Category Archives: TVD UK

UK Artist of the Week: Joya

Indie-pop newcomer Joya shares her heart-achingly beautiful new single “If Ever She Goes,” out now.

Hong Kong-based singer-songwriter Joya—born Jodie Chan —pens melodic diary entries of real stories, from real people, with elements of herself braided in, and her latest release is no exception. Talking about the single, Joya says, “this is a love song, and as a love song I wanted it to highlight how we all know that love is powerful… but that the giver and receiver of that love are the ones who ultimately decide whether that builds or breaks.” In their specificity, Jodie reaches her listeners in a way that’s intimate, relatable, and yet far-reaching—the way you’d imagine your story as told by a friend.

Jodie identifies as a third-culture kid, queer, Christian, and a number of other things, but most importantly “not one thing.” Her music is an extension of her beliefs to the importance of inclusion, diversity, and the conversations that move us in that direction.

“If Ever She Goes” is taken from Joya’s highly anticipated debut album SHE IS JOYA, in stores later this year.

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TVD Live Shots:
The Lemon Twigs at the Electric Ballroom, 6/1

In the buzz-filled Electric Ballroom of North London last week, the woman next to me exclaimed, “Aren’t these guys fantastic? They’re like, 17!” She was spot on with her enthusiasm, if not with their ages. The Lemon Twigs, composed of brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario, may no longer be in their teens, but their youthful energy and electrifying talent are captivating the rock scene.

Watching the Twigs perform was like witnessing the revival of classic rock stardom. Their performance sparked reminders of the look of Steve Perry and Journey at the peak of their powers, the harmonies of Badfinger, and the songwriting genius of Big Star, and yet it still felt like watching something new and fresh. The D’Addario brothers, hailing from Long Island, New York, demonstrated an uncanny ability to channel the exuberance of classic rock, infusing their music with rich harmonies that would make bands like Jellyfish beam with pride. The duo’s knack for multiple instruments, coupled with their ambitious songwriting, has made them a stand-out act that’s breathing life into a forgotten genre.

While their recorded music is a blend of 7’0s rock and pop-baroque influences, their live performance takes it up a notch. I walked into the Electric Ballroom expecting a mellow, ’70s-style rock band. Instead, I was met with an explosive, high-energy spectacle that left me unsure of where to look. The music was a rollercoaster ride, heavy at times and reminiscent of Zeppelin, married beautifully alongside the jangly pop of 10cc, all while still maintaining a unique twist. It was clear the Twigs draw inspiration from a variety of sources, channelling them into a sound that’s distinctly their own. I know this sounds cliched, but give them a listen and you’ll hear exactly what I mean.

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UK Artist of the Week: Anaïs Cardot

Rising neo-soul sensation Anaïs Cardot stuns on new single “Colors,” out now.

Get ready to be blown away by Anaïs Cardot and her mesmerising single “Colors.” Anaïs is a French and Gabonese artist currently based in Ottawa, Canada. Her latest cut sees Anaïs singing soothingly in French and it’s the perfect summer sizzler for these warm, woozy days. Influenced by vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Portuguese guitarist Joao Gilberto and her family’s musicality, Cardot has been crafting her unique sound since the young age of fourteen.

Cardot has received high praise from culture-shifters like Masego and PJ Morton, who have enjoyed her angelic voice on renditions of beloved covers as well as gracefully written original work. And as we near her graduation from Canada’s Ottawa University, we gear up for her highly anticipated debut EP “Pink Magnolia,” due for release later this year.

“Colors” is in stores now.

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UK Artist of the Week: Tom Rasmussen

Get ready to vogue into the week with the eccentric, inclusive Tom Rasmussen and their sass-infused single “Look At Me,” out now. The release is taken from their debut album Body Building, also out now.

What a bop! Non-binary newcomer Tom Rasmussen shows us how it’s done with the release of their high energy house-infused new single “Look At Me.” We can’t wait to dance to this one! Taken from their debut album Body Building, Tom wants to challenge societal preconceptions of those who exist outside the binary to both highlight the ever-present issues and celebrates the diversity, beauty, and power of their community. Here here!

Talking about the album, Tom explains “Body Building is the culmination of a decade thinking about what it means to be different to other people, but in a way so many people have felt too. It’s about grieving a part of you that has been taken by others, it’s about escaping violence, it’s about accepting—and attempting to thrive in—reality and not simply fantasy. It is the last time I want to talk about all the violence I’ve experienced in my life as a queer femme person. But never say never. It is dedicated to queer people and trans people everywhere.”

“Body Building” is in stores now via Globe Town Records.

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UK Artist of the Week: Geo Jordan

This week we’re celebrating British trans artist Geo Jordan and his wonderfully woozy new single “Close Enough,” taken from his new EP “Fathom,” out now.

Channelling the likes of Jack Garratt, Geo combines club-driven beats with ambient soundscapes creating a sound that is both dance floor ready and perfect for those sun-soaked afternoons in the park. This single and the whole record was written, performed, produced, and mixed by Geo himself. Talking about “Close Enough,” Geo says, “‘Close Enough’ is a feel good bop for the ages. I wanted to capture that feeling of that spark you get in a new bond with someone. Hopefully people can hear the vibe in the music. Had a lot of fun making it in the studio.”

As a multi-instrumentalist, writer, and producer, Geo attained two Grammy nominations for work with global sensation Doja Cat, alongside a history of previous production and writing credits with BRIT award winner Lianne La Havas, MOBO award winner Ego Ella May, Oscar Jerome, Sasha Keable, Laura Roy, and more. Jordan has also toured extensively as a musical director and musician worldwide with a variety of critically acclaimed acts, including Jungle, JGrrey, Jack Garratt, and Rina Sawayama.

“Fathom” is in stores now.

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Needle Drop: KOSCHKA, “You Can’t Bear My Love”

KOSCHKA—aka Edita Karkoschka—returns with the release of her stunningly cinematic new single “You Can’t Bear My Love,” out now.

Oozing with atmosphere from the offset, KOSCHKA’s velvet-like vocal soars intricately over the textured musicality. Fans of the likes of The xx and Cigarettes After Sex will feel at home here. Talking about the track, KOSCHKA elaborates, “this song is expressing the specific feeling of waiting and understanding a love without having any confirmation of it really existing, or knowing if it there is a future. For me, it’s one of the most important songs on my upcoming album—it’s real, it’s intimate. It needs time to develop.”

Edita is a singer, composer, and music producer currently based in Berlin. Her upcoming debut album is due for release later this year, so watch this space for more brooding atmospherics coming your way soon.

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UK Artist of the Week: Nikhita

Get ready to sooth your soul with Nikhita and her slick new single “Golden Child,” out now.

Combining soft, honeyed vocals with subtle electronic beats and R&B infused soundscapes, “Golden Child” is an instant ear worm. Fans of the likes of Priya Ragu and SZA will feel at home here. Talking about the single, Nikhita explains, “This song is about the failure to live up to traditional expectations despite feeling connected to my heritage, something I feel a lot of people will resonate with today.”

Nikhita is currently living in Edinburgh and is of Scottish-South Asian heritage. She identifies as queer and writes about her personal and familial struggles within her clashing cultures in her music. 100% a one to watch.

“Golden Child” in stores now.

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UK Artist of the Week: Samantha Lindo

Bristol-based artist Samantha Lindo mesmerizes with the release of her stunning new single “Worthy,” out now. This is the first single taken from her upcoming debut album Ancestry, due for release later this year.

The single was inspired by the story of Lindo’s great, great grandfather Samuel Brown, a black Methodist minister from Barbados whose faith and knowledge of himself as a worthy child of God, enabled him to defy societal prejudice and pursue an interracial marriage to Ada—a white Scottish teacher and daughter of previous plantation owners—in 1891.

“I called the track ‘Worthy’ because that is what I receive from their story,” Lindo elaborates. “In a world where still so often we base worth and identity on outside appearances, I wanted to claim his courage to defy social norms and a worthiness that comes from an inner knowing, not an outward status or position.”

“Worthy” is a wonderful introduction to this artist who has been making waves across the live circuit in West England for a number of years, becoming known for her effortlessly soul-tinged vocal performances, which have been described as “spine-tingling.”

“Worthy” is the first single to be taken from Lindo’s upcoming debut album, due in stores later this year and funded by the Arts Council and MOBO Awards.

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TVD Live Shots: Sabaton, Babymetal, and Lordi at Wembley Arena, 4/15

In the annals of metal history, 2023 stands out as the time when the ultimate spectacle hit the stage: The Tour to End All Tours. This bold proclamation may have raised eyebrows, but the lineup spoke for itself. Featuring Finnish Eurovision metal titans Lordi, Japanese trailblazers Babymetal, and the colossal Swedish power metal band Sabaton, this tour was destined to be etched into the memories of metalheads across the UK and Europe.

Kicking off in Leeds last week, the tour thundered into London on Saturday night, unleashing Sabaton’s massive and spectacular show at the iconic Wembley Arena. As one of the big four of power metal and among Sweden’s most successful metal bands, Sabaton has earned their place at the helm for a night of over-the-top metal theatrics and storytelling.

Formed in 1999, Sabaton has undergone several lineup changes, but the current roster is firing on all cylinders and finds the band at their absolute peak. Joakim Brodén (vocals and keyboards), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Tommy Johansson (guitar), and Hannes Van Dahl (drums) bring the simple but powerful metal arrangements to life, and they look to be having quite a lot of fun in doing so.

The band is renowned for lyrics centered on historical events, particularly military history and warfare, drawing inspiration from legendary battles and heroic acts of soldiers throughout the ages. With acclaimed albums such as Carolus Rex, Heroes, The Last Stand, and The Great War, Sabaton has garnered a fiercely loyal fanbase and performed on countless stages and festivals around the globe.

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UK Artist of the Week: The New Cut

Bristol-based newcomers The New Cut recently released their debut EP “Merrywood” and its pretty darn impressive if you ask us.

The four track EP is headed up by a brand new version of their louche and infectious debut release “The Family Business.” The EP’s rousing melancholia and wry lyricism echoes a puckishness similar to the likes of Parquet Courts, with its sweet solemnity drawing similarities to The Monochrome Set, in equal measure.

Speaking about the EP, frontman Henry Gerrard elaborates, “the EP was named after the area Morgan (drums) and I lived when we first moved to Bristol in 2020. It’s a reflection of how we felt during lockdown and what was going on in our lives, moving away from home for the first time etc. It’s a fitting reflection of the time spent in our little flat in Bedminster through the pandemic and away from home”.

Having previously supported the likes of Buzzcocks and already confirmed to perform at The Great Escape and Dot to Dot festival later this year, The New Cut should certainly be considered ones to watch.

“Merrywood” is in stores now.

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UK Artist of the Week: Hypothetics

Get ready to rock with rising post-punk outfit Hypothetics and their new single “COMPLAIN!,” out now. Not that we’re complaining of course…

Taken from their upcoming EP, “COMPLAIN!” instantly packs a punch, channeling the likes of IDLES and Squid. Talking about the single, the band explain, “on ‘COMPLAIN!’ we allowed ourselves to be taken too serious for a moment. It’s a pleasure to play it live and hard not to have fun with.”

The Bristol-based quartet have been self-starters from the off, they have built a solid—and growing—fan base in and around their home city, becoming regular players on the local gig circuit and beyond. Keep an eye on these guys, they’re definitely ones to watch.

“COMPLAIN!” is in stores now.

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TVD Premiere: Ch’Lu, “Sister I’ll Be There”

PHOTO: STEVE ULLATHORNE | We are delighted to premiere the new video by art-pop artist Ch’Lu—aka Camilla Mathias—for her powerful new single “Sister I’ll Be There” ahead of its official release tomorrow.

You may not be aware, but today is National Siblings Day. In celebration of precisely that fact, Ch’Lu is releasing her poignant single “Sister I’ll Be There,” written as an ode to her sister during lockdown. Like many of us, Ch’Lu was unable to see her younger sister during the pandemic and so decided to write a song for her instead.

Today, we are exclusively sharing the video for the single—shot in half a day in Cornwall on a zero budget, also during lockdown—by the talented Vee Vimolmal. The music video features stunning coastal scenery enveloped with Ch’Lu’s Nunchaku drills.

Ch’Lu’s self-produced album is due in stores June 2023, and is funded by Arts Council of England. “Sister I’ll Be There” is out tomorrow, 11th April 2023.

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UK Artist of the Week: INDIGOS

Get ready to rock with Bristol-based INDIGOS. Taken from their upcoming EP “IN UTOPIA” their latest single “Hivemind” is the perfect introduction to this dynamic duo’s grunge-fueled soundscapes.

Paired with peppy dual vocals and juxtaposing jaded lyricism, “Hivemind” is instantly encapsulating, sounding akin to the likes of Demob Happy and IDLES. Talking about the release, that band explain, “‘Hivemind’ was inspired by a scene in the documentary film Samsara, which displays cultural imagery from around the world, and highlights the disparities between industrial complexes and natural wonders, the beautiful and the mundane.

The scene by Olivier de Sagazan is titled ‘Office Man,’ a performance piece where an office worker applies clay to his face in an increasingly aggressive fashion. We interpret this to be about an artificial sense of self, an existential crisis concerning one’s place and purpose in a capitalist society.”

Bigger and bolder than their self-titled 2020 debut release, INDIGOS’ latest project blends elements of ’90s alternative rock and heavy pop to create a sound that while nostalgic, is very much their own.

“Hivemind” is out now. INDIGOS’ sophomore EP “IN UTOPIA” is due in stores on June 21st 2023.

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TVD Live Shots:
W.A.S.P. at the Roundhouse, 3/24

Is it too early to claim the best show of 2023? Probably, but I’m going out on a limb to say that W.A.S.P. delivered the number one contender in the metal category.

Yeah, maybe I should preface that with “old school” metal, but from the looks of the sold-out crowd at the Roundhouse last weekend, W.A.S.P. has crossed over to a new generation. And why not? The songs hold up incredibly well, and the fact that Blackie Lawless has tackled numerous trends and continued to remain relevant over forty fucking years is a testament to the sound and the antics that are very often imitated but never replicated.

I feel like everyone knows who W.A.S.P. is—even if you weren’t a metal fan, they have touched you or influenced you in one way or another. The poster child for shock metal in the ’80s, paving the way for Mason, Zombie, Slipknot, and countless others took controversy and explicit imagery to a new level. Their 1984 “hit” single “Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)” was banned in many countries while also becoming arguably their biggest hit. (It’s an incredibly catchy number, by the way, which you’ll be happy to know that after a long absence, it’s back in the set, and it fucking rips.)

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UK Artist of the Week: Oceanique

Prepare to be mesmerized by Australian twins Oceanique and their poignant new single “Time Passes.”

Oozing with ethereal harmonies from the offset, sister duo Oceanique prove their bond is undeniable on new single “Time Passes.” A highly relatable song about the feeling you get when you return to life after time away, “Time Passes” feels beautifully bittersweet and powerfully poetic throughout.

“You’re watching on, have some kind of idea but no one’s saying anything, and you’ve missed information, somewhere in the time passed,” the duo elaborate. “Its a song about distance, drifting apart from the people you love and navigating life whilst time just keeps on moving.”

The western Australian twins are basking in the excitement of their debut album Would The Light Hold Me, due in stores on Wednesday 29 March 2023. “Time Passes” is out now.

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