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Former Field Mice alumni Michael Hiscock of The Gentle Spring – Backseat Mafia
After shaping the sound of indie pop with The Field Mice, Michael Hiscock has returned with The Gentle Spring, a project steeped in reflection, melody, and a search for simplicity. With their recent single Looking Back at the World and an album that explores themes of regret, joy, and moving forward, Hiscock speaks to us about his journey, the band’s evolution, and what the future holds. How did the band come together? Emilie and I have been together for ten years, and over time we collected a number of ideas and melodies. It felt natural to start writing together. I’ve known Jérémie for about the same length of time—he plays…
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Sound artist extraordinaire, Michael Scott Dawson previews new album with the achingly poignant ‘Present Day’. – Backseat Mafia
You could say that Saskatchewan sound artist and producer Michael Scott Dawson is a key contributor to the We Are Busy Bodies catalogue. Since 2020 he’s gifted the label three solo albums and two collections as a lead member of the post rock minimalists Peace Flag Ensemble, but those numbers only hint at his significance. Dawson’s essential artistic restlessness, his progressive shifts from release to release, his commitment to ambient forms and the emotional edge in his music all encapsulate WABB’s core endeavour to “Change the world, one record at a time”. Now comes a heads up from the Toronto curators that a new Michael Scott Dawson album ‘The Tinnitus…
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Michael Kiwanuka – The Piece Hall, Halifax, 27.06.24 – Backseat Mafia
The early summer had been hot through June, but it wasn’t just the rain that brought the cool to Halifax’s Piece Hall last week. Michael Kiwanuka has been working his way through European festivals, on his way to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. His final stop before the legendary festival was the no less iconic West Yorkshire venue, and the crowd were not deterred by the inclement forecast. Excellent support act Joel Culpepper had already begun to lower the temperature, as he opened up with an irresistible performance. Dynamic and with flawless vocals, he was the perfect first course to the night of soulful tunes that was to follow. London-born…
