2021 is a landmark of a kind for New Heavy Sounds, as it is 10 years since the label first started back in 2011, releasing a series of compilations chronicling what they felt were the most thrilling bands on the heavy scene at that time.
‘It was pretty exciting and became more so when we started signing our own acts, starting with XM3a and of course Black Moth, eventually to Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard, Vodun, Mountain Caller and more.
Our ethos back then was the same as it is now.
Whether it be stoner rock, doom, sludge, heavy psych, punk, hardcore, or good old rock. If the riffs and attitude, coupled with that little bit of something extra that makes it stand out from the crowd are there … then that’s for us.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing, but we’ve made it this far and we aim to continue our quest to showcase the best and most interesting voices from the heavy underground for many more years to come.’
In order to mark their 10th year, New Heavy Sounds will be releasing a series of 10th anniversary CD EP’s in very, very limited editions. These E.P’s will contain new or exclusive tracks from their roster and beyond. The first of these limited editions features Blackburn stoner blues rockers Sky Valley Mistress. The label add,
‘We signed these guys in late 2019 after we’d been keeping an eye on them for a while to say the least, and they improved with every one of their self-released singles. Then it really clicked when they released a couple of tracks that they’d recorded at the famous ‘Rancho De La Luna’ studio in California with Dave Catching (QOTSA, Mojave Lords). We were knocked out.
It turned out there was a whole album of exceptional quality rockers in the can.
Those songs were meant to form their debut album ‘Faithless Rituals’
That album was chock full of great songs, peerless musicianship and to top it all off there was the blues wailing, fiery yet soulful vocals of Kayley Davies. It was a sound that belied their youthful appearance. We knew we had to release it.
On top of all this when we saw them live, they were truly a ferocious, exciting on-stage experience. Which made it all the more galling for us (and the band) that the week of the album’s release the world went crazy and we all went into lockdown. It obviously hit the music scene hard and SVM were no exception.
They had a U.K. tour cancelled including a cool ‘launch’ show supporting ‘Thee Hypnotics’. For us it was a crying shame that the wider public never got to see the band perform the album in full force, in an environment in which they really excel.
Luckily, before lockdown hit, we asked the guys to record an acoustic set for us, and these are the tracks we are releasing as the first of our 10th anniversary E.P. series.’
Ged and Paul, New Heavy Sounds Records, February 2021.
The set contains 4 songs from their debut album. ‘You Got Nothing’ ‘Skull and Pistons’ ‘It Won’t Stop’ and ‘She Is So’. This is SVM in intimate mode, just keyboards, percussion, guitar and the sonorous vocals of Kayley.
The stripped-down setting really allows her to shine and more than anything showcases what a brilliant expressive voice she has.
Recorded in their studio and specially re-mastered for this release, New Heavy Sounds hope you’ll be as captivated as they were when they heard them.
Listen to ‘You got Nothin’ now –https://skyvalleymistress.bandcamp.com/track/you-got-nothin-acoustic-version
The Sky Valley Mistress acoustic sessions E.P. is set to be released on March 26th
The CD will be housed in a bespoke New Heavy Sounds die cut 10th anniversary digipack and be limited to just 150 copies. It will be available by mail order only from the following outlets from March 5th.
Bandcamp: https://skyvalleymistress.bandcamp.com/album/acoustic-session-e-p
Cargo Record: https://cargorecordsdirect.co.uk/products/sky-valley-mistress-acoustic-session-ep
Also available on digital formats via the usual suspects.
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