Industry news & advice blog

Heatwavers - ‘A New Wave’

Keen not to say goodbye to summer yet, duo Heatwavers have crafted a shimmering, buoyant pop song from opposite sides of the world. Based in the UK and Australia, best friends James and Nige met at university years earlier, and inspired by their shared love of 60s pop and early 2000s indie, decided to start making music together; sharing ideas across the internet and recording remotely.

When it comes to their carefree sound, they say; “We want our songs to feel like a late-summer evening; optimistic and a bit hazy around the edges.” Which brings us neatly to their fifth single ‘A New Wave’; an ode to the comfort and connection they find through their friendship and music.

“A New Wave’ was written between Manchester and Melbourne, where the two of us live. It’s about making music from opposite sides of the world - staying connected through songs, overcoming the distance and feeling grateful that we can still make it work. We make everything remotely, sending ideas back and forth until it clicks. Musically, we went for bright synths and that early-2000s indie vibe - something upbeat, reflective and a little nostalgic.”

So far, Heatwavers have picked up support from the likes of BBC Introducing, as well as placements on Spotify’s indie playlists, but James & Nige’s main joy comes from putting their music out into the world; “It’s been amazing to see our songs reaching people around the world - from kind messages online to hearing they’ve been played somewhere unexpected.”

2026 will see the release of the duo’s debut EP ‘Hello Heatwavers’ on cassette, but before that we can expect a couple more singles in the new year, and even a Christmas song which will drop in late November.

Already planning their second EP, they have collaborations and remixes in the works, plus new material ready to record with a bit of a twist, “We’re planning to lean into a slightly grittier, guitar-led sound for the next one, but still with those pop sensibilities.” We can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for our favourite intercontinental pop pair.

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Takeda - ‘Sugar Mountain’

Showcasing intricate guitar skills in a fervid style that combines folk and fuzz, Norwich alt rock band Takeda’s recent single ‘Sugar Mountain’ was recorded during a raw studio take. The four-piece tell us more about their decision to record live, and the meaning behind the song;

“We wanted to get across the intensity of our live shows. The unique guitar sound is created on a Martin acoustic guitar, through two big valve amps, cranked! It goes from gentle finger picked guitar to a full fat fuzzed out guitar wall of noise. It's supposed to feel unstable, borderline schizophrenic, massive dynamic range. Same with the vocals, from a quiet mumbled voice to an impassioned, shouted climax. The way the whole band explodes on demand and by surprise. That’s a theme with this whole album, lyrically and musically. Sugar Mountain is about feeling life slip away from you, like sand escaping from a clenched fist.”

Coining their unique sound as ‘grunge folk’, Takeda have so far received support for the single, and their latest album ‘In Venus’ Train’ which was released in September, with Radio X’s John Kennedy describing it as “a bit of an epic”.

Over the past couple of months, the band have been playing a series of dates to promote the new album, including a slot at Wilds Paths festival in October, but the unveiling of the album and chance to perform it live have delivered some stand-out moments for Takeda;

“Getting through the first vinyl press of our recently released album 'In Venus' Train' and when we performed at our album launch show at The Adrian Flux Waterfront Studio in our home town of Norwich earlier this year. It was incredible after having put so much of our blood, sweat and tears into getting this album ready to go. And then to play it all the way through in front of our home crowd and see so many invested people there who love what we do. We couldn't have asked for more. It was beautiful!”

Over the coming months the gigs will continue, as the band tour the album into the new year including playing a show at Sonic Wings Festival on 27th February. There’s also new material brewing with studio time on the horizon, so keep your ear to the ground for more to come from Takeda.

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C. Douglas - ‘I Like It Like That’

Instantly caught by the melodic synth hook as the song opens, C. Douglas has delivered an unconventional and infectious pop gem in ‘I Like It Like That’ that it’s impossible not to find appealing. Concocted whilst living in Paris, he tells us “it’s a song about new environments; diving into a new world.”

Previously the primary singer and songwriter in The Goa Express, Douglas has branched out on his own of late, introducing his joyful new sound with debut single ‘At First’ which received support from BBC Introducing and 6 Music, who have summed up his melodic and honest synth pop as “bizarre, bamboozling and abstract”.

His debut EP 75019, produced by Steve Cobby (Fila Brazillia), is set for release on 10” vinyl sometime in January on Golden Lion Sounds (Jarvis Cocker, Working Men’s Club, W. H. Lung, Jane Weaver).

Dipping his toe back in to the live circuit waters, C. Douglas has some gigs scheduled across the UK in November. Beyond that he seems content to go with the flow, and see what opportunities come his way, with the definite cornerstone of bringing us more new material.

“Who knows what the future holds in the traditional ’sense' of the industry. All I know is that there will be more music. In the future, I wish to continue making music that I like. It’s therapy for me and helps me get by.”

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Millie Turner - ‘American Lightning’

Describing her latest single as “illuminant pop, theatrical candy”, ‘American Lightning’ by singer songwriter Millie Turner is atmospheric and entrancing, and along with her 2 previous singles released earlier this year ‘Lost You Again’ and ‘Mother of the Mountain’, offers a delicious glimpse at what lays ahead on Millie’s upcoming EP release; her first in 4 years.

Back to the song in question, and Millie divulges how it came to life; “The song was written within the first few hours of a session I had in West London. I think most of the work was assembling the actual production which took a lot longer, building the landscape of the song. I got a cellist to come in and record her electric cello for some parts, and also added many production elements myself. Lightning to me is so beautiful and symbolic of pure elemental power that is unbuyable; too hot to touch and too fast to capture. It resembles a kind of awakening that the world yearns for but never comes when expected. Unlike the American dream, it is not material but purely mystical or energetic.”

Since launching into the alt pop atmosphere in 2018, Millie has ardently developed her craft and sound, ensuring her musical dexterity expands alongside her lyricism and storytelling. She’s supported the likes of Tove Lo, FLETCHER, Nasty Cherry, Mimi Webb, IDER, Becky Hill, NAAZ and Dodie, across the UK and Europe.

To date her entire catalogue has attained an impressive 40 million streams, and her long-awaited 7 track EP project ‘Looking For Alice’ which drops on 28th November, is sure to add heartily to those numbers.

Look out for Millie playing an intimate piano gig in London to mark the release of ‘Looking For Alice’, which will also be accompanied by a self-illustrated book telling the story of the EP. And keep an eye on her socials for more details of a headline gig next February at The George Tavern in London.

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Kiwi - ‘High Tide’

Generating high octane indie rock on their latest track ‘High Tide’, Lancaster four-piece Kiwi’s sound has been described as sitting somewhere between Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Kooks, a location the band are happy to inhabit.

With the recent input of producer Gareth Nuttall (The K’s, Andrew Cushin, M60) Kiwi are enjoying seeing a natural evolution in their sound. ‘High Tide’ is brimming with powerful riffs and an anthemic chorus, and the band tell us more about how the song was sparked;

“High Tide marks what we think can be the start of a new chapter for us. Inspired by a sunset walk on my nearby hometown beach watching the tide slowly retreat, I was struck by the imagery of the tide’s constant balancing act; between becoming too ‘full’ or leaving emptiness. The conflict resonated with feelings of becoming too ‘full’ or reliant on someone and how, although oftentimes enthralling, can also feel suffocating, like you’re being drowned, suffocated, or out of your depth. Ultimately, High Tide captures the suffocating nature of dependency and doubt, the resulting cycle of feeling both rescued and destroyed by the same person, and the search for truth and authenticity within.”

Since forming in 2021, Kiwi have accumulated an impressive array of support slots including The Royston Club, Vistas, Toploader, M60 and Professor Green. As well as picking up support from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Introducing Mixtape, Radio XS, BBC 1 North West Tonight and more, the band have steadily built a loyal fanbase and become regular favourites at Kendal Calling, and the festival holds a cherished experience for the lads;

“I think a moment we always go back to is our first year at Kendal Calling on the BBC Introducing stage. We were so nervous that no-one was going to be there, and we walked out to a packed out tent and had the gig of our lives. Being our first taste of a major festival as well made the experience extra special.”

Coming up next, Kiwi will be supporting Pentire at Lancaster’s Kanteena on 18th November, as well as heading back to the studio to prepare another new single which they hope to release before the end of 2025. Keep it locked on their socials for more updates.

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