Artwork by Maria Tilt  Classically trained electronic producer Freyja Elsy from Cardiff has been plowing her own furrow for several years. After releasing several independent singles in that time, she took the plunge in 2023 to start bringing her tracks to life in a live setting. Her debut E.P Modern Artifice was released in late November and shows an artist full of ideas and creative spark that builds on her earlier work with added depth and experimentation.  Freyja took the time to talk us through Modern Artifice track-by-track. ___________________________________ ..read more

I sometimes wonder where we're going as a species. The divisions that we continue to be subjected to make it increasingly difficult to care more for our fellow man than we should do. Whether it be the Israel-Palestine conflict, the irresponsible use of language about immigrants by so-called leaders, or the continued polarisation of the social media model: the lack of empathy is rather unnerving. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about hugging everyone I meet, but I do think the hippies had some good ideas you know.   The problem is, of course, that we know - deep down - that these divi ..read more

  Perhaps it's indicative of the times that we live in. Perhaps it's indicative of our tribal need to reconnect. Perhaps it's a sign of things to come. However you frame it, that question we ask each other frequently - almost the first thing we ask - continues to remain as important to our sense of empathy as ever.  You okay?  It's a question that lurks at the centre of the new E.P from London Electro Punk duo Shelf Lives. The band are comprised of Toronto-born vocalist Sabrina Di Giulio and guitarist/producer Jonny Hillyard, who originally comes from Northampton. The pair me ..read more

Back once again with the ill behaviour, D for Damager, Power to the People.  That's my way of saying we have a new episode of our (soon to be) award-winning podcast to inform you about. Yeah, Episode 3 of The Partisan Contingent is here and I can't wait for you to wrap you ears around this audio delight.  Fot those of you joining us for the first time: welcome to the madness! Let me answer a question that most bands HATE being asked - Why the name The Partisan Contingent? Well, I just like a good syllable combination; the meter is important y'all. Also, as passiona ..read more

  ? Daniel Blake As summer draws close to ending for another year and Autumn creeps it's way into our consciousness, we begin to retreat to our homes to escape the cold. Spending her time watching films and catching up with new music this time of year, Niamh Rowley took the time to listen to the new single from Scottish band SPYRES as she battens down the hatches for the inevtibale drop in temperature around the corner. Glasgow-based four-piece SPYRES return with new single 'The Thing'off their forthcoming EP Karaoke Sellout, due to be released on Novermber 24th. Having alrea ..read more

  We're back baby! Yeah, Episode 2 of The Partisan Contingent has taken a lot longer than I possibly could have imagined, but we got there in the end. You have applaud the persistance if nothing else. Let me answer a question that most bands HATE being asked - Why the name The Partisan Contingent? Well, I just like a good syllable combination; the meter is important y'all. Also, as passionate - often fervent - fans of music, we should unite and take over the means of the production studio before there's some sort of McCarthy-esque Muso purge.  Human Interest  (? Lol ..read more

Legendary Punks mclusky have today announced their first material in 19 years, with a - as yet untitled - new album to follow in 2024. The band split up in 2004 in acrimonious circumstances with frontman Andrew Falkous going on to form Future of the Left with drummer Jack Egglestone and former Jarcrew frontman Kelson; more recently he has been releasing solo material under the guise of  Christian Fitness. Announcing the new material with his usual sardonic wit, Falkous (aka Falco) released this statement to coincide with the ..read more

  ? Emma MacDonald The summer is nearly done and dusted for another year, but Niamh Rowley isn't letting that get her down. With the help of new single from The Velvet Hands, she's reliving it time and time again. Niamh telles us more about the London indie rockers and why 'Meet Me In The City' might just be the song of the year. Calling out to the lovers of all things' music! We have a bundle of excitement to wade through here from tours to albums and music videos; there’s no shortage of content to unpack . So, join me as I introduce you to what could possibly just be your new favourite ..read more

The notion of personal taste should be very much like this wonderous and deeply mysterious universe; ever-expanding and shifting as the agents of change take effect.  It should be, but it isn't.  Such are the limitations of the human brain, our tastes in subjective matters are often crystalised at key points in our life; rarely shifting. Evolution rewarded those could survive, not those who expanded their horizons and our brains are not wired much beyond that. Music taste is no different. We may see subtle changes over time, but research has indicated that 14 is the average age wher ..read more

? photosbyjrd August is a slow time for releases - with festival season well underway - it's perhaps understandable that the industry comes out of promotional mode. There are several releases however that find their way of grabbing the attention this time of year, despite the slowing down of the process.   One such release is the new in the flesh E.P from Manchester-based artist Nxdia, who moved the U.K as a child after being born and growing up initially in Egypt. Their early memories growing up in Cairo are of living near to a cinema, which provided early inspiration to their storyte ..read more