Form Showcase #5

“We’re moving in! The Social have handed over the keys and are letting FORM takeover the iconic venue one night a month, showcasing our favourite new artists for 2023.

Emerging from the auto fiction of Pizzagirl- where opposing voices and narrative forms clashed and tussled underneath a digital blanket of memes and metronomes, Liam Brown’s new band ‘two blinks, i love you’ turns the page; embracing the charm of imperfection and the plaintive beauty of not knowing everything. Detail-rich idiosyncrasies inform the heart of the lyrics, which shine with vulnerability. Nimble, effortless and bathed in no filter off-piste ruminations, the newly-honed sound gently threads a grounded patience to a cry-on-command atmosphere, held together with rattling lo-fi tape hiss. Pulling at the threads of early 2000s alt-rock and folk, the Liverpool-based musician leans into the minimalist design philosophies of the New York subway system and the Helvetica font; examples of prioritising only the essential. In this way, the songs economically grant transit to lyrics that cut to the emotional core. There’s a soft assurance to the minimalist pallet in play. Muted, naturalistic and tonally direct. No filter songwriting… with a devil on the shoulder.

“Mesmerising vocals and intricate harmonies.” – CLASH

“Unflinchingly vulnerable debut album.” – NME

“There’s no better time to be spellbound by a songwriter like Merpire who is presently in career best form.” – triple j

Writing music that lives somewhere between the rom-com and horror movie sections of her mind, Merpire is Australian-based artist Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt.

2023 is already looking bright for Merpire- record number two is setting in its final form, with Merpire’s dynamically-moving production skills at the forefront while we’re invited deeper still into her internal video store. Merpire co-wrote and co-produced a song with one of Australia’s most renowned songwriters, Courtney Barnett as well as Melbourne darlings, Good Morning. With new music on the horizon, Merpire is sure to be one to watch.

Media Giant are a 3-piece art rock band based in London, they are also a faceless, morally ambiguous mega corporation who use market research and other clandestine practices to manufacture “songs” with the express purpose of turning vast profits for their shareholders. Their latest product, ‘Man Bites Dog’ is available now on all streaming services, with an EP to follow next month.