FIFTY3 FRIDAYS: THE TICKING CLOCK

This may have to be a potted edition as the ticking clock may not stretch as far as I’d like today. Time will tell, as the adage goes. The truth is that I am somewhat spoilt for choice as to what to feature here. Across the independent music scene there has been plenty of new music around in a period which is also super busy for mainstream music, as the more monetised acts prepare to vie for those lucrative Christmas sales. Anyhow here goes and we’ll see where it leads.

So, we kick off today down under as we introduce Dylan Cattanach aka Katanak, an emerging artiste from Brisbane, Australia who crafts fresh indie pop-rock tunes blending catchy hooks and colourfully compelling grooves. He has been busy this year touring across Queensland, sharing stages with both upcoming bands and established names like the enduring Aussie singer-songwriter, Pete Murray while working on an EP. Katanak came to my attention when he made it through some hot entries to Fresh On The Net’s Listening Post recently.

“Holding Out For Gold” is Katanak’s latest single from that forthcoming EP due to arrive in early 2025.  I bought into its rhythmic urgency and carpe diem lyricism from the opening bars. The Olympic imagery is very apt for a sports-mad nation, though the song reaches beyond the obvious gold. It is about fighting to achieve something. In the songwriter’s case, it channels the goal of turning a dream of writing music full time into a reality, beyond which it can pretty much relate to achieving anything you set your mind to and work hard towards. The ‘oh-ohs’ bolted on to choruses lend the song a strong pop flavour and cement a tune that is hard to dislodge.

Katanak might be a new name to this column but regular readers [Thank you, Sid & Doris Rocker – Ed] will be familiar with the marvellous Manchester-based quartet, The Deep Blue. The band was indeed one of my standouts at this summer’s Glastonbury Festival after its wonderful set on the Avalon Stage. There is a lovely cohesion to the way the four members mesh musically and in harmony. There may be touch points in, say, Haim or Fleetwood Mac but there is equally a sense of freshness and individuality about the band’s work.

The latest single from The Deep Blue garnered favour with Fresh On The Net readers last week, becoming one of the Fresh Faves. “Water Water” has all the elements we have come to expect from the band: melismatic lead vocals, beautifully interwoven harmonies, reflective lyrics, strong melody lines and crystalline instrumentation matched by polished production values. Like the title of the song, diving in is a totally immersive experience. The Deep Blue embark on a UK tour in December and, all being equal, I hope to see them at London’s Bush Hall on 10 December. You should too.

We wind back to July last year now when I shone a brief spotlight on the alter ego of Dutch singer-songwriter, Maaike Siegerist aka Dora Lachaise. At that time, she had formed a fruitful collaboration with singer, songwriter and musician Jonni Slater, with both of them based in Glasgow. The partnership produced an absorbing EP, bringing together Jonni’s affinity with film noir and Cold War novels with Dora’s fascination with both UFO conspiracy theories and Nick Cave’s portentous murder ballads. Dora has returned with a solo single; a spooky track reflective of the Halloween season.

“Red Door” is about a haunted house, unusually told from the viewpoint of the house itself and comes with a suitably ghostly accompanying video. Dora takes charge of vocals, guitar, synths, percussion and sound effects while Jonni Slater adds piano and cimbalom. I must confess I had to look up what a cimbalom was: a dulcimer-like trapezoidal instrument originating in Hungary. There. “Red Door” captures Dora’s fascination for the macabre and is inspired by her experience of staying at a grand Edwardian country house in Perth, while on a songwriting retreat. The titular door opens out to reveal a chilling, darktronic experience with hip hop informed beats underpinning Dora’s atmospheric vocals over resonant strings and piano. Haunting stuff indeed.

Time has indeed defeated me so we will close with the October Spotify Playlist. But before that, here are a few words on another song that really caught my ear through the good auspices of Fresh On The Net. A last week Fresh Fave, “Comfort In Grey” is a new song from Amy Papiransky ft. Lewis Mclaughlin. A classically trained multi-instrumentalist with folk roots, Amy has carved out a compelling career on the live music scene in Scotland and further afield, playing the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival, as well as supporting the likes of  KT Tunstall and Boo Hewerdine.

“Comfort In Grey” is from Amy’s brand new album, Friday’s Daughter. The song features Glastonbury Emerging Talent 2022 winner Lewis Mclaughlin whose voice whether in unison or harmony blends impeccably with Amy’s on this tender love song. The opening phrase of the verses recalls “Norwegian Wood” before taking on a relaxed, waltz feel as the melody unwinds and instruments added, never overwhelming the beauty and simplicity of the vocals. The full album is described as ‘a collection of uplifting folk songs and effortless ballads that delve deep into the themes of love, loss, heartbreak, resilience and strength.’ It looks like one for your Christmas stocking; one to absorb as you toast your chestnuts indeed. Marvellous.

FIFTY3 FRIDAYS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST OCTOBER 2024

Finally, for your aural indulgence on the first Friday of each month, I publish a Playlist on Spotify which reprises all the songs featured in this column over the previous month – in order, for the organised mind.

Our Fifty3 Fridays Spotify Playlist October 2024 includes 21 songs from the month’s Fifty3 Fridays. October’s Playlist opens with the brilliant The Weather Station and “Neon Signs” and closes with Silk Cinema’s sublimely soulful pop, “Say You’ll Love Me”. A substitute for “Spaghetti Hoops”, the collaboration between The Happy Somethings and Lost Signal, had to be called on as the track is absent on Spotify. The Happys’ wryly dark “Rent To Kill” came off the bench accordingly. Sadly, I was unable to sub Lost Teeth’s splendid “More Shoes! More Boots! More Garlic!” as the band is yet to launch on Spotify.

You’ll find 4 years-worth of said Playlists on my Spotify page so please follow me @TonyHardy53, put the kettle on and give it a spin.