Welcome to HeartSongs, our regularly scheduled (probably) look at songs and the people who write them. We spoke with electro-pop duo Living Dead Girl about their recent single ‘Still Life’.

“Still Life focuses on the idea that daydreaming about the life you want is not enough to sustain happiness. It is a poor substitute for the real thing, but can be an alluring trap to fall into, much to your own detriment. I tend to begin the writing process and realise midway through what the song is actually about. This particular theme had been on my mind, so it came out in Still Life.

We were lucky enough to have the song produced by Paul Ressel (Lana Del Rey, Lark, Faithless) and engineered by Max Heyes (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Jamiroquai). We had wanted to work with Paul for some time as he’s been involved with a number of bands that we really admire, and he definitely made the song sound better than we could have hoped. For the first time we were able to record live strings and drums as well, which really improved the record.

I find with songwriting that you can be much more honest than you ever would be in real life. It’s nice to be able to release a song and maybe reach other people that might be experiencing the same thing. This is definitely the slickest production we’ve had to date, so it’ll also be nice to show the progression.”

 Lyrics: 

When have you begun to sleep for the dream

Float in the breeze on dandelion seeds

And it’s so clear from here

I decline so I’ll climb to the emerald green

Night has spun slow motion stars wheeling

Satellite feelings down mezzanine

Visions of you amid fine fallacy

Animate me won’t you animate me

I don’t need in another story

Dreaming in the flowers is not enough

Fifteen hours of faking glory

When did you become so easily mazed

Circling blue thieves hours of you

Dream ends are trails of a feathered wing

They dissolve in

To your love

Wake me softly beyond the pine tree

Animate me

I don’t need in another story

Dreaming of the flowers is not enough

Fifteen hours of faking glory

I’m mad for you

I lose my blue to white

Imbue my view I try

Folie à deux ain’t right

In saturated light

I don’t need in another story

Dreaming of the flowers is not enough

Fifteen hours of faking glory

Animate me oh you animate me

I’m so tired of sleeping, what a pretty painting I’m in

Welcome to HeartSongs, our regularly scheduled (probably) look at songs and the people who write them. We spoke to Emma Hoeflinger from Nashville sludge pop outfit Originalii about their recent single ‘Substance Abuse’.

“‘Substance Abuse’ is that massive hangover and the honesty you feel because you regret something you've done. The things you were trying to suppress are now in the light and it stings. I've been there many times, and I know most of those around me have been as well. There's the initial denial that you're going to be fine but you know you still have to face what you've done. That's what the ending to the song feels like—the acceptance that change must come. 

So it's probably 10am. Our drummer Karalyne and I didn't get much sleep due to a lot of noise going on in the house in the early hours. We're both a little hungover and I’m sitting in the hallway between our rooms playing a chord progression I had been working on the other day. She plugs in a mic to some random little amp and what we did in those hours as the hangovers set in is what you hear in the honest simplicity of the song.”

Listen to 'Substance Abuse' Here

‘Substance Abuse’

Its 4 in the morning

And I'm fine

Don’t worry about me over here I'm doing just fine

I'm making too much noise for you

I've got a problem babe

Do you?

Substance Abuse

I cant lose

I'm black and blue

Over you

Substance Abuse

I'm fine

I'm fine

Its 4 in the morning

And I'm fine

Don’t worry about me over here I'm doing just fine

I'm making too much noise for you

I've got a problem babe

Do you?

Substance Abuse

I cant lose

I'm black and blue

Over you

Substance Abuse

Hello!

We're back after a month off, and the reason for that month off was a lack of planning. I went on holiday, and totally neglected to arrange the July version in advance, and then that post-holiday slump results in a "DO IT NEXT MONTH!" attitude. Motivated by that jaunt around Scotland, and the fact I'll be (perhaps permanently) leaving it soon, this edition is full of Scottish bands. 

As always, this isn't 100% math-rock but there's certainly a tinge of that beloved genre in each of the six bands listed below. A special mention goes to The Darien Venture of course, but they were included before, so putting them on this list would be overkill. Some of these bands are alive and kicking now for you to check out and see, whilst other (oh Danana) are no longer with us. 

Without further ado, and there has been a lengthy ado, off-kilter Scottish rock music for your eyes and ears... 

Biffy of the Month: 'Tilted (Christine and The Queens Cover)'

From 'Take Me Out' to 'Love Sex Magic', Biffy Clyro's cover versions are usually fun and charming, and I can't stop listening to their version of 'Tilted'. (Thank you Live Lounge for providing us with a steady stream of material.) From the harmonies to Simon Neil's gruff French rapping this is pop magic, and a great service to the track which is pretty subdued in its original form. 

1. Mogwai - 'Party In The Dark'

The fathers of post-rock in Scotland and possibly beyond, Mogwai's influence is undeniable and so to miss them from this list of Scottish bands would be criminal. 'Party In The Dark' comes from their upcoming record Every Country's Sun out on Rock Action next week. It's dynamic, beautiful and captivating as we've come to expect from these sonic behemoths. Their show at The Hydro in Glasgow later this year is bound to be as deafening as it is memorable. 

2. Donnie Willow - 'Blessed Company'

I believe I saw these guys in a support slot once, but I can't remember exactly where or when, but I do remember their notable energy and venom. Switching between gentle indie rock and violently distorted guitars makes Donnie Willow a jarring listen. However, if you're holding back any emotions, the passion in 'Blessed Company' and the rest of their Exhibition EP will prove wonderfully cathartic. 

3. Dananananaykroyd - 'Some Dresses'

WHY ARE THEY GONE?! More "fight pop" than "math-rock" Dananananaykroyd have one of the best names ever, and their debut record Hey Everyone! is simply amazing. 'Some Dresses' is one of more coherent cuts alongside single 'Black Wax', treading a simpler musical path although it's not clear what the whole tailoring metaphor is about. Double drummers and double vocalists and double guitarists means maximum fun from this sadly defunct band. 

4. Vasa - 'Burst'

Back on the post-rock train and we have Vasa who ebb and flows, holding your thoughts all the while. Instrumental music at its purest and strongest is the flavour and it's thoroughly enjoyable throughout. Debut album Vasa was released in 2015 and there have been a few teasers since then. The release of 'Burst Open' (including this track) is a taste of things to come as we await the symphonies of record two. 

5. Cutty's Gym - 'Dudeman'

Having had the privilege of hosting these fine gents at a Love Music Hate Racism show in Glasgow, their music is powerful and at times simply unrelenting as a mere two men generate a wall of ferocious yet infectious sound that you can dance too. Royal Blood might have the Top Ten quota of duos covered, but when in flow there's no doubt that Cutty's Gym could win that rock-off. 

6. Skies Fell - 'Bear No Malice'

Another band I've watched in a support slot and some ambient rock music with fancy guitar lines to close things off. Skies Fell seem like a criminally underrated band as their dynamic and emotive music is enthralling both in the live and recorded setting, with drums and guitars and pianos and all the rest combining to create charming soundscapes. 'Bear No Malice' is a quick taste of this style, and their debut album Skies Fell is the delicious buffet. 

That's all for August, thank you for reading this month's Algohythms column and I hope you enjoyed the music therein. Barring any major issues, we'll be back next month with some more "quirky" music suggestions. The kind of music that I couldn't make friends over in high school, but there you go, that doesn't mean it isn't wonderful. As always, hit me up @kj_mccormick with any suggestions you may have. 

Goodbye!

Welcome to HeartSongs, our regularly scheduled (probably) look at songs and the people who write them. We spoke to Kees and James from Cork band The Shruggs about their recent single ‘Sunny Afternoon’.

“I was travelling around South America with my girlfriend and while in Bolivia I heard these stories of people holding street races at night. In Bolivia you have these small quiet towns in the middle of the desert with wide sandy streets and, even though the races were being held at night, I could just picture them speeding down and leaving a dust trail in the sun. There is a strange chaotic feel to Bolivia so the ‘through the hustle bustle’ line comes from the craziness that seems to happen in that country; a real contrast to the friendliness of the people and the beautiful landscape there.

Bolivia is a very Catholic country so the line “What about the Father” kind of has a double meaning. I thought this worked really well, you can either think of it as - is he worried about what his father is going to say or what the local priest is going to say about him racing in the streets. Most of all I wanted the song to have a summer feel to it and get people moving with that driving beat.

Although I wasn’t trying to replicate a ‘60s feel I am heavily influenced by Brian Wilson and his production style. His use of harmonies and his arrangements are always so unique so I always try to add some of that to my songs. I wanted it to be a poppy upbeat song with the beat driving it along the whole way through.

I also love Randy Newman and the way he adds humour to his songs and how he uses simple language to give you a feel for the character and story. It’s always been a big influence on my writing. Wilco was definitely another influence on the arrangement of the song, I love their songs and the way they can change up verses and choruses to keep a song interesting.

We are really happy with how it turned out. We went into the studio with Wayne Sheehy and recorded it over 2 days in his studio in Ocean Studios in Bantry, Co Cork. The studio is in a beautiful location right next to the sea, totally out of the way and a great place to get inspired. Wayne was great and we really dissected the song which is something I love to do. I had an idea of what I wanted the song and the harmonies to be and Wayne was really able to bring it to its full potential.” - Kees

“The accompanying music video was shot and directed by John Kennedy of The Young Offenders fame.  We recorded it in one full and sunny day along parts of the 'Wild Atlantic Way' (Bandon/Inishannon). We wanted to capture a mischievous 'day in the life' of two adventurous young lads, the lads worked really well and with their love of 'kick-flips' and 'tail whips’ really brought great charisma and personality to the screen. Everyone was top notch on the day of filming and it really surpassed all expectations. As a whole package we believe this is our best work yet and considering the small team that was involved we are very proud of the final product, one of the best aspects of it for us was being able to dedicate the video to the memory of our friend Dan.

It's really given us a great boost and the fact that it has over 6K views in the first week shows how much people love it. The airplay from local and national radio stations has really helped us along too, countless people have the track stuck in their heads; so that is fun for us to hear.” – James

Sunny Afternoon

Hey I’m a role model

Pull the wool over your eyes

I’m gonna get up onto my saddle

And race you to the light

And through the hustle bustle hustle bustle now

Right down through Calle Muerta

Where the ghosts fly right beside

And down to Santa Mor Boulevard

Oh you’re racing through the night

And through the hustle bustle hustle bustle now

Oh I don’t have a lot

Yo, we can go, we can stand here all alone

On a Sunny Afternoon

You can’t think too far ahead now

The same way we do in our lives

And oh if the tires burn out

We’ll be a mess by the end of the night

And through the hustle bustle hustle bustle now

But what about the Father,

What do you think he’s gonna say

What about the Father,

Oh it’s not gonna make his day

Yo, we can go, we can stand here all alone

On a Sunny Afternoon

But what about the Father,

What do you think he’s gonna say

What about the Father,

Oh its not gonna make his day

And through the hustle bustle hustle bustle now

Yo, we can go, we can stand here all alone

On a Sunny Afternoon