New music to listen to this week: Adia Victoria and Frank Hamilton

Now Hear This

Adia Victoria (Press image)

Double bill for you this week as I gear up for an absolute smogasbord of new music at TGE.

First up is the exquisite Adia Victoria who just released the visuals for "Dead Eyes" off her debut album Beyond The Bloodhounds.

The album was produced by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Sleater Kinney) at Haptown Studios in Tenessee.

She grew up in South Carolina and is now based in Nashville (after stints in Atlanta, Paris and Germany).

Taking cues from the White Stripes and early (aka good) Kings Of Leon along with 20th Century blues legends, you'll hear nods to classic novels as well as a strong voice on issues around race and feminism.

Give "Dead Eyes" a watch and let us know what you think:

Q&A with Adia Victoria

What have you been listening to recently?

Mostly just Miles Davis. I'm in a new apartment with just my books for the most part, and I like his company in the quiet.

I just started digging into the new radiohead album “a moon shaped pool”. I find myself caught between the urge to scribble down notes at every moment that draws the hair up on my arm and just letting the music fall over me. Every radiohead album creates these amazing sonic landscapes I never tire of exploring.

What are your plans for summer 2016?

Tour. And to remember to look up at the world moving by from inside the van. Excited to get back to London. I plan on having pulled tea at Walthamstow Market. I'm very excited for that.

First gig, best gig?

First gig was at The Basement in nashville in 2012. And I don't have a favorite gig. I like playing DC, that's always a good time.

Beyond The Bloodhounds is out now. Adia Victoria plays her first London how on 7 July at Servant Jazz Quarters

Now let me introduce you to Frank Hamilton (you've probably heard of him already), who has amassed a huge following a few years back thanks to his project One Song a Week, which sold over 15, 000 copies and hit Number 1 on iTunes in 2012.

This is Frank.

Frank Hamilton

He's back with a new album in June, Songs To Make Life Slightly Less Awkward - from that we're premiering the track "10 Days" which is super summery.

The record was produced by James Earp (Nina Nesbitt) and mastered by Robin Schmidt (The 1975, Two-Door Cinema Club) .

Expect a range of upbeat songs along with stark duets, not to mention the ace lead single "LoveDrug".

Have a listen to "10 Days" and let us know what you think:

Q&A with Frank Hamilton

What have you been listening to recently?

Pulp, American Hi-Fi, The Promise Ring, Prefab Sprout, Alkaline Trio, Elvis Costello, The Crimea...

What can people expect from your new album?

It's basically a self-help guide masquerading as an indie pop record. Full of first world problems.

First gig, best gig?

First ever gig was a battle of the bands in my local community hall. We played an original set and won the crowd vote... but as is customary in all BOTBs, the judges gave first prize to some hairy dudes who covered 'Sweet Child O' Mine'.

Favourite gig so far is a toss up between the #OneSongaWeek live show (a 25 song set with guest appearances from all the collaborators) or the most recent 'Crikey, It's Christmas!' show.

CiC began in 2010 with 30 people in my living room and the most recent one was at a sold out Bush Hall (possibly my favourite venue in London). We closed with the Pogues and everyone went home covered in fake snow - perfect.

Songs To Make Life Slightly Less Awkward is out 17 June. Frank is playing Scala in London on 19 June.