In Print: Issue Forty-Four. Order your copy here.
With a slight name change (courtesy of Kamasi Washington’s Dinner Party return), a major label deal and some industry plant Twitter uproar, quite a lot has changed since we welcomed The Last Dinner Party to our monthly club night back in March of 2022. One constant from that evening however is that, now debut single, ‘Nothing Matters’ remains a banger. Ahead of an inevitable rise to big things, the band are on our cover and we discuss the aesthetic details that are so important to the band, handling social media accusations and how they’re aiming for the stars.
No strangers to So Young, Squid’s second album ‘O Monolith’ is now with us. Ahead of its release, Ollie and Anton welcomed our call to cover the use of the Fairlight sampler, the promotional game for single ‘Undergrowth’ and finding the balance between challenging subject matter and tackling the challenge.
One of our favourite albums of the year so far is ‘DREAMER’ by Nabihah Iqbal. Squeezing into her busy schedule, we manage to meet at her studio space at Somerset House to chat about the record, Thomas Hardy and Nabihah’s creative passion to redefine spaces.
Manchester’s Mandy, Indiana may be the world’s most forgiving band. During the most hectic week of their lives (we assume), in the lead up to debut album ‘i’ve seen a way’, the band agreed to re-do our interview following a bluetooth mishap. We are chuffed to welcome them back to our pages to talk about the record and their wariness of describing themselves as a ‘Manchester Band’.
Cork’s Cardinals had us very excited at our recent aforementioned We Are So Young night. Swells of The Smiths and The Jesus and Mary Chain are paired with traditional Irish sounds to create dark alternative pop songs. The band introduce themselves and their story so far inside.
Hull’s bdrmm will release their second album. ‘I Don’t Know’ at the end of June. With Shoegaze feeling a recent injection of youthful reinvention, bdrmm have become leaders of the pack and we give them a call to see what they have in store for us.
With Papier-mâché friends in hand, Snõõper are preparing to bring the riot to Europe via Nashville. The new signings to Third Man Records make high octane garage punk music and new album ‘Super Snõõper’ isn’t one to sleep on. The band invite us into their world to chat puppets, Henry Rollins and Lil Ugly Mane.
Staying in the United States, Not From England are LA based but are currently spread coast to coast due to studies. The Brit x Surf Rock on their self released debut album had us excited, so we reached out and they kindly took our call.
Chicago’s Lifeguard have recently signed to Matador (Horsegirl, Water From Your Eyes, bar italia), and inside they tell us about the thriving scene they’re growing within and the importance of maintaining their youth.
To finish us off, Melbourne’s Floodlights enjoyed a stormer at SXSW this year and since then have released their second album, ‘Painting of My Time’. Ahead of a visit to the UK for End of the Road Festival, we caught up.
You can purchase a print copy of the new issue here or read the digital edition below.