Small Mercies, the latest record by the singularly idiosyncratic artist Pixx, is out now. Hannah Rodgers’s second studio record is a series of poetic examinations of love across the experiential spectrum, set to a soundtrack that mixes electronic pop and grungy guitar rock with aplomb. Today, the South Londoner shares a self-produced video for album track ‘Funsize’.
black midi announce their debut full-length, Schlagenheim, to be released on June 21st via Rough Trade Records/Rhythmethod. Throughout, black midi – Georgie Greep (vocals/guitar), Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin (vocals/
Schlagenheim was recorded with Speedy Wunderground producer Dan Carey, who the band praises for his quick, unfussy approach. black midi laid down eight of the record’s nine tracks in just five days. The process was one of refining and rebuilding tracks around the initial structures. Five-hour jams would sometimes yield a riff that then became a few bars of a song. As anyone who’s been lucky enough to catch black midi live over recent months will testify, black midi’s songs are slippery creatures.
Hannah Rodgers, the mastermind behind Pixx, releases a third single ‘Andean Condor’ from her forthcoming album, Small Mercies (out 7th June via 4AD / Rhythmethod). A tongue-in-cheek album opener, she muses on gender politics – “mature males tend to be at the top of the pecking order” – inspired by the world’s largest flying bird.
“This song is written about the link between wo/mankind and nature,” Rodgers says. “It is important to recognise how many times women have to face the absurdity of male hierarchy in our modern world. Having had endless conversations with (certain) men who justify the inequality of the sexes by comparing themselves to animals, I thought what better way to help them than to remind those men that they are supposed to be human, with emotional capability and growth.”
The visuals for ‘Andean Condor’ were created by Alice Clingan. Premiered by The FADER, watch it in full below.
Today, Pixx releases a new single, ‘Bitch’ from her forthcoming album, Small Mercies (out 7 June). Swaggering and vicious, Hannah Rodgers explains the background of the song:
I wrote this song in the cellar of my flat in South London; it happened very quickly. At the time I was feeling pent up and frustrated with myself and others. I was in the middle of reading The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, finding it hard to digest and communicate. That’s why this song means a lot to me; it’s about accepting and forgiving yourself for struggling; not being too hard on yourself for getting stuck in your head, and finding the relief in waking up and getting out of your hole to show the world you’re a strong bitch.
The companion video, directed by Edie Lawrence and starring Rodgers, is gleefully childish.
“Black Midi are the most progressive guitar band in London right now” – Loud And Quiet
“one of the country’s most exciting new bands. An indefinable group, pushing guitar music into strange, hypnotic territory.” – CRACK Magazine
“the best new band in the UK that no one knows anything about” – NME
Credit: Dan Kendall
Enigmatic London four-piece Black Midi have today announced their signing to iconic indie label Rough Trade and shared their new EP Speedway. The Speedway EP was produced by Dan Carey and is accompanied by visuals from bassist Cameron Picton. The release is otherwise only available as a limited physical 12” at the band’s shows and features remixes from Proc Fiskal, Kwake Bass and Blanck Mass.
Watch the visual for ‘Speedway’ below
Having formed just over a year ago, Black Midi have quickly cemented their reputation as the hottest new underground band in the country, following a string of sold-out live dates – including Electrowerkz and Bloc in London – and surprise shows punctuated by constantly shifting set-lists and blistering musicianship. Until the release of their debut single ‘bmbmbm’ on Carey’s label, Speedy Wunderground, the band only existed in live form, making their name initially at Brixton’s Windmill venue and recording a frenetic session for Queen Kong’s NTS Radio show. Most recently Black Midi recorded a live session with KEXP at Iceland Airwaves, uploaded by the legendary U.S. public radio station this week – watch the video below:
Artwork by Miguel Casarrubios
London’s most thrilling new band Goat Girl – aka Clottie Cream, Rosy Bones, Naima Jelly and L.E.D – have announced that their debut, self-titled album will be released on 6th April! Pre-order your copy here (violet coloured vinyl + a limited edition signed fanzine art and lyrics booklet available from Rough Trade webstore).
To whet your appetite, the four piece have unleashed the official video for their killer new single and longtime live favourite ‘The Man’, directed by CC Wade and described by the band as “a parody on fandom and a delve into the male psyche”. Watch below.
South London’s Goat Girl are excited to share the video for new track ‘Cracker Drool’, which was produced by Dan Carey (Bat For Lashes, Kate Tempest) and recorded in his South London studio. The video was directed by CC Wade and was filmed in Sussex by the London based brothers who have previously worked with King Krule. Pre-order the 7inch here: http://rtrecs.co/crackerdrool
‘Cracker Drool’ will be released on the 8th December on limited edition 7” backed by exclusive B Side ‘Scream‘. The track is available on all streaming services now.
Goat Girl head up an emerging set of groups from South London who have been inspired by the burgeoning local scene there. A classic sketch by the late great comedian Bill Hicks inspired their band name.
Goat Girl – ‘Cracker Drool’
Stream / Purchase: https://goatgirl.lnk.to/crackerdrool