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AddictionsDJ

@addictionsdj

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DJ and Brain-dead Host of Addictions and other Vices Podcast for http://bombshellradio.com Music/Movies/Art/Hang the DJ/Singer/Songwriter

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Dutch five-piece Starfish find the emotional pull between growing up and finding somewhere to belong on “Home,” a sweeping piece of alternative rock released through Sunny Vibes Records. There are echoes of Snow Patrol’s emotional scale and Kings of Leon’s melodic immediacy, alongside touches of Nothing But Thieves and the heart-on-sleeve storytelling of The Gaslight Anthem.

At its centre is the realization that adulthood changes our understanding of what “home” actually means. Places that once felt permanent become memories, circumstances change and the people around us begin building lives of their own. Starfish turn that uncertainty into something reassuring: sometimes home isn’t a particular town, house or moment in your past, but the person who makes wherever you happen to be feel familiar.

That idea gives the song its emotional weight without pushing it into sentimentality. The band allow the feeling to build naturally, giving “Home” the scale of an anthem while keeping its story personal.

With more than two million streams and a growing festival presence behind them, Starfish are steadily establishing themselves beyond the Dutch independent scene. “Home” suggests why, combining accessible alternative rock with songwriting that feels genuinely lived in.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #Starfish #Home #AlternativeRock #IndieRock by @addictionsdj

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2 days ago

Los Angeles-based Robbery Inc. deliver a hard-edged piece of alternative rock with “Lying To You,” pairing the muscular swagger of Velvet Revolver and The Cult with echoes of Stone Temple Pilots and the heavier side of Foo Fighters.

Led by Robb Torres and co-written with Canadian songwriter Rosanne Baker Thornley, the song takes an interesting approach to deception by placing us inside the perspective of the person doing the manipulating. The narrator knows exactly what he’s doing, yet seems to assume everyone around him will continue accepting the story anyway.

That unreliable voice allows “Lying To You” to extend beyond a single relationship. The same behaviour is easy to recognize in politicians, executives and public figures who repeat a version of events with enough confidence that they expect the audience to accept it regardless of the evidence.

There’s a satisfying bite to the song because Robbery Inc. don’t overcomplicate the point. Sometimes manipulation isn’t particularly sophisticated; it simply depends upon the liar believing nobody will challenge them.

Submitted through Jim “Catman” Catalano. Selected as Catman’s Choice.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #RobberyInc #LyingToYou #AlternativeRock HardRock by @addictionsdj

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3 days ago

Nottingham/Derby singer-songwriter PubKid strips things back on “This Is The Place,” turning uncertainty into an intimate piece of British indie folk. There are shades of Jake Bugg, Gerry Cinnamon and Richard Ashcroft in Frank Levers’ direct delivery, alongside some of Billy Bragg’s ability to make personal questions feel much larger.

Water and fire run through the song as images of instability, while the repeated question “I don’t know if this is the place” becomes increasingly important. Rather than writing about finally finding somewhere to belong, Levers captures the much more complicated moment when you’re still trying to decide whether you’ve arrived at all.

That uncertainty gives the song its character. There is no dramatic revelation waiting at the end and no artificial attempt to resolve everything neatly. “This Is The Place” understands that sometimes the question itself is the most truthful part of the story.

Recorded at The Albion Rooms in Margate and submitted through Songbird PR.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #PubKid #ThisIsThePlace #IndieFolk #SingerSongwriter by @addictionsdj

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3 days ago

Long Beach trio SOFTJAW wrap betrayal in irresistible power pop on “Poor Disguise,” a compact song whose sweetness makes its accusation hit even harder. There are echoes of Shoes, Big Star and Teenage Fanclub in the melodic construction, with some of The Replacements’ rougher emotional edge underneath.

Dustin Lovelis wrote the song with a friend in mind who had been dealt a bad hand, and that perspective matters. Rather than hearing the confrontation directly from the person who has been hurt, we’re watching someone recognize what is happening from the outside.

The disguise in question isn’t particularly convincing. The song is about the point where someone’s behaviour has exposed them so completely that maintaining the performance becomes almost absurd. You can hide intentions for a while, but eventually character has a way of showing itself.

That sharp observation sits inside a song built to be played loudly. “Poor Disguise” has been added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #SOFTJAW #PoorDisguise #PowerPop #IndieRock by @addictionsdj

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3 days ago

London artist Pav Sharda, recording as Sweet Gorilla, turns encouragement into something deeply personal on “It’s Your Life.” There are echoes of Tears for Fears and Talk Talk in its thoughtful, expansive songwriting, alongside the atmospheric ambition of Pink Floyd and the emotional scale of Simple Minds.

Sharda describes the song as being written for the underdogs, but its message carries additional weight through its connection to his brother, who lives with schizophrenia. That personal experience gives the song’s language about overcoming fear and stepping out of the shadows a meaning beyond conventional ideas of self-belief.

The “shadow” becomes particularly effective because it can be understood in more than one way. It represents the self-doubt that can prevent any of us from moving forward, while also reflecting the darkness, uncertainty and confusion Sharda has witnessed through his brother’s experience.

That dual meaning prevents the song’s encouraging message from becoming simplistic. “It’s Your Life” acknowledges that telling someone to move forward is considerably easier than actually doing it, particularly when circumstances are beyond their control.

Sweet Gorilla ultimately offers encouragement without pretending every obstacle can simply be wished away. It’s a compassionate song about resilience, perspective and trying to reclaim some sense of possibility.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #SweetGorilla #ItsYourLife #AlternativeRock #NewMusic by @addictionsdj

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3 days ago

James Maddock takes on Jesse Malin’s “Bar Life” for Friends of Jesse Malin: I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1, finding the weary humanity beneath a song about bars, bad decisions and the people who keep returning to both.

Maddock’s interpretation sits naturally alongside the quieter character studies of Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle and Ian Hunter. Rather than romanticizing bar culture, the song recognizes the strange role these places can play as refuge, meeting point and temporary escape.

There is compassion in the idea of doing whatever gets you through. The characters aren’t being judged for needing somewhere to disappear for a while; they’re simply trying to survive their own circumstances. Maddock understands that distinction and allows the sadness to exist without turning it into melodrama.

As part of the Jesse Malin tribute project, “Bar Life” also carries an added sense of community — one songwriter inhabiting another songwriter’s world while musicians gather around a friend.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #JamesMaddock #JesseMalin #BarLife #NewMusic by @addictionsdj

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3 days ago

Gogol Bordello tear into Jesse Malin’s “Here’s The Situation” on Friends of Jesse Malin: I Would Do It For You – Vol. 1, turning an already restless song into a frantic blast of punk rock that barely pauses long enough to catch its breath.

The Clash and The Pogues are obvious reference points, but Gogol Bordello’s collision of punk, Eastern European folk influences and theatrical chaos gives the song an identity entirely their own. At under two minutes, there is no wasted movement.

Malin’s lyrics are filled with political frustration, strange characters and the exhausting feeling that despite all the noise around us, we’re still facing the “same old situation.” The repeated desire to “get me out of this place” becomes particularly effective in Gogol Bordello’s hands because the performance itself sounds like an attempted escape.

Following James Maddock’s reflective interpretation of “Bar Life,” this is the other extreme of the Jesse Malin tribute: fast, unruly and alive.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #GogolBordello #JesseMalin #HeresTheSituation #PunkRock by @addictionsdj

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3 days ago

Molly Wishart captures the uncertain optimism of your twenties on “Dear Daisy,” the title track from her new four-song EP. Its warm, sophisticated indie pop recalls Olivia Dean, Faye Webster and Clairo, with some of Carole King’s gift for turning personal reflection into something immediately relatable.

At the centre of the song is the “little girl who holds onto your heart,” a lovely way of describing the younger self we carry with us as adulthood becomes more complicated. When Wishart sings “don’t ever change,” it doesn’t suggest standing still; it feels more like a reminder not to lose the curiosity and optimism that existed before life became quite so complicated.

That balance between looking forward and holding onto something essential gives “Dear Daisy” its emotional pull. Wishart writes about growing up without treating adulthood as either a triumph or a disappointment, leaving room for uncertainty, humour and hope.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #MollyWishart #DearDaisy #IndiePop #NewMusic by @addictionsdj

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3 days ago

Québec City’s The Carringtons bring a restless mix of garage rock, punk and power pop to “Emptiness,” a track from their new album The Reunion. There are flashes of The Strokes and The Hives in its wiry energy, while the melodic urgency recalls Buzzcocks and the rougher edges of The Hellacopters.

What gives “Emptiness” its character is the tension between that forward momentum and a song concerned with something far less certain. Beneath the swagger is a sense of absence and dissatisfaction, the feeling that all the noise and movement around you can’t necessarily fill whatever is missing.

That contrast keeps the song from becoming straightforward garage-rock revivalism. The Carringtons understand the appeal of those influences but play with enough personality and urgency to make “Emptiness” feel immediate rather than nostalgic.

The Reunion, released October 2, finds the Québec City band returning with plenty of energy intact. “Emptiness” makes a strong case for catching up with them.

PR: No Rules PR

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #TheCarringtons #Emptiness #GarageRock #CanadianMusic by @addictionsdj

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4 days ago

Irish singer-songwriter Max Ceddo returns to Bombshell Radio with “So You Say,” a lively slice of power pop that pairs bright, infectious melodies with a decidedly sharp lyrical perspective. Now based in New York City, Ceddo continues to explore the territory between classic British guitar pop and contemporary indie rock, recalling the melodic wit of Squeeze, the spirited charm of The Housemartins and the pointed songwriting of early Elvis Costello. There’s also a touch of The Lightning Seeds in the song’s effortless pop accessibility.

Beneath its upbeat exterior, “So You Say” is a rather cutting account of a relationship undermined by poor communication. Ceddo takes aim at someone whose reluctance to engage has turned an initially promising connection into an exercise in frustration. His observations are blunt, occasionally sarcastic and delivered with a conversational directness that gives the song much of its personality.

The contrast between the music’s cheerful disposition and the narrator’s growing irritation brings to mind the tradition of British pop songwriters who have long found humour and frustration in everyday relationships. Ceddo embraces that approach without softening the edges of his lyrics, allowing the bitterness and wit to coexist.

Having stepped away from his career as a psychiatrist in 2024 to concentrate on music, Ceddo has been steadily releasing material drawn from an extensive catalogue of original songs. “So You Say,” released October 1, 2026, continues that prolific creative period with a spirited, sometimes acerbic take on romantic disappointment.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #MaxCeddo #SoYouSay #PowerPop #IndieRock by @addictionsdj

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4 days ago

Aotearoa/New Zealand songwriter Gina Malcolm finds an appealing balance between melodic brightness and emotional melancholy on “Lovin’ Company,” the first single from her forthcoming EP.

Built around shimmering 12-string guitars and a buoyant rhythm section, the song draws on the jangling guitar-pop tradition of The Byrds and early R.E.M., with touches of The Bangles and the melodic warmth of 10,000 Maniacs.

There’s a bittersweet quality to the song that makes it particularly effective. Inspired by an autumn walk along Sumner Beach in Christchurch, Malcolm captures that unmistakable feeling of summer slipping away, when the changing season seems to bring a heightened awareness of loneliness. The music remains lively and inviting, while the lyrics reveal a quieter longing for companionship.

The track benefits from a strong supporting cast, including producer Tom Maxwell and multi-instrumentalist Dave Khan, whose 12-string electric guitar gives the arrangement much of its distinctive sparkle. Rather than allowing the melancholy to overwhelm the song, Malcolm places it inside an infectious melody, creating something that feels nostalgic without becoming sentimental.

Previously known in New Zealand as television journalist Leanne Malcolm, she has been pursuing her songwriting career under her middle name, Gina, since 2021. Her debut album First Rodeo attracted international Americana radio attention, and “Lovin’ Company” suggests a natural expansion of her sound into classic guitar pop while retaining her storytelling instincts.

It’s the contrast between the song’s sunny disposition and its underlying sadness that stays with you, a reminder that some of the most memorable pop songs find their strength in that very contradiction.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #GinaMalcolm #LovinCompany #NewZealandMusic #IndiePop by @addictionsdj

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4 days ago

Guildford singer-songwriter Harry Eley brings a refreshing burst of guitar-driven indie rock to “Killing the High,” a track that combines youthful energy with the frustrations of a relationship that seems increasingly difficult to navigate.

There’s something of The Kooks’ early melodic charm here, alongside the rhythmic immediacy of Two Door Cinema Club and the infectious guitar-pop sensibility of Circa Waves. Built around a lively, repeating guitar riff and an insistent chorus, the song has an almost carefree musical character that contrasts with its underlying tension.

Eley’s lyrics explore the frustration of feeling emotionally out of step with someone, particularly when the excitement of a relationship begins to give way to disappointment and misunderstanding. The repeated refrain captures that conflict effectively, turning a personal frustration into an immediately memorable hook.

Eley made his debut in February 2025 with “Thinking of You,” followed by his first EP, Me, which included “Stop the War.” With a second EP, You, planned for early 2027, he’s continuing to establish himself as an emerging voice in British indie music.

“Killing the High” turns romantic frustration into something genuinely infectious. Eley has a strong instinct for melody and an honesty in his songwriting that suggests a bright future.

Added to Bombshell Radio rotation and will be featured on an upcoming edition of Addictions and Other Vices.

#bombshellradioreviews #HarryEley #KillingTheHigh #IndieRock #BritishMusic by @addictionsdj

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5 days ago