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The term ‘indie’ in the music industry has become so ambiguous it has practically become as subjective as the meaning of life. Whichever way it is defined, it is still a massive part of the music industry in the UK and across the globe.

Originally, indie referred to how an artist distributed their music. Over the decades, it became a catch-all term for artists sharing the same sonic off-kilter edge; and, of course, the same moody yet inexplicably cool aesthetic. Indie, as a genre, only came around as the result of experimental artists in the 70s wanting to bring a new sound to the airwaves; instead of solely hoping for commercial success after appeasing one of the major record labels.

Indie artists adopted punk ethos they started to push the boundaries of pop. Instead of commercialising their sound, they pushed it into post-punk, shoegaze, synthpop, Britpop, avant-garde, noise rock and dream pop arenas. For all that separates bands such as Sonic Youth, the Cure, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Joy Division, Elliott Smith and Radiohead, there is still so much that ties them together, namely their attitudes and the loud discordant style.

Along with the bands, iconic venues such as the 100 Club in London, the Hacienda in Manchester, and King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow had a pivotal part to play in the traction of independent artists and music. New Indie labels, such as Rough Trade and Factory Records, were amongst the first record labels to truly embrace and encourage experimentalism and authenticity in the artists they scouted and signed – taking New Order and Joy Division as a prime example.

It may have been a while since there was an indie breakthrough act as successful as the Arctic Monkeys, but indie music has far from lost its resonance. Besides, Monkeys won over 42 awards and sold over 20 million records, so that’s going to take some beating, and they’re certainly not the only indie artists currently thriving.

The Welsh indie rock icons, the Manic Street Preachers, celebrated their first number 1 album in 23 years with the release of Ultra Vivid Lament in 2021. The Tarantino-Esque Liverpool outfit, Red Rum Club, released their debut album in 2019, and got to number 14 in the official album sales chart with their album, How to Steal the World, in 2021. Perhaps most impressively, the world’s first CryptoPunk rapper, Spottie Wifi, made just under $200k in album NFT sales in 90 seconds this year.

Apostola leads us into her inner fabric on vivid interview with A&R Factory

Posted on 29 October 2022

A&R Factory had the massive pleasure of interviewing Cyprus-based indie singer-songwriter Apostola. This fearless young artist takes us deep inside her universe with a rare glimpse inside.

We appreciate you reaching out, Apostola. You’re one of our first ever interviews, so let’s do this.
Thank you! It’s nice to have a ‘chat’ as I don’t tend to over-share on social media; I like my music to tell the story, and I am also a bit camera shy!

Firstly, please let everyone know where you’re from and based currently.
I am an island girl! I come from a Mediterranean family and was born in London, England, where I spent my childhood years. We left the UK just before my teens and moved to Cyprus – the smaller, warmer Mediterranean island where my parents are originally from. For a few years, I bounced back and forth between my two home countries but have been permanently living in the sunshine for some years now as I don’t like the cold at all and crave the sea. Last year’s summer single ‘My Heart Belongs
to an Island’ captures that unique island feeling and why I love it so much!

Being yourself in this wild world is so key to being happy. Which specific moment drove you to write your latest release?
My latest release is a compilation album ‘Pop!’ and prior to that, it was ‘Suitcase Full of Dreams’ for the summer. Both releases are upbeat commercial pop, but they were released as a bit of an antidote to the serious ‘World for Sale’ album released in March this year. I have to admit, when I wrote and released the concept album, I was not happy. It was a dark time for a lot of people, and I poured all my frustrations and fears into those 10 tracks. It left me very emotionally drained because there was a lot of ‘me’ in the songs whereas I most often song write by ‘acting’ the role of someone going through something. As a result, I haven’t been back to the studio to record new music since… it really took something out of me. The concept albums with more serious themes started with the ‘Broken World’ album in 2021, which coincided with the pandemic, and this album was the next step; part 2 of issues I felt I needed to sing about as a form of expression and catharsis for me, and hopefully, others.

Realising the need for balance, ‘Suitcase Full of Dreams’ was released for a more ‘fun’ summer, and I then collated all my happier, more upbeat pop tracks and released the compilation album ‘Pop!’ in September. I wanted to remember that I don’t just write heavy narratives and to also bridge the gap till my next releases with something more positive.

Summertime is for Dancing is an absolute anthem and seems to perfectly illustrate current times. Does it feel like the music scene is back to normal in your hometown or not yet?
Thank you! I hope it gets people dancing! We had a very good summer that felt ‘back-to- normal’ with people enjoying themselves dancing, watching live performances and remembering how to have fun and live moments to the fullest. I think this is all the sweeter when you have come out of very uncertain and unchartered territory and have experienced what it means to lose freedom, music, dancing and good times. Let’s hope that people will be able to boogie to ‘Summertime is for Dancing’ for years to come!

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
This is something I struggle with. I kinda did myself a disservice by releasing two styles of music, but at the end of the day, it is all within the pop genre. The singles tend to be commercial, electronic pop, but the EPs and albums are adult contemporary concept releases with much heavier lyrics and a more ‘serious’ vibe, which I have been told are musical narratives. And so, I cannot really find a good way to link the two under one description!

As indies, we are advised to create a strong identity with consistency, but just like humans don’t have one emotion or have fixed tastes, my music is also based on that rollercoaster of emotions and preferences; we don’t eat and wear the same things every day, because we don’t feel the same every day.

How would your best friend describe you?
I have a cluster of different besties and not just one main best friend. I think each of them would describe me differently because we are different things to different people. I think generally they would all say that I give good advice and am a good listener and a supportive friend. I think they would also say that I give thoughtful gifts, as I always quietly take note of things they like or want. I tend to be the friend in the group who is wearing the bright colours and big patterns, which some like, but others find just too garish and over-the-top! I am also the one in the group who will go with the flow to keep the peace!

Do you have any advice for upcoming musicians just starting out?
I could write a book on this topic as a lot of it is trial and error. There are so many companies and services out there waiting to take advantage of indie artists; our inexperience in the industry and our desire to get heard as a tiny drop in a very vast ocean of music that is controlled by the majors. I would tell newbies that often it is not about how good your music is. If you haven’t got the resources to get it out to an audience it could be the best music in the world, but no one will know it’s there. There are also new gatekeepers; the ‘influencers’ and the playlist creators – select those you work with wisely! And so, I would strongly advise that the first thing they do (after creating their music, of course!), is to go on a blog called ‘Passive Promotion’ written by the wonderful indie musician Brian Hazard and binge read it! Brian tries out many services for indies and reviews them, offering a treasure-trove of information free-of-charge. Everything I know about the industry, I learnt from him!

Lastly, do you have anything exciting planned in 2023 music-wise?
As I mentioned, the ‘World for Sale’ album took a lot out of me, so I haven’t been in the studio lately despite my intentions for several planned releases. This took me by surprise as the studio is my happy place and I have the material ready. I am going to snap myself out of this and plan to get back to recording in December and release some more concept EPs in 2023, possibly giving each the theme of one specific emotion. But before that, we have Christmas! I have two Christmas tracks: ‘Christmas Smiles’ and ‘Christmas Card’ and both have an animated, accompanying video which has proven popular. Christmas songs are great in that they are timeless. They hibernate all year, then pop up for the holiday period, as fresh as the day they were released! These two tracks tend to do well on radio stations as there are many that are dedicated just to Christmas songs,
so I am looking forward to introducing them to new listeners for Christmas 2022.

Listen up on Spotify.

Find out more on Facebook.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

witherbride drops calming soundtrack to help us restore focus on realisation

Posted on 29 October 2022

Ascending higher than previously comprehended before on a cloud-cruising song with so much fascination to sift through, witherbride raises our eyes to where we need to be headed on realisation.

witherbride is a 21-year-old rural NSW, Australia-based experimental solo music producer that makes those ear-soothing gems to swim safely inside.

”My main passion in life is creating music that resonates with people on a deeper level and I do my best to create the kind of sounds that people have never heard before.” ~ witherbride

Adorning us with some aplomb and showing us the value of imagination, witherbride shines brightly on realisation and majestically flies where the shrewd eagles roam the skies above.

realisation from NSW, Australia-based experimental shoegaze/ambient artist witherbride is one of the most unique tracks you’re likely to hear this year. Percolating in mystique and shrouded in so much more than we can imagine at this precise second, we’re all in for such a treat as there is so much to ponder inside this sky-floating daydream.

When you suddenly figure out the map, you’re only headed to long-lost treasures.

Float into a better world on YouTube and see more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

SVLEM shows the world their global artistic approach with an interview with A&R Factory

Posted on 29 October 2022

After recently dropping their latest sizzling soundtrack for us to salivate over called Live Session (Nevermore + Adore & Devour), SVLEM drops the curtain and leads us into their world with a hugely revealing interview to expand our minds.

Thanks so much for taking the time to cut it up with us today SVLEM. Firstly, please let everyone know where you’re from and based currently?

SVLEM: Thanks for having us! So…We’re Australian except for Cécile who, unfortunately, is French… Hahaha! We’re based in Sydney.

What was the main vision behind your new release Live Session (Nevermore + Adore & Devour)?

SVLEM: We wanted to share something halfway between a raw live performance and a studio experience to take our audience into a more intimate and stripped down set up where they could feel like they’re a bit behind the scenes. We financed it through Crowdfunding so it was a big deal for us to make it sound and look as great as possible within a Live Session constraints: recording all in a same room is quite an exercise and was something completely new to us. It pushed us as artists, and yet we had a total blast doing it! The response has gone way beyond our expectations and we are so thankful for anyone who’s watched it, the old fans and the new and to the media who have shared this release with their community so far.

Sydney is a special city indeed. How does the music scene feel at the moment and which venues in your local area do you feel a connection with currently?

SVLEM: Sydney’s nightlife is back from the dead after years of curfews and lockdown:

The scene is in full bloom and it’s a great opportunity to try to make a difference by bringing back the fun, promote positivity and inclusiveness out there.

Some venues are doing an incredible job at making the scene accessible for emerging bands and offering quality nights for the audience: Sabrina and her team at the Duke of Enmore always have something interesting going on which highly contributes to keeping the local indie scene alive! The guys at Freakflag don’t cease to blow our minds with the most insane lineups. The team at Crowbar not only gets the best international acts but keeps their stage open to way smaller bands. We’ll mourn Frankie’s Pizza as it was a total institution, but some new venues are popping up like the Soundgarden in Penrith that we cannot wait to experience!

How would you describe your sound in one sentence?

SVLEM: A sonic wall of blazing energy that sucks you in, heavy and hypnotic!

Do you have any goals for 2023 music-wise?

SVLEM: We have just started to lay the foundations for a more substantial release and really hope to get some fresh tunes out next year. We also hope to continue gigging as much, if not more!

When you close your eyes and imagine being on stage, what does it feel like?

Diz (bass): An escape that feels all too brief. Being in the moment and letting the adrenaline take you.

Shah (rhythm guitar & keys): Being on stage is almost an out-of-body experience, it’s like my equanimous mind clocks out and my primal brain kicks in. On stage I’m unchained, unhinged but most of all vulnerable, the music guides my movements and my emotions.

Josh (drums): It’s absolute bliss and freedom. The energy from the crowd just drives your adrenalin for one hell of a ride!

Rhys (lead guitar): Time stops: The truest and most natural form of fulfilment consumes me from head to toe. It feels like it’s one of the few occasions where you are your one and true deity. Haha!

Cécile (vocals): Personally, I become something else. I just let completely loose and can be unpredictable performance wise… last week we played alongside Carmeria, Our Last Enemy and Witchgrinder during the Halloween SpookShow: I smashed my megaphone repetitively onto my head until the batteries eventually popped out and flew at the audience… that was fun. Haha! I just love being on stage, I honestly don’t think there’s a greater feeling.

Do you have any plans to tour or have any events on the horizon? If so, where can we find you next?

SVLEM: We’ll play our last show for this year at ‘The Soundgarden’ in Penrith alongside Thraxas and Taliesin on 19/11 and will kick of the new year on 13/01 at ‘The Duke of Enmore’.

Tour wise, there’s nothing in the cards yet for next year but we’re always happy to tag along and play with our friends and other bands who would like to bring some SVLEM vibes to the night… whether we open or headline we’re always having a rad time!

Thanks for having us A&R Factory and thanks for reading this everyone! If you didn’t get a chance to check out our Live Session so far, go for it and we’ll see you around at a next show!

–

Check out this new video on YouTube.

Follow SVLEM on IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

birthmarkhead drops mysteriously likeable new single Untitled (feat. Karibu Shirley)

Posted on 28 October 2022

Featuring a boomingly decisive beat that is next level legit and takes your mind into a new galaxy of wonder, birthmarkhead sends us into a thoughtful vortex via the latest single, Untitled (feat. Karibu Shirley).

birthmarkhead is a supremely skilled non-binary indie music producer who makes those underground marvels that you can’t believe haven’t been found by the masses yet.

”I would say that having lived in cities such as Berlin, Brighton and Manchester, my production style is difficult to put into a specific box of a genre however, I have drawn a lot of influence from European techno music, ambient music and early 90s-2000s hip-hop and its commercialisation of sampling.” ~ birthmarkhead

After being so inspired by the music community of Berlin recently before the ravaging forces of covid drove him home, birthmarkhead shows a rare excellence with an anthem for those who want something different with their tea.

Untitled (feat. Karibu Shirley) from the UK-based music producer birthmarkhead is one of the more creatively original songs you’re likely to hear today. Filled with a fusion that is so easy to hear and brimming with a body grooving delivery, there is so much to love about a track with so much intrinsic value for the soul to nourish from.

Calm your mind on SoundCloud and see more news on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

You’re Lonely Too: Gemma Danielle drops emotionally charged single Hold On

Posted on 28 October 2022

Taken from her sizzlingly tantalizing debut, 6-track EP named Hearts Devotion, Gemma Danielle sings with true angelic refinement on the haunting tale of trust called Hold On.

Gemma Danielle is a Nottingham, UK-based electronic pop solo artist who loves to mesh in some sweet sounding jazz treats to satisfy our peckish desires.

”If you’ve ever experienced heartbreak, or feelings of being lost, alone and battling self-worth issues, I think you will relate.” ~ Gemma Danielle

Picking herself up from the floor after a scream of frustration to the sky, Gemma Danielle reminds us of her stadium-like vocals that show us inside the healing process. Lighting up our imaginations with classy coolness, we are lathered into a truly fine single that might be stuck in our heads all day.

Hold On from Nottingham, UK-based electronic pop solo artist Gemma Danielle is a pulsating song that will warm up your cheeks and get us all thinking about that harsh feeling when a romance ends. Projected so beautifully and loaded with a fresh beat to get those bodies alive again-we are treated to a real stunner of a track from a young artist who makes such superbly created gems.

Listen up on SoundCloud and check out her moves on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

‘No Escape’ as Canella Throws Everything But the Kitchen Sink at Their Short and Sweet Sophomore Release

Posted on 28 October 2022
Canella

Somewhere between the vocal melodies of Angel Olsen, Taylor Swift & Hayley Williams sits the arresting timbre of Canella’s vocalist in their sophomore single, No Escape. The short and sweet indie-rock release unravels through complex instrumental layering, a pinch of Avant Garde pop production and a juicy chorus that you won’t be eager to get out of the grips of.

The rising indie rock outfit from Albany, NY, and Colombia, respectively, takes inspiration from 00s alt-rock and they’ve gone down a storm based on their accolade as the winners of the WCDB Radio’s Song of The Year for their debut single, Quiet Love. With their sophomore release now galvanising the airwaves, more hype is sure to follow.

No Escape will officially release on October 28th; it will be available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait: Esme Bridie drops catchy new single Mad About It

Posted on 28 October 2022

Taken as the lead track from her brand new 5-track Something In Your Teeth EP release, Esme Bridie is rather spirited and tells it like it is on her fine new single to get excited inside, Mad About It.

Esme Bridie is a Liverpool, UK-based indie singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who performs with genuine heart on each of her well-loved singles.

”On the outside she may look like your average sweet girl, but Esme is a self professed angry girl and this comes through in her newest songs.” ~ Esme Bridie

Lathered in with so much affectionate Wirral-fused energy, Esme Bridie is absolutely mesmerizing in a superb experience which will soothe your soul and perk up our enchanted earlobes.

Mad About It from Liverpool, UK-based indie singer-songwriter Esme Bridie, is a terrific single which will take your breath away for a few seconds. She sings with such a fluid technique that might cause a few veins to shiver slightly, taking us on a wonderful journey your speakers will be thankful for.

Performed with so much precise timing and wrapped in love, this is a quality track to truly enhance our moods.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Leah Jean delivered an indie-jazz meditation in vulnerability and cathartic melody with her single, Stalker

Posted on 28 October 2022

Nashville-residing Indie-folk experimentalist, Leah Jean, laid down lo-fi jazz-infused blues in her latest dreamy trip-hop-y single, Stalker, taken from her upcoming debut album, Creatures in the Room.

Muses find us in the strangest places, but Leah Jean’s crept up behind her in this vocally soulful feat of indie Avant Garde, which uses playful subversion to turn her stalker into an almost affable entity that plays into her melancholy-tainted world in intimately fine detail.

With a lyrical narrative that sucks you in as much as the wavy saturated in delay instrumentals that swoonsomely envelop you in their kaleidoscopic colour, Stalker is a meditation in vulnerability and cathartic melody.

Stalker will officially release on October 28th. Hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Live In My Mind: Filmm yearns for those senses again on Make Believe Penitentiary

Posted on 27 October 2022

Trapped in his mind like a lost bird who needs to fly again, Filmm searches for the keys to break quickly from those self-made walls that can keep you trapped inside forever on Make Believe Penitentiary.

Filmm aka Fionn McGuinness-Maris is a Bristol, UK-based indie alternative solo artist who seems to make relatable classics to learn from.

”Perfect for anyone living in an episode of Black Mirror who makes for a thoroughly miserable dinner party guest.” ~ Filmm

Guiding us into the clouds above and feeding our hearts with a story that might cause a tear or two, Filmm is one of the more original creatives around and backs up the underground whispers with a mightily well-received performance.

Make Believe Penitentiary from Bristol, UK-based indie alternative solo artist Filmm is a terrific track that will take you through the mindset of a lost soul who needs to get out from inside rather swiftly. Soaked in an honest glow and featuring a video that might have you so fascinated, this is a new release to ponder with as you gaze into the sky.

Finding your happy place has never been more important than now.

Listen up on SoundCloud and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Coconut Shy helps us to move on from the past on Water, Water

Posted on 27 October 2022

Made whilst deeply wrapped in a psychology essay that took extra time to write, Coconut Shy shows us fondly inside that memorable corvette that sped away rather quickly on Water, Water.

Coconut Shy is a Melbourne, Australia-based indie folk singer-songwriter who projects his vocals so well that all stress seems to float away.

Seeing that chevy pull up with a smile on his face, Coconut Shy has made an all-time timeless gem for us all to fall in love with. There is so much to be enamoured by inside this truly superb song, which is crammed with a genuine energy to grip us tightly with from all corners.

Sweetly sung and filled with an authentic vibe to gravitate toward, there is nothing you can surely dislike about a release with so much tender care and crisp smoothness for the better absorbed inside.

Water, Water from Melbourne, Australia-based indie folk singer-songwriter Coconut Shy must be one of the more soul-healing singles around. Turning our hearts with caring abandon, this is a stirring track that might get you thinking about that special human who changed your entire mood with one wink.

Hear this fine single on Spotify and check out the IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen