KBPS Interview: Be The Bear

Be The Bear is a one-woman industry – a fiercely independent female artist and producer, writing and recording her own songs in her commercial studio in Gothenburg, home to her own record label Loud Attic Records. We got the chance to speak to Christina Wehage about her delightful new single ‘Erupt’, starting firstly by asking her to describe the song.

It’s kind of an alternate pop track with a lot of emotion and a full string orchestra!

What was it like to be involved with that 60-piece orchestra?

I think that is one of my favourite moments so far in my life. It was absolutely amazing hearing [it]. I’d heard the song playing with MIDI when I’d written it but when you hear it live with the strings it’s so different and better. It was really, really cool.

Lyrically is there a story behind the track?

With most of my lyrics they just come to me. There’s definitely a lot of back-story with it, with what inspires me, like reoccurring dreams that I’ve had, and things like that. It’s just about being honest with yourself and facing your fears, and challenging yourself, which is a big theme for me.

The video is available to watch online. It’s a really magical video. What was it like to create it?

It was amazing! We had so much fun. There was actually about eighteen people behind the scenes in the film crew for the video, building all the sets and the bear, and all the caves and everything. There was jumping around in a green screen room, which is actually really difficult to do! We were actually in a house just outside Stockholm which was actually going to be ripped down the next day. It [now] no longer exists. We spent a lot of time recording that video and there was a lot of people involved, with a lot of my friends and some really talented people, so it was so much fun. [And] it’s just the beginning. There’s going to be several videos for the next few songs I’m releasing, and they’re going to tell a story; they all go together.

Have you recorded those videos yet?

No, it’s on-going. We’re doing number two now.

And the song was also in a big advertising campaign?

It was featured in a big Volvo commercial and had quite a lot of attention internationally, so that was really cool!

Your alias comes from your fear of bears. Has adopting that helped you come to terms with that phobia?

Yeah, it’s symbolic for just [general] fears. I just feel like everything that is scary, it’s just so inspiring to go there and actually challenge yourself and try new things that you’ve never done, and you didn’t think that you could do. That’s what I wanted to do with my music; to just always push that little bit harder and do something that I’ve never before and explore [it]. That’s what ‘Be The Bear’ is about. I used to have nightmares about bears; that was a big thing. I don’t know why it was specifically about bears. I used to dream a lot about them every night, and the same type of dream, being chased by a bear through a wooden house which was falling to pieces. So very dramatic, like the video!

Do you have any live gigs coming up?

At the moment we’re just looking at acoustic sessions for the next couple of months but we don’t have anything booked for the summer just yet.

Do you like performing your songs acoustically?

Oh yes, definitely, it’s really fun. It just becomes something different entirely. There’s going to be stripped down version [of Erupt] coming that’s something very special.

Do you have any EP or album plans?

There’s definitely an album in the pipeline but I don’t have a date for it yet. The next few singles that are coming out are the main focus at the moment so we’re just completely focussing on that and the live set-up.

Finally, what are your big ambitions for the rest of the year?

I want to play live as much as possible and hit the festivals as well as soon as I can as that’s the most fun! I’m really looking forward to [playing live].

Findout more about ‘Be The Bear’ on Facebook.

KBPS Interview: The Rocking Horse Club

Formed in Brighton in 2015, The Rocking Horse Club recorded an EP ‘We’ve Been The Rocking Horse Club’ in 2016, and since then have made festival appearances at Truck, YNOT, and Together The People. The band have now returned in 2017 with an incredible new single called ‘Straight White Male’ and we interviewed lead singer Ed and began by asking him to describe the record.

I guess it’s sort of a parody but we’re not trying to make too light of the issues. It’s just about the way in which the world is generally much easier when you’re straight, white and a man!

Were the political tones important to you on the record or was that just how it came about?

I guess it came about just from speaking to some female friends of mine. Some of the things they told me about, some of the things they deal with every day, had never crossed my mind and it was really shocking: people shouting at them regularly in the street, almost every day; not feeling safe when they were talking home. I just thought that was such a horrible thing for half of the world to deal with on a day-to-day basis, and from there it just came about.

What’s the reaction been to the track?

The track hasn’t been released yet. From playing it live at a couple of my solo shows, people love it and they find it funny. Obviously it’s about a serious thing but it’s quite a tongue-in-cheek play on it. We’re not trying to take ourselves too seriously.

There are also six other tracks you’ve recorded?

I think they’ll be future singles. We’re big fans of making music videos. I work with my friend Mitchell who’s a incredibly talented film-maker so I think we’re going to make some more music videos out of those and release them over the next year.

Speaking of music videos you’ve recorded one for ‘Straight White Male’?

It’s been good. We’ve had the police called to us on two of the three filming days, which made for some great bonus footage! But it all went off without a hitch other than that. The video stars a young independent actor I found called Stanley who’s the sweetest person you’d ever meet. He’s the pinnacle of innocence, and he’s playing the ultimate straight white man and we just put him in all these situations that normally straight white men are normally immune to. Not to give too much away but there are some female builders who shout some crass things to him and it goes on in that vein.

You didn’t get the police to make guest appearances then?

On the first day [when they turned up] it wasn’t a casual thing. A policeman came up to speak to us and when we told him we were filming he said into his walkie ‘all units stand down, I repeat stand down’ and a riot van came around the corner and a couple of police walked across the park to us so they clearly had a sting operation ready to go!

How would you describe your live sound?

Our live sound is pretty similar to the record. Obviously the record’s got a few more frills on it but we tried to cut it live so it’s all pretty real. We’re not into [anything] too flashy, just loud guitars. Everyone in the band – and I’m lucky to be in the band with some incredible musicians who are a pleasure to play with – is just loud and fast.

And you also do solo work too?

I do a few solo things but they’re quite low key. I’ve always loved rock music and the band’s definitely the focus.

So when can you see more?

The single and the video are coming out together on the 14^th July!

What are your big ambitions for the rest of the year?

We’ve spent so much time working on these songs and recorded them – we started writing them back in August – then we recorded them in January, and we finished the first video in maybe April or May, so it’s all very exciting to show people what we’ve been doing. I guess it’s nothing too ambitious other than to get as many people as possible to listen to us and hopefully like it!

And finally, do any of you own a rocking horse?

No I don’t! There’s always been talk about changing [the band name] as we all think it’s a bit ridiculous but at the end of the day we are a bit ridiculous so it all works out!

Findout more about the band on Facebook.

New Music Review #67

Another ten songs you must hear!

Be The Bear - Erupt

'Erupt' is a beautifully sung, atmospheric song with a soaring cinematic style and a calming production. It sounds more like a song suited for a cold winter night than the middle of summer, but it's a joyous listen whatever the weather. (7.5/10)



Dagny - Wearing Nothing

Dagny continues to be one of the most interesting new artists around. Her latest, 'Wearing Nothing', takes a catchy beat and a cool catchy chorus to create a fun poppy summer anthem. (7/10)

Imelda May - The Girl I Used To Be

Mentions of chips and buttered bread make this at times like an anthem for Yorkshire, but outside of that this is a smooth and gentle ballad with some touching personal lyrics and a great central heart that wins out against the stripped-back production. (7/10)

Kila - Raise The Road

Taken from their live album 'Alive', this a capella number is a funky, foot-tapping folky number that latterly introduces hints of an instrument into the mix. Cool. (6.5/10)

LeAnn Rimes - LovE is LovE is LovE

The chorus may not have taken long to write but this a summery, catchy, radio-friendly track. It's offensive but it's fun enough. (6.5/10)

Martine McCutcheon - Say I'm Not Alone

Coming out of the woodwork after many years away, Martine returns with this fun little poppy number. Like Rimes' number it's not a huge departure but it's a good radio-friendly pop ditty. (7/10)

Nick Byrne - Birch Tree

Taken from his 'Through The Tall Grass' EP, 'Birch Tree' is a gentle, smooth folky number with some beautifully composed imagery and a relaxing chill-out vibe. Neat. (7/10)

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott - I Gotta Praise

The lead single from their upcoming third album this song may follow their established formula but when it's as perky, catchy and foot-tapping as this you can't help be press the replay button with a smile on your face. (7.5/10)

Shania Twain - Life's About To Get Good

After a decade away, Shania Twain returns with this catchy uplifting pop tune. Throwing her country roots completely away and relying a little too much on autotune, this lacks the spark and sound of her big period but it's positive and poppy enough to keep you interested. (6/10)

Wolf Alice - Yuk Foo

It might be quite sweary and very, very angry but there's something appealing about the stress-relieving grungy frustration of the record both lyrically, musically and through the production. (6.5/10)

New Music Review #66

Our ten latest must-hear tracks!

FELIN - Destruction Therapy

Like a cross between U2 and the Chemical Brothers this is a gritty, rocking number that sounds like it's been ripped straight from a punky soundtrack. Great. (7/10)

Flora Cash - California

'California' is a gentle little number that takes things gentle over its four-minutes running time, but does leave itself enough energy to create a catchy light-pop chorus. (6.5/10)

Hannah's Yard - Doin' It For Myself (Radio Edit)

Country and folk come together on this relentlessly perky and happy pop number with a strong production mixing up several instruments and leading to a bouncy summery chorus. (7/10)

J-Fresh x Tubby Boy - Refills On Deck

It might not be too different from other songs in the genre but its fast tempo, determined beat and quirky breakdown allow it to stand up above many of its contemporaries. (6.5/10)

The Killers - The Man

Finally, one of my favourite bands of all time are back, and this is quite possibly their biggest change in sound after a couple of albums of rather similar production. Here they have embraced a seventies disco Chic-like sound and although the chorus doesn't quite have their usual stadium feel it's certainly a fresh and intriguing take and suits their style and feels more sing-a-long and danceable than their more recent bits. (7.5/10)

Mat Treiber - Go All Around the World

With a live feel to the production this a gritty soft-rock number with an Oasis-style vibe and hook. It might lack a big central chorus but it has enough guitar licks and rock sensibilities to keep you listening. (7/10)

Nina Schofield - Beat Another Rhythm

With hints or Europop and Eurovision in its delivery, this is a catchy pop-club number with a foot-tapping beat and an enjoyable, developing production style. (7/10)

The Rocking Horse Club - Straight White Man

'Straight White Male' is a spot-on sarcastic take on gender, LGBT and skin-colour discrimination and politics, delivered in a bouncy, pop-rock hit. It might have hints of ZZ Top's 'Sharp Dressed Man' in its sound but if you like your music radio-friendly and saying something then you need to hear this and then possibly blast it in the direction of your nearest Conservative or UKIP MP. (7.5/10)

tape.machines feat. Sam Seg - s.t.u.p.i.d

This acronymed 'stupid' is a cool, laid-back tune with Seg's vocals a pleasure to listen to. Delightfully smooth. (7/10)

Triggah - Believe

We make the comment on its religious or drug statements but as a funny yet catchy song with a really poppy background hook this really hits all the right places. (7/10)

Ten more great songs you need to hear!

KBPS Interview: Red Sky July

Red Sky July is an exciting alt-country super-group made up of Shelly Poole (Alisha’s Attic), Ally McErlaine (Texas) and Charity Hair (Alice Band). They are back with a special EP of tracks remixed by the great and the good called 'Radio Mixes' and we got to speak to Ally from the band about this incredible release that we love here at KBPS, that is out on the 16th June.

Thank you for joining us for the interview Ally! Could you give us a flavour of the EP?

It’s four of the best tracks from the last album. We’ve remixed them and we’re going to be putting out four videos as well. We don’t know if there’s a point in singles any more so we just wanted to put out these songs, as different versions from the album.

What makes them different from the album tracks?

They’ve been remixed by various mixers so they’re all sonically different.

Did you pick those tracks as a band and was it a difficult choice?

It was pretty easy. It was just the four tracks that were going to be singles off the album, the tracks we had made videos for but not put out yet, putting them all out as an EP.

Was making the videos a good experience?

Yes! One of the videos was filmed at the boxing gym where we go, and another is our niece with a hula hoop. Another video was filmed with a drone, and one is a light performance, so they’re all very different to each other.

Do you have a personal favourite track or video?

I’ve always liked ‘Sway’; it was my favourite song on our last record but it never quite made it out as a single so we’ll hopefully get some attention for it off this EP.

For those who are knew to you through this EP, you have several albums – what would you suggest as the best introduction to your sound?

We’ve made three albums and they’re all a progression. There’s ‘Red Sky July’, ‘Shadowbirds’ and ‘The Truth and the Lie’. If I’m honest I like them all equally! They can all be bought from iTunes.

You have live dates coming up in July; how would you describe your live sound?

On the album we’ve got a full band with drums and keys and strings, but when we play live we just play as a three-piece so it’s myself, Shelley and Charity singing harmonies. It’s quite stripped down with the guitar, mandolin and fiddle. We like to communicate a lot with the audience so it can be quite funny at times, but we never play the same set list twice so every gig is different.

That must keep it interesting for you as a musician?

It does! Unless we’re doing a tour or several gigs in a night where we have to rehearse for it and make it an event in itself.

Are you excited about supporting Jim Lauderdale?

Yeah, it’s cool, as I love his work and I really like the venues we’re playing in. It’s the Stables and King's Place in London. They’re really nice venues!

As a band you’ve been involved individually with Alisha’s Attic, Texas and the Alice Band among others; that must be exciting to have all that talent coming together?

Yeah. We didn’t really have a chance to do the music we wanted to do in our respective bands so we all did this project to allow us to play country and the roots side of our music, and it’s a bit alternative, so it’s a little left-field at times. It was kind of a labour of love at first but it’s become an on-going project.

What’s the plan after your EP release?

We’ve already started working on new music and we’ve got lots of ideas. My feelings are that the age of albums is possibly over and we should concentrate more on EPs. I’m not sure if people will sit and listen to albums all the way through. I think we’ve all got lifestyles now where that doesn’t happen. I know I do, and a lot of other people do, but I’m not sure everybody does as much as they used to. Nowadays people listen to music a lot on the go, a lot of the time in playlists.

Towards Christmas I’ve got a long tour with Texas to do and then I’ll be back to do Red Sky July stuff next year, and hopefully we’ll slot in a few gigs before Christmas as well!

Finally, what are your ambitions for the rest of the year?

With the Texas tour happening I’ve got to balance that. Next year we hope to have another album out or a few EPs or whatever, but we’re always constantly writing songs to better ourselves. We just really enjoy making music for the sake of it and if people want to have a listen we’re glad!

Findout more about Red Sky July on Facebook.

KBPS Interview: The Alibi

Hailing from Dartford, The Alibi take inspiration from their bleak surroundings and write about what they describe as a black and white town under a sky of colours. A place that influences the industrial soundprint of their core sound, they write about what they see. Political observations, justice, the current social unrest - they create songs that matter about life as they see it and play them with passion and force.

We got the chance to speak to Harry Love from the band about their brand new single ‘No Solution’, their hopes for the year and their recent live successes!

You recently performed at the Camden Rocks Festival; how was that?

Camden Rocks was enjoyable! It was something we haven’t really done before so it was great getting to know the other bands that are going about, and it’s cool to see that there is a rock and roll movement. It’s cool to see that their other bands aspiring to the same stuff that we’re doing!

How would you describe your live sound?

It’s a hard nail to hit on the head as every show is different, but we’re a rock and roll band and we’ve got a message to put across to people, so we spread our message through our lyrics, through our instruments that we play, and the way we are on a stage. It’s a night to remember!

You’ve also done acoustic sets on Facebook; was it interesting to take your music in that direction?

Yes! That was fun. We had a gig on the Saturday night. We’d hardly got any sleep and when we woke up on the Sunday our drummer was like ‘let’s do an acoustic set in an hour!’. We were like ‘go on then’ so we had an hour to quickly get our set done acoustically, but it was cool to hear it all stripped back again. The way we like to write is to write acoustically. We haven’t heard the songs that way in quite a long time so it was interesting!

Your new song is called ‘No Solution’. How would you describe it?

‘No Solution’ is a cry for help for the younger generation. It’s plain to see now through the general election we’ve just had, and it’ll be interesting to see how many young people carry on caring about the state of our country and the world. It’s a cry for the younger generation to get their voice and their points across. We write about real things; we don’t write about made-up stories. We write as we see it and we hope that the rest of our generation see it the way we do.

The crazy thing is that we wrote the song maybe a year-and-a-half ago. It shows that there is no solution!

The video for the single has some very startling imagery mixed in with political images; was that important for you as a concept?

Yes. The whole storyboarding did take a couple of months to get it the way we wanted it and our message across. It’s one thing having the message through the music but the visuals, especially in this day and age, are a big part of it. A big hand to everyone who was part of that video; they hit the nail on the head!

Do you feel strongly about having something to say in your music, politically or otherwise?

It’s funny you should ask that as there have been days when we don’t want to be too politically engaged, but it always ends up being about the way we see the state of the world. I’d like to say we are politically charged, as it’s a shame today that musicians don’t take note of what’s actually going on in politics. Music from day one has always been a rebellious art and movement. It’s interesting to see that there’s not a lot of artists doing that any more.

Was the recording process of the single a good one?

Yeah, we love going into the studio! It’s just as good as playing live shows.

What are your plans going forward from here?

I think we’re going to release the second single in a couple of months’ time. We’ve got the album ready to go so as soon as things start picking up the albums going to be out there. We’ve got shows coming up everywhere. We’re playing a festival soon. This Thursday, local to us in Dartford, we’ve got the final heats for the Battle of the Bands at this year’s Dartford Festival, so it’ll be interesting to see how that goes!

How are preparations going for that?

Good! We’re always playing in London so it’s nice to come back and play some local gigs in front of a local crowd, and it’s always funny that you get the one person who may have seen us locally, say, two years ago but has seen our progress online and they may come and see us and be like ‘No way, you’re the same band!’

Finally what are your big ambitions for the rest of the year?

By the end of the year it would be cool to have this as our full time line of work. We all work independently elsewhere, probably on careers we don’t want to do. We put every spare minute into this, with blood, sweat and tears. Some people don’t seem to appreciate that sometimes, so it would be good to get onto some big festivals, get a record out there and make a name for ourselves. The biggest ambition of the band has always been to play Wembley – that’s the one! Got to dream big!

Findout more about the Alibi on Facebook.

New Music Review #65

Here are ten more songs to delight your ears!

All Time Low - Life Of The Party

'Life of the Party' is another catchy pop-punk number from All Time Low. It's chorus might not be their grandest but it hooks you in and forms the centre of a well produced number. (6.5/10)

Aston Merrygold - Trudy

He may have been through the rhyming dictionary to make this song, and it has a vibe of a recent Dave Hanson track albeit a bit more funked up, but there's something unashamedly catchy and poppy about this potential summer hit. (7/10)

Bakermat feat. Kiesza - Don't Want You Back

Probably our favourite track of these ten, this is a ballsy attitude-heavy dance-track with Kiesza's vocals on top form, forming the backdrop of a very catchy electro-dance number. (7.5/10)

Blaenavon - Lonely Side 

With hints of Chic in its backing riff this is really more firmly in indie territory. Unassuming, this is a smooth, laid-back number but with enough bite to keep you listening and a surprising amount of funk. (6.5/10)

Chase & Status and Blossoms - This Moment

Quite possibly an unexpected collaboration, the inclusion of Blossoms adds a bit more interest and variety into the C&S formula, but it's not their most dynamic hook-up. (6/10)

Liam Gallagher - Wall Of Glass

Far better than anything he did as part of the Beady Eye project, this feels much more like a modern take on the Oasis sound, with a punky production vibe and a catchy chorus. Welcome back Liam. Got any spare parkas? (7/10)

Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie - Red Sun

The former Fleetwood Mac singers return with another great harmonised duet with a slower tempo than their last song but in its place a strong laid-back vibe and a great little guitar solo. (7/10)

Lorde - Perfect Places

A big more musically conventional than 'Green Light' but no less catchy. If you like Lorde's songs up to now this will keep you happy, her perky lyrics and the electronic style really suits her style, and there are plenty of punky hooks amongst the words and quite a brave ending. (7/10)

Nickelback - Must Be Nice

Though the inclusion of the fairy-tale and nursery rhyme-style lyrics are justified by the closing word of the chorus, it's hard not to find the words of the verse a little fag-packet in their writing. That said the effected vocals and the driving catchiness of this rock-song just about cover that up. This won't help the band though combat their detractors! (6.5/10)

Sody - Let Go

Sody could well be a big future star. With a great voice that suits this powerful little track, it's perhaps a little too masked by the hefty EDM-dance production but it has enough energy to shine through on this likely big future radio hit. (7.5/10)

New Music Review #64

Ten more songs you need to listen to!

The Allergies - Entitled To That

We've gone back to the sixties and seventies for this Motown-sounding number that could well be an old song dragged out of history and given a 2017 polish. With hints of Duffy and Paloma Faith in the powerful, grand vocals, this is a great number full of energy and attitude. (7.5/10)

Andrew Applepie & Bjurman - Drowning World

Sounding like a cross between Rokysopp and Moby if they're enjoying a quieter moments, this electronic-infused stylophone-sounding number is a delight in terms of production and the atmosphere created, its filmic style nicely composed. (7/10)

Dani Sylvia - Perfection Generation

Sylvia's best song to date, this is a storming European-pop track with a catchy EDM-influenced chorus and a real catchy vibe. A great comeback number! (7/10)

Hafdis Huld - Take Me Dancing

We loved her album and this track is symbolic of what made the LP great: a loveable, sweet voice, well written lyrics, strong radio-friendly vibe and a simple yet picturesque production style. Beautiful. (7.5/10)

JACY feat. Myles Parrish - Brand New

The chorus itself might be decidely simple and bland but the electronic feel to the record creates a pleasingly reacting and laid-back aesthetic and when the more urban elements are rolled in for Parrish it gives it a bit more interest that compliments the package as a whole. (7/10)

Julia Michaels - Uh Huh

After the great 'Issues' this single goes off in a different direction. With some quirky but well done vocal effects this builds up well to a poppy and fun chorus. Great. (7/10)

Liam Payne feat. Quavo - Strip That Down

It might sound like the love child of Eminem's 'Shake That Ass' and 'The Bad Touch' by the Bloodhound Gang, and various other songs from its overplayed genre, but is has enough fun and pop sensibilities to keep a smile on your face, though it's pretty cliched and by-the-numbers. (6.5/10)

MissinCat - Made of Stone

'Made of Stone' is a great little showcase of MissinCat's distinctive vocals that offer something genuinely interesting to listen to over its soaring classical production style, like Bjork but with a better more soulful voice. (7/10)

PictureHouse - Sunburst

Initially only being released in Ireland two years ago summer anthem 'Sunburst' has now been remastered for a release in 2017. With a big energy pop vibe this screams out radio hit  thanks to its 90s-sounding pop-rock vibe that sounds like U2, REM, Smashmouth and the Boo Radleys rolled into one headed up by Phil Collins. (7.5/10)

Plan B - In The Name Of Man

Plan B has been away for a while and we've certainly missed him, and though 'In The Name of Man' doesn't quite have the radio-friendly chorus of his earlier material the Sam Smith gospel sound he channels on this single is well put together and lyrically it has plenty to say. Definitely a grower, though I could do without the overly repetitive and long closer; cut if off after four-and-a-half minutes. (7/10)

Album Review: Hafdís Huld - Dare To Dream Small

Huld's fourth album 'Dare To Dream Small' is a delightfully warm and optimistic 12-track album of stripped-back, smooth indie-hits that can't help but bring a pleasing smile to your face. Beautifully produced and with a loveable vocal, the album is the perfect accompaniment for a warm summer evening with a glass of your favourite drink, as suggested by opening track 'Summer Inside' which feels like the perfectly evocative track. It might not really offer anything hugely different over its dozen songs which each song blending into each other but what it does offer is a great soundscape and some beautifully written words.

'Take Me Dancing', track two, is heartfelt and feels like a love story brought to song. 'My Heart Sings' continues the theme but lacks a strong chorus like the first two, but the soaring strings and strong arrangement give the song life. 'Last Rays of the Sun', with its Emma Stevens-like sound, brings the guitar to the forefront of the mix and its bouncy rhythm will get your foot-tapping. 'Leaving Me Behind' is a gentler number that focuses more on the words than the music but still boasts that noteable chorus whilst 'Violet' with its stronger drum beat and bigger radio-friendly feel is surely a contender for a single.

'Underdog' is a slower number led by piano, with more soaring gentle vocals from Huld, capturing the mood of the rainy day of the lyrics nicely. 'Is It Better?' is my favourite of the album tracks thanks to its very well written and touching lyrics, and it's followed up by the delightfully folk-tinged 'By The Road'. 'Fineshade Forest' is another subtle folk-led number that holds the gentle vibe of the album, painting more vivid pictures as it goes. The title-inspiring 'Dream Small' almost wraps the album up with a slow dance of a song before 'By Now' with its Moby-ballad-like ending which sounds a little like a duet with its echoey backing vocals, is not the most arresting of numbers but provides a gentle conclusion to a strong, folk-led and mostly optimistic outward-looking album, tied together by Huld's dreamy, delightful vocals and some top-drawer lyrics. Great. (7.5/10)

New Music Review #63

Another ten songs that you need to hear!

Alex Hulme - Flow

Though not quite as emotive or hook-filed as 'Family Tree', an earlier cut from the same EP, 'Flow' once more showcases Hulme's great voice and ability to make a great, flowing, well produced indie number. (6.5/10)

Carly Rae Jepsen - Cut To The Feeling 

Another jaunty pop-single from Jepsen; sure it's not earth-shattering or anything but is fun enough. (6/10)

Jonas Blue feat. Gina Kushka - Heartbeat

A rather stripped back tune for Blue, it's once more Kushka that really lifts the song, its heartfelt soaring lyrics complimented by the simple piano and strings. Sweet. (6.5/10)

Natasha Bedingfield - More of Me

Taken from the new Tangled television show, this is a perky sunny optimistic pop tune that sees a welcome return for Bedingfield. It's inoffensive but fun. (6.5/10)

NEIKED feat. Mimi - Call Me

'Call Me' is a bouncy, EDM-club song that outside of its generic chorus has a fun warming vibe thanks mainly to loveable vocals of Mimi. (6.5/10)

Olly Murs - Unpredictable

Though the song might be called 'Unpredictable' the song is pretty predictable itself and by-the-numbers, but if you're a fan of Murs then you'll enjoy this light-heared pop-number. (6/10)


Reverend and the Makers - Too Tough To Die

The Rev goes all White Stripes on their new single that has a delightful lo-fi feel and some poppy moments but the weird production effects on the vocals damage the words and delivery - what a weird production decision. (6.5/10)

Sia feat. Labrinth - To Be Human

It's perhaps not as great as you imagine a collaboration between two great artists should be but it's well produced and sung and there's a pleasing emotion flowing through it. (6/10)

Take That - New Day

You can always rely on Take That to produce a slice of uplifting summery pop and though the video may be quite weird and at odds with the sunny optimism, this is another unashamedly radio-friendly pop song. (7.5/10)

Zedd and Alessia Cara - Stay

Though like many of the songs in the genre the post-chorus breakdown is cliched, the verses and Cara's delightful vocals and the general catchiness of the song's concept win out in an annoyingly catchy, quirky pop-EDM number. (7.5/10)

New Music Review #62

Another ten songs that you need to hear!

Artan - My Brudda

A whole range of cultural references - both contemporary, retro and obscure - are whipped up into a simply produced grime track but one with some more commercial sensibilities in its beats and chorus. (6.5/10)

Beauty - Fallen Famous

Beauty are back with their latest single, a soft-rock track with a swaggery lyrical delivery. The chorus may be a bit damp in parts but the attitude-filled verses with their strong pop style build it up well. (6.5/10)

Dua Lipa - Blow Your Mind (Mwah)

Only recently coming to our musical attention this is a catchy, ballsy club-pop tune with a big stadium-friendly chorus and a great foot-tapping beat. (7.5/10)

HVNNIBVL - On and On

'On and On' is a catchy, funky EDM number with a throbbing strong production. The chorus may be a little overly familiar but its all wrapped up as a good little summer anthem. (6.5/10)

Kehlani - Undercover (Coucheron Remix)

Like a lot of contemporary club-EDM the chorus is very samey but the sweet vocals, smooth electronic music and building Moloko-style tempo work in its favour. (6.5/10)

Makala - Strong

With a throbbing grime-beat this is a change in direction for Makala, with more committed production behind its tubthumbing lyrics. (6.5/10)

Sharon Shannon - The Machine

With some biting politically-charged lyrics wrapped up in a perky, Eurovision-esque summery track, this is a well-positioned balance of styles and themes, and a quirky building Celtic theme, with the language shifts well timed too. Great! (7/10)

Shaun Kelly and the Returned Gifts - Cadillac

With hints of Squeeze's 'Cool For Cats' this is a catchy, bouncy summer hit with a joyful vibe and a vocal enthusiasm that puts a smile on your face. (7/10)

Show of Hands - No Secrets

With a vocalist that's rather listenable and a music backing track that builds up, 'No Secrets' comes across as a song that sounds like Bruce Springsteen in his prime if he cheered up a little. Nice. (7/10)

The Wild Things - F.I.A.

With the F.I.A. a cleaned up declaration of defiance, this is a grungy, lo-fi rock number with the lead vocals adding some heft to a simple, yet head-nodding, number. (6.5/10)

KBPS Interview: Steve Rodgers

Steve Rodgers, singer songwriter, has just completed recording his ‘much anticipated’ first album, due for release this year and introduces his brand new single cut ‘I WILL GROW’, both album and single were produced by Ken Nelson (Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini) mixed by Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse). We got the chance to speak to Steve about his brand new single.

So how would you describe ‘I Will Grow’?

It’s very atmospheric and I think it takes people to a place that maybe everyone’s been. The chorus lifts you up and the verse implants in your mind, in your spirit, and in your heart I guess. Without being hippy-dippy or pompous, I think it takes you somewhere. Not all my songs do that, but that one happened to.

Did you have a particular inspiration behind the song?

I was doing a gig a couple of years ago and I knew the promoter really well and the promoter’s wife was a life coach, so she was all about helping other people. She’d just designed a website and after the gig she asked if I could write something or have some music playing in the background, and I thought immediately ‘I know what I can do’ as she was talking about what she was doing in her career. I was going to do a piano song. All that night I hadn’t touched the piano as I played guitar. But I went home and I wrote it. I think sometimes it helps when you’re writing to get some inspiration coming in, of what the song is about. It just came really quickly, and I sent it the next day and asked her ‘what do you think of that?’ and she said it was great, let’s use it!

Do you think sometimes that quick turnaround helps the creative process?

I think so. I remember Ed Sheeran talking about the song he sings about angels. He was invited to some place where the homeless people were in London. I think if you see something like that it’s going to inspire something in you.

Is there a video for the song?

Yes, there’s a video out. It’s lots of girls in bikinis running around… no it’s not! It was filmed up in the Surrey hills. I had a crew come down and it was full of hip-hop guys with tattoos all over, but they felt the song and we just had a great time; it was just about nature really and the countryside!

The song is taken from your debut album out soon; how was that to record?

It was great! We recorded it with Ken Nelson who did Coldplay, Paulo Nutini, Snow Patrol and Gomez, all those greats. Me and my manager put it out there that I wasn’t that known so I said, let’s just send my demos to the greatest producers in the world and see what happens just for a giggle, and he was the first person we sent it to as we love the stuff he’s done, and he was the first person to come back – and he said ‘yes, let’s do it’. He got Adrian Bushby on board who’d worked with the Foo Fighters and Muse, and we went up to Elevator Studios in Liverpool for two weeks, which is a very funky place, and we had fun. We just nailed it. It was great. We’re looking at October [for the album but] we’ve got a couple of other singles to put out yet.

You’ve recently completed an acoustic tour; was that fun to do?

Actually the album is pretty live as Ken Nelson is all about sound, so there’s no computer generated vocals or trickery. He’s just meticulous on the sound; he gets a very live sound. The tour was great, it was a lot of fun. In the autumn we did all the arenas supporting Bad Company and ended up in the O2. I do all my gigs solo with an acoustic, so doing the O2 with just an acoustic was quite a thing!

That must be quite nerve wracking?

All the other arenas were huge, and I was quite at home as arena tours are pretty much the same, whereas if you do churches, pubs and blues bars they’re quite eclectic so you have to change what you’re doing and go with the flow, as every venue is different. But when I went to the O2 it could have swallowed up three of those arenas; it was amazing!

You’ve had a great career so far, but I read your first band was called the ‘Lost Sons of Davros’. Are you a Doctor Who fan?

We were seventeen and the initials were LSD so we thought we were clever putting that out there, but we only had one gig!

Are you looking forward to new dates supporting the album?

Yes, I’m really excited to see what people think of the music and obviously I hope it does well. We’ve got tours set up in Europe, Japan and North America and I’m just eager to get on with it, then write the next album which is what I’m working on now.

You’ve performed both as support and headliner; do you have a preference?

I prefer my own gigs as I can do a longer set and it’s very relaxed, and I do a lot of talking to the audience and we have a laugh. But with the big arena tours it’s another buzz; they’re all a buzz! I do prefer the intimate ones though as I feel you connect more.

Finally do you have any ambitions for the rest of the year?

I want to record a few more singles with Ken and get those out, and I think just go out and play as much as I can. I just want to work, work, work and enjoy it!

Clickhere to find out more about Steve Rodgers on Facebook.