Written by Ida V. Eskamani
Bandifesto is a home for music that moves us. Music that shapes the most impactful moments in our lives and the most powerful movements in our communities. Keeping up with the infinite amount of frontier-forging, soul-stirring, movement-making music is certainly an overwhelming challenge. But beyond any challenge, we cherish the exchange of meaningful music. From our hearts to yours, here’s our mini-mixtape of music that’s moving us, presented by Ida V. Eskamani. We hope it moves you too.
"New For You" by Hinds
Madrid-based band Hinds fully embrace the hustle. Consisting of Carlotta Cosials (vocals/guitar), Ana Perrote (vocals/guitar), Ade Martin (bass/backing vocals) and Amber Grimbergen (drums), Hinds are often cited as one of the hardest working bands in Spain. Dominated by male-artists and rigid tradition, the artists rarely feel the love from their native land. Despite these struggles at home, Hinds is adored abroad, playing sold-out shows and earning enormous accolades. Released this April, their second studio album I Don't Run fulfills all expectations.
Effervescent surf-esque vibes dominate the album, paired with rebellious girl-gang vocals we adoringly yearn for from Hinds. However as the title submits, the band does not surrender nor sugarcoat on this record. The subject manner is honest and fearless as the artists bear all, detailing broken relationships and the painful process of putting the pieces back together. They do so with infectious tracks that emanate resilience. With I Don't Run, Hinds honor womanhood, find strength through struggle, and do so with exuberance. New For You is our featured track. It is a fantastic song that will leave you wanting more. Fortunately, there's an whole album of songs like it.
"Everywhere" by Ex Hex
I've got some anticipation in my rotation. Four years since their last release, the power trio Ex Hex are back in the studio. Hailing from Washington, D.C., this is a band made up of three trailblazing and all-around badass women: Mary Timony (guitar/vocalist), Betsy Wright (bass/vocalist) and Laura Harris (drums). Independent of each other, the power trio are incredible musicians who continued to create a reliable ruckus outside of Ex Hex (s/o to Bat Fangs). But ever since the release of their highly acclaimed 2014 record Rips, we have been yearning for more. Ex Hex masterfully fuses punk and glam with sing-along lyrics, rhythms that kick, and guitar riffs that permeate mind and soul. They're unapologetically pissed, unabashedly jubilant, and everything you need. There's no set date on the new release, but we are patiently waiting with Rips on repeat. Check out "Everywhere" by Ex Hex below.
"Somebody" by Dream Wife
The band Dream Wife is inherently subversive; claiming a name rooted in patriarchal gender roles while writing feminist anthems that can't be constrained to any one genre. The three members, Rakel Mjöll (lead vocals), Alice Go (guitar/vocals) and Bella Podpadec (bass/vocals) met while studying at Brighton University in the United Kingdom, forming the British/Icelandic trio in 2015 as a result of an art project. Released January of this year, their self-titled debut record is the soundtrack of women's liberation. It's pop, punk, metal, funk, and feminist as f*ck.
Ferocious girl gang-vocals may be matched with urgent thrashing or gossamery riffs, depending on the track. Stylistically dynamic, the record maintains a distinct theme. The band disrupts the system by embracing sisterhood, demanding consent, and dismantling gender norms. Featured track "Somebody" challenges rape-culture and the objectification of women, as Mjöll defiantly declares "I am not my body/I am somebody." Dream Wife is movement-making music.
__________________
Ida is an Iranian-American from Florida who grew up with the Beatles, and came of age in the pit. She will talk to you about music for as long as you will pretend to listen. She is founder of Bandifesto, a little blog with a big heart.