Category: The Buzz

Issue 7 – SINGLE REVIEWS: They Did it Again, Lava Pigeon

Posted on by Ngaire Ruth

Dripping with angst and vitriol, anthemic chord progressions and catchy lead lines stuck in my head for hours… says Santiago

They Did it Again is the third single released by Lava Pigeon, a four-piece rock/garage/grunge combo featuring ACMie, India Langley, and it makes a powerful first impression for the band. It’s a pure punk anthem oozing attitude, with its merciless politically charged lyrics, crunchy guitar riffs and lead lines.

The lyrics are directed at the rise of far-right, authoritarian regimes and leaving no mercy for those who support them, calling them out for the bigots that they are. These lyrics cut through to the key issues we have today just as clearly as they cut through the well-balanced mix. I found them to be reminiscent of Linkin Park.

The lyrical perspective tackles issues from the most overt, inconspicuous angles, leaving little to the imagination. The production and mix leave something to be desired, with the many guitar layers occasionally blending into what I would call a mid-heavy guitar sludge, which clouds other layers of the track.

Overall, this single shows the potential of Lava Pigeon, and just as I am excited to develop as a writer for the student mag, I look forward to seeing how they develop as a band and how they will differentiate their sound. (Santiago Goodman-Chamorro)

Santiago is studying guitar at Guildford and is in a band, Cohesive Adhesive

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavapigeonbse/

Tell us what you think, thebuzz@acm.ac.uk

Issue 7 – THE INTERVIEW, UP NEXT: HUBSCZ 

Posted on by Ngaire Ruth

HUBSCZ burns the edges of bedroom pop to create a groovy, vintage sound with modern flair, says Sidney Robson

He’s got an ear for earcandy, and his music is rich with sparkling synths, full-bodied guitars, and deathly catchy lyrics – certainly one to keep an eye on. Citing inspiration from Dayglow to Michael Jackson, HUBSCZ is a big fan of groove and rhythm-making in his tracks.

His music has a noticeable pulse; the drums are taut and thumping, ripped straight out of the 80s. He builds his chords around his hooks, he puts a ’60s-style chorus on his backing vocals, and he spends most of his time in the studio EQing tracks to perfection.

Ever the perfectionist, HUBSCZ deletes the vocal takes that don’t make the cut on the spot. No sorting through, no compositing – a relatable course of action for many bedroom producers, no doubt, myself included. When it came down to the makings of a successful track, he said that he can “fiddle around with the synths and guitar for hours” before an idea finally “hits him” – and if that’s not a star-making production process, I don’t know what is. 

His lyrics are ever-personal – always about someone specific. He admits, seeming both nervous and amused, that “if the person listens to [the song], they might be able to gauge that it’s about them.” He draws heavily on his experiences, finding inspiration either right in the moment or in the clarity of the aftermath, and says that he tries to structure his songs in parts – “one section captures the emotions, the next captures the story”. 

As we discussed his comeback single, Anxious, he showed me all the moving parts and stacked layers of his production; the project file was so unorganised, it almost seemed like magic when such a polished sound came through. Buried beneath double-tracked guitars and perfectly equalised vocal takes are sparkling, shimmering synths, straight out of a 1980s prom. He told me that he loves “twinkly, jingley sounds” and pads his tracks with sparkling subtleties. And these multi-layered tracks come together in less than a week! 

HUBSCZ isn’t booked for any shows at the moment – he’s too busy rehearsing the material! – but he’s currently putting out a single a month in preparation for an EP release. Personally, I’d hope to see him demonstrate his black-belt taekwondo moves live on stage – but I’d settle for a live rendition of Watching Me. 

Buzz writer Sidney Robson is a singer-songwriter studying production with a background in video game music and fandom studies. 

https://youtube.com/@chai.tealeaves?si=hpSfKh1Fk774bDh2(4 million views)

https://www.instagram.com/chai.tealeaves?igsh=eWFzaXF5d2trbTZx

https://www.instagram.com/hubscz.official

Issue 7 – LIVE REVIEW: Stonny The Donny @ Dingwalls 17, London

Posted on by Ngaire Ruth

The band we all need: emotive chords, catchy riffs and picture-painting lyrics. India Langley, words.

If you’re looking for an artist with a bit of grit but with a chilled jazzy flair, then let me introduce you to ACM’s very own Stonny The Donny, and the events of their brilliant live show in Camden in January.

As soon as their performance starts, I’m immediately hooked on their music. It’s clear that there’s a lot of jazz influence with the chord choices; however, there was a hint of something else in there, too, not too dissimilar to alt/indie rock, but to call it “indie rock” doesn’t give the music justice. The emotions behind this music were made even more evident through Stanley’s vocal delivery, alongside the poetic lyrics that truly paint a picture. When listening, his vocal tone immediately reminded me of Dan Smith of Bastille.

The chord choices of this band’s music matched perfectly with the feelings behind the words, and the guitar’s tone just added even more to the overall enjoyment I got from this gig. There is tension. There are catchy riffs. There are basslines that you can feel throughout your body. 

The crowd are fully immersed in the music, swaying right in front of the band.

The gig feels intimate, with the setup being floor-level and comfortably diy. The lighting was dim, adding to the overall atmosphere of the performance. On stage, the band are clearly enjoying themselves and fully in the music. The drummer and bassist, the whole band, were well-rehearsed while keeping a natural feel.

Stonny The Donny gives a strong performance, and the sound quality is high throughout.

India Langley is studying guitar at ACM Clapham, London. She is in charge of the band and artist billings for Metropolis Blue. Contact her via thebuzz@acm.ac.uk

https://www.instagram.com/stonnythedonny