indie interviews
Meet: Billie Lindahl, aka Promise and the Monster interview
We featured the new video from Stockholm’s Billie Lindahl, aka Promise and the Monster, here on Backseat Mafia, and we were immediately struck by its dark beauty, it’s driving, melodic sounds and Lindahl’s frankly irresistible vocal. For her third album, Feed the Fire, out in January next year, she’s moved to the iconic Bella Union …
Meet: Armchair Committee
Bristol three piece Armachair Committee are gaining a rep as one of the bands you simply must see live. Their sound channels the raw energy of punk, skirts round the edges of rock, while still allowing, and indeed paying homage to, the influence and vibe of their contemporaries to weave its way into their sound …
Meet: Lucy Rose
Manchester welcomed Lucy Rose Parton back in its bosom and Backseat Mafia was there to catch her on the first night of her Autumn, U.K. dates. The venue’s Lucy’s dressing room backstage at Academy 3. We’re nervous but also excited about meeting her. She released new album “Work It Out” in July to generally favourable …
Meet: Stone Cold Fox’s Kevin Olken Henthorn, and listen to their new track, Contagion
We rather fell for the new single, a Contagion, from Brooklyn quintet Stone Cold Fox, when we saw it. Beginning with this rather lovely pulsating synth/indie pop, it’s blessed with a glitteringly catchy melody, that makes repeat ed listenings a bit of a must. As it progresses it grows and morphs, taking in some prog-pop, …
Meet: The Van T’s
Photo by Martin Barker Earlier this week, I had the good fortune to make the e-cquaintance of Claire Lim who along with partner-in-crime Paul McCallum, co-founded A Badge of Friendship in 2009. Their roster is choc full of the sort of bands like The Van T’s, who scratch my “melan-phoric” itch. Prophetically, just a few days before hand, I …
Meet: Air Formation’s Matt Bartram
Inspirational Brighton shoegaze outfit Air Formation made a rather subtle return to the fray last week with the release of the EP ‘Were We Ever Here’. Their first release since getting back together last year, ‘Were We Ever Here’ features four tracks that the band had been working on just prior to their split in …
Meet: Vaadat Charigim ahead of their first U.K. Shows
One of Israel’s most influential bands, Vaadat Charigrim are a band that prove good music has the power to transcend boundaries and overcome borders. Their sound may draw reference to Ride and Slowdive, but by infusing it with influences closer to home, and positively exploiting the rhythmic lilt of their ancient language – all their …
Meet: Eaves
In what is now a very crowded field of sensitive singer songwriters the debut album from Eaves stood out because of its commitment to melody but with some deceptively dark lyrics. What Green Feels Like got good reviews but success in the modern music industry only comes through hard work on the live circuit and …
Meet: The Telescopes
In the many turbulent winters that enveloped our delicate island since the formation of The Telescopes in 1987, Stephen Lawrie and Co. have sought to plant subversive little seeds into the tortured soil of our cultural landscape. Each seed could be differentiated from its sisters by her shape, weight and age, as well as by …
Meet: Serial Chiller + Exclusive premiere of debut track ‘HIPS STIR’
We love introducing you to fresh new bands here at Backseat Mafia, and you can’t get much fresher than this. Serial Chiller, from Lincoln (me neither, but see below and they’ll explain) have yet to play live. But they’re itching like mad to get going, have got plenty to say and with the release of …