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Irish Lights Share Haunting & Ambient New Single ‘Haulbowline’ – Backseat Mafia
Irish Lights share the haunting and elegant new single ‘Haulbowline’. A striking blend of off kilter, acoustic guitars, synth and piano, the instrumental acts as an image conjuring soundtrack, aimed at capturing the aura of the mystical Irish coastline. The project of US duo Benjamin Fox and Gordon Cooper, the pair draw inspiration from the rugged beauty and remote lighthouses of Ireland. Now known for creating ambient, electronic, and acoustic into atmospheric explorations of isolation and nature, the new single ‘Haulbowline’ continues this tradition, offering an expansive soundscape that blends electronic and acoustic instruments but ultimately creates a soundscape that is arming and organic. ‘Haulbowline’, is named after the 200-year-old…
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Moonchild Sanelly Turns Lawns into Dance Floors on a Magical Day 3 of SXSW – Backseat Mafia
Day 3 of SXSW Sydney, and the sky is brooding, but inside the Lord Gladstone Juice Webster’s indie-pop is already filling the pub with a warmth that no weather could dim. She’s got a vibe—Stevie Nicks’ ethereal cool but with Chrissie Hynde’s raw edge. The crowd is drawn in, sipping beers, swaying slowly, and then giving in entirely as her set unfurls with grace and grit. Next up, Loose Content hit the stage. They’ve got the energy of a band that’s been playing together since high school because, well, they have. They open with angular, new-wave riffs that quickly evolve into a wall of sound—guitars snarling, feedback swirling until it…
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Skunk Anansie Announce 2025 UK Headline Tour – Backseat Mafia
British rock icons Skunk Anansie roar back into action next year with a huge UK headline tour in Spring 2025. Promising an entirely brand new production, the tour will usher in an exciting new era in the history of this legendary band, with new music also on the horizon. Formed in London in 1994, Skunk Anansie instantly caught attention with their unique blend of alternative, rock, and punk influences, coupled with a dub sensibility which showcased their multi-cultural background. Their outspoken lyrics tackling social and political issues, alongside vocalist Skin’s unapologetic queer sexuality and high-fashion aesthetic, meant that they became one of the most talked about and important bands of their generation…
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The Darling Hearts make a stunning debut with the mellifluous and atmospheric track ‘Jerk Face’. – Backseat Mafia
We are very honoured to premiere the debut single from duo The Darling Hearts with the amusingly titled ‘Jerk Face’. The Darling Hearts are a meeting of two musicians from the creative hub of the inner west of Sydney, with a track record: Maia Jelavic (Maia Marsh, Motion Sickness, Good Side) and Jordan Wilson (Georgia Fair). They have combined their significant expertise in this new project to great effect. ‘Jerk Face’ has a jingle jangle sparkle with a cinematic breadth that is more expansive than the blue skies over Australia, and with a shimmering antipodean flavour. There is undeniably a thread of alt country twang in the delivery but the…
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And We’re Off! SXSW Sydney’s Opening Party at The Underground – Backseat Mafia
The SXSW Music Festival Opening Party at The Underground had a buzz that only a place like SXSW can conjure. Nestled in the intimate, electric atmosphere of the Underground, a series of talented artists all took the stage to kick off the festival with a dynamic blend of sounds that spanned genres and geographies. 2touch opened the night with a signature style that effortlessly meshed the chilled-out beats and electronic vibes that the duo has become known for. There was a natural fluidity to their set, the kind that makes you feel like you’re witnessing something both spontaneous and incredibly polished – all whilst clearly having a fantastic time. Next…
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How SXSW Sydney Day 2 Crushed Expectations – Backseat Mafia
SXSW Sydney’s second day kicked off with a damp reminder of spring, the kind of grey drizzle that keeps people indoors. But once the music hit, the rain didn’t stand a chance. Tumbalong Park became a stage for fire, and the crowd warmed to it fast. Nao Yoshioka, stepping out with the kind of soulful confidence that feels earned, not taught, lit up the stage. Japan-born, New York-seasoned, her neo-soul felt like a baptism—Aretha Franklin’s spirit glimmering between each note, commanding the crowd to lean in, sway closer. Yoshioka’s voice was more than performance; it was a communion. Then, like a switch flip, New Zealand’s Rei took over, and the…
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Pale Waves / Swim School – The Foundry, Sheffield 10.10.2024 – Backseat Mafia
Pale Waves delivered a captivating performance at Sheffield’s Foundry on 10th October 2024, as part of their UK tour supporting their latest album Smitten. The venue was nearly sold out, with a packed audience giving the band a warm and enthusiastic reception. The setlist drew heavily from Smitten, with highlights including the lead single “Perfume,” the upbeat “Kiss Me Again,” and “Gravity.” The band also treated the crowd to older hits like “Television Romance” and “She’s My Religion,” balancing their new romantic, alt-pop sound with their earlier pop-punk influences. Singer/guitarist Heather Baron-Gracie offered the crowd a chance to vote between “Red” and “Unwanted” for a live play, with “Red” winning…
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Experimental jazz musician Arooj Aftab UK/EU Tour In Support of New Album ‘Night Reign’ – Backseat Mafia
Arooj Aftab releases her new album, ‘Night Reign’, on Verve Records, with a visualizer for the project’s focus track, ‘Aey Nehin’. ‘Night Reign’ is the follow up to Aftab’s critically acclaimed label debut Vulture Prince. Anticipatory singles from the album include ‘Whiskey‘, released earlier this month, and ‘Raat Ki Rani‘, whose music video was directed by actress Tessa Thompson and garnered praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and many more with both singles scoring placements on Spotify’s New Music Friday and Apple Music’s New Music Daily. Check out the track Aey Nehin, below: Aftab makes the night the focus of her latest nine-song collection. Entirely in her own voice and through her own story, she delves into the multifaceted, bold and fascinating…
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Sky McKee Returns With Reflective New Single ‘Anita (I’m Losing)’ – Backseat Mafia
Singer-songwriter Sky McKee is back with his latest single, Anita (I’m Losing), continuing his tradition of deeply personal and reflective songwriting. Known for his signature blend of bedroom folk and acoustic pop, McKee’s new track taps into themes of loss, resilience, and the hope that follows—common threads in his emotionally resonant catalog. Inspired by one of McKee’s mother’s lifelong friends, Anita (I’m Losing) dives into the emotional toll of losing cherished relationships and the often harsh reality of unmet expectations. As McKee explains, “I always wanted an Anita in my life, but I can’t stop losing them. This song is about coming to grips with the fact that things will…
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Glasgow Indie Risers The Rooks Share Infectious New Single ‘Renegade’ – Backseat Mafia
Ahead of their anticipated show opening for Blossoms at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on Saturday 19th October, Glasgow indie-rock five-piece The Rooks release their infectious new single ‘Renegade’. Despite being only their second release to date, ‘Renegade’ shows a band rapidly mastering their craft, with a sound that feels both polished and commercially viable, yet full of raw energy. ‘Renegade’ opens as the tight, groovy bassline locks in with punchy, driving drums, laying the foundation for rich, layered guitars to sweep over the track. Front and centre is the emotive, husky lead vocal that adds a sense of grit and heart to the mix. It’s this blend of textures that gives…
