Experimental electro-pop chic Grimes has, finally, released a new video for her latest track. The song came out in June and features a collaboration with another Canadian musician Blood Diamond, but apparently Claire Boucher wrote Go for Rhianna. We’re just thankful the pop-princess turned it down.

The video was inspired by Dante’s Inferno, and was co-directed by Grimes and her brother Mac. It takes us to a world of dancing mimes, club scenes and sand dunes, with flashing lights, fish-eye shots, and even features some very en vogue Adidas slides. We just hope the next visual instalment doesn’t take as long.

grimesmusic.com

Tags: Blood Diamond, Grimes

On Wednesday 20 August, a steady stream of suits, hipsters and minor celebrities (Samwell Tarly from Game of Thrones – yes, really) flooded into Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen’s performance area. In the darkened room, lit with blues and pinks and reds, an audience was assembling to see a hotly-tipped, up-and-coming musician.

The lady in question was Blackburn native Charlotte O’Connor, aka Charlotte OC. Despite being tapped as the sound of 2014, Charlotte’s path to stardom has had a rather slow beginning. Although she had a record deal in her teens, she was dropped and the album never saw the light of day. In the ensuing years she worked in her mum’s hairdressing salon.

But talent will out, and now this slight, leather-clad figure, complete with perfect, blunt-cut fringe, captivated the audience from the get-go. Her rich, soulful voice filled the room, accompanied by two keyboard players.

The stand-out track is her latest EP, Strange. An ethereal, haunting song with distinctly dark undertones, its electro feel was bewitching in the performance space. The tempo changed for a ballad, and then poppy Hangover’s toe-tappingly good beat swept the audience to the finale. During Colour My Heart, Charlotte’s voice developed a raw and emotional quality that contrasted with her previously upbeat songs.

Charlotte OC is clearly going somewhere. The only complaint was that the set was all too brief. Strange releases on 22 September.

charlotteoc.com

Tags: Charlotte OC, Hoxton Square Bar & Grill, Twin magazine

Tags: Daphne Guinness, David LaChapelle

Say Lou Lou have announced the release date for their debut album, Lucid Dreaming. Out February 2nd 2015, the Australian/Sweedish Twins are keeping us in suspense, but in the meantime their new single Games For Girls is now available to stream online. Produced by fellow-Scandi Lindstrøm, the track is a seductive electro-disco number, following on from previously released songs Maybe You, Julian, Better in the Dark and Everything We Touch. 

After a summer of festival appearances, Say Lou Lou will be performing in London at a headline show at Heaven on December 4th 2014. Tickets go on sale today, August 15th and are available from livenation.co.uk.

sayloulou.com

Tags: Lindstrøm, Say Lou Lou

Devan DuBois may not be a name you’re familiar with, but his music has been long in the making. Perfecting his sound for a long time, his first track is finally released. Long Live is an elegant and folky tune, giving us an insight of what to expect from this enimatic musician with a southern demeanour. Dubois’ debut album, Le Fou, will be released on August 19th.

Watch the video for Long Live directed by Chuck David Willis below.

devandubois.com

Tags: Chuck David Willis, Devan DuBois, Long Live

Last Thursday night Kate Boy transported us from The Lexington to a far-away musical land, one where we are all human, all equal, all at one.

The Stockholm based three-piece took to the stage, all wearing matching ensembles of white camouflage printed jackets with the hoods up and black caps peaking out from underneath, while we waited for those catchy electronic beats. Opening the show with their hit In Your Eyes, lead singer Kate Akhurst’s unique style and stage presence conducted the crowd, with everyone singing along. Her moves, sometimes robotic, yet sometimes fluid and eerie were mesmerising, and her voice, hypnotic, even stronger when performed live.

Together, Kate, Hampus Nordgren and Markus Dextegen performed in perfect synchrony, especially when they all came together for a drum crescendo, leading us to the crux of an unheard-before track. Their talent for building up a song and creating an otherworldy atmosphere is unlike any other. With a flawless production, the three of them made switching between instruments and playing heavily electronic melodies live look effortless.

Self Control, another unreleased experimental synth-pop number warned us to “Be yourself/Don’t let nobody else take control.” It was these inspiring lyrics and themes of strong self-belief that the crowd really responded to and by the time they performed their last track, The Way We Are, everyone was in a place of true elation – no static humans in the crowd, we all moved to the beat of Kate Boy’s electric drum.

Set to release new music soon, Kate Boy are worth listening out for.

kateboy.com

Tags: Kate Boy, The Lexington

Imogen Heap, the Grammy and Ivor Novello award winning recording artist, has just released a new track, as well as the news that her 4th studio album, Sparks, will be released in August. Run-Time is the first track from her new record, where she collaborated with everyone from her fans to unsuspecting passers-by, gardeners to filmmakers, scientists to newspaper journalists and brings us her most diverse and daring body of work to date.”I dived into the most immense, intense creative 2 and a half years of my life that took me all over the planet,” states Heap, “collaborating on so many projects with so many people and often totally spontaneously. The album is then in some ways for me grounded with fans’ footprints bringing the finishing touch for the album art, as so many of them came along for the ride.”

Sparks is released on 18th August.

imogenheap.com

Tags: Imogen Heap

Goldfrapp have unveiled the latest video from the new album Tales Of Us. Watch the new video for their track Stranger below. It features Laura Donnelly and Alison Goldfrapp, has a murderous exchange and is set in an eerie, beach location.

Pre-order Tales Of Us Deluxe Edition here: itunes.apple.com

When Twin caught up with London based lyricist Ruby White, she was shooting the final scenes of her first music video. In a South London location, where the walls are decorated with layers upon layers of graffiti, we found the her barefoot, spinning round and round for the camera. It was easy to see that the whole experience was new and exciting for her. We retreated to a nearby bar to sit down over a few drinks to get to know this up and coming vocalist, it was the person behind the voice that we wanted to get to know. On first glance she seemed vivacious, overtly creative and very friendly. Someone you certainly would want to go out partying with.

Ruby White is using the internet to her full advantage. Of course all the illegal downloading has caused an upheaval in the music industry but one way the internet is improving it is by making it accessible for people all over the world to come together and collaborate. Soundcloud and YouTube have made it possible for artists like Ruby to find each other and promote their work. Having trained her voice by singing the rap lyrics to 90’s Hip Hop songs, Ruby uses her jazz influences like Billy Holliday, Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan to her bring her music to life. The style of music she is engaged with is usually from L.A or Europe and she states that “at times the tracks won’t find commercial success but the producers have a deep passion for what they do,” and its obvious she does also.

When was the first time you realised music was your passion?
Honestly, I was about 6. My dad was in a reggae band called Jah Warriors, they  supported Curtis Mayfield and played tribute to Bob Marley. When I found that out, that was it, my dad’s cool and that’s what I’m going to do. I grew up in Suffolk, so there wasn’t really much going on and I would drown myself in RnB and music. It was a way for me to find who I was. When I was young I would sing racy, provocative songs, like Adina Howard’s Freak Me and Aaliyah’s Four Page Letter which my parents weren’t too happy about and it became a rebellious thing which was much more interesting, the more forbidden it was in my household the more I loved it.

Would you say you learnt a lot through music?
I learnt a lot about myself. As I got older, I realised how influential music is. I used to be rebellious with my dad as he had an issue with the music I was obsessing over, but I can look back and understand – I wouldn’t want my 9 year old singing “freak in the morning, freak in the evening.” So I guess it didn’t always have the best influence on me. But in the late nineties there was a change; Spice Girls, Skunk Anansie, All Saints, more girl power and young women not singing about boys breaking their hearts wearing sexy underwear. I found there were these other types of women I could relate to, like Sade, strong women with strong presences. My mum always told me Sade is the epitome of woman.

What was it like the first time you performed?
I was with my grandparents in Tenerife and I donned a blonde wig. I think I performed Chantilly Lace by Big Bopper, Dorris Day Que Sera Sera or something. Then I performed at Jazz Café and Vibe Bar with a few other up and coming artists. The first time I was nervous, just hoping the words would come out, let alone sing, but I think if you’re not nervous, you’re kind of dead. That nervousness used to make me scared but now it’s a spark that lights me up. I would love one day to perform at Glastonbury, I’ve been and it’s a magical experience, Coachella would be the bollocks and in those dark and grimy jazz bars in New York, I’d be in utopia. And I have to say Ronnie Scott’s, it’s a British institution.

Who would you say has influenced the music you are making right now?
Both my dads. One who was in the reggae band, but also my step dad, he was a huge influence. He would listen to a lot of house, but also Massive Attack, Blaxploitation and Everything But The Girl. When I would hear Tracey Thorn’s voice, it was so dark and mysterious; she has a lot pain and emotion without needing to scream it. I didn’t have a gospel-like voice, a voice that was ever going to be typical RnB, so my dad gave me the confidence to be different and to express myself in another way.  They were big house heads my parents, they would go to Adrenalin Village and Ibiza. I grew up around real house and those vocals, they would send shivers down my spine – you didn’t know who the singer was, it was just about the voice taking you to another place. I realised music had so much power and energy through house music.

How would you describe your sound?
I really try not too. I would say it has a mixture of darkness and light. There’s a certain lightness to the instruments that inspire my voice and my vocal range but there is also a dark gritty sweetness to it. I haven’t heard my voice on anyone else so to speak. I’ve been told my voice is jazzy, but my music isn’t jazz. I don’t have a word for my sound, I know everyone wants to hear a genre but I’ve learnt not to worry about that and I don’t want to be restricted.

What’s your writing process like?
I don’t necessarily sit down and write. If I hear something – it could even be just two seconds of an intro – and I’m instantly connected, I have to rewind and record something. It’s completely off the cuff. I never write and then record. I’ll hear something, record it and loop it through my phone, even if it’s just a few phrases, that’s then my idea. Sometimes I can build from it and then other times its complete crap. If someone sends me a beat, I’ll play it and if I feel it instantly, I go with it and find myself singing a whole three minute song off the top of my head, I then tend to make sense of it.

Tell us a bit about Coming Down. Who did you work with on the new track?
I like to search and find music constantly, it’s my favourite thing to do.  I’ll spend six hours on YouTube & Soundcloud looking for new tracks. And with this one I found Evil Needle’s song, quickly recorded it at home and sent the rough version to a few people and it got back to the producer – he loved it! How amazing is that.

Where would you like your music to take you?
Without sounding like I don’t care, I just want to create. I’m not afraid who doesn’t like it, I just love music and as long as I’m pleasing myself I’m happy. It starts with me – if I can play my track fifty times on repeat and I still like it, I’m happy as shit. If someone doesn’t like the music I make, I can’t change that, but if someone does likes it, that does feels amazing. I want people who like music to like my music for what it is, people who don’t care what I look like or what I wear, but only the way my voice makes them feel. I don’t need mass success; I just need to be able to express myself. So, yeah the music I make is for me. Selfishly.

Who is making music at the moment that you appreciate?
I really appreciate producers at the moment. They don’t get enough credit if you ask me. You can get a lot of energy, a lot of heart from a voice, but without the music you haven’t got any soul. Sampha, Kwes, Sivey and Young Turks are making stunning music right now, and FK Twigs, as an artist she’s part of that energy and how it’s evolving. It’s a very exciting, but also challenging time to be making music right now, especially non-mainstream music.

Coming Down is quite a dark track. Do you find the dark moments in your life inspire you the most?
Definitely. Sometimes I think it helps me to be a bit down and surrounded by melancholy. Creatively, it can get a little frustrating being happy, I mean Pharrell, he really managed it with one word, but when I’ve gone through emotional battles, I’ve made great music. Even if no one ever hears it, it’s been my counselling session, really cathartic. But there are different emotions, like being in-love and love itself. I made a track called Magic one night and it dawned on me I was in love, I was so overwhelmed I freestyled the entire track in three minutes and to me the song sounds just like that feeling I had. You can create house music when you’re happy though, that’s the truth, it’s uplifting. But anything jazzy or hip hop, no. I tend to have to be slightly out of my emotional comfort zone to bring it.

What was it like shooting your first music video?
I really wanted to have a visual for my music, but when I shot the video I was nervous. Now, being a woman, this is the truth, there is a lot of pressure to be whatever the idea of perfect is. It’s crazy for females right now. I am happy to hide behind my music to a certain extent, but the reality of it is there are other dimensions to creativity and I wanted to do a video. I believe the universe brought Stavros [ST.AG] around to do the video, he really brought the song’s essence to life.

How are you getting your music out there at the moment?
Mostly Soundcloud and word of mouth, I have people emailing me from South Africa or Tel Aviv wanting to make music and collaborate. Soundcloud and Shazam – they’re my hero’s.

Are you planning an album?
I’m going to make an album, I’m just not in a rush. I want to build on tracks first, create a body of work that fits together. I want people to get to know me first, to start a journey with me really. As long as I wake up each day and I’m making music, I’ll be happy. An album will come along, and it will be amazing. I would want it to be themed, almost like a movie soundtrack or score. I’d like to make a cinematic and a live album, it would be exciting to write for a movie or series.

soundcloud.com/rubywhiteisme

Director: ST.AG
Photographer: Niko Mitrunen
Make-up & Hair: Grace Sinnott
Styling: In the video Ruby is wearing a mix of her own vintage pieces and Blake LDN, Moxham, V Jewellery & ASOS. 

Tags: Ruby White

Sinéad O’Connor announced that she has a new album coming out this week. Set for release on August 11th, I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss is her first record since 2011 and her 10th studio album in her musical career. The first single Take Me To Church will also be released on the same day.

With twelve brand new tracks, the Nothing Compares 2 You singer reminds us why she has become the most iconic Irish artist of the last thirty years. August 11th, one for the diary we think.

Tags: SINÉAD O’CONNOR

It’s been five years since La Roux came onto the scene. Now, with a brand new album Trouble in Paradise out on 7th July, singer Elly Jackson has released the first track off the record, Let Me Down Gently. The song is a melancholic tune with a dark and moody video to boot directed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch. With a taste of what’s to come, we cannot wait to hear more.

Pre-order the album now at itunes.apple.com

Tags: La Roux

Twins Miranda and Elektra Kilbey of Say Lou Lou release a video to Peppermint, taken from the Everything We Touch EP. The track is another haunting tune from the duo who do melancholy so elegantly and the video gives us an insight into the Swedish/Australian sisters lives in the studio. We find them working with producers and writing songs to create their debut album released later this year.

Everything We Touch is out June 2nd, pre-order here apple.com

Tags: Say Lou Lou

With Easter weekend upon us, Soho’s independent record stores and retailers have teamed up to bring us one hell of an event that’s guaranteed to make this bank holiday one to remember. On Saturday 19th April Record Store Day will descend onto Berwick Street; Central London’s largest concentration of independent record stores and go-to destination for vinyl collectors since the 80s, to bring us a day of live music, vinyl culture and festivity.

As the vinyl revival continues to escalate with a total of 780,000 vinyls sold in the UK alone in 2013, the highest number in over 16 years and Record Store Day now a worldwide phenomenon, expect Berwick Street to be brimming and bustling with music lovers and bands alike as seven artists including 80s pop sensation Adam Ant and Irish Band The September Girls take to the Main Stage to bring us a free outdoor gig alongside DJs, music quizzes, and parties in stores. For the vinyl lovers, Reckless Records, Sister Ray, The Music & Video Exchange, Sounds of The Universe, BH Soho and Phonica will open their doors to the public from 8 a.m. bringing us limited edition vinyl releases and copious amounts of vinyl records to browse through across the day.

For the fashion and retail lovers Oliver Spencer will be throwing a first-rate party in store with their very own DJ, drinks and vinyl fair followed by Weekend Offender offering a generous discount on clothing and a free haircut in store for customers who make a purchase. If that isn’t enough to get you off your feet and marching down to Berwick Street already, Nudie Jeans and Foot Patel’s flagship stores will also be participating in the event and thriving throughout the day.

Amongst the DJs and in-store parties, the world street food traders from Berwick Street’s fruit and vegetable market are also proud to participate in Record Store Day catering vinyl fans with pizza, sandwiches, falafel and fresh produce. As Berwick Street is also home to some of London’s most in demand restaurants you certainly won’t be heading home this Easter weekend with an empty stomach. Polpetto will be serving Venetian dishes from their open kitchen alongside Ember Yard, a tapas restaurant inspired by Spanish and Italian methods of cooking over charcoal, delivering a menu of artisan cheese, meats and vegetarian plates.

Offering free entry to all and a stellar line up to boot, round up friends and family and head down to Berwick Street, as this year’s Record Store Day is certainly not to be missed.

Tags: Record Store Day, Vinyl

Over the last few weeks images of Karl Lagerfeld have been surfacing where we find the designer sporting some very cool headgear. It has now been confirmed that the collaboration between Chanel and Monster is going ahead and the first images have been released. The headphones are in keeping with the iconic Chanel aesthetic – quilted leather, double ‘C’ monogram and matching case. We are yet to know a release date, stockists or price, but hopefully we won’t be kept waiting too long.

chanel.com

Tags: Chanel, Headphones

Lykke Li is set to release her third studio album, I Never Learn, on May 5th. The latest single from the record, No Rest For The Wicked is a sorrowful tune, with an emotional video to boot. The album itself was written just after the Swedish singer/songwriter ended a relationship and this track was written as she was “packing up her shit,” and moving out.

If this song is anything to go by, we can expect the new album to be a darker shade of Swedish pop than it’s predecessors. No Rest For The Wicked is the second track to be released from I Never Learn and was directed by Tarik Saleh, who was also responsible for the intimate video Love Me Like I’m Not Made Of Stone released last month.

Pre-order the album on iTunes.

lykkeli.com

Tags: Lykke Li, Tarik Saleh

Combining the ideals of folk with the beats of electonic music may sound a bit strange, but for Sofie Winterson she’s found a common ground that creates a modern sound. Her songs could be labelled indie pop but we think her music is going to be much more than that. With only a few songs released, one EP under her belt and an album on the way Twin caught up with the singer/songwriter from Amsterdam to find out more. She even lifts the lid on the albums title.

Did you always want to become a singer?
As a kid I wanted to be a writer until I got more and more involved in music and then it changed from writer to actress to singer. And now I can combine it in songwriting.

What’s your earliest musical memory?
There were a lot of musical instruments in the house and I remember seeing the violin and hearing my father playing it, the instrument made a big impression. I started learning to play the violin myself at age 6.

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
That’s hard to say, maybe a writer or a doctor.

What does Said & Done mean to you?
It means a lot of things but one aspect is the fact that something can feel so exiting and new even though it is something you experienced before.

What inspires you to make music most?
I get a lot of inspiration for writing songs when I travel by car or train or when I read. And it’s really inspiring to play the first drafts of a song with the band. I love the moment when a song is finished and that you from then on can keep on playing and arranging it.

What was it like working with Pinar & Viola on the video?
It was a special and lovely experience. There work is really creative and innovative and I was really excited about working with them. It’s always a special moment when you give your music to someone else and together create an image around it!

What can you tell us about your debut album?
The album has a more melancholic and darker side as well. I arranged a lot together with my band members and it’s produced by Rimer London. It’s gonna be released on Magnetron Music this spring and I can also give away the title; Wires.

sofiewinterson.com

Tags: Music, Sofie Winterson

Playing with the girl group ideology, Haim, who have toyed with synchronized dance moves in their previous videos, give us a complete choreographed routine in their latest visual offering, If I Could Change Your Mind. Taken from their debut album, Days Are Gone, the video is directed by Warren Fu (who directed the last two Daft Punk videos). It has a retro-cool feel about it, somthing these three sisters are becoming known for, as well as their musical talent of course. Watch the video below.

haimtheband.com

Image by Bella Lieberberg

Tags: Haim, music video

Not heard of Nimmo And The Gauntletts? Well it’s time you did. Last year they released their debut Change, and after being played on the likes of Radio 1, East Village Radio and 6 Music, top model Agyness Deyn requested to shoot the video. “I heard the song and then it was constantly on repeat in my head,” said Agyness. “I had this story playing over and over of change. Girl to woman. Youth to old age. Purity to knowledge. I asked the band if they needed a video made. They said yes so I made it. What a band!” The musical duo followed up with Others, a nod in the electronic direction and with that headlined at the Electrowerks in November – their live performance being compared to The XX.

Now Sarah Nimmo and Reva Gauntlett are back, with a new track and video called Jaded. Out on March 24th, the song has a beat that makes you want to dance and the video, directed by Paris Zarcilla and written by Mike Glover, follows two young boys as they cause some mischief around town. Watch the new video below.

nimmoandthegauntletts.com

Tags: Mike Glover, music video, Nimmo And The Gauntletts, Paris Zarcilla

Kendra Morris has a big voice and a soulful heart. In 2011 she received the Holly Prize by ASCAP and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which recognises new singer/songwriters whose talents honor the legacy of Buddy Holly. Morris releases her album BANSHEE this week, so Twin caught up with the singer to find out a little more about this creative talent.

In your childhood you were constantly surrounded my music as both your parents were in bands. What was your first musical memory?
One of my first musical memories was the late nights when my parents would have friends over and they would have jam sessions or rehearsals with their bands. I would always creep out of my bedroom and secretly listen to them play.

Who did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to this oldies station 92.5 that played a lot of different bands from the 50’s and 60’s. I also had a cassette tape called Crusing Classics that I listened to over and over again. On it, it had Buddy Holly, The Shirelles and The Beach Boys, and I would listen to it and dance and sing in front of the mirror.

When was the first time you remember thinking that you wanted to make music?
I can’t remember. I always loved performing and being in front of people. If I couldn’t perform in front of a live audience then it was in front of my toys. I remember Whoopi Goldberg hosting the Oscars one year and when she talked to the TV and said “this could be you kid, ” I was like… Yeah, that’s me!

What was the first song you ever wrote? What was it about?
First song I ever wrote, I think, was when I was around 15 or 16… I can’t remember the title but it was something about believing in love, even though I didn’t know it yet.

When did you decide to leave St Petersburg, Florida and move to New York?
I always dreamt of moving to NYC but was so scared… It took the catalyst of having a strong headed band to link up with and do it. Sometimes you just need a little push.

What’s the weirdest thing that ever inspired you to write a song?
I don’t think anything is really weird to inspire you. You can pull inspiration from anything.

Your album BANSHEE was just released on iTunes. What are your favourite tracks?
That’s tough. It’s like picking a favorite child. I am attached to them all in different ways… I think I love Just One More because it was so difficult to get out and then I love BANSHEE for the story and then If You Didnt Go, I love the melody in the chorus. I could go on and on, each track has a special place.

What tracks have you been listening to recently?
I’m writing again so I’m listening to a lot of the new stuff we are working on.

What do you have planned for 2014? Are you playing in London soon?
I’m in the middle of a European tour in support of BANSHEE right now. We play in London on the 26th and 27th of February and then back home to continue writing and finding inspiration for the new album… I bet I find some inspiration on this tour too!

kendramorrismusic.com

Tags: BANSHEE, Kendra Morris

Talent really does seem to be manifesting itself through youth these days. Last year’s break through pop act Lorde, who is up for four Grammy nominations at the age of 17, has an equally talented younger sister. India Yelich-O’Connor posted her debut vocal track on Soundcloud over the weekend, covering A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera’s Say Something. Stating that she put the track up as simply a bit of fun, it seems she has no interest in following in her older sister’s footsteps. Describing herself on her blog as a ’15 y/o with a fresh sense of mind’, it’s a safe bet that this won’t be the last we hear of Indy.

genresofindia.com

Tags: India Yelich-O'Connor, Lorde