# 5 DIY Bands to Watch, Vol. IV – White Like Fire, Aware Wolf, Peace Arrow, Raheem Cohen, and Spoons & Chopsticks

- Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2013/03/5-diy-bands-to-watch-vol-iv-white-like-fire-aware-wolf-peace-arrows-raheem-cohen-and-spoons-chopsticks/
- Published: 2013-03-26T04:04:50-04:00
- Author: Max Hammer

[[
 Anyone who has been following IRC for some time knows that we roll differently
than most indie and alternative music blogs and sites. In a given year, we feature
hundreds of DIY and small label bands and artists that are not as well-known as 
they should be compared to their talents. Having listened to thousands of bands 
via our submission box, or that we’ve come across on the web and been referred to
by others, in the past five years, we’re constantly blown away by how much under-
the-radar talent there is in the States and around the world. Many of these bands
get their first significant exposure on IRC.

We’re simply convinced after listening to these tracks over and over again during
the past few weeks that this band, and the others featured in any number of profiles
and playlists, are making great music that more people need to hear. Every time 
we feature a largely unknown, and totally DIY, artist or band, and they get a positive
response from readers (via views, Likes and Tweets), we feel like we’re making a
little tiny bit of indie history (how pretentious!). And so, here is the fourth 
edition of 5 DIY Bands to Watch in 2013 – White Like Fire, Aware Wolf, Peace Arrow,
Raheem Cohen, and Spoons & Chopsticks.

See this little embedded player right here? If you click that, it’ll play all the
songs on this page. We’ll have a new player soon.

[⌊whitelikefire2⌉⌊whitelikefire2⌉[

Pittsburgh DIY band to watch White Like Fire

#### White Like Fire – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Fans of **Elvis Costello**, **Billy Joel, Joe Jackson,** and **Jackson Browne** 
take note. But fans of **Matt & Kim, The Killers** and **Weezer** also take note.**
Pittsburgh** DIY quartet, White Life Fire, consists of brothers, **Blake** and **
Tyler Clawson, Evan Cresswell** and **Joe Killian**, a new wave/pop rock band worth
taking note of. They create heavily melodic, spirited, fast-driving pop rock tracks
that sound like they should be on the radio 30 years ago, as the track “Dead People”
demonstrates, as well as the **Weezer** and **The Killers**-sounding melodies of
the track, “Lies.” Three of the band members moved from the hinterlands of the Pennsylvania
countryside to set-up shop in Pittsburgh, where they met Killian to form WLF and
attend school at U of Pitt. The band suddenly attracted a local following and in
late January released their second EP, _Lies_. “We love playing as hard as we can
for our fans and our fans love it when we light things on fire,” Clawson said.

Related Post:  5 DIY Bands to Watch, Vol. VIII - Hospital, Get Inuit, Mary Goes 
Wild, The Unassisted and Rascal Experience

The band has shared the stage with **All Time Low**, **Hounds Below**, the **Von
Bondies**‘ side project as well as **Black Kids**‘ side project, **Alex Goot** and**
Brian Olive** (Greenhornes), and name bands like **The Chariot** and **The Cribs**
among their favorites.

“Dead People” – **White Like Fire** from _Lies_ – Jan. 29th

“Lies” – **White Like Fire** from _Lies_

[White Like Fire Official website](https://indierockcafe.com/2013/03/5-diy-bands-to-watch-vol-iv-white-like-fire-aware-wolf-peace-arrows-raheem-cohen-and-spoons-chopsticks/ whitelikefire.com)

#### New York Duo Aware Wolf on the Watch List

From **New York**, DIY duo **Aware Wolf**. Having met in school, the members of 
Aware Wolf started writing songs together with a simple mission of being “a kick-
ass rock band.” AW’s style combines the grungy color of garage rock with the catchiness
of indie pop. Recently, they wrote, recorded and self-released a three-song debut
EP and are currently working on another EP and planning live shows. We’ll definitely
keep you informed of updates from the band; in the meantime, check out these two
attention-getting singles.

 “Skummy Skummy Skam Guy” – **Aware Wolf** from _Aware Wolf_ EP

 “Snow Bone” – **Aware Wolf** from _Aware Wolf_ EP

Aware Wolf on [Bandcamp](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/aware-wolf.bandcamp.com)
and [Facebook](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/AWAREWOLFinNYC).

![peace-arrows](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/peace-arrows.
jpg "peace-arrows")

#### Peace Arrows – Gainesville, Florida

**Peace Arrow** is the solo project of **Gainesville** musician **Mitch Myers**,
who has been active in experimental band **Hear Hums** since 2009. Peace Arrow borrows
from the same sound palette of Hear Hums’ recent output, which is no doubt heavily
influenced by **Animal Collective**, as the spacey, experimental sounds and effects
on tracks like “Gems” and “Doors” from his debut album ↑↓↑↓, demonstrate. Myers’
view on indie rock is that it’s “rooted in DIY attitudes, letting the touring band
who booked their own tour crash on your floor, [it’s] music that won’t necessarily
come find you.” Let us know what you think of his synth bliss.

Related Post:  5 Bands to Watch in 2011, Vol. I: Yuck, The Pass, Watch Out For Rockets,
We Can't Enjoy Ourselves, Church of the Very Bright Lights

“Gems” – **Peace Arrow** from ↑↓↑↓

[“Doors”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/doors) – **Peace Arrow** 
from ↑↓↑↓

[Peace Arrow on Facebook](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/peacearrowmusic)

[⌊raheemcohen⌉⌊raheemcohen⌉[

#### Raheem Cohen – Los Angeles, California

The three brothers, and two childhood friends, who make up the **Los Angeles** DIY
band **Raheem Cohen** have spent most of their adolescence playing local gigs at
L.A. hotspots like the **Roxy Theatre, Satellite**, and **Silverlake Lounge.** During
the past decade, they honed their skills and developed a unique multifaceted sound–
one that deftly blends the funky, soul-based rock of yesterday with the alternative
rock sounds of today, leaning towards the music of **The Strokes, The Black Keys,
My Morning Jacket, Dr. Dog**, and **TV on the Radio**.

When the youngest brother entered his final year of high school, Raheem Cohen took
their songs to the studio to record their first singles, and prepare for their introduction
to the world outside of **Silver Lake**. On “Simpler,” the band’s debut single released
last December, the young men (all still under drinking age) boldly deliver the carefree
spirit of youth, the grit of city mayhem, and the confidence and musicianship of
a band many years in the making. Their newest single, “Roads,” released on Feb. 
28th, is new evidence that this close, young group of musicians is collectively 
a DIY band to watch, and on the IRC’s radar for 2013.

[“Roads”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/Raheem_Cohen-Roads.mp3) –**
Raheem Cohen**, sophomore single – Feb. 28th

“Simpler” – **Raheem Cohen**, debut single – Dec. 5, 2012

Raheem Cohen on Facebook

[⌊spoonsandchopsticksband⌉⌊spoonsandchopsticksband⌉[

#### Spoons and Chopsticks – Elk River, Minnesota

**Elk River**, Minnesota DIY indie rock band **Spoons and Chopsticks** is has a 
well-honed pop rock style consisting of soaring guitars and vocals, melodic hooks,
catchy rhythms and a driving beat. Other words that express their style and sound
are passionate and humble, soft and outspoken – a paradox that works well, despite
its obvious conflicts. The band is by no means cookie cutter.

Related Post:  5 DIY Bands to Watch, Vol. V - Copies, Plastic Animals, Carson, Monkeybird,
Sictor Valdana and The Check This Outs

Spoons and Chopsticks started their musical journey in mid-2010 as an acoustic three-
piece fronted by a jazzy female singer, although you’d never know this by listening
to their debut, self-titled album, released in late January. The thirteen tracks,
totaling over an hour in length, are all different shapes and sizes, much like the
band members themselves.

In addition to their new lineup, acquired fully in late 2010, their sound has changed
dramatically from their beginnings, taking on a decidedly harder, more driving flavor.
A new tour took them to several venues within Minnesota such as **Station 4, The
Fine Line Music Cafe**, **The Depot Coffeehouse**, and **The Garage** in nearby **
Burnsville**. The band has opened for artists like **Carbon Tigers, Marah in the
Mainsail**, and **Cosmonaught**, and their major musical influences include **Asian
Kung-Fu Generation, Ling Tosite Sigure, Manchester Orchestra, Now Now, Periphery,
Veil of Maya.**

“Happy Song” – **Spoons and Chopsticks** from _Spoons and Chopsticks_ – Jan. 25th

“1993” – **Spoons and Chopsticks** from _Spoons and Chopsticks_

Spoon and Chopsticks’ Official Website
 [Spoon and Chopsticks on Facebook](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/spoonsandchopsticks)

“Indie rock is an unclassifiable sound. Music thats influences are so vast and endless
that it defies comparison and cannot be categorized in less than a paragraph.” –
Spoons and Chopsticks