We Speak Music

It Man release ‘White Heat’

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2023

Don Reed

In a moving tribute new band IT MAN made a statement on their social media this week ahead of the release of debut single ‘White Heat’, which reads as follows,

“After much thought and consideration, we have decided that we will no longer perform or release music as The Jacques. Since the formation of the band 8 years ago, our line-up has changed, sometimes amicably but also in ways beyond our control. Four years ago, we lost our best friend and bassist Will. We had just completed our debut album ‘The Four Five Three’ after spending our early 20s living and touring together. These are precious memories of ours and we are grateful for all of the friendship, support and love we have received over the years. We are currently finishing an album that we feel marks a departure from our previous musical direction. It is for that reason that we have agreed to be known by a different name moving forward. Thank you all for your continued support. Love, Finn, Elliot, Harry & Dexter a.k.a It Man”.

And so it was, born of the ashes of one band who tasted early success touring with The Libertines, playing Glastonbury and SXSW, as championed by BBC and signing with a major label, the story unfolds in a new and thrilling way as 2023 sees the birth of IT MAN as they get ready to dominate UK and European shores with a series of heavy hitting new wave Britpop n rock releases scheduled including a new album later this year.

New member Dexter Dougan on the bass has brought healing and a whole new sense of purpose for these talented musicians as demonstrated on ‘White Heat’ their debut single, and a satirical romp through the fictional psyche of a young, middle-class 20th century couple fantasising about explosives, casual gambling and being some kind of street gangster.

Lead singer Finn O’Brien slurs out, “I’m trying, I’m trying not to think about it, cause its only there when I think about it”. All the while the guitars do a symbolic sleight of hand manoeuvre busily transporting the listener to some far off beach in the tropics, whilst nodding cheekily towards the spectre of neurosis that lurks just beneath the consumerist glitz of modern life.

‘White Heat’ was recorded by the legendary The Strokes producer Gordon Raphael and produced & mixed by another producer giant Dan Swift.

Oh and if you’re wondering why It Man, well it’s the title of a John Cooper Clarke poem/song which struck a chord with all members of the band.

‘White Heat’ will release on all platforms on March 31 on the band’s own label, Sore Records and It Man will be on the road from May as support for TALK SHOW, BRIX SMITH and MENADES

5th May / Guildford / Boileroom w/ TALK SHOW

23rd May / Bristol / Strange Brew w/ BRIX SMITH

24th May / Manchester / Yes w/ BRIX SMITH

28th May / London / Lower Third w/ BRIX SMITH

8th June / Newcastle / Cluny 1 w/ BRIX SMITH

15th June / Stroud / Subscription Rooms w/ BRIX SMITH

16th June / Portsmouth / Wedgewood Rooms w/ BRIX SMITH

18th June / London / AMP w/ MENADES

19th June / Brighton / Prince Albert w/ MENADES

We Speak Electronic

Aaron Koenig Releases Ska Anthem for Geeks

Published

2 days ago

November 16, 2024

Adavie Gutierrez

Aaron makes music about meaningful topics that rocks and grooves – and sometimes it even skanks on a rock steady beat!

His new song ‘Geeks’ has been released on all major music platforms on November 15th. It is an anthem for the heroes of the digital age: computer nerds, also known as geeks. It is driven by an off-beat ska guitar, a sticky bass line and a groovy brass section. The icing on the cake is a jazzy saxophone solo.

“I have always loved Ska, I even saw the Specials, the Selecter and Madness live in their heydays”, says Aaron. “I chose the topic although I am not a geek myself, but I have a lot of sympathy for them. Geeks are often frowned upon because they can be socially awkward, but they are the ones who are building a better world. So I think they deserve an anthem.”

The music video is mostly made up of typography, minimalistic ASCII graphics and heavily pixelated images – it surely looks geeky! Watch it here:

“I just want to entertain people and make them a bit happier.”– Aaron King.

Aaron writes catchy songs that are made for people who like meaningful, uplifting topics and guitar-driven, hand-made sounds. His musical journey started young but it wasn’t until he discovered Bitcoin and became so invested in it that he used music to express his new found joy.

“It’s mostly rock music, with excursions into funk, soul and other styles I grew up with. In general, it’s guitar-driven and hand-made, often with a punkish energy and beatlesque harmonies. What all my songs have in common are meaningful lyrics about being in the here and now, about transforming disturbing emotions into wisdom, about being in the flow, things like that.” says Aaron in an interview.

“I have always been making music and writing songs, starting with a punk rock band when I was 15. However, I never saw it as a career. I played in several bands in my teenage years and my early twenties, but after my media studies in Berlin and Rio de Janeiro I focused on other things. I first worked in TV production and then founded one of the first Internet agencies in Germany. I discovered Bitcoin in 2011 and became fascinated by it. I wrote five books about it, made lots of promotional videos and educational series for Bitcoin and blockchain companies, and organised events. I even wrote some songs about Bitcoin, which became quite popular in the community, like my Reggaeton about the Bitcoin Beach in El Salvador. People always liked that my songs are catchy and provocative. It was by the end of 2023 that I decided to go full in on music. It’s what I enjoy the most, so now I want to fully follow my passion.”

Since May 2024, his songs have been streamed more than 250,000 times on Spotify and his music videos have been viewed more than 350,000 times on YouTube.

Read more about Aaron King: http://aaron-koenig.net/press/