Playlist: HITS magazine

To celebrate the release of our first print issues, here's a playlist featuring all artists involved.

HITS x Berlin

We hosted our very first live gig in Berlin - and this is what it looked like.

Cover The HITS

Our latest video series - covers performed by our favourite acts, exclusively for us.

Video Interview: Scenic Route To Alaska

Melting away in front of Stuttgart's castle, we had a chat about touring, band names, Toy Story and a lot more.

Find us on YouTube!

Visit us on the 'tubes for interviews, exclusive performances and outtakes.

6 years of house in the sand



Dear house in the sand,



It's your 6th birthday.
Six years ago I sat down with the little Internet knowledge I had and created this blog via Google.

You were started out of pure admiration for music and the need to tell stories and share images. 
I didn't know what I was doing but you've helped me figure it out.
You've helped me create my own path.

This first version of you looked nothing like you do today - so I guess puberty did you well.
One thing that has never changed though, is the love for music which you present. 

And I grew up with you.
I grew up somewhere between the Internet and the music industry.
When I started this, I was 15 and I didn't quite know where I belonged back then.

You became my online home and to this day I feel like I can escape whenever I produce content for you.

There were a few artists and managers who saw potential in this and they've allowed us to take our first steps while guiding us with so much support and teaching us so much about the industry.

And a few became a lot,
PR agencies and (major) labels found us
- and soon we got to do "the big shit".

And I'll admit, some of the big opportunities came before I was ready for them,
but that's never been an issue because of the helping hands and warming words.

The one thing that I would never want to miss again, is the beauty of connecting with like minded people.
There is a sense of community in this part of the entertainment industry and that has helped me so much.

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that some of the artists I've featured over the years are now some of my close friends, are friends who let me stay in their homes, who show my around their home towns.
I couldn't imagine doing this without having such personal connections to so many of the people I get to work with.

Dear house in the sand,

You taught me how to create, develop, fail and start again.

No matter how many times I've hit a wall, you've always opened another door.

I've learned how to write, how to host interviews, how to develop different types of features for different effects, I found my voice, I found my future.
I've learned how to not set my laptop on fire whilst working on HTML and video editing
and I learned that if you're genuine, you'll always be fine.

And from day one we've had music fans on this journey with us who listened to the music we've shared,
who recommended their favourite tracks to us and who have realised the importance in supporting music blogs.
They've allowed us to be the source for music we've wanted to be.
We got to be their friends and got to bring incredible music into their headphones.

Out of all the things we've achieved so far,
the fact that we've featured a big variety of music makes me the happiest.
We found songs that made us laugh, cry and dance, and we heard stories that left us speechless.

And I'm so proud of that.

Dear house in the sand,

Thank you for six years of being my home.




Love,










Credits // Words, Image & Audio: Vanessa Jertschewske

Video Of The Day: "Silver Screen" by Novatines



Hey guys!

It's almost March of 2018 and let's be honest - do you still remember your new years resolutions?
Well... let's not dwell on that topic, shall we?

But if you wanted to discover more music this year, consider us your friend trying to hold you accountable for your achievements.
We're here to present you music that we think you'll love.

So if you need music to listen to in the gym, or some background tunes whilst you're drinking more water or getting more sleep - glad you're here, we're happy to be your source.

Today's VOTD falls under the category "songs to lose yourself in".
Now might also be a good time to hydrate, babes - so grab some water and get ready to jam.


- Video Of The Day -
"Silver Screen" by Novatines


Novatines are a four piece from Bath, UK.

They are new, they are loud and they are ready to take over.
None of the statements above are exaggerated - and you will figure that out yourself as you get to know the band.

Novatines are:

Jamie Beale
Tom Cory
Callum Moloney
 Tom Turner

So far they've played a bunch of gigs throughout the UK, built a passionate fan base and kept us hungry for more.

March 2018 will see the band touring the UK, so make sure to head over to their website for all tour dates.


Their debut single "Medicine" was the rock song you needed in your life and now they're here with their new track and video "Silver Screen".


The song greets you with a mysterious atmosphere, sounding light and calm at first - but don't let first impressions fool you.
A few seconds into the song, the vocals let you know that you're about to fall in love with the depth of the song.
As backing vocals join the mix, it becomes apparent just how many layers there are to this track.

The lead vocals guide you through the verse and chorus with confidence, all while the guitar strumming gives us a false impression of calmness, showcasing the band's ability to keep their listeners surprised.

Once the first chorus ends, the big Rock'n'Roll explosion happens and we're catapulted into the Classic Rock era and we're here to stay.

Novatines know how to bring class and atmosphere to your ears and they do it so well.
The soaring guitars, the steady and controlling drums and the heavy bass paired with the leading vocals - all elements just work together so smoothly.

We know you guys around here love Rock music, so take the song and let it be your song of the day.



Check out the video for "Silver Screen" right here:




- stream "Silver Screen" -
- buy "Silver Screen" -




Novatines online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!














Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Novatines

EP Review: "Bad Timing" by Rhys Lewis




Hey guys!

I don't know about you, but I'm already loving 2018 in this industry.

We're seeing musicians speaking up politically (uhm, hello - how incredible was Stormzy's performance at the Brits?), we get to watch impressive lyric videos (Eminem's "Untouchable" is genius) and all our favourites are touring (remember when I cried at a Paramore show last month?) - long story short: the situation could be worse.

And - spoiler: it's not going downhill.

Tomorrow (if you're reading this on February 22nd), one of house in the sand's favourite acts is releasing his debut EP - and if he isn't one of your favs yet, this will do the last bit of convincing you might need.

So let's check it out, yeah?

Artist: Rhys Lewis
Title: Bad Timing
Genre: Soul, Pop
Label: Decca, Universal Music
Release Date: 23rd February 2018

Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, originally from Oxford (UK), now based in London (UK).

His sound is influenced by legends such as Carole King, Bill Withers and James Taylor.
Rhys' signature sound is a blend of Soul, Pop and Blues with hints of Rock and Folk here and there.
The diversity of his sounds, paired with his talent for story telling has led to millions of streams on his previously released singles.

Rhys has quickly gained a large following, allowing him to sell out shows in the UK and Europe inbetween support shows for JP Cooper and James TW.

Before he's heading on his second European headline tour in April, Rhys can be seen at SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas (US).

But first he's treating us with his debut EP, "Bad Timing".

So let's check it out!


Tracklist:
1) Bad Timing
2) Reason To Hate You
3) Bloodstains
4) Don't Wanna Believe It (Acoustic)


Opener and title track "Bad Timing" is a timeless and refreshing track.
There's something about the way it is arranged that feels like you've heard it before, like it's an old friend you haven't seen in a while.
But every element in the track offers excitement in the most comforting way. The dark instrumentation acts like a highlighter, intensifying the heavy emotions felt in the situation which Rhys describes with his words.

For "Reason To Hate You", all we hear is Rhys' voice and the electric guitar.
This simplicity could be tragically monotonous to listen to, but it isn't - instead it soaks you in and makes sure you listen to the track with all of your attention.
Maybe it's Rhys' confidence in his writing, maybe it's the universal and relatable heartbreak he's singing about, maybe it's magic.

"Bloodstains" is our personal stand-out track.
It sounds like Soul-Pop music you would've heard in the 60s or 70s somewhere in the States, it's classy but also modern.
The beat is straight forward and marches confidently through the track, the bass is booming through the speakers and will get you on your feet to dance along.
Rhys sings about the addictive feeling you can get in relationships that might not be working out.
Rhys' e-guitar soars in a dirtier and heavier manner than before and it works brilliantly, underlining the frustration we hear in his voice.

To sum it up: Not many four-track EPs can win you over with variety. But Rhys surely found a way to showcase different elements while still keeping the theme of the EP cohesive and meaningful. 

The listeners get to follow him through a journey of emotions and his honesty and vivid storytelling make it so easy to relate to his emotions. 


No matter how hard you try to listen to the instrumentations (and you should try hard because they are brilliant!), you just can't go without mentioning Rhys' warm and expressive vocals that just shine in any set-up - whether that's in a full band situation or during an acoustic performance.
We've said it before and we'll say it again - we can't wait for the debut album.



You should listen to these tracks: Bad Timing, Bloodstains





Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Rhys Lewis on house in the sand: Video Interview | Song Title Challenge







Thank you for your visit!












Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via Universal UK

Song Of The Day: "It's Coming" by Saint Alto



Hey guys!

On a scale from 1 to 10 - how excited do you get when you hear new music by bands/artists you like?

For us over here it would be a solid 12.

New music is what keeps us going (besides your attention, tea and food) and we probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the exciting tunes we get to blog about on a daily basis.

2018 is still young, but we've already seen some fabulous releases.
And ladies and gents - it just doesn't stop, so let's celebrate our SOTD.


- Song Of The Day -
"It's Coming" by Saint Alto


Saint Alto have been one of our favourite music projects right from the beginning.

The Indie-Folk four piece from Birmingham (UK) seem to have found their signature style but always surprise the listener with clever and unique details.

BBC Introducing is already as excited about it as we are, and although they haven't released many tracks yet - we're already convinced fans.

Saint Alto are:
Phil Barber
Alex Dodwell
Dave Hammersley
Tom Ridsdill


And just last week, Saint Alto released their brand new track "It's Coming".


"It's Coming" is catchy in the most charming and least annoying way possible.
It's a track you could easily find yourself grooving to at Glastonbury or Reading and Leeds as the band delivers a fine performance on the main stage.

The strong and steady drum beat guides you through the song and stays by your side like a loyal friend, while the guitar riffs and synths paint colourful pictures.
The vocals immediately grab your attention in the most pleasant way, making sure you listen from start to finish and take the song with you.

And that's exactly the influence the track has, it stays with you.
The melody and riffs will stay in your head and travel with you throughout your day.


And that, dear listeners, is magic.




Listen to "It's Coming" right here:




Saint Alto online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!













Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via Saint Alto

7 songs: Jalen N'Gonda



Hey guys!

I think learning about a musicians personal music taste is such a fascinating experience.

Little did I know our "7 songs" feature would be such an insightful one, but it really is.
You get to pinpoint their influences, find out which songs they have a personal connection with and you might even find songs you'll add to your own playlist.

That said, we're thrilled to present you another round of our guest-playlist feature right now.


But first, let's get to know the DJ!


Jalen N'Gonda is a musician originally from Maryland (US), now based in Liverpool (UK).

He got into music at the age of 11, inspired by his father's record collection which mainly consisted of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and Classics.

Jalen moved to Liverpool in 2014 and made the city his music home of choice.
He's been gigging through the country and various other places ever since and has played sold out headline shows in London and Geneva.

The musician has also supported acts such as Laura Mvula, Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

His single releases have been well received by his loyal fanbase and the excitement for his upcoming songs is growing.


Check out his live piano version of "I Need You" right here:




Jalen N'Gonda online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram


Let's check out Jalen's selection!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1) a song which makes you dance
"Dancing In The Street" by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas

A song that definitely makes me move is "Dancing In The Street". I never fail to request this song on a night out.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) a song that calms you down
"They Really Don't Know You" by Joni James

Joni James' "They Really Don't Know You" helps me relax.
From the strings to the melody and right down to Joni's voice, it's a definite soother.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) a song with a deep meaning
"Blowin' In The Wind" by Bob Dylan

There are so many songs with a deep meaning, so this is a tough one.
But if I had to pick one, it would be "Blowin' In The Wind" by Bob Dylan.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) a song that makes you feel nostalgic
"I Went To Sleep" by The Beach Boys

Although I never knew this song as a child, The Beach Boys' "I Went To Sleep" always puts me in thoughts when I was 5, playing with my cousins and brothers for some strange reason.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5) a song which has accompanied you for a while
"Where Did Our Love Go" by The Surpremes

The Surpremes' "Where Did Our Love Go" is one of the earliest Motown tracks that I heard, and wherever I go, I always wind up hearing this song.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6) a song from your favourite genre
"Deception" by Miles Davis

I don't have a favourite genre, but I love Jazz, so here's a random Jazz track I love.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7) a song by an artist / a band which has surprised you
"I Just Want To Be Your Friend" by The Millennium

The Millennium's "I Just Want To Be Your Friend" was very much to my surprise.
I thought the song was just gonna be a standard boss nova pop song, then I heard the middle 8.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________


And that was Jalen's playlist - let us know what you think!



Previous 7 songs features: Hannah Slavin | Violetta Zironi | Saint Alto | Chris Stringer





Thank you for your visit!
















Credits // Words (Intro): Vanessa Jertschewske | Words (about songs): Jalen N'Gonda | Photography: Liz Gander Photography

Behind The Song: "Planets And Stars" by PAVVLA



Hey guys!

"What's the most important element of a song?"

That's a question a good friend of mine asked me recently.
I love those kinds of questions because they sound so easy to answer, but they are not.
The most important element of a song is probably different for everyone.
Some people might say the melody, others might name the riffs and chord progressions, while others think the lyrics are most important.

And for me, it's kinda like that. I'll probably name a different element depending on which mood I'm in.
But one part that I would always consider important, is the relatable feeling you get from personal lyrics.

Today, not only are we going to hear a song with a relatable message, but we're also going to learn more about the story behind the song.


- Behind The Song -
"Planets And Stars" by PAVVLA


PAVVLA was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain and now lives between Barcelona and Brighton, UK.

She released her first single at the age of 19 and has been a part of this crazy industry ever since.

Her debut album, "Creatures", convinced music outlets from all over the world and made everyone fall in love with her mysterious and delicate sound.
Her sound plays with elements of Folk, Pop and Electronic.
She has played sets at SXSW and Primavera Sound and released her "Homemade Stuff" EP earlier this year.
With all this excitement, PAVVLA is going to play a show at Badehaus in Berlin on March 1st - 
you can find all details here.


You can now check out what PAVVLA told us about the story behind her song "Planets and Stars":

"I believe I wrote this song on the piano in 2015.
Like many of my songs, I wrote the lyrics first, as a poem, and many days later, while playing around on my mum's piano, I put the lyrics together and all of a sudden "Planets and Stars" was born.

I remember I first wrote it because I was working on a short film and there was this girl on the production team, who I never really talked to because I was too nervous around her. She had an aura that was captivating, there was something special about her and I literally would find myself just staring at her.
I really hope she didn't notice me being creepy, it was weird, that never happened to me before.
But basically, I was so captivated by her, without even really knowing her, that I wrote a poem because that's something I've done my whole life - writing.

And music wise, I think I was playing a lot of Sara Bareilles back then and I used some of her chord progressions for the song.
Although I obviously had no idea that few years later I would be recording this same song in a proper studio for my debut album!!
I had a very clear vision that I wanted it to sound dark and mellow. I brought the demo to the studio and I remember we produced it a couple of times before finding a version that we really liked.
Aleix (the producer) and I were about to give up on the song and I'm so happy we didn't because now it's one of my favourites on the record.
And apparently people like it as much as we do, so we decided to make a video for it and turn it into a single.
I love how the video turned out and I'm really proud of the song, which is a weird thing for me!
I hope you like it too."


Listen to "Planets and Stars" right here:




- stream "Planets and Stars" -



PAVVLA online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!














Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image & Words "About song": PAVVLA

Gig Photos: Belle Game at Bardot, Los Angeles




Hey guys!

Gig season is in full swing and amazing venues are hosting amazing shows, giving gig goers the opportunity to discover new favourites, to let go of the daily troubles and just dance for a few hours.

Team HITS definitely feels at home at venues and therefore it's our pleasure to continue sharing our impressions with you.

Earlier this month our LA based photographer Melissa went to see Belle Game and we get to hear all about her experience.

Before you dive into the post, please take the time to learn more about photographer Melissa here and support her online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram



Okay now, let's check out the photos.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date: 5th February 2018
Venue: Bardot, Los Angeles (US)

Headliner: Belle Game


Belle Game are a four piece from Vancouver, Canada. 
The band formed in 2009 and have a sound which can be labeled as Crush Pop.

Belle Game are:
Andrea Lo
(vocals)
Adam Nanji (guitar)
Alex Andrew (drums)
Katrina Jones (keys)

Signed to the label "Arts & Crafts", Belle Game have been productive and have written, recorded and released enough material to satisfy their loyal and growing fanbase.

Releases:
EP: "Inventing Letters" (2009)
EP: "Sleep to Grow" (2011)
LP: "Ritual Tradion Habit" (2013)
LP: "Fear/Nothing" (2017)


Check out Belle Game's latest music video for "Low" right here:




Belle Game online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram




The rather small venue was packed with music fans on both, the main floor, as well as the second story.
The Monday night quickly turned into an evening of discovering new music, which the listeners eagerly anticipated.

During Belle Game's set, multiple phones where held up in the air to document the magic on stage.
But the crowd was respectful and listened to every word and chord the band delivered so brilliantly.

You could easily tell that the band had a great time on stage, performing their songs for the LA crowd, who gladly danced along to the tracks.
Their performance was on point and strong on all fronts.

The interaction between the band was just as visible as the interaction between the band and the audience - and therefore created an inviting and safe space for all music fans, allowing everyone to "free" themselves.
















____________________________________________________________________________________________________________


And that's it for today.

We hope you enjoyed the photos!



For more, please come visit us on Instagram.




Thank you for your visit!









&







Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Photography: Melissa Rodriguez | **tickets to the event have kindly been provided**

Video Of The Day: "Second Hand Lovers" by Oren Lavie



Hey guys!

Music videos - they're incredibly important and they don't get enough recognition.

We've become a society that is so fast paced, that it takes a lot for us to just sit down and spend three to five minutes to focus on a visual piece of art.

Of course, of course, I know you can't generalize humanity - this is just an observation.
Even I'm guilty of it.

But there are those videos that just deserve all of our attention, simply because they are beautiful, expressive and will make you think.

So that's why we're here to present you another VOTD - not only do we hope you're going to enjoy it, but actually we are sure you will.


- Video Of The Day -
"Second Hand Lovers" by Oren Lavie


Oren Lavie is a musician from Tel Aviv, Israel.

His music is inspired by literatur and classical composers which leads to very elegant sounds, labeling Oren's music as Alternative. 

The musician started writing songs before he even learned how to play the piano, which is now his main musical companion.
You could consider his career a very organic process as one thing led to the other.

At the age of 22, Oren spent a lot of time in London where he studied theater, wrote and directed multiple plays and also write the music for them.
He also lived in New York, Berlin and Los Angeles.

Besides writing plays and music, he also published a children's book and wrote music for the film "Narnia: Prince Caspian".

In May 2017 he released a brand new album - "Bedroom Crimes". All songs were recorded on his own piano and the record was produced by Oren himself.


"Second Hand Lovers" as a song, is an incredible piece of art itself.
The elegant strings, the softly humming acoustic guitar and Oren's raspy but calm vocals, all create a beautiful scene. If one thing, this song makes you want to lay down and watch the clouds pass by.

The music video is just as stunning and might leave you speechless.
Oren won the award for Best Music Video at the Miami Short Film Festival last year before the video was even released.

As soon as you press play, you will dive into the world of Oren Lavie.

His music paired with his visuals create a powerful and expressive package, winning you over with depth and endless creativity.
The way the video is directed and shot shows you just how much thought and effort was put into it.

We honestly recommend watching the video and let it enchant you.



Check out the video for "Second Hand Lovers" right here:




Oren Lavie online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!














Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Oren Lavie

Performance Of The Day: "Then" by Anne-Marie



Hey guys!

We love live music.
We always have, that's why we have so many features that revolve around live music on house in the sand.

We have our countless live performance segments - Cover The HITS, HITS exclusive, HITSBC,
our gig coverage posts,
- and of course, our performance of the day which we pick every now and then.

Today I'm quite excited to share a performance with you that I've loved from the first time I've seen it - and I'm quite sure a lot of you will feel the same way.


- Performance Of The Day -
"Then" by Anne-Marie


Anne-Marie is a singer/songwriter from Essex, UK.

Her sound lays on the Pop side of things and has been shaped over multiple years of being active in the industry.

Anne-Marie appeared on two West-End productions - "Les Misérables" at the age of six and "Whilste Down The Wind" at age 12.

Fun fact: she practised shotokan karate from age 9 and won Double Gold in the 2002 World Championships.

She sang and toured with Rudimental, sang "Rockabye" with Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul and has released multiple tracks of her own.
The latest being "Alarm", "Ciao Adios", "Heavy" and "Then".

Last year Anne-Marie was on the road with Ed Sheeran and opened for him during his "Divide" tour.

Her debut album is set to be released in 2018.


So let's chat about her live performance of "Then".


The performance starts off acapella with just Anne-Marie singing the first verse on her own.
This causes you to literally hear the emotions and the honesty of the song, allowing you to empathise with the singer.

A few expressive piano chords join Anne-Marie for the pre-chorus, underlining the depth and emotional aspect of the song.
For the chorus, the full band sound kicks in and we hear soft percussions, synths and an e-guitar playing the catchy riff.

In the second chorus we hear backing vocals for the first time and they act as a highlighter, giving the song more grip and depth.

Anne-Marie sings with passion and pain, easily controlling the track and leading you through it - all while telling you a vividly written story.


Check out Anne-Marie's performance of "Then" right here:




Anne-Marie online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram




Thank you for your visit!














Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via Anne-Marie on Facebook

Album Review: "Bad Behaviour" by Kat Frankie



Hey guys!

I really owe the PRs, managements, labels and bands who email us on a daily basis.

Thanks to them I have found some of my favourite acts.

Kodaline for example - we were introduced to them by their label.
Or  ROE - who we were told about by her manager.

And then there's Kat Frankie - introduced to us by PR.
And boy are we happy about that!

I've been looking forward to this album for months now and I'm mega excited for you to learn more about this incredibly talented artist.

So let's do it!


Artist: Kat Frankie
Title: Bad Behaviour
Genre: Alternative, Pop
Label: Grönland Records
Release Date: 2nd February 2018


Kat Frankie is a singer/songwriter and guitarist based in Berlin, Germany.

Originally from Sydney, Australia, the musician found inspiration in artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, Bread, Carly Simon and more.
She started making music at the young age of six, but only started pursuing her music career in 2004, when she moved to Berlin and found the music community which makes the city so unique.

Kat regularly plays guitar for German act Olli Schulz, sang a beautiful duet with Clueso and has been a part of multiple music projects over the years.

Releases:
EP: "Outside" (2003)
LP: "Pocketknife" (2007)
LP: "The Dance of a Strange Heart" (2010)
LP: "Please Don't Give Me What I Want" (2012)
LP: "Bad Behaviour" (2018)


So, let's listen to Kat's brand new album, "Bad Behaviour".


Tracklist:
1) Bad Behaviour
2) Swallow You Whole
3) Home
4) Forgiveness
5) Versailles
6) Headed For The Reaper
7) Finite
8) The Sun
9) Back To Life
10) Spill

Opener and title track "Bad Behaviour" welcomes you with a super catchy guitar riff, which follows you throughout the track.
At first, the track might seem minimalistic, but the deeper you'll dive, the more layers and details you'll find.
Kat's vocals lead the track with confidence, maturity and such clarity - and even though the song is such complex piece of music, it's definitely the lead vocals that shape the track into the gripping, grabbing and exciting song.
The backing vocals underline the finess and graceful elements of "Bad Behaviour" and give it that final glow.
Once you've heard this track, you're going to fall in love with Kat's sound.

Another stand out track would be "Home", an atmospheric and powerful track.
Lyrically, it's filled with bold statements, "everyone's afraid of what they don't know / bridle our behaviour with police control / invalidate you through the fear, the fog".
The heavy guitar and bass riffs in the chorus might feel out of place once you listen to the track for the first time, but the more time you spend with it, the more you realise how elementary they are.

"Headed For The Reaper" might be my personal favourite because it's yet another track that just takes up all your attention and makes you groove.
Here's what Kat says about the track: "This one is based on a story I read in the New York Times years ago about an amateur cage-fighter who owed drug money, faked his death and then bungled a robbery. It was like a Coen Brothers' movie. He was so bad at cage-fighting they called him the tomato can. I wanted it to sound funky and a bit obnoxious; every time I hear the trumpet melody in the chorus it makes me laugh."


To sum it up: "Bad Behaviour" is as versatile as it could be. Once you're a few tracks into the album, you will realise that there is no formula or pattern to the tracks. Kat Frankie paints every track in another colour and continues to find different elements to sneak into the tracks, leaving you with a blown mind and a broken replay button.  


You should listen to these tracks: Bad Behaviour, Home, Headed For The Reaper, Finite





- buy "Bad Behaviour"



Kat Frankie online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!















Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Kat Frankie via Belle Music | ** a digital copy was kindly provided**

HITS exclusive: "Someone Else's Dream" by Charlie Hole



Hey guys!

The area I live in is quite quiet.
It's mostly little villages pilled together in between fields, woods and more fields.

Sure, it's a beautiful area - there are lots of animals (which make my heart happy), but it's just boring if you consider concert venues your second home.

But - since I've started house in the sand, music friends came over to stay for a night or two during tour or I've had artists in the area for a living room show.

Last September the fabulous Charlie Hole played a show in my living room and the next day we decided to film a few videos in my area.

Today I'm finally here to share the final video with you, 
please don't ask what took me so long.
(I'll tell you, it was my brain forgetting the video even existed. Good job, Vanessa.) 


Anyways - let's not wait any further - please check out this HITS exclusive.


Charlie Hole is a singer/songwriter from Bournemouth, UK.

His carefully crafted music combines Acoustic and Folk elements in such elegant manner.
Charlie started making and writing music at the young age of eleven and has been going strong ever since.

With inspirations such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits & Paul Simon, it's no surprise that we find a lot of personality and intimacy in his songs.

His debut album "The Joy of a Caged Bird" was released in 2013.
With loyal fans and praise from none other than Rod Stewart and three time Novello Award winner Andy Hill, it's safe to say we're not the only ones with his music on repeat.

Charlie released his latest EP "Someone Else's Dream" in October last year and even shared a stunning Christmas cover of Joni Mitchell's "River".

He is currently on a super long tour - click here for tour dates near you.

We shot this video by the local river and were joined by a few curious swans.
I'm not gonna lie - I was a bit worried that they might attack us, but hey - things turned out great. 


I hope you enjoy this little video and that it can remind you of last Summer's warm weather. I know I'd love some sunshine right now.


Check out Charlie's performance of "Someone Else's Dream" right here:




Charlie Hole online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Charlie Hole on house in the sand:
Cover The HITS | EP Review | Living Room Gig





Thank you for your visit!















Credits // Words, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske

Video Interview: Jalen N'Gonda



Hey guys!

Whenever we get the chance to talk to interesting people, we usually grab it.
Even if that means turning a day off into a work day.

You know how they say "if you love your job, you won't have to work a day in your life" - well, we can't completely agree with that. Work is work, whether you love it or not.

But, if you really love your job, there will be times in which work doesn't feel like work at all.

For us it's when we get to interview artists and chat to them about their music and plans for the future.

In January I got to film my first interview of the year in Liverpool with Jalen N'Gonda - which was definitely a great place to kick it off.


Jalen N'Gonda is a musician originally from Maryland (US), now based in Liverpool (UK).

He got into music at the age of 11, inspired by his father's record collection which mainly consisted of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Soul and Classics.

Jalen moved to Liverpool in 2014 and made the city his music home of choice.
He's been gigging through the country and various other places ever since and has played sold out headline shows in London and Geneva.

The musician has also supported acts such as Laura Mvula, Martha Reeves and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

His single releases have been well received by his loyal fanbase and the excitement for his upcoming songs is growing.

In case you are Berlin based, you can catch Jalen live on February 28th at Barkett - click here for the event.


During my day trip to Liverpool I got to meet up with Jalen and we had a chat about moving to Liverpool, what inspires him to write, where he would build a house given the chance and a lot more.


You can watch the interview below:




I would like to say a massive thank you to Jalen for taking the time to have this lovely chat and for providing the location to film at.

Also a huge thank you to Christian and Beate for setting up the interview.


Check out Jalen's latest single "I Need You":




Jalen N'Gonda online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!















Credits // Words, Image & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske