Gizmo Varillas’ music could be described as ‘feel-good’; this belies the depth of sentiments contained within, and those stirred without. It’s true he leans heavily on an encyclopaedic knowledge of colourful rhythms drawn from across the globe: his homeland’s rumbas and flamenco; Latin American salsas, tangos and bossa novas; African highlife and Mali blues; calypso and soca. But these joyful tempos are often undercut by wistful melodies or recognitions of life’s grimmer elements. “I like the idea,” he says, “of sad lyrics with happy music. It balances things out”.

If the last few years have been notable for the increasingly inward-looking nature of contemporary politics, and an upswing in what one might politely – or euphemistically – refer to as ‘nationalism’, Gizmo Varillas’ story can be interpreted an antidote, albeit an unpremeditated one. His music, however, unquestionably offers a powerful remedy for the distressing headlines piling up these days and this time that’s deliberate.

Like El Dorado, its predecessor – an album distinguished by its cheerful air of enthusiastic idealism, but nonetheless penetrated by realism – Dreaming of Better Days acknowledges mankind’s darker sides, and seeks to find light therein. It’s a quality that might be considered as rare as it is indispensable. Dreaming of Better Days - follow’s the release of Varillas’ debut album El Dorado in 2016, which included hits ‘Freedom For Change’ and ‘Give A Little Love’.

On Tour

18.5.18 – UK, Brighton, The Great Escape

21.5.18 – UK London, The Lexington, Headline show

1.6.18 – UK, Cheltenham, Wynchwood Festival

13.7.18 – UK, Suffolk, Latitude Festival

Satirical art-punk band Lice last month announced It All Worked Out Great, a two-part ‘early years’ collection re-recorded and to be released as two EP's and as an LP collecting both together. In frontman Alastair Shuttleworth's own words "it could not have been made by perfect people, and does not expect any to be listening."

Outside of their release of Idles' own Brutalism, Lice were the first signing to Joe Talbot's Balley Records and further strengthens Idles relationship with  both Lice and what is becoming a burgeoning, powerful scene in their hometown of Bristol. Following the support slot for Idles' recent sold out tour, the band have released a second video from the collection, for the brooding ‘Little John Waynes’.

Joe says the following about Lice: “As we watch the world seemingly burn; solace is found in the boundless passions of our peers and the hard workings born from that. Lice are a force beyond the rabble. We are in love. Up the open-minded and up the open-hearted”.

The band play two of their own headline launch shows in Bristol & London in support of the release:

May 24th - Loco Klub, Bristol

May 25th - Sebright Arms, London