Indie: Last News

Red Hot Chili Peppers have teased new music last night (January 28) – listen to the clip below.The clip, shared on social media, contains a neon red visual along with the opening bars to what appears to be a new song.The 18 second clip features a guitar rift that fans are speculating is played by returning guitarist John Frusciante.You can listen to it here:pic.twitter.com/oRxtGEMR2i— Red Hot ChiliPeppers (@ChiliPeppers) January 28, 2022Last October, Red Hot Chili Peppers were, according to drummer Chad Smith, “almost done” recording their next album. It will be the first to feature guitarist Frusciante since 2006’s ‘Stadium Arcadium’.In an interview with Rolling Stone, Smith said the band is “getting along great”, and that they are “really listening to each other in a new way”.After a ten-year absence from the group, Frusciante re-joined in 2019, replacing Josh Klinghoffer.

Alice Glass has spoken about her time spent working with late producer SOPHIE, who died almost a year ago to the day during a sudden accident in Athens.Speaking as part of this week’s NME Big Read, the Canadian singer-songwriter (real name Margaret Osborn) explained how the contemporary pop pioneer was occasionally a sounding board for her upcoming debut solo album, ‘PREY//IV’.“SOPHIE was one of those people who was talented at everything,” Glass explained. “I’m pretty sure she could play any instrument; pretty intimidating as an artist, but really inspirational.”Glass, the former frontwoman of electronic duo Crystal Castles, revealed that it was actually SOPHIE who suggested she put out her latest single, ‘Fair Game’.“We’d hang out and I would always get so nervous to play tracks from my record to her, but she told me she wanted to do a remix for ‘Fair Game’ and actually convinced me to put that single out,” she said.

Pete Doherty and collaborator Frédéric Lo have announced a UK and European tour – see all the details below.The Libertines and Babyshambles frontman teamed up with the French musician for a new joint album, ‘The Fantasy Life Of Poetry & Crime’, which is due for release on March 18 via Doherty’s own Strap Originals label.So far, the pair have shared the single ‘You Can’t Keep It From Me Forever’ as well as the record’s title track.Today (January 28) it’s been confirmed that Doherty and Lo will hit the road in May for ‘The Fantasy Life…’ tour. Kicking off in Paris on May 5, the stint also includes stop-offs in Cologne (May 6), Berlin (7), Amsterdam (9) and Belgium (11).The duo will touch down in the UK on May 13 for a headline performance at KOKO in Camden, London.

The Kooks have announced their sixth album ’10 Tracks To Echo In The Dark’ by sharing new EP ‘Connection –  Echo in the Dark Part 1’. Check out everything below, along with our interview with singer Luke Pritchard.Work on the album started in Berlin with local producer Tobias Kuhn before the pandemic, and features collaborations with German duo Milky Chance and Swedish EDM musician Neikid. Although the album was finished with Tobias in London, the European flavour was a deliberate response to the continuing problems for British musicians after Brexit.’10 Tracks To Echo In The Dark’ is the first album The Kooks have made since Luke got married to singer-songwriter Ellie Rose and the couple became parents to son Julian, who is now 10 weeks old.

Elton John spoke to his new favourite band Yard Act on his Rocket Hour radio show this week, telling the group he would “love to catch up” with them in person.John praised the rising Leeds outfit during an interview with NME last October, describing their musical style as “a different ballgame”. He added: “I can’t do it but I love it and I wonder how they do it.”Earlier this month, Yard Act frontman James Smith told NME that it was “mind-blowing” to receive an endorsement from the legendary artist.

Alice Glass has shared a new solo single called ‘Love Is Violence’ – you can listen to it below.The track will appear on the former Crystal Castles singer’s debut solo album ‘PREY//IV’, which is due for release on February 16. It follows on from last year’s ‘Baby Teeth’, ‘Suffer And Swallow’ and ‘Fair Game’.“Almost everyone can relate to the sometimes unbearable ups and downs that occur in relationships,” Glass explained of the inspiration behind her latest offering.“But for those of us who have dealt with manipulative or toxic partners, there is a whole other layer of pain.

Bloc Party have shared a new song called ‘The Girls Are Fighting’ – you can listen to it below.The track serves as the second taste of the London band’s sixth album ‘Alpha Games’, which is due for release on April 29 via Infectious/BMG. Lead single ‘Traps’ came out last November.“There was no specific incident that inspired this song – it was more a composite of lots of things I’ve seen over the years when being in clubs and seeing violence erupt with feuding love rivals,” explained frontman Kele Okereke of Bloc Party’s swaggering, glam rock-charged latest offering.“I’ve always had a slight obsession with those sorts of moments; like a fuse being lit, when actions turn from words into violence.

George Ezra has announced his third studio album ‘Gold Rush Kid’ – listen to its lead single ‘Anyone For You’ below.Having signalled his return on social media last week, the singer-songwriter confirmed today (January 28) that the follow-up to 2018’s ‘Staying At Tamara’s’ will arrive on June 10 via Columbia. You can pre-order/pre-save the record here.The forthcoming album was written and produced entirely in London by Ezra and his longstanding collaborator Joel Pott.“The Gold Rush Kid? That’s me,” explained Ezra of the LP’s title, with a press release describing the new 12-track collection as being “marvellous, transporting [and] elevational”.“[The songs] sound like me.

The Smile, the side project of Radiohead‘s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood with Sons Of Kemet’s Tom Skinner, have released their new single ‘The Smoke’ – you can hear the track below.The song is the follow-up to the trio’s debut single ‘You Will Never Work In Television Again’, which arrived earlier this month.A lyric video for ‘The Smoke’ has been released today (January 27) to accompany the new track, with the clip being created by the BAFTA-winning writer and director Mark Jenkin.You can listen to The Smile’s ‘The Smoke’ below.The Smile’s three sold-out live shows in London this weekend (January 29-30) will be livestreamed online to a global audience.The livestreams, which will be directed by the award-winning Paul Dugdale and produced by Driift, will be available to watch at home and in select independent venues and cinemas across the UK, US and Europe.The Smoke (more on that later) at production rehearsals for this weekend… pic.twitter.com/WXJNhkLbsq— The Smile (@thesmiletheband) January 27, 2022You can find further information about the livestreams and screenings by heading here, and see this weekend’s broadcast schedule below.BROADCAST #1: London – 8pm Sat. / New York – 3pm Sat. / Los Angeles – 12pm Sat. / Sydney – 7am Sun. / Tokyo – 5am Sun.BROADCAST #2: London – 1am Sun. / New York – 8pm Sat. / Los Angeles – 5pm Sat. / Sydney – 12pm Sun. / Tokyo – 10am Sun.BROADCAST #3: London – 11am Sun. / New York – 6am Sun. / Los Angeles – 3am Sun. / Sydney – 10pm Sun. / Tokyo – 8pm Sun. Yorke performed The Smile’s ‘Free In The Knowledge’ at the Royal Albert Hall back in October as part of the Letters Live event, footage of which was released last month.

Franz Ferdinand have spoken about how the 2001 film Enemy At The Gates inspired their classic hit ‘Take Me Out’.The band’s frontman Alex Kapranos broke down the writing and recording process of the 2004 single during the latest episode of the Song Exploder podcast (released yesterday, January 26).“The night before [the idea emerged] I’d watched a film called Enemy At The Gates, and it’s set during the Second World War around the siege of Stalingrad. One of the themes of the film is this stand-off between two snipers,” he explained.“Jude Law is the Soviet sniper and Ed Harris is the evil Nazi.

Glass Animals have become the first UK band to reach the top of Spotify‘s global singles chart.The Oxford four-piece have hit the heights through the continued success of their 2020 single ‘Heat Waves’, which originally featured on their third studio album ‘Dreamland’.The track, which has been streamed over 1.1billion times on Spotify, has now hit the top of Spotify’s Global Top 50 Chart, making Glass Animals the first British band to reach the top spot.‘Heat Waves’, which is solely credited to Glass Animals frontman Dave Bayley, is currently amassing over 4.26million streams a day on Spotify.The song has been nominated for a BRIT Award for ‘Song Of The Year’, while Glass Animals are up for both Best Band In The World and Best Band From The UK: Supported by Pizza Express at the BandLab NME Awards 2022.‘Heat Waves’, which was re-released in March 2021 featuring a new verse by Iann Dior, helped Glass Animals make US chart history back in November.The song reached number 10 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 for the first time that month, having already spent 42 weeks on the chart.It was the longest climb to the top 10 in US chart history: beating American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, whose 2006 single ‘Before He Cheats’ took 38 weeks to reach the same position.

Toro y Moi has announced his forthcoming seventh studio album, with ‘Mahal’ set to arrive on April 29 via Dead Oceans.To coincide with the announcement, the singer-songwriter and producer – real name Chaz Bear – has shared two singles, ‘Postman’ and ‘Magazine’. The latter track features vocals from Salami Rose Joe Louis. The songs arrive alongside accompanying videos, directed by Kid.

SXSW Festival has announced another wave of acts for its 2022 edition.The annual music, film and media event is set to return to Austin, Texas between March 14-20 after its 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.Yesterday (January 26) it was announced that Wet Leg will take to the stage at SXSW ’22 ahead of releasing their anticipated, self-titled debut album on April 8.Other additions to the bill include Big Joanie, Pom Pom Squad, Pillow Queens, Balming Tiger, Cassandra Jenkins, La Doña, Mélat and many more. You can find the full list of new names below and further information here.Over 300 Showcasing Artists including @lilchoster, @Moonsanelly, @wetlegband, @Xchrispatrick, @mikiratsula and more just joined the #SXSW 2022 lineup! Browse the full list and start listening here.

Rex Orange County has announced details of his new album ‘Who Cares?’ and shared the first track from it in ‘Keep It Up’.The artist last released a record with his 2020 ‘Live At Radio City Music Hall’ EP, which was recorded at his pair of sold-out shows at the New York venue that same year.Rex’s fourth album, ‘Who Cares?’ will be released on March 11 via Sony. It was made in Amsterdam in collaboration with Benny Sings, whom the musician previously worked with on his 2017 platinum-selling breakout single ‘Loving Is Easy’.The record will also feature a new collaboration with Tyler, The Creator in ‘Open A Window’ – the first time the British artist and US rapper have worked together since the latter’s 2017 album ‘Flower Boy’.‘Keep It Up’ opens with lush string melodies before a bassline groove and synth chords drop in in their place.

Interpol have announced a host of new tour dates, including gigs in London and across the US.The band will tour in support of their upcoming seventh studio album, which they’ve just finished recording with producers Flood & Moulder at Battery Studio in London.Interpol have today (January 25) announced a number of new live shows which will take place from April through to June, including a second date at the Roundhouse in London in June. The first London gig, which was announced back in August, has already sold out.Today’s announcement also includes details of a US tour that kicks off in Dallas on April 25.

Suki Waterhouse has announced details of her debut album ‘I Can’t Let Go’.The album, out on April 22 via Sub Pop, is being previewed today (January 26) by new song ‘Melrose Meltdown’, which you can hear below.The new song follows the release of the single ‘Moves’, the opening track on ‘I Can’t Let Go’, which was released last October.The album was produced by Brad Cook, who has worked with the likes of Bon Iver, Snail Mail and The War On Drugs.Watch Suki Waterhouse’s Sofia Malamute-directed video for ‘Melrose Meltdown’, and see the tracklist and artwork for ‘I Can’t Let Go’, below.1. ‘Moves’2. ‘The Devil I Know’3. ‘Melrose Meltdown’4. ‘Put Me Through It’5. ‘My Mind’6. ‘Bullshit On The Internet’7. ‘Wild Side’8. ‘On Your Thumb’9. ‘Slip’10. ‘Blessed’Speaking to NME last year, Waterhouse said that making an album was something she had been wanting “for so long” and decided to make now because she “had all these things I’ve never spoken about that I felt like I had to tie up before I go into my thirties”.

Florence + The Machine and Holly Humberstone are among the latest additions to the line-up for Flow Festival 2022.The Helsinki, Finland festival will return from August 12-14 this year, with the likes of Gorillaz, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Fontaines D.C. all set to perform.Florence + The Machine will headline on August 13, with Humberstone also joining the Flow Festival line-up for that day.The likes of Q, Vesala, Gettomasa, Gasellit, ibe, Arppa, F and Rosa Coste have also joined the bill today (January 26).Those acts join Michael Kiwanuka, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Bikini Kill, Sigrid, Little Simz, Fred again.., Pa Salieu and Princess Nokia on the Flow Festival line-up for 2022.A post shared by Flow Festival Helsinki (@flowfestivalhelsinki)Tickets for this year’s festival are on sale now from here.“Flow Festival, as well as other international festivals, are expecting a terrific festival summer and Flow’s production is going full speed ahead, as it would normally,” Suvi Kallio, CEO of Flow Festival, said in a statement.“The situation has definitely changed in a year.

sharing a new single called ‘Champion’ on BBC Radio 6 Music this morning (January 26), Warpaint have now announced full details of their fourth album ‘Radiant Like This’.The Los Angeles four-piece’s new album will come out on May 6, and follows their 2021 single ‘Lilys’, which won’t appear on the album.The band say their new single ‘Champion’ is about “being a champion to oneself and for others,” adding: “We are all in this together, life is too short not to strive for excellence in all that we do.”Listen to ‘Champion’ below.Speaking to NME last April about their forthcoming new album, Warpaint’s Theresa Wayman shared some details about the record’s subject matter.“There’s a song from my higher self to my lower self on there, and a song about not needing to have anchors to anything,” Wayman said.See the tracklist and artwork for ‘Radiant Like’ this below. The album can be pre-ordered here.1. ‘Champion’2. ‘Hips’3. ‘Hard To Tell You’4. ‘Stevie’5. ‘Like Sweetness’6. ‘Trouble’7. ‘Proof’8. ‘Altar’9. ‘Melting’10. ‘Send Nudes’Following the album’s release, Warpaint are set to head out on a UK and European headline tour this summer, ending with a set at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound.See the full list of dates below.

Johnny Marr has responded to Morrissey‘s recent statement, in which the former Smiths frontman asked Marr to stop mentioning him when giving interviews.In a post on his Morrissey Central website, the controversial singer-songwriter wrote: “This is not a rant or an hysterical bombast. It is a polite and calmly measured request: Would you [Marr] please stop mentioning my name in your interviews?”“Would you please, instead, discuss your own career, your own unstoppable solo achievements and your own music? If you can, would you please just leave me out of it?”Morrissey continued: “The fact is: you don’t know me.

Gaz Coombes has announced details of a solo UK tour.The Supergrass frontman will be road-testing his new solo material on the tour, while also treating fans to cuts from his ‘Matador’ (2015) and ‘World’s Strongest Man’ (2018) records.Kicking off in London at The Lexington on April 14, Coombes will then visit intimate venues in Bath, Tunbridge Wells, Hebden Bridge and York before the tour concludes on April 23 at the Brudenell in Leeds.You can see Coombes’ upcoming solo tour dates below, and find tickets here when they go on sale at 10am on Friday (January 28).April14 – The Lexington, London15 – Moles, Bath16 – The Forum, Tunbridge Wells21 – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge22 – Crescent Community venue, York23 – Brudenell Social Club, LeedsThese solo dates will follow on from a pair of Supergrass gigs which will take place on April 4 and 5 in London and Oxford. Those shows were rescheduled last month due to the rise in coronavirus cases in the UK.“A lot has changed over the last few days with the rise in Omicron cases,” Supergrass said in a statement at the time.

Blur‘s Food Records labelmates Jesus Jones have invited the Britpop heroes to reunite in tribute to the late label head Andy Ross.Ross, known for signing Blur as well as Idlewild, Dubstar and more, died this week at the age of 66, it was confirmed to NME by a close friend and collaborator.“We’re heartbroken at the loss of Andy Ross, one half of the mighty Food Records,” Jesus Jones wrote on Twitter. “Without him, we’d have never been able to do what we did.