Hailing from the gritty heart of Coventry, shortstraw. bursts onto the 2026 music scene with her electrifying new single, ‘motorola’. Embodying a fiery spirit and unapologetic edge, Erin West, the mind behind shortstraw., crafts a sound filled with fierce energy and local angst, merging punk rawness with grime’s underground pulse.
This latest offering showcases the artist’s sharp tongue-in-cheek lyricism that nods to both pop culture and the nostalgia of the late 90s and early 2000s, serving up a cacophony of memories and emotions. Captured in a Premier Inn in Exeter under the haze of tour life with Sleaford Mods, Erin and her bandmate and producer Leo White conjured up ‘motorola’ in a single night, exploring the spontaneous and vibrant essence of their craft.
📸: @jxywst
Erin describes the sonic landscape of ‘motorola,’ stating, “The instrumental Leo created is a blend of heavy donks and distorted guitars, punctuated by the iconic ‘hello moto’ ringtone from the legendary Motorola flip phone. That nostalgic hook, ‘i think i might flip like a motorola’, encapsulates the frustration of dealing with people who just can’t take a hint—it’s an anthem for those ready to say, ‘flip you off and stand alone’.”
Every riff and pulsating beat within ‘motorola’ transcends the mere boundaries of music, igniting the crowd’s energy at every live performance, proving shortstraw. as a vital force in the current UK music landscape.
With an impressive track record of supporting acts like SOFT PLAY, Fat Dog, and Mannequin Pussy, and electrifying audiences at festivals such as The Great Escape, Boomtown, and End of the Road Festival, shortstraw. invites listeners on a raw and personal journey. Her work navigates the intertwined domains of politics, mental health, rave culture, and the unique experiences of growing up queer in Coventry.
Tune in to the music video for ‘motorola’ and immerse yourself in the captivating universe of shortstraw, where every beat is a testament to breaking boundaries and standing tall in a world full of noise.
