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The Big Takeover Issue #93

Dave Franklin

Dave has pretty much worn all the creative hats there are to wear. Musician, promoter, (small) record label boss, festival co-organiser, journalist, reviewer, publicist and everything in between. He now divides his time between writing about music and any number of other subjects from travel to games to social issues. He runs his own new music website and contributes to a number of UK based printed music magazines and a few smaller websites. He has spent the last ten years writing music columns for his regional newspaper though has recently given this up to spend more time with his record collection.

The Flavor That Kills - Book of Secrits (Shortwave Records)

16 March 2024

Taste The Flavor, become part of the universe. The New Album Book of Secrits is out now! The Flavor That kills is a band from Madison, WI, one full of bravado and swagger.

Conflict Choir - The Real Thing (Conflict Choir Recordings)

15 March 2024

This alternative rock powerhouse is comprised of session musicians who have worked with members of The Scorpions, Ocean Colour Scene and more. Hailing from the UK, and formed from the ashes of 2020’s lockdowns, Conflict Choir emerged with a self recorded commentary on the state of the modern world – their album Strange Game; which the band is releasing track by track to slowly reveal their completed work.

speakeazie - Jamie, You're No Good For Me (Independent)

14 March 2024

A classically trained musician in her formative years, speakeazie’s roots earned her numerous accolades in the Sunshine State. Inspired by the depths of personal experiences and reflections, her narrative is a dance between the sultry past of speakeasies and the melancholic present of the indie scene. The artist released her debut album, Prohibition Hippie in 2022, allowing her to find a spot in the dreampop community.

faults. - Sweets (self-released)

13 March 2024

Prepare to be plunged into the freezing Nordic Noir universe of “Sweets”, a brand new music video by faults. – the audiovisual project by Swedish artist KC Dahlehan.

Created in the form of a crime drama by the artist alongside filmmaker Georg Bruno Baur, the video follows a dishevelled, paranoid couple on a drive through a dismal and icy landscape. With nods to North American thrillers of the 90’s and aughts, tension and anxiety build as viewers are left searching for clues to the protagonists’ ambiguous misfortunes…

Reptiel - Down Below World (Cubby Control Records)

11 March 2024

Reptiel was formed in San Francisco in 2009 by members of Bay Area underground indie rock bands The Cubby Creatures, Thee More Shallows and The Druggles. The REPTIELians claim to practice “ritual musick” in order to summon their stories and sounds, and only rarely do they perform live due to the various members’ agoraphobia, superstitiousness and excessive stage fright.

Paulcito - MVP (self-released)

11 March 2024

“Art-house pop-rock-psychedelic underwater guy. If you think the pop world starts and ends with Bowie, or at least understand Bowie and his kind are really a cut above in that upper league of good work, something better and more fascinating than the generic pop star, you might find something in the things I am doing with my collaborator Carl Dennis (aka CD Music).”

Paulcito

Billy Alexander - Hammer Of The Gods (self-released)

11 March 2024

After racking up countless road miles on tour with his band YYNOT, John Waite and Anna Nalick, producing, writing, and recording for various artists, and having two Billboard charting songs with his band Feel, *Billy Alexander8 is set to deliver his debut solo album Rock & Roll Diary.

Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps and The Star Prairie Project - California Smile (One Media iP Ltd)

8 March 2024

Tom Tikka, a former Sony/BMG songwriter, best known for his work with Carmen Gray, began his solo career in 2020 and has since released two critically-acclaimed albums This Is My Happy Face and Better Man. New album Rainbows and Dead Flowers has already spawned to UK chart top ten singles.

Bad Mary - Forget About It (Dead Pill)

7 March 2024

Drawing on influences from the likes of Blondie and The Ramones, Green Day and The Dollyrots, this tight-knit family unit uses humor and the power of music to push back on all the crap going on in the world. Bad Mary holds up a warped mirror to the current culture and reminds us that having fun is the best way to give yourself an escape from the craziness.

The Tonics - Memories Won't Drown (self-released)

7 March 2024

Forming in late 2022, The Tonics comprises of lead songwriter and charismatic guitarist Alex Malpass, vocalist Anna Marsh, bass player Charlie Plews and drum aficionado Matt Joiner, with each member bringing alternate perspectives within their close-knit chemistry. Writing music influenced by new wave, post punk and romantic poetry, the group laces their sound with a healthy dose of pop sensibility, building them a feverish and eclectic fan base.

Gary Dranow - Never Give Up (self-released)

7 March 2024

A force to be reckoned with, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions have been releasing numerous singles prior to the release of their Destiny Road Album released May 26, 2023. The album features the talent of Jerry Manftedi on bass and Jethro DeFries on drums, , and Tommy Mars on keyboards. Having gigged extensively in Southern California, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions are now looking forward to spinning magic in and around Salt Lake City and Park City, *UT

Gary Dranow - Dad (self-released)

6 March 2024

A force to be reckoned with, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions have been releasing numerous singles prior to the release of their Destiny Road Album released May 26, 2023. The album features the talent of Jerry Manftedi on bass and Jethro DeFries on drums, , and Tommy Mars on keyboards. Having gigged extensively in Southern California, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions are now looking forward to spinning magic in and around Salt Lake City and Park City, *UT

Cosmic Ninja - Filth (self-released)

5 March 2024

Cosmic Ninja are a powerhouse of energy with their unique fusion of rock, rave and punk sounds; combining an anti establishment message with joyful exuberance and positivity. Described as “able to deliver for the big occasions” and “truly a visual spectacle”, they never fail to bring down the house. Highly in demand for festivals all over the country, their raucously infectious set on the main stage at the 10,000+ capacity Bristol Pride Day was a fitting high to an extraordinary 2022 summer.

Jekyll - Trampled Ghosts (self-released)

5 March 2024

Born and bred in Blackpool, UK, and taking inspiration from a wide and eclectic pool of influences, Jekyll’s music is known for its expansive, melancholic soundscapes, dynamic mood shifts and visceral intensity. While appearing at The Great Escape Festival 2018, Jekyll were signed on the spot by the prestigious Fierce Panda (Coldplay, Placebo, Keane etc.).

Giack Bazz - The Moon Is Painted (Omikami)

4 March 2024

Giack Bazz is an indie rock singer-songwriter based in London. Giack takes the listener on a tour inside his mind, criticising society and discussing mental health, from love to loss. His first record Childhood Dream (2016), financed by crowdfunding, paved the road for Giack Bazz Is Not Famous (2018) and Haikufy (2019), a 30-tracks, 20-minutes album that started his personal protest against the unfair paying scheme of streaming platforms.

The Avelons - Chit Chat (self-released)

2 March 2024

With goosebump induced guitar riffs, dirty, audacious bass lines, relentlessly driven drum beats and effortlessly gripping vocals, the Newcastle-based angry indie rockers, The Avelon’s made a mark on the scene back in 2021, which has lead to four sell out gigs at top local venues The Cluny, Head Of Steam, Zerox and Bobiks.

Marky Wildtype - Tell Me Again (self-released)

2 March 2024

Marky Wildtype is an Edinburgh based songwriter/musician/producer who has been plying his trade and honing his craft under various guises for many years. Most recently, he has been providing the buzzsaw guitar backbone of the vibrant heavy-rock-meets-trad instrumental alt-folk band The Jig Show.

Talk In Code - Something Of Nothing (Regent Street Records Ltd)

1 March 2024

The name Talk In Code is derived form the idea that everyone relates to music differently. Pushing beyond their indie pop boundaries, it’s no surprise the band have been described as ‘genre-blurring’! Hailing from the heart of the South West (UK), the quartet have firmly established themselves as a force – whipping up a storm of press and radio support including Q Music and BBC Introducing networks. This exposure has been bolstered by an impressive crop of live shows across the country appearing with Years & Years, Scouting For Girls, Go West and Marc Almond to name a few.

Wasson!? - Hold My Breath (ATD Media Ltd)

1 March 2024

Drinking rum and having fun. Wasson!? is a five piece Cornish punk band with a sprinkling of Italian pizzaz. Hailing from Bude, Cornwall, Wasson!? Comprises of Ryan Leverton (Vocals / guitar) Ben Clarke (Guitar) Brook Osborne (Bass / Guitar) Ben Edwards (Drums) and Igor Forsinetti (Keyboard / Bass). With influences as wide ranging as their musical talents Wasson!? continue to dine out off gig reviews such as “they weren’t actually that bad” and “not f*****g awful”.

Tina Schlieske - The Good Life (Shifting Paradigm Records)

1 March 2024

Tina Schlieske ventures into new musical horizons with The Good Life, her first jazz standards recording. Tina Schlieske, an icon in Minneapolis’ music scene known for rock and Americana, unveils her latest musical journey, The Good Life. This jazz album, featuring renowned musicians Cody McKinney, Pete Hennig, Bryan Nichols, Brandon Wozniak, and Jake Baldwin, is a departure into uncharted jazz territory. The album produced by McKinney and Patrik Tanner emerged from pre-Covid recording sessions that Schlieske revisited and transformed into an extraordinary collection of classic jazz standards.

Austin Willacy - Gonna Be Alright (None More Black Music)

1 March 2024

Austin Willacy is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter who has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe as a member of The House Jacks, a multi-award winning a cappella rock band currently featured on The Sing-Off on NBC and on Monday Night Football on ESPN.

Elea Calvet - Sinuous Ways (Hyssop & Victoria)

29 February 2024

Born in Canada to French parents, Elea lived in Hemmingford until age 5 when her family moved to Dharamsala, India for her father to pursue Tibetan medicine studies. She subsequently spent a few years in the south of France before moving to Bristol, UK at 16 to study music. Releasing a string of singles, “Lust”, “Trigger” and “Sacrifice”, to critical acclaim in her idiosyncratically “towering sound reminiscent of PJ Harvey and Feist”, she was touted as “a millennial Patti Smith”. Albeit being Gen Z, she decided not to correct the journalist for the (hopefully only partly) erroneous compliment.

The Margaret Hooligans - Royal Octopus Canal (Piety Street Publishing)

29 February 2024

One woman (electric ukulele, lead vocals), one man (drums, teapot, back up vocals), forming one band that incorporates garage rock, funk, and soul to create a swirl of sloppy transcendence. Why do Meg Cratty and Mr. Strontium make music together? Easy, they live in the same house and in 2020 and beyond that reason is completely sufficient.

Jeff Symonds - Riverrun (self-released)

29 February 2024

For almost three decades, Jeff Symonds has been playing bass, keys and guitar in dozens of projects. He has played thousands of shows in hundreds of venues big and small, helping bring artists’ visions to life. Now it’s his turn. 
Jeff steps into the spotlight for the first time with riverrun, an album that celebrates and looks back at a life lived in love with music; it’s a four-part exploration of youth, adolescence, adulthood and the glorious noise of rock ‘n’ roll. Written and performed almost entirely by Jeff, it represents his attempt to make sense of a life lived primarily from stage left.

The Arthurs - The Gloaming (self-released)

29 February 2024

The Arthurs is a Dutch alternative rock band from Amsterdam/Rotterdam, formed around singer/songwriter Robin den Drijver. In June 2021 the band released their second album Glass. Their debut When I’m Sane was released in 2017. In their music you may hear influences from bands such as The Smiths, Nirvana, The Doors and The Pixies, but the band distinguish themselves by their own unique style and sound.

Lunar Division - Young Lady (BMPR)

28 February 2024

Together since 2019, Lunar Division will drop their third full-length album Monuments on March 29, 2024. It’s a high-value effort that unveils the present evolution of their sound. Band members Paul Nguyen (guitar), Randy Mitchell (guitar, vocals), Matt Lanzer (bass), and Brandon Napoleon (drums, vocals) have built an artistic chemistry amongst themselves that allows all options to exist at once. The first single from Monuments is “Young Lady” and will be released February 14.

The Barren Spinsters - Let The Music Ruin Your Life (self-released)

28 February 2024

Award-losing power duo and terrible band name namers, The Barren Spinsters are the kind of band that Jack White would maybe join if he lowered his standards.

They look like a two piece, sound like a five piece, and move like a hair piece. The guy at the front in the bucket hat (Brendon Houlahan) is a bit weird, but the bloke at the back (Matt Tennant) fortunately holds it all together. Together, The Barren Spinsters deliver 70s blues rock with a modern thrashy twist. Much the same way that Wolfmother doesn’t.

The Forcefields - Slip Away ft. Julia Othmer (self-released)

28 February 2024

Julia Othmer is evolving into a new artistic reality as Aayama Forcefield alongside renowned UK producer James T Lundie aka Max Forcefield8. Together they are *The Forcefields.

Zen Bunny Collective - Funky America 9/38 (self-released)

26 February 2024

“Funky America 9/38” was written and recorded as part of 2023 project – Chaos Before the Void – A Dirge of Hope in Twelve Parts – It was decided to release this part of the work as a message to the American people to treasure what they have and to aim higher in the future.

Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me [The Heroic Enthusiasts Remixes] (ECR Music Group)

26 February 2024

The most commercially successful solo singer to be identified with the girl group sound, Lesley Gore hit the number one spot with her very first release, “It’s My Party,” in 1963. Produced by Quincy Jones, who fattened the teenager’s sound with double-tracked vocals and intricate backup vocals and horns, she reeled off a few more big hits in 1963 and 1964, including “Judy’s Turn to Cry,” “She’s a Fool,” “You Don’t Own Me,” “That’s the Way Boys Are,” and “Maybe I Know.” She wasn’t the most soulful girl group singer by a long shot, but she projected an archetype of female adolescent yearning.

Starlight Alice - I Swear To God (JB Records)

24 February 2024

Starlight Alice draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of country music history, yet infuses their sound with a modern twist. Their journey began in the UK, where they honed their craft and developed a signature style. As individual artists they have combined Spotify plays of over 30million.

Jeff Symonds - Every Five Minutes (Elegy pt.2)/48 Lines About 12 Men (self-released)

24 February 2024

For almost three decades, Jeff Symonds has been playing bass, keys and guitar in dozens of projects. He has played thousands of shows in hundreds of venues big and small, helping bring artists’ visions to life. Now it’s his turn. 
Jeff steps into the spotlight for the first time with riverrun, an album that celebrates and looks back at a life lived in love with music; it’s a four-part exploration of youth, adolescence, adulthood and the glorious noise of rock ‘n’ roll. Written and performed almost entirely by Jeff, it represents his attempt to make sense of a life lived primarily from stage left.

Satico Satellite - Innocence (Slumrise Records)

24 February 2024

Everyone has something they wish they could go back in time and change. They romanticize about the possibilities of what could have been had they not been so eager to grow up fast. Nothing says this more poetically than Satico Satellite’s new single “Innocence”.

With an increase of 100K fans across their socials in only 3 short months, the song will be played on terrestrial radio stations and reviews in major magazines . They might be the first artist to crossover to mainstream with such a distinct bedroom pop vibe that the song exudes.

Olivia Hellman - Prove It! (self-released)

24 February 2024

Originally from San Francisco, Olivia Hellman honed her craft at NYU Tisch and is a certified triple threat with her singing, acting, and dance skills. Her distinctive BrattyPop genre flawlessly embodies the essence of her generation, fusing elements of pop and rock with a rebellious Gen Z spirit.

The New Nostalgia - A Fridge in Berlin (self-released)

23 February 2024

Stained with echoes of Nothing But Thieves and Gang Of Youths, established Yorkshire songwriter Patrick McCallion, along with James Sands, Sam Bramhall and Charles Adey stormed into 2019, bringing their explosive new live show to smoke filled rooms across Europe. With haunting lyrics that will get under your skin, The New Nostalgia are questioning what it means to be young at heart in a Post-Brexit world.

Maddie Morris - Skin (No Masters Co-operative Ltd)

23 February 2024

Maddie Morris is an artist who strives to make a difference in the world. Bold, insightful and refreshingly unique, she takes traditional song in new directions to shine a light on contemporary issues, offering new perspectives about the world we live in today. 
 Folk songs have always told stories, but how Maddie makes her mark is by turning this storytelling into action. She was recently commissioned by Rural Arts to explore LGBTQIA+ experiences through traditional music, and has also been proud to collaborate with organisations such as Queer Folk, Esperance and Trans Pride Brighton. 


Pulse Park - Briars (self-released)

22 February 2024

The three band members first met some time ago on an Arctic expedition in Qikiqtaaluk, Nunavut/Canada, and started learning their instruments during the long polar nights.

KMFDM - Let Go (Metropolis Records)

22 February 2024

Iconic music mavericks KMFDM have released their much-anticipated album LET GO via Metropolis Records. Celebrating 40 years of conceptual continuity in grand style, KMFDM is doin’ it again, rising up lean and mean. _LET GO_marks the group’s 23rd studio album, with the core lineup of Sascha “Käpt’n K” Konietzko, Lucia Cifarelli, Andy Selway and Andee Blacksugar presenting their signature onslaught of pulse-pounding rhythms, scorching electronics, blistering guitars, and vocals full of grit, growl, and grind addressing the social, political, and cultural ills of a world in perpetual turmoil.

Sun Atoms - Ceiling Tiles (Little Cloud Records)

22 February 2024

Portland alternative pop / postmodern rock outfit Sun Atoms present their new single ‘Ceiling Tiles’, released via Little Cloud Records digitally and on 7” vinyl. The video follows ghosts on a velvety caper through an endless maze, arriving at a house of cards on the verge of metaphysical collapse. The B-side complements chills with thrills with a unique rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic, here dubbed ‘Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)’.

Gary Dranow - Jane (self-released)

20 February 2024

A force to be reckoned with, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions have been releasing numerous singles prior to the release of their Destiny Road Album released May 26, 2023. The album features the talent of Jerry Manftedi on bass and Jethro DeFries on drums, , and Tommy Mars on keyboards. Having gigged extensively in Southern California, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions are now looking forward to spinning magic in and around Salt Lake City and Park City, *UT

Leon Frear - A Morning House (self-released)

20 February 2024

Chicago-based rocker/ songwriter Leon Frear presents ‘A Morning House’, a song about regret and hope previewing his debut album Wild Rice. His first album under this moniker, this represents a new start since relocating from his home town of Chapel, North Carolina.

Hannah Connolly - Shadowboxing (self-released)

20 February 2024

Hannah Connolly is a singer-songwriter originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, now living in Los Angeles, California. Her debut album From Where You Are was released in 2020, soon to be followed by her forthcoming second record, Shadowboxing.

Hannah Fairlight - Lone Wolf (self-released)

20 February 2024

Classically trained on piano as a youth, and a staunch Tori Amos fan and band camp attendee, Fairlight quickly swapped out classical piano and small town Midwest for the Big Apple and electric guitars, debuting at the infamous rock club CBGB at 18 years old. A regular at haunts like NYC’s The Bitter End and Arlene’s Grocery, Fairlight went on to grace stages across Europe, the UK, and Australia before settling in Music City, USA when landing a starring role in A&E’s TV show ‘Crazy Hearts: Nashville.’

Matney - All Fired Up (Roulette Records)

19 February 2024

Matney is a 4 piece rocking band featuring Mike Matney and produced by multi-platinum artist producer Stevie Salas. Salas also co-wrote the album and is featured on guitar. The album The Redneck and The Red Man is set for release in April of 2024.

Circolo Vizioso - Walls (self-released)

19 February 2024

Kraut-inspired punk rock duo Circolo Vizioso presents their new single ‘Walls’, a song written in outrage over the Russian invasion in Ukraine. This is the second taste from their debut album Verrueckt (out March 1), a potent chaser to the first single ‘Choppy’, a high-octane song spawned from a bout of depression brought on by a failed love story.

Gary Dranow - Mother's Angry (self-released)

19 February 2024

A force to be reckoned with, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions have been releasing numerous singles prior to the release of their Destiny Road Album released May 26, 2023. The album features the talent of Jerry Manftedi on bass and Jethro DeFries on drums, , and Tommy Mars on keyboards. Having gigged extensively in Southern California, Gary Dranow and The Manic Emotions are now looking forward to spinning magic in and around Salt Lake City and Park City, UT

Vogue Villains - A Slow Ride (At The Speed of Light) (self-released)

19 February 2024

Vogue Villains are a hard rocking alternative band with a musical foundation planted firmly in catchy melodies and multipart harmonies. The live sound? Is big, dirty and full of raw energy while also having a humorous stage presence that goes hand in hand with their tongue in cheek lyrical sensibilities. Vogue Villains is made up of four members: Andrew Baskin (Lead Vox, Bass), Lucas Antoni (Lead Vox, Guitar), Nate Cox (Drums, Vox) and Robert Johnston (Keyboard, Guitar, Vox).

Lowest Fi - The Werewolf (self-released)

19 February 2024

There are only three of them, but they play as if they were possessed by an army of ghosts and demons. Every now and then, a playful faun or a lovely elf makes an appearance. All in all, a monster party that is great fun

Jason Lyles - The Light (self-released)

17 February 2024

Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jason Lyles is starting a positive music revolution. He plays a unique style of indie rock combining powerpop, folk rock, alt rock, indie pop, and Americana. His latest single “The Light” channels classic alt rock energy and feels like REM, Tonic, and the Black Crowes with a string section. The lyrics tell a space opera story inspired by author Stephen Baxter.