July 2012 – INDIE ROCK CAFE

Best New Music Releases, Week of July 24 – Fang Island, Passion Pit, Gaslight Anthem, Purity Ring, Young Moon, Grassfight

Posted on 07/29/201212/18/2019 by Max Hammer

IRC Band to Watch, Rhode Island trio, Fang Island, who are also veterans of the Top Ten Songs (being updated now) playlist mixes, and our Band to Watch series, first got our attention in 2010 with their terrific self-titled, debut album. They’ve shot back with a terrific new album, Major, an orgy of uptempo, guitar-riffing pop rock, featuring one song after the next of memorable anthems, as the two singles, “Sisterly” and “Seek It Out” included below clearly demonstrate.

The only thing that is a true disappointment is the crappy album cover art for Major, which is viewable via the album purchase link below. Really guys, this was the best you could come up with? But, the tracks on the album itself make up for the ugly gray cover. Following Fang Island are singles from The Gaslight Anthem, Eternal Summers, Passion Pit and many others.

“Sisterly” – Fang Island from Major on Sargent House

Double-shot: “Seek It Out” – Fang Island from Major on Sargent House

“45” – The Gaslight Anthem from Handwritten (Exclusive Deluxe Edition) on Mercury Records

“Millions” – Eternal Summers from Correct Behavior on Kanine Records

Passion Pit, Micachu and the Shapes, Young Moon

Passion Pit’s second album Gossamer dropped this week. Now a big budget band with the backing of Columbia Records, the band’s fans may have worried that Passion Pit would lose their touch with all that corporate influence – we’ve all seen how that influence has put a damper on the work of other bands, such as the latest album by Best Coast. Since the release of their popular debut, Manners, Passion Pit has made their name synonymous with electro-pop innovation.

Gossamer is a fine follow-up to Manners, complete with glistening synths, frequent tempo changes, absorbing melodies, tamer vocals, and intricate lyrics. The AV Club wrote: “Despite the emphasis on struggle, Gossamer couldn’t sound more assured” and The New York Times said: “For all the artificial splendor, there’s clearly a very human, very troubled voice at the center of these songs.” But some reviews were less enthusiastic; the BBC observed: “An impressive and varied second album, but one underpinned by noticeable troubles.” Also, listen to new singles from Micachu and The Shapes, Lawrence Arabia and Young Moon. Interesting the track, “Winds Light” from emerging artist Young Moon seems a little like a slowed down, melancholy version of Arcade Fire’s “Cold Wind” – just a little.

“Love Is Greed” – Passion Pit from Gossamer
via DoThePantsDance.com

Double-shot: “I’ll Be Alright” – Passion Pit from Gossamer on Columbia Records

“OK” – Micachu and the Shapes from Never on Rough Trade

“Traveling Shoes” – Lawrence Arabia from The Sparrow on Bella Union

“Winds Light” – Young Moon from Navigated Like the Swans on Western Vinyl

“Look Homeward, Heathen” – Grassfight from Icon EP2 (self-released)

Releases from Purity Ring, and New-to-Us Artists, Family Band, Foxygen, Grassfight and Others

The next three tracks seem to fit together in almost a Halloweenish kind of way. Purity Ring, by now a well-established band of the indie pop genre, return with a new album on 4AD, Shrines. The lead single, “Obedar” is glistening with rhythmic synth key loops, but most effective thanks to the melancholic lead vocals of classically trained pianist and vocalist Megan James accompanied by drifting choruses. Family Band take the mysterious and haunting elements to another level with “Night Song” from their new album, Moonbeams, plus Dots Will Echo picks up the tempo, while still thematically fitting with its predecessors.

“Obedear” – Purity Ring from Shrines on 4AD

“Night Song” – Family Band from Moonbeams on No Quarter

“I Like It” – Dots Will Echo from Drunk is the New Sober/Stupid is the New Dumb on Asthmatic Kitty

Singles from Shawn Lee, Foxygen, Heavenly Beat

“Head Up” – Shawn Lee from Synthesizers in Space on ESL Music

“Waitin’ 4 U” – Foxygen from Take the Kids Off Broadway on Jagjaguwar

“Messiah” – Heavenly Beat from Talent on Captured Tracks

“Long Way Up” – Three Mile Pilot from Maps EP on Temporary Residence

Best New Releases, Week of July 17, Vol. II – Conveyor, Cosmo Jarvis, Matisyahu, The History of Panic, Icky Blossoms, John Maus

Posted on 07/23/201212/18/2019 by Max Hammer

This is volume two of the lead singles from this past week’s Best New Music Releases. The first volume of fresh MP3 singles features a double-shot from Jeff The Brotherhood’s new album, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, plus The Very Best, Shout Out Out Out Out (yes, annoying), Frank Ocean (not really indie, but good stuff), The Drowning Men, among others.

conveyorband — Conveyor's first, self-titled album is one of the summer's best debut albums

Band To Watch Conveyor Release Debut; Offer Up Two Singles

Brooklyn indie rock/psychedelic pop quartet Conveyor deliver a mixture of avant-pop and Afro-pop to electronica and acoustic folk, creating textured melodies and rhythm shifts with synthesizers and guitar strings on their self-titled debut release. The first single, “Mukraker,” is a dreamy, lazy summer afternoon ‘chillwave’ song that features moments of levity with soaring harmonies, smooth melodies, calming synths, hand claps and even a horn section to boot. One thing is clear about Conveyor – they have a flare, and a talent, for incorporating all kinds of musical styles that that make their songs enjoyable, playful and memorable. The self-titled debut is full of such songs, and there is a good potential that Conveyor will be among IRC’s Best Debuts of the year, which will be dtermnd

As Deli Magazine put it: “Animal Collective comparisons aren’t a stretch, but their Fleet Foxes-like harmonies arch into what a mad scientist’s symphony would sound like his in his own head.” Not only is the new record one of the best debuts of 2012, but the band are easily on our Bands to Watch list. If you don’t already follow IRC on Twitter and Facebook, where we regularly post music, news, playlists – some of which are not posted on the site – you should. Right now there is a very easy-to-enter contest running to win a free high quality, studio master MP3 zip of Conveyor’s debut album.

“Mukraker” – Conveyor from Conveyor

Double-shot: “Woolgatherer” – Conveyor from Conveyor

Cosmo Jarvis and Matisyahu Release Different Singles with Same Title

Perhaps the anti-thesis of a typical summer song, Cosmo Jarvis’ new single, “Sunshine.” In his song “Sunshine,” Jarvis proclaims something that is rarely heard: “I’m so sick of the sunshine, maybe because it burns my skin.” As a resident of Tampa, perhaps that make some sense, but the area has had its share of clouds and storms this summer.

There is also another song this week titled “Sunshine” from the long-running, international collective, Matisyahu. The song is the lead single from the band’s new LP, Spark Seeker. Of the two same-named singles out this week, this one is a perfectly appropriate song to play hanging out on the beach having a party, or barbecuing in the backyard. “Sunshine” marvelously integrates hip-hop, reggae and world music into one groove. It’s a good thing there are bands like Matisyahu – they keep music fresh and interesting.

“Sunshine” – Cosmo Jarvis from Think Bigger on 25th Frame/ The End Records

“Sunshine” – Matisyahu from Spark Seeker on Fallen Sparks Records
via ThisBonusTrack.com

Finally, review lead singles from new albums by Detroit band The History of Panic; Omaha trio Icky Blossoms; singer/songwriter John Maus; Virginia fiddlers Old Crow Medicine Show, plus Jen Schande and The Stowaways.

“The Chase” – The History of Panic from Fight! Fight! Fight! on Le Grand Magistery

“Perfect Vision” – Icky Blossoms from Perfect Vision on Saddle Creek

“Bennington” – John Maus from A Collection of Rarities and Previously Unreleased Material on Ribbon Music

“Mississippi Saturday Night” – Old Crow Medicine Show from Carry Me Back on ATO Records

“I Really Like Sonic Youth and I Really Want to Have Sex with You” – Jen Schande from 19: Songs for and Inspired by Valencia Chapter 19 (self-released)

“Changing Times” – The Stowaways from Changing Times (self-released)

In Volume One of the Best New Music Releases, Week of July 17, Jeff The Brotherhood’s new album was our pick for Album of the Week, and two singles were posted. For good measure, here is a third via SoundCloud. The track is called “Leave Me Out.”
JEFF the Brotherhood – Leave Me Out by JEFF The Brotherhood

Best New Music Releases – Jeff The Brotherhood, Shout Outs4, The Very Best, Frank Ocean, The Drowning Men, Mum, The Blank Tapes

Posted on 07/22/201212/18/2019 by Max Hammer

The Album of the Week goes to Jeff The Brotherhood‘s Hypnotic Nights, the band’s seventh studio album. This is the band’s second album (the first was last fall’s We Are The Champions) with Warner Brothers, who they signed with in 2011 , while retaining their long-relationship with Infinity Cat Recordings. The deal with Warner has been pitched by their PR people as a way to give the band a wider distribution while JTB is assured “substantial creative control.” What exactly that means is unknown, but “substantial” is less than “total” or “full.” Some die-hard fans have accused the band of selling out by signing with a major label. Whether it’s a good move for the band over the long term remains to be seen. For example, the new album has received good reviews from a variety of popular mainstream music outlets and blogs, but not raving reviews.

The All Music Guide remarked: “if [Hypnotic Nights] isn’t able to kick off your summer, nothing will” while Rolling Stone wrote: “it’s got a good-natured sense of slacker irony.” The album was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, and it’s possible to hear Auerbach’s influence for anyone who is a Black Keys’ fan. Hypnotic Nights has a number of memorable tracks, including the unmistakable summer kicker, “Sixpack,” the first lead single release from the album. It would have been an even better track if the band had extended it a little longer to include a mid-song, all-out jam. And this is probably one element wherein the Warner influence prevailed because they’re aiming for a wider audience now, where songs tend to be produced to be more “radio-friendly.”

“Sixpack” – Jeff The Brotherhood from Hypnotic Nights on Infinity Cat Recordings/Warner

Soundcloud: “Mystic Portal II” – Jeff The Brotherhood from Hypnotic Knights on Infinity Cat Recordings/Warner

Note: Look for more tracks from the past week’s new releases in Vol. II, coming up in just about an hour from now.

New Singles and Albums from The Drowning Men, Shout Outs4, The Very Best, Frank Ocean and More

This mini-block playlist-within-a-playlist kicks off with the new single from The Drowning Men, “Lost In A Lullaby,” a catchy, flourishing summer-soundtrack type of song that reminds us of Arcade Fire, but which is also unique enough that it’s not some half-assed rip-off of AF’s signature sound – driving, almost frenzied rhythms, larger-than-life choruses, and the inclusion of woods and strings along with the cornerstone elements of pop rock – guitar, drums and bass. Chances are if you dig this track, you’ll want to get your hands on the band’s new album, All The Unknown.

“Lost In A Lullaby” – The Drowning Men from All The Unknown on Borstal Beat Records

Shout Out Out Out Out dropped a new album this week featuring the single, (really, four ‘Outs’? Maybe just ‘Shout Outs?’), Never The Same Way Twice,” which is a decent song. But the band name is awkward and annoying for people to speak or type it – and completely unnecessary. The name doesn’t resinate, especially when you consider there is a fairly popular indie band by the name of the Shout Out Louds. Sometimes it seems as if bands don’t understand how important it is to pick a good band name, and why it’s not a good thing to pick a name that is difficult to say or write, and to Google. Then there is the whole thing about “is it three Outs, or four or five?” It’s not hard to see why “keep it simple stupid” is a good motto to go with; if you look at many successful bands, their names are rather simple.

“Never the Same Way Twice” – Shout Out Out Out Out from Spanish Moss and Total Loss on Normals Welcome Records

Frank Ocean's new album, Channel Orange, is No. 2 on Amazon - MP3 album only $2.99 by clicking the album cover

Alright, now that that (SOOOO’s name) is Out in the open, the next single, “Pyramids,” from Frank Ocean, who is not necessarily an ‘indie’ artist, is deserving of mention because his newest album, Orange, is an impressive collection of songs, featuring more of his top-notch R&B mixed with a range of other genres. By now, most everyone has heard that Ocean recently revealed that he had a happy, loving gay relationship with another man while he was in his late teens. One thing is for sure – that takes a lot of guts on a number of levels. We think it also makes him and his music more authentic and from the heart. For a limited time, get the MP3 version of Channel Ocean for only $2.99 via this Amazon link.

“Pyramids” – Frank Ocean from Channel Orange on Island Def Jam

“Yoshua Alikuti” – The Very Best from MTMTMK on Moshi Moshi

“Take My Bones Away” – Baroness from Yellow & Green, on Relapse Records

The Dust Engineers, The Black Swans, Mum, and The Blank Tapes

The Dust Engineers unearth some find alternative country rock on “Snot Nosed Dweeb” (titled reminds us of a Sonic Youth track), the lead single from their new EP, Bail via No Horse Town Records. Plus, listen to new singles from fresh drops by experimental Icelandic band Mum and L.A. garage rockers The Blank Tapes; and to close out part one of releases for the week of July 17th (wow, summer, you are flying fast), two Soundcloud singles from Monterrey, Mexico band Kinky; and, Columbus, Ohio folk band, The Black Swans. The song is also a candidate for the next edition of the State of Music playlist series (picking up, in a way, where Sufjan left off).

“Snot Nosed Dweeb” – The Dust Engineers from Bail EP on No Horse Town

“0,000Orð” – Múm from Early Birds on Morr Music

“I’m Back” – The Blank Tapes from I’m Back 7″ on on 20-Sided Records

“Negro Dia (feat. Mala Rodriguez)” – Kinky from Sueño De La Maquina on Nacional Records

“Portsmouth, Ohio” – The Black Swans from Occasion For Song on Misra Records

Best New Music Releases, Week of July 10th – Dirty Projectors, Twin Shadow, Mission of Burma, Videoing, Deleted Scenes

Posted on 07/14/201212/18/2019 by Max Hammer

After a thin week for new albums during the July 4th holiday, things got back to normal last week with a hefty new batch of fresh releases from Dirty Projectors, Twin Shadow, Deleted Scenes, Digitalism, Summer Camp, Husky, Communist Daughter and more. Plus, after three decades, the post-punk/alt rock band Mission of Burma sound better than ever on their new, widely-acclaimed release, UnSound.

There are also a few impressive debut albums dropped last week, from bands to watch, Videoing and Western Affairs, as well as Holograms, Debo Band and Deep Time. Western Affairs are also a DIY band, as are The Young Evils, who’ve made a name for themselves in and around Seattle, including opening gigs for the Vaselines and Pearl Jam.

The Dirty Projectors‘ sixth studio album, Swing Lo Magellan, was a year in the making, and features the band’s most melodic and intricate album to date, packed with strange textures, rapid transitions, and soaring harmonies. The press and fans have hailed the album, some calling it DP’s best work to date. In fact, The Los Angeles Times wrote: “Dirty Projectors still get itchy at the prospect of sleek surfaces, and their uneasiness is a thrill to behold.” For anyone who liked the band’s first album, Swing Lo Magellan is a must-have, and for a limited time the MP3 version is only $3.99 via Amazon. All this week’s releases are also available, when applicable, via CD and vinyl. A complete list for this past week’s releases is included at the end of this post.

“Gun Has No Trigger” – Dirty Projectors from Swing Lo Magellan on Domino
via TheWheelisStillinSpin.com

Twin Shadow Follows Up Debut With Another Terrific Album of ’80s Nostalgia

Twin Shadow also dropped a new album, Confess, featuring George Lewis Jr.‘s upbeat, 80’s sounding jams and touching ballads. Twin Shadow’s second LP, the follow-up to his hugely popular 2010 indie debut, Forget, is being hailed by much of the music press and blogs as another home run. Drowned in Sound called it “wholly brilliant”; Pitchfork noted: “[it] is defined by its melodic and emotional immediacy” and Slant Magazine boasted: “…an altogether superior effort, and one of the few modern indie releases that handles its 80s reverence with dexterity.” Click the album title below to get Confess for only $3.99 via Amazon.

“Five Seconds” – Twin Shadow from Confess on 4AD

Band to Watch, Austin’s Gritty Videoing, Drops Debut

The new Austin music project, Videoing, blends hi-tech industrial with lo-fi cogs, gears, and whistles, to produce a sound that is dark and driving, gritty and grinding. “Night Watch” is all of those things and one of the best singles released this month. The haunting, grimy grit of “Night Watch” lightens a bit with a pronounced uptempo beat, a melodic synth jam infusion, as well as a shifting and disorienting aspect that demonstrates the band’s impressive songwriting and recording skills.

Videoing’s debut album, Reader LP, pricks the ears of unsuspecting listeners, and the audiophile community at large. The band sent three tracks to post; two are posted below as a double-shot; the third, “Crimson Waves” will be Monday’s Song of the Day. Plus, they’re on our Band to Watch list.

“Night Watch” – Videoing from Reader LP on Slack Electric

Double-shot: “Driver’s River” – Videoing from Reader LP

Deleted Scenes: Another Band to Watch This Week On Heels of New LP

The dream pop fuzziness of Deleted Scenes’ single, “Bedbedbedbed,” conjures up a sense of floating, and a great track for a ‘chill out’ playlist. The relaxing, hazy atmosphere of the band’s sound is only part of their appeal. The album, Young People’s Church of Air, is so impressive among

“Bedbedbedbedbed” – Deleted Scenes from Young People’s Church of Air on Park The Van

Double-shot: “English As A Second Language” – Deleted Scenes from Young People’s Church of Air on Park The Van

Mission of Burma Sound Better Than Ever on New LP

The legendary post-punk, alt. rock band, Mission of Burma, jump back into the fray with their fourth album since their reunion in 2006. What makes their newest album so alluring to long-time MoB fans is that their sound hasn’t changed much at all, yet as the All Music Guide wrote: “…their musical wanderlust has resulted in one of the most exciting and eye-opening albums they’ve made to date.”

On Unsound, MoB engineer distorted, brash compositions as they did 30 years ago, splicing together wrenching, yet appealing, vocal harmonies within a cacophony of raw guitar progressions and staggered tape loops that the NME called “thrilling clatter, which shames bands half their age.” Reviews have been mostly positive from the mainstream press and the blogosphere, and sure to satisfy fans, both new and old. To that end, the band sent in two tracks – our third double-shot of the week – “Second Television” and “Dust Devil,” which are as ragged and rough as ever, or as Paste put it: “truly glorious noise.”

“Second Television” – Mission of Burma from Unsound on Fire

Holograms Drops Debut; Plus, Husky, Western Affairs

Holograms rocks with rapid succession on the single “ABC City” from their new, self-titled album debut. Another single, “History’s Door” by the band Husky was a Song of the Day earlier in the week. The track is sort of a punk dances with indie rock sound that reminds us of Kaiser Chiefs, with a frantic pace and chorus vocals singing: “Isolation” followed by a blistering guitar solo at the tail side of the track. The song has wracked up over 12,000 plays on SoundCloud in just four weeks.

“ABC City” – Holograms from Holograms on Captured Tracks

“History’s Door” – Husky from Forever So on Sub Pop

Western Affairs, currently a DIY band, dropped their album, 2000, this past week. The single, “Laura,” is an uplifting indie pop/rock track that almost feels a bit like you’re soaring in the sky on a beautiful summer day. Sure that’s a bit corny, but what the hell; we think it’s perfect for a summer 2012 indie playlist. We haven’t heard the entire album yet, but it’s on the “Listen To” list.

“Laura” – Western Affairs from 2000 (self-released)

Seattle’s The Young Evils Drop EP; Plus, Aesop Rock, Communist Daughter, Delicate Steve and Others

Next, the Seattle rock band, The Young Evils, are back with a fresh EP, Foreign Spells, that was produced by Shane Stoneback (The Cults, Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells). Producer Barrett Jones (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) worked on the band’s bouncy, pop-driven 2010 debut album Enchanted Chapel. The band started out as a way to pay homage to the Nirvana-popularized duo, Vaselines, in 2008 by songwriter and founder, Troy Nelson and lead singer Mackenzie Mercer. The Young Evils have opened for the Vaselines and Pearl Jam, which is indicative of their talent and popularity in the Pacific Northwest.

“When Sally Walked In The Rain” – The Young Evils from Foreign Spells (self-released)

“Zero Dark Thirty” – Aesop Rock from Skelethon (only $3.99 limited time via Amazon) on Rhymesayers Entertainment

“Ghosts” – Communist Daughter from The Lions & Lambs EP on Grain Belt Records

“Two Lovers” – Delicate Steve from Positive Force (CD) on Luaka Bop

“A New Drug” – Digitalism from DJ-Kicks on !K7 Records

“Hidden” – Erika Spring from Erika Spring EP on Cascine

“Life” – Summer Camp from Always EP on Apricot Recording Company/Moshi Moshi Records

“Lessons of Darkness (Apology)” – Supreme Cuts from Whispers in the Dark on Dovecote Records

“I Still Pull the Silver (From the Penny Drawer)” – Jonathan Byerley from Catherine Market on La Société Expéditionnaire

“Play Along” – Dan Le Sac from Space Between the Words on Sunday Best

“Asha Gedawo” – Debo Band from Debo Band on Sub Pop

“Clouds” – Deep Time from Deep Time on Hardly Art

New Music Releases: Week of July 10th, 2012

Click any version – MP3, CD or vinyl – for any of the releases listed below and you’ll be taken right to the Amazon purchase page where you can check out. When you purchase albums with IRC’s links in any post, we get a few cents for each completed order, which helps us pay our server and related costs to run the website.

Aesop Rock – Skelethon | CD Vinyl MP3 Deluxe MP3
Allies for Everyone – Scavenger [EP] | MP3
A Band of Buriers – Filth | MP3
Beak – Beak II | CD Vinyl MP3
Bravestation – Giants & Dreamers | MP3
Zac Brown Band – Uncaged | CD MP3
Chatham County Line – Sight & Sound [Live] | CD Vinyl MP3
Clare and the Reasons – KR-51 | Clare and the Reasons – KR-51 CD Vinyl MP3
Communist Daughter – Lions & Lambs [EP] | CD MP3
Dead Rat Orchestra – The Guga Hunters of Ness | CD Vinyl MP3
Debo Band – Debo Band | CD Vinyl MP3
Deep Time – Deep Time | CD Vinyl MP3
Deleted Scenes – Young People’s Church of the Air | CD Vinyl
Delicate Steve – Positive Force | CD Vinyl MP3
Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan | CD Vinyl Deluxe Vinyl MP3
Duran Duran – A Diamond in the Mind [Live] | CD DVD Blu-ray MP3
Dusted – Total Dust | CD Vinyl MP3
The Early November – In Currents | CD Vinyl MP3
Family of the Year – Loma Vista | CD MP3
Glass Cloud – Royal Thousand | CD MP3
Glocca Morra – Just Married | MP3
Holograms – Holograms | CD MP3
Husky – Forever So | CD Vinyl MP3
I Call Fives – I Call Fives | CD MP3
Impossible Arms – Ripped in No Time | CD Vinyl MP3
Kadavar – Kadavar | CD MP3
Dan Le Sac – Space Between the Words | MP3
Eleni Mandell – I Can See the Future | CD Vinyl MP3
Marina and the Diamonds – Electra Heart | CD MP3 Deluxe MP3
Mission of Burma – Unsound | CD Vinyl MP3
Origami Ghosts – It Doesn’t Exist | MP3
Ozarks – Ozarks [EP] | MP3
The Restorations – A/B [EP] | MP3
Saint Motel – Voyeur | MP3
Erika Spring – Erika Spring [EP] | Vinyl MP3
Suit of Lights – Shine On Forever | MP3
Bibi Tanga and The Selenites – 40 Degrees of Sunshine | CD
Serj Tankian – Harakiri | CD MP3 Deluxe MP3
Theclosing – Theclosing | CD MP3
Twin Shadow – Confess | CD Vinyl MP3
The Ugly Club – You Belong to the Minutes | MP3
Van She – Idea of Happiness | MP3
Videoing – Reader | MP3
Hank Williams Jr. – Old School New Rules | CD Vinyl MP3

7 Bands You Gotta Hear, Vol. II – Mothlight, Tiger Waves, Cherokee Red, Esther, Calling Morocco, The Casuals, The Dark Lights

Posted on 07/11/201207/22/2021 by Max Hammer

Last year, we launched a new playlist series titled 7 Bands You Gotta Hear, Vol. I, which was particularly popular. Afterwards, we posted Volume Two – 7 Overseas Bands You Gotta Hear – which focused on non-U.S. bands who sent in their music via our submission form. Both volumes were special editions of the long-running, and popular, In Dee Mail playlist series.

[zbplayer]

A number of the tracks from each volume even made the weekly Top 10 Songs playlists, which are determined by how many times a song was streamed or downloaded. Also, many of the artists in this series have never been profiled on a major music site, and in some cases, not even on smaller, independent blogs.

In this third volume of 7 DIY Bands You Gotta Hear: Mothlight; Tiger Waves, Cherokee Red, Esther, Calling Morocco, The Casuals, The Dark Lights

Mothlight: A San Diego Shoegaze Artist to Watch

A couple of years ago we featured new music from Mothlight, the shoegaze/electronic music project of San Diego musician Matt Billings. Mothlight’s musical philosophy is based on incorporating various ideas, structures and genres that range from ambient to Top 40 pop, thus creating a lush and unique sound. His songs, Billings said, are originally composed on guitar, and later mixed with ambient pads and electronic beats to create a dense backdrop for his vocal arrangements. Mothlight’s new EP, American Spirit, was released on May 17th.

Previously Opened For: None
Musical Influences: Weatherbox, Snuffaluffagus, Lanterns, Atlas Sound, Chromatics, Panda Bear, Radiohead, Stereolab, Young Marble Giants
Artist website: http://mothlight.bandcamp.com
Year Formed: 2007

New Band Cherokee Red Fronted By Singer Christiana Bartolini

Over the past five years, there has been a noticeable increase of talented bands fronted by standout female vocalists. Add Pennsylvania‘s DIY dream pop band Cherokee Red to that list with singer Christiana Bartolini at the helm. The band calls the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area of Pennsylvania home.

Last year, Bartolini and Charles Davis embarked on a series of productive songwriting sessions, and were soon joined by a group of other musicians, including Philadelphians Brittany Thomas and Andrew Sgarlat.

Shortly there after, classically trained, multi-instrumentalist Dirk Dekker (not that guy in the movie Boogie Nights, mind you) joined Cherokee Red. The newly formed quintet have just recently completed an EP in classic DIY fashion, and now spend their time between Philadelphia, Manhattan, and Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre. Within a couple of months of forming, Cherokee Red had opened for popular indie bands like Slowdance and Royal Baths.

The only thing we have to say about the band name is that it would not be a band name we would recommend because of how it can be misinterpreted, and because it creates an unnecessary distraction. However, band member Charlie Davis said: “We borrowed it from a (now out of business) local soda, Cherikee Red; and it is also Frank Lloyd Wright’s favorite color paint…I believe the term “Cherokee Red” to be devoid of negative connotation.”

Previously Opened For: Slowdance, Royal Baths
Musical Influences: The Shangri- Las, King Tubby, Mazzy Star, Au Revoire Simone, Gold Motel, The Misfits
Artist website: facebook.com/cherokeeredmusic
Year Formed: 2011

Austin’s Tiger Waves Make Waves With New LP

Not even a year old, Austin DIY experimental folk/surf rock band Tiger Waves have been making waves of their own within the city’s bustling, and crowded, indie music community. Austin is revered as one of the epicenters of the indie and alternative rock world, rivaling cities like New York, Los Angeles, London, San Francisco and Portland. Afterall, for a quarter of a century now, Austin has hosted the world’s largest alternative music festival/conference/convention – South By Southwest (SXSW).

Within a matter of a few months following their formation, Tiger Waves started creating a buzz among critics, bloggers and music lovers in Austin and beyond. Within two months, Tiger Waves was on tour opening for popular artists like Youth Lagoon and Gardens & Villas. At SXSW in March, they were much talked about as a new band to see live.

Artists Opened For: Youth Lagoon, Gardens & Villas
Top Musical Influences: Radiohead, The Beach Boys, Grizzly Bear, The Magnetic Fields
Official Website: http://tigerwaves.bandcamp.com
Year Formed: 2011

Esther Delivers Indie Rock/Pop Disco from Sweden

Esther is an indie rock/pop disco band from Sverige, Sweden who we think are a band more people in the U.S. need to hear. Markus Magnusson, the band’s front man, told IRC that his band’s newest album is in the works and being produced by Ronald Bood (Mando Diao, Dntel). The yet-to-be-titled album will contain 10 or 12 songs, and is set to be released in the fall of 2012. The first single, “To Let Go,” released on May 17th, is a good way to kick off this playlist because it has an uptempo summer pop feel that is likely to connect with indie pop fans .

“To Let Go” – Esther from TBA

Previously Opened For: Shout Out Louds, The Realistics, The Ark, Melody Club
Musical Influences: The Beatles, Kinks and Stones to Pulp, The Clash, Edith Piaf
Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47UmG_r9G78
Band website:
Year Formed: 2001

Extra: If you dig “To Let Go,” check out this relatively new music video for another new track “I’ve Heard It All Before”. Fans of bands like Free Energy are most likely to enjoy Esther’s music. It’s safe to say, although only two songs are available right now, that Esther could catch on in the U.S. If our web statistics who a high number of streams and downloads of the songs presented in this profile, the band will be featured as a DIY Band to Watch.

Davis Band Drops Everything For Near Endless Touring

Calling Morocco is a multi-genre rock, punk and alt. country trio from Davis, California, who left their dead-end jobs, sold their belongings and sublet their apartments in the fall of 2011, loaded up a van, and have been touring the country non-stop ever since.

In the past six months, they’ve played over 100 shows in 20 states, according to guitarist and singer, Kyle Olson. He said the band plans to squeeze in 15 to 20 shows a month, and will be content to live on the road in order to do what they love.

“Summer” – Calling Morocco from Outside Providence – May 21st

“Break Your Heart” – Calling Morocco from Outside Providence

Previously Opened For: Chad Price (Drag The River), Lizzie Huffman, Terrible Things, Gringo Star, Wires In The Walls, The Hooten Hallers, Boom Chick, My Life In Black And White, among others
Musical Influences: Lucero, The Gaslight Anthem, Drag The River, Uncle Tupelo, Queen, Against Me!
Artist Website:
Year Formed: 2010

Long Island Band The Casual Hearts’ ‘Melodic Emo Hip Hop’

The Casual Hearts are an unsigned rock quintet from Huntington, New York who sent us their new double-sided single, dropped back in May. Roctober Magazine described the band’s music as “melodic emo hip hop.” That’s not a bad way of putting it, especially after you listen to both songs – which ironically sound very different from each other. However, of the two tracks, “The Taurus Song” is definitely better overall, even though it’s almost 10 minutes long. The B-side track is included below just to give people an idea of their varying sound and style.

With its emo/hip hop stylings, the B-side of the single, “My Cold Feet Is Karma,” [sic] is a total departure from the first single. The band describe their music as “multi-genre influenced rock that seems to find a place in a wide variety of music lovers’ collection.” We’re not entirely clear what that means, but so be it. The Casual Hearts are currently playing shows in the NYC area.

“The Taurus Song” – Casual Hearts from The Taurus Song single – May 29th

“My Cold Feet Is Karma“- Casual Hearts from The Taurus Song single

Previously Opened For: Patent Pending
Musical Influences: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Johnson, Michael Jackson, Fall Out Boy, Brand New, Led Zeppelin, The Mars Volta, Jay-Z, 311
Artist Website: http://www.casualhearts.com
Year Formed: 2008

London-via-Australia Indie Electronic Band, The Dark Lights

The Dark Lights is a London-based Australian indie elecronica band that are beginning to get more attention beyond their homeland, especially following the release of their latest EP, The Boy Who Saw Through Walls, on June 4th. The EP was recorded across two continents and mixed by Adelaide-based American producer John DeMichele. The Boy Who Saw Through Walls intertwines layered soundscapes around heartfelt vocals, with experimental guitar melodies and tight drums, driving the pace of their songs as demonstrated by the two singles below. The band has definitely elevated the craft of indie electronic. In fact, The Independent Music News wrote: “Get ready kids – indie is modern again…with the sound of music.” Having completed an extensive U.K. tour in late 2011, and selling out their single “The Eye,” on pre-orders alone, The Dark Lights are planning another U.K. tour in September and an Australian tour in 2013.

“The Eye” – The Dark Lights from The Boy Who Saw Through Walls – June 4th

“Makers” – The Dark Lights from The Boy Who Saw Through Walls

Previously Opened For: Dukes of Windsor, Cassette Kids
Musical Influences: Bloc Party, Acrade Fire, Battles, Friendly Fires, The Presets
Artist Website:
Year Formed: 2008

Best New Music Releases, Week of July 3 – Sunglasses, Easter Island, Gold Motel, Johnny Hickman, Teenage Bottlerocket

Posted on 07/08/201212/18/2019 by Max Hammer

This past week was the thinnest week of new releases since the first week of January. The holidays usually are light on new releases because labels know people’s attention is elsewhere. Still, we have some releases definitely worth checking out, including singles from Easter Island, Gold Motel, and Johnny Hickman. But the singles that get our attention the most are two tracks from the duo Sunglasses’ first EP in two years, Swim/Namesake EP. Unfortunately, we can’t find a link on Amazon to purchase the EP, so you might want to check out the link that goes to the Lefse Records label website.

“Swim” – Sunglasses from Namesake/Swim EP on Lefse Records

Double-shot: “Namesake” – Sunglasses from Namesake/Swim EP on Lefse Records

“Frightened” – Easter Island from Frightened (self-released)

“Always One Step Ahead” – Gold Motel from Gold Motel on Good As Gold/Thirty Tigers

“Measure of a Man” – Johnny Hickman from Tilting on Campstove Records

teenagebottlerocketdonewithlove — Photo by Dawn Wilder for Rolling Stone

Teenage Bottlerocket Release Fifth Album, Plus New Single, “Done With Love”

The riotous Wyoming punk rock band Teenage Bottlerocket released their fifth studio album, Freak Out!, this week containing the infectious single, “Done With Love!” The lyrics are all about a guy who just doesn’t have the time or will to deal with the requirements and dramas of being in love – something probably most of us have encountered at one time or another. A few lines from the lyrics include the following pronouncement: “I got shit to do/No time for hanging out and no time for you/I’ve got no time to waste/I’d rather be some other place.”

From Rolling Stone magainze, June 26, 2012:

According to vocalist and guitarist Kody Templeman, the lyrics were inspired by his own experience ending a relationship.

“I wrote it after my ex-wife and I were divorced,” Templeman tells Rolling Stone. “It’s about finding strength in keeping people at arm’s length and not letting anyone close enough to hurt you again. I had the idea of going completely overboard with this idea, to the point of writing off love completely for the rest of my life, when I penned the tune.”

Let’s start a club for people that don’t want to deal with “love,” and members can end their membership at any time, but before doing so, fellow members need to remind you of why you joined in the first place. Maybe call it “Safehouse for the Broken Hearted.” E-Harmony: harmonize this. Now that’s a punk rock song right there.

“Done With Love!” – Teenage Bottlerocket from Freak Out!

Recent Releases Almost Missed, Vol. XXI – TRMRS, The D.A., Pale Seas, Starlight Girls, Finn Riggins, Buxton, AJ Nutter

Posted on 07/06/201212/18/2019 by Max Hammer

The southern California band, TRMRS, which is an abbreviation of “tremors,” released a split 7-inch vinyl, Good Time Blues, on April 7th with Seattle rock band The Night Beats. The title track, “Good Time Blues” is a five-minute guitar jam that switches between ‘trash-pop’ and surf rock. The B-side single, “Enter The Door,” is a crashing psychedelic rock track that also includes elements of space pop and chill wave.

Different people have different ways to describe the same songs. With that caveat, the music blog, The Hollow Eyed, described the B-side single, “Enter the Door,” as “Dream Syndicate-style paisley power pop with reverby , slacker surfy shine,” and continued, “whereas the preview’s title track takes the sun-bleached mentality and, like a rocket into the basement, covered in slime, gives off a much bouncier and squirming blaze.” However, there is confusion, and conflicting accounts, around what The Night Beats contribution was to the double single.

“Good Times Blues” – TRMRS from Good Time Blues – April 7th

“Something Or Nothing” – Pale Seas from Something Or Nothing – March 6th

“Big Woman” – The D.A. from You Kids! – March 13th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9hMzB1Qq68

“Benchwarmers” – Finn Riggins from Benchwarmers EP – April 17th

“The Hunch” – Starlight Girls from Starlight Girls – March 24th

“Boy of Nine” – Buxton from Nothing Here Seems Strange – Jan. 31st

“When The Sun Sets” – Mouth of Ghosts from When The Sun Sets – May 1st

AJ Nutter Inspired by Hitchcock’s Classic, ‘The Birds’

From Lancaster, Pennsylvania, ambient electronic artist AJ Nutter released a 10-inch vinyl double-sided LP in February via 16 Pound Rabbit, featuring hand-dripped wax on the jacket. Influenced by Alfred Hitchcock‘s film, The Birds, Nutter created a musical composition that reflects his admiration for the horror film classic.

He wrote that the 100 limited blue vinyl LPs are likely most interesting to Hitchcock fans and soundtrack enthusiasts. Here are two tracks from the album, including “Bodega Bay,” which is a small seaside town about 35 miles north of San Francisco where Hitchcock filmed many scenes from the movie. In fact, the old school house from the film remains in tact and has been a tourist attraction for more than 60 years.

“Bodega Bay” – AJ Nutter from The Birds – March 1st