Billy Nomates. Click on the link to take you to Stereogum’s review of her song, “Heels.”
the sky is so open
i could just fall all the way apart
no one will notice
all that hurt wrapped around your heart
they tell me its spring now
i am so nervous for the things that grow
what must die with it
i already know
fear me im broken
in a way i dont even notice
–released March 14, 2022
Billy Nomates a.k.a. Tor Maries
From allmusic: Post-punk singer/songwriter Tor Maries (aka Billy Nomates) has a sparse and oddly danceable sound, despite covering various societal issues in her lyrics. Born in Leicester — where she learned to play fiddle — Maries moved to Bristol where she spent eight years in various bands. Although they saw some local success, she was never truly satisfied with the music, eventually moving to Bournemouth and essentially giving up on a music career. While there, Maries was going through a hard time, which reignited her passion for writing music, this time as a solo artist. The tipping point came as she was attending a Sleaford Mods gig in Southampton by herself in 2019; not only did the music inspire her, but she also took notice of an audience member who had called her Billy No Mates, cementing her stage name. She wrote the songs for her eponymous debut album in quick succession, leading to a 2020 release date; the record was produced by Geoff Barrow (Portishead) and released through his label Invada.
Allmusic puts her music in the Post-punk and Alternative/Indie Rock genres.
BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Amy Lamé chose Billy Nomates’ debut as her Album of the Year in 2020.
Lauren Murphy at, “The Irish Times” says:
[Nomates is] a one-woman band from rural Leicestershire who is on a mission “to sock it to bearded indie cliques, old boys’ clubs in thrall to the Eagles, and overprivileged rich kids who think they represent us all”.
Andy Brown at Louder Than War gives an excellent review of her album here.
NME’s headline says:
Billy Nomates – ‘Emergency Telephone’ EP review: dial into one of Britain’s most distinctive new voices: The DIY punk’s lockdown on the Isle of Wight results in an urgent and emotional new EP
Discography:
Albums = 1, Self-titled in 2020.
Featured on, “Mork n Mindy” by Sleaford Mods in 2021.
EP = “Emergency Telephone” October 2021
One thing to share: The internet says there is another band by this name that has been in existence since 1996.
Official website: here and bandcamp here
Sources:
allmusic
The Irish Times
NME
I’m really enjoying these. Thanks, Lisa. Do you have a favorite post from this month that Songshine could reblog in April?
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You’re welcome and glad you are enjoying them, K. Day 13 Carol Kaye would be a good you could reblog. I think the whole world needs to know about her 🙂
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Oh, wonderful. Thank you for sharing these. I would love to post this one in April.
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You’re very welcome, K 🙂
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You described her perfect… sparse would be the word. She sounds like if you mix 80s with Punk…a different sound.
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Thank you, Max. She has an attitude about her that I just love. I think we will be seeing a lot more of her.
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I really like Heels. Definitely dance music. (K)
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I do too. I love her sass.
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