A DIY INDIEPOP VINYL & CASSETTE LABEL

Randolph's Leap - Moment Passed [Digital]

Artist: Randolph’s Leap
Title: Moment Passed
Format: digital
Cat#: Fika085SG2
Release date: 8th January 2021
Bandcamp | Spotify

Moment Passed is the second single from Scottish folk-pop collective Randolph’s Leap’s forthcoming album Spirit Level.

“Moment Passed is basically about stress. I wasn't taking proper care of my physical or mental health and the lyrics are a mixture of wanting to change things in my life but simultaneously worrying I was too late. The original demo had deliberately over-the-top autotune on my voice which didn't go down well with the rest of the band [but it did prove the catalyst for my A.R. Pinewood robo-country spinoff album]! We threw a lot at the mix on this one. Pete played glass bottle percussion and everything. Oh, and there's nothing cooler than a cha-cha-cha ending.”

Spirit Level is an upbeat, melodic indie-pop album full of personality, catchy hooks and memorable lyrics, rich in textural, polyphonic arrangements, and capturing the infinite charm of Adam Ross, the leader of this 8-piece band.

As a core songwriter with a large ensemble, Adam Ross may draw comparison with Stephin Merritt or Neil Hannon, while mining the rich Scottish seam of Postcard Records and C86. And as with contemporaries King Creosote or Withered Hand, is unafraid of drawing on folk music’s story telling tradition, detailing the minutiae of life’s fluctuations, here packaged up in glorious, anthemic and energetic pop.

The titular ‘spirit level’ is a steady reference point over what had been an unsettled spell writing the album, with Adam Ross uprooting from a decade in Glasgow to a tauntingly lopsided house in rural Aberdeenshire, navigating his way through shifting phases in his well-being and happiness, and reflecting on the untimely death of two greatly admired acquaintances. That balancing act came in the form of music, in an optimistic, even celebratory, collection of songs.

Recorded over a period of a year in Glasgow with keyboard player Pete MacDonald engineering, mixing and producing the sessions at home, the album went off to mastering in the nick of time: the following night Pete’s flat went Up In Smoke in a massive fire, taking everything bar Pete (and his pet hedgehog, Frida) with it.

“The next generation of witty Scottish indie pop” The Quietus

“A band deserving of every shred of love and success which came Belle & Sebastian's way” The Scotsman

"The Jonathan Richman of Scottish indie" The Herald

Randolph’s Leap started out as a pseudonym for the solo output of Adam Ross, and now includes up to 8 people in the full live band. The debut Randolph’s Leap album, Clumsy Knot, came out in 2014, with another four live and studio albums and a handful of singles across labels Fence Collective, Olive Grove Records and Lost Map. In 2018 a touring theatre show called The Isle of Love was devised around the songs of Randolph’s Leap.

They’ve recorded several Marc Riley sessions, performed at Green Man, T in the Park, Indietracks, and The Edinburgh Fringe, and have toured with The Burning Hell and James Yorkston. 

The Randolph’s Leap name is taken from a scenic location on the River Findhorn.

Randolph’s Leap are Adam Ross (songs, vocals, guitar), Adam Armour-Florence (drums), Ali Hendry (trumpet), Andrew MacLellan (guitar), Fraser Gibson (trombone) Heather Fox (violin), Pete MacDonald (keyboards) and Vicki Cole (bass).

“a fantastic, gilded piece of indie pop with slight Americana leanings.” Clash Music [video premiere]

“it takes on that chamber pop feel, bursting forth with horns and various instrumental textures. I won’t deny how much I love the rise and fall of the chorus here, like a roller coaster with a huge lollipop waiting for you at the end” Austin Town Hall

The Just Joans - Card from a Multipack [7"]

Artist: The Just Joans
Title: Card from a Multipack [Ten Year Anniversary Edition]
Format: 7" single on Scots Pine green vinyl with postcard | set of five postcards with download
Cat#: Fika084
Release date: 10th December 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

 The Just Joans return to their much-loved Seasonal Greet EP after a decade, many Christmases older but just as miserable and jaded as ever.

Enlisting the talents of cellist Maya Burman-Roy (Butcher Boy, God Help The Girl, Idlewild and Shrag), the band have re-recorded two festive tracks for a commemorative 7” single, headed by their cult classic ‘Card From A Multipack.’

Singer-songwriter David Pope said: “There’s a famous quote by T. S. Eliot about the world ending with a whimper rather than a bang. Similarly, relationships can finish, not with a bang, but an underwhelming Christmas card.

“‘Card From A Multipack’ was originally a throwaway B-side that I recorded myself in 2010 with just an acoustic guitar. Since then, however, it seems to have struck a chord with people, and we're frequently asked to play it live.

“Considering the year we've all had, we thought it would be fun to re-record this ode to lost love and mass-produced salutations as a full band with a string section in the hope that it can bring a little festive cheer.”

The limited-edition Christmas tree-green vinyl comes complete with a series of seasonal postcards (from a multipack) painted by the band’s other vocalist, renowned artist Katie Pope.

Tormented by love, rejection and everyday angst, The Just Joans were formed by David Pope in 2005. Linking up with his sister Katie, together they built a reputation on the indiepop scene by releasing a series of handmade EPs on Wee!POP Records including Hey Boy...You’re Oh So Sensitive, Love and Other Hideous Accidents, and The Just Joans’ Seasonal Greet.

Completing the journey from shambling two-piece to accomplished sextet following their move to Fika, the band continue to win fans with their mischievous lyrics and tender melodies. Embracing Scottish culture at every turn, The Just Joans were perhaps best described by Is This Music? as “the missing link between The Magnetic Fields and The Proclaimers.”

“There’s mischief in this miserablism.” – Mojo

“Siblings David and Katie Pope have been cranking out charmingly shambolic, twee-leaning but feisty indiepop since the mid-’00s and their biting sense of humour (and thick Glaswegian accents) make for easy comparisons to The Vaselines.” - Brooklyn Vegan

Randolph's Leap - Up In Smoke [Digital]

Artist: Randolph’s Leap
Title: Up In Smoke
Format: digital
Cat#: Fika085SG1
Release date: 13th November 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

 Up In Smoke is the first single from Scottish folk-pop collective Randolph’s Leap’s forthcoming album Spirit Level.

"The song was written over a year ago and was inspired by small, personal failures but the sentiment has become weirdly relevant and anthemic in 2020. Pete’s flat where we recorded the album burned down, for one thing, but there’s also the universal feeling of plans and aspirations going completely up in smoke this year. I can’t wait to sing it live – I think it could be quite a cathartic experience.”

Spirit Level is an upbeat, melodic indie-pop album full of personality, catchy hooks and memorable lyrics, rich in textural, polyphonic arrangements, and capturing the infinite charm of Adam Ross, the leader of this 8-piece band.

As a core songwriter with a large ensemble, Adam Ross may draw comparison with Stephin Merritt or Neil Hannon, while mining the rich Scottish seam of Postcard Records and C86. And as with contemporaries King Creosote or Withered Hand, is unafraid of drawing on folk music’s story telling tradition, detailing the minutiae of life’s fluctuations, here packaged up in glorious, anthemic and energetic pop.

The titular ‘spirit level’ is a steady reference point over what had been an unsettled spell writing the album, with Adam Ross uprooting from a decade in Glasgow to a tauntingly lopsided house in rural Aberdeenshire, navigating his way through shifting phases in his well-being and happiness, and reflecting on the untimely death of two greatly admired acquaintances. That balancing act came in the form of music, in an optimistic, even celebratory, collection of songs.

Recorded over a period of a year in Glasgow with keyboard player Pete MacDonald engineering, mixing and producing the sessions at home, the album went off to mastering in the nick of time: the following night Pete’s flat went Up In Smoke in a massive fire, taking everything bar Pete (and his pet hedgehog, Frida) with it.

“The next generation of witty Scottish indie pop” The Quietus

“A band deserving of every shred of love and success which came Belle & Sebastian's way” The Scotsman

"The Jonathan Richman of Scottish indie" The Herald

Randolph’s Leap started out as a pseudonym for the solo output of Adam Ross, and now includes up to 8 people in the full live band. The debut Randolph’s Leap album, Clumsy Knot, came out in 2014, with another four live and studio albums and a handful of singles across labels Fence Collective, Olive Grove Records and Lost Map. In 2018 a touring theatre show called The Isle of Love was devised around the songs of Randolph’s Leap.

They’ve recorded several Marc Riley sessions, performed at Green Man, T in the Park, Indietracks, and The Edinburgh Fringe, and have toured with The Burning Hell and James Yorkston. 

The Randolph’s Leap name is taken from a scenic location on the River Findhorn.

Randolph’s Leap are Adam Ross (songs, vocals, guitar), Adam Armour-Florence (drums), Ali Hendry (trumpet), Andrew MacLellan (guitar), Fraser Gibson (trombone) Heather Fox (violin), Pete MacDonald (keyboards) and Vicki Cole (bass).

“the track is probably the most obviously collective affair that Randolph’s Leap have shared to date, with a wonderful abundance of instruments and clattering noise. The whole thing has a slight runaway train feel, like a snowball of small moments building into a full blown avalanche. While that might sound destructive, there’s an almost joyous feeling to it as well, a cathartic blast of everything falling to pieces and providing the blank canvas on which to rebuild. That feeling is particularly evident in the sparkling outro, where a cornucopia of horns, twitching electronics and the grounding presence of the drum rhythms seem to propel the song, kicking and screaming off into the distance.” For The Rabbits [video premiere]

“a bouncing lead single and classic Randolph’s Leap: a jaunty melody, catchy chorus and witty lyrics all culminating in a glorious brass filled romp.” Net Sounds

Emma Kupa - It Will Come Easier [12"/CD]

Artist: Emma Kupa
Title: Nothing At All
Format: 12” black vinyl | digipack CD
Cat#: Fika083LP | Fika083CD
Release date: 18th September 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

Following successes fronting Mammoth Penguins and the sorely missed Standard Fare, Emma Kupa releases her first full length solo album It Will Come Easier on 18 September:
“The hope in the title is important to me – it is something I try to hold onto when things feel difficult”.

It Will Come Easier delves through the trials and tribulations of attempting to navigate the crossroads of your early thirties. Head on and raw, Kupa leads us through her tender reflections on relationship regrets, the torment and pressure to succeed, and the dichotomy of now finding herself inclined to choose logic over impulse - “does her smile light up your heart, or do you just want to get under her shirt?” she asks on Does It Feel New.

Her most personal collection of songs to date, they  pick up from the intimate family portraits of Kupa’s debut solo EP, Home Cinema:
“The album explores aspects of love, escapism and fidelity, but there’s also a thread about accepting feelings of hopelessness when you don’t quite meet the many pressures of life’s expectations”.

In spite of the harsh directness of its subject matter, It Will Come Easier has an audible freshness and a spring in its step. The optimistic jaunt of Nothing At All defies the futility in being unable to influence a particularly toxic situation. I Keep An Eye out is a follow up to Home Cinema’s Half Sister, written for the eponymous sibling that doesn’t know of Kupa.

Written and recorded over a period of time, Kupa felt she needed to give these 10 tracks some emotional space before making them public. Joined by bandmates from both Mammoth Penguins and Suggested Friends (Mark Boxall and Faith Taylor, respectively), alongside Laura Ankles, Joe Bear, Rory McVicar and Carmela Pietrangelo, the instrumentation is more diverse than in previous Kupa bands. From the sparse, evocative strings of Hey Love and the simple piano backing of unexpected wedding drama in Crying Behind The Marquee, through to the grinding synths of CP Reprise,  textural flourishes abound, belying Kupa’s background fronting noisy three-piece indie-pop outfits.

With nods to Dusty Springfield, The Unthanks and The Postal Service, It Will Come Easier is a mesmerising journey through early adulthood, poignant and expertly detailed.

* * *

Emma Kupa currently fronts Mammoth Penguins, and The Hayman Kupa Band alongside Darren Hayman. She initially made her name with Standard Fare, whom called it a day at the peak of their success in 2013. Her insightful warmth, eye for lyrical detail and powerful, idiosyncratic voice has made her a firm favourite amongst fans and critics alike.

It Will Come Easier is released on 18th September on Fika Recordings (UK/Europe) and Palo Santo (USA).

The album is preceded by a trio of digital singles: Nothing At All (June 5th), Hey Love (July 10th) and Nawlins (August 14th).

“It Will Come Easier isn’t a road map to your early 30’s, it’s a helping hand encouraging you to find your own path, a beacon of hope held by someone who made it through, and created something wonderful along the way.” For The Rabbits

“It’s like an acoustic album from The Beths and sits in the same space as folk-without-a-finger-in-its-ear favourites This Is The Kit or Rachael Dadd. It Will Come Easier is a joy from start to finish and Emma Kupa should feel rightly proud of a set of songs that weave musical magic with lyrical depth in the storytelling. Amid the search for meaning and questioning of head versus heart runs a rich vein of hope which shines through everything and lights up the album and this should help us all as the night’s draw in and we transition from the heat of summer to the leaf-strewn streets of Autumn.” JoyZine

“Throughout the well-crafted, bittersweet set, Kupa explores the complicated emotions and outcomes of various relationships, with an eye toward the relatable everyday and unanswered questions like "When our eyes are all strayin'/Do we stay, love?/Do we keep it together?"" All Music [7/10]

“Not only does ‘It Will Come Easier’ showcase Emma Kupa’s intellect and emotional awareness, it also portrays her ability to combine her lyrics with an eclectic mix of music. From the folk-pop style of ‘Does It Feel New’, to the surf-rock style in ‘When Out Toes Are Long Enough’ and the elements of grunge and synth that we witness in ‘CP Reprise’, we remain captivated and aware of Kupa’s immeasurable talent.” Is This Music?

“Her debut solo outing, then, while indie-flavoured, puts personal reflective lyrics to the fore, delving into love, light decadence, coupledom and the everyday. Veering between band instrumentation and more stripped back fare, Kupa’s unforceful human voice and relaxed manner effectively sell the songs.” The Arts Desk

“a show of radiant, unabridged inner unrest and turbulence channeled through fiery banjo, fervent overdriven guitar, buoyant melodies and lush, soothing vocal harmonies.” Atwood Magazine

“I just can’t get enough of the sunny yet reflective chiming offerings of Emma Kupa, and truly find everything she creates to be blissfully soothing and subtly uplifting.” Get In Her Ears

“Kupa is a real treasure of an artist who deserves to be known far beyond the DIY scene, so make sure she’s on your radar.” God Is In The TV

“the album promises raw tenderness and regret, given to you unblinking with a homespun, folksy indiepop melody to sweeten the pill.” Backseat Mafia

“Emma Kupa is one of my absolute favorite songwriters” Austin Town Hall

“It Will Come Easier is just a joy to listen to, and such an easy record to love” A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed

“A pleasant, poppy listen from a skilled songwriter.” If It’s Too Loud

Steven Adams and The French Drops - Keep It Light [12”/CD]

Artist: Steven Adams and The French Drops
Title: Keep It Light
Format: 12” vinyl LP | digipack CD
Cat#: Fika082LP | Fika082CD
Release date: 21st August 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

“Making this record was a joy,” says Steven Adams of his latest album with his band the French Drops. He even let the positive mood around the making of it influence its title. “I love making records but sometimes time, money, or people - including me - fuck up my enjoyment of the process. So this time I kept saying to myself ‘keep it light’ whenever I was making decisions.”

The buoyant and relaxed mood can be heard across the album in its gloriously skipping tones, as it traverses across indie, pop, alt-rock and more tender acoustic and folk-leaning moments. It’s a craft that Adams has been honing for years as the lead figure in outfits such as The Broken Family Band and Singing Adams, so much so that by now it oozes out of him with a seamless grace.

The feelings of serenity and solace he experienced whilst writing the songs themselves carried over into the final product. “I did a big chunk of the writing on holiday in the South of France last year,” he says. “We were staying in this big, rambling house that had a kind of turret room that was cut off from everything, so I’d go up there in the mornings and sit on the floor and feel like a proper artist while everyone else was eating croissants.”

Once described by The Guardian as “one of Britain’s smartest, most underrated songwriters”, Adams’ aim was clear with this record. “I wanted to make a super personal, light-hearted and upbeat record,” he says. “I wanted to do the whole write about what you know thing and keep it as light as possible.” The lightness of the album was a guiding principle but it wasn’t a rule set in stone, as Adams soon found out the deeper he plunged into himself. “We had a running joke about how we were making an album called Keep it Light that is full of songs about racists and panic attacks and existential angst,” he says. “But it does you good to get that stuff out. Writing songs and making records keeps me sane.”

The album is one as full of joy and beauty as it is ink black humour and caustic revelation. On the gorgeous shuffle of “Oh Dear” - recalling the kind of stripped back beauty of Yo La Tengo at their finest - Adams sings: “and true love will not find you in the end.” A knowing nod and a wink to Daniel Johnston’s earnest refrain that indeed true love will find you in the end. It’s such moments that fill the album with equal parts weight and lightness, a smart touch delivered with a deft hand. Of the broad range of the album and its wide-spanning lyrical content Adams simply says: “the upbeat stuff is pretty upbeat and the darker stuff is pretty dark, but it’s all still with some humour.”

Perhaps the song that best encapsulates this split between the light and the dark and the funny and the personal is “My Brother, the Racist” a self explanatory song that skips along with an infectious groove as Adams sings about, well, his racist brother. It unfurls in an intimate manner that recalls the kind of deeply personal allure of Sun Kill Moon’s Benji. “It’s an awkward thing to sing about, but it was the right thing to do,” he reflects. “I’ve written about British racism before, but never this close to home.”

Recorded at Soup by Simon Trought and with band members Laurie Earle, Daniel Fordham, David Stewart and Michael Wood, this is the first time Adams has worked in such a harmonious and in sync way. “This is the first record I’ve made with the band all playing in one room, getting everything down at once,” he says. “We played live with all of us on the floor, and it came together really quickly. But we still gave ourselves time to experiment and do fun stuff all over it.

This combination of allowing things to be light, not overstressing, the harmony of the group, and the seamless knack of Adams’ songwriting has resulted in a truly special record. “I’m usually sick of a record by the time it’s mixed and I don’t get much of a kick out of hearing my own stuff, but this one’s different,” he says. “I know I sound like a wanker saying this but this is the best record I’ve ever made.”

“The French Drops have created an engaging, emotional, intelligent and beautifully crafted album. A varied, cohesive and downright beautiful LP, Keep It Light is a thing of pure joy.” Louder Than War [9/10]

“The highlights are those tracks that adhere most diligently to the command in the album’s title - the breezy Band-alike “Bring on the Naps”, the wry, arch and Go-Betweenish “Going to Everglades”, and the curious but infectious “My Brother, The Racist” which suggests Jonathan Richman having a lash at the protest song” Uncut [7/10]

“The ten songs on ‘Keep It Light’ do find him in particularly fine form and if you’re looking for an entry point then start here and work your way back through everything you can get your hands on. And for the long-term fans, your singing Adams is in fine fettle and as dependably entertaining as ever.” Folk Radio

“Keep It Light, is like a breath of fresh air in the current political climate. It is fun, uplifting and energetic. Keep It Light does exactly what it says on the tin. The upbeat, jovial mood runs throughout the entire album. It bridges an attractive mixture of genres: indie, alt-rock and pop, with folk-esque moments and moments of soft, tender acoustics.” JoyZine

“The songs may well be about racism, panic attacks and general disappointment, but it’s never heavy going. Existential angst with a light touch.” Shire Folk

“Desparate to keep it upbeat there are times when the music backs dark humour, like My Brother The Racist, or just joyous fun, like Bring on the Naps, a salute to the art of having a sly snooze.” Express [4/5]

“This is genre hopping in the best way, filled with superbly crafted, melodic tunes that impress and delight in equal measure.” Lonesome Highway

“Musically too, the track seems to walk the line between emotional states, the bright shuffle of acoustic guitar and drums contrasted, by the more melancholic tones of piano and bass. Steven has suggested this is the best record that he’s ever made, and while that’s quite some claim, on this evidence we’re not going to argue.” For The Rabbits

“Adams is still pulling out the steady folk-tinged power pop that works like a snake charmer on my ears” Austin Town Hall

Emma Kupa - Nawlins [Digital]

Artist: Emma Kupa
Title: Nawlins
Format: Digital single
Cat#: Fika083SG3
Release date: 14th August 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

The third single to be taken from Emma Kupa’s debut solo record is Nawlins.

Nawlins is a song about a period when I was travelling around a fair bit visiting family for various reasons (a wedding and an elderly relative with cancer - see my song Katie NYC) and I would end up hanging out with really fun people that I was put in touch with by friends and family here in the UK. It's always good to know someone in a new place who can show you round, especially if you're on your own. I love Rory's guitar solo so much. This song also features in Jeanie Finlay's documentary about Indietracks. The video was made with the help of my neighbour Sara who is a choreographer, her students, and Darren Hayman who edited it.

Video edited by Darren Hayman, choreographed by Sara Ford and danced by Artemas Nicoll Cowley, Isabella Yerassimou, Nina Siriwardena, Eliza Mahoney, Natalie Rees, Alice Birch, and Griffin Tremlow.

Following successes fronting Mammoth Penguins and the sorely missed Standard Fare, Emma Kupa releases her first full length solo album It Will Come Easier on 18 September:
“The hope in the title is important to me – it is something I try to hold onto when things feel difficult”.

It Will Come Easier delves through the trials and tribulations of attempting to navigate the crossroads of your early thirties. Head on and raw, Kupa leads us through her tender reflections on relationship regrets, the torment and pressure to succeed, and the dichotomy of now finding herself inclined to choose logic over impulse - “does her smile light up your heart, or do you just want to get under her shirt?” she asks on Does It Feel New.

Her most personal collection of songs to date, they  pick up from the intimate family portraits of Kupa’s debut solo EP, Home Cinema:
“The album explores aspects of love, escapism and fidelity, but there’s also a thread about accepting feelings of hopelessness when you don’t quite meet the many pressures of life’s expectations”.

In spite of the harsh directness of its subject matter, It Will Come Easier has an audible freshness and a spring in its step. The optimistic jaunt of Nothing At All defies the futility in being unable to influence a particularly toxic situation. I Keep An Eye out is a follow up to Home Cinema’s Half Sister, written for the eponymous sibling that doesn’t know of Kupa.

Written and recorded over a period of time, Kupa felt she needed to give these 10 tracks some emotional space before making them public. Joined by bandmates from both Mammoth Penguins and Suggested Friends (Mark Boxall and Faith Taylor, respectively), alongside Laura Ankles, Joe Bear, Rory McVicar and Carmela Pietrangelo, the instrumentation is more diverse than in previous Kupa bands. From the sparse, evocative strings of Hey Love and the simple piano backing of unexpected wedding drama in Crying Behind The Marquee, through to the grinding synths of CP Reprise,  textural flourishes abound, belying Kupa’s background fronting noisy three-piece indie-pop outfits.

With nods to Dusty Springfield, The Unthanks and The Postal Service, It Will Come Easier is a mesmerising journey through early adulthood, poignant and expertly detailed.

“With Emma’s lovely voice and lyrical acuity brought to the fore with bare accompaniment on violin and cello, this makes for an ode to love that is both astute and fragile.” Folk Radio

“Now Emma has shared the video for second single “Hey Love”: watch below. It’s a naked look at a true relationship as lived out there in the real world: the everyday, the little compromises of life. Emma is filmed straight to camera, against 70s’ wallpaper, singing to her lover: “Hey love … / If you think it’s got boring / Just say love / And we’ll do something different.”
It’s a simple but powerfully universal sentiment of a shared life in the actual, delivered in Emma’s unadorned and charming tones, all beautifully restrained vocal power; sparse violin and cello backing are all that she needs to convey this little fragment of beauty. The ‘kitchen sink’ lyrics bring to mind an Alan Sillitoe short story lent melody. “ Backseat Mafia

“the song for the most part are pretty stark, just Emma and her voice; you do get some delicate string work to build in the slightest hint of texture throughout, though the focus remains on Kupa’s dynamic pipes. Honestly, her voice and lyrics make this entire record; I love the lyric below reminding us that “nobody’s a saint/and we’ve all got our problems.” It’s a good thing to keep in mind as we all hold tight to our relationships.” Austin Town Hall

“With no instruments to hide behind, Kupa’s vocals are endearing and pleasantly lilting. Its not a powerhouse performance but it is a perfect accompaniment to the chamber pop vibe.” Surviving The Golden Age

Steven Adams and The French Drops - Soft Landings [Digital]

Artist: Steven Adams and The French Drops
Title: Soft Landings
Format: Digital single
Cat#: Fika082SG3
Release date: 24th July 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

Soft Landings is the final single to be taken from the forthcoming album Keep It Light.

“This started off as a cryptic short story I was writing, but I was playing with the guitar melody and grabbed some of the words for this. It’s about a thing happening on a summer evening. Inge Thomson sings these incredible backing vocals on it; she has one of my favourite voices and it’s always a thrill to hear her on one of my songs. Our old pal Horse played some really cool pedal steel as well.”

Steven Adams is a "national musical treasure" (The Guardian) who fronted country pranksters The Broken Family Band throughout the 2000s before calling time on that band at the height of their success. 

He's been ploughing his own furrow ever since, with multiple name changes (Singing Adams, The Singing Adams, Steven James Adams, Steven Adams & The French Drops), and a series of albums ranging from DIY indie rock, intimate folk and - with 2018's Virtue Signals - experiments in krautrock and politically-charged widescreen pop.

Originally from South Wales, Adams now lives in East London.

Emma Kupa - Hey Love [Digital]

Artist: Emma Kupa
Title: Hey Love
Format: Digital single
Cat#: Fika083SG2
Release date: 10th July 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

The second single to be taken from Emma Kupa’s debut solo record is Hey Love.

'Hey Love' is about noticing and appreciating the positive things in a relationship. Emma’s lovely voice and lyrical acuity to the fore, with bare accompaniment on violin and cello. make for an ode to love that is both astute and fragile.

Following successes fronting Mammoth Penguins and the sorely missed Standard Fare, Emma Kupa releases her first full length solo album It Will Come Easier on 18 September:
“The hope in the title is important to me – it is something I try to hold onto when things feel difficult”.

It Will Come Easier delves through the trials and tribulations of attempting to navigate the crossroads of your early thirties. Head on and raw, Kupa leads us through her tender reflections on relationship regrets, the torment and pressure to succeed, and the dichotomy of now finding herself inclined to choose logic over impulse - “does her smile light up your heart, or do you just want to get under her shirt?” she asks on Does It Feel New.

Her most personal collection of songs to date, they  pick up from the intimate family portraits of Kupa’s debut solo EP, Home Cinema:
“The album explores aspects of love, escapism and fidelity, but there’s also a thread about accepting feelings of hopelessness when you don’t quite meet the many pressures of life’s expectations”.

In spite of the harsh directness of its subject matter, It Will Come Easier has an audible freshness and a spring in its step. The optimistic jaunt of Nothing At All defies the futility in being unable to influence a particularly toxic situation. I Keep An Eye out is a follow up to Home Cinema’s Half Sister, written for the eponymous sibling that doesn’t know of Kupa.

Written and recorded over a period of time, Kupa felt she needed to give these 10 tracks some emotional space before making them public. Joined by bandmates from both Mammoth Penguins and Suggested Friends (Mark Boxall and Faith Taylor, respectively), alongside Laura Ankles, Joe Bear, Rory McVicar and Carmela Pietrangelo, the instrumentation is more diverse than in previous Kupa bands. From the sparse, evocative strings of Hey Love and the simple piano backing of unexpected wedding drama in Crying Behind The Marquee, through to the grinding synths of CP Reprise,  textural flourishes abound, belying Kupa’s background fronting noisy three-piece indie-pop outfits.

With nods to Dusty Springfield, The Unthanks and The Postal Service, It Will Come Easier is a mesmerising journey through early adulthood, poignant and expertly detailed.

“With Emma’s lovely voice and lyrical acuity brought to the fore with bare accompaniment on violin and cello, this makes for an ode to love that is both astute and fragile.” Folk Radio

“Now Emma has shared the video for second single “Hey Love”: watch below. It’s a naked look at a true relationship as lived out there in the real world: the everyday, the little compromises of life. Emma is filmed straight to camera, against 70s’ wallpaper, singing to her lover: “Hey love … / If you think it’s got boring / Just say love / And we’ll do something different.”
It’s a simple but powerfully universal sentiment of a shared life in the actual, delivered in Emma’s unadorned and charming tones, all beautifully restrained vocal power; sparse violin and cello backing are all that she needs to convey this little fragment of beauty. The ‘kitchen sink’ lyrics bring to mind an Alan Sillitoe short story lent melody. “ Backseat Mafia

“the song for the most part are pretty stark, just Emma and her voice; you do get some delicate string work to build in the slightest hint of texture throughout, though the focus remains on Kupa’s dynamic pipes. Honestly, her voice and lyrics make this entire record; I love the lyric below reminding us that “nobody’s a saint/and we’ve all got our problems.” It’s a good thing to keep in mind as we all hold tight to our relationships.” Austin Town Hall

“With no instruments to hide behind, Kupa’s vocals are endearing and pleasantly lilting. Its not a powerhouse performance but it is a perfect accompaniment to the chamber pop vibe.” Surviving The Golden Age

Steven Adams and The French Drops - My Brother, The Racist [Digital]

Artist: Steven Adams and The French Drops
Title: My Brother, The Racist
Format: Digital single
Cat#: Fika082SG2
Release date: 26th June 2020
Bandcamp | Spotify

My Brother, The Racist is the second single taken from the forthcoming album “Keep It Light”, out in August 2020.

“True story. It’s an awkward thing to sing about, but it felt like the right thing to do. Write about what you know.

I worried that it was a bit depressing, but as soon as we started playing together it felt positive and optimistic. We finished recording just before lockdown and although that seems like a very long time ago, I’m so glad we got this song down. “

Steven Adams is a "national musical treasure" (The Guardian) who fronted country pranksters The Broken Family Band throughout the 2000s before calling time on that band at the height of their success. 

He's been ploughing his own furrow ever since, with multiple name changes (Singing Adams, The Singing Adams, Steven James Adams, Steven Adams & The French Drops), and a series of albums ranging from DIY indie rock, intimate folk and - with 2018's Virtue Signals - experiments in krautrock and politically-charged widescreen pop.

Originally from South Wales, Adams now lives in East London.

“My Brother, The Racist is a song with a somewhat self-explanatory title as Steven explains, “it’s an awkward thing to sing about, but it felt like the right thing to do”. Like much of upcoming album, Keep It Light, here Steven seems to play with ideas of darkness and light, “I worried that it was a bit depressing, but as soon as we started playing together it felt positive and optimistic”. Certainly lyrically it hits a downbeat tone almost instantly, “my brother, the racist will die and I won’t know when Guess I’ll find out later, I can hold on till then”. From there though, the track seems to leave room for growth, Steven explores how they ended up the way they both are, and ultimately seems to find strength in letting go of a relationship that could never work. Musically too, the track seems to walk the line between emotional states, the bright shuffle of acoustic guitar and drums contrasted, by the more melancholic tones of piano and bass. Steven has suggested this is the best record that he’s ever made, and while that’s quite some claim, on this evidence we’re not going to argue.” For The Rabbits

“Maybe it’s just me, but the song title alone speaks to my last few months on the Internet, though not necessarily with my immediate family. Musically, Adams is still pulling out the steady folk-tinged power pop that works like a snake charmer on my ears; you can’t go wrong adding a subtle piano line anywhere in a tune” Austin Town Hall