We Speak Indie Artist
IONA SKY drops new track “Locked The Door”
In the heart of Cambridgeshire, England, a musical revolution is brewing, spearheaded by none other than IONA SKY. This Anglo-American indie pop-rock band, formed in 2023, is on a mission to redefine the sound of contemporary music with their captivating blend of pop, country, and indie-rock influences.
Comprising lead vocalist Anna-Sophia Henry, vocalist/guitarist/keys James Malone, lead guitarist Simon Jupp, bassist Matt Worthington, and drummer Scott ‘the Dark Lord’ Wilson, IONA SKY is a collective of musicians united by their passion for storytelling and good music.
Their journey began with a bang, as they made their official debut as the opening act for an American Air Force July 4th gig, sharing the stage with headliners X Ambassadors. Since then, IONA SKY has continued to captivate audiences with their infectious energy and heartfelt lyricism, culminating in the release of their debut EP, ‘Homeschooled’, in March 2024.
“Locked The Door” is taken from the said EP and encapsulates the bittersweet essence of love’s demise, navigating through the complexities of guilt, justification, and ultimate surrender. It stands as the perfect preview of IONA SKY’s sound.
As they embark on a UK/Ireland tour to promote ‘Homeschooled’ and grace the stages of prominent festivals, including Equinox, Strawberry Fair, and St. Ives Music Festival, IONA SKY remains steadfast in their commitment to making music that speaks to the soul and sounds great.
Plain Mister Smith returns with Bric-À-Brac Attack, a beautifully offbeat collection of indie-folk, pop and atmospheric songwriting. Released via Amelia Records, the album finds the Vancouver and London-based multi-hyphenate turning fragments of memory, relationships and everyday absurdity into something quietly cinematic.
At its centre is “Grindavik”, a shimmering, reflective track inspired by the Icelandic town shaped by recent volcanic activity. Bright acoustic guitars and steady drums carry a constantly shifting chord progression, mirroring the song’s central metaphor of a relationship under pressure and the hope that its fissures can eventually heal. Featuring Jordan Klassen and Kitt, the track captures the emotional tension that runs throughout the album.
Elsewhere, Bric-À-Brac Attack moves effortlessly between playful guitar-driven moments, lush arrangements and more introspective passages. “Miss Sunshine” brings infectious energy, while collaborations with Findlay Brown, Leeroy Stagger, Krystle Dos Santos and Tyson Mostenbocher add colour to an already eclectic record.
Former guitarist of Canadian darkwave band Moev and a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, Plain Mister Smith brings an unusually broad musical perspective to his songwriting. Yet Bric-a-Brac attack never feels overly calculated. Instead, it has the charm of something discovered rather than constructed.
Warm, strange, melodic and emotionally searching, Bric-À-Brac Attack is a record that rewards getting lost in its details. Plain Mister Smith may remain deliberately mysterious, but the music itself speaks with remarkable clarity.
Photo credit: Sandra Lockwood
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