Girl Power!

I've realised within the last few days, so many of my posts have been about male musicians. My music tastes vary, but by golly, it was looking very stark in terms of featuring some  girl power. Shame on me! Some of the music that I have been really digging in the last couple of weeks have been featuring some amazing female artists. So, in light of today being International Women's Day, I decided to make a short little post about some kick-ass female artists I've been digging as of late

Vera Blue 

Celia Pavey: Goddess

Vera Blue is a new project from Celia Pavey. Third runner up from the second season of Australia's The Voice,  just another example of reality television success (as much as it pains me to say it). Although, I was always rooting for Celia (2013 was a dark time in my life, let's not speak any more of it), I kinda lost track of her. It wasn't till I was stuck in traffic on the commute to uni did I hear Hold. Hold is this soulful, delicate, piece of artistry that honestly gives me goosebumps every single time. It's one of those songs that you need to lie down, close your eyes, and appreciate. First to the music, then the lyrics, then together. I'm a sucker for love songs, lets be honest. But don't take my word for it, check it out below. I promise you, you'll understand the moment you hear it. 

Grimes

Grimes: Actual Angel

Okay, so if you haven't been around me for a few months or haven't had the pleasure of sampling one of my playlists at parties or events you'll not have heard of my undying love and deep appreciation for Grimes' new album Art Angels (she got one of my votes for the Hottest 100, if you can remember). I think my friends are sick of it to be honest, I would be to if this album wasn't the greatest thing that I have heard in the longest while. Art Angels is something completely different from what we expect of Grimes. Canadian musician Grimes (Claire Boucher) is known for her experimental electronic music, most people can agree that what made Grimes Grimes was something unique. However, Art Angels introduces this element of pop in a way Grimes only can. Check out one of my other favourite songs from the album. Just try to tell me you don't love her.

Sampa the Great

Sampa so much more than Great

Okay, so here's a newbie that's really caught my eye (my ears perhaps?) Winner of the Triple J 'The Plot' competition, and all round wunderkind, Sampa the Great has completely blown me away. What a way to end this blog post, not only because Sampa is this fantastically powerful young woman who raps and sings about feminism and and issues such as black identity, but also because she's new and upcoming. She's someone I see going far and I want to share her music with the world. I recently heard an interview with her and this chick oozes this charisma and energy you wouldn't expect. Sampa the Great is so much more than just great. Her style is very much something that I wouldn't listen to. Her rapping is almost like slam poetry, it's engaging, it's clever, it's lyrical. It's hip hop but better. I'm going to leave you with a little taster of some of her work. The track F E M A L E emphasis what I feel International Women's Day should be about. Big, bold women, round of applause. Keep an eye out for this woman, she's going to be going places.

xx Kristen

Hide and Boo Seeka

How have you all been?

A bit of a small lapse in my available free time has delayed my writing, but alas, I'm still here. I hope the Perth heat has been keeping you well. For me, I've been relishing it. Coming back from a freezing cold holiday (New Zealand, like seriously, wtf?!) this heat has been a welcome change. I threw my jeans and jumpers off the moment my feet hit Western Australian soil, much to the dismay of many distressed airport patrons. So, how have I been keeping cool? Why do I enjoy this heat so much? Well basically, it's because I get to blast the air-conditioning in my car and listen to some tunes in the baking sunshine. And what have I been listening to (I hear you not really asking me, but I'm going to tell you anyway)?

A little bit of Boo Seeka of course.

Boo Seeka, my summer kings

For me, this last month of summer has been all about lazy beach driving music for listening to when I'm commuting to work, and Boo Seeka has definitely hit the spot. So far my February '16 playlists has Boo Seeka songs right at the top, there is something about that so distinctive and mellow about Boo Seeka's music that fits right into the way that this summer has felt for me. This Sydney electronic duo have really made a mark on the music scene in the last year. Two major singles, tours, and an album coming out in 2016 marks a huge year for this duo - with many great things to come in the future, I'm sure.
So let me give you a bit of an insight into why I'm loving these two Sydney-siders so much.

Deception Bay

This one has been a  big one that has felt the most like summer to me. All I think about is lying down and fully being able to listen to this song whenever it comes on. You want to drink it in, absorb it into you and embrace it. It's a song that I find very reminiscent of that relaxed hum of contentment at a day well spent. My arms crawl with that tingle of nostalgia and good memories whenever I hear this song. It's that echo of simple notes and synths that encapsulate summertime twilight, the quietness, the heat, and a reminder that tomorrow is going to be just fine. Just pure relaxation. 

Kingdom Leader

I think what I love about this song most of all is this faint harmonica that comes in through the verses. I have a very personal relationship with the harmonica, it's one of those instruments that you either love or hate to listen to, but there's something nostalgic about hearing it. You never really hear it that much especially in electronic music. I love this tune because it's such a different sound to what's been replaying on the radio again and again. I'm loving the uniqueness of Boo Seeka's sound and you can definitely hear that unique this muted sound within all of their songs. The vocals are soft and mellow, it's calm, its soft and sweet. 

Fool

Couldn't quite find a video track for this one (hahah, goes to show how truly underground my music is - you're speaking to a real music hipster here) but I think it's important to include this one because it does show their diversity. This one is a lot more upbeat, but definitely very Boo Seeka. This one has a real nice drum beat, a chilled relaxed vocal, and some catchy synth. Still very much a summer track, still very much something that sounds unique, a bit more pop, and has a lovely little flute bit that makes me giggle every single time I hear it.

Boo Seeka has some awesome music to share, and if you visit their Triple J Unearthed page, all their music is available for you to listen to and download for free. You can also find Boo Seeka on Facebook and Instagram. I honestly love supporting bands new Australian bands, especially if they're as good as Boo Seeka. So definitely, have a listen and tell me if you love them as much as I do.

Kristen