patching. runo plum

The singles released by runo plum in the past months really made we want to listen to her album. The way they both played with my ears and surprised my expectations made listening to 'patching' almost an obligation. I was not disappointed.

runo plum is a singer-songwriter from Minneapolis. She has released some singles and EPs in the past years. She played some interesting support slots but with this new album it is time for a new step in her career. She recorded 'patching' in a cabin in Vermont with multi-instrumentalist Noa Francis and co-producer Lutalo. Together they created an album with a slow, relaxed pace, that is very nice to dwell in for a while.

The place to start reviewing 'patching' is runo plum's voice. It has a soft, sleepy quality. Listen closely and you'll notice it is double tracked, making it more forceful than it actually is. plum sounds as if she's about to fall asleep or awakens without anything urgent sounding out telling her to get up now. This atmosphere takes me through the whole of the album, without making me want to stop listening. Yes, over ten songs, the music sounds somewhat uniform, it is more than o.k.

promo photo: Alexa Viscious

The music is just as relaxed. An acoustic guitar or two, soft drumming and a soft plopping bass guitar. A distorted or reverbed electric guitar shines through every once in a while, mixed in such a way that it fits in quite well, without upsetting the tranquil mood. It is described as indierock, but I do not fall for that. This is intimate singer-songwriter material that gets a very modest alternative treatment with a soft electric guitar. That's about it.

The whole makes 'patching' a very intimate album. As a listener you have to work at listening, as 'patching' takes your attention to flourish. Once you surrender yourself and thus your time, the album, runo plum, her musicians and you will become one for a while. A rich and relaxing experience.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order patching here:

https://runoplum.bandcamp.com/album/patching 

The Fortunate Sons live. Patronaat, Haarlem Friday 12 December 2025

Photo: WdN-vdB

Creedence Clearwater Revival was no longer a band before I had the chance to see any band live, with the exception of The Cocktail Trio that I perhaps even saw twice (and it did not play my favourite of the day, 'Li Wang Tai Fu'). The next band was Kayak in the gym of my high school and then David Bowie in Ahoy.

Two years ago, The Fortunate Sons competed in 'The Tribute: Battle of the Bands' and came in second that year, after a Bee Gees tribute. Both bands are touring a lot since. Yesterday. it was Haarlem's turn to enjoy this tribute. The four piece band comes incredibly close to the original. With his harsh voice singer-guitarist-pub owner in Almelo Toon Eppink is John Fogerty, The sound of the band is indeed "the real deal" as The Tribute juror Spike said. Arn Kortooms, bass, Ipo van Drooge, drums and Jan van Bijnen, guitar, organ and harmonica can take full credit alright.

CCR scored an immense number of hits in a very short period of time. Albums came out in a tempo that is beyond incredible. In my country, The Netherlands, it all started in 1969 with 'Proud Mary', a song many people associate with Ike & Tina Turner.and ended with 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' in 1973. By then the band had already folded. Brother Tom Fogerty had already left the band and the bass player and drummer thought they were successful  songwriters as well. Add the well-known issues with the record label and CCR came to an untimely end fast.

Around 1980 I had the money to buy most albums. I think I miss the last one, 'Mardi Grass'. Slowly but surely, the music became a pleasant memory but not something to actively enjoy. I saw John Fogerty live in the mid 00s and it was a great show but it didn't push me to play the records again. That happened Friday evening before the show. I put on 'Green River' and then 'Willy And The Poor Boys' and was truck by the quality of the songs, the energy and diversity in the music. My memory didn't serve me well, to paraphrase Bob Dylan/Julie Driscoll.

Photo: WdN-vdB

The Fortunate Sons played for close to two hours and all the hits and more came by. All, no, I missed 'Sweet Hitchhiker' and 'Someday Never Comes' but that was compensated by 'Rocking All Over The World', made famous by Status Quo of course. Singing along, dancing along, and enjoying myself tremendously. The Fortunate Sons is a machine of a band, that has a lot of fun on the side. Allowing the audience to sing in the right places and all. What I also realised really for the first time, how many songs by CCR my previous band, Flopsband', played, of which my favourite was 'It Came Out Of The Sky'. FYI, that band plays its 50th(!) anniversary show next month, with me returning for a last time for one set, including 'I Put A Spell On You'.

In 2025 a band like The Fortunate Sons can play in bigger venues like Patronaat easily on the strength of the material written by John Fogerty and/or played by CCR at the time. Fogerty is still touring at 80, with his sons. The Fortunate Sons will make a lot of people happy with its rendition of CCR. It all ended with 'Up Around The Bend', one of the two number 1 hits over here. What a song to go home with!

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2025, week 50. 10 singles (2)

Yes, two packets of singles in one week. There's so much to catch up on before the new year starts. So, don't let me hold you back on exploring the next ten. Enjoy! 

Golden Rules / Guilty Pleasures. Fuzzy Teeth

The name Fuzzy Teeth suggests a band name. It is the musical project of Anthony Koenn, a man who played in his first band, The Hague Punks, at the age of 11. Whatever that may have sounded like or what the quality was, I can't tell you. Single Golden Rules / Guilty Pleasures is a mature alternative pop track that shows that pop is not necessarily something produced by x with y featuring z, a and b, co-written by c, d and e. Koenn's may sound dreamy, he also sings a little off kilter. It gives his take on pop an even more alternative sound. In sync with a lot of bands and artists coming out of Brooklyn, N.Y., the Dutch singer is right on top of the musical waves right now. A golden lining this guilty pleasure of a song has.

Shopping. Rayon

Rayon is a postpunk band from Portland, Oregon made up out of people who have played in several other bands and is led by Eric Sabatino. The single blends a few guitars that play between the light and the shade but a little askew where the melodies are concerned. Over it Sabatino sings with a dreamy voice, adding some dreampop into the postpunk. In the first verse the guitars drop away, making shopping sound very open, putting the emphases on the fine drums and bass part. The two main guitars come in and later a host of overdubs. All in all, it remains on the safe side of postpunk. Don't expect Tramhaus antics here. The dreamy vocals even take on a light psychedelic vibe later in the song. It is the combination of it all that makes Shopping an attractive song. The single is released on 7", so you better hurry. 

I've Got Issues. Sandy

A young woman, one acoustic guitar. If anything, I've Got Issues reminds me of the songs of Tom Lehrer a friend played for me close to forty years ago. That cheekiness of wordplay that comes unexpected and can be funny as well. The topic of I've Got Issues is not exactly funny but the way Sandy presents it, suggests her sense of humor. This is added to by the video, that shows Sandy (Skye Netburn) having fun in multiple ways. Her voice is something different. No sweet girl in hearing distance here. She has a tough edge to her voice. Maybe not a Janis Joplin one, but who knows what happens after a few years in music? Musically, she comes close to Karen Jonas on this song, like in 'Oklahoma Lottery'. I've Got Issues has a country element to it. It is not country, but what it is? Good question. Let's say singer-songwriter. Her album 'Issues' was released in October on her 18th birthday.

Alive And Well. Tombstones in their Eyes

The L.A. band returns to the blog with a song that is sort of a signature of its sound. Loud rock, a wall of sound and a psychedelic, dreamy sauce laid out over it all by way of the singing. The title Alive And Well is not entirely appropriate. The song is dedicated to the band's guitarist who died in October. Paul Lovecraft plays on this track and the band decided to release it in his honour anyway. The world is a little better because of it, as it is an optimistic track. The intro may be fuzzed up guitars as if the gates of hell just opened themselves, after that the track starts properly and a huge sound opens itself to my ears. It makes me wonder exactly how many guitars I'm hearing. It could be dozens, all stacked on top of the other. "I'm coming back" the band sings. Well, if that happens, Paul Lovecraft is the second who manages that feat. Now that would be something.

Go On, Move Your Body. Jana Horn

A mood change, Go On, Move Your Body brings to this post. Depressing, that is the right word to use here. On this single for her upcoming album 'Jana Horn' (16 January), the NYC resident presents a song so slow that Low might have deemed it too slow. The bare intro, think electric guitar, bass and drums, with an derailing sound somewhere in the corner of the mix, provides the right mood for Jana Horn to sing-talk her lyrics. Slowcore is the term, I believe. There's nothing in there that will bring you joy or beauty. What it does, is show you how glad you should be not to feel like this. Jana Horn excels in this song, that is quite easy to listen to, as it is full of subtle details, that pop up for a second or two. An accent on a bass string, a few bass notes, the slow hitting on a cymbal. It all stands out all of a sudden and makes Go On, Move Your Body, shine, perhaps despite itself. A whole album? That may be a bit too much for me.

Rearview. Tad Overbaugh

Some countryrock is welcome after the darkness presented right above here. Tad Overbaugh presents nothing new. With his band The Late Arrivals, he shows how to excel in this well-known genre. With a voice that presents enough wear and tear to sound convincing, he leads the song. The guitars have that sound that comes with the territory. The lyrics are about being left behind, for someone else. Overbaugh was left in the rearview. The only criticism possible is that the music sounds a little too optimistic to match the lyrics. That apart, Tad Overbaugh delivered a nice song. Watch out for his new album as well, 'Farther From Near' pours now on tap at Boston's Rum Bar Records.

Bob's Bolero. Reluctant Bob & the Lonely Lovers

A kind request by email to listen to Bob's Bolero and why not? In The Netherlands in the mid-60s there was a band called ZZ & The Maskers (yes, masks) and if Bob's Bolero reminds me of anything it is of this band's famous songs, like 'Dracula' for example. That band's singer, another Bob, Bouber, wrote one of the best Dutch pop songs ever, 'Ik Heb Geen Zin Om Op Te Staan' for the band HET. Check it out, Americans! Back to Bob's Bolero. Reluctant Bob is Robert Baker and together with producer Phil Christie he made the song. It is built from a bolero rhythm Baker found on You Tube, with no less than 12 views! With The Lonely Lovers, Mark Liepmann, Álvaro Martínez, Baker makes a sound like they used to a long time ago. The name vintage pop seen from the vantage point of 2025 is not a strange connotation. ZZ & The Maskers were old for their time. at least I think, as I only got to know the band much later. Let alone Bob's Bolero. It's fun though. (See also posts on The Crayon Set on this blog.)

The Gallopers. The Would-Be-Goods

1988, that is 37 years ago. In that year The Would-Be-Goods released its album 'The Camera Loves Me'. The band around Jessica Griffin returns next year with a new album, 'Tears Before Bedtime' (13 February). First there is the single, The Gallopers. The song has a pre-The Beatles pop vibe, just listen to the organ emulating Del Shannon's 'Runaway' there in the background or the intro tangy guitar. In the rhythm there is a hint to the "Elvis chipshop" song by Kirsty McColl and Tracey Ullmann's 'Breakaway'. All influences from a long and even longer time ago. Jessica Griffin is no longer young, as her voice shows. The topic of The Gallopers is either a memory from long ago or stated through a top-down relationship. The melancholy mood of the song points to the former. It makes for somewhat distant but nice listening.

To The Brim. DEADLETTER

DEADLETTER found its way to this blog for the first time in 2024, with positive words on how a saxophone was oven into the postpunk music, so many other bands were already good at. It created something different and new. In late 2025 the band returns, announcing its upcoming album 'Existence Is Bliss' (27 February) and a tour. To The Brim is the first single and once again combines three forms of expression. 1) The singer that is somewhere between singing and talking, 2) the postpunk that comes in after a very quiet and relaxed intro, and 3) the sax that moves in between the rest. To The Brim is a relatively relaxed track. The acoustic guitar is not what I expect in a postpunk track. Neither are the electronics you can hear. Singer Zac Lawrence slowly applies some pressure on the song, by putting in more and more words into a line. And then it all goes back down again. Intriguing track To The Brim is. 

Talking (Pt.II). Raman

Belgian singer-songwriter Raman returns with a second single from his upcoming debut album, 'When Loneliness Succeeds' (9 January). Someone who dares to use Jeff Buckley as a reference to his music, has a lot of courage. Who dares to compare himself to the angelic Jeff? Well, listening to Talking (Pt.II) it is justified. This is a mighty track. Raman has a voice that shimmers between high and lowish, hovers between soft and mighty. In his music Raman is able to do exactly the same. At the same time there is a triphop reference in the way he sings, as it reminds me of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop'. In the vocal melody there are even direct links to Buckley. And then the end awaits us. A huge slide guitar part escorts us to Talking (Pt.II)'s exit. It blows the song right  up into our faces. What an ending it is. This song deserves a lot of attention. One tip for Raman. don't go swimming in a river and certainly not with your clothes and boots on when a barge comes by.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

 

A Human Connection. Small Miracles

In the past months Cardiff based Small Miracles found itself on this blog for the first time. It is time for the album. Overall, my first impression is that Small Miracles loves to look back at things that came before. The hints at 1980s doom and gloom is at the fore front of the music and Finn Fatale's way of singing emulates singers like Jaz Coleman. As if there's not a lot of fun to be found around him. Luckily, this is offset regularly by a female vocal that sounds more upbeat, providing the contrast I like in this context.

Small Miracles was formed in Cardiff in 2021 and identifies explicitly as a queer band. The band consists of  Finn Fatale, lead vocals, rhythm guitar, James Sarson bass, backing vocals, Lucas Eldridge drums, Jim Webster, keyboards, synths, wurlitzer, organ, mellotron, guitars, backing vocals, mixing and, S. Kenward, lead guitar, programming, backing vocals, mixing. Add eight different guests, (nearly?) all female and there were a lot of people involved in the recording process. Producer Andrew Sanders assisted with giving A Human Connection its darkish vibe.

The album opens with what is Small Miracles' most danceable track. The rhythm makes it impossible to stand still, while the postpunk of the lead guitar, bass and vocals makes it far from a disco track. But then listen to that piano solo, almost as rock and roll as these sort of piano solos come. 'Phantom' makes for very surprising listening with all the directions it shoots off in, while remaining consistent for the whole of the way.

With 'You Know' the band shows a little lighter side of itself. Again, the track makes for moving. I have no idea any more what is played on modern dance floors (and very likely do not want to know). In my days this track definitely would have worked in between songs like 'Burning Down The House' or 'Pale Shelter'. 'You Know' has a very upbeat rhythm.

Photo: Ellis Thomas

Punk is next. Single 'Bisexual Panic' is a song that shows exactly how the word panic can be translated into music. It is so erratic that it comes close to irritating, if it wasn't that good. With 'Layers Of Entanglement' the band shows a third side of itself. In this loud ballad the album enters a dreamy sequence where Fatale exerts himself through the song, because his voice does not really fit this genre, in my opinion. Enter Aisha Kigs, who injects the song with a shot of soul and R&B. Do not forget to listen to what is going on behind the singers. Lead guitarist S. Kenward is really going off the rails here and there. Michael Kiwanuka any one? I'm fine with that, as 'Layers Of Entanglement' simply makes that grade.

80ties synths sound at the beginning of 'Cherry Pills'. Tubeway Army meets Duran Duran with loud guitars. The dark truly returns here in the atmosphere of the song but the chorus is so upbeat aided by the angelic background vocals of Gemini Anderson. How the sound of a voice can make a difference?!

We are half way A Human Connection and I am about to leave you alone with the second half. If you like what you have heard so far, the rest will not disappoint you. Small Miracles has succeeded in recreating an era very successfully. Now it has to find its own voice some more.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order A Human Connection here:

https://smallmiracles.bandcamp.com/album/a-human-connection 

2025, week 50. 10 singles

On the news yesterday the weatherman said that the temperatures for today are the December equivalent of a 35 degrees Celsius heatwave in summer. In other words, we had another day temperature record. There are too many of them to ignore something is changing. Here we have ten recent singles, so enjoy the exploration.

The Point. Soft Skies Inc.

The Philadelphia duo Soft Skies Inc. finds itself on this blog once more after two singles in 2024. With The Point the needle is once again directed at the 1980s. The darker side of that decade is somehow mixed with the electronic pop a duo like Petshop Boys made at the time, think 'West End Girls' or 'Suburbia'. Soft Skies Inc., twins Martin and Ryan Rex, know their way around the electric guitar as well and do not mind showing it to us, with strong accents and riffs all over the more electronic background. The result is a rocking danceable track that works in different circumstances.

Through the Looking Glass. The Clockworks

One thing is certain, The Clockworks' 'Exit Strategy' was not completed successfully, as the band signed a contract with V2 instead of leaving the music industry. Is the world the better for it? Let's first take one step back. I even bought 'Exit Strategy' in 2023 but found that the album did not really stick and disappeared into that wall of music. That does not equal not being interested in hearing new work. With Through The Looking Glass that new work is there. The single starts with just singer James McGregor and a church organ. Slowly but surely the track becomes more urgent, it feels faster, like it's speeding up. That feel is expanded on when after one minute the drums come in. Connotations of The Killers and The War on Drugs present themselves, yet Through The Looking Glass is strong enough to stand its own ground. The Clockworks presents itself as it should, working towards the release of its second album, 'The Entertainment', slated for March 2026.

Little Something. Fit

Post punk from Utrecht. Fit announced a prestigious show at Eurosonic next month and released Little Something to celebrate. Little Something has the kind of urgency a young new band should have. Listening to the song, it is quite clear where Fit has found its mustard. The first two albums of Maxïmo Park gives enough of a hint. Singer Ide Ploeg's voice has the same sort of diction Paul Smith's has and the rhythm of Little Something underscores the similarity. That is totally fine by the way, If Fit ever manages to make a song as exciting as 'Apply Some Pressure' I will stand cheering for the whole of the way. For now, I'm enjoying the extra sounds the band blends into the song. The lead guitar and the keyboard in the outro! Last spring it seems I never got around to the debut EP 'Miracles Might Happen'. It's time to catch up.

Euromancer. The Hickey Underworld 

And now for some more noise. I have heard the name The Hickey Underworld before but could not place the band. It is from Antwerp and around since the mid-00s. According to Wikipedia it's last album is from 2015. Today there's a single and settles quite nicely somewhere between alternative rock and punk rock. Singer Younes Faltakh has a nice rough edge to his voice, making him sound very convincing for the music the band makes. My personal reference, The Strokes when it made relevant music, as in the first seven, eight songs on 'Is This It?' and 'Juice Box'. Euromancer has the energy a song like this needs and combines it with a joyful exuberance a strong melody brings offers. The lead guitar that keeps playing this bouncing riff, supported by a strong bass and drums. Great single in other words.

If You Can Forgive Me. Joy Buzzer

Joy Buzzer is not a person but a band from NYC. It is compared to no other than Fountains of Wayne. Should it be true, that demands listening, at least once. After giving the song a chance, I'll allow the comparison, as long as singing is excluded. Singer Kevin Lydon's voice is far rougher but works in the context of If You Can Forgive Me. Just like FoW Joy Buzzer manages to bring together a host of influences into just two and a half minute and make them all sound extremely nice and interesting. This song is loaded with ideas, tricks and fun stuff that make it extremely good to listen to. I'm up for more in the future.

 

Hot Mess. LuxJury

I am not sure what to make of Hot Mess, but the track does get me into its groove. In the bio the word soul is used to describe the music in combination with indierock. What it makes me think of most is 'Everywhere', one of Fleetwood Mac's biggest hits, in a version in which Lindsey Bucking ham got a total free reign to work on the rhythm and his guitar extravaganzas  LuxJury is London based duo singer/guitarist Nicole ‘Lux’ Fermie and drummer Howey Gill  This is their first single after signing a contract and they are working on their debut album slated for somewhere next year. Like 'Everywhere' Hot Mess hovers somewhere between boring and awe. (See my opening line.) 'Everywhere' may be the better song, being around for nearly three decades helps here, Hot Mess will prove its mettle soon.

Time Machine. Mylo Bybee

Boise, Idaho? That is not your average town to have a band from on this blog. Eileen Jewell pops up when I searched. And now there's Mylo Bybee. The band formed in 2020 and consist of Tyler Schlagenhauf (Vox/Guitar), Tony Caruso (Bass) Jason Guadalupe (Drums) Tim Fahlen (Guitar). Producer Wes Schlagenhauf played some bass also. Put on Time Machine and you will find a familiar sound somewhere between alternative rock and indie. Light sounding guitars play a clean rhythm. Lead notes sound like ringing a bell. The band rocks out for sure but without running the gauntlet in any way. Mylo Bybee scores with its melodies and brightness. With the EP 'Revisions' coming up, there is something to look out for as well. Time Machine is a real nice introduction to Mylo Bybee.

Pirate. Pitou

Next up is Dutch singer Pitou. With Pirate she delivers a new single. It has a jazzy vibe mixed with an indie background. Pirate is a song where Pitou invites you to listen to, just a little bit more than the average track does. I can imagine that putting this song on in the background may even be irritating, while with full attention given to Pirate, beauty oozes from the speakers. With 'Big Tear' in 2023 she received two reviews on this blog and also previous single 'Too Good To Go' found itself on this blog. On 27 March 'P2' will see the light of day. For now, Pitou's fans are more than serviced with the emotional Pirate. The coda takes on a life of its own as you will find.

Etna. Daisy Bellis

Another Dutch female singer, but if you think Pitou is a bit theatrical, wait till you hear Daisy Bellis. Etna is best known as a volcano and to older Dutch people as an gas-fired oven. Should it have been Edna, the title? as Etna in the opening of the song is told she's going to pay, it sort of looks like it should. Daisy Bellis makes me think of Elenne May with a far bigger production, which provides the song with an international allure. Etna has a great rhythm and, yes, there is a little Kate Bush in there, as in 'Running Up That Hill'. Over it, the song is spread out in different ways, making the songs have several surprising turns and twists. Vocally, I have the impression Daisy Bellis is not going full out yet or ran into her vocal limitations, making her cautious to let go. In the moments where true mad vocals could have been possible she shies away from them. That said, Etna is a great single and introduction to Daisy Bellis.

Gone. M. Lucky

We end this week with the third Dutch singer in a row. M. Lucky made her debut on this blog thanks to Erwin Zijleman in 2023 when he praised her album 'Gentlewoman' no little. It passed me by at the time, not this new single, Gone. It is a very dreamy track with bass synth sounds that keep the listener on his/her toes. M. Lucky or Marcia Savelkoul, sings with a slightly high voice in a dreamy way. The music fully reflects this, but as I already wrote with these injections that make the song somewhat different from other dreamy songs. She's working with producer Pieterjan Coppejans (Eefje de Visser) on a new album, that we can expect sometime next year. If Gone is anything to go by, it will be an electric album with the organic voice of M. Lucky. Gone is quite nice and makes we want to hear more, please.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght