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.

Single Premiere: "One By One" by Ian Late



Hey guys!

Do you know that feeling of pure excitement when you hear a brilliant new song?
You know, when you can't believe you've just stumbled upon a track which is so good that you can't help but have it on repeat?

Well, we're pretty lucky to experience that on a regular basis.
But what's cool is that we get to share those songs and therefore the feeling with you.

Today we actually get to share it with you before anyone else gets to share it -
isn't that mega cool?

On this fine Friday we get to premiere Ian Late's single "One By One" and we're all in for a treat.


- Single Premiere -
"One By One" by Ian Late



Ian Late is a musician based in Berlin, Germany.

His sound marches on the fine line between Pop and Indie-Folk and creates beautiful and vivid atmospheres.
His lyrics deal with society's problems and tell personal stories, always aiming to make you feel and think.

Ian's debut EP "II" was released in 2014 and has allowed the singer/songwriter to build a loyal fanbase, as well as tour Germany, Austria and Switzerland and play lots of festivals on top of that.
But he's also been able to travel further than that and play shows in Nashville, New York City, Shanghai and Taipei.

The release of his debut album "Choices" is right around the corner - on May 4th the record will meet the world and we can't wait to hear it.


After already winning us over with his first single "All That I Am", about which Ian told us a lot more in our "Behind The Song" feature, we are now excited to premiere follow up "One By One".


"One By One"
describes the chaos we often find or feel in big cities and the restlessness and helplessness that comes along with it.

It's fresh, it's upbeat and it most likely will make you forget about your surroundings and get you on your feet.
The song has something so addictive to it and perfectly fits into the releases of colourful Spring releases.
With Ian's warm vocals, it's no surprise that the song is a joy to listen to, as the vocals carefully guide you through the track. 
 
The instrumentation is uplifiting and controlling, but in a charming and subtle manner - nothing screams in your face, yet nothing hides behind a facade.
Light guitar riffs make the song so addictive, while the drum beat makes sure you're not letting your feelings get you down - and let's be real - that's something we all need.

We think this track belongs on your playlist, so join our dance party and let's keep on moving.


Be one of the first people to listen to "One By One" here:




Loved what you just heard?
Lucky you (if you're based in Germany) - because you can go and hear it live here:


10th May - Other Music Academy, Weimar
11th May - Flowpo, Chemnitz
16th May - Marie-Antoine, Berlin (record release show)
18th May - Museumskeller, Erfurt
19th May - Kukuun, Hamburg



Ian Late online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



- HITS would like to thank Ian and Christian for letting us host this premiere. -




Thank you for your visit!














Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Patricia Haas via Ian Late

Video: HITS x Berlin



Hey guys!

 Well, this is an interesting one to type up.

Our first ever house in the sand gig happened and it probably couldn't have been any better.
Not only did we have a brilliant lineup, we also got to celebrate this debut in a city that has been so important to house in the sand - Berlin.

I honestly don't know how to structure this post and how to stop myself from repeating what I have been saying ever since I got back from the show.

Hosting a house in the sand gig has been on my bucket list for many years now and I always thought I had to be in the business longer and learn more before I could even think about doing it.
But sometimes you'll meet people and you'll chat to people who ask you about your goals, and when you name them, they might actually help you to make them happen.

And that was exactly the case with this gig. I e-met the brilliant Christian Müller through the blog and when I told him about the visions I had for HITS, he helped me make it happen.
So, he told me about this brilliant venue in Berlin, that also serves vegan food (which was enough to convince me!) and after briefly checking it out online, I knew it was the one for this first show.

And then the artists came on board and I had my lineup together faster than I could've imagined.
I want to say though, that if it would've been possible, I would've wanted every one of my music friends to play.
But three acts were a decent amount for a gig and so we found a date and confirmed the gig.

I'm not gonna lie, the day before I flew to Berlin, I was just waiting for someone to cancel or for something to go horribly wrong - but that wasn't the case and this show happened.

And of course - this would've been a very lonely gig without everyone who came down.
It seriously made me so happy to see so many wonderful people at the show. You were all so attentive and just open to new music and that was the best visualisation of the house in the sand community.

But also - thank you to everyone who sent me a message on the day of the show. My phone was going nuts with all the notifications and messages from you wonderful people and with each message coming in, I felt even more empowered.


Now, enough blabbering - please enjoy our video from the gig:





I'm probably the queen of cheesy posts, so this is just my way of proving that I've still got it.

I want to thank the brilliant and super talented lineup;
that's Dylan Cassin, whom I've known for almost six years now and who has become one of the people I annoy the most. Thank you for flying in not only to play a brilliant set, but also to show your support. You're alright, I guess.

Thank you to Josh Savage who hasn't been trapped in the house in the sand gang for that long but has already been a part of some special HITS moments. Thank you for celebrating this milestone with us and for dealing with all the Golden Girls gifs I send your way.

And then there's Martin Kelly, who is part of the band that inspired me to start this blog.
The band let me steal a line from their song to make it the blog name and luckily they still haven't sued me.
For over six years both Martin and James have said yes to everything I threw their way and they've done that without hesitation.
So thank you playing the title track of the blog and for all the support.
Talk about things coming full circle!

Another huge thank you goes to Ryan McNeil who is the coolest member of Martin and James.
(Yes, I said it.)
Thank you for always helping out, always being supportive, teaching me how to babysit artists and for treating me like a pro when I was just 16 and trying to figure all of this out.

THANK YOU to Ardalan Aram at RAWCREATION for gifting us his time and talent - without Adi this video wouldn't even exist. You've been so generous and so brilliant, so thank you so so so much! I really hope I didn't butcher your work with my edit.

Also, thank you to Jack Grewe who was the sound engineer at the gig and provided us with perfect sound - which of course made the gig so enjoyable. The sound is such an important part of a gig and I'm so glad that you've nailed it. Thanks so much!

Thank you to Christian Müller - this gig wouldn't have happened without your help! Thank you for donating your wisdom and for helping me to make this happen - you've literally made the biggest HITS thing ever happen and for that I'm so thankful.

Of course - thank you to everyone at Barkett! What an iconic venue you are and you might not even know it! My vegan heart was so happy about the food and also the atmosphere. I cannot wait to be back and eat my weight in food. I hope you're ready for that.

And finally - thank you to everyone who has ever supported house in the sand - you're all brilliant and I'm so thankful.


Now that was a long post, wasn't it...
Sorry about that, but I had to get it all out.




Thank you for your visit and support!
















Credits // Words, Image & Video Edit: Vanessa Jetwash | Camera: RAWCREATION

Song Of The Day: "She Said" by HalfNoise



Hey guys!

It's Spring - which means a lot of things.

Firstly, it means that the flowers start blooming, the trees put on their leaf coats again, the birds chirp happy little songs and the sun is out more often.
(In case you live in the UK, the rain is going to get warmer.)

And secondly, it means that it's release season for all the absolute tunes.

Don't get me wrong, brilliant songs are released all year long!

But, there is something about the lightness of some Spring releases, that just makes you want to dance non-stop - and we're here to celebrate that today.


- Song Of The Day -
"She Said" by HalfNoise


HalfNoise is Zac Farro's musical project.

Zac Farro can also be found drumming in Paramore, but with HalfNoise we get to see him be a frontman.

HalfNoise was born after Zac left Paramore in 2010 and has been going since, although he re-joined the band in 2016/2017.
He initially started the band with Jason Clark who was part of the project until 2013.

Now HalfNoise is a collective of touring musicians who always play with Paramore, allowing the bands' sounds to work hand in hand while still being individual enough.

Releases:
EP: "HalfNoise" (2012)
LP: "Volcano Crowe" (2014)
LP: "Sudden Feeling" (2016)
EP: "The Velvet Face" (2017)

The next EP, "Flowerss", will be released on May 4th 2018.


"She Said" is the third single off of the "Flowerss" EP, so let's check it out!


"She Said" welcomes you with a warm and upbeat embrace, ready to take you into its colourful atmosphere - and - spoiler! - you'll enjoy your stay.

The catchy guitar riffs easily blow away any rain clouds and allow you to boogie and forget your worries - which, funnily enough, is what the song is about.
Zac says about the song that it "is a reminder that if we live in our own heads and we overthink life and love, we will end up missing what's already right in front of us."

The lightness of the instrumentation and the repetative lyrics work together and create a comforting feeling and allow you to rest your brain and just let the grooviness of the track take over.

Zac's vocals and the light backing vocals seem to duet with the riffs and allow the track to breathe and flow easily. It's the warmth of his voice that gives the track the calmness our brains crave so desperately.


"She Said" is one of the finest Spring tracks we've heard so far and makes us want to move our hips along to the beat.


Listen to "She Said" right here:




- stream "She Said" -




HalfNoise online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!
















Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via HalfNoise

Album Review: "isaac gracie" by Isaac Gracie



Hey guys!

There are certain albums that you just know are going to be great.

It might be because you've heard demos or a few singles from the act, or you might have even seen them live.

In the case of Isaac Gracie, we've heard his previous singles and have had the pleasure of seeing him support Angus and Julia Stone.
And when the press release for his debut album rolled in, we knew this was going to be a joy to review.

So let's get into it!


Artist: Isaac Gracie
Title: Isaac Gracie
Genre: Alternative
Label: Virgin EMI Records, Buried Crowns Ltd, Universal Music
Release Date: 13th April 2018


Isaac Gracie is a singer/songwriter from London, UK.

When you do your research about this artist, you'll find a lot of praise - written by journalists, radio promoters and media people in general - all talking about how mesmerizing, yet simple his presence is.

And then you listen to his music and end up being completely stunned by the intensity and depth it offers. 

While he's been treated as the music industry's "insider tip" for a while, his debut album is going to change that - at top speed.


So, get on board and let's dive into his self-titled debut.


Tracklist:
1) terrified
2) last words
3) the death of you & i
4) running on empty
5) telescope
6) that was then
7) when you go
8) silhouettes of you
9) all in my mind
10) hollow crown
11) reverie


Opener "terrified" is one of the most delicate tracks you may find out there. You can literally hear the honesty and vulnerability in Isaac's voice.
The way the song is structured tugs on those heartstrings ever so gently, but with such urgency.
It's songs like "terrified" that allow you to find the beauty in the singer/songwriter genre.

A track that's hauntingly beautiful and relatable to some extent would be "last words".
The melody is absolutely stunning and is bound to stay in your head, but in a good way. It's not that catchy track that you want to stop hearing - no, it's actually the opposite.
Isaac Gracie has this incredible talent of writing melodies that just leave you speechless. Paired with the softly arranged percussions, this track invites you to use the replay button.

Tracks such as "the death of you and i" and "running on empty" showcase Isaac's up-tempo side and they do it so well.
You'll quickly find yourself on your feet, hysterically shaking your hips - and hey, don't deny it. It's cool. We all need to let loose.

Personally, I can't help but declare "all in my mind" and "reverie" as my two favourite tracks.
I've had both on my phone for a while and have found myself listening to them whenever I need to calm down or just want to focus on beautiful music. Especially "all in my mind" lets me lose my thoughts in the music, which is such a special feeling.


To sum it up: There a few things you'll find plenty of on this record - addictive melodies, beautiful vocals, clever guitar arrangements and relatable stories. 

It's like this album was made for the dreamers and thinkers; those who like diving into songs to look for details and meanings.


Isaac Gracie proves that even debut albums can sound cohesive, yet offer a decent variety of sounds to give the listeners a great introduction to his material.


You should listen to these tracks: terrified, last words, running on empty, all in my mind, hollow crown





- buy or stream "Isaac Gracie" here -



Isaac Gracie online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!















Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: via Isaac Gracie

Behind The Song: "We Are You" by Mobilities



Hey guys!

Do you ever have those flashbacks to when you were in school or studying?

I get them sometimes and I'm not sure whether that's normal or if I've reached old age.
But then again, who knows?

And as I was typing up this post, I remembered how a teacher once told me that the handiest trait you could have, is being curious.
And I think that's true.

It helps you learn more in life if you're just open and curious.

Oh, and not only will you learn more about life if you ask questions - you'll also learn a lot about brilliant music.
So, that's what we're here to do.

Today we get to peek behind the scenes of a brilliant track.


- Behind The Song - 
"We Are You" by Mobilities


Mobilities are a four piece from Portland (OR), US.

Their sound combines multiple genres such as Alternative Rock, Punk, Funk and Hip-Hop, eventually creating their signature Experimental Rock sound.

Mobilities are:
Eric McCauley (lead vocals, guitar)
Brett Sparrey (bass, vocals)
Adam Durkee (keys, guitar)
Logan Gardner (drums)

The band started out in March 2016 and completed their first tour of Northern California just a little over a year later.

Their self-titled debut EP, which includes three tracks, was recorded by themselves and mastered by Kevin Drake, keeping the DIY spirit alive.

On February 21st of this year, the band released their debut album "Time Hasn't Swallowed Us Yet" which was recorded by Adam Pike at Toadhouse Studios.
All of the ten tracks were recorded live and in one day, only additional overdubs and vocals were recorded over the Summer of 2017.

Mobilities latest music video quickly caught our attention and we're excited to learn more about it today.



Check out what the band told us about the video shoot and the creation of the song:

"The imagery within the video along with the lyrics of this song are meant to show the contrast between the simplicity and beauty found in nature and the complexities we build around our societies.
We believe that human progression and innovation is a positive thing, but it is also worth examining how we got to where we are and what might be missing as we push ourselves further from the natural world.

We chose to  film in the dunes for their other-wordly aesthetic.
It is a place reminiscent of a barren desert but it is surrounded by ocean and forests which lends itself to the contrast within the video.

When we set out to create a visual representation of this song, we wanted to capture a journey.
A journey through desolate deserts, lush forests and busy cities. A journey that leaves you a different person with a new perspective when you emerge on the other side.

That October day in the Oregon dunes was colder than anticipated.
While the videographer and assistants trudged around in boots and jackets, Kelsey insisted on going barefoot.
We love her for her determination and attention to artistry - and we showed our gratitude by being ready behind the scenes with a reflective emergency blanket and hot beverages at every pause.

"We Are You" was originally an instrumental track off of our first demo tape, but as we dialed in our sound and began the process of writing lyrics, it became apparent that this was too tasty of a groove to leave unfinished.

It could be said that this recording is atypical to Mobilities overall upbeat and energetic sound.
But while the song has a melancholy atmosphere, it is meant to portray a message of hope for the future and inspire reflection on what we find beautiful and important in our lives."


Check out the video for "We Are You" right here:




- buy or stream "We Are You" -



Mobilities online: Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!












Credits // Words (Intro & Outro): Vanessa Jetwash | Image & Words (About Song): Mobilities

Song Of The Day: "Shadows" by AK Patterson



Hey guys!

Wow, you guys!
I spent the past week without having the time to sit down and write posts for house in the sand.

And boy, did I miss it.
It was wonderful meeting HITS people in person and actually seeing some of you in real life at our Berlin gig last week.
(Millions of posts about that are yet to come!)

But, still, I need to share music with you on here and that's exactly what we're doing today.

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up - we're going to discover a bunch of tunes this month!


- Song Of The Day -
"Shadows" by AK Patterson


AK Patterson are an Alternative trio from Brighton, UK.
If one thing is certain, it's that we should not be sleeping on this band - so let's get them on our radars.

AK Patterson and her band mates Alfie Weedon and Nat Reading have a talent for deep instrumentals paired with haunting and vivid storytelling, voiced by AK's recognisable voice.

Influeced by acts such as Bjork, Jeff Buckley, Ella Fitzgerald and Portuguese Fado musicians, you won't be surprised the variety of sounds you'll hear in the music.

Their debut EP "Shadows" will be out on July 6th - but we already get to listen to the title track of the EP.

"Shadows" is - in one word - spectacular. 

The song welcomes you with a calmly strummed acoustic guitar which provides the perfect entry for the song.
AK's vocals offer so much depth and hint the intensity the song is going to pick up.
There's something about the atmosphere of the track that allows you to dream, all while feeling nostalgic and melancholic.

"Shadows" takes you on a journey, which you'll gladly follow.

The more elements join the song, the further you dive into the world of AK Patterson.
Once you think the song hit full potential, the musicians surprise you with an acapella part in the song, showcasing that they'll always have something else up their sleeves.
We could go on for day, but let's all get into the song.


Check out the video for "Shadows" here:




- buy or stream "Shadows" -



AK Patterson online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

















Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Phil Smithies

Podcasts We Love: George Ezra & Friends


Hey guys! 

We live in this exciting age in which we have so much technology, offering us so many different outlets for our thoughts and stories.

Not too long ago, the world of podcasts became a rather mainstream activity and we've all jumped onto the bandwagon.

Podcasts allow us to either listen to something entertaining or even informative, all while we still get to do whichever tasks we might need to fulfill.

Personally, I love listening to podcasts when I'm either walking to a certain destination or am actually travelling to places. There's something so practical about popping your headphones in and being able to learn new things while you're doing rather boring tasks.
It allows you to make the most of your time and can help you grow as a person.

Now, whether you actually want to learn something from the podcast, or are just looking for some distraction - there's gonna be the right podcast for you somewhere.

And with this little "Podcasts We Love" series, I would like to introduce you to the podcasts I listen to on a regular basis.
Not all of them are going to be music related - which I hope is okay for you, but for the sake of the first part of this series, we're focusing on a music podcast.


Podcasts We Love: George Ezra & Friends


Just recently we've reviewed George's second (and rather brand new) record, "Staying At Tamara's".
In case you want to read it, you can do that here - but if you'd rather just know what we thought, well, we loved the album.

A little before the album release, we actually learned about George's podcast and felt the urge to check it out.

It's a podcast in which George chats to his music friends varying from people like Ed Sheeran, 
Hannah Reid from London Grammar, Craig David and a lot more. 
 
It's basically a conversation between to people who talk about what it's like to be in the music industry, their personal experiences, tips and tricks and depending on the episode the topics get deeper and cover anxiety and mental health.

What's incredibly commandable is how absolutely relaxed and laid back the conversations are each time. They are insightful but on a very down to earth level, making each episode a joy to listen to.

I'd say that this podcast is for everyone, not just industry people.
 If you're a music fan or just interested in how a musician's brain works, George and his guests will teach you a lot.
But it's not all musical terms or recording strategies - no, it's very understandable for everyone.


Here's what George says about the podcast:

"Had it not been for the introduction of podcasts into my life, my second album could well have been ready six months sooner. Who knows, maybe even seven. The world of podcasts has been an extremely welcome and comforting distraction from reality. Listening to interesting people talk to other interesting people about interesting things. New ideas, old ideas, thinkers and dreamers.

A lot of the shows I enjoy are comedians talking to other comedians, candid accounts of their experiences in the industry they work in. I find them inspiring and often relieving. To hear entertainers, talk so openly about the highs and the lows of performance feels like something that hasn’t really happened before and, personally, as a performer, it’s something that really helps me.

I began looking for musical equivalents: honest, long form conversations between two musicians, the unquestionable highs of creating and performing, alongside honesty regarding things they have struggled with along the way. At the time of digging, nothing jumped out at me. I sat on the idea for some time before finally plucking up the courage to try and do it myself and went out and purchased the gear necessary for me to travel and record at the drop of a hat.

So far it has been better than I could have ever imagined. I travel to my guests wherever they may be and it is just the two of us in the room. After the initial ten minutes of chat we both loosen up and start to share stories and experiences from our time on the road.

What started as a labour of love and somewhat of a passion project is shaping up to be one of the best and fulfilling projects I’ve ever been a part of. I hope you find it as interesting and fun to listen to, as it was to make."


Listen to the podcast "George Ezra & Friends" via:
Acast | iTunes





George Ezra online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!














Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image & Quote: George Ezra