single from their 2018 ‘Consolation E.P.‘. Bringing in Kelley Deal to sweeten the… deal, ‘Wheel of Fortune‘ goes so hard.

USA Nails – What Have We Become?
(Split)

Listen to that bass chug! The never-miss USA Nails move through 2022 with a split release with Psychic Graveyard (called ‘Split‘, funnily enough), their track ‘What Have We Become?‘ battering the listener with a wall of noise.

Bitter Branches – Along Came a Bastard
(Your Neighbours Are Failures)

‘Along Came a Bastard‘ surprised us earlier in the month, sounding very much like Pissed Jeans had returned to the studio to record some aggressive vibe enhancers. Turns out it’s actually Philadelphia’s Bitter Branches bringing the noise, with a track that sounds like it was hell on the vocalist…

Teen Mortgage – S.W.A.S.
(Life/Death)

Scrappy punk fun in the vein of DZ Deathrays and Pulled Apart By Horses here via Washington DC duo Teen Mortgage. ‘S.W.A.S.‘ is a frenzy for the ears, packing a load into its just-shy-of-two-minute runtime, making me want to pound a beer and get tipped upside down in a pit!

(Photo credit – Amin Musa)

Real Terms – Frantically Wrong

Cooking up the type of math-rock stylings last heard when they were known as Vasco Da Gama, ‘Frantically Wrong‘ captures Scouse trio Real Terms at their catchiest, vocalist John Crawford putting in a right shift. Their debut for Delta Sleep’s Sofa Boy Records, it promises big things are on the horizon!

Real Terms recently talked us through ‘Frantically Wrong‘, which you can read about here!

Rozi Plain – Agreeing For Two
(Prize)

To coincide with the announcement of a new album (‘Prize‘, out early next year), Rozi Plain has just released the tranquil ‘Agreeing For Two‘, a lovely piece that completely captures your attention throughout its near five minutes. Featuring appearances from contemporary jazz artist Alabaster dePlume and Kate Stables of This Is The Kit (who she previously played bass for), it’s a perfect soundtrack as the early evenings creep in and the leaves get crunchy beneath your feet.

Kassi Valazza – Pastures
(Highway Sounds)

From a new EP out mid-year, ‘Pastures‘ is a lovely wee country affair from Kassi Valazza with some nifty guitar work, calling to mind Julia Jacklin (if she’d grown up in Arizona). Strap on your big boots, cowboy!

Whitney K – While Digging Through The Snow
(Hard To Be A God)

Shades of Lou Reed, David Berman and Dylan’s ‘New Morning‘ can be found on the latest cut from Canadian songwriter Whitney K. ‘While Digging Through The Snow‘ is proper stop-you-in-your-tracks stuff. We’ve waxed on in the past about the perfect track length, but ‘While Digging Through The Snow‘ and its captivating storytelling could easily push on another five minutes.

Gilla Band – Post Ryan
(Most Normal)

Off the back of two thrilling return singles, Gilla Band preview their forthcoming new album ‘Most Normal‘ (a record we have on good authority probably tops their last effort, ‘The Talkies‘) with the hypnotic ‘Post Ryan‘. Hanging on every word of vocalist Dara Kiely as he reels off a babbling stream of consciousness, this proper gets under your skin.

Daniel Fox of Gilla Band recently answered a series of inane questions for us – head here!

LUNGE – Off With Their Heads

Produced by Dean Horner of The Moonlandingz/Eccentronic Research Council (known for previous credits such as Róisín Murphy), ‘Off With Their Heads‘ is a moody, ice-cold pop track from box-fresh husband-and-wife duo LUNGE – one that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Metronomy record we reckon.

Pale Blue Eyes – Chelsea
(Souvenirs)

A very nostalgic sounding affair from Totnes trio Pale Blue Eyes here – ‘Chelsea‘ washing over the listener with a shoegaze shimmer, one to get completely lost in. Giant, heart-swelling closing stretch.

Helen Ganya – afterparty
(Polish The Machine)

I was glued to the spot when this came on the wireless just the other day. From Brighton-based, Scottish-Thai musician Helen Ganya, ‘afterparty‘ is captivating pop perfection that builds and builds and builds to a towering crescendo. A Kate Bush comparison is obvious but more than welcome I’m sure.

Melanie De Biassio – Gold Junkies
(Lilies)

Wicked stuff from Melanie De Biassio – A very cinematic, cool vibe permeating ‘Gold Junkies‘ from her 2017 album, ‘Lilies‘. The story goes that suffering a serious pulmonary infection in Moscow as a young woman lead to a doctor prescribing a year without singing, with the potential of never singing again. So the Belgian multi-instrumentalist learned another way to breath and ultimately sing. “Losing my voice gave me a chance to discover my relationship with silence.“

Ada Oda – Niente Da Offrire
(Un Amore Debol)

Giving off an Amyl & The Sniffers vibe – if they were poppier and Amy Taylor was Italian – Victoria Barracato hardly lets up with the frantic shouty vocal fronting Brussels based Ada Oda. From their forthcoming debut album, ‘Niente Da Offrire‘ is joyous.

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Listening Post – November 2021

Words: Andy Hughes

As regular as my dog barking me awake every day before 9AM, Birthday Cake For Breakfast has your NEW monthly playlist to tuck into! First of the month, like clockwork.

Featuring everything that’s been tickling our fancy this past month, within these 20 tracks you’ll find new and old, loud and quiet, hard and soft and everything in between. Do yourself a favour – give it a like so you remember it each month and share it with your friends so they can do the same!

Jonathan Richman – You Can’t Talk To The Dude
(I, Jonathan)

‘No he don’t taste the food, he’s just shovelling it down.’ Yet another wonderful ditty from the ever brilliant Jonathan Richman, rhyming up a storm as is his wont. Continuing our lifelong Richman trip.

Nation of Language – This Fractured Mind
(A Way Forward)

Don’t look forward, look backward! Glittering nostalgic joy on offer from Nation of Language out of Brooklyn, NYC. ‘This Fractured Mind‘ is an energetic delight, calling to mind The Human League and ‘Johnny and Mary‘. Perfect pop.

Mr Ben & the Bens – How Do I Get To You?
(Melody Shed)

Wonderful Autumnal feeling on offer from the latest out of Lancaster’s finest, Mr Ben & the Bens. Crunchy leaves, wrapping up tight, crisp air. Rocking a bit of a timeless feel, one loves those brass bursts!

Wednesday – Handsome Man
(Twin Plagues)

Total slacker jam from North Carolina outfit Wednesday. Brings to mind the feelings we first felt when we fell in love with Milk Teeth all them years ago (before Josh left…) A spine-tingler no doubt, turn this one right up, kid!

Wombo – Dreamsickle
(Keesh Mountain)

Really swish stuff from Kentucky’s own Wombo, the trio letting rip on ‘Dreamsickle‘. The almost dreamlike vocal of Sydney Chadwick compliments the post-punk-ish instrumental perfectly. Joy Division one minute, The Strokes the next, then Omni the next.

Cate Le Bon – Running Away
(Pompeii)

Further Bowie vibes on the latest from the brilliant Cate Le Bon, from her forthcoming new record ‘Pompeii‘. Luscious and warm, ‘Running Away‘ is a welcome return, one which builds upon the splendour of the untouchable album ‘Reward‘.

Tall Ships – Gallop
(Everything Touching)

Lump in the throat territory from a pivotal album in the early days of Birthday Cake For Breakfast, a mid-October morning was sound-tracked quite wonderfully by the fantastic debut album from Tall Ships (RIP). ‘Gallop‘ sounds a lot more relevant almost a decade on from when we first heard it…

We Are Scientists – Contact High
(Huffy)

Boy oh boy, We Are Scientists know how to write a bloody catchy chorus. Whilst they’ve been waffling on about bringing back the bridge ahead of the release of ‘Huffy‘, there’s no denying their knack for penning an anthemic, sing-a-long refrain. Hearts set to burst.

Kit Sebastian – Senden Başka
(Mantra Moderne)

Satisfyingly 60’s sounding cucumber cool number from London formed duo Kit Martin and Merve Erdem, the pair bringing Turkish and French influences to the table. Martin perfectly sets you up for the knockout vocal of Erdem.

Delta 5 – Mind Your Own Business

Leeds lot Delta 5 sounding box fresh in the year 2021, despite ‘Mind Your Own Business‘ coming out forty years ago! Hypnotic bass line make no mistake, this is such a rager.

Metronomy x Biig Piig – 405
(Posse EP Volume 1)

From an EP we’ve been positively rinsing since its release a month or two back, this sultry, 80’s sounding piece featuring the vocals of the brilliantly named Biig Piig has been swirling round my brainbox almost as much as the undeniable collab with Folly Group and Brian Nasty. The fact that Metronomy have now followed it up with the ludicrously catchy ‘It’s Good to be Back‘ is testament to them!

BODEGA – DOERS
(Broken Equipment)

Dynamite lead single from the forthcoming BODEGA record, ‘DOERS‘ takes about 40 seconds before you know you’re in good hands. An anthem for the 2021 pandemic crowd, the refrain of ‘Bitter, Harder, Fatter, Stressed Out‘ feels very relatable!

The Limiñanas – Migas 2000
(Down Underground)

Rocking shoulder-shuffler from French duo The Limiñanas, with a garage-rock vibe that makes you want to whack on a pair of black shades and light one up. Much in the same way that BODEGA sound like they’re from New York, The Limiñanas most definitely sound like they’re from France (the vocal helps…)

Spill Tab – Anybody Else

As heard on that latest Metronomy EP, LA based French-Korean artist Claire Chicha creates perfect wonky pop as Spill Tab, with ‘Anybody Else‘ very much hitting the spot.

Future Islands – Peach

We’re still vibing off the latest record from Future Islands at Birthday Cake For Breakfast HQ, so it was a treat recently to discover this standalone single. I’ve always said they sound best when they’re moving at a clip and ‘Peach‘ is very much that brand from the quartet out of Baltimore.

SASAMI – Sorry Entertainer
(Squeeze)

Nails double-peddle nastiness from LA artist SASAMI and her newly announced album ‘Squeeze‘. Discovered here via the involvement of Patti Harrison (the star of multiple scenes in I Think You Should Leave), ‘Sorry Entertainer‘ is a ripper, a metal blast from the past that sounds gnarly as you like.

Mitski – Why Didn’t You Stop Me?
(Be The Cowboy)

Recent Mitski news resulted in some looking back to 2018’s ‘Be The Cowboy‘ and the terrific, hypnotising dance-y bop ‘Why Didn’t You Stop Me?‘. Love how much it builds and builds, leading to that fist in the air crescendo!

Ibibio Sound Machine – Electricity

Last month we were bigging up Ibibio Sound Machine and we find ourselves doing so once again this month off the back of their latest single, ‘Electricity‘. Recorded at the studio of Hot Chip, the collective were so keen on it that they wanted the world to know and we’re chuffed they did – yet another arse-shaker from the outfit.

The Gun Club – Death Party
(Death Party)

Raging garage punk banger from Yank lot The Gun Club. Love that yelped, almost unhinged vocal delivery from Jeffrey Lee Pierce. Proper sinks its teeth in this one, its repetition working you up so much you’re begging for another verse at its end.

Pigeon – Yagana
(Yagana)

Absolute disco-dance delight this, the work of Falle Nioke and members of SAULT, Soma World and Michael Kiwanuka’s band. The story goes the quintet got together in Margate after a visit to the pub, setting up an impromptu jam sesh that eventually led them to the business of ‘Yagana‘ (which translates to ‘It’s been a while‘), which was recorded in just one weekend. You’ll note Nioke has previously been seen round these parts, the vocalist moving to the UK from West Africa back in 2018 and coming to our attention through collaborations with sir Was and Ghost Culture.

Like what you see? Why not stick around and check out the other articles and interviews!
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