“Lunacy” is the second single from Manchester artist Tamsin Middleton, a.k.a. VICE VERA. For starters, I bloody love the name! As for the song, it is a wondrous and magical serving of sublime post-punk with elements of Siouxsie Sioux, Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, and Toyah. It kicks off with a dark, brooding feel before the drums kick in big time, and the music becomes more frenetic, frenzied, and fabulous. Tamsin’s voice oozes passion, compassion, and honesty. The vocal hook, particularly towards the end is impossible to resist and I found it spinning around inside my brain long after I had listened to the song. The cover is a stunning piece of art from Kim R Foster.
“Lunacy” was co-produced by VICE VERA and long-term collaborator Macclesfield-based music producer Neil Mykowski. It follows the first VICE VERA single, “Tourist,” from earlier this year. Tamsin had this to say about the single “This song is intensely personal, having been inspired by a conversation I once had with my father, while he was in the grip of addiction. It speaks to interconnectedness and the limitless universe both outside and inside each one of us“. While VICE VERA is relatively new to the music scene Tamsin has had a lot of great experience. She has played in many bands in the past 15 years (including LIINES, ILL, JD Meatyard, Mr Heart & AAAK) and supported Sleaford Mods, Pixies, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Fall among others. It would be hard to disagree with what Louder Than War said about VICE VERSA, they said “visceral lyrics that open your eyes and give that feeling you had when you first heard PJ Harvey.” There are a few VICE VERA dates coming up soon (see below), sadly I can’t make any of them, but if you can just do it!
DE RIDDERT, ROTTERDAM – 31/10/24
CAFE AVERECHT, UTRECHT – 2/11/24
THE EAGLE, SALFORD – 07/11/24 – [SINGLE LAUNCH]
THE TRADES CLUB, HEBDEN BRIDGE – 28/11/24 – [OPENING FOR BILLY NOMATES]
Follow VICE VERA on Bandcamp and Spotify to get a first listen to “Lunacy” when it hits the streets on 25th October! Give “Tourist” a listen while you are waiting, you will not be disappointed!
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