Category #Gothic

Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners Continue To Impress With Sensational New EP, “Dances By Firelight”

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We recently had the delightful opportunity, to check out the stunning new EP, “Dances By Firelight, from high-octane Boston-based Americana band, Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners. You can listen to “Dances By Firelight “ on Spotify Here , Apple Music Here Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners, have a boundless energy that is in full view on “Dances By Firelight” .

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the band

Earlier this spring, the Boston-based Americana band and its face-melting accordion and chicken pickin’ electric guitar stylings released a new EP in April’s Before The Fall, coming fresh off a sprint of seven live shows in five days, culminating with a wild 10-hour marathon set on St. Patrick’s Day. 

Now, the sextet is set to release an immediate follow-up in Dances With Firelight, a spirited EP that arrives today, (Friday, June 27) – just ahead of the release show at the 14-band New England Americana Festival the next day at Bellforge Arts Center, where Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners headline. Right after that, the band sets off on a whirlwind tour of The Netherlands and Belgium from July 3 to 13, playing 14 shows in 14 days.

A constant stream of live shows and this barrage of new releases – including March’s In The Key of Guinness EP of traditional Irish music – are all part of the Kettle Burners’ ethos, the type of band that one listens to all day at home or at work before going raising a glass with the band at one of their raucous live shows at night (or heck, even at a matinée). 

“If we didn’t think it was going to be fun, we wouldn’t be doing it,” Byrnes says with a laugh. “The best moments are when we connect with a crowd. When we play a show, nothing invigorates us more than when our music connects with someone.”

The opening track, “Little Bit More, Little Bit Less” , is the perfect opening track, had us on our feet almost immediately.

The hypnotic groove of ,”Don’t Let Perfect “ is absolutely otherworldly and shows off the next level musicianship of the band .

We enjoyed“Further Down the Road,” and its scratchy guitarwork adding to the intensity and intrigue, takes the band into the world of chain gangs, marriage, the church, truckers – and what Byrnes calls “all of life’s little mysteries, I guess… we never really know when the road will end, or how it ends.” That track, along with “Little Bit More, Little Bit Less,” feature gang vocals by Joe Pleiman, Pete Nersesian, Shane O’Neill, and Elisa Smith. 

The EP closes out with a pair of inspired covers, a hymnal-like rendition of Sturgill Simpson’s “Turtles All the Way Down” that glows with a weathered bravado; and a riveting romp through Billy Strings’ “Dust in a Baggie,” which sonically connects the EP back to opener “Little But More, Little Bit Less,” creating an infinite loop where the record plays on repeat with a natural flow.    

There is a one of a kind joy and wonderment that absolutely shines on “Dances By Firelight” from Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners that is special and truly inspiring.

Hannah Robinson Releases Powerful New Single, “Who I am”

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We recently had the extreme pleasure to check out the new single “Who I Am” , from rising Newcastle Shoegaze rocker, Hannah Robinson. You can listen to “Who I Am “ Here

With bold new releases delving into darker, heavier sonic landscapes, Hannah Robinson and her band are gearing up for their most transformative year yet; selling out their first headline show of the year within hours. 2024 marked her evolution from ethereal dream pop to noisy shoegaze, but as she prepares for 2025, expect more pedals, powerful choruses, raw emotion and haunting vocals that linger long after the music fades.

To showcase the new sound, she has released her new single, “Who I Am” which delves into the psyche of a delusional, narcissistic man trapped in a false reality. Gritty, hazy, and dark, the track explores his inability to see his own flaws, instead blaming his past lovers for not understanding him. With furious choruses, honest vocals, brooding gothic melodies, and conflicted lyrics, this alt-rock anthem paints a haunting portrayal of self-deception and a fractured identity.

“Who I Am” from Hannah Robinson, is a super charged song that grabs you right from the first note , and doesn’t let up for a single second. We were completely mesmerized.

Diving deeper about ‘Who I Am’, Hannah explains:

I’ve always been drawn to expressing my own thoughts on paper, but this time, I felt urged to explore someone else’s. I wanted to craft a story about the classic narcissist; someone blind to their own negativities. To capture the intensity and toxicity of such a character, I made the music as raw and aggressive as possible, making sure it matched the unsettling nature of their delusional personality.”

Hannah Robinson by Storm Walker

We are all in on the new single, “Who I Am” this is without a doubt a song you can’t miss.

We Are Completely Mesmerized By The Stunning New Single, “Fools Gold” From ROTHCO

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We were so excited to learn that Hull (UK) band, ROTHCO, have signed to Man Demolish Records and will release their debut EP Fools Goldon 6th June 2025.

To mark the occasion , the band are sharing the writhing lead single and title track ‘Fools Gold’ which is out now.

You can listen to “Fools Gold “, Here

ROTHCO conjures up a hypnotically hip melody with “Fools Gold” that we are absolutely smitten with.

Photo credit – Victoria Smith

Brimming with Gothic New Wave sensibilities and a passionately poetic delivery, sonically the track is an amalgamation of some of their major influences including The Doors, Talking Heads, Joy Division and Fugazi, with more than a touch of Swans-esque noise rock and agit-punk thrown into the mix.

Fresh from signing with Man Demolish Records, the band recently recorded their debut EP Fools Gold, mixed by Nick “The Muscle” Russell (Strange Pink, Bedsit) at York’s Young Thugs Studios, and mastered by Pete Maher (Jack White, U2). 

Commenting on the single, the band said: “‘Fools Gold’ is our statement against the mechanical and algorithmic efficiency of the modern world; our declaration in favour of keeping humanity in the arts and wider life.”

ROTHCO’s sound is an intoxicating blend of influences that impresses in its effortless blending of elements from abrasive punk, brooding psychedelic, disco and gothic post-punk.

Comprising veterans of the Hull music scene, the band have paid their dues in notable previous outfits Bunkerpop, Black Ravines, Stuka, Big River, Black Delta Movement, and Bedsit, and their dedication to their craft is more than apparent in this latest incarnation.

We are all in on ROTHCO, and we can’t wait to hear what’s next.

Live Dates:

18.04.25 – Hull – The New Adelphi Club (w/ The Paddingtons)
07.06.25 – Hull – The New Adelphi Club (EP Launch)
11.06.25 – Scunthorpe – Cafe Indie
12.06.25 – Bridlington – Queens Bar
13.06.25 – York – Young Thugs

Deadset Release Mesmerizingly Haunting New Single, “Sister Codeine”

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Hull (UK ) post-punk/goth quartet Deadset are pleased to announce they have signed to local independent label Man Demolish Records(HOLY POPES) and will release their debut EP A Place Called Home on 16th May 2025.

To celebrate the news, the band are sharing lead single ‘Sister Codeine’ today, with the track out now on all good streaming services. You can listen to “Sister Codeine” on Spotify Here, Apple Music, Here

Photo credit- Joe Brodie

Produced by Lee Drinkall (FEVER, LIFE) at Yuba Studios in Barton, mixed by Pat Pretorius (Vulgarians, The Talks) and mastered by Pete Maher (U2, Jack White), ‘Sister Codeine’ explores the false reality created by isolation, ruminating, and catastrophizing; being unable to escape your own spiralling thoughts to the extent of believing them.

The band’s vocalist Sam Mellors describes songwriting for Deadset as his own “form of therapy”—an outlook that truly shines through on their newest release, as he comes to terms with the falsities within his own thought patterns

Musically, the song feels like a subtle change in direction for the outside from previous releases—it’s impossible to ignore the new influence of Billy Duffy on guitarist James Massey, with the track so reminiscent of Goth Rock legends The Cult, giving the new material a more refreshing, upbeat tone even within the somewhat morbid context of the song.

This song ended a really long drought for us,”says bassist Adam Arnold. “It was refreshing for us all and definitely gave us a different outlook on songwriting; realising we can give each other a lot more space and it’ll benefit the band. James really shines through on this and it’s because he had space to do so.”

“The lyrics felt a bit frantic and nonsensical when I first read them back,” adds vocalist Sam Mellors, “but that’s how I felt at the time. I was a bit all over and didn’t feel present with my thoughts. Overthinking tiny problems and blowing them out of proportion. It’s like you create a new reality for yourself. You’ve gotta keep yourself in check and rationalise what’s going on. This song is really me exploring that process.”’

DEADSET were formed in 2022, originally a product of founding members Massey and Mellors, who discovered a genuine bond over writing together. Their sound took on a more gritty, tense, and claustrophobic character when bassist Adam Arnold and drummer Rio Campbell joined, taking the classic indie sensibilities of the two original members into harsher new territories.

Deadset, have a vibe and sound that is absolutely otherworldly, “Sister Codeine”, is a raw and powerful track that makes you immediately take notice . Don’t sleep on Deadset, they are a band you can’t ignore.

The DSM IV Deliver Otherworldly New Single, “Pink Lady” From New EP, “Negative Utopia “

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We recently had the magnificent opportunity to check out the new single, “Pink Lady”,from the recently released EP, “Negative Utopia” from Liverpool gothic alt-pop trio THE DSM IV. You can listen to “Pink Lady” Here You can also check out the new EP, Here

Photo credit- @richiebyates

The DSM IV, absolutely shine with their new EP, NEGATIVE UTOPIA, which is out now via local independent label heroes 9×9 Records, available on vinyl and all good digital service providers, with new single ‘PINK LADY’ also out now. You can order the vinyl Here

Following recent shows alongside HUMANIST, Jemma Freeman & The Cosmic Something and ARXX, the band recently announced a new run of early 2025 UK headline tour dates, with tickets on sale now, and several fresh dates added today (see below for listings).

Commenting on the track, front man Guy McKnight says: “PINK LADY is a tribute to the life of Rae Pinx. Tragically she died suddenly in an accident. She was the long term partner of my ex-band mate in The Eighties Matchbox B-line Disaster, Marc Norris. She was a multidisciplinary artist, including being a great and much published live music photographer, and also a full time tattoo artist.  She was passionate about many kinds of alternative music and was also a Bruce Springsteen aficionado. It’s one of the first songs we three wrote together as THE DSM IV.”

“WISE GUY’ comes backed by AA side ‘PENNYWISE’, a deep cut from their debut album NEW AGE PARANOIA which was released earlier in 2024.

There is this beautiful dark mystique , that surrounds The DSM IV , and it is stunningly brilliant. We are absolutely mesmerized by their latest single “Pink Lady”

You owe it your music loving soul to check out The DSM IV and all they have to offer .

THE DSM IV are:

Guy McKnight – lyrics and vocals
Jade Ormesher – guitars and bass
Pav Cummins – drum machine and synths

FAMILY JEWELS TOUR LIVE DATES:

You Can Get Your Tickets Here

29.01.25 – Manchester – Night & Day
31.01.25 – London – Shacklewell Arms (Black Bordello special guest supporting)
01.02.25 – Norwich – Voodoo Daddys 
07.02.25 – Liverpool – Rough Trade (EP release show)
08.02.25 – Preston – The Ferret (Whingefest)
20.02.25 – Coventry – The Tin @ The Coal Vaults (w/ Rats on Rafts)
21.02.25 – Nottingham – The Grove
23.02.25 – Todmorden – The Golden Lion 
01.03.25 – Brighton – Green Door Store (co-headline w/ Baba Ali)
21.03.25 – Newcastle – Cumberland Arms

THE DSM IV online:

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