‘Celebrate’ – Listen to the ninth episode of ’60 Minutes or less’, the new podcast from Birthday Cake For Breakfast – featuring HALO MAUD!

Words: Andy Hughes

Bonjour! For the ninth episode of ’60 Minutes or less’ – the new podcast from Birthday Cake For Breakfast – it’s an honour to welcome our first European guest! If we were still in the EU we would have ticked this off the list two episodes in, but since we fucked that when the UK voted to leave the EU, we look to France and our European friends with an interview with HALO MAUD!

I discovered HALO MAUD in 2018 around the release of ‘Du Pouvoir’, her label debut for noted tastemakers Heavenly Recordings. Described by us at the time as a ‘gorgeous, sultry affair’ with a nod to Bjork, we were completely taken in by her brand of cinematic pop and have kept a close eye on her work ever since.

In March 2024, HALO MAUD released her new album ‘Celebrate’, another via Heavenly Recordings, recorded between Paris and LA, with a number of tracks produced by Greg Saunier of Deerhoof.

We recently spoke with HALO MAUD backstage at the New Century Hall in Manchester ahead of her supporting Jane Weaver. Whilst I’ve been hammering Duolingo for over a year, I didn’t quite fancy my chances of parler Francais avec HALO MAUD. Alors… Enjoy the episode and be sure to tell your friends, both local and international! 

A handy Spotify player is embedded below, but you can find further ways to listen here. 

You can also find all the other episodes of ’60 Minutes or less’ right here, featuring interesting chats with Joe Casey (Protomartyr), Paul Hanley (The Fall), Philip Frobos (Omni), Jonathan Higgs (Everything Everything), Peter Brewis (Field Music), Steve Davis OBE (The Utopia Strong), Steven Hodson (USA Nails) and Alex Edkins of METZ!

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Release Rundown – Flesh Creep, Jane Weaver, Joel Harries, Metz and USA Nails

Words: Ben Forrester

Flesh Creep – We Need You To Bleed
(No Time)

This Midlands based crew have been making waves in the underground scene since their blistering debut EP back in the winter of 2021. Having spent the past two years building momentum on both the release and live front, the quintet are ready to kick the door down with this absolutely barnstorming LP. With a dream runtime of 18 minutes, these 10 tracks tell you everything you need to know about Flesh Creep and what they stand for.

This is a fucking ferocious slab of modern hardcore that gives you a well needed slap around the face at every corner. From the second opener ‘Gold’ erupts, this embodies everything I love about heavy music; exhilarating metallic twists, head-banging hardcore and pit swelling thrash. This is a band that mean every fucking note and every fucking word and it’s this authenticity that gives ‘We Need You To Bleed’ a timeless quality. Tracks like ‘Turf War’ and ‘Bleed Out’ both boast hooks that beg for the mic to be grabbed, while ‘Insect Politics’ and ‘False Flag’ are sure-fire pit-hungry bangers.

Credit must go to old pal of the site Stale Winton, who has done a stellar job at producing this record, helping the band bridge the gap between classic and contemporary punk, which is no easy task if you ask us. This is a huge step up sonically and musically from their previously released EPs, which were already super raging, so with this in mind, any punk heads HAVE to check this out! An essential release in 2024 hardcore. 

Jane Weaver – Love in Constant Spectacle
(Fire)

I spent most of the early 2021 lockdown dreaming of swaying in the middle of a disco ball filled dance floor whilst listening to the beautiful glitter pop sounds of Jane Weaver’s last album ‘Flock’. It was my first proper introduction to the North West songwriter’s back catalogue and it subsequently became one of my absolute favourites of that year. Excited about a follow up, I’ve spent the last two weeks immersing myself in Jane’s latest opus, ’Love in Constant Spectacle’.

With esteemed producer and regular PJ Harvey collaborator John Parrish at the helm, Jane has honed in on the psych pop vibes of her previous work to create something that feels way more loose and expansive. I really like the psychedelic feel across this record, with tracks like ’The Axis and The Seed‘ and ‘Happiness in Proximity’ really expanding that pallet. There’s also different levels of it too, from the stripped back folk of ‘Motif’ to the sprightly pop of ‘Perfect Storm’, Jane covers all bases here, continuing her knack of giving eclectic track-listings a sense of cohesion.

Whereas ‘Flock’ relied on its immediacy, ‘Love In Constant Spectacle’ feels more detailed and steeped in magic;  the sweet love song that is ‘Romantic Worlds’ makes me want to swan about in a pedalo, very much like in the video for the track. Basically, it’s hard not to lose yourself in this. There is such a candid coolness about Jane Weaver and I think it comes from making music that lives in its own world. ‘Love in Constant Spectacle’ is a blissful yet pensive foray into the UK’s finest pysch pop export. 

Joel Harries – I Will Always Come Back Here

Although he’s been a big part of the UK underground scene for some time, playing in a whole heap of different projects, it was his collaboration with Arab Strap’s Malcolm Middleton that first turned me onto Joel Harries. Their band Lichen Slow made a top 5 AOTY for me last year with their beautifully emo debut ‘Rest Lurks’. Much to my delight, Joel’s latest solo record very much takes off from where we left Lichen Slow.

‘I Will Always Come Back Here’ is a gorgeously produced indie-folk record with a big dollop of classic emo. The thing that struck me when I first heard Joel was his angelic voice and as soon as the harmonies saunter in on opener ‘Birthday Card’, I was well and truly suckered in. This is another pensive affair, with Joel looking deep into relationships – whether it’s with old friends (’Shitty Friend’) or with his dog (‘I Wish I Had Words’), this is a very tender, honest account. 

The production is just perfect. There’s a lot of sonic detail, but just the right amount to serve the deep intimacy of these songs. Whereas the Lichen Slow record had a few more outward looking moments, ‘I Will Always Come Back Here’ feels very introverted and there’s something incredibly moving about Joel’s delivery. If you’re a sad lad like me and stoked about that Owen record coming out later this month, you gotta check this out, it’s a proper lovely listen.  

Metz – Up On Gravity Hill
(Sub Pop)

Absolute faves here at BCFB, Canada’s finest Metz are back with the follow up to their absurdly good 2020 LP, ‘Atlas Vending’. There was always going to be some big shoes to fill with that album, as it embodies everything I love about the power trio, whist looking into some new sounds too. Teaming up with producer Seth Manchester again, Metz have gone and made a really cool move by turning in their most expansive and immediate record to date.

Just so you know, this is definitely not Metz going pop. Far from it. This is still the same noisy punk rock band you love, but there’s a slight focus into a more shoegaze-y / indie rock dynamic, which really suits them. ‘No Reservation / Love Comes Crashing’ leads the charge with its six-plus minutes of hazy guitars and ethereal vocals swirling over the top of the band’s thunderous rhythm section. ‘Glass Eye’ and ‘Entwined (Street Light Buzz)’ follow up next, pretty much backing up the opener with what this record is all about; scuzzy, full throttle punk with a big melodic centre.

Of course, tracks like ’99’ and ’Never Still Again’ still cut through with razor blade sharpness – the latter in particular is a head caver, rocking a relentless chorus that smashes into a half time beat down. But then we get to ‘Light Your Way Home‘, which concludes the album with their most shimmering, shoegaze moment to date and it’s, dare I say, the most beautiful piece of music they’ve made. Though some may feel that overall this might not quite pack the same punch as its predecessor, there is a subtle majesty to ‘Up On Gravity Hill’ that is hard to not get wrapped up in. Solid playing and a forward moving sense of ambition keeps pushing Metz forward as one of the finest rock bands to come out of Canada.

USA Nails – Feel Worse
(One Little Independent Records)

Speaking of noisy boy Birthday Cake For Breakfast favourites, UK alt punk mavericks USA Nails have just unleashed their sixth album! For a band that have been at it for just over a decade, they sure have put in a right shift, so it’s great to see a label like One Little Independent pick up the band for this one. I think it’s fair to say that USA Nails have a strong formula now and ‘Feel Worse’ keeps up the raucous noise rock we know and love them for. 

This is a constant attack of stabbing guitars and seething vocals, backed by a rhythm section so thunderous it could probably smash glass. ‘Cathartic Entertainment‘ is a relentless opener that is held down by powerhouse drummer Tom, swiftly followed by ‘Feel Worse’, which is two minutes of chaos as guitarists Steve and Gareth try to bend your brain with twisting riffs. If anything, USA Nails are only getting better at being more gross – ‘Networking Opportunity’ manages to hold down a killer, tom heavy rhythm while all hell breaks loose around it, whilst ‘Holiday Sea’ builds from an 808 electro beat into probably the most punishing moment on the record! 

As well as being all kinds of gnarly, this lot have always tried to not take themselves too seriously and as always, the deadpan delivery between Gareth, Steve and Dan comes through with the great one liners; a particular highlight being ‘Beautiful Eyes!’, which I’m pretty sure is about Gareth’s meme account on Instagram. 10 years in and USA Nails show no signs of slowing down – if anything, ‘Feel Worse’ might be their most full throttle record to date, barely taking a second to breathe in its 26 minutes. As expected, this is another killer album from truly one of the best bands we have in our beloved underground scene. 

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Listening Post – November 2020

Words: Andy Hughes

Fuck off, it’s November already! It’s not been five minutes since the last playlist went up, yet here we are. You know the drill – 20 tunes, old and new – all bangers and well worthy of your time. Tuck in, go follow the artists, give the playlist a like/follow or whatever. See you next month/five minutes…

*UPDATE – Our playlist only sticks about for ONE MONTH before we move on. No regrets. You can listen to the latest playlist below!*

Lithics – Hands
(Tower of Age)

A quirky, hypnotic number from Portland, Oregon’s Lithics, from this year’s ‘Tower of Age‘. As enjoyable as this is to listen to on a lengthy walk, what one wouldn’t give to be vibing to it in a dimly lit basement venue, rubbing shoulders with others…

Moses Boyd – Y.O.Y.O
(Dark Matter)

Another month, another nod to a Mercury Nominee! From Boyd’s debut album out at the start of the year, ‘Y.O.Y.O‘ is majestic throughout its duration, swirling beautifully around your brain.

Tricot – WARP
(10)

Hard to keep up with Tricot! They’ve just put out a new album and I’ve still not listened to the last one… From their latest LP ‘10‘ – in honour of the band’s 10th anniversary – ‘WARP‘ packs in everything we love about the Japanese quartet, with its sugar-sweet vocals mingling with their brand of engaging math-pop.

(Photo credit – Guy Bolongaro)

Hiro Ama – Broken Satellite
(Uncertainty EP)

Taken from his solo debut, Hiro Ama – best known as the drummer in Teleman – wrote, recorded and mixed his ‘Uncertainty’ EP within a month in his London flat. From the record, ‘Broken Satellite‘ is a great bit of pulsating, hypnotising dance music.

Sweeping Promises – Hunger for a Way Out
(Hunger for a Way Out)

New to me this month but RIGHT up my street. The title track from Sweeping Promises debut LP is a nostalgic mix of post-punk and new-wave that sounds like it’s been unearthed from a vault, rather than the year of our lord 2020. Incredible album opener.

OSEES – Terminal Jape
(Protean Threat)

In typical OSEES fashion, talk of this album is already slightly out of date, as they’ve since put out a new record (unreleased material from ‘Face Stabber’) and have another album out soon (reworked versions of their latest record). ‘Terminal Jape‘ is your classic rocket-fulled, breakneck speed assault we’ve come to love from JPD and his mates.

Working Men’s Club – Valleys
(Working Men’s Club)

Not quite the gang of youngsters we first discovered at the start of 2019, Working Men’s Club are putting out their New Order vibes and boy does it sound good. They’ve (quite rightly) been doing exceedingly well off the back of this, with plaudits left and right (including on these very pages from Yard Act).

The Fall – Wrong Place, Right Time – No.2
(I Am Kurious Oranj)

As discovered via this documentary on The Fall I managed to squeeze in whilst looking after our dog, the rhythm on this is relentless. A full-speed stonker that’s not always easy on the ears but is a winner once you’re on board.

Wire – Outdoor Miner
(Chairs Missing)

In a crazy turn of events, I’ve started to move past ‘Pink Flag‘ and branch out further afield with Wire! Well, not too far – just the second album… Have been hammering ‘Pink Flag‘ all lockdown, so it’s about time we tentatively dipped a toe elsewhere.

J Dilla – Workinonit
(Donuts)

I recently fell into an MF Doom wormhole and was spat out clutching onto this from J Dilla. The dog fucking hates this tune – too much going on for him…

Julia Jacklin – to Perth, before the border closes

What this year needed was something new from Julia Jacklin. Praise be then that the good people at Sub Pop have been in touch and arranged for her heavenly vocals on a new cut she’s done as part of their Singles Club. Sublime stuff, as ever.

Jane Weaver – The Revolution Of Super Visions
(Flock)

From her forthcoming album out next March, ‘The Revolution Of Super Visions‘ is not only a super cool sounding title, but its background is fairly gnarly too. Based on ‘Psychic Self-Defense‘, a book from the 30’s from famed occultist and writer Dion Fortune, acting as a guide in the art of protecting ones self against paranormal attacks… The single itself is a top bit of kit, hypnotic throughout its five minutes of arse-on-the-dance-floor vibes.

Downtown Boys – A Wall
(Cost of Living)

BIG ONE from Rhode Island’s Downtown Boys, taken from 2017’s ‘Cost of Living‘. ‘A Wall‘ is a rager make no mistake, and it’s hard not to get a one-man mosh party going in the living room when this is blaring from the speakers. ‘Fuck Yeah!‘

Viagra Boys – Ain’t Nice
(Welfare Jazz)

It was around this time just two years ago that I was in Salford, chatting to a gang of lads by the name of Viagra Boys. That night they’d go on to play a room with a capacity of what always seemed like 50 (imagine that now? Fucking hell…) Since then they’ve seemingly not stopped playing here, there and everywhere – hitting up huge festivals all over the shop, spitting beer (or shrimp juice) at people from all walks of life. ‘Ain’t Nice‘ is a totally on brand comeback single, but if it ain’t broke…

Made Kuti – Free Your Mind

The debut single here from multi-instrumentalist Made Kuti, grandson of leg-end Fela Kuti and son of four-time Grammy nominee Femi Kuti! Clearly a big first step from Kuti, the tantalising, made-for-the-dancefloor ‘Free Your Mind‘ comes with the announcement that he’s just signed to tastemakers Partisan Records, setting up three generations with the label!

X – I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts
(More Fun In the New World)

‘But what about the Minutemen, Flesheaters, DOA, Big Boys, and the Black Flag?‘ One of those songs you just can’t skip – LA punks X dig deep into your skin on this cut from their fourth album ‘More Fun In the New World‘.

Adrianne Lenker – Anything
(songs)

Proper hushed stuff from the Big Thief vocalist, who once again goes it alone for her new record, one which we suggested is “genuinely the perfect antidote” for the times we’re living in. Recorded earlier this year out in the sticks, from a one-room cabin in Western Massachusetts, ‘Anything‘ is a gorgeous heart-stopper.

MAITA – Coming Up Roses

Taken from Kill Rock Stars‘ upcoming 25th anniversary reissue of Elliott Smith’s self-titled album, this cover from Portland’s MAITA is a proper treat. We were massively into their debut album from earlier this year, so it was nice to randomly discover this just the other week.

Gum Country – Tennis (I Feel OK)
(Somewhere)

Hard not to love the album art from the debut Gum Country record! Similar to the backstory behind Sweet Baboo’s ‘Badminton‘ (smashing someone at Badminton), ‘Tennis (I Feel OK)‘ is about Courtney Garvin’s new found love of tennis. A proper scuzzy, lo-fi bopper that hits you right in the heart.

Bartees Strange – Mustang
(Live Forever)

Impossible to see that album title and not think of Oasis. That being said, seconds after posting about this on Twitter, someone commented that this was their 2020 AOTY, OK? This instantly made its way into the playlist before the track had even finished… Maybe it’s right about being album of the year, eh? Cracking voice!

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