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Neil Armstrong’s ‘In the Borderlands’: A Nostalgic Journey Through Love and Loss

“In the Borderlands” by Neil Armstrong Neil Armstrong steps onto our blog stage for the first time as an artist. His music pays tribute to the icons of the 80s, including The Cure, Tears For Fears, Pet Shop Boys, and Howard Jones. Oscillating between the realms of Synth-Pop/Rock and New Wave, Armstrong’s transnational work, fluctuating between Spain and Scotland, is expressed in his latest piece, “In the Borderlands.” The song takes us on an introspective journey through the nuances of human relationships, unfolding the complexity of interpersonal dynamics . It exposes these nuances on the operating table of music, bringing them to life with a nostalgic touch reminiscent of the 80s, thereby endowing the work with a soul. The arrangement, inspired by the musical giants of that era, is a testament to Armstrong’s exceptional talent for composing and arranging songs. Every note, every melody in “In the Borderlands” is carefully chosen to tell a story of love: its loss and rediscovery, wit
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"Unicorn of Death" by I am the Unicorn Head

I am the Unicorn Head

I am the Unicorn Head - Are a two piece Alternative/Indie band from the UK and USA. The band formed at the beginning of the pandemic by sharing music together online, having found similar musical ground on Reddit. 
The partnership took both members to new levels of creativity that has already produced a large body of work. The genre hopping nature of the music is a direct result of the eclectic musical tastes of the band. Influences include Alternative/Indie/Punk/Post-Punk/Prog/Garage Rock/Krautrock and anything else that catches their ear.

August 2021 sees the band release their debut single 'Eating Cornbread in Quarantine'. This song is very meaningful to the band, as it is the first song the fledgling band wrote together, and deals directly with the topic of mental health isues during the global pandemic.

The very issues that the band formed to avoid. The band has already been noticed by the BBC in the UK, and they have received airplay on the BBC Introducing programme. In September 2021 the band are delighted to be featuring in the national UK music magazine PROG. The band will feature both inside the publication, and on the coveted cover CD as well.

The band have also attracted a lot attention from music blog sites, which are also due to publish articles on the band soon. From meeting online in April 2021, to front page national press coverage in Sept 2021, this band is one to watch!




Unicorn of Death

Sie sind wieder zurück, I am the Unicorn Head. Im Gepäck habe sie "Unicorn of Death", nach 'Eating Cornbread in Quarantine' und "Omnipresent" wartete ich bereits gespannt auf deren Nachfolger.

"Our new single is a tribute to 1960's 'Godzilla' type monster movies. The track has it's own mini movie, as a music video.", das klingt schon mal vielversprechend für eine Band die sich gerne "Out of the box" präsentiert. 
Das friedliebende Einhorn und die finsteren Mächte, Gut versus Böse, eine Story der Zeit, eine Geschichte der Menschheit und die Interpretation von einer unglaublich talentierten und außergewöhnlichen Band. Sie schaffen es erneut, wie ich finde, eine Überraschung abzuliefern. Indie Prog Rock meets Psychedelic und der Regenbogen schimmert, ja strahlt ein wenig in 80er Farben.
 
Mit ihrem Talent und der Offenheit verschiedene Genre miteinander, ja, ich würde sagen, kollidieren zu lassen, sorgen sie auch mit "Unicorn of Death" erneut mich mit offenen Mund stehen zu lassen. 
Die "outstanding points" sind unter anderem, die Drums (raw and direct), synth/bassline (great 80s influence) und natürlich wieder einmal der Chorus/Refrain. "Unicorn of Death" by I am the unicorn head, they did it again ... what? ... a great Job!!!



Q&A

If I compare the song with "Omnipresent" and "Eating Cornbread ..." it sounds very different, is the new track more Kid A or DLA based or 50/50?

DLA: I think it’s easier to view everything as being 50/50. Once a piece of music is shared then I consider it a collaborative effort and the best music is made when ego is removed from the equation.

KA: I agree, whatever we create together becomes unique, as none of these songs would exist without both of us working together on them.


The Synthline sounds great, like an 80s midi-Sequencer, what are your favorite 80s Artists?

KA: I like a lot of 80s synth music such as New Order, Depeche Mode , Human League etc. My favourite though is Japan, who were like a cooler Duran Duran (who I also like).


Do you think that there's a chance to see you somewhen in the future "on tour”?

DLA: If we became a global sensation and there was a great demand then I couldn’t refuse such an opportunity.

KA: If enough people enjoy and share our music, then maybe. It’s a nice thought!


What was the first ever Rock/Alternative/... song you listened to or remember on?

DLA: I was raised extremely sheltered from pop culture. We knew gospel music and some country. I moved to Baltimore in 1999 and all the sudden my upbringing changed and I was exposed to the nu metal scene and I fell in love with bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit. Specifically, I watched the 1999 VMAs and thought Kid Rock sounded cool. 
I feel very differently about the guy now but it was an introduction to a new type of music. Billy Ray Cyrus and church hymns did not resonate with my mind and soul but somehow Bawitdaba did.

KA: The two big alternative tracks that grabbed me were ‘This Charming Man’ by The Smiths, and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ by The Cure. I also love The Flaming Lips, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, REM, The Decemberists, and many many more. I have a large vinyl collection!


What's your most useful talent besides music?

DLA: I’m a slightly above average sprinter.

KA: I enjoy making videos


Third song, third direction, what was your inspiration for "Unicorn of Death"?

KA: We both have wide music tastes, so these influences end up finding their way into our songs. This particular song started as a Steven Wilson type prog song, and ended up perhaps more like an 80s synth track. 
We don’t get hung up around genres, we just make music we enjoy listening to ourselves!


The Track has it's own mini movie, as a music video, how is it to create such a music video, is it more fun or work?

KA: Making the videos is always fun. We have to try and make interesting and enjoyable videos to represent us, as we both live on different continents!



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