As part of the infamous Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols followers, Banshees Siouxsie Sioux (vocals) and Steven Severin (bass) had to watch from close quarters as most of their punk friends formed bands who were quickly signed to record companies.

那么当Robin Guthrie的吉他遇到Siobhan de Maré的嗓音之后会发生什么呢？或者说当两位在90年代名动一时的音乐人在21世纪能撞出什么火花呢？2001年两人以维奥莱特.印地安那（Violet Indiana）的名字发表了大受好评的专辑《轮盘赌（Roulette）》，三年以后的新作《俄国娃娃（Russian Doll）》再次回答了这个问题――没有更多的创新和也不需要玩多少复古的花样，90年代的唯美主义已经足够，这是一次向90年代致敬的旅程，Robin依然在用扭曲失真的吉他音色制造着如同空气尘埃一样弥漫环绕的氛围音效，只是Elizabeth Fraser那种纯粹的仙音变成了Siobhan de Maré更为甜美世俗也更阴郁晦涩的唱腔，专辑中多数作品如“永远不够（Never Enough）”等都是后者用嗓音置换前者的尝试，另外“你（You）”一类的作品表现了Violet Indiana更加偏向柔幻和氛围流行乐的趋势，“Quelque jour”则少有的展现了Siobhan de Maré从mono那里带来的碎拍电音影响力。

Anna Calvi is to release a 5 track covers EP entitled ‘Strange Weather’, on 14th July 2014. Produced by Thomas Bartlett (The National, Antony and the Johnsons, Sam Amidon) and recorded in New York, the EP features covers of tracks by Suicide, David Bowie, FKA twigs, Connan Mockasin as well as a stunning collaboration with David Byrne on the title track, a cover of Keren Ann’s ‘Strange Weather’. The cover of Suicide’s Ghost Rider was recorded with drummer Matt Johnson (Jeff Buckley), and Nico Muhly contributes string arrangements to the EP opener, a deconstructed organic reworking of FKA twigs’ ‘Papi Pacify’,
David Byrne said the following on working with Anna:
‘I’m a big fan of Anna's two records... and I caught her tour after her first record at Bowery Ballroom here in NY. ‘Epic’ I think is the word that is often used. So when Thomas Bartlett said he was going to be in the studio producing an EP of Anna doing covers I immediately agreed to join in. I was invited to suggest songs and I loved the last Keren Ann record and I thought Strange Weather had a haunting quality that might suit Anna.... so we did that, and Anna then suggested I join in on the Connan Mockasin track she'd done too.’

The last eighteen months for the sonic soul art rockers DARK HORSES has been characteristically packed with both precision and abandon. Having toured extensively in Europe and Australia as hand-picked guests for the likes of Beck, Sigor Ros, Tame Impala, Kasabian and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the group also performed a now legendary and riotous set at the Olympic Park’s Hard Rock Calling Festival. A personal invitation to join Noel Gallagher at last years Teenage Cancer Trust benefit then followed, leading to yet another acclaimed performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Meanwhile, the single ‘Radio’ found it’s way onto the BBC 6Music A-list and saw the group win Artrocker’s ‘single of the year’, while Dark Horses also contributed – along with Iggy Pop – a song to last winters ‘A Psych Christmas’ album. Dark Horses also added their version of ‘Hello I Love You’ to a Doors covers album with fellow comrades Clinic, Black Angels and Dead Meadow, and lead singer Lisa Elle found time to bring grace and guest vocals to the Jon Hopkins Mercury Music Prize nominated album ‘Immunity’.
Now Dark Horses have announced their return with the release of a brand new single ‘Live On Hunger’ (out April 7th), as well as a mammoth 18-date headline European tour and news of their long-awaited sophomore album ‘Hail Lucid State’, released this coming May on the Crystal Castles imprint, Last Gang Records.
Again produced by long time collaborator Richard Fearless (Death In Vegas), ‘Hail Lucid State’ marks the ‘Horses first release since last year’s sinisterly stunning and critically acclaimed debut ‘Black Music’. It also marks a whole new breed of Horse music. If ‘Black Music’ was ‘psych-tronica opiated soulscapes’, ‘Hail Lucid State’ is burning anxious punk pop, a progressive collection bursting with outright hit singles. Their floating transcendental synths now buried under a pioneering blend of Siouxie & The Banshees meets T-Rex. Urgent, catchy, and irresistible.
2013 also witnessed Dark Horses not only carve out their own niche of fanatical supporters, but saw them win widespread support from the likes of NME, Clash Magazine, Artrocker, Dazed & Confused, Mojo and The Sunday Times.
‘Live On Hunger’ will be released on May 19th 2014 through Last Gang Records. The new album ‘Hail Lucid State’ will be released later this year, also through Last Gang Records. Dark Horses will embark on an 18-date European headline tour this March.

Dark Horses are released their Richard Fearless produced debut album Black Music on Canadian imprint Last Gang. Based in Brighton, the band’s needle-to-the-red take on the shoegaze template bears comparison to American cousins such as A Place to Bury Strangers or even the heavier moments of Ringo Deathstarr.

Short Movie is a song by singer-songwriter Laura Marling, the first released from her fifth studio album of the same name. The album wi ll be released in 23 March of 2015.

Siouxsie & Budgie return as The Creatures with their emphatically titled 2003 album 'Hai!'. Translated, the title of this self-produced, Anglo-Japanese fusion means 'Yes!' & is released on their own Sioux Records label (distributed by Universal). As mysterious as the serene yet sensual beauty of the cover image by Japanese artist Kimiko Yoshida, 'Hai!' is an alchemy of distilled atmospherics & sublime minimalism. Yet as Siouxsie's vocals soar over Budgie's daredevil drums & marimbas, syncro-meshed to the pulsing Taiko rhythms of ex-Kodo drummer Leonard Eto, 'Hai!' soon splits several sonic skins to emit a roar that would rival that of Japan's most famous movie monster, 'Godzilla!', whose paean from Siouxsie is released as the album's first single. The second disc features instrumental versions of all nine tracks.

Over the course of 2014, fast-emerging singer, songwriter and producer Holly ‘Låpsley’ Fletcher has become one of the most hotly tipped new UK artists around. Through beautifully crafted songs such as “Station” and “Painter (Valentine)”, the 18-year old, Southport, England-raised artist has created a unique sonic identity, mixing sparse, minimal electronic production with gorgeous, emotive songwriting.
Now, following a deal with XL Recordings, Låpsley will release her debut Understudy EP on January 5th, 2015

在几年的等待后，民谣女歌手Marika Hackman终于宣布要发行自己的首张全长个人专辑，专辑名叫《We Slept At Last》，预计在2015年2月通过Dirty Hit Records发行，共有12支未发布过的新歌。这支厂牌也是Wolf Alice和The 1975的大本营。—— splitworks开功
We are very pleased to announce that Marika Hackman’s debut album ‘We Slept At Last’ will be released in February 2015. The album comes following a series of hugely revered singles and EP’s over the last year, and has been produced by long-term collaborator Charlie Andrew (Alt J, Eugene Mcguinness).
‘Drowned In Sound’ caught up with Marika last month in the studio to talk about her forthcoming record. You can read the interview

The Staves have announced details of their new album, If I Was, to be released on 23rd March 2015 on Atlantic Records.
Recorded over five trips across the Atlantic to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and produced by Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver), If I Was takes The Staves' original blueprint of sublimely harmonised British indie-folk and gives it an injection of muscle and a much-heightened ambition.
Just one listen to the Autumn release of their Blood I Bled EP will tell you The Staves have changed since their 2012 debut album, with a scale and confidence that can only come after three relentless years on the road.
The aforementioned Blood I Bled opens The Staves' second album, and was indeed the first track written, recorded, and released from the album, hinting at the world of possibilities Emily, Jessica and Camilla have gone on to explore.
The song lay dormant while they performed all over the world, including appearing alongside Mumford & Sons during their Glastonbury headlining slot in 2013 and several tours with American cult heroes Bon Iver. Having formed strong friendships with the latter band's founder Justin Vernon and his assembled gaggle of players, the sisters were invited to his April Base studio in Wisconsin to work on whatever music they had in a relaxed, idyllic setting.
"There was no plan to make a record there, or even demo anything, it was initially just to hang out and play some music with Justin. There was no pressure at all, we didn't even tell our label we were going."
Pretty soon Blood I Bled, along with a handful of other song ideas had been resurrected, re-written and roughly recorded, with one trip to Wisconsin quickly leading to another, when things were made more official.
"We demoed about 10 songs and then asked ourselves 'Aren't we actually just making a record?'" says Emily, adding Vernon seemed equally unsure whether he was in fact producing The Staves' second album or not.
"It was a bit like when you first start seeing someone and you have to define the relationship," says Jessica. "You have to work out what you're calling it and if you're telling your friends about it."
Fortunately for all, The Staves and Vernon did become a metaphorical couple, and they got to work more seriously. The resulting album, made during The Staves' five eventual visits to Wisconsin, is as stunning as the snow-covered landscape it was recorded in; at once deeply personal to each sister, fuelled by heartbreak and individual turbulence, it's also full of hope, redemption and positivity for an uncertain future.
The album was born, in some ways, out of intense frustration. While three years on the road is a privilege not to be sniffed at, it did mean the trio were unable to work on any new ideas they'd had in any detail.
"We hadn't created anything in so long," says Camilla. "We were really itching to have a break and to let out all this stuff that we hadn't had chance to express. Fortunately we found a place with Justin's studio where we were allowed to do whatever wanted. It was the most liberating experience, being able to record until 4 in the morning, or while drunk. Whatever worked ' there was no idea too silly. It was like a school trip with no parents."
"It was magical," adds Jessica. "The snow was neck-high outside, so we were sort of trapped inside. Cabin fever sets in, but it's really conducive to working.'
"The amount of time we've spent away from home has affected all our relationships," continues Emily. "And I don't just mean boyfriends, but relationships with family and close friends and wider groups of mates, who you just have to get used to never seeing. It can be difficult. Writing about it all is necessary therapy in making sense of quite an unconventional life."