I’ve always said that Calva Louise will be ones to watch and their latest release proves that.
‘Third Class Citizen’ is absolutely savage. From a slow build-up, it grips you to an all-out sensory assault into something which is superbly beautiful.
It’s the first track to be taken from the band’s upcoming EP ‘Over The Threshold’ which will be released later this year.
Here it is, bang that head:
UK-based indie-alternative band Calva Louise have released their sophomore album Euphoric, out today on FRKST / 300 Entertainment. Across the 13 songs on the album, the band is telling a story about the duality of human beings and different perceptions of reality. The lyrics detail episodes of the dreamer’s experiences as an inner conversation with his other self, the counterpart of the human being, that seeks to experience freedom and have an encounter with the unknown. Sonically, the songs take on a future-punk approach, infusing heavy guitars with otherworldly synths and electronics often complimented by bilingual lyrics in both English and Spanish.
Check out the Cover Art and Tracklisting for ‘Euphoric’ below.
1. Free To Be Lost
2. Hunting
3. Tiranito
4. Ephemeral (Ft. Blakeeleven)
5. Belicoso
6. Alcanzar
7. Trial
8. Other Self
9. Mafalda
10. The Odds
11. POP(urrí)
12. Euphoric
13. Orange Blast
Orders for ‘Euphoric’ can be made via the following link.
Calva Louise have shared “Other Self,” the second single from their upcoming concept album, Euphoric, set for release on August 20th via FRKST / 300 Entertainment. The track fuses elements of futuristic punk and indie rock with frontwoman Jess Allanic’s lush vocal style, shining as she belts out “Are you the reason that I’m trying?”. The video dives into the story told across the album, in this particular scene encountering your “other self” and the perception past what is reality.
Speaking on the story behind the song, Allanic explains:
“The lyrics of this new single ‘Other Self’ speak about the intrinsic meaning of individuality and relationships with people in the everyday world and simultaneously about the uncertainty of a possible complementary duality, manifested through our dreams (or maybe through someone else’s dream). It is not a conversation with oneself, but a conversation with a supposed other self, a premise that the mind can’t accept. On the road of life there are unknown situations that many of us will never be able to understand, especially those related to that feeling that there is something or someone beyond our understanding. And perhaps there is not only a counterpart that guides us through intuition, but also a parallel world full of ideas and thoughts from a different origin than ours, a world where time and space are led by different rules.”
On their upcoming album, Euphoric, Calva Louise is telling a story about the duality of the human being and about the different perceptions of reality. The lyrics detail episodes of the dreamer’s experiences as an inner conversation with his other self, the counterpart of the human being, that seeks to experience freedom and have an encounter with the unknown. To further dive into the story found on the album, the band will release an animated movie and a comic book, all created, produced and directed by frontwoman Jess Allanic (Mescalitas).
The synopsis of Euphoric reads as follows:
The never-ending conversation between the dreamer and his dreamed counterpart, is a vicious circle where being Free To Be Lost is the only way to find the exit from this virtual labyrinth. When he discovers that each dream could be the last battle of his life, the dreamer must keep Hunting for the opportunity to face the petty tyrant (Tiranito) who subjugates him in his dreams. Conscious of being fragile and Ephemeral, he realises that someone is dreaming through him. This idea creates a short circuit in his brain making him feel sick and angry. This lairy (Belicoso) state prevents him from seeing what he really needs in order to reach (Alcanzar) a point where he can begin to control his dreams. When he sees a girl being attacked by strange lightning and fireballs, he feels as if he’s dreaming of someone playing a video game inside of his own dream. He understands that she’s a dreamer, just like him, facing a Trial to make a choice: to quit or restart the game. This makes him wonder if the real dreamer is his Other Self. Like Mafalda, the girl in his dreams continues to talk, so all The Odds of understanding what’s really happening to him seem to disappear. She’s talking about a kind of human POP(urrí) that never gets discouraged, but he still doesn’t understand until a Euphoric encounter with the unknown appears to him, like an Orange Blast.
Check out the Cover Art, Tracklisting and more for ‘Euphoria’ below.
1. Free To Be Lost
2. Hunting
3. Tiranito
4. Ephemeral (Ft. Blakeeleven)
5. Belicoso
6. Alcanzar
7. Other Self
8. Trial
9. Mafalda
10. The Odds
11. POP(urrí)
12. Euphoric
13. Orange Blast
Listen to ‘Other Self’ via your preferred streaming service.
Check out the video for ‘Tiratino’ below.
Today, two of the UK’s most intriguing bands emerging from the DIY scene, Strange Bones and Calva Louise, released their first collaborative single “Nine Lives” via FRKST Records. “Nine Lives” is a fast-paced, guitar-heavy track combining elements of alternative rock and pop with a punk attitude, featuring lyrics in both English and Spanish. The track, which is a statement of intent and determination for both bands, was produced in lockdown at the band’s shared creative hub, with Strange Bones frontman Bobby Bentham and Calva Louise’s Jess Allanic splitting songwriting and creative duties.
“Bobby and I decided to create a song that represents a source of new energy for us”, explains Calva Louise vocalist and guitarist Jess Allanic. “‘Nine Lives’ captures our vision in an impeccable way, to honestly say who we are and what we do.”
Strange Bones’ Bobby continues “the track is a tool against threatening ideas, the ones that are constantly involving us in society’s sordid games. We believe we always need to be ready to act with creativity as we feel every blow we receive. Instead of accepting feelings of dismay, as if we’ve been kicked, we realized that we are paying to sacrifice (instead of living) our dreams, so we decided to stay authentic.”
Strange Bones and Calva Louise come as one very loud package. After crossing paths a few years back in the UK’s live circuit, they’ve since formed an indestructible bond which has only strengthened in 2020. Both bands share an HQ, where they’ve utilized lockdown to write new music, create their own cinematic visuals, and sign a double-record deal with FRKST – an imprint of 300 Entertainment (Megan Thee Stallion, The Hunna) ran by Highly Suspect frontman Johnny Stevens. Playing by their own rules, “Nine Lives” is a glimpse of what’s next to come from Strange Bones and Calva Louise in 2021.
With roots in Venezuela, France, and New Zealand, Calva Louise formed in 2016 and released their debut album Rhinoceros in 2019. Their music encompasses a sound as eclectic as their nationalities – clanging indie, dark pop, hypnotic electronica, frenzied punk, dosed with a healthy influence of 80s Sci-Fi soundtracks and visuals. It’s a molotov cocktail that really works, with BBC Radio 1, DIY, Clash, and Rolling Stone Mexico singing their praises.
Comprising of the Bentham brothers – Bobby on songwriting, vocal and production duties, Jack on guitars, and Will on bass – and close friend Nathan Sanderson on drums, Strange Bones grew up on a diet of pure-punk. With this backbone, Strange Bones take influence from artists such as The Prodigy and Death Grips to create a sound that’s full-throttled and unhinged. The four-piece have received plaudits from NME, Rock Sound, Kerrang!, and BBC Radio 1. Their adrenaline-soaked live show is second to none, with highlights including support to Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Reading & Leeds, Download, and Isle Of Wight Festival.
Check out Nine Lives below and on Spotify.
Hey everyone, apologies there wasn’t any roundup post the other, things have just gotten away from me this week and I’ve just lost track of so many things here. But now, we’re back to normal
If you’re new to the roundup, in this one we detail ten of the latest Music Video’s for your ears and eyes to consume! They’re not all within the same genre and they’re all different in some way or another, with one or two wild card picks but that means that there’s a little something for everyone here but come on, let’s get down to the music!
First this week we have the lovely Canadian foursome who are: Seaway.
‘Big Vibe’, the bands latest and highly anticipated new album was released into the world recently where it boasts a diverse range of influences from Tom Petty to David Bowie to The Killers and more, Big Vibe is the band’s most adventurous record yet. “Mrs. David” is the bands latest video which I cannot take my eyes off right now.
“’Mrs. David’ is a special song for us because it was written after the record was finished. The lockdown pushed our original release date back so we were able to go back into the studio to add the song to the record,” recalls vocalist Ryan Locke. “In my opinion, the album isn’t complete without this song so it was a happy accident that the release was pushed and we were able to add this song.”
He continues: “The video for Mrs. David takes place in a fictional world we conjured up with Yeah Films. We wanted it to look dark and seedy almost like our own version of Gotham City. We also pulled heavy influence from David Bowie and Freddie Mercury to nail the 70’s/80’s influence of the video.”
Moving ontot he enigmatic Mayday Parade next in this weeks roundup, this is a cut from the band’s new EP, ‘Out Of Here’, with the clip directed by Scott Hansen and featuring up-and-coming actor J. Gaven Wilde (The Righteous Gemstones, Halloween Kills, Stanger Things).
“First Train is about not getting weighed down by the negative things in your life,” frontman Derek Sanders says. “It’s about having the power to move forward and become whatever you want to be.”
Now Pure Noise favourites Bearings have their new record, ‘Hello, It’s You’ release just around the corner where they have the latest release in the form of ‘Super Deluxe’.
They previously announced the details of their upcoming new album ‘Hello, It’s You’, out 20th November through Pure Noise Records. It was produced by Courtney Ballard (Good Charlotte, Waterparks).
As a whole, ‘Hello, It’s You’ uses its lyrical poignancy to elevate universal emotions all too jumbled in the current climate. It’s hard enough to be human, but add in the creeping existential dead de jour, and it’s downright confounding at times. But by reassuring fans to embrace the conflict and messiness of life, Hello, It’s You serves as a reminder of our own humanity, reaching deep into those emotions and stirring something important and long-lasting.
Elsewhere, there’s been some signings in recent announcements. Calva Louise is one of the bands where they have signed to FRKST, which is an imprint of 300 Entertainment and they’ve dropped their latest track, ‘Trail’.
A homage to Franz Kafka’s dark 1925 novel The Trial, the song arrives with a video the band filmed themselves during lockdown.
Vocalist Jess Allanic says of the concept: “A storm of lightning and meteorites points to wanton destruction. A person runs carefree and fearless until she finds her own image trapped in a holographic false reality, becoming aware that she is inside a human-scale video game where her capacity for submission is put to the test. Upon realizing that all is a projection, the game ends. Only confusion could induce her to restart the trial, unless she dares to break out of that sordid game. This is the game of any society that imposes incoherent rules, in fact, this is as absurd as the Kafkaesque Trial.”
Now, jetting off to Ohio, we have Jetty Jones, which is the musical project lead by Kelc Galluzzo, with their latest release in the form of ‘Taking Up Space’.
The track is the cut of material to come from Jetty Bones since last year’s ‘-‘ EP.
Galluzzo says:
“I just did the math, and it took 565 days from writing this song in a hotel in Nevada to finally getting to share it with you (aligners with a music video nonetheless). I think in the eagerness to share art and embrace the connective community surrounding it, I often forget that the incubation period might be necessary. Here’s hoping this song finds you exactly when it is supposed to.”
We’re moving to a double here next because both of these incredible artists have had music videos released into the world as of late. HINT: you can probably guess where we’re going but if you want to preserve the mystery then that’s all up to you.
We have the magnificent Machine Gun Kelly next in this weeks Music Video Roundup ‘Forget Me Too’, is a track from his recently released fifth album ‘Tickets To My Downfall’ and the track features a guest spot from pop star Halsey, who also makes an appearance in the video.
Now we’re turning to an unstoppable force in the music industry right now and that is the magnificent Yungblud. See, you got it right?
His latest release for ‘Cotton Candy’ is the fourth from the soon-to-be-released record, ‘Weird’ following on from ‘Strawberry Lipstick’, the title-track, and ‘God Save Me, But Don’t Drown Me Out’.
Here’s what Yungblud had to say about ‘Cotton Candy’.
“‘Cotton Candy’ is about sexual liberation. To me, sex and sexuality is about freedom and the idea that you can to lose yourself in other people of all genders, of all shapes and sizes to find yourself and figure out who you truly are. Sexual interaction should not be shamed, it should be celebrated because to have safe sex is to spread love and the world needs love more than ever right now.
This song is so important to me because I see and speak to my fan base, facing insecurities around sexual interaction and I want to let them know that it is ok to be EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE and have the right to unconditionally love who they want and be loved in return.”
We’re going to finish heavy for the last few videos this week, and we’re going to turn things up starting with War On Women with the latest release ‘White Lies’, off thier upcoming ‘Wonderful Hell’ reocrd, which is set to be released on October 30th 2020 online and physically on November 13th 2020 via Bridge Nine Records.
The video below was created by and stars the Baltimore artist Landis Expandis.
Sticking their heads in the sand during a pandemic has never been an option for Ukrainian groove metal juggernaut JINJER. Instead of drowning in self-pity and using the current global situation as an excuse to be lazy, the band has not only unleashed the ferocious new video to their 6th single, “The Prophecy”, today, but have also announced that they will be making videos for the remaining three songs off of their critically acclaimed breakthrough album, Macro.
Eugene, JINJER bassist, comments: “When we wrote “The Prophecy” in 2019, little did we know that it would prophesize things to come in 2020 … the entire screwed up, scary and confusing year all wrapped up in our brand new single. That being said – we are not only very excited for this new video, but to also announce that we will release videos for all tracks from our Macro album. It‘s the very least we can do in these strange times!”
JINJER are gearing up for the release of their very first official live album: Alive In Melbourne, to be released on November 20, 2020 via Napalm Records. Alive In Melbourne was recorded during the sold out debut Macro Australia Tour in March 2020, just days before Covid-19 stopped JINJER’s world tour in its tracks and changed all of our lives collectively forever.
And lastly I knew I needed to put Employed To Serve last on this weeks list because when you hear ‘Party’s Over’, you’re going to be drawn into a music explosion the like of wish need to be heard to be believed.
The Woking based band have released their latest cut of fresh material which is their first since their 2019 record release of ‘Eternal Forward Motion’.
For all those who are listening, ‘Party’s Over’ is the final track of this weeks Music Video Roundup!
And that’s it for another week of a countdown of the best new tracks out in the world in the last week. Be sure to check back next-time for another round of great music videos. If you have any suggestions for me to check out, be sure to send an email or message us via the socials on Facebook or Twitter!
Support: Calva Louise, What’s Wrong With Homer
Date: 09/02/20
It’s post-Independent Venue Week. I do miss it and really wished this was a part of it. This was Strange Bones final UK tour date and I’ve been meaning to see this band, their supports, the amazing Calva Louise and local lads What’s Wrong With Homer for a while. This just blends together everything you need for a show in one; Energy, Pace and Gasmasks (For the dramatic effect of course!)
Straight off the bat for What’s Wrong With Homer. Punk rock riffs with a twist in this one and I have to say, you don’t get too many bands these days with a deliberate Simpson’s reference in the title, just check it out. But this band definitely showcase just what potential York has when the scene is as alive as this threesome is. What I loved about this band is that the energy they brought to the table is quite above the standard of what’s known and I hope they stay this way.
And…. Calva Louise. The last time I saw this three-piece multi, national British band was roughly two years ago when they supported Spring King in Newcastle…. and this was completely worth the wait. Everything about them was so much better but performance-wise, they haven’t lost their flair which at their core, makes them so enjoyable to watch. On the other hand, everything else since then about them has become a lot more interesting from their live sound to their actual set choices where they’re becoming defined by their latest music and the blend of Punk and Effects only continues to make them more superior than your usual support act.
It’s their devotion on stage to the quality of performance with their on-stage interactions what separates themselves where it almost becomes second nature to themselves and acting as one. They’ve clearly hit their stride and I hope they only continue to make even better performances such as the one I witnessed on the night. There was even more energy towards the end of the set where they were starting to be engulfed in some pits. Clearly, they are are just one band where they make effort look effortless.
Right, this has to be the rowdiest set in an intimate venue I’ve been to in a long time. This at the Fulford Arms, for me is a little strange. Usually, when this happens, the vocalist just jumps into the crowd a little and does a lap of the audience. Not Strange Bones though, they captivate the energy and get everyone moving. It’s a punk rock gig, live a little right? This comes to a standstill just as Bobby (Vocals) climbs to the highest point and launches himself during one of their final tracks in their set. Here, I’m just a bit gobsmacked really because this just never happens at gigs I’m at. Now though, I can finally say it happened adn it was amazing.
Their conviction to their music is one thing which cannot be questioned where they consistently continue to release a steady stream of EP’s and Singles all which are produced to the highest standard and that’s what I’d say these shows are. They get everyone around and shouting back every lyric to a testament of just what Post-Punk really is.
From the start of the set, however, the dial for the energy in the room just turned itself straight to eleven and when you have tracks such as ‘Napalm Uber Alles’, ‘Vicious’ and ‘God Save The Teen’ it just hurtles everyone into an immediate moshpit, bringing down a few people in the process where you see the raw sweat as well as their last breaths of energy come alive into pure adrenaline. Strange Bones are an absolutely enigmatic, weird and charismatic group which the scene definitely needs and as long as they give these types of performances, don’t expect things to slow down anytime soon.
Hello everybody! Welcome to another entry in the Music Video top ten list. If you’re new to the posts then this is how it goes down. Every week, I find ten of the best music video releases out there and put them into a convenient list for everyone to enjoy. Let’s get started!
First band up in the list is Dance Gavin Dance! The band released their eighth record, ‘Artificial Selection’ last week and now have released a new entry in their ‘Robot With Human Hair’ series with a new addition in the form of, ‘Son Of Robot’
Teesside’s own Northshore are making a name for themselves on the up and coming markets. “For What It’s Worth” is the first single and title track from their upcoming EP, which is due for release February 15th.
Now, just before a UK will commence with the people in Ghost Bath, Danish band MOL have a new release with the title track of their debut record, ‘Jord’.
Another video to go with touring. Ahead of their first headline tour of the UK, Melbourne (Yes, another Aussie band) based Pagan have a very colourful track for the aptly named, ‘Imitate Me’. It’s off their full-length record, ‘Black Wash’ which was released earlier this year.
Back to Britain now, we’re going for InMe for the next choice of video. They have their seventh record, ‘Jumpstart Hope’ ready to unleash upon the world and they have a preview for you in ‘For Something To Happen’.
Onwards from a sold out co-headline London show at Thousand Island, Metalcore up and comers TheCityIsOurs have dropped a new video for a fantastic single, ‘Casket’.
London based group Calva Louise have been making a few announcements as of late. From their upcoming record to tour dates, there had to be a new music video. ‘I Heard A Cry” is complete with an energetic street chase and matches the liveliness of the track itself.
Now we get to Ohio for emo vets Hawthorne Heights. They’re busy at the moment supporting Silverstein on their ‘When Broken Is Easily Fixed’ 15th Anniversary tour but they have a new video out for ‘Crimson Sand’.
Memphis May Fire have a new record out very very soon and the Post-Hardcore/ Metalcore favourites have shared a brand new single out in celebration. ‘The Old Me: sees vocalist Matty Mullins covering up his wrongdoings when he tries to bury a body when the unexpected happens.
Lastly, we’re going for Yorkshire based band Heartsink. They’re doing pretty well for themselves at the moment and they have a fantastic new track in the form of “Same Old Lies” which was produced by the fantastic Sleepless Productions. Let’s take a look
And that’s it for another round of music videos for a week. Be sure to check out my other posts for music news, photo galleries of recent shows and interviews with musicians. I’ll see you next week everyone.
In the wake of announcing their debut UK record, ‘Rhinoceros’ the fantastic Calva Louise have released details of a UK tour in support of the record for March 2019.
Here is where they’re playing
March 2019
2nd March – Newcastle Think Tank
3rd – Glasgow Garage Attic
5th – Leeds Oporto
6th – Manchester Night People
7th – London Lexington
8th – Liverpool Phase One
10th – Birmingham Sunflower Lounge
11th – Bristol Louisiana
12th – Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
13th – Brighton Prince Albert
In addition to this tour news, the band have a new music video out for their single, “I heard A Cry”. The video features an energetic street chase with a frustrated theatre actor, to add to the liveliness of the single.
Think Tank, Newcastle, 15-02-18
Support: Weirds, Calva Louise
Back onto the indie circuit and I’m in attendance for Spring King tonight. They’re a four piece from the UK who’s interests include Badminton, Jerry’s Rum and Peppermint Tea. I can just imagine a very classy pre-drinks with them before a night out. As I type these words a friend across the room is just laughing at the notion of this but what Spring King are four friends who love to make their music. It’s rhythmic, influential and above all else, infectious.
Calva Louise are the first support act of the night and they’re nothing if not fun. From the outset, you can see the very nature of this group. One one hand, they have the punk side to them nailed down and have the flair of the pop to make people want to listen. It’s just a shame that more people didn’t turn up at first because they gave a solid set to say the least. Not that many bands I’ve seen interact while playing these days as it just gives off a really good connection between all the members. On the other hand, there’s only three of them in the band so it helps there aren’t too many people up on that stage.
Next up are Weirds and to say they aren’t is an understatement. Their set felt like I took something before they came on because the music was just trippy all the time. From the vocals to the music, there was just nothing I didn’t enjoy this band. Musically, it stood out because they’re needed in today’s alternative scene, rarely a set from a supporting band will be taken which a rapid undertaking and as far as I can remember, you can feel the effects of the echo for a while after they walk off stage.
Now Spring King when they’re on stage after a few songs into their set, you can formulate the opinion. Some of those were traditional Punk going in a flash but leaving a high impression on the listeners and what a rowdy crowd it was! Security did have to be involved a number of times but it just makes the band even more desirable to watch. I just starred in amazement where they’re not perfect but that blend of pop means they’re well on the way to becoming just that. The crowd was absolutely made up for die-hard fans whom I think were more concerned with them as I noticed flocks of people coming in from time to time but wasn’t very interactive with either support bands. Despite this, I’m sure Spring King will grow and who knows what they can do after this? As long as they keep their signature blend, they’ll always have people coming back for more.
Rating: 7/10
Calva Louise
Weirds
Spring King
Almost Anything Music 