Simon Smith

1 week ago | higherplainmusic.com | Simon Smith

With Sarah Tudzin’s superb 2024 album ‘Power’ still in my backlog to review (short version – it’s fantastic, get it), Illiminati Hotties bring their sassy American indie rock to the NPR Tiny Desk series. Swapping out electric guitars for a more Americana/Bluesgrass vibe, this is a stripped-back, playful arrangement of a grungier, messier sound. I haven’t heard a banjo in the main recordings before, yet the arrangements work superbly well.

1 week ago | onthewight.com | Simon Smith

Abbey Brass is about to launch its concert season with a debut performance at Newport Minster. The 25-strong brass band presents its first concert of the year at the recently restored Minster in St Thomas’ Square on Saturday 10th May at 7.30pm. Croucher: Our finale has been specifically chosen to reflect the beautiful Minster settingBand chairman Andy Croucher said the band had been rehearsing for the new season since January and was looking forward to entertaining audiences again.

1 week ago | higherplainmusic.com | Simon Smith

New Zealand-born and Los Angeles-based Lisa Crawley creates indie-pop with catchy hooks and a knowing wink and nod. On her latest single, ‘The Gatekeeper’, Lisa is taking aim at the know-it-alls in the entertainment industry. Between the men in suits and the advice to sell out, it’s an environment that can wear down even the strongest of wills. The song’s lyrics are about keeping that negative voice and noise away.

1 week ago | higherplainmusic.com | Simon Smith

Warm, nostalgic syrupy electric piano and rustic percussion goodness. Sometimes you have to be careful with the word ‘minimalist’. Often that is a substitute for ‘oh there’s not much going on here’ or ‘this is empty space or drone music’. Neither of those terms can describe Svaneborg Kardyb’s version of minimalism. Svaneborg Kardyb are a Danish duo who play solely electric piano/synth and percussion. The album is almost entirely made up of these two instruments and yet as a listener, I never noticed.

1 week ago | higherplainmusic.com | Simon Smith

Smooth grooves and a whirlitzer making beautiful Nikolaj Svaneborg (wurlitzer, juno, piano) and Jonas Kardyb (drums, percussion) are Svaneborg Kardyb. Following on from their fantastic 2023 album ‘Over Tage‘ – the duo return with more instrumental beauties. The jamming duo fit the Gondwana Records vibe perfectly with a melodic mixture of hazy Autuminal lilts and a rustic mixture of folk and jazz ideas. The title track opens the album as a growing machine of ideas.