Artist: LEAH MARTEL Who: Singer-songwriter from Ontario (Canada) who spent her formative
years hard at work training to be a prolific writer, musician, performer, actor,
dancer, activist and cycling through various superpowers via extensive
maladaptive daydreaming.
Martel: “Funnily enough I sat down to write this sad song at a point in my life where, from
the outside, everything seemed to be going fine for the first time in a long time. I had just graduated, was in a wonderful new relationship, had started a new job in my new field of work and there was no drama. But I felt horrible. I was riddled with worry and anxiety and a sense of doom. Previous to this there had always been a reason for those feelings, I had always been going through a difficult relationship, job, living situation, etc. and I realized that, even with those troubles gone, they left a mark on me. Even with all the monsters dead a part of them lived inside of me now.
I was just at the start of a mental health journey now and, for the first time, facing
questions like, ‘can I actually overcome this or am I broken forever?’ I knew one thing
only, I was determined to keep trying no matter what I had to face and that felt like a good thing, but also an ominous thing. Like I might just have to go through a lot more pain first before actually feeling better.”
TUTV: Last year Martel scored one of the best debut singles of 2024 on TUTV’s list with pounding stomper Everybody Out. Frisky, tongue-in-cheek follow-up Not Cool confirmed she wasn’t a one-hit wonder. And with this 3rd single, she lets us know she’s here to stay.
What Doesn’t Make Me Stronger is a vintage country rock inspired tune brought to life
with the assistance of a seasoned team of musicians. It swings forth and back with Martel‘s arresting voice shining again and erupts at one point when a staggering guitar solo hits your ears. It could easily be a hidden track on one of the late great Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers‘s albums.
Who: Singer-songwriter from Ontario (Canada) who spent her formative
years hard at work training to be a prolific writer, musician, performer, actor,
dancer, activist and cycling through various superpowers via extensive
maladaptive daydreaming.
Martel: “I wrote Everybody Out at a point in my life when my social anxiety was really at its peak. When I sat down to write out all the lyrics I wanted to really emphasize the contradictory nature of this kind of anxiety where it has you running for the hills to get away from everyone but only because you so desperately want to connect with people and care far too much about every minor interaction just hoping it will be good.”
TUTV: Social anxiety in motion, uncontrollable emotion, mind-disturbing commotion. Martel translates all these turbulent sensitivities in a towering power pop gem energized by a pounding, one-note piano beat, her raging voice and the exploding get out chorus.
Wham bam, bloody wham bam. Wowzers. Top.
TUTV: Kiss Bang sound and look glamorous. ‘Horrors Of Your Hometown’ is a hopped-up electro-pop stomper peppered with sexy power vocals and a sultry, sticking chorus. Enough fuel to energize your eager limbs and lose yourself in this bedazzling bliss.
Who: An Irish indie trio, the core of two brothers, Tommy and Ricky. The name ‘Longstryde’ again has familial origins, taken from the brother’s grandmother as she yelled in support of Ricky as he competed in sprints. The name took on a wider meaning for the brothers, becoming a mantra of determination and to succeed in spite of whatever obstacle might disrupt their path.
TUTV: What a voice, what a tune, what a thrill. Longstryde is a glorious pop anthem that touches heart and soul all the way through, revved up with avid riffage. It’s the stimulating sort of ablaze piece that speeds up your adrenalin flow from the first spin on. Epic debut.
Who: Fresh indie trio from Hull (UK) who fuse Riot Grrrl punk with
alternative rock & pop. This all-female, all-queer outfit are actively
speaking out about misogyny and mistreatment of women, ensuring
their gigs are a safe space.
“Shreds is a song for anyone who feel intimidated by social situations to an extent they don’t say what they mean. We believe in expressing ourselves in a raw & unfiltered way which can sometimes backfire but enables us to speak from the heart.”
TUTV: Fervid emotions flame up all the way through this exuberant cryout. At its core it’s
a powerhouse pop song hijacked by fierce guitars and relentless drum/bass explosiveness. On the overwhelming chorus, the singer scrapes the sky with hearty vocals and the intense climax tears your overheated stereo to shreds.
Who: Three rockers from Glasgow who only
got together at the beginning of this year.
Why the name Escape Goats? 2024 is the Chinese year of…The Dragon.
But, The Dragon and the Goat make up one of the most compatible love
matches in the Chinese zodiac.
“Despite the tone of exacerbation, we actually do care about lots of things
and, unsurprisingly, none of us can really fight like Muhammad Ali (who can?).”
TUTV: This debut is a cranked-up razor-blade uppercut. Sinewy drumming,
blaring guitars and annoyed, ranting vocals storm together through a hefty haze of post-punk dissatisfaction. It feels like a helter-skelter punch to the face. I don’t think boxing icon Muhammed Ali was a punk, but his vicious left/right puissance is all over this outburst.
TUTV: Love Wakes Up is a sugary sweet psych-pop melody with sparkling guitars
and crystalline vocals. It’s a gratifying song that evokes lovey-dovey feelings,
very welcome in these chaotic times we live in. Hear the brisk bee zooming.
Who: A duo with contrasting yet complementary artistic journeys. Giulia born in Sesto San Giovanni, infuses the project with her vibrant soul, creating intense melodies, profound lyrics, and a captivating voice. Marco born in Monza, brings an instinctive and meticulous approach to crafting their signature electronic sound.
The song reflects the disillusionment of a generation grappling with
a world in decline, capturing both fragility and quiet resilience through
poetic imagery and layered soundscapes.
TUTV: This debut reflects our disturbing state-of-2024-mind with lots of human dramas going on all over the globe. Faded Flowers echoes confused emotions with an affectional vocality and an overall feverish resonance, reminiscinet of Florence + The Machine. There’s a Tha Flicker light at the end of the tunnel, people.
Who: An Irish songwriter based in Clare, Awild Mind brings a personal and empathetic touch to his music. With a knack for capturing emotions often left unspoken – anxiety, grief, sadness – and balancing them with moments of quirkiness and joy, his music feels both intimate and universal.
The song’s narrative delves into the complexities of life – its stress, the weight of nostalgia, and the warmth and authenticity of the lyrics capture emotions that resonate universally.
TUTV: This fully-orchestrated, storytelling pop pearl awakes tender-hearted sentiments and lasting memories. Irish melancholia with an universal appeal in motion. Let the church bells ring, let the choir chorus touch your mellow intimacy.
TUTV: It’s always a thrilling pleasure to see/hear young gunslingers
get up, stand up and do your head in with a smashing debut. And this
is what happens here. Spleen turn up the amps and rattle ‘n’ rumble their
butts off. My ears detect some Green Day echoes and a salvo of fiery riffs
and sharp-cutting hooks. Way to go, raggazi!
The song touches on the fact that people mostly use Pride
as an excuse to party when actually the rest of the year, the
LGBTQIA community suffers from dangerous stigma and
abuse.
TUTV: An explicit middle-finger for all LGBTQIA-haters. To hell
with them. Queer-trans-punk trio Daffodildos entered the indie
scene this year with sharp-cutting knifes between their teeth and
are here to stay.’No Pride‘ is a fast-forward projectile that rattles
and battles for 251 barbed wire seconds.
“We’re here, we’re queer
We’re never gonna disappear.”
Brand-new cut from her upcoming solo debut
album ‘Nobody Loves You More‘ out November 22.
Crystal Breath is quite special and pretty different from anything Deal has been done before. EBM bass dynamics, trip-hop quivering
and a spiky guitar riff.
“‘Body Bag’ is a peak behind the curtain at the reality of modern romance and feeling young and old at the same time. I think sonically the song has so many ups and downs, and that’s exactly how this stage of my life has felt. It’s running barefoot on the concrete, chasing something you can’t quite put your finger on, but running towards it nonetheless. That’s
how I would best describe ‘Body Bag.’”
TUTV: This is an astounding piece of multi-layered music. An effervescent mix of pop,
rock and EBM going everywhere fast and Romano‘s sensual voice adds an arousing dynamic. A stream of adrenalin rushes through your body, all the way.
It will be on their debut EP Disco To Disco, out on September 13.
The song is about rediscovering old lovers after a night out from disco(theque) to disco(theque), with references to The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan and his excessive drinking, and a legendary Belgian crooner. Bringing these two completely different iconic figures together makes you wonder if they don’t have more in common than you might think.
TUTV: Full steam ahead from the get-go. All engines on. Decibels up, amps up.
The breakneck speed and the relentless synth/percussion riff make your head
spin 360°. I dare you to catch up with this steamroller.
If you don’t know they’re from Belgium you would think they are one of those
post-Brexshit-punk misfits such as Deathletter, Ditz, shame, English Teacher, and
more of those exciting indie wolves. Cool, right? You betcha.
One of the two new shared pieces from their upcoming 3rd LP, named Catouts, out October 14. It’s a hypnotizing Krautrock-like jam rushing through your bloodstream.
Great saxophones too.
The Smile: Instagram
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Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz
Band: A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Who: The rapid-fire Brooklyn turbine,
led by Oliver Ackermann, pump up the
decibels since 2003.
Track: YOU GOT ME
A foretaste of their upcoming LP,
titled ‘Synthesizer‘, out on October 4.
TUTV: Expect a spine-chilling guitar/bass riff rocket with Ackermann‘s
vocals echoing all over it. Another hellraiser for your graveyard parties.
“It’s a shout out to all the unusual characters that you may find in any High Street who, for whatever reason, are considered outsiders. They need championing as they are just like everyone else and want the best for themselves, but have been dealt a difficult hand.”
TUTV: The Veras storm out of the gates with tons of high-voltage force, powered by
an army of ablaze guitars and mighty drum/bass beats. The spanking chorus fueled by peppy vocals completes this rattling burst. Now go out in the streets and start a riot.
Band: THE CHRONICLES OF MANIMAL AND SAMARA Who: London-based DIY duo – Daphne Ang (Singapore) and Andrea Papi (Italy)
that fills a gap in music by bringing literature, art, and history together into a
space where rock and metal meet electronica.
TUTV: This surprising, blistering collaboration sees TCOMAS exploring another
musical place where they’ve never been before. Teaming up with sharp-cutting
Italian rapper Mr Meuri and make it work, combined with their by-now trademark
metallic wall of sound and monstrous growls is flabbergasting.
Band: LONELY LITTLE KITSCH Who: Two-piece alt-rock band from Niagara, Canada featuring
vocalist Kristen Goetz and drummer Nolan Jodes. What started as
a way to pass the time during the pandemic, soon became a more
serious project as fully formed songs took shape.
TUTV: A grungy headbanger propelled by hammering vigorousness, some
edged Grohl riffs and exploding when the crashing chorus crushes in. Right
in the middle of the song and the video, vocalist Kristen Goetz, draws your
attention with her Shirley Manson-like vocal tone and her subtle moves.
Band: THE MERINGUES Who: A Kingston, Ontario-based
post-punk powerhouse.
Track: ROYALTY
This track is a cut from their 2nd album, Pavlova’s Dog,
which will be available on September 16th.
“It’s that feeling of having idealized someone, only to discover they didn’t deserve it.
Or when you thought you knew someone, but they revealed a different side. This song
explores the disorienting feeling of realizing you were wrong about someone or something.”
TUTV: This punk ‘n’ roar torpedo guarantees you a vitalizing kick. Royalty explodes
from the get-go. The smashing chorus, with its screamy duet vocals, causes ecstatic
elation.
Band: RAZORLIGHT Who:British power guitar-pop indies RAZORLIGHT (2002–2014, 2017–present),
led by guitarist/singer Johnny Borrell, who have their first LP in 16 years finished.
They baptized it Planet Nowhere.
It’ll land on October 24.
It’s the first taster off of the forthcoming full-length. A simple, but oh so
effective tune. Jaunty and terrifically infectious. Welcome back to the party,
guys.
Band: STRAWBERRY SLEEPOVER Who: A psych, garage rock act from Baltimore, MD which makes waves in
the local music scene with their unique sound and captivating performance.
Track: FILTH
From their upcoming new
album, out September 6.
TUTV: If you’re depressed because summer is almost over, comfort yourself with this bonkers cowboy-punk jackhammer. Big, really big fun. ‘Filth‘ gets filthier and filthier along
its rowdy course. Think Dropkick Murphys riding wild horses while consuming a stream
of cold beers. Get the picture? As I said, big fun.
TUTV: A moony daydream floating smoothly around and in your ears and
has an on-repeat effect. It’ll appear on their 4th LP, baptized ‘Viva Hinds‘
and lands on September 6.
Martel: “After surviving elementary and high school, working in customer service and an office job, going to college and university I realized I still have not overcome social anxiety. I wrote this song about it so I could finally try to stop caring so much.”
TUTV: Martel strikes again with unbridled punch on this invigorating pop pearl juiced with jumpy bass lines, a vigorous drum beat, an edgy guitar solo and a chirpy chorus. Vocally Martel could be family of Alanis Morissette‘ voice. That same stirring timbre and expressive tone.
TUTV: City Lights is an ardent upper for the midnight hours when you hit town. Coxon lets his greedy guitar and his sultry saxophone have some funky fun, the
relentless bass/drums tandem take care of the groove’s banging beat. Uplifting
duet vocals and a chipper chorus complete the sonic picture.
“This is very different to anything we have released before it’s
very pop and a song of unrequited love and idolising others.”
TUTV: The Trusted deliver again. Miracle Face is a bittersweet power-pop symphony. Vehement orchestrations, layers of guitars, drum/bass puissance, and perfervid vocals combine for an affecting anthem. Think of New York City‘s heroes The Strokes’ mellower moments.
Band: MERCURY REV Who Day-and-night dreamers with key members Jonathan
Donahue and Sean “Grasshopper” Mackowiak
Track: A BIRD OF NO ADDRESS
From their 10th LP, their first in 9 years, named Born Horses, and out on September 6.
TUTV: A Bird Of No Address is a starry-eyed musing, a magnific symphony
with classical piano play, sensitive orchestrations and Donahue‘s romantic
vocals.
Bewitching, just bewitching.
Instagram – Tour
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Artist: BLACK VIIOLET Who: The moniker of the new solo project of Nicole Laurenne, the
flamboyant daredevil/voice/face of American garage rockers The Darts.
Track: KILL ME NOW
The title song of Laurenne‘s debut EP. A totally different
affair from what she has done for a long time with The Darts.
TUTV: Music for jazzy, smoky nightclubs where crooners play love songs,
happy and sad ones on piano, backed by a smooth little orchestra.
Viiolet‘s sexy, near-whispering voice and her sensual
film noir appearance fit the mood just perfectly well.
“I was playing around with this song and the chorus came to me almost immediately. It reminded me of something from Joni Mitchell’s Clouds album and the line “Some things hurt a little more, this one’s you” had such a resigned sentiment the rest of the song was easy to write. It’s a love song, but from an older point of view. Less drama and more realisation that another one had slipped away. The loneliness of an empty house and the need to escape the quiet.”
TUTV: Singer-songwriter splendour. A dynamic reverie, driven by titillating acoustic
six-strings, playful piano fragments, and a heartwarming voice. I’m pretty sure that Jamie Sutherland is a fervent Nick Drake and Tim Buckley fan.
Artist: LEAH MARTEL Who: Singer-songwriter from Ontario (Canada) who spent her formative
years hard at work training to be a prolific writer, musician, performer, actor,
dancer, activist and cycling through various superpowers via extensive
maladaptive daydreaming.
Martel: “After surviving elementary and high school, working in customer service and an office job, going to college and university I realized I still have not overcome social anxiety. So, while enduring lockdown back in my childhood bedroom and living with the absurdity of still caring what people think even when no one else is around, I wrote this song about it so I could finally try to stop caring so much.”
TUTV: Following her smashing debut single Get Out last April, Martel strikes again with unbridled punch and emotive energy on this new pure pop pearl juiced with jumpy bass lines, a vigorous drum beat, an edgy guitar solo and a chirpy chorus. Vocally Martel could be family of Alanis Morissette‘ voice. That same stirring timbre and expressive tone. Cool, right? You betcha.
Artist: LEAH MARTEL Who: Singer-songwriter from Ontario (Canada) who spent her formative
years hard at work training to be a prolific writer, musician, performer, actor,
dancer, activist and cycling through various superpowers via extensive
maladaptive daydreaming.
Martel: “I wrote Everybody Out at a point in my life when my social anxiety was really at its peak. The thing is, I figured it would have been its worst as a kid in elementary school getting picked on and not, embarrassingly, as a 20something just trying to attend a party of some very nice seeming people from my college program. I had already been out in the working world for a while and thought I was over it and had gained a bit more confidence and social skills but I realized I really just hadn’t been in a group of new people in a while and once that happened I may as well have been 13 again. If I said something I felt like an alien trying to pretend to have a human conversation.
The funny thing is, I really wanted to be friends with these people and there was nothing actually standing in my way except me just not knowing how to be normal in any capacity. So when I finally sat down to write out all the lyrics I wanted to really emphasize the contradictory nature of this kind of anxiety where it has you running for the hills to get away from everyone but only because you so desperately want to connect with people and care far too much about every minor interaction just hoping it will be good.”
TUTV: Social anxiety in motion, uncontrollable emotion, mind-disturbing commotion. Martel translates all these turbulent sensitivities in a blistering power pop tune
energized by a pounding, one-note piano beat, her raging voice and the exploding
chorus. Wham bam, bloody wham bam. Showtime.
Resistance is futile, there’s only thing you want to do, is hit the street and go berserk
while screaming at the top of your lungs, everybody out, everybody get the fuck out to
loose their marbles until all demons are crushed. Absolute cry out top debut!
