Year: 2016

Fresh Tracks – 7 Horse, Press on Randy, Evan Mix, Alan Chapell, Old New York, theKI

Posted on by flytrap

Here is the latest edition of Fresh Tracks, featuring artists from Australia California and from Indiana to Oregon. The team continues to sift through and listen, as well as prepare to post, only the best 2016 music and songs of DIY and indie artists and bands, some known, most yet unknown.

Coming Up/On Deck: Best DIY of 2016; Bands That Rock; 7 Bands You’ve Gotta Hear; Radar Love; and more playlists. We’ll also be updating the Top 10 Songs playlists for 2016.

In this installment:

7Horse – Los Angeles, California
Press on Randy – Bend, Oregon
Evan Mix – Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Alan Chapell – New York, New York
theKI – Los Angeles, California
Old New York – Brisbane, Australia

7Horse – Livin’ in a Bitch of a World

The Los Angeles blues rock band 7Horse dropped their debut video, ‘Two Stroke Machine,’ last week ahead of the release of their new album, Livin’ in a Bitch of a World , set to officially drop on April 15th.

7Horse is perhaps best known for having their blazing track, “Meth Lad Zozo Sticker,” (still love that song!) on the official soundtrack for the blockbuster movie, Wolf of Wall Street. The band’s new album also includes a cover of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.

The band members, Phil Leavitt, who lives in LA, and Joie Calio from Seattle, are also the previous members of the art rock pop band Dada (comic hit “Dizz Knee Land”).

View the cities and dates for their April cross-country tour which kicks off Monday, April 11th at The Viper Room in LA. The duo’s next show is their album release party at Bowery Electric in New York.

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Press on Randy – A Ghost with a Fish Eye Lens

Press on Randy is the one man electro pop outfit of Bend, Oregon, musician Seamus Tomkins. We love his sound, which is finely produced for a young DIY artist, and ranges from upbeat synth pop goodies to guitar based songs with deeper lyrical content on the new LP A Ghost with a Fish Eye Lens.”

The songs on A Ghost with a Fish Eye Lens combine acoustic and electric elements to create playful indie electronica music with dark lyrical content such as on the fantastic synth pop gem, “Please Get Up.” POR’s music can be catchy, clever and even deranged.

The album, while light in its musical vibe, is about depression. The results should be inspirational for anyone, especially DIY artists who are discouraged at how difficult it is to get any recognition.

Tomkins self produced, engineered and recorded the album in a gardening shed last year. Stream even more tracks from the album via Press on Randy’s Soundcloud below or get a copy via his Bandcamp. This is fire!

We asked Tomkins how he came up with the moniker Press on Randy: “It came from seeing the phrase, ‘press on Randy!’ spray painted on the side of a bridge and I found it inspirational in the moment. I later named my looper pedal Randy.”

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Evan Mix – Chips Forboy

The musical and lyrical influences and forays of young Indiana artist Evan Mix are expressed fully on his DIY release, Chips Forboy, a compelling and fascinating album that features a fusion of all kinds of sounds and stories, featuring components of rap, hip-hop, trance, experimental, dance, rock and instrumental. At times, a listener may feel a little tripped out as well.

Mix emerges as a contemplative and intelligent lyricist and vocalist – taking great measures to make the lyrics discernable while still being respectful to the artform itself, and not playing it safe by just mixing out the same beats, rhythms and overused words that everyone has heard a thousand times in various reincarnations for the past 25 years.

Evan Mix answers the call for everyone that wants something totally unexpected and fresh, maybe even a bit crazy too – that offers something different and special even if it’s not for a mass market, it still exists and triumphs as its own, and that’s good enough for a young dude with a lot to say.

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Alan Chapell – The Redhead’s Allegations

NYC musician and songwriter Alan Chapell‘s new single, “Heroes,” is a fitting track for the political, environment and security woes in the world today. Who are our heroes? Where are they in our greatest time of need? Donald Trump? Psst. Billary? Ahhh, no thanks (done with the Clintons).

Moving on, the song is catchy and dripping with melodies. The song is from Chapell’s new release, The Redhead’s Allegations, which was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads. The CD release party was held at New York’s legendary Mercury Lounge.

After a couple of years living in Mumbai, Indian, writing jingles for Indian TV and playing in the cosmopolitan fusion band Kalki. When he returned to the states, Chapell began to write and record his new album, pulling together veteran musicians from the NYC music scene to create an impressive album featuring all different kinds of instruments as well as styles and stories about the good and bad of living in the city.

Alan Chapell on Facebook

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theKI – theKI

The self-titled album of a new Los Angeles duo, theKI (pronounced ‘the-key’), spent all of March and February on the official CMJ College Radio Top 200 Airplay Chart, thanks to a Kickstarter campaign that raised $25,000 to mix and master the album. The creative members of theKI are vocalist Roxie Sakura and bassist Lucas Francis.

The songs on the album display a remarkable fusion of rock, funk, and neo-soul with such a magical touch. In fact, a collective of LA musicians, who assembled to record the album, seek, and wish to spread, spiritual self-awareness and a one-ness with all life, which, in Japanese, is ‘Ki.’ The duo market the album as a concept album featuring lyrics that are taken from ancient teachings of spiritual guides, including Eckhart Tolle & Buddha. For example, the song, “Dirty,” is apparently a song from the perspective of a prostitute who is crying out to be “cleansed.”

theKI on Facebook

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Old New York – Before We Hit The Ground

Down Under there is a terrific rock band called Old New York who made their name in the Brisbane live circuit over the past five years. The band will drop their third release, Before We Hit The Ground, on May 23rd.

The album, which was successfully funded through Pozible, is a trip through the sonic universe of 60’s like vocal harmonies together with 80’s and 90’s rock, twisted with a pop sensibility and a contemporary edge to create their own style of indie music that is bold, exciting and fresh. The first song from the album, “Washed Hands,” is a driving pop rock track that is perfect for a beautiful spring day.

Old New York members each bring their own musical experience and talents to the overall sound of the band, and are committed to their DIY roots, taking great pride in being personally responsible for all their own recording, mixing, publicity, artwork, filming and web design.

In Dee Mail, Vol. XXVII – Lilly Wolf, Victors, Michael Kroll, Rusty Shipp, Telamor, The Disappearing Act, Hannah Kirby

Posted on by Max Hammer

With a sound that will appeal to fans of CHVRCHES and Grimes, the Brooklyn electro duo Lilly Wolf creates darkwave synth pop with a sharp edge. But it is Wolf’s powerful and magnificent – at times, borderline angelic – voice that stays with you long after listening to outstanding songs like “Violence” from the band’s latest release, Deleted Scenes. What a remarkable track – we can see why the hype machine is in motion for Lilly Wolf.

MP3 “Violence” – Lilly Wolf

Fronted by Wolf and her best friend and bassist Alex Neuhausen, the project started out across the country at Stanford University when the two realized a mutual love for music and math. Another top track, “Promises and Plans,” is a straight-up, strapped down darkwave groove that highlights Wolf’s remarkable vocal talents. In fact, there are a number of songs on the EP that qualify as singles by themselves. Take your pick.

https://soundcloud.com/lillywolf/sets/deleted-scenes

The duo have toured around the United States, and performed at SXSW and CMJ, as well as opening for artists such as Skyroads, Solander, Akrobatik, Shanaz Dorsett. Lilly Wolf’s biggest musical influences include Stromae, Elliott Smith, Robyn, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Rachmaninoff.

Without Wolf’s emotive, well-honed vocals, the duo would not stand out as much as they do from the parades of new synth pop duos that pop up left and right like tulips in spring these days. Neuhausen’s obvious production skills and deep bass lines (with contributions from drummer Tareq Almulaifi) are critical to what makes Lilly Wolf stand out. Their songs have been aired on shows like The Real World, The Bad Girls Club, among others.

Bonus Track: MP3: “Witness” – Lilly Wolf

Lilly Wolf official website

Victors – “Tonight”

On April 8th, the Leeds electro pop/rock quartet Victors, will drop their new single, “Tonight,” produced by Andy Hawkin, who has worked with Maximo Park, Kaiser Chiefs, The Damned, Floggy Molly and Motion City Soundtrack. The production level that fans of any of those bands may be used to is also found on Victors’ new single.

“Tonight” has the potential to be a spring/summer hit with fans of any of the other bands listed above, and thanks to its passionate verve and attitude. After a triumphant 2015 of performing around the UK, including a sold out show with The Pierce Brothers at London’s 02 Academy, Victors are now putting the finishing touches on their debut EP to be released later this year.

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Michael Kroll – Clamorous

Connecticut native and musician Michael Kroll, who would best be described as a heart and soul musician, will release his new album, Clamorous, on April 22nd. The album features intimate, lyrical stories in the grand tradition of a dyed-in-the-wool American singer-songwriter backed up by musical compositions which are at times delicate, sweeping and propulsive, as featured on the catchy, yet stark lyrical beauty, of “Soul of a Summer Day”, or the uplifting rush of the album opener “Blue.”

The record was produced by Andy Green (Lou Reed, John Cale) and features Tony Mason (Joan Osbourne, Norah Jones) on drums as well as Kenny White (Marc Cohn, Shawn Colvin) on keys. Kroll will perform at the Bowery Electric in NYC on April 8th with Emily Duff and Dina Regine.

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Telamor – “Flash”

As a founding member of Boston‘s seminal punk pop bands of the late 70’s, the Atlantics, musician Tom Hauck‘s song, “Lonelyhearts,” rocketed to the top of the New England radio charts, making the band regional rock stars.

In recent years, Hauck has released a number of solo albums, including fun, witty and melodic albums like Pistonhead (2012) and Afterlife (2013).

Now, Hauck has released perhaps his most ambitious album to date. In fact, it is the fourth CD from Telamor. The album, Outside The Lines, is guitar based pop rock, with standout songs like “Flash.” As with all of his CDs as Telamor, he was assisted by Grammy-nominated producer Warren Babson.

Telamore on Bandcamp

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The Disappearing Act – Born To Say Goodbye

Blending subtle rhythms, quiet programmed beats, lo-fi vocals, acoustic guitars and a melodically-oozing bass track with reverb-coated vocals, and a background flute, on songs like, “You And Me,” and the more uptempo, psychedelic Beatlesque “Peace by the Sea,” are some of the musical hallmarks of the El Paso alt. rock (hard to ‘genre-fy’ these guys) band The Disappearing Act.

Band members include Salim Nourallah (vocals, bass); Bob Blumenfeld (acoustic guitar); John Leffler (electric guitar); Nick Earl (electric guitar, effects); John Dufilho (drums), and Gabe Gonzalez (synthetic beat programming). Their biggest musical influences include Beatles, Clash, REM, Guided by Voices, Wilco, and Elvis Costello.

MP3: You and Me – The Disappearing Act from Born To Say Goodbye

MP3: Peace by the Sea – The Disappearing Act from Born To Say Goodbye

The Disappearing Act on Facebook

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_j31z78B8k

Rusty Shipp – “Sinking Scarabs”

Rusty Shipp is a Nashville rock band formed in 2014 by vocalist and guitarist Russ T. Shipp who recruited bassist Dustin Herres, whose bass grooves are dope and frenetic drummer Andrew Royer.

With heavy influences like Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Thrice, Chevelle, and The Beatles, Rusty Shipp continue to tunnel forays into the clubs, halls and alleys of Music City, making notches in their rock and roll belt with kick-ass music videos like “Sinking Scarabs,” Beatlesque hooks, punk and grunge verve, and the southern rock tenacity of Shipp himself.

Rusty Shipp on Facebook

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Hannah Kirby – Fire in My Soul

As one of the top contestants on The Voice, singer-songwriter and musician Hanna Kirby has gone on to continue her career in music, creating an assortment of styles like folk, pop and electronica. Her debut solo album, Fire in My Soul, realizes many years of singing and creating music, that is very much like a fire in the soul when you listen to singles like the title track.

Fire in My Soul compilation via YouTube

Austin’s THE KHOST Premiere ‘Nuremberg’ Video Ahead of SXSW and Album Release

Posted on by Kate Stevens

Austin’s rising post rock DIY band THE KHOST premiere their brand new video, Nuremberg, exclusively on IRC. The video premiere comes just hours before the band performs at one of the first showcases to kick off South By Southwest 2016.

The Pull String Event Showcase, at the landmark Mohawk venue, also features indie artists like Human Circuit, Young Tongue, Twin Scars and Wildcat Apollo. THE KHOST will go on stage at 11:30pm.

Guitarist and vocalist Robert Avila directed and edited the video for the song “Nuremberg,” from the band’s new album, Stella Maris, set to drop on March 24th with a release party at Cheer Up Charlies in Austin.

Avila said the song is loosely based off of the mysterious 1561 ‘UFO aerial battle’ over Nuremberg, Germany, depicted in a broadsheet (early newspapers) account accompanied by a Hans Glaser woodcut mixed with a fictional story of two modern day humans who witness such an event and don’t know what to make of it.

The filming process for this unique and truly brilliant video (the first of such kind we’ve every seen) is compelling. “I filmed it using a couple of lights and a blanket to create silhouettes of each band member,” Avila says.

“Then I took multiple shots of food dye being dropped into a glass of water. We loved the way it looked and decided to make it into our new video.”

THE KHOST official website
THE KHOST on Facebook

Songwriting Competition Winner Katie Stump’s New Video and SXSW Showcase

Posted on by Max Hammer

Singer/songwriter Katie Stump has dropped her new video, Minnesota, the second video from her critically acclaimed EP, Feels Like Home. The video, set to the breathtaking song itself, is a heartbreaking song of loss and longing of someone close, and the emotional turmoil it causes.

Born and raised in Fullerton, California, Stump grew up in a musical family, and was encouraged to pursue music at a young age. Over the past year Katie has emerged as one of the most exciting up and coming young artist, and recently won the coveted U.S.A. Songwriter competition.

With the kick-off of SXSW today, the album and video release are perfect timing as Stump will be the featured artist at the USA Songwriting Competition Showcase this Friday evening at Mozart’s in Austin.

Her new EP was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Mikal Blue (Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz, One Republic).

Katie Stump on Facebook

In Dee Mail, Vol. XXVI – Jack Kotz, Small Culture, Benji Lewis, Tomlin Hill, The Polaris, Area of Refuge, Code Pie, Amateur Eyes

Posted on by Max Hammer

As 2016 marches on, we’re just now dropping the first 2016 installment of In Dee Mail, featuring an incredibly diverse cornucopia of music from artists and bands of every imaginable (and unimaginable) genre, style and sound.

In this installment of In Dee Mail:

Jack Kotz – Wilmington, North Carolina
Small Culture – San Diego, California
Benji Lewis – Melbourne, Australia
Tomlin Hill – Norfolk, Virginia
Amateur Eyes – Saline, Michigan
Code Pie – Montreal, Quebec
Archi Deep and the Monkeyshakers – Lion, France
Area of Refuge – Saratoga, New York
The Polaris – Conventry, England
Drink Me – Jacksonville, Florida

Jack Kotz – What’s All The Fuss About?

North Carolina songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jack Kotz‘s debut album, What’s All The Fuss About? , is a musical compendium of amazing, mostly instrumental tracks featuring dreamy, soft grooves, sunny California rock melodies, funky beats, punk rock, and psych rock guitars with swirling, ambient keys.

The top single from the album, “Burning Sensation,” is a wonderfully upbeat that is fitting for spring – I could see a beautiful kite flying high and free against the royal blue sky. With the addition of the uplifting chorus (which should have been used more throughout), the song is just pristine – and reminded me immediately – and more so in subsequent spins – of Burt Bacharach’s score for Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid.

Soon after, you’re airborne again, but this time, you’ll stay much closer to the ground, and hear the frogs and water, on the ambient tune, “My Intentions Were Not Intended,” a track that has some tones and shades that remind us of the legendary (although most people outside of music heads never heard of…) Michael Hedges (RIP).

Song after song on Fuss prove that Kotz is a multi-faceted, talented and expressive musician who has a particularly astute appreciation, and interpretation, of different styles, genres and sounds.

After dreamy and chill grooves of tracks like the gorgeous title song, and others like the airy, drifting notes of “I’m The Only Road You Know,” and “Pull The Level,” with its slapping bass lines and high-octane electric guitar – all wrapped in a very funky rhythm that propels the song forward – it becomes

And there’s more funky bass on “Melt My Way,” which fades out suddenly, followed by a pause and silence, and then all of a sudden, the peace is shattered by the hard grinding stomps and trippy, spooky guitar and keyboard riffs of the sinister “JR.” At another crossroads on Fuss, you’re listening to what sounds like the opening music to a tripped out 80’s episode of Miami Vice via “Depends On Your General Location.”

The sonic journey glides, sails and chugs through various sonic landscapes, further illustrating Kotz’s refusal to play into conformity for the sake of conformity, or to allow himself to be boxed in by one genre or sub-genre. His album title question is answered by the music itself.

Try this: kick back with headphones, fire this up, close your eyes and roll on those clouds with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.

Jack Kotz on Soundcloud

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Small Culture – “Synthetica”

Small Culture is an indie pop kaleidoscope rock band produced and fronted by Jerik Centeno from San Diego. The name ‘Small Culture’ derives from being raised on a small island with a long tradition of a strong and vibrate culture. “My music is a kaleidoscope of sounds influenced from world, classical, electronic, and indie rock,” Centeno says. His musical influences include Two Door Cinema Club, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Sigur Ros. He’ll soon release an EP. Check out Small Culture on Facebook.

Synthetica – Small Culture from single

benjilewis

Benji Lewis – “Reach You Where You Are”

Pretty much out of nowhere, we received the single, “Reach You Where You Are,” from Melbourne, Australian ambient/electro musician Benji Lewis. It hits you hard; it’s foreboding, and has an element of sadness that is also wonderfully beautiful complete with a Middle Eastern mystique.

Turns out he had some professional help along the way. “I have been lucky enough to cross paths with the right people who have then put me into contact with some really talented producers and production companies.” Lewis is currently working on his debut solo LP.

“Reach You Where You Are“ – Benji Lewis from Reach You Where You Are

tomlin-hill-band

Tomlin Hill – “True Side”

Tomlin Hill is an alt. rock DIY band based out of Norfolk, Virginia. Creating a classic, unique sound that spans across genres from rock and reggae, to funk and soul.

“True Side” features staggering guitar work and minimalist, reggae-like chords with sharp, understated vocals and a guitar and percussion jam in the second half of the song. The band has opened for Nico Vega and are fans of Foo Fighters, Killers and SOAD.

“True Side“ – Tomlin Hill from True Side

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Amateur Eyes – “Borrowed Time”

After a short time at the University of Michigan, John Pederson decided it was not for him and set out to record a batch of songs he’d written as a teenager, and now as a young adult under the moniker of Amateur Eyes.

The ten songs on his debut album, incorporating influences from post punk, indie and alt. rock, were finally able to be “properly recorded” the way he intended them to sound using a collection of microphones, computers and other gear at Cleveland‘s Danger House studio with producer Dave Douglas. It’s an ambitious and spirited recording with many hook-filled moments and blazing guitar rock.

“Borrowed Time“ – Amateur Eyes from Amateur Eyes

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Code Pie – “Rockets”

Code Pie is a rock band from Montreal. In the last nine years, the group has released three LPs, and a number of singles, including a well-received doo-wop version of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and a companion piece to Tommy Wiseau’s much maligned film The Room.

The band’s new single, “Rockets,” represents a slight departure from the band’s past, offering a dreamy, 80s-tinged slice of radio-ready pop/rock sway.

“Rockets“ – Code Pie

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Archi Deep and the Monkeyshakers – “Nowhere Man”

Archi Deep and the Monkeyshakers is a French indie rock band who are obviously influenced by their favorite bands, including Supersuckers, Kid Congo, The Warlocks, Nirvana and Led Zeppelin as evidenced on the hard-rocking “Nowhere Man,” a single from their latest release, #3. The trio features Archi Deep (vocals, guitars), Martin Leroy (bass), and Camille Sullet (drums).

Nowhere Man – Archi Deep and the Monkeyshakers from #3

Area of Refuge – “Leap of Faith”

In the upstate New York town of Saratoga, twenty-something songwriter, musician Christopher Morin took a break from making rock music in order to focus on creating an album of serene and easy listening music. It’s something different for us too, but we really enjoyed the brilliance of his musicianship.

He teamed up with local violinist very Jahna Stanton to craft these wonderful songs. Their duo is officially called Area of Refuge. Morin counts some of his musical influences, for this style, to include Philip Glass, Max Richter, Ólafur Arnalds, and Sigur Rós.

“Leap of Faith” – Area of Refuge from Series One

“Reptile” – Area of Refuge from Series One

ThePolaris

The Polaris – “Nowhere To Run”

Based in Conventry, England, the DIY alt. rock band The Polaris have been working on their debut EP for many years, and perhaps it was well worth all that time. The lead track, “Nowhere To Run,” is an expansive, almost arena-sized, emotive track that has leanings to 80’s and 90’s rock, which makes sense since some of their top musical influences include The Stereophonics,The Smiths, Flickerstick, and Mogwai.

“Nowhere To Run” – The Polaris from A Beginning’s End

drinkme-inthelivingroom

Drink Me – “Hi Ho”

Lo-fi, swaggering electro fuzz rock is the signature of Jacksonville DIY band Drink Me. The musical collaboration between Michael La Manna and Sadie La Manna started back in 2010 when they decided to record a few tracks in the living room, drawing from their love of bands like The Kills, The White Stripes and Smashing Pumpkins.

“Hi Ho“ – Drink Me from In The Living Room

‘Vinyl’ Series Features Julian Casablancas’ Cover of Velvet Underground, Plus Bowie, Zep, Iggy, Kinks, Elton John, T. Rex

Posted on by Rick Sosa

The new hit HBO series Vinyl is yet more evidence that the revivalist spirit for the days when rock and roll was king hasn’t lost any steam.

Bands & Artists Featured in Vinyl Series

The following is the official track listing for Volumes I & II of the Vinyl series. Many of the artists and bands are not exactly well-known, but the ones that are, and the best tracks, are included in our custom playlist below, featuring the new Julian Casablancas‘ cover of The Velvet Underground‘s 1967 track, “Run Run Run.”

Other artists and bands featured, or mentioned, in the series include Led Zeppelin, David Bowie (RIP), Lou Reed, David Johansen, Alice Cooper, MC5, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Grand Funk Railroad, Elton John, T. Rex, Iggy Pop, among many others.

Sidebar: Velvet Underground’s Rare RRR Vid and ‘Rock & Roll’

Here’s a 1967 live version (not best video/audio quality, but better than expected for almost 50 years ago!) of “Run Run Run” (and “Loop”) by Lou Reed The Velvet Underground.

And the iconic rock and roll song, simply titled, “Rock & Roll,” from The Velvet Underground.

New Video from Man Made Time; Pierce Turner’s Album Release Benefit for Historic Chelsea Landmark

Posted on by Max Hammer

Emotive, dreamy electro pop is just part of the mystique of the track, “Sail Away,” the lead single from the Los Angeles duo Man Made Time‘s debut EP, which will officially drop on April 8th. The video for the track officially introduces the duo to music lovers around the world.

Hillary Grace and Albert James Babanian‘s sound and style is inspired by their backgrounds with 80’s and 90’s pop rock, having both grown up in musical families. So it was not much of a leap for the two young musicians who are now posed to bring their blossoming talents to the dynamic LA music scene.

PierceTurner-Lovealbumcoverfront

Pierce Turner – Love Can’t Always Be Articulate

Irish musician Pierce Turner, who has collaborated with Philip Glass and Iggy Pop, and appeared on the cover of New York Magazine, will perform a benefit for Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Chelsea on March 12th to kick-off the release of his new album.

Hailed by the Irish press as “one of the most important Irish rock stars of the past 20 years” (The Irish Times), and lauded as “the finest body of work in contemporary irish music, bar none” (The Sunday Times). Add to the list of kudos – The New York Times and Rolling Stone magazine.

On March 12th, Turner will conduct the premiere performance of his beautiful new album, Love Can’t Always Be Articulate. Turner recorded the album with a pipe organ and grand piano, with some of the recording taking place at the church itself.

The grand and refreshing Irish contemporary music found on Turner’s new album is stunning and epic.

And to boot – there is a wonderful cover of Marc Bolan‘s “Life’s A Gas.”

Fresh Tracks from Tangerines, The Bourgeois, Connor Roff, Tom Shaner, My Silent Bravery, Justin Sosa, The Euphony Machine

Posted on by Rick Sosa

The latest batch of Fresh Tracks includes the new single from London’s hot new garage rock DIY band, Tangerines, plus recent and new tracks from the following artists and bands selected for this latest installment of Fresh Tracks:

Tangerines – London, England
Connor Roff – Ontario, Canada
The Bourgeois – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tom Shaner – Brooklyn, New York
Jamie Borrowdale – London, England
My Silent Bravery – Boston, Massachusetts
Justin Sosa – Los Angeles, California
The Euphony Machine – Vineland, New Jersey
Justin DiFebbo – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

https://soundcloud.com/pete-heywoode/tangerines-you-look-like-something-i-killed

Tangerines – “You Look Like Something I Killed”

London-based Tangerines are an electrifying indie psychobilly quartet with chugging guitars, rolling bass lines and thunderous drumming similar to Black Lips and the late 70’s Talking Heads era – all fronted by the tangible vigor and verve of vocalist Gareth Hoskins’ signature snarl, on the band’s debut single, “You Look Like Something I Killed.”

“The feel of the song is set within those fine lines of despair and self satisfaction, thrusting our evil ways to the very limit and questioning how far can a man really be pushed before he blurts out all of his desires,” Hoskins told NME.

Tangerines sound much like an American garage rockabilly band from 1950s suburbia (where the neighbors are calling parents, rather than cops), but in the modern age. If that makes sense.

And it appears that it is no accident, as DIY pointed out: “[Tangerines] relish in a bonkers, bruising Americana. Where other groups with similar influences might lay back in wooziness and relish in the lazy-day sunshine, though, Tangerines descend into madness…” on “You Look Like Something I Killed” a “sun-stroke addled slice of batshit brilliance.”

All of that is true, and so are various other adjectives for a band that has such a forceful and commanding presence on audio and video, we can certainly understand why their shows are popular. As a matter of fact, the band is selling out shows across London and the surrounding burbs and cities. Hopefully, it’s only a matter of time that they land in NYC and do some touring in the U.S.

Connor-Roff

Connor Roff – “Turn On The Dark”

British-born, Canadian citizen folk pop artist Connor Roff‘s earthy acoustic tones and well-honed voice come out on his new single, “Turn The Dark On,” the follow up track to his successful release of the title track from Roff’s debut album, Chasing Dreams.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=e3eL6sIynTY

Roff’s well-polished sounds emote deep-seeded feelings and experiences with a voice that demonstrates a wide range, spanning from heartfelt fragility to soaring refrains. He plans to tour the UK this spring. His musical influences includes James Bay and Hozier.

Connor Roff on Facebook

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The Bourgeois – “Black Church Or No Church”

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Zach Mobley and drummer Ty Clark grew up in rural Oklahoma where they coped with the oppression of the Bible Belt in different ways. Mobley (guitar/vocals) spent much of his adolescence holed up inside listening to punk rock and plotting his escape, while Clark, who also found solace in music, got caught up in the nation’s growing opiod epidemic.

After a stint in prison, Clark turned his life around, met up with Mobley through an ad, and the two founded their band, The Bourgeois. Recently, bassist Vance Young was added to complete the trio. The guys draw their influences from bands like Nirvana, The Talking Heads, The Smiths and The Violent Femmes.

The video for their first single, “Perverting The American Dream,” was produced by Delo Creative (The Flamling Lips, Broncho) and has racked up more than 200,000 plays. The band is working on their sophomore album expected to drop sometime later this year.

Their new single and video is “Black Church Or No Church” is quite interesting and definitely shows their rock and roll talents and ethos.

jamieborrowdale

Jamie Borrowdale – “I Need Music”

Singer-songwriter Jamie Borrowdale‘s new single, “I Need Music,” opens with a haunting audio scene – howling wind and violins – before the dance beats, funk-inspired rhythms, rock guitars, indie pop elements, scratches and rap sequences jump in and take over for a sonic journey where you might be dancing the whole way. It certainly makes it hard for critics to pigeonhole his genre or target audience.

After gaining recognition from the BBC, Borrowdale has received an enthusiastic reception from fans on his UK tour while making his name increasingly known internationally. He pulls from musical influences that include Led Zeppelin, Plan B and Rudimental.

Jamie Borrowdale on Facebook

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Tom Shaner – “Vanessa The Vegan Murderess”

Tom Shaner is a New York musician who just released a new music video for his terrific new single with the awesome title, “Vanessa The Vegan Murderess,” from Shaner’s new release, I Hate To See Your Spirit Fade, produced and mastered by Grammy winner Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Beck, The Shins, The Arctic Monkeys).

The album was recorded mostly in Williamsburg, with some parts recorded in Ireland and Vermont. His songs range from rockers, ballads, waltzes and cinematic stories. His sound ranges from influences like Leonard Cohen and Radiohead, with deeper music roots in American acoustic and electric blues, Sun Records, the British Invasion, punk, new wave, hip hop, and indie rock.

My Silent Bravery – “Ride With Me” (Nelly)

Boston musician Matthew Wade has been performing as My Silent Bravery for the past 10 years to inspire people with a fun, positive, and uplifting message. Nelly’s “Ride With Me” has always been a fan favorite at MSB live shows so Wade wanted to bring this cover to life and share the good times he has singing this song with all of his fans and anyone else, we assume, that would want to see it.

His new album was produced by Anthony Resta (Collective Soul, Guster, Shawn Mullins) and Warren Huart (Aerosmith, The Fray, Augustana).

My Silent Bravery on Facebook

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Justin Sosa – “Again”

Chicago resident Justin Sosa is a young musician who shows some promise. His debut album, Change, features eight tracks in all, including the fantastic, memorable single, “Again.”

MP3: “Again” – Justin Sosa from Change

Sosa just announced a new singles series to include “alternate versions of songs, outtakes, collaborations, covers and just about anything fun and different that I’m working on outside of my albums.”

Justin Sosa on Facebook

The Euphony Machine

The Euphony Machine – “Trial & Error Ravenous”

The Euphony Machine is an example of the sounds that can be produced in ‘The Euphony Room,’ a studio run by musician Mike Smith from Vineland, New Jersey. Along with help from close friends, Smith crafts eclectic, passionate music as found on the interesting single, “Trial & Error Ravenous,” featuring Eric Shorter and Marty Maar.

The Euphony Machine on Facebook

Justin DiFebbo-Skin and Bones

Justin DiFebbo – Skin and Bones

Philadelphia musician Justin DiFebbo‘s sophomore release, Skin and Bones, set to drop next month, is more of the seductive, dreamy music found on his acclaimed debut, Turn Out The Light, Turn On The Stereo.

DiFebbo’s style brings to a festive table the songwriting sensibilities of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, the vocal vulnerabilities of Neil Young and the simplistic complexity of artists like Simon and Garfunkel. It is a fitting comparison. His new singles, “Blue Melody” and “Adrift” feature “Good Vibrations”-like organ riffs, The Doors’ style electric piano solos on songs like “Riders On The Storm,” as well as tremolo guitars and booming bass. His vocals, such as on “Adrift,” are soft and yet high pitched.

“Adrift” – Justin DiFebbo from Skin and Bones

DiFebbo definitely is channeling a bygone era when music was more organic and trail-blazing. He also plays with the band Summer Fiction.

https://soundcloud.com/justind/blue-melody

Band To Watch – Brazil’s Dream Pop Quintet Peixefante

Posted on by indierocker

Peixefante is a remarkable new shoegaze/dream pop band from Goiania, Brazil that captured our ears and hearts with lush dream pop songs like “Por Baixo da Blusa.”

It’s simply gorgeous; feel yourself floating over lush green hillsides and turquoise beaches. The echoey whistling throughout the song is a really special, even magical, touch; there’s almost a tinge of Burt Bacharach (some people might hear it) and Ennio Morricone interlaced within this song.

The second single, “Cruzada Moderna” is more subdued and serious, yet wonderfully composed and performed from the airy guitar playing and rhythms to the wonderful vocals and choruses.

The band’s debut EP, Lorde Pacal (a mythological Mayan prophet), was done totally DIY. No fanfare. No buzz. And yet their music is worth a buzz; they’re just really good musicians. Listen to the EP from start to finish a few times and those of you who are open to cosmopolitan, multi-genre mix of experimental dream pop, psych rock and Bacharach/Morricone, are likely to appreciate Peixefante as much as we do.

Peixefante-art

The EP tells the epic story of “mankind’s fascination with the universe and our ancient seeking for answers to its great mysteries,” the band’s synth player, Lipito Melo, says.

“The songs are all connected to one another and reveal the tales of a mythical ‘hero,’ from the day he was born – passing through technological discoveries and surviving in the outer space – up until the day he finally returns home.”

Not surprisingly, after submerging into this EP – streaming it now at least four times through – we are routing for the band.

Their name is difficult at best to pronounce, and Portuguese, outside of Brazil, is not as widely spoken in the western hemisphere as Spanish; therefore, it’s difficult even for native Spanish speakers to say the world because Spanish simply doesn’t have any relationship to “peixe”-“fante” – it’s closer to French than Spanish.

The band describes it this way: “The name itself, the Portuguese combination of ‘fish’ and ‘elephant,’ exemplifies the constant mutation in which the band’s music in based upon, from the deep giant synth waves psychedelia to a drunk swampy rock.”

We’re told it’s PAY-HEE-FANT-EE.

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MP3: Por Baixo da Blusa – Peixefante from Lorde Pacal

MP3: Cruzada Moderna – Peixefante from Lorde Pacal

Fresh Tracks – Wired Minds, Atlantic Francis, Farewell Teddy, Gråblomst, Piney Gir, A Love Like Pi, Chris Kudela

Posted on by flytrap

The following are select new tracks for 2016, with more on the way – including the first edition of Best New Releases (featuring mostly signed and better-known indie bands and artists), Artist of the Week, and oodles of new talented DIY bands you’ll probably only hear on IRC.

Atlantic Francis – Stockholm, Sweden
Wired Minds – Chicago, Illinois
Gråblomst – Hamar, Norway
Farewell Teddy – Atlanta, Georgia
A Love Like Pi – Harlem, New York
Piney Gir – London-via-Kansas
Chris Kudela – Philadelphia, Pennsylvia

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Atlantic Francis – “Where Do We Run”

The Stockholm band Atlantic Francis crafts a chippy type of folk rock with 12-string guitar and ukulele-driven melodies, sweet harmonies and soulful pop percussion on singles like “Where Do We Run” and “Ocean Swim” from the album Just Add Ocean.

Formed in 2010, the band features guitarist and lead vocalist Victor Norberg; Johan MacDonald on ukulele; Jesper Karlsson on bass, and Adrian Lefvert on drums.

While the band has been tagged with various genre-labeling over the years, Norberg says the labels don’t matter. “We refer to it as the music you will be dancing to in the grass, at the summer festival, as the sun sets over the hills and you forget all your troubles.”  The band members are fans of Mac Demarco, Mumford and Sons, and The War on Drugs.

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MP3: “Where Do We Run“ – Atlantic Francis from Just Add Ocean

Bonus Track: “Ocean Swim“ – Atlantic Francis from Just Add Ocean

Ocean Swim YouTube video by Atlantic Francis

Atlantic Francis on Facebook

wiredminds

Wired Minds – “Victoria”

Less than a year since forming, the Chicago post-punk/neo-psych band Wired Minds‘ new single, “Victoria,” has certainly caught our attention with its reverb-drenched, jangly guitars, brooding bass, atmospheric synths, and soaring vocals. The band has two other singles worth streaming as well via Soundcloud.

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MP3: “Victoria“ – Wired Minds from single

Formed in April of 2015, Wired Minds straddles comparisons to Britpop icons The Stone Roses, ‘80s post-punkers The Chameleons and Australian favorites The Church. They also remind us of The Close Lobsters, a very under-appreciated C-86 band of the 80’s.

Wired Minds’ official website

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Gråblomst – “Candy Driver”

Gråblomst, a lo-fi alt. rock duo from Hamar, Norway, crafts beautiful songs with influences from classic rock and Britpop, addressing issues like mental illness and courage. Maren Ingeborg Gråblomst Galgum (vocals, bass) and her husband, Sverre Galgum (guitars, bass), include Portishead, PJ Harvey, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, and Black Sabbath among their musical influences.

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MP3: “Candy Driver“ – Gråblomst from Mr. Shrimp

Bonus Track: “Not Quite Right“ – Gråblomst from Mr. Shrimp

Gråblomst on Facebook

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Farewell Teddy – “Connoiseur of the Boulevard“

Farewell Teddy is a new Atlanta-based acoustic folk rock duo, just formed last year, featuring musicians James Daniel Brown and Nathaniel David (percussion, bass, production). They recently dropped, The Ferris Wheel, their four-track EP, ahead of the release of Farewell Teddy’s debut album, Brave New World’s Fair (Part 1), set for DIY drop soon.

The lead track, “Connoiseur of the Boulevard,” is uptempo, sensual and woodsy, featuring a horn section and a catchy, even soulful, beat and vocal work from Brown. It’s a nice little surprise on a cold day. There’s little question that Brown (vocals, guitar) and David (percussion, bass, production) are accomplished musicians as their debut EP aptly demonstrates.

While we call them an ‘acoustic folk rock’ duo, their sound is a bit hard to pin down precisely. No worries, the music is still strong on it’s own.

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MP3: “Connoiseur of the Boulevard“ – Farewell Teddy from The Ferris Wheel

Bonus Track: “I’m Not Afraid of Torture“ – “Farewell Teddy“ from The Ferris Wheel

Farewell Teddy on Facebook

Indie rock is the raw and real sound that comes from the guts of those who are not bound by cliche, overly produced songs and trite, kitschy art. It’s the music that can yank the emotional response from you whether it’s being performed by a quartet or with a First Act guitar by an unknown soul in a basement. – Nathaniel David

A Love Like Pi – “Dirty Work”

A Love Like Pi is the creation of Harlem based musician Lief Liebmann. The trio’s new EP, Jack and The Giant, is full of driving punk guitars, danceable, moving beats and tinges of electronica around the edges as evidenced on standout tracks like the voracious “Dirty Work.”

Oodles of musical projects come out of the Big Apple every month, but few separate themselves from the pack as A Love Like Pi does.

“I love the dichotomy in our music. It has this element of technology and the power and soul of rock,” says Liebmann whose multi-instrumental MO includes guitar, keyboards/synths and violin.

A Love Like Pi have toured across the United States with a band, and performed at big music festivals and events like SXSW, Warped Tour and Bamboozle.

“As the audience is working it on the dance floor, strange stuff is happening on-stage. The guys have played in costume, wearing blindfolds, and basically use the live shows as an opportunity to let loose.” Liebmann is a fan of musical influences like Paul Simon, Brand New, and Sufjan Stevens.

MP3: “Dirty Work“ – A Love Like Pi from Jack and The Giant

“Wide Awake“ – A Love Like Pi from Jack and The Giant

A Love Like Pi on Facebook

“Indie music is about keeping your band sounding like a side project: full of love and naturally unsolicitous.” – Liebmann

Piney Gir – “Mouse of a Ghost”

London-based artist Piney Gir‘s upcoming album, Mr. Hyde’s Wild Ride, set to drop on February 19, is the quirky Kansas-born musicians’ latest release. The album’s first single, “Mouse of a Ghost,” is a terrifically touching track, in it’s own mutant, and wonderfully odd, way, and an ode to Gir’s friend who passed away the year prior.

The ‘music video’ for “Mouse of a Ghost,” spliced together by Geoff Howell, is zany, politically-charged, full of pop culture references featuring droves of penguins, including a penguin ‘president’ with a serious drinking problem.

We love how the 60’s pop influence builds from the quiet xylophone trickles, and Gir’s girlish, almost silly, vocals. But before long the song bursts out into a full blown exuberant wave of fuzzy guitars, crashing cymbals, distant beats – all tied together like a Phil Spector-style wall of sound track on acid, and running the spectrum from innocent to outrageous. Perhaps even scandalous; what a weird video, though – creative in some ways and disturbing in others. Created by Geoff Howell.

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Chris Kudela – “Greenroom”

Philadelphia singer, songwriter and musician Chris Kudela knocks out rock and roll that is quintessentially American.

On this new album, the self-taught guitarist, Kudela combines rock riffs with pop melodies and hooks, and chugs along optimistically and energetically – imagine driving down the boulevard with the top down on a beautiful summer day – on songs like “Greenroom,” which automatically reminded us a lot of Gin Blossoms’ “Hey Jealousy.”

Kudela ranked at No.6 on Alternative Charts of a Philadelphia radio station.

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MP3: “Greenroom“ – Chris Kudela

Radar Love – Boulder Mood Rock Trio The Ineloquent

Posted on by flytrap

Admittedly nomadic, yet hailing primarily from Boulder, Colorado, The Ineloquent delivers contemplative and meaningful piano-driven ‘mood’ pop/rock with sweet melancholy, layered vocal harmonies and honest lyrics of love, sadness and hope.

The trio’s melodic and cinematic style musical style draws comparisons to artists like Coldplay, The Fray, Keane, and One Republic, while the band’s frontwoman, Georgiana Eakins, has previously been compared to vocalists like Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), Ellie Goulding, and Regina Spektor.

theineloquent-band

Her husband, guitarist Daniel Eakins, and bassist and drummer Pablo Calderon, add their talents to The Ineloquent’s release, E Is for Emergency, which weaves through themes of love, despair, fear, hope, and restoration. “These are songs that are meant to do more than just spill sound into silence,” Eakins says. “They are meant to challenge and inspire while bringing something musically fresh to the table.”

Lay back with your headphones on, and glide into the warm bath of the dreamy keys and vocals on “Emergency.”

A second standout track on the album, “Verge of a Breakthrough,” is a synth dance pop track that is also somewhat laid back and sensual – great bedroom chill song. Eakins vocals are wonderful.

“Emergency“ – The Ineloquent from E Is for Emergency

“Verge of a Breakthrough“ – The Ineloquent from E Is for Emergency

The Ineloquent on Facebook

“Indie rock is music unaltered by conventional structures and melodies which are often the norms on public radio. It is the freedom to create the sounds that make up your feelings without the pressure to conform to the musical clones of what sells. It is remaining true to yourself whether your music sells or not in hopes that someone out there will get it.” – Georgiana Eakins