Jo Call That Radio …. Music Reviews by Jo D’arc feat. LOUD WOMEN, She Drew The Gun, Ember Quine, Jackal Trades, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 (07.05.21)
Jo D’arc playing bass for Girobabies at Kelburn 2019. Pic by Martin Windebank
Jo Call That Radio?
So as you may have deduced from the smooth title, I'm going to do a 'Jo D'arc' guest blog once a month for 'You Call That Radio?'. It'll be a little snapshot of what's going into my ears and on in my mind. I am also hoping to host a monthly show on You Call That Radio TV too so stay tuned for an announcement soon on that.
For those of you who don't know me, I'm a musician, writer, producer/DJ and artist currently based in Glasgow where I'm also a passionate community worker and activist. I sing and play bass guitar in alternative art-punk band The Twistettes and social commentary fuelled dystopian gutter rock act Girobabies as well as DJ’ing a variety of music - from techno to doo-wop. My latest musical incarnation is experimental electronic project Minerva Wakes which sits somewhere between lush trip-hop and gritty dubstep. The Minerva Wakes project also includes an art collection and pamphlet containing a short story and poetry all telling the tale of the Goddess Minerva awakening.
This month I've got some chat about some new releases that are out over the next couple of weeks starting with ….
She Drew The Gun - ‘Cut Me Down’
One of my favourite acts, She Drew the Gun is limbering up to release new album 'Behave Myself'. Louisa Roach describes herself as ''Working class, socialist, feminist, mother of one. Writes the songs, shreds the solos.” Yasss!!
She is a powerhouse, always with a poignant lyric that may incite bursts of angst fuelled motion in the listener as readily as a tear shed at the sheer beauty of the simple eloquence of her delivery.
New single 'Cut Me Down' continues in this vein. A call to action. For the future. For all our daughters. Articulated by the fuzzed out guitar and driving bass, somehow the track remains gritty and raw while incorporating some seriously lush production. The snare sounds like a gunshot forcing home the point made by the powerful yet dreamy layered vocal. I love it.
This song and all Jo’s Picks also appears on the You Call That Radio 2021 playlist that you can like and follow here which features all the best tunes we have found so far. this year and is constantly updated every Friday
You Can also see the exclusive You Call That Radio interview with She Drew the Gun below. A fascinating interview to her background, her song writing and influences.
Ember Quine - ‘Babe’
I'm pretty excited about the first release from Ember Quine. This very cool project see's Woodwife's enigmatic badass front woman play with an electronic sound that is pretty freakin great!
Her vocal range both musically and emotionally is captivating. An operatic goth afterparty leaning towards the edgier side of the likes of Kate Bush and Tori Amos but sounding only like Ember Quine. The beat and glitchy backing vocal is beautifully crafted experimental electro goth with vibes of Tentmoller, Royksopp and The Knife. There is an 'almost-pop' element to the vocal hook that adds contrast and listenability.
The video is also a great piece of art and adds a depth of meaning that we can all identify with right now. I sense there will be lots more to come from Ember Quine and I can't wait to hear it!
The single is out now so go get your ears around it!
The song is also available on Spotify here
And you can see Ember Quine doing a live set from her living room on You Call That Radio here
LOUD WOMEN - ‘Reclaim These Streets’
If you like alternative, powerful, political music with a point to make AND loads of amazing womxn (and those who identify) then this is going to blow your mind!
Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama, Shakespears Sister), Brix Smith (The Fall) and Patsy Stevenson (the woman pictured forced to the ground at the Clapham Common vigil) join more than 60 female vocalists for a “feminist Band Aid” charity single released by the UK collective LOUD WOMEN in aid of UK charity Women’s Aid.
This is a driving alt-rock banger with a soaring catchy chorus that demands the listener will be singing 'Reclaim These Street's' on loop for days to come - which is exactly what we want. The song was written by LOUD WOMEN’s founder and musician Cassie Fox and features a spoken word/rap section written and performed by Brix Smith which, I must confess, is pretty epic. The lyrics will ring true for most womxn and it's beautiful to see the underground (and not so underground) music scene lend its collective voice to echo and amplify what has been said by so many over the past couple of months regarding womxn's safety on the streets.
Instrumentation is provide by a female and non-binary supergroup with members of My Bloody Valentine, Salad and punk band T-Bitch. The contributing vocalists form a who’s who of women in the alternative music scene who have played with bands like Curve, Echobelly, Big Joanie, Dream Nails, The Tuts, Petrol Girls and many many more.
The single is out on 14th May and you can buy it here -
Jackal Trades- ‘March to March’
This is the 3rd single from Jackal Trades who are getting ready to launch their forthcoming 3rd album titled ‘At This Point’. All the 3's. Magic Mark takes us through a wormhole reflecting the past year in his signature accessible eloquence. Lyrically cerebral and gritty in equal measures, we're taken on a journey that moves back and forward between different opinions and frustrations through the pandemic.
The beat, produced by Konchis aka Jet$am (with a few extra touches by Morphamish and Gordy Duncan JR) has a menacing texture while still holding an uplifting element woven into the deep grooves. its quite easy to lose yourself in the loop. this is the perfect accompaniment to the lyrical content.
The take-away message from this song brings some light from the darkness. My idealist mind would love to think that regardless of how people got there, questioning is good. The ideal that we will march together one day united is a bit of light reprieve from the beautiful darkness of the track.
the song can be downloaded now as part of the album pre-order on bandcamp here
or you can pre-save the song on Spotify here
The full album will be released on all platforms on June 1st
Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 - ‘This is Your House’
Harking back to the hay-day of rave culture, this track requires everyone to create a make-shift dance floor wherever they are and get their wiggle on. Featuring a cameo by the one and only Mary Kiani of TTF fame (legend!) injecting some authentic old skool vibes. Antz (DopeSickFly) adds some soulful style as the track reminds us 'this is your house'. The track is obviously a nod to house music and dance culture but there are so many take-aways from that simple line - 'you are welcome here', 'we are all in this together', 'look after the planet', 'look after each other'. I can't wait to sing this at the top of my lungs.
This is the single that launches the Mustards second album 'The DiffiCULT Number 2' which is a classic. One of the most fun live bands in the world, the new album does a great job of capturing the energy of a live show and though nothing compares to 'Crossing the Road' on mass and the hilarity that creates, the album is a danceable joy from start to finish.
Watch Mary Kiani’s amazing interview on You Call That Radio TV here
Watch Colonel Mustard discuss the Difficult Number Two on You Call That Radio TV here
