Author: Dave Hawkins
January 14, 2020
It’s wild when a new band appears in the music scene and blows away the competition. That’s the case with What’s Your Damage? Generating powerful old school punk that harkens back to a classic ’70’s style. What’s Your Damage? is drawn into the top slot by the ultra talented vocalist, Quinn.… Continued →
August 28, 2019
REVIEW : Svarteskerm - Illojala Till Slutet
The fan base of crust punk may be slim, but the music is significant. Returning to the studio is Sweden’s Svarteskerm. Sung entirely in Swedish, the four song EP, Illojala Till Slutet, delivers a blistering fast and aggressive look at the political and social turmoil found in their native country.… Continued →
March 24, 2019
REVIEW : Their Throats Are Open Tombs - Of Psalms & Snakes
When a band includes members carrying the names, Agent 57, Colonel K, Donnie Murdo, Isambard Sinclair, and Penfold, you know their music is destined to be far from ordinary.
Their Throats are Open Tombs have returned with a follow-up to their 2016 self-titled debut. Defining OF PSALMS & SNAKES is an impossibility.… Continued →
December 10, 2018
REVIEW : Dystopian Futures - The Tyranny of Things
The Tyranny of Things, the latest release from Dystopian Futures, builds on the foundation laid during the band’s debut self-titled EP, and Low Arts. This world is a dangerous place. And it’s not just the horrific scenes that appear on the evening news. The danger lies in our hands, our thoughts, and by the technology that absorbs and directs our every waking moment.… Continued →
February 22, 2018
UntilWeDie! debut releases Feb 24
UntilWeDie! came to my attention in 2017 when I heard “It Is Well” on a punk compilation. Horatio Spafford might turn over in his grave with the UntilWeDie! version of this famous hymn, but it won’t scare anyone else. The lyrics are straight on, the pace frenetic, and the intentions are serious.… Continued →
January 9, 2018
REVIEW : Praiser - 20 Again
“Blessed Be The Punk”
We all want relive the days of our youth. Remember being young, vibrant, forceful in our thoughts and actions? Age doesn’t necessarily take those attributes away. Praiser makes that abundantly clear in their punk music. The band’s latest album, 20 Again, doesn’t bring age as its theme, but rather a collection of twenty great songs from their past.… Continued →
September 1, 2017
INTERVIEW : James Nicholls of ISF
James Nicholls is the creative force behind the English band ISF. We met for a talk about the noise he delivers on the debut IFS release, Feel. Kill. Conceal. Reveal.
Dave Hawkins: You’re a busy guy James, thanks for taking time for me.
James Nicholls: No, it’s all good. My pleasure.… Continued →
August 20, 2017
REVIEW : The Restitution - Into The Dark
When the notorious “sophomore slump” looms before them, many artists find the prospect of generating their second release to be a terrifying proposition. That slump could be myth or reality, but it had no bearing on The Restitution with Into The Dark. This follow-up to Waves (2013), Into The Dark has made it clear that The Restitution has spent the last four years wisely.… Continued →
April 24, 2017
REVIEW : Choirs Of Veritas – I Am The Way, The Truth And The Life
Choirs Of Veritas is a symphonic metal project that literally means “Choirs Of Truth”, symbolizing the union between music and the spiritual truth of Jesus Christ. Those Christian themes are made abundantly clear on their debut full-length, I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
The project was birthed from the mind of Davide Scuteri, keyboardist and composer, as an offering to God and from a desire to thank God for the gift of music.… Continued →
February 20, 2017
INTERVIEW : Sam DeBurgh of Slow Bullet
The music of Slow Bullet is vibrant yet vulnerable, revealing but masked, gently melodic and loud. Sam DeBurgh explains how his music can be totally contradictory and incredibly unique.
Dave Hawkins: Thanks for coming for a talk Sam.
Sam DeBurgh: Yeah. Thanks for having me.
Dave: The name Slow Bullet is new label for you, since you used to go by Spider Mansion.… Continued →
January 15, 2017
REVIEW : S91 - Behold The Mankind
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. -Psalm 91:11
Following the success of their first full length, Volontà Legata, Tuscany based S91 have returned with their first all English language release, Behold The Mankind. Deriving their name from “Salmo”, the Italian word for psalm, S91 formed in 2006 to realize their dream of creating progressive metal with Christian lyric content.… Continued →
January 11, 2017
REVIEW : Easter Teeth - Shake Hands With Danger
Just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, neither should you be expecting cowboy music from Easter Teeth on Shake Hands With Danger. You can expect something oddly brilliant and challenging.
Since 2009, the Eymann brothers, Josh and Tim, have been messing with peoples ears as they mix soul into hardcore.… Continued →
December 26, 2016
INTERVIEW : Chris Jackson
Chris Jackson is known for writing songs for Cheryl Cole, Tank, Toni Braxton, and B. Smyth. During our chat, Chris reveals his own recording talents on his just released album, No Chaser.
Dave Hawkins: It’s great to have you here for a talk Chris.
Chris Jackson: Great to be here man.… Continued →
December 15, 2016
REVIEW : The Festal Shout - Tumultuous Noise EP
“Incredible, unstoppable, He is our God” – “Incredible” by A Festal Shout
I’ve often heard that a listener will determine within a span of 7 seconds, whether they enjoy a song or not. Fortunately I hung around longer than that with my first listen to the opening track, “Power In The Blood” from A Festal Shout.… Continued →
December 8, 2016
REVIEW : Ospreyshire - Verses Vs. Anhedonia
Ospreyshire, the moniker of Illinoisan artist Curtis M., is a project that involves spoken word vocals, abstract soundscapes, and postminimalist aesthetics. His debut EP Verses Vs. Anhedonia is a brief seven poem journey. The urgency and brevity in these tracks lend itself to our attention deficit and sound byte culture.… Continued →
December 2, 2016
INTERVIEW : Leanor Ortega Till of The Fast Feeling
Leanor Ortega Till (aka Jeff the Girl, mother of children, breaker of saxophones), joined Dave Hawkins and Indie Vision Music for a talk about how she joined forces with other Five Iron Frenzy members to create the new synth pop band, The Fast Feeling.
Dave Hawkins: It’s wonderful to have Leanor Ortega Till here with Indie Vision Music.… Continued →
November 30, 2016
Salt Of The Sound releases new EP
Salt Of The Sound‘s new EP centres around the theme of light, which is echoed in different ways across all of the songs, and features heavily in the Advent traditions of Nordic countries. Waiting For The Dawn combines these Scandinavian influences with an focus on natural soundscapes, as well as featuring the unique blend of electronic synths, subtle vocal harmonies, and thoughtful lyrical messages that the duo have become known for.… Continued →
November 21, 2016
REVIEW : The Brilliance - All Is Not Lost
Worship music has always held a troubled place in my heart and my music collection. Looking at the genre from a spiritual level, I know that I, as a believer, should have an affinity to music created to glorify God. The reality is that I find the majority worship music to be contrived, repetitive, and failing to deliver any degree of originality.… Continued →
November 17, 2016
REVIEW : Nimisilla Park – Welcome to Nimisilla Park EP
A long time ago in a music world far, far away, a band existed. A band that took the world by storm, but sadly its energy ebbed and it became only a well loved memory. That band was D.O.C. (Disciples Of Christ). Both Grammy and GMA Dove Award nominated, the music of D.O.C.… Continued →
INTERVIEW : Matt Smith of Theocracy
Matt Smith, front man of Theocracy, met with me recently for a talk about the band’s history, the acceptance of progressive power metal in North America, being a misfit, and about their outstanding new release, Ghost Ship.
Dave: Indie Mission Music is joined by Theocracy frontman Matt Smith. Great to have you here, Matt.… Continued →