Brother. Artist Playlist

  Off The Hook Music challenged Brother. to share with us 5 must listen too tracks, we've put them in a playlist for you, so enjoy!  

We got to say we've been loving Brother. recent new single release “EZ” which takes a minimal approach, soaked in vintage synth sounds and an overall warm, easy indie vibe. 

 About two years ago, these angry Canadians released what has become perhaps my favourite album of all time. The degree to which I’ve fallen in love with this punk record surprised me, and I have asked myself a number of times, “am I secretly this angsty, too? Am I an angry person on the inside or something? Do I whine this much?” Maybe, maybe not. Whatever the case is, the principal feeling I get when I listen to these songs is liberation. “Free at Last” in particular makes me want to run naked in a field, crowd surf a mosh pit, and break something. The fast pace, the superabundant gang vocals, and the straight-up shredly guitars are all simply irresistible to me. I can’t recommend these songs enough. 

 This artist showed up on my Apple Music feed, and I gave them a listen because I was drawn to the aesthetic of their cover artwork. I then discovered that this psych-pop trio is from Japan, which automatically adds 3 or 4 points to their cool-factor. Sonically, I love how the syncopated bass groove interacts with the constant 8th notes of the guitar during the verses. I love the laser-gun synth outbursts that come in with the second verse. And I LOVE the start-and-stop guitar lead that comes in around the 2 minute mark. So quirky. Also, I love that the track length is exactly 3 minutes and 33 seconds. Way to stick with the threes. I’m hoping that Brother. can befriend this band and play some shows in Japan with them. 

 This song was a random Tidal recommendation and I was immediately hooked by the bass line. This song has so much groove. I also love how sparse the instrumentation is. It allows the vocals to sit nicely on top of everything. The sparseness also lends itself perfectly to the little sprinkles of flavour throughout: the cowbell during the verse, the little video game noises in the chorus, and the subtle bell synth in the bridge, just to name a few.

I love the compressed/crunchy guitar, the phaser effects on the bridge and just the overall flow of the song. It’s a really fun song and she’s a bad ass lady.

 I don’t remember how I found this song but I listen to it non-stop and it’s on my list of songs I wish I wrote. I love love love the groove of the bass line against the drums. The vocal melody hits every note I want it to hit. They added some killer guitar solo fun which I’m still baffled at how they got that certain pulsing effect at the top of the solo. What I really enjoy is that for the first portion of the song is that they add an extra measure which makes the first verse feel longer but you don’t notice until it’s gone in the second verse. It's the perfect road trip song in my opinion.  

 Off The Hook Music challenged Dois Padres to share with us 5 must listen too tracks, we've put them in a playlist for you, so enjoy!  

Don't fail to check Dois Padres new single "The City Never Sleeps" which is building the anticipation to their forthcoming album "Swamp Jams".

 This song is over 40 years old and it still sounds like it was written yesterday. It's an anthem for a lot of people, for a lot of different reasons. For me it truly captures the mojo of cutting loose and being your truest, most badass self. Lemmy is a big influence on me; both for the way he thrashed out his Rickenbacker and for his pure wisdom. Certainly one of the loosest, truest badasses we've ever had.

 This song is a bop for days. The White Stripes are a clear influence for Dois Padres as a 2 piece, especially their earlier material with its stripped back sensibilities. It's a very punk approach to figure out your strengths and play to them, which isn't necessarily punk in the music itself, but certainly in the delivery. The whole 'De Stijl' album by The White Stripes is such a joy for me to listen to because it is what it is - 2 cats honestly cutting an album on a shoe string budget and having a damn good time doing it.

 Someone came up to me after a Dois Padres gig and said 'You guys remind me of Thee Oh Sees'. The band name was familiar so I went hunting, their latest album at the time was 'Orc', but when I stumbled across 'The Dream' it all clicked and I "got it". It's so relentless and psychedelic. I don't know what we did for the guy at the gig to be reminded of Thee Oh Sees, but I take it as a huge compliment and it's certainly impacted my music taste since.

 The first track from their first album. Hot damn, start as you mean to go on. The back story to this album is one of those accidental, universal happenings that I love so much. Dan Auerbach's guitar playing on the early Black Keys records has been a definite influence on me; his use of open tunings for unaccompanied blues. Sometimes when I stray a little far out with my song writing and get lost or stuck, I can listen to a track like 'Busted' and be reminded 'Oh yeah,  THAT'S what it's about' .

 Another album opening track, and any album with a painting of a badger for the cover is a winner for me. This is a song I play regularly in the morning to really get my gears turning. It's a happy, upbeat groove that always goes down well. It's got that loner outlaw attitude but it's so jolly and peaceful, a real steady freight train rhythm pounding along. J.J. Cale's guitar playing is phenomenal too, when I was learning guitar I always heard the phrase 'Make it sing' and his licks are so emotive and enticing. Some guitar licks speak louder than words! 

  Off The Hook Music challenged singer song writer Kandle to share with us 5 must listen too tracks, we've put them in a playlist for you, so enjoy! 

But before you check out what Kandle thinks you should add to your playlist, check out Kandle's new EP  Stick Around and Find Out . It's fantastic and has become a favourite with the Off the Hook Music office.

 “Nightmare” was composed by bandleader and clarinettist Artie Shaw in 1936 and I’m pretty sure it has been haunting people ever since. There’s some so grand, so classy and so spooky all at once that I find myself constantly getting full body shivers with each listen! I also plan on walking down the aisle to this song at my spooky vampire wedding, if anyone is ever crazy enough to marry me ; ) 

 This is a track by my brilliant cousin who is all kinds of fierce and sensual talent. When she first showed me the song in demo form, I was deeply moved. The dark jazz chords and the raw vulnerability mixed with unapologetic hunger for love and attention in a toxic relationship “ the winds of change have come to town, I ain’t myself when you’re around”. Just love it 

 I love all Taylor’s songs but this one has to my favourite. He is the king of the haunted croon, “I wanna follow through on all my promises and threats to you, babe”. This seductive and haunting song also has one of my favourite instrumental sections of all time. A perfectly smooth and beautiful sax line repeating and adding beats with each repetition until a final abrupt stop announcing the end of the song.  

Long time Lana fan, I mean, there’s nobody like her (although I do a wicked impression at karaoke). This song throws it back to the 70s, piano driven, timeless beautiful string arrangements and classic Lana lyrics that always seem to shock and amaze me “Godamn, man child

You fucked me so good that I almost said, "I love you”… God Lana!!! We’ve all been there ahah somebody had to say it!

 Last but certainly not least, my favourite artist of the last 5 years! Probably the biggest and most modern of all my influences. But Michael earned a place in my heart immediately. This third, highly ambitious album i feel he really delivered a fucking classic record; oozing realness, musicality and pure honesty. You ain’t the problem tackles the detrimental effects of social media, something i am no stranger to. Michael was the last live convert I attended before COVID and it left me in a stream of tears in the front row! 

Off The Hook Music challenged the guys from the band The Trusted to share with us 5 must listen too tracks, we've put them in a playlist for you, so enjoy! 

 The Trusted are Southend-on-Sea natives Dave Batchelor, Dale Holt-Mead, Fin Cunningham and Tom Cunningham.  The four-piece combine their amalgamation of influences from indie / alternative rock and blues, to Jazz, hip-hop and mainstream pop, to create their diverse sonic palette. 

The Trusted's new single  "The Innocent"  is a must listen track which in it's own right deserves to be placed within your own playlist. The track is a reaction to the band’s own naivety and inexperience and showcases jangly guitars, upbeat drums and rich vocals, emitting a potent and feel-good sound, bursting with vibrancy and charisma. 

To listen to the record click the link:  https://open.spotify.com/track/7cnbgrYTu3c5rNvAbgigBW?si=hA4PRCB4SsaZPUyYQatqrw 

  I would say U2 are my favourite band. I have always found their music really interesting and meaningful. It’s funny because I often find it hard to admit it.

 A lot of people find them annoying or uncool and most of the time, I get judged for admitting I’m a fan haha. For me though, their stuff has probably influenced me more than anything else. I guess, in my humble opinion, ‘Achtung Baby’ is the greatest album of all time and every single track on that record, holds a special place. 

I think however that Ultraviolet (Light My Way) is probably my favourite song. There is something just magical about that shimmering guitar riff, Bono’s melody and that never-ending pulse like rhythm. Oh, and It also features my favourite lyric; ‘When I was all messed up and I heard an opera in my head, your love was a lightbulb hanging over my bed.’ It’s simple but the imagery is just beautiful. I really wish I had written it and even though i didn’t, i’m glad someone did. 

  While not the first band I got into, Muse were the band who REALLY got me into playing guitar. I remember watching them play Glastonbury 2010, and essentially obsessing over them ever since! For me, absolution is my favourite album, although origin of symmetry and black and holes and revelations come close. 

Possibly the band at the peak of their powers, this album captures muse at their dark, heavy best. And while there’s a couple of contenders from this album, for me, the crown jewel is hysteria. 

I can still recall the first-time hearing that absolutely insane bassline, the mixture of 16th notes, melody and the unforgiving tone enough to send most people into a frenzy. Combine them with Matt Bellamy’s equally iconic guitar riff and solo, that haunting verse melody, simple yet heavy drum groove and that explosive Chorus, this is the song that will always stay with me. Also, it’s an incredibly fun song to play.

The 1975 have been up there in my list of my favourite bands in the past few years. I feel like they have put out some amazing music and I love the fact that they are always changing and evolving. This song is from band’s new album and it’s one of many songs that I have really taken a liking to. I think "what should i say" is my favourite song from the record, because it’s so catchy, so uplifting and it just makes me want to dance! Every time they put out a new album, The 1975 seem to lift the bar a little higher.

One of the best bass lines, probably ever and on top of that, it was the first song that properly got me into playing the bass. Also, Norman Watt-Roy is a god 

  Now this was the first song we played together as a band. We just jammed this track for about half an hour at our first rehearsal and it quickly became the starting line for The Trusted. Oh and apart from all of that, Reptilia is a massive tune and The Strokes are a great band. 

 Born in Harwood, Ontario, Kyler Tapscott began playing the guitar at age 11. His recently recorded EP, Kyler, marks his debut as a solo artist, and showcases his talent not only as a guitarist but as a singer-songwriter.  

 I didn't realise this was written by Mr. Bob Dylan but man does Blake ever smash this out of the park. His slide ability and his creative use of voice leading through a simple chord progressions is incredible. He is a heart on his sleeve type guitarist/ singer/ songwriter which solidifies Blake as an absolute triple threat. 

 I discovered Matt Corby and was completely blown away with his raw, earthy and absolute precise control of his vocals. Not only an amazing singer but an amazing songwriter and musician. He holds Jedi status when it comes to being an artist and he hits you right in the feels 

 I was playing on the same bill as this west coast Canadian band. I fell in love with their sound and this song. Not only does the production sound awesome but it's clearly a band delivering a song all coming from the same place. great singing, great songwriting and a tasty band to back it up. 

 This song came up in my playlist and I instantly gravitated towards Kevin's smooth control and timbre to his voice. I feel like he will be more of a household name in the years to come. 

 Bernhoft also holds a Jedi status in singing, writing and being a multi-instrumentalist. I discovered him on YouTube many years ago and I was blown away by his prowess as a musician. Check out this man and enjoy the funky vibes 

Off The Hook Music challenged Dan Young   to share with us his 5 must listen to tracks and we have put them in a playlist for you so enjoy.  

October Drift have exciting times ahead of them after signing with  Physical Education Records, this Friday (26th July 2019) October Drift release their first single 'Losing My Touch' under the Physical Education Records umbrella.

Photo by Seb Ackland

Quite simply an ‘unwritable’ piece of work.  

Somehow makes us all nostalgic about growing up listening to it even though we weren’t alive at that time.

This was the first National track I ever heard, and it was like I found the band I’d always been searching for!  

Just such a great song, no ones getting anywhere close to this until they’ve put in their 10000 hours. 

The greatest love song of all time.