News

Portsmouth post-punks Hallan share scintillating, concept-fuelled debut EP ‘Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor’,
out July 30th via Nice Swan Records (Pip Blom, Sports Team, FUR).

Joining forces with the cult indie label in late 2020 for their ‘Nice Swan Introduces…’ series (in partnership with RIP Records), the quartet have since found label-mates in the likes of Courting, SPRINTS, English Teacher and Mandrake Handshake, whilst firmly establishing themselves as a thrilling new fixture within the punk landscape.

With their debut EP already spawning acclaimed singles ‘Modern England’, ‘Hands Up’, ‘Orwell’s Idyllic Future’ and ‘Reruns’, the group’s frenetic musings on the mundanity of everyday life have certainly attracted plenty of interest, with key tastemaker backing from the likes of Dork, Loud & Quiet, The Forty-Five and Rough Trade, as well as BBC 6 Music playlist exposure following integral support from Steve Lamacq.

Speaking ahead of their EP release, frontman Conor Clements revealed: “‘Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor’ was created as our first delve into concept material. Drawing on our own lives and the lives of the people who surround us, the EP takes these lives and twists them into our own concocted universe where reality is blended together with surrealism and the dystopian ideals we see today. We invite you to take a listen and pray for your safety, as the state will surely be out for all accomplices and Gumshoe Boy may not be here to save you this time”.

Having already notched up several impressive support slots with acts including Sports Team and Porridge Radio, Hallan will be celebrating the launch of their EP with a full UK headline run in the autumn, in addition to several inner-city festival slots across the country where their live prowess is certain to come to the fore.

Hallan’s ‘Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor’ is out July 30th via Nice Swan Records and will be available on all digital platforms.

Reporting Live From The Living Room Floor (EP) Tracklist
01 – Hands Up
02 – Orwell’s Idyllic Future 03 – Reruns
04 – TV Show 05 – Whiteboys TV
06 – Prime Time Lullaby

Hallan are:
Conor Clements (vocals) Joshua Tweedale (bass) Joshua Ransley (guitar) Adam Mills (drums)

Live Dates:
25th Aug – The Kazimier, Liverpool 26th Aug – Bootleg Social, Blackpool 27th Aug – YES, Manchester
28th Aug – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
8th Sept – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth (Psyched Fest) 10th Sept – Hope and Ruin, Brighton
11th Sept – The Crofter’s Rights, Bristol 12th Sept – Moth Club, London
22nd Oct – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds (w/ bdrmm) 11th Nov – The Social, London
12th Nov – The Head Of Steam, Newcastle 13th Nov – Stag and Dagger, Glasgow 14th Nov – Gullivers, Manchester
15th Nov – The Fulford Arms, York 16th Nov – Headrow House, Leeds 17th Nov – The Adelphi, Hull

““On course towards future raucous, beer-soaked headline festival sets.” NME

“Screw-you power, relentless motorik rhythms and impressively large choruses.” The Guardian 

“Sprints may be the latest to emerge from Dublin’s fertile stable of guitar-wielding new heroes, but their two-fingers-up, no-nonsense rattle and roll arrives as the natural heir to Amyl and the Sniffers’ grot punk – DIY

Today Sprints share new single How Does The Story Go? out now via Nice Swan Records. The single follows the Manifesto EP, released inMarch, to critical acclaim from the likes of TheGuardian,Clash, NME, DIY, Dork and many others. Sprints have also won support at BBC 6Music and Radio 1. The Dublin band have a knack for writing unwaveringly catchy, progressive and socially astute songs – How Does The Story Go? once again showcasing vocalist Karla Chubb’s humour, vulnerability and candid honesty.

With How Does The Story Go?, the band reflect upon the nature of sacrifice that comes with pursuing a career in the arts, saying “Friends are emigrating, buying houses, growing older and maturing, whatever that means, and sometimes you feel stuck. It feels like the world is spinning and moving around you, and while there is nothing else I’d rather be doing than playing music with my adopted family, sometimes you can’t help but feel left behind.”

Raw and raucous, Sprints are a garage-noise four-piece from Dublin. They combine guitar-driven hooks, motoric rhythm and emotive lyricism to create a unique sound that pulls from garage, grunge, punk and beyond. Like the Irish guitar acts who have paved the way for them: Fontaines D.C., Silverbacks and Girl Band, the sound of Sprints is urgent and vital at every turn.

Sprints have hit a nerve. Driven by experience, tough political climates and social and economic uncertainty – their music is honest, often politically charged and authentic. Sprints’ second EP will be released via Nice Swan Records in ‘21. More details on that will be shared imminently. The band will tour the U.K. & Ireland in November (dates below).

This recording was supported through funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media Ireland as administered via the Music Industry Stimulus Package 2020.

After London four-piece Malady shared their single ‘Famous Last Words’ via Nice Swan Records; they now return with their own club-orientated remix of their electronic-indie anthem.

The original, produced by Malady and Mixed & Engineered by Eduardo De La Paz, explores Malady’s existentialist take on modern life and scratches the surface of the band’s love of more electronic leaning textures and tendencies. Fusing musical elements from dub, post-rave, early dubstep, and IDM with formative indie guitar music, the band draws inspiration from day-to-day living, focussing on conversations and social observations.

With one foot in the clubbing landscape, Malady has proved their versatile production ability with dance focussed flips of their own tracks, most notably their recent remix of single ‘London, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Dub’.

As they continue to push their sound and branch into the club music realm, Malady deliver another dancefloor-ready heater, adding deep cut kick grooves, backed up with off-kilter, morphing synth-bass lines and crisp breakbeat chops; interspersed with distorted snippets of the original vocals and intricate sound design moments.

Introducing a wave of new and exciting talent including the likes of Jelly Cleaver, Courting, Sprints, Hallan, Malady, Mandrake Handshake and Anorak Patch, the upcoming compilation solidifies Nice Swan’s growing status as one of the UK’s most reputable indie labels, with their live plans this summer set to demonstrate the full potential of their roster.

Launched in 2016 by North West duo Pete Heywoode and Alex Edwards, Nice Swan’s initial aim to become a platform for discovering and nurturing new talent soon attracted widespread recognition, with the subsequent success of signees such as Sports Team, Pip Blom, FUR & Hotel Lux building momentum at an impressive rate.

“For Pete and I this has been a year’s worth of hard work and to finalise it with ten fantastic artists, an amazing 12” compilation release and these four shows is a real treat”, explains co-founder Edwards.

“We feel each artist in their own right has a really promising future on the horizon so it’s been great to act as that launchpad with the series. Hopefully this is the start of something special and we’re looking to do it all again in 2022”.

ORDER 12″ Compilation

Instilled with a passion to push emerging artists on a monthly basis, Volume 1 signals a real landmark moment in the cult indie label’s development, and with several acts already becoming mainstays on the BBC Radio 1/6 Music airwaves and gaining extensive tastemaker approval, the compilation could not be arriving at a better time.

Nice Swan Introduces Volume 1 is released August 30^th and will be available on all platforms (pre-order 12″ vinyl here). Tickets for their live shows will go on sale at 9am April 1^st here.

Live Dates

Aug 12 – YES, Manchester (Malady, Mandrake Handshake, Opus Kink)

Aug 25 – YES, Manchester (Hallan, Jaws the Shark, English Teacher)

Sept 12 – Moth Club, London (Malady, Mandrake Handshake, Hallan, Jelly Cleaver, Opus Kink)

Sept 30 – Camden Assembly, London (Courting, Jaws the Shark, Anorak Patch)

Catalogue Numbers and Series Releases

NSWNi001 Jelly Cleaver Feeling Fine

NSWNi002 Courting DBB

NSWNi003 Sprints The Cheek

NSWNi004 Hallan Modern England

NSWNi005 Malady London

NSWNi006 Mandrake Handshake Gonkulator

NSWNi007 Anorak Patch Irate

NSWNi008 Jaws The Shark Demon Dream

NSWNi009 Opus Kink Wild Bill

NSWNI010 English Teacher R&B

NSWNi011 Nice Swan Introduces Volume 1

/niceswanrecords.com/

Press Enquiries: matthew@supercatpr.co.uk

“A land where growled-jazz meets the blues in a showdown to end all perceptions of genre” So Young

“Intense blast of guitar pop” Clash

“New Banger” NME

Last year, Nice Swan Records started the monthly Nice Swan Introduces… series to shine a light on the most exciting emerging talent. Following releases with the likes of Sports Team, Pip Blom, Hotel Lux & FUR, The series introduced a whole wave of new and exciting talent including Jelly Cleaver, Courting, Sprints, Hallan, Malady, Mandrake Handshake, Anorak Patch & English Teacher, cementing Nice Swan Records as one of the country’s most exciting independent record labels. Today, recent Volume 1 additions Opus Kink share frenetic new cut ‘This Train’, the follow-up to Nice Swan Introduces effort ‘Wild Bill’.

The latest act to emerge from Brighton’s thriving indie scene, Opus Kink certainly deliver on their early promise with eclectic new single ‘This Train’, fusing their ever-evolving and difficult to categorise style to perfection as they continue their experimental ascent amidst a flurry of acclaim.

With plenty of tastemaker (NME, So Young, Clash) and BBC 6 Music (Steve Lamacq) support accompanying spring release ‘Wild Bill’, the enigmatic collective once again team up with The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess on production duties for ‘This Train’, having ventured to the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales to record their newest material late last year.

Marshalled by a pounding, chugging rhythm section and shrieking horns that help build the song to fever pitch, ‘This Train’ is primed for the band’s wild and unpredictable live shows, with dates lined up nationwide over the coming months, including two Nice Swan showcase gigs alongside label-mates Malady, Mandrake Handshake and Hallan later this summer.

“The fierce and magnetic draw of a future punk great” NME 

“A rattling post-punk storm of frustrated lyrics and rumbling bass” DIY

“They could be your new favourite band” The Line Of Best Fit

“Just one weapon in their vast musical armoury” Dork

“A decidedly cool emerging punk band” So Young Magazine

Last year, Nice Swan Records started the monthly Nice Swan Introduces… series to shine a light on the most exciting emerging talent. Following releases with the likes of Sports Team, Pip Blom, Hotel Lux & FUR, The series introduced a whole wave of new and exciting talent including Jelly Cleaver, Courting, Sprints, Hallan, Malady, Mandrake Handshake, Opus Kink & Anorak Patch cementing Nice Swan Records as one of the country’s most exciting independent record labels. Today, final Volume 1 additions Leeds’ English Teacher share soaring new effort ‘Wallace’, the B-side to Nice Swan Introduces offering ‘R&B’.

Surging onto the scene in late spring with pulsating anthem ‘R&B’, English Teacher have certainly made quite the early impression. From the raw, distorted guitar and bass of Sonic Youth and Slint to the white-knuckle drums and assertive vocals of punk purveyors Shame, the alt-rockers’ versatility is clear for all to see, with punchy B-side ‘Wallace’ providing further evidence of what to expect from the emerging quartet in the coming months.

Having first met whilst studying in Leeds and remained in the city harnessing their craft and recording demos ever since, the four-piece, marshalled by enigmatic frontwoman Lily Fontaine (also part of Yorkshire risers Eades), have sought inspiration from social issues, literature and wit for their initial releases, whilst also benefiting from previous experience alongside legendary producer/engineer Ken Scott (The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John).

With a slew of acclaim from the likes of NME, DIY, Dork, The Line Of Best Fit, So Young and Beats Per Minute greeting the arrival of ‘R&B’, as well as excitement across the BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders, Gemma Bradley) and BBC 6 Music airwaves (Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens), it’s fair to say English Teacher are generating substantial momentum. Upcoming live dates alongside label-mates FEET and SPRINTS, as well as Sports Team’s annual Margate Bus Trip, leave them primed to take further advantage as they cement their growing status across the indie landscape.

Detailing their newest single, the band explained: “‘Wallace’ is an apocalyptic monologue about what happens when people listen to Wallace Hartley, the band-leader of the Titanic, as a distraction to the sinking of the ship. Born in my hometown, his name is stretched across the door of our local Wetherspoons – thinking about the irony of this got me wrapped up in how the metaphor perfectly expressed my feelings towards the political leanings of the area and the general rise of the right-wing in modern England.”

Produced by Theo Verney (TRAAMS, FEET, Lazarus Kane), English Teacher’s ‘Wallace’ is released June 25th via Nice Swan Records and will be available on all digital platforms.

Live Dates:

12 Aug – Record Junkee, Sheffield (w/ FEET)

13 Aug – Deaf Institute, Manchester (w/ FEET)

14 Aug – Margate (Sports Team’s Margate Bus Trip 2021)

25 Aug – YES, Manchester (Nice Swan showcase w/ Hallan & Jaws The Shark)

18 Sept – Psyched Fest, Portsmouth

21 Oct – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham (w/ TV Priest)

31 Oct – Bootleg Social, Blackpool (w/ SPRINTS)

02 Nov – Rough Trade Bristol (w/ TV Priest)

03 Nov – Moth Club, London (w/ TV Priest)

10 Nov – Oporto, Leeds (w/ SPRINTS)

13 Nov – Stag & Dagger Festival, Glasgow

14 Nov – Stag & Dagger Festival, Glasgow

Hypnotic psych-collective Mandrake Handshake share kaleidoscopic debut EP ‘Shake The Hand That Feeds You’, set for release June 18^th (physical release October 15th) via Nice Swan Records (Pip Blom, Sports Team, FUR).

Formed in Oxford where they lived, hung out and rehearsed together on campus, the eclectic group were christened after a song by The Brian Jonestown Massacre, incorporating their influences of krautrock, funk, Japanese animation and Latin pastoral poetry to create a unique brand of ‘Flowerkraut’ that vividly defines their sound.

Having initially teamed up with the cult indie label for their ‘Nice Swan Introduces…’ series (in partnership with RIP Records) late last year, the creative outfit have since found label-mates in the likes of Courting, SPRINTS and Anorak Patch, and fast established themselves as one of the most enticing new acts in the UK psychedelic scene.

With widespread acclaim arriving via multiple key indie press titans (NME, NPR, DIY, The Line Of Best Fit, Dork, So Young, Clash, Loud & Quiet, Gigwise), the newcomers certainly seem to be attracting the right kind of attention following the release of mesmeric debut effort ‘Mandragora’ and exhilarating follow-up ‘Gonkulator’, with their first few plays on the BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders) airwaves already opening them up to a vast new audience.

Detailing their EP, the band explained: “‘Shake the Hand That Feeds You’ represents the culmination of many strands of thought over the process of several months. It is designed to announce the coming of the Mandrake in all her forms and the ascent into her realm; as it soundtracks the listener coming to know what will be expected of them for all future sonic explorations.

No expense has been spared to bring the listener to the zenith of psychedelic high-fidelity and have them fully understand what they otherwise might only hint at knowing. This is ‘Flowerkraut’. This is the beginning. This is the Mandrake”.

Recorded at Press Play Studios in Bermondsey with one of their heroes in Stereolab’s Andy Ramsay, Mandrake Handshake’s ‘Shake the Hand That Feeds You’ is released June 18^th (digital only) via Nice Swan Records.

Mandrake Handshake is Row Janjuah (guitar, synth, bass, percussion), Trinity Oksana (vocals), Liv Duval (vocals), Elvis Thirlwell (tambourine, percussion), Eris Nishku (tambourine, percussion), Charlie Arrowsmith (guitar), Danny Jeffries (bass), Shan Sriharan (synth, organ), David Howard-Baker (flute, saxophone), Joe Bourdier (drums)

‘Shake The Hand That Feeds You’ Tracklist

01 – Mandragora

02 – Ecologue 11

03 – Gonkulator

04 – Monolith

FEET share brand new track Library today lifted from their upcoming EP ‘Walking Machine, due for release on August 6 via their new label home Nice Swan Records. It’s the second track to be shared from the EP, following on from the visceral Peace & Quiet which has been championed by the likes of Steve Lamacq at 6Music, Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and a host of indie tastemakers at media.

“Library was the product of our ‘slow ramones’ period when writing in lockdown” explains frontman George. “I achieved a relatively high reading level at primary school – impressed?? ..so I’ve felt the sting of a late book fee quite a few times. This is my ode to libraries everywhere, return your books”. Check out the track here.

Having moved into their North London flat together back in September 2019, FEET are now living “like a hive mind” and have level-upped their kinship – both as people and artists – several times over. Spending endless days making music, the band’s journey since their debut has been a rollercoaster – one with a definite U-turn. An initial batch of songs ended up being entirely scrapped after a sobering practice room realisation that, far from sounding like a cohesive second record, “one song sounded like a covers pub band, and another sounded like Eminem could throw some bars over it,” notes Callum.

And so, they sat down to write a manifesto: one that would tame their overflowing pot of ideas and put some necessary parameters around what they were doing. “No wanky guitar solos, no sailor outfits, no bringing a broom onstage,” jokes George. All fair points. But as well as that, the band started digging into what they actually wanted to sound like, setting up their home studio and taking a bigger interest in production and the atmosphere of the tracks, trying to hit the cross-section of pop music and something a little darker that they’ve always loitered around.

“We’re not a post punk band, we don’t sound like a ‘London band’ whatever that is, but the indie reference in our shared hive mind is related to a major label, squeaky clean sound which isn’t what we want from our band,” explains George. “You either go the mainstream route or the sleazy South London route and we’re slap bang in the middle, so we’re trying to state our spot. We’re pretty comfortable where we are and this is the direction we wanna take it in”.

The forthcoming ‘Walking Machine EP’ takes these ideas and moulds them into four tracks that show a band still more than willing to throw in a liberal smattering of humour at the right moment, but who aren’t relying just on japes to get them through. They’ve still got a classically FEET name for their new direction, Crease Pop, but even that’s got some logic to it. “It’s taking the pop music formula – hooky choruses, nothing too self-indulgent – but it’s still got a bit of edge,” says George. “With Indie music, there’s an element where it can get quite soft and it’s quite easy to go through that phase where you think you sound like The Beach Boys, but we’ve come off the end of that where we want to be a bit grittier.”

Having beamed fans into their living room over lockdown with a series of livestreams imbued with more genuine live show energy than most, the tight-knit camaraderie the band have honed over the past year is there for all to see. Far from the group of novices they first emerged as, FEET are now a proper unit.

Alongside the new EP, FEET will continue their new chapter on the road this August. The seven UK dates will see them perform the brand-new material for the first time, alongside a host of fan favourites from their debut album. Tickets are on sale now and full details are below.

UK TOUR AUGUST 2021

12 Sheffield Record Junkee

13 Manchester The Deaf Institute

14 Nottingham The Bodega

19 Birmingham Mama Roux’s

20 Bristol Thekla

21 London Oslo [Sold Out]

22 Brighton Hope & Ruin [Sold Out]