DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Sofia Gillani
Where are you based?
I am based in Hazelmere, Surrey.
Why do you love music?
I've always loved music because it gives me an opportunity to express myself. Music is in our everyday lives, so the fact that I get to make music is such a pleasure.
Tell us about your latest release?
My most recent single 'Other Side' was released recently. It's about being powerless in the moment, but rising to the challenge no matter what circumstances you face. A powerful song for powerless times. In essence, it's about being fearless, and when I wrote it, I wanted it to be an expressive and bold song. Go check it out!
What Inspired you to become a singer?
I have always wanted to be a singer, and spread joy to others by creating music. I just loved the concept of writing and creating my message through song. My main influences are Sia, Adele, and Ariana Grande, very soul and experimental pop styles.
Where can our readers find out more about you (social media)?
On Instagram, at sofia.aneesa.gillani, the same user as my Tiktok additionally. You can find me on Facebook as Sofia Gillani, and on Youtube with the same user. Go subscribe!
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Regent
Where are you based?
Southampton.
Why do you love music?
I grew up listening to my dad's vinyl's of The Beatles 'Red Album' , Jackie Wilson and Elvis, it's always gave me an escape from the stresses in life and helps forget about any worries.
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks?
Our music is very real, and most of our songs are about love, pain, happiness and sadness. it's got every emotion mixed all into one, People are saying we have a whirlwind type guitar sound.
Tell us about your latest release?
Our latest release is an in your face type rock n roll love song written about my fiancé Dipanju.
What inspired you to become an artist?
Just listening to lots of The Beatles and Rolling Stones, and writing lots of poetry, it all just came together.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Check out our official website where there's links to follow us across all our social media outlets...
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Feature Artist:
Where are you based?
London, U.K.
Why do you love music?
Wow. That’s deep. The way it makes me feel, I guess. The connectivity. The immediacy. The tangible intangibility of it all. When it hits just right it’s magic.
Tell us about your music and the meaning of your tracks?
I called the album Funeral Pop because it’s upbeat and catchy, but it’s sinister and moody as well. Sad songs have always hit harder. I wrote the album during lockdown, so there’s a lot of tension, anxiety and uncertainty. But there’s a lot of anger and resolve as well.
Tell us about your latest release?
At the moment it's my cover of Bush's '90s hit "Glycerine." The first single from the album. I always wanted to cover the song in bands but no one else thought it was a good idea. I'm not sure why it means so much to me. Nostalgic, I suppose.
What inspired you to become a band?
I was just tired of playing in other people's bands. I've had these song ideas in my head for years. And lockdown gave me the time and space I needed to try and create something new.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
https://vampireslumberparty.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/vampireslumberparty_london/
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured artist: Humm Bugg
Where are you based?
I live in Penryn, Cornwall.
Why do you love music?
I love everything about music; the way it can change or enhance how your feeling; the worlds it transport you to; the experimental, almost alchemical nature of it; the stories it can tell; the empathy and emotions you can share with a musician; its ability to bring people together; how it transcends the everyday; dancing; individuality; everything.
Tell us about the music and the meanings of your tracks?
All my music is instrumental with the occasional short vocal sample and I enjoy making music you can dance to as well as music that could be a soundtrack to some unknown b-movie or computer game. It's quite whimsical and I try to make my tunes as catchy as possible.
Tell us about your latest release?
The new Humm Bugg album is called Green Lightning. It's the second electronic album I've made and it's pretty hard to pigeon hole it into any one genre. It has elements of chiptune, synthwave, DnB, electro pop, dark synth, psychedelia, shoegaze and more. Almost all the tracks are influenced by horror, sci fi or fantasy in some way but there are also a couple of more personal tracks about my first cat and even a song featuring my niece telling the story of a bird she invented named Maggie.
What inspired you to become an artist?
I have made music for years on guitar and other more traditional instruments but began working electronically at the start of the first lockdown last year. I've always loved movie scores with an electronic element, computer games soundtracks and grew up enjoying a great range of music. It was when friend and artist Elkingtit encouraged me to make something for a charity album that I really got into it and since then I've been listening to and creating beats, bleeps and buzzes voraciously.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
You can check out the new album on bandcamp ( https://hummbugg.bandcamp.com/ ) and very soon on spotify and other streaming platforms too. You can also keep up to date with all the latest on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/hummbuggmusic/ ) and on Instagram ( @hummbuggmusic ). There is also a cool album launch video on the HUmm Bugg YouTube channel with insights into the album, animations, music videos and more ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqvTCvxr9EniBr0XjysOl-w/videos )
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Seaside Witch Coven
Where are you based?
"We all met in Cardiff but are now split between Cardiff, London and Southampton"
Why do you love music?
"Liam: I grew up playing music constantly, and have played in bands for over 10 years. I listened to punk and metal music from an early age, it was the kind of music I always wanted to play"
Tell us about your music and the meaning of your tracks.
"Our sound Is sort of psyche punk. Loud, rhythmic with classic rock tinges. We're all influenced by a lot of different stuff and I think that just feeds into the music.
Our new track AEO is basically about aliens. There's probably some clever hidden meaning but no one will have time to work it out, and aliens are cool.
Tell us about your latest release?
"AEO was recorded at one louder studios in Newport and Mixed by Alex McConnachie of Twin Stranger. It's a pondering post punk track driven by persistent drums and bass. We're looking to release it later this month."
What Inspired you to become a band?
"we've all played in bands before and been hanging out for years. Seaside Witch Coven was started as a way of experimenting with new sounds. Were inspired by lots of different genres and want our music to be an outlet of that. Sometimes for the better "
Where can our readers find out more about you? "With an ear to the tracks you can hear a train from miles away"
https://instagram.com/seasidewitchcoven?utm_medium=copy_link
Facebook - @ihateswc
Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3r6wHPIKMXb02DkNnym5hM?si=gqX5KnvYQxu50SZ9bHLk4w&utm_source=copy-link
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Oceans on mars
Where are you based?
We are all based in or around Manchester.
Where are you based?
Growing up with music really helps you fall in love with it. And this has definitely been for us. I think when you’re surrounded by such a variety of genres: alternative rock, grunge, funk, pop, metal, hip-hop and so on, it really makes you realise how important it is.
Tell us about your music and the meaning behind your tracks?
Our music is directed to mental health, your feelings and the anxiety that ticks away. But it’s not always dark, we aim to show that there’s not always a low point, and you can overcome the struggles.
Tell us about your latest release?
Our latest release Mousetrap is heavily inspired by 90s grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, SoundGarden). The song is about trapping yourself and always knocking you back. It’s never a physical obstacle that stops you, but it’s always your head, and your anxiety that puts the pressure on.
What inspired you to become an artist?
I think we all came together at an early age to just perform covers, but realised quickly that playing live is what we want to do. All of our inspirations are musicians, and it’s always been a dream to be in a band.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
You can find out more on our social platforms for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok and even our website. @theoceansonmars
Our Spotify is also called Oceans on Mars, tune in to see our catalogue of songs!
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: The Minimum Wage
Where are you based?
We’re a band from St. Catharines, Ontario - nestled between the two best wine appellations in Ontario: The niagara-on-the-lake and niagara escarpment regions. Come for the wine and sights - stay for the budding music scene!
Where are you based?
Music is one of those things that brings people together. Whether that’s people playing together or just people coming to listen, there is an essential function there. Music is the great communicator and can inspire and move people in ways that other mediums just can’t. Music and harmony exist in everything. We’re happy to add to that harmony.
Tell us about your music and the meaning behind your tracks?
Our music so far seems to be a bit of this and that, aesthetically you can hear some influences if you’re familiar but we like to think we’re doing our own thing. Meaning in the music is entirely up to the listener, we’ve had some pretty interesting interpretations of our songs - almost none of which were directly intended. It’s always cool when someone picks up something you didn’t know you put down.
Tell us about your latest release?
Our most recent single “White Rabbit” is about being bored and waiting for someone/something to come pull you out of that. It’s a bit of a sarcastic twist as it’s usually an excuse for people, instead of having the ambition or motivation to do so on their own.
The song started off with a bare bones demo and we all collectively threw in our respective takes until we were happy with the final product. We think it’s a pretty good indicator of what we’ve accomplished so far and where we’re setting the bar for our own expectations.
What inspired you to become a band?
We all played in other bands that were specific to a genre or just a little too restrictive because of other members etc. The Minimum Wage is meant to just be something fun and expressive - really it’s just 3 guys who want to do things a little differently. Step outside of respective comfort zones, challenge each other, see what happens. So far so good!
If you’d like to learn more about us you can check out our socials and follow along wherever you stream music...we have plenty more tunes and content coming soon!
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Eamon McGrath
Where are you based?
I am based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and have been for going on twelve years. I got my start in my hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, and in my late teens started touring full-time from there before making the move to Toronto because the label I was on at the time was based here.
Why do you love music?
Music has more or less defined my life since I first started playing guitar at nine years old. I formed my first band right away and was playing live as young as eleven. It's all I've ever known, and it's had me in its spiritual and emotional clutches for longer than I can even remember. Nothing can bring people together the same way music can, nothing can inspire and mobilize people in quite the same way as a powerful song. Governments have toppled, human lives have been created and destroyed, fleeting moments have been made permanent and forever instilled in memory because of it: there's really nothing quite as beautiful or powerful and I'm not really sure if it comes close to even having an equal. To me, music and song is life itself.
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks?
I consider myself a songwriter in both a country and punk rock tradition, and try to channel an outlaw spirit on both sides of the volume coin. When I'm touring with a country artist, I'm a punk rocker, and when I'm touring with a punk band, I'm a country singer. I try to maintain the Gram Parsons tradition of "cosmic American music" but from a colder, more brutal Canadian perspective, incorporating elements of post-punk, indie rock, electronic, and ambient into the Parsons' pastiche of blues, rock and roll, soul, and country. No instrument is off limits or out of bounds, no lyrical topic is untouchable. My songs tend to end up taking on a melancholic or nostalgic tone, as I explore the potential eternity within the fleeting nature of things.
Tell us about your latest release?
"April" was released at the beginning of the month. It was written last year with the aim of soundtracking the change from winter to spring, of providing a musical accompaniment to the great big annual thaw. Toronto really comes to life this time of year, people come out of the cracks in the woodwork, the streets are alive and lit up and there's vibrations of optimism in the air. Right now, there's a lot of hope that we're coming out of what has been a very difficult time, and there's happiness and light right around the corner.
What inspired you to become an artist?
In one of those stereotypical "see your future in the candlelight' moments, I knew I wanted to play music for a living when I first heard The Clash. It was an undeniable and beckoning call. The truth and power in Joe Strummer's voice and words was something I was drawn to as deliriously as a moth to a flame. There was no going back.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Instagram: @eamon_mcgrath
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eamon-McGrath-236202223866
Twitter: @eamonmcgrath
Website: www.eamonmcgrath.ca
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ZemFEByTJWF9a8AzWcSZ0
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/eamon-mcgrath/311301054
Bandcamp: eamonmcgrath.bandcamp.com.
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: The Simple Radicals
Where are you based?
We are The Simple Radicals based in the rock and blues city of Chicago, Illinois. We’re a retro/classic rock band that combines sounds and influences from bands like Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Cheap Trick and Tom Petty. If you like those bands then I think you will like our sound. Our album, "New Revolution" (https://open.spotify.com/album/4rgBmqnv7h3p5gYPGjiXfU) was released in 2019 and features Vernon Reid from the band Living Colour playing lead on our track "Medicate" (https://open.spotify.com/track/19F4GLlRe2JZCjpc5kvPQq?si=81f8b7830d074ed5).
Why do you love music?
Music is really the only thing (at least legal) that gives me a natural high and takes me to a place that is transformational. It’s the closest thing to Eden for me.
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks?
Our latest release “New Revolution” reflects the sentiment of many people across the globe. People want change for the better and they are more anxious than ever to make it happen by using their voices and platforms. Not bullets and bombs. It’s a new revolution. The lyrics on this album are about the need and desire for change for the better as well as self-reflection.
Tell us about your latest release?
We just released a really cool psychedelic-pop version of Jefferson Airplane’s iconic song “White Rabbit” (https://open.spotify.com/track/5BGdfnPhJK95HDcJL8Imcj?si=c6cc459e23ec4db0). We collaborated with an incredible husband/wife duo on the track. It’s truly intoxicating.
What inspired you to become a band?
I just love everything about the creative process. From the germ of the idea, to taking the idea to the guitar, constructing the song, writing the lyrics, and then ultimately turning it into a composition with your fellow bandmates. It’s so challenging but so rewarding. Honestly, I haven’t found one thing I don’t like about being a musician. I even love the rigors of touring.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
You can follow us in one of many ways:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2rmuHn02XI1CIphHvmh-Vg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4rgBmqnv7h3p5gYPGjiXfU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimpleRadicals/
Twitter: twitter.com/simpleradicals)
Instagram: instagram.com/simpleradicals
Website: www.thesimpleradicals.com
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Earl Of Hell
Where are you based?
The dark and mysterious old city of Edinburgh.
Why do you love music?
Music is an essential part of living. It’s medicine, it’s rocket fuel, it’s a tranquilliser, it’s like a hug from god. The emotion it invokes, the way it makes your balls tingle and your heart race is irreplaceable and that’s what brought us all together.
Tell us about your music and the meaning of your tracks?
I think our music could feature as the soundtrack for a trashy grindhouse horror flick. It’s zero budget, low end, fuzz driven rock music topped with a sprinkling of dark humour. Collectively, we have a very bizarre and extensive music taste so it’s not unusual for us to break into an impromptu psych-jazz fusion jam between songs.
Tell us about your latest release?
Blood Disco is a great first taste introduction to our music. It eases you in to our quirky, twisted world in a bite-sized portion of satirical fantasy. For us, the song portrays images of old skool slasher movies and the main riff instantly has you moving. If you like this then you’re guaranteed to love our next release.
What inspired you to become a band?
We’ve all been playing in different bands for a while. Once you’ve felt the rush of playing your music to a crowd of people you have to keep doing it. This band got together only days before the first lockdown in March 2020. Having not been able to go to gigs this whole time, we just get inspired by playing music together.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Well we’ve only been together a short time. We’re hoping to get some more music out there before we start playing live. Keep following our social media pages for updates on that and much more.
Facebook: @earlofhell
Instagram: @earlofhell
Bandcamp: www.earlofhell.bandcamp.com
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Tarah Who?
Where are you based?
TGC: We are based in Los Angeles, CA.
Why do you love music?
CH : I feel like there is music for anything that happened to you in your life. It is just here for you, you know.
TGC: I love playing music because It makes me feel alive and in the present moment. I love listening to music to daydream, get inspired and escape.
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks?
CH : I’ll say that the Tarah Who? sound is a mix between different genres like rock/punk/grunge with a heavy and raw sound.
TGC: I write about what I think, How I see things or relationships. The lyrics are very personal. On the music side, I am very 90s Rock influenced, from punk to grunge and all in between. I think that any 90s Rock lover will recognize that.
Tell us about your latest release?
CH : Our latest single is called ‘Manners”, we released a music video for it. We shot in downtown LA during the presidential election so it was quite something hahaha.
TGC: Yes, our latest single is called 'Manners'. http://bit.ly/MannersVideo . That single is from an album that we will release later this year. I am the worst at writing about our songs because I have to be concise! So here is a review that I found really accurate, from MANGO NEWS. "The lyrics in 'Manners' concern the double standards of so-called good manners that are taught by preachers and religious families. Tarah Who? confront the hypocritical values that are regarded as being basic treats of behaviour for good people, but actually, reproduce inequality and social injustice. Instead, the band demands for education without fear, without hate, that teaches people to treat each other with respect-meagre their ethnicity, gender, beliefs, or social status. " I thought that this review, was on point!
What inspired you to become a band?
CH : It is always fun to play your favourite songs with people, it feels like magic is happening !! It is even more awesome when you find someone that you connect with via their music, it is really something great.
TGC: That's true. I mean I guess we are a band, but it is just the two of us. Coralie is more than just a bandmate, she is a friend, we are going through a big adventure together, and it is really difficult to find people that not only you can connect on this level, but also who are professional, reliable, and who can play! Patience is key, because nothing happens over night, So I would prefer to call her a partner. There are a few people without whom, all of this would be even more difficult but they are behind their screen. They are also partners, and part of the Tarah Who? Team if you want. Maria Quintana, who helps us look good. She is our DP for our music videos and photographer. Angie Joseph, who does all of our artwork, press kits, flyers, promotional designs and what not, and of course Jason Orme, our producer who makes us sound good on a recording. I started as a solo artist. I never thought about the whole process, I want a band or I want to be solo.. I just want to play. When we were four people in the band, we were all really close friends and it was weird to just go out there with just my name. We started getting a lot of gigs and we wanted to change things up a bit. Tarah Who? was a temporary name but, we kept getting shows.. I think this was in 2010 or something like that!
Where can our readers find out more about you?
TGC: I think that if you google Tarah Who? you will be able to find us on most platforms or social media. Pick your poison! Now we are more active on Instagram and YouTube. and if you want to know more about our story: https://youtu.be/dQ9NKu6ta0E.
Discovering with Off the Hook Music
Featured Artist: Quiet Pills
Where are you based?
We are based in Cheltenham in the South West of the UK.
Why do you love music?
Just the feeling and how some tracks just create memories, as cheesy as it sounds. Like when I listen to some Blink 182 it reminds me more of my youth and going to comprehensive school, and I like that!
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks?
Our current songs deal with themes of conspiracies such as 2 + 2 which is about 9/11 and questioning if we really know what actually happened? Our lyricist Dan loves that sort of stuff! While Plagiarism Begins at Home is about Morrissey from The Smiths and some of the controversial things he has said. She's In retail talks about a guy who has a thing for a retail worker since she is being nice to him, thinking she likes him when in reality she's only doing her job. Kind of a creepy song I think. Forward is about just moving forward in life and always looking forward to the coming days. And (Don't Trust) Ghosts is about those who bring their misery down on others, and try to spoil others' fun or good mood. We get miserable customers all the time me and Dan (the lyricist) since we both do retail and people like that can sometimes just ruin your mood. So this song is saying just don't listen to them and don't be like them.
Tell us about your latest release?
Gaslight Conspiracies is our first EP and I'd say it's a mix. We still haven't found our sound I'd say so we're doing whatever we love making or whatever comes to mind. Like our song She's In Retail is a very edgy punk song and the most unique on the EP as the others are quite pop-punk influenced or just pure indie.
What inspired you to become a band?
All of us are growing up and loving music and playing instruments. I can say for myself that it has been my ambition ever since I became a massive Green Day fan constantly blasting their albums like Kerplunk and Dookie and just wanting to make music similar in some ways to it!
Where can our readers find out more about you?
We have a Facebook and Instagram page, as well as a bit of band information on our Spotify page!
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: The Venus Fly Trap
Where are you based?
Northampton-UK, between London and Birmingham, famous for BAUHAUS, ALAN MOORE, and the film KINKY BOOTS, also where SPACEMEN 3, JAZZ BUTCHER, ENID got established and more recently MOONS, TEMPLES and SLOW THAI have reached a wider audience.
Why do you love music?
Been listening to music since i was a child, it’s a release, a place to escape, it feeds the soul and inspires your imagination to let go to when you’re in the mood for dancing.
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks?
We have been described as “blade runner rock n roll with dark acidic shades”, we create dark sonic cinema for the mind, film noir, sci fi soundscapes that absorb post punk, electronica and meld Joy Division, Doors, Chemical Brothers like melted wax crayon colours.
The most recent studio album ICON was lyrically inspired by the WARHOL quote “in the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes”, the idea of being famous for being famous, celebrity, Idols, the new religion. Did we create God, gods with our fertile imaginations, as a way of describing the world around us, science fiction, Tarantino movies are all added to the mix.
https://glassmodern.bandcamp.com/album/icon
Tell us about your latest release?
Just out is a download single ACHILLES HEEL which appears on the forthcoming album released at the end of March called VENUS FLY TRAP-TIME LAPSE CD/DL(GLASS RECORDS MODERN)a selection of tracks collected from the albums TOTEM,PANDORAS BOX and LUNA TIDE, placed together as a possible alternative album in this alternate reality.
https://glassmodern.bandcamp.com/album/time-lapse-1989-1994
https://glassminiature.bandcamp.com/album/achilles-heel
here’s the video to ACHILLES HEEL...
What inspired you to become a band?
What got me involved in music in the first place was the punk, new wave explosion it changed my perception of being able to be in a band, it was the get up and give it a go attitude and see where it leads approach inspired me. Minimal experience but it didn’t matter it was the ideas that counted, this DIY approach got people involved in music who would not of thought of it before.
My career thus far has been documented on the release VENUS FLY TRAP/ALEX NOVAK-MERCURIAL CD/DL(GLASS RECORDS MODERN)a retrospective that includes the best of VFT and other bands, projects I have been involved with including ISAWS,RELIGIOUS OVERDOSE,TEMPEST,NOVA STATE CONSPIRACY,THE DEN and SPORE, for people to explore and delve deeper.https://www.facebook.com/thevenusflytrapuk
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist Pizza Crunch
Where are you based?
3 of us in Glasgow 1 of us in Edinburgh
Why do you love music?
Haha where to begin with this one. More broadly I think art in general does a good job of describing or depicting life and listening to a good song can feel as important as eating food. It’s hard to answer but the way a 3 minute song can influence your mood probably goes someway to answering it.
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks?
Well I each one changes I suppose. The first two were written quite close together and kinda revolved around hedonism and maybe the 2nd single showed a bit of growth from the first. Our most recent single has evolved lyrically from that stage and is more about the general problems of becoming an adult - and how annoying someone can be when you’re dealing with these problems.
Tell us about your latest release?
Well like I mentioned above, it’s broadly about someone talking you to death and about how much more irritating this is when you’re enduring other problems. Sonically, we went for a mix of melodic guitar lines and a post-punk driving rhythm section. We recorded it with Chris Marshall and Johnny Madden who are renowned around the Glasgow scene for making great records.
What inspired you to become a band?
We all love music in our own way. Nathan and I write music constantly so it seems like the logical step when you play guitar and write songs.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Check out our Spotify and socials. Have a look on our YouTube for some content next month too.
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Muskrats
Where are you based?
I’m proud to call Bristol my home, I’ve just bought a house in North Bristol where I’ll soon be building a small studio!
Why do you love music?
Music has always been a part of my life, my dad was a real eclectic music lover so I grew up listening to everything from David Bowie to Yes to Shostakovich. I’ll never forget the first time he played me Space Oddity and being moved to tears by feelings I didn’t yet understand. I guess that’s what I love about music, the power to reach people on such a deep emotional level, whether it’s joy or sadness or anger, or just having a real good mosh
Tell us about your music and the meanings of your tracks
Muskrats began as a three piece back in 2014 but after an EP and a few years gigging life just got in the way and we unofficially called it quits. I shifted my focus to music production, but kept writing on the side and in 2017 I decided I’d revive Muskrats as a solo studio project, as a way to release those tracks. I’ve never been much good at writing about other people, so my music is always very personal, based on my own experiences and opinions, though I like to keep it abstract enough that people can form their own meanings too.
Tell us about your latest release
Stones At Strangers is a snapshot of my headspace from the few years prior to starting counselling for depression and anxiety in January 2020. It was originally written with the band back in 2016 (there’s a live session video floating around online) but the lyrics always felt lacking, like I hadn’t found their meaning yet. Then on a night-time walk a few months ago the song popped into my head full of newfound meaning and I rewrote the lyrics in the 20 minutes it took for me to walk home! Sometimes you just can’t see the wood for the trees y’know?
What inspired you to become a band?
I don’t know if I was inspired to start a band, it just always felt inevitable. I started finding my own music tastes and wanted to play along with my favourite bands so I picked up guitar when I was 13, then drums a couple of years later. Drummers are like gold dust so I found a band pretty quickly and started helping out with writing tracks. Then it just grew from there
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Follow me on facebook.com/ukmuskrats or @ukmuskrats on Instagram and while you’re there you can check out my music production page @unluckyxviiaudio.
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Eat Your Own Head
Where are you based:
We're based in Norwich, UK
Why do you love music:
Music affects me emotionally in many different ways, and that's the beauty of it. One minute you could be bawling your eyes out to Nils Frahm, next you've got a nosebleed in the pit and you wouldn't want it any other way.
Tell us about your music and the means of your tracks:
We love heavy, technical riffs and belting out vocals. There are a lot of math rock, alternative rock and grunge elements to our sound. Lyrically, it's generally inner turmoil.
Tell us about your latest new releases:
We recently released a compilation EP of tracks from when we were known as HANK. We then released Poltergeist on Halloween just past to properly launch our new band: Eat Your Own Head.
We were originally meant to be recording our debut album in November 2020 but because of the pandemic this was then moved to February 2021. We're now sadly in the process of moving it once again. It's been really frustrating that we haven't been able to do it yet, hopefully the album will be in sight for end of 2021. We're hugely excited about it.
What inspired you to become a band:
I used to play and write for a sort of a dub/rock band. Progressively, I found myself writing heavy riffs more and more. I was pretty sick of what I was doing so it felt like a good time to do something new!
Where can our readers find out more about you:
You can find us on all the normal things these days. Just type our band name into Google and I'm sure you will find us.
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Peyton Stilling
Where are you based:
I'm based in Dallas, TX.
Why do you love music:
It allows me to have a voice (no pun intended). I find writing very therapeutic. It is like my diary.
When I was about 14, I remember sitting down with my parents and watching American Idol. I was so enamoured with everything, I loved all the stage lighting, I loved the costumes, I loved the songs, and I couldn’t believe that some people did it as a job. It was then that I knew what I wanted to do. I asked my mom to sign me up for guitar lessons (which she was very surprised at, because when I was younger, I had done piano lessons but hated them.) After that, I started trying to write lyrics and come up with melodies etc.
Tell us about your music and the means of your tracks:
I would say my music is singer/songwriter with pop elements. I'm not bubble gum pop but I'm not sit around a campfire music.
Tell us about your latest new releases:
The song all came together during quarantine. I've recently broken up with my boyfriend and had also just moved back in with my parents (double whammy). I was writing a lot of music, and Healing was born.
What inspired you to become a musician:
Growing up, I listened to a lot of Norah Jones, my dad was forever playing her music at home, then a lot of Amy Winehouse. Recently I've been listening to H.E.R and Audrey Mika. They've all influenced me in different ways.
I love the raw emotion in all of their music though, I try and be as open as possible when writing and really try to convey what I am thinking/going through at that moment.
Where can our readers find out more about you:
By listening to my music, but also following me on Instagram. That is where I am most active. Send me a message - say hi!
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: This Will Destroy Your Ears
Where are you based:
We live in the south of France. In an area ironically called ‘Landifornia' (on the Atlantic French coast) because of the mild weather, the surfers and the abundance of yoga centers. Our headquarters is pARPAINg, a recording studio / DIY building space which is part of a multi-artistic community called CONTAINER.
Why do you love music:
Because it’s an ideal platform for freedom! You just have to find friends and something to hit, scratch or stroke to do the job … that’s perfect! And perhaps it’s still the most archaic way to stay human!
Tell us about your music and the meaning of your tracks:
What a question … We make a sort of noisy post-punk indie music. Some friends of ours say we are a ‘Ghost-punk’ band … Certainly because of our ’serious' lyrics and the love we have for bands like the Cure or Killing Joke. That’s funny because we always think « Yes, this one is very happy » when a new song appears. And after few rehearsals things change! We really like complex textures of sound and strange, sometimes unclear lyrics ...
Tell us about your newest material:
The initial release of our debut album CLEAR was on the French label Cowboy À La Mode in October 2019.We really appreciated the British energy we met during our last tour in UK, that when Brutalist Records proposed to re-release a Deluxe Edition of the album for UK, we were especially delighted! But more than this, the project was super exciting : adding some artist pieces such as a Loïc Doussin patch of the band logo and a handmade screen printed insert created by incredible artists 'Les Ateliers Winschatten'.
What inspired you to become musicians:
Other musicians! Especially those who are inventing something new. Something you never heard before. And no need to be a technically brilliant musician either! We love arriving in a pub and you listen to a band for the first time who offer something you had not thought of before, and you think « F…ck yes, that’s it! And it so simple!!! ». No need to be perfect when you have ideas ...
Where can our readers find out more about you: (Social media links)
On Facebook —> https://www.facebook.com/thiswilldestroyyourears/On Instagram —> https://www.instagram.com/thiswilldestroyyourears/On Bandcamp —> https://thiswilldestroyyourears.bandcamp.com/Or on our youtube channel —> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHT2xtQX29K_2RYXxv7HwQ
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Imogen Mahdavi
Statement from Imogen Mahdavi about why she loves music:
I love how you can put a feeling you can't quite spell out, into sounds. Music touches a part of our self expression that I rarely find in other art.
Where are you based:
East Landaaannn
What type of genre music are we to expect from Imogen Mahdavi :
Who knows anymore labels are being thrown away, I feel proud if listeners are reminded of dreamy pop chorus's and a unique vocal.
Must listen to tracks from Imogen Mahdavi :
Of my own, Some Things Are Best Over Said! I also put out a track called Crowd Of Thoughts that I'm really proud of. Of other artists, I'm really into Laurel at the moment she's lovely.
Tell us about your latest single:
It's inspired by 60s country pop, and Glastonbury. It feels like a kind thing to share with the world at the moment. I hope you can have a good sway or dance to it with someone you care about.
Where can we find you (socials):
I share everything on Instagram but am present on all major social media platforms (Spotify etc)
https://www.instagram.com/imogen_mahdavi/?hl=en
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Valencia James
Statement from Valencia James about why she loves music:
I grew up singing whenever I could. Whenever I was finished with my homework and sports, I would sing for hours and it helped me get through some tough years as a teenager. I never underestimate the healing power that music carries.
Where are you based:
I grew up in New York, but I am now based in Sydney, Australia
Genre of Music you can expect from Valencia James: Dark Pop
Tell us about your latest single :
“All The Waves” was written from a very difficult season that I can still relate to now and it’s a song that I’m very emotionally connected to. It explains that although life can be difficult and seem like everything is crashing down around you, there are always so much more greater things ahead for us.
Where can we find you: Instagram and more :
https://instagram.com/valenciajamesofficialhttps://facebook.com/valenciajamesofficialhttps://twitter.com/valenciajamesTW
https://fanlink.to/allthewaves