Slicing Up Eyeballs explores the legacy of '80s college, modern and indie rock, the music — once relegated to campus radio, pioneering commercial stations like San Diego's 91X and the Sunday night ghetto of MTV's "120 Minutes" — that paved the way for Nirvana and the alternative revolution. 

Alice Russell is natural, pure natural talent, a natural presence, a force of nature. Whether on a big stage with her 16 piece band, charming a crowd of 4000 into staying out dancing in the rain (as she did at Montreal Jazz Festival) or rocking out an intimate club set with a stripped down 6 piece band, she’s a singer who demands attention. Unfazed by taking to the spotlight after a sober Amy Winehouse or joining Roy Ayres live for ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’, there’s no wonder her powerful soul voice has attracted rave reviews from numerous national and international publications and praise from fans as diverse as Gilles Peterson, David Byrne, Dennis Coffey, Massive Attack’s Daddy G, and Groove Armada. 

Alice has also won over a whole brace of producers – lending her strong, emotional tones to releases by Mr Scruff, Quantic and Nostalgia 77, the latter pairing producing the ‘Seven Nation Army’ cover that demolished clubs for years. But following her first release 'Under The Munka Moon' it’s her records with longtime producer and bandleader TM Juke that she’s best known for. From their debut album ‘My Favourite Letters' through to 2008’s live-tinged ‘Pot Of Gold’, they have made some of the most arresting blues soul since the glory days of Aretha. 

“We’ve both got a very open approach to writing songs,” she explains of the prolific relationship. “And we both like so many different types of music whereas some people are more purist. Our influences run from Sarah Vaughan to Bach, Kate Bush to Arvo Part, and J Dilla to Alice Coltrane. We love everything from dirty, squelchy dub step to old school soul. We nudge each other in the right directions.”

The direction they’re nudging each other in right now is towards the synthesizer rack. A love of Prince’s upbeat ‘Dirty Mind’ album and tracks like ‘Controversy’ are leading to a new sound for the upcoming album.
“We’re writing and recording as we speak,” Alice exclaims. “It’s sounding like a cross between ‘My Favourite Letters’ and something much newer. Obviously my voice is there, which brings out that soulful, emotional sound, but there are a lot more synths. It’s a bit more punk electro soul. Yeah!”
If you’ve seen Alice perform live recently you might not be surprised; her December show at the Forum in London saw her take to the stage with her traditional horn section backed up with synths, while smaller gigs have showcased the pacey songs with a four piece set up that sounds rocky. As much as she loves being in the studio there’s something special about Alice let loose on an audience.

“Being on stage is more instant,” she admits, suggesting the reason why she limited herself to just three takes on each song on ‘Pot Of Gold’. “I like things when they’re quite free. In the studio it can be like when you know someone’s taking your photo. Writing in the studio is amazing but when you’re doing takes it can be a bit daunting, but also really exciting. Live you can’t take it back – you’ve got to go all out there.”

It has led to some great experiences, like when she stayed on in Japan to visit the village where the promoter was from: almost like a 50s teen movie, a deal was struck where Alice would have free reign of the hotel for her stay if she did a gig. 
“Of course we said yes,” Alice says with delight. “Babies and grandmas all turned up and there we were with a makeshift sound system thrown together out of amps and speakers. It was one of the most heart warming gigs I’ve ever done.”
Other live highlights include singing with The Roots in Philadelphia, while recording has seen her sing on Talking Heads leader David Byrne’s recent LP. Surely belting out the intensely emotional songs must get a bit tiring. Apparently not.

“It’s a great emotional release,” Alice smiles. “And sometimes makes you feel really high, especially when you’re singing the high notes. If you’re feeling rubbish and everything else feels like it’s going wrong you feel better if you have a good singsong.

"Working with a singer like Alice was something new, terrifying and ultimately amazing."
- David Byrne

"....one of Britain's best kept secrets"
- Independent

"...lush strings combined with Russell's intense, declamatory tones result in a strikingly soulful makeover..."
- Mojo

"Amy Winehouse will wish she could produce an album half as good as this....Alice is a wonderful soulful, bluesy vocalist backed by a band that's tighter than an Aberdonian during the credit crunch"
- Daily Express

"...her vocal style has a gritty power and authentically raw soulfulness..."
- Venue Magazine

"...powerful....soulful...fantastic..."
- Word Magazine

Three is the magic number for The Cactus Channel. The ever-evolving Melbourne collective’s third album Stay A While represents a new consciousness and a decisive turning point. Unloosed from their earlier incarnation as an instrumental soul and funk band into something wilder, a little darker and heavier, the new album sees The Cactus Channel diving in deep to dreamlike soundtracks, electrifying wig-outs and woozy meditations. 

The new embodiment of The Cactus Channel flexes their classic soul and funk influences whilst expanding their own songwriting along psychedelic paths, adding weight and substance to their melodic and rhythmic axis. There were signifiers along the road; a boundary-splintering EP with Ball Park Music singer Sam Cromack last year, following a 7” single collab with Nick Murphy, released as The Cactus Channel feat. Chet Faker. These outings were a glimpse of the alchemy of adding vocals to the band’s typically intuitive, instrumental arrangements. And now with the band’s own Lewis Coleman stepping up to the mic, a vocal dimension has become part of The Cactus Channel’s fully formed, signature sound.

Looking back to when The Cactus Channel formed in high school, united by shared interests and a shared sense of humour, they were always set to walk this new path. A love of soul music and the kind of hip hop, jazz, and alternative releases that spring from it, meant that from the beginning The Cactus Channel have prided themselves not just on eclecticism, but on the constant sharing of influences among their members; exploring new influences and sonic territories.

New album ‘Spirituals’, available now.
santigold.com

ENGLISH:

Sex Music is a label that is created in 2012 with the purpose of promoting and publicizing new musical production values ??of national and international level.
We always look for new sounds and music with a job well done.
Musical styles range from hosting the Deep pass through the House ending with the Tech House.
- Send your demos MP3 320 KBS
- sexmusic@live.com
- Real Name
- Stage Name
- Track Name




ESPAÑOL:

Sex Music  es un sello que es creado en 2012 con el proposito de promocionar y dar a conocer nuevos valores de la produccion musical a nivel nacional e internacional.
Siempre buscamos musica con nuevos sonidos y trabajos bien hechos.
Los estilos musicales que acogen van desde el Deep pasan por el House finalizando con el Tech House.
- Envía tus demos MP3 320 KBS 
- sexmusic@live.com 
- Nombre Real 
- Nombre Artístico 
- Nombre Track

Los Angeles based psych pop band.

www.warshipsband.com

SuperJ73 is following