"...when Dylan realised that 'I'll Keep It With Mine' could only ever belong to Nico" --Johnny Kane press release

Nico returned the favor by trying her hardest to sound like Bob Dylan on that song. Her voice accented in German launches into 'no one can helllppp yooouuu' in signature Dylan sing-speak. But that was her song; she owned it. Like Dusty Springfield on 'Son Of A Preacher Man'. Or Aretha Franklin on 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T.'

Johnny Kane, a label sent from heaven has previously released singles by both the Clientele and the Relict. Both bands exist in a similar vein of early morning fog and waking dreams (and members of each band play on the others' recordings). On a recent split single for the label, the usual singers, the Clientele's Alasdair and the Relict's Innes, pass lead vocals duties to female guest singers.

The Relict with Abi Marvel offer 'Held In Glass', sounding melancholic and intimate (perhaps an effect of production quality). She sings of the inevitiability of relationships, capturing life in a cityscape snow globe glass paradise, frozen and static. It's often unavoidable--this love thing. The Clientele back-up Pam Berry (currently of the Pines, formerly of glo-worm, Black Tambourine, etc.) with '(I Can't Seem) To Make You Mine', featuring the band's trademark twinkling guitar lines. This song, compared with 'Held In Glass', sounds colder, with the inevitability of the break down of a relationship. 'The rain has brought the night and the night as brought the rain.' It's often unavoidable--this love thing, but broken hearts stay broken. The tragic chanteuse knows this, but she owns her memories and her songs.

Visit the Relict
Visit the Clientele
Visit Johnny Kane, a label sent from heaven
See photos of the Clientele live at Angels In Cigarette Plumes