Author: Max Hammer

This second installment of the Best New DIY of 2015 features a wide diversity of unsigned artists and bands with brand new singles, EPs and albums out now that you’re not likely to hear anywhere else but on IRC. From Brooklyn and Austin to Brisbane and Manchester, the artists and bands in this new playlist post of the best new DIY run the gamut from riff-tearing rock and glittery synth pop to spiraling psychedelic and acoustic folk.

In This Issue

Empire Machines – Austin, Texas
Silas Fermoy – Brooklyn, New York
Voir Voir – Bethelem, Pennsylvania
ONFIILM – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Modern Chair – Auckland, New Zealand
Them Bruins – Melbourne, Australia
DROLL – Boise, Idaho
Disco Fiasco – Oulu, Finland
Selina George – Rockville, Maryland
Concetta Abbate – New York City
Greg Chiapello – Brisbane, Australia

Empire Machines – Animal Skin EP

Empire Machines is a four piece indie rock outfit from the band-saturated, musical breeding ground of Austin. Founded in 2009, the band first gained recognition in the competitive environment of the Texan state capital in 2011 with the release of their self-titled debut EP. We were among the first blogs to feature the band back then. Fast-forward to 2015. Without realizing that we had nearly forgotten about them (it’s easy, alas, to forget about bands we love because we hear so many in the course of a year), Empire Machines dropped their follow-up EP, Animal Skin, on February 3rd.

While the three-track Animal Skin has flown largely under the radar just about everywhere else, it clearly reminds us of why we dig the band’s blend of heavily distorted, yet blazing, guitar riffs, catchy alternative rock rhythms, dark psychedelic tones, and big-sounding drums paired with minimalistic melodies on singles like “The Plan” and the EP’s title track.

“I think indie rock spans a bunch of different styles of rock, usually with a tendency to take more creative routes and sounds,” lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Blackwell said. Other band members include Trey McKinley on bass; Matt Reynolds on drums, and Bruce Smith Jr. on lead guitar.

“The Plan“ – Empire Machines from Animal Skin EP

“Animal Skin“ – Empire Machines from Animal Skin EP

Opened For: None provided
Musical Influences: Radiohead, The Beatles, Cage the Elephant, Spoon, and Arctic Monkeys
Twitter handle: @Empire_Machines
Empire Machines on Facebook

Silas Fermoy – Clouds That Dropped You

After moving from London to California when he was only 16, DIY songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Mash immediately got involved with producing hip hop music in the west. Four years later, he made the cross-continental move to Brooklyn where he began writing songs and playing the guitar. Soon after, he created Silas Fermoy and recruited band members for live shows. With the release of his first EP, Chapters, in 2012, he toured the United States, making a stop in Austin to perform at South By Southwest.

Fast forward to last summer – Mash found himself with a number of new songs that he was eager to get into the studio and record. He recruited former Elefant drummer Kevin Mcadams and producer Jason Cummings (who also played guitar and bass on the EP) of The Cutting Room Studios. That was the starting point for his new EP, Clouds That Dropped You, which features uptempo, melodic pop hooks with dance beats floating on top of warm synths on songs like “Passed Time” and “Feet Wont’ Keep You,” that you’ll find are difficult to get out of your head. His sophomore EP was dropped on February 27th.

“Passed Time“ – Silas Fermoy from Clouds That Dropped You

“Feet Won’t Keep You“ – Silas Fermoy from Clouds That Dropped You

Opened For: Hunter Hunted, Various Cruelties
Musical Influences: The Mary Onettes, Stars, Beach House, Blonde Redhead, The Stills, Delta Spirit
Twitter handle: @Silasfermoy
Silas Fermoy on Facebook

“Indie rock is music that doesn’t follow the basic rules or guidelines of what typical rock should be; it’s produced with an edge and not pulling on the typical strings of “baby left me”/”baby came back”. – Joshua Mash

Voir Voir – There Are No Good Goodbyes

Voir Voir started after it began. In the creativity-fertile Lehigh Valley town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, April and Matt Molchany discovered a fitting respite from their previous bands and the summer heat in 2012, writing and practicing songs together, and incorporating tones and textures that were part of their natural and artificial surroundings. The couple’s work remained under wraps even though they drew inspiration from the local DIY music scene.

By 2013, they had recruited a couple of other band members and began recording and performing their demos live after being billed to open for touring bands like Drowners, Slingshot Dakota, and Lewis & Clarke. It was during these performances that the band realized they were moving in the right direction. Thus, they self-released their debut album, There Are No Good Goodbyes, in February. The raw energy and musicianship, the passion and the talent of the DIY band is evident on ‘slacker rock’ songs like the title track and their first single, “I Wanna.”

“I Wanna“ – Voir Voir from There Are No Good Goodbyes – Feb .27th

“There Are No Good Goodbyes“ – Voir Voir from There Are No Good Goodbyes

Opened For: Drowners, Slingshot Dakota, Lewis & Clarke
Musical Influences: Built to Spill, The Pixies, Elliot Smith, Modest Mouse, Pavement
Voir Voir on Facebook

ONFIILM – Shade Single

ONFIILM is a new DIY post punk duo from Ottawa, Canada, founded by musicians Jordan Craig (vocals, guitar, violin) and Aaron Sager-Yung (guitar) in 2014. At first spin of their new, seven-minute blazing track, “Shade,” it’s not out of the realm of probability that some listeners could think they might be listening to a previously unreleased demo from Jane’s Addiction. But it’s not. It’s ONFIILM.

The pair make no bones about their long-time admiration of Jane’s Addiction’s big, electrifying trademark sound. Nor should they. ONFIILM’s sound is a mix of post punk, shoe gaze, psych rock, and what they call ‘abrasive blues.’ The result is a highly charged sound that the guys contend takes “the listener down a dirty, but sparkling, intergalatic black hole, and into a magical plane of shoe gaze psychedelia. The lyrics are terrestrial, but the vibe is extra. ”

The band released the “Shade” single on February 12th and are preparing to drop their debut EP something in the next few months. In the meantime, the band also sent us a raw, live and unreleased track, “The Good Ones.”

“Shade“ – ONFIILM from Shade 7″

“The Good Ones“ – ONFIILM

Opened For: Country, Alpha Strategy
Musical Influences: Jane’s Addiction, Spacemen 3, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Black Angels
Twitter handle: @onfiilm
ONFIILM on Facebook

Modern Chair – Tokyo Compression EP

From the mysterious world of New Zealand, rock veterans Wayne Bell and Andrew Thorne recently released a three-track EP, Tokyo Compression, as the newly-formed band Modern Chair, which has demonstrated that these aging-gracefully gents can certainly rock and roll, as evident on the EP’s raucous title track, and the follow-up single, “Vampire Squid.”

After many years of performing on albums and on tour with New Zealand rock royalty such as Tim Finn, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga and Gin Wigmore – opening for artists and bands like Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, The Cure, and Paul McCartney – Bell and Thorne are also studio owners with a long list of TV, commercial and session work to their credit.

“But that’s not necessarily real music,” Thorne said. “Music to me is doing things purely because you like the noise. A Les Paul through some fuzz pedal into an old AC30 [amp] melting your face just feels good.”

Bell chimes in, adding: “We wanted to do something big and driving [with Modern Chair]…if called upon, both of us can play some fairly fiddly stuff on our respective instruments. But, at this stage, that’s pretty much redundant. What’s ultimately satisfying is a groove or a melody that gets stuck in your ear and a band that makes you feel like you’ve arrived home. The modern age seems to be about celebrating individuals in ‘art’. I’d like to think Modern Chair is about celebrating the art in individuals.”

That’s certainly what Auckland‘s newest hard rock duo have achieved with Tokyo Compression. The fuzzy guitar riffs, gritty vocals, scuzzy bass playing, and big-sounding drums are exactly what the duo were aiming for. The EP was recorded and released within two months (during New Zealand’s summer).

“Tokyo Compression (Lets Go Tokyo!)“ – Modern Chair from Tokyo Compression – Feb. 18th

“Vampire Squid“ – Modern Chair from Tokyo Compression

Opened For: None yet; but in previous bands – Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, The Cure, Paul McCartney
Musical Influences: Tom Petty, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, NIN
Twitter handle: @Modern_Chair
Modern Chair official website
Music Video for ‘Tokyo Compression’

Disco Fiasco – Golden Hats

Stepping out of the shadows of obscurity, Oulu, Finland electro rock dance band Disco Fiasco have been making waves in their home country for the past year now. Formed in 2013, they dropped two EPs in less than two years. Fast-forward to now: these young lads have just released their new hip-shaking track, “Chance to Dance,” the second single from their debut album, Golden Hats, released last month. Increasingly a band to watch in Finland, the DIY quintet performed at Finnish music festivals like Qstock (Oulu, FIN) and Buktafestivalen.

It’s almost impossible not to imagine that the album’s title track – with it’s poppy hooks, lush grooves and flourishing keys – sounds somewhat like an 80’s keyboard rock tune from a band that emulates Devo and Duran Duran. Disco Fiasco features Karri Hurskainen on drums; Topi Kilpinen and Joonas Juntunen on guitar; Santeri Koppelo on vocals, and Jami Myllykoski on bass.

“Chance To Dance“ – Disco Fiasco from Golden Hats

“Golden Hats“ – Disco Fiasco from Golden Hats

Opened For: None yet
Musical Influences: Arctic Monkeys, Two Door Cinema Club, Wombats, Satellite Stories, Metallica
Twitter handle: @disco_fiasco
Disco Fiasco on Facebook

Them Bruins – Them Bruins EP

Born nearly three years ago in Melbourne, Australia, the youthful, hard-hitting, and fast-driving garage rock band, Them Bruins, blaze out of the headphones at 100 miles per hour with a relentless inferno of crunchy, raucous guitar riffs from Ben Woodmason; fuzzy, brooding bass lines from Jimmy Campbell; ferocious drumming from Tim Woodmason and wicked, snarling vocals from Joel Griffith, on noisy, chunky tracks like “Walk The Line” and “Black Widow” from the band’s self-titled debut EP. Paying homage, completely in their own distinct way, to idols like Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age and The Strokes, Them Bruins are one of the best new overseas DIY rock bands to hit the shores of the United States so far this year, and we can only suspect that they’ll grow in popularity throughout 2015 if all the right pieces fall into place.

“Walk a Line“ – Them Bruins from Them Bruins – Feb. 1st

“Black Widow“ – Them Bruins from Them Bruins

(Watch the “Black Widow“ music video on YouTube)

Opened For: DZ Deathrays, British India, Children Collide, Kingswood, and The Bellrays
Musical Influences: The Strokes, At The Drive In, Bloc Party, Queens of the Stoneage, and Nirvana.
Twitter handle: @ThemBruins
Them Bruins on Facebook

DROLL – A Durty World (The Bedroom Recordings)

Situated in Boise, Idaho, DROLL, is a new ‘anti-folk’ musical project of Storie Grubb (guitar, uke, percussion, vocals and harmonica), featuring Matt Vorhies on accordion. On February 1st, DROLL released the magnificently melancholy debut EP, A Durty World (The Bedroom Recordings).

We have been really moved by Grubb’s intensely emotive vocals, intriguing story-telling and lyrics, and his sublime, folksy acoustic instrumentation that exudes what sounds like a lifetime of sadness and reflection. There’s something undeniably innocent and beautiful in his song craft; in fact, these songs have really stuck with us, and we’ve played them again and again, which has resulted in us liking them more and more with each spin. He is uniquely his own artist, and while he listed musical influences to include Magnetic Fields, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Grubbs’ stands alone in his own world of musical expression and songwriting.

For example, take into consideration the following verses from the poignant song, “The Land of 2,000 Hands,” which is apparently about a mother who died of a heroin-induced suicide:

Heerrrr-o-in,
She couldn’t come back even if she wanted to…
Momma’s on the window sill,
Cybil’s counting out her pills,
Momma’s thinking, she’s no good for anyone…

“The Land of 2000 Hands“ – DROLL from A Durty World (The Bedroom Recordings)

Prior to dropping A Durty World (The Bedroom Recordings), DROLL unassumingly released a five-track, self-titled EP on January 9th via Facebook, featuring tracks like a ukelele and accordion instrumental, “Ode to Zach,” a Nick Drake-like instrumental, “Sing With Me,” and other deep, heart-breaking ‘anti-folk’ compositions like “Names,” “Paycheck to Paycheck” and “Anything,” the latter with lyrics like “Such a sad, stupid thing to fight/you’re beating on my floor/And there’s the chords you took for Bride(?)/he’s beating down my door/No, I won’t be just another fly for you to eat.”

“Names“ – DROLL from A Durty World (The Bedroom Recordings)

We don’t know if Grubb is channeling Nick Drake and Elliott Smith – legendary, yet tragic, figures of the ‘sombre folk’ genre – but he sure strikes a chord on song after song that has us reminiscing. The preface to the DROLLS EP on Facebook notes: “…if you’ve ever had a broken heart or lost something you love…”

“I’ve been playing in a rock and roll band for the passed four years and wanted to get back to my roots,” Grubb told IRC, adding that DROLL aims to create “simple, lyrical and melodic music that reflects the many ways I feel about life, war, religion and art…and sometimes love.”

“The Gods of Man“ – DROLL from A Durty World (The Bedroom Recordings)

Opened For: None Yet
Musical Influences: Magnetic Fields, Black Francis, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Belle and Sebastian, and Peter Gabriel
DROLL’s on Facebook
Video: An interesting music video for “The Morro Rock, Part One (Like My Father)”.

Selina George – South of The Border

At the age of 20, Rockville, Maryland, singer/songwriter Selina George displays the deep insight and perspective on life that one would expect from someone twice her age. Her gorgeous, yet mysteriously pained, vocals maintain an innocent quality that ironically work well with her lyrics and musicianship. On splendidly beautiful songs like “South of the Border,” George’s lyrics, vocals and musical skills on guitar immediately signal a DIY sensation in the making that is just under the radar, but that we suspect won’t be for long once more people hear her creations. “Who is that?!” we thought, as have other unsuspecting listeners in the cafe. There’s something fitting about the otherwise misplaced samples of exploding fireworks in the background, that intertwine with haunting melodies and lyrics of long distant love denied, that the give the song an arresting allure, while simultaneously conveying the tribulations of an aching heart.

“I speak strictly from the heart, and my songs are very real to me, and everyone who hears them,” George told IRC. “The way I see it, music is my therapy, my release, and my call to action. These songs are my legacy.” George began writing songs and playing guitar when she was 16 years old.

Her musical influences are varied and include artists like Jhene Aiko, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse, and Pink Floyd. She labels her music in more than one genre – folk, soul, and ‘acoustic mellow.’ On February 21st, George self-released her self-titled debut EP with help from her boyfriend producer, Robin Smith.

“South of the Border“ – Selina George from South of the Border

Opened For: None Yet
Musical Influences: Jhene Aiko, The Beatles, Aluna George, Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse, and Pink Floyd
Twitter handle: @TheSelinaGeorge
Selina George on Facebook

Concetta Abbate – Falling In Time

Calling New York City home, songwriter and singer Concetta Abbate released her debut album, Falling In Time, on February 15th, from which the orchestral pop track, “Thought Thieving Hen,” is taken. It’s a short, but sweet, song track, which is fitting considering the title of the album. The song is also like a tune we could imagine hearing in the Wizard of Oz if the movie were filmed in 2014. There are even more songs – that mix elements of jazz, classical, experimental, pop and electronic – on the album that should be satisfactory to any listeners who are smitten by the single we included in this short review of Abbate’s debut album.

“Thought Thieving Hen“ – Concetta Abbate from Falling In Time, Pocket Sized Songs

Opened For: Archipelago String Quartet, Inti and the Moon, Ember Schrag, Susan Alcorn, Janel and Anthony, Lola and the Wolves
Musical Influences: Bjork, Emiliana Torrini, Karla Khilstedt, Hildegard Von Bingen, Arvo Part
Twitter handle: @concetta.abbate
Concetta Abbate on Facebook

Greg Chiapello – Hot Coffee single

Brisbane musician and Hey Geronimo and Montpelier collaborator, Greg Chiapello, released his debut single “Hot Coffee” on February 4th and announced a national tour of Australia supporting artist Megan Washington.

The joyful track has an addictive charm and hook-heavy chorus, which was one reason it was an IRC Song of the Day. “Hot Coffee” was produced by Brisbane-based producer/session musician Graham Ritchie (Airling, Emma Louise), and engineered by Matt Redlich (Ball Park Music, Hungry Kids Of Hungry, Emma Louise). It’s the perfect tease track for a forthcoming album that we’re looking forward to hearing as soon as it’s dropped.

“Hot Coffee“ – Greg Chiapello from Hot Coffee single

Opened For: Megan Washington
Musical Influences: Babaganoü and Montaigne
Twitter handle: @gregchiapello

Soup – Soup EP

The DIY band, Soup, is a Manchester, England indie psychedelic band that rips a page from Syd Barrett‘s tenure with Pink Floyd before Barrett allegedly “lost his mind” by taking too much LSD and was replaced by Roger Waters. The Barrett channelling, if you will, is most apparent on Soup’s track, “Colour Coded,” from the Soup EP, a five-track “introduction to the full 13-track album” that can be streamed here.

“Had I not been asked to be a guest vocalist on what would have been the first Paris Angels‘ album since the early 90s,” Andy Whitaker, lead vocalist and guitarist said, “this project in it’s current incarnation would have never come about.” After Paris Angels disbanded last year, bassist Oz Cooper and Whitaker continued experimenting in the recording studio, bringing “the mighty Dug McLeod in on drums,” for the recording session. The current Soup line-up includes Oz’s brother, Dan Cooper, on drums, Elliot Wheeler on guitar and Chad Whitaker on keys.

“Colour Coded“ – Soup from Album

Opened For: None yet
Musical Influences: Melody’s Echo Chamber, Miracle Fortress, The Chameleons UK, New Order, Beck, Simeon, Syd Barrett
Twitter handle: @Soupband
Soup on Facebook

Like what you hear on Indie Rock Cafe? You can contribute to the indie and DIY coverage by donating to IRC (and we’ll give you a shoutout on FB and Twitter)

The first batch of new DIY releases for 2015 is here, and there are some terrific singles from noteworthy new albums released by DIY bands across the U.S. and around the world. You can listen to singles singularly or use the streaming player below so that the 23 songs on this page will stream automatically and uninterrupted.

We’ll also be publishing the fifth volume of the Best DIY Releases of 2014, since there are still some not-to-miss EPs and LPs from last year, and a new Artist of the Week. Recently we have also posted the top non-DIY releases for January from well-known and small label indie artists and bands, featuring new material from Ty Seagall, Guster, The Decemberists, Panda Bear, California X, Belle & Sebastian and many others – see and stream it here.

And, if that’s not enough – the famed Top Ten Songs playlists for January will be out later in the week. The following are the bands highlighted in this first volume of 2015 DIY releases. Don’t miss any of it – follow IRC on Twitter and add us on Facebook.

In This Issue:

Steels – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Her Magic Wand – Paris, France
Columbia – Melbourne, Australia
Valley Shine – Los Angeles, California
DAVID – Southampton, U.K.
Kat and the Canaries – Culver City, California
Radiolab – Alexandria, Virginia
Shibuya Terminal – Denver, Colorado
Benskuba – Regina, Saskatewhen, Canada
Hilldale – Dijon, France
Helen Mystic – El Cerrito, California
Hydrogen Skyline – Denver, Colorado
Action Jets – Phoenix, Arizona
Sun Cut Flat – Brooklyn, New York

Steels is a DIY indie rock band forged in 2013 by musicians from ‘two glorious Southern cities’ – Tuscaloosa and Atlanta. Now based in Tuscaloosa, the band’s goal, according to frontman D. Charles Robinson was, and remains, “rock vengeance.”

The information we can find on this band (which is difficult because of their common name) is thin. The reason we want to know more is because we are smitten by the angling guitar riffs, horns and harmonic choruses on singles like “True Romance” and the splintering rock of “Be Around,” from the band’s debut EP, On the Other Side. Steels features Robinson, along with bassist Justin Ray-West, guitarist Brett Mitchell and a drummer known only as ‘Gunner.’ Each member, ex-pats from a variety of hardcore bands, bring to the table their aggressive passion to make love with the soul of rock.

“True Romance“ – (video) Steels from On the Other Side

“Be Around“ – Steels from On the Other Side

Opened For: “We play in crap hole venues. We open up for everyone.” – Robinson

Musical Influences: Led Zepplin, Riff Raff, As Cities Burn, James Brown, Chon, Zac Brown

Steels on Facebook

Her Magic Wand – Everything At Once

Her Magic Wand is the creation of Parisian songwriter, vocalist and musician Charles Braud. Creating his own brand of French-inspired indie pop/rock, Braud’s impressive debut single, “Everything At Once,” from his forthcoming debut LP, is enough to make us take notice and await the rest of the album, which should be released in the next couple of months. According to Braud, the album was written and recorded over a period of nearly a year. Braud landed some terrific, grade A help with the album, scoring Stephane ‘Alf’ Briat (Phoenix, Air) to mix it and Chab (Daft Punk, Sebastien Tellier) to master. The results of such prestigious guidance and assistance are apparent on the new single. But Braud is also no stranger to the indie scene in Paris; he’s previously shared the stage with bands like Cloud Control and The Hundred In The Hands and artists such as Kyp Malone of TV On The Radio.

As far back as 2010, Braud released Her Magic Wand’s debut ‘demo’ EP, Catch A Rainbow, which sold out, even on Bandcamp, but is still available for streaming. If the new single, and the demo EP, are any indication of what Her Magic Wand’s debut LP will sound like, then we’re definitely keeping our ears and eyes open for its official release.

“Everything At Once“ – Her Magic Wand from Everything At Once

“Mistakes“ – Her Magic Wand from Catch A Rainbow EP (2010)

Opened For: The Hundred In The Hands, Team Ghost, Summer Camp, Cloud Control, Birdpen, Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio)

Musical Influences: The Notwist, Slowdive, The Flaming Lips, Lali Puna, My Bloody Valentine, The Delgados

Her Magic Wand on Facebook

Columbia – Columbia EP

From the rock and roll city of Melbourne, Australia, the post-punk band Columbia crafts dark, mysterious and forbidding songs on their self-titled debut EP. Their sound reminds some of a mix between The National and Joy Division. Frontman Michael Magee‘s brooding, passionate vocals are at the heart of the band’s music, as evidenced on tracks like “One of These Days” and “Brother.” The other members of the band, including guitarists and keyboardists Simon Spratling and Vincent Freeny, and drummer Michael Blancato, round out Columbia’s reputation as a band to watch. The members hail from cities like New York and Belfast. According to Magee, the band’s music aims to “burn with desperate energy” and “confront classical themes of love, faith and work.”

For their debut EP, the band teamed up with reputed producer Anna Laverty, who is known for her work with Cut Copy, Nick Cave and Temper Trap, to record the EP at Melbourne’s Sing-Sing Studios. There’s no question when you listen to the two tracks below that Laverty helped enormously in fostering the raw and deep sound the band strived to create. “It’s the sound of people trying to break through,” Magee said. “We associate indie rock with honesty, integrity and a yearning for truth.”

“One Of These Days“ – Columbia from Columbia – Jan. 10th

“Brother“ – Columbia from Columbia

Opened For: None Indicated

Musical Influences: U2, Joy Division, R.E.M., Oasis, The National, Broken Social Scene

Columbia on Facebook

Valley Shine – LOCA

Los Angeles songwriter, vocalist and strings musician Sam Sobelman, of the band, Lipstick Lumberjack, met his soon-to-be Valley Shine bandmate Jenna Blake of Xu Xu Fang, after she had posted a comment about Sobelman’s cat on Instagram. After some enlightening discussions, the two have been “writing and recording foot-stomping music non-stop” ever since, Sobelman told IRC.

Perhaps foot-stomping isn’t exactly the right description, but the duo sure do create cheery folk pop. Sobelman said they piece together influences such as the piano and guitar arrangements of The Head and The Heart, sing-a-long choruses of The Oh Hellos and Angus and Julia’s “male-female vocal harmonies” to create their decidedly pop folk charm. Their new single, “Bop Bah,” released on January 31st, is an uptempo pop gem that you might think you’ve heard somewhere before, but you probably haven’t). The duo will release their debut EP LOCA in the spring.

“Bop Bah“ – Valley Shine from LOCA – Jan. 31st

“If I Was a Bird“ – Valley Shine from LOCA

Opened For: None

Musical Influences: The Head and the Heart, Angus and Julia, The Oh Hellos, Rilo Kiley, Bon Iver, Mates of State

Valley Shine on Facebook

“Indie Rock is DIY!,” Sobelman wrote. ” It’s keeping the process personal: making everything true to the artistic vision of the creators, and rocking the folk out of music.”

DAVID – Impulses

Based in the U.K. town of Southampton in Hampshire, musician and vocalist David Blackbourn creates what he calls “raw, passionate, weird” acoustic sounds accompanied by lyrics that are “chaotic and confused and full of venom and anger and hope.” These self-professed traits and feelings are not necessarily funneled into the songs featured here; in fact, we don’t hear any anger or chaos on songs like the bright, uptempo, “Keep Smiling,” and the more tame, somewhat melancholy, “Pleasure Seekers.”

“My aim is to make you feel something and to connect,” Blackbourn writes, “…to share joy and pain and to highlight the illogical and the strange.” Using the moniker DAVID (which makes it difficult for people to find him on web searches), Blackbourn contends that his musical influences are “a mess,” including artists that range from polar ends of the music spectrum, such as Aimee Mann to Eminem, Kings of Leon to Frank Ocean, and Fiona Apple to Nick Drake.

He may call his diverse musical influences a ‘mess,’ but the results sound pretty good to our ears. “People say I sound like Jeff Buckley, Paolo Nutini and Tom Waits’ strange love child.” On January 1st, DAVID self-released his debut EP, Impulses.

“Keep Smiling“ – DAVID from Impulses – Jan. 1st

“Pleasure Seekers“ – DAVID from Impulses

Opened For: Habitats, Dave McPherson, Lotte Mullan, Boz

Musical Influences: Jeff Buckley, Fiona Apple, Frank Ocean, Aesop Rock, Nick Drake, King Krule

David Blackbourn on Facebook

Kat & The Canaries – Kat & The Canaries EP

Based in Culver City, a city that borders Los Angeles, the quintet DIY band, Kat & The Canaries, released its self-titled debut EP on January 1st, featuring catchy singles like “Dead Canary” and “Close The Blinds.” Formed last year, this new alternative/punk rock band features lead vocalist Kat Grant, guitarists Mikey Flores and Adam Joe, bassist Nate Waxler, and drummer Terry Barajas.

“Indie rock to me is rock in its freest form,” Grant told IRC. “When I think of indie rock, I think of rock with no boundaries, traveling down an array of avenues of influence. New sounds mixed with old familiar favorites seems to be the epitome of the indie rock experience.”

“Dead Canary“ – Kat and The Canaries from Kat and The Canaries – Jan. 1st

“Close The Blinds“– Kat and The Canaries from Kat and The Canaries

Opened For: The Milky Way, Surgeon Marta, The Decorators

Musical Influences: Pixies, Johnny Cash,The Ramones, Radiohead, Bjork

Kat and The Canaries on Reverbnation

Kat and The Canaries on Facebook

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Radiolab – Dreamless

Radiolab is the musical moniker of Alexandria, Virginia multi-instrumentalist Dane Di Pierro, who crafts breezy, dreamy tracks like the standout song, “Sail to the Stars,” from Radiolab’s third album, Dreamless, released on January 5th. In addition to writing all of the songs, Di Pierro plays the guitar, bass, keys, synths and programs the drum beats. Occasionally adding samples from obscure films and movies, Di Pierro mixes all of the elements together and layers them with dense overlays, particularly for guitars and keys. Vocalist Meghan Redding joined the Radiolab project in 2009 and recorded two albums with Di Pierro before departing for other endeavors before the recording for Dreamless began.

<a rel="nofollow" href="https://indierockcafe.comwp-content/uploads/05%20sail%20to%20the%20stars.mp3">“Sail to the Stars“</a> - <strong>Radiolab</strong> from <em>Dreamless</em> - Jan. 5th

<a rel="nofollow" href="https://indierockcafe.comwp-content/uploads/04%20after%20the%20rain.mp3">“After the Rain“</a> - <strong>Radiolab</strong> from <em>Dreamless</em> 

Opened For: Time Colulmns, The Floor is Hot Lava, Ghost Hotel, Seaknuckle, Chainsaws, Heavy Lights

Musical Influences: Voyager One, Ride, Mogwai, Bark Psychosis, Efterklang

Shibuya Terminal – The Javelin Set EP

During the long, warm Denver summer of 2014, Shibuya Terminal was a newly formed indie rock trio performing gigs at clubs and festivals, and gaining a following in the local music scene. However, when frontman guitarist and vocalist Pierce Murphy sojourned to Japan last September, he decided to morph Shibuya Terminal into a solo project. Drawing from a variety of genres, including garage rock, post punk and indie, as well as from artists and bands like Elvis Costello, The Thermals, and The Strokes, Murphy wrote and sang each song, as well as played all the instruments, recorded and mixed the DIY EP, The Javelin Set, entirely by himself.

“Javelin“ – Shibuya Terminal from The Javelin Set EP – Jan. 5th

“We’re Not Getting Any Younger“ – Shibuya Terminal from The Javelin Set EP – Jan. 5th

Opened For: None Indicated

Musical Influences: Elvis Costello, The Thermals, The Strokes, Mose Allison, The Modern Lovers

Shibuya Terminal on Facebook

Benskuba – Celebration

The Canadian outfit Benskuba started out in 2005 as a trio featuring former members of the band Mad Shadows; they were Kevin Cholerton, Blair Polischuk, and Randy Reibling. As Mad Shadows, the Regina based trio recorded and toured together for eight years playing from a discography of punk, ska and pop tracks. The band transitioned into a new band called Benskuba. But the trials of change that the years bring dealt the trio a number of blows, the most tragic of which was the death of Polischuk, the band’s veracious drummer. Polischuk (or “Spike”) was diagnosed with ALS and passed away only months later. Reibling decided to return to Dubai, where he performs in a few bands.

That left Cholerton to set out on his own; pulling himself together on the heels of losing his best friend in such a tragic and sudden (when compared to all of the years they were together) way, Cholerton decided to keep Benskuba going as a solo project. He wrote and recorded Celebration as a tribute to his long-time childhood friend. “I ended up playing all the instruments,” Cholerton said. “The CD is somewhat of a tribute to Spike as we were best friends, and had played together in bands since we were 10 years old. The music can best be described as an alternative rock/pop sound with an emphasis on groove and melody – a blend of big electric guitar, acoustic, big drum sound, introspective lyrics.”

“Indie music is independent, unfiltered music played and written without the constraints of commercial or corporate interests, allowing the artist full control over his art, career, and anything music related.”

“Just a Dream“ – Benskuba from Celebration – Jan. 10th

“Ease the Line“ – Benskuba from Celebration

Opened For: ‘None so far’

Musical Influences: U2, Kings of Leon, Beck, Teenage Head, Black Keys, The Clash

Benskuba official website

Benskuba Music on Facebook

Hilldale – Hilldale EP

Hilldale is a DIY indie pop band based in Dijon, France. The four band mates – Christelle Armenio (lead vocals, guitar, bass), Lucas Auroy Lopez (drums, backup vocals), Charlie Suchaut (guitar, bass) and Julien Rouche (guitar, backup vocals) – formed the band last year in a mutual quest to write and record songs with sunny, glimmering guitars, mid and uptempo percussions and dreamy melodies, as evidenced on songs like “Day Off” and “Curtis.” Hilldale released a self-titled EP on January 6th.

“Day Off“ – Hilldale from Hilldale EP

“Curtis“ – Hilldale from Hilldale EP

Opened For: Son Lux, White Hinterland, Love Inks

Musical Influences: Real Estate, Real Lies, Future Islands, Beach Fossils, Mac Demarco, Warpaint

Helen Mystic – Sistine Candles

Helen Mystic is an alternative folk rock trio based in the Bay Area town of El Cerrito. All three of the band members – Tennessee Mowrey, Tobias Butler and Isaac Silk – studied music at Wesleyan University and moved to the Bay Area after graduation. They describe their music as “slow, melody-based electronica, influenced by artists like Beach House and James Blake,” as well as the band members’ “various studies of world music and experimental music at Wesleyan.” The following two tracks are from their debut EP, Sistine Candles, released on January 1st, and available via Bandcamp.

“This Whale“ – Helen Mystic from Sistine Candles – Jan. 1st

“Josef“ – Helen Mystic from Sistine Candles

Opened For: None

Musical Influences: James Blake, Beach House, Alt-J, Novelty Daughter

Helen Mystic on Facebook

Hydrogen Skyline – Hey Sly King Drone

The Denver alternative electro rock band Hydrogen Skyline comprises a husband and wife team that reunited after years of being separate following an intense high school romance. In 2012, Norman Skyline, his real name, graduated from university and pursued a career in music by starting a solo project which “absorbed other artists as the evolution of its existence began.” He found it difficult, however, to find local talent to work with. “Years later,” Skyline says, he crossed paths with Asher, his former high school sweetheart and their love was rekindled; as Skyline says, it never burned out (“there was an old love still there”), and in less than a year, the two were married and Hydrogen Skyline was launched.

“Initially, it was never our intention to work on music together,” he wrote. “She came down to rehearsal one day asking about singing to one of the established songs, and without much preamble showed me why she belonged in this project.” A few months ago the band was featured on Reverbnation and on January 16th, they dropped the album, Hey Sly King Drone.

“Over Tonight (Paradise Remix)“ – Hydrogen Skyline from Hey Sly King Drone

“Shadows” – Hydrogen Skyline from Hey Sly King Drone

Opened For: Civil Twilight, Atlas Genius, Abney Park, Saving Abel

Musical Influences: Metric, Sia, Panic at the Disco, Nine Inch Nails, Thrice

Hydrogen Skyline on Facebook

Action Jets – Action Girl on Instagram

Action Jets is an indie rock/power pop band from Phoenix that grind out hook-laden rock fused with elements of power pop, punk and new wave to create an original sound on their debut 7″ single, “Action Girl on Instagram,” with the B-side, “Action Party Epic Fun!” Action Jets is appropriately a phoenix-rising band that formed from the ashes of the pop punk band, Dfactor, that disbanded in 2013. The band is currently recording an EP for release this spring. In the meantime, they’ve released the EP’s first double-single.

“Indie rock is a movement that brings together fans, musicians, promoters and publishers in a spirit of DIY creation-making for bringing sounds to the street without the interference of corporate interests.” – ‘Action Dan’

“Action Girl on Instagram“ – Action Jets from Action Jets Single – Jan. 15th

“Action Party Epic Fun!“ – Action Jets from Action Jets Single

Opened For: Warm Soda, The Everymen, Field Tripp

Musical Influences: The Hives, Teenage Bottlerocket, Tinted Windows, Cheap Trick, Guided by Voices, The Replacements

Action Jets on Facebook

Sun Cut Flat – Copy Machine Dream

DIY band Sun Cut Flat was originally formed as a live band in Boston during 2009. Nick Lattanzi (vocals, guitar, synth), then a freshman at Boston University, began collaborating with Erik Kramer (bass) and later Chris Pegram (keys, synths, percussion), both freshman at Berklee College of Music. The group bonded over their similar taste in music and appreciation of everything from jazz to electronic. It was only last year that the trio began writing and recording. They decided to use the same name that they had originally performed under because “we want the energy of our music to be as powerful and bright as the sun being split in half.” Sun Cut Flat completed the recording of the 14-track debut album,Copy Machine Dream, relocated to Brooklyn, and welcomed a new member to the band, drummer Angelo Spampinato.

“Love In Spiritual“ – Sun Cut Flat from Copy Machine Dream

“Salty Sea Intro“ – Sun Cut Flat from Copy Machine Dream

Opened For: None

Musical Influences: Gorillas, Radiohead, Little Dragon

As with every year in the past, there were thousands of amazing, must-hear and under-the-radar indie music releases in 2014. If you’ve been following IRC, you’ve heard some of the most promising and unique, many that were not featured anywhere else online before being profiled on IRC. And, in the coming weeks, we’re going to be posting more great releases from 2014 that are worthy of your time from bands you’ve probably never heard of before. We also hope to put together a posting of the bands and songs in 2014 that all of you liked the most.

Also, don’t miss Vol. I and Vol. II of the Top DIY of 2014 series; there’s plenty of great bands to watch and amazing tracks to listen to.

Throughout the year, we post obscure but talented artists and bands in series like DIY Bands to Watch, 5 Bands That Rock; 7 Bands You’ve Gotta Hear; In Dee Mail and Artist of the Week, to name just a few of our long-running, popular playlist series. Many of you have asked what happened to the Top Ten Songs playlists – we’ll do our best to revive them in 2015.

North By North – Something Wicked

Chicago’s North By North rock it out on their 2014, 18-track LP debut, Something Wicked, channeling the magnetically electric ferocity of Jack White’s guitar playing, and mixing it with the shadowy dark pop influences in the vein of Queens of the Stone Age to create their own mysterious, raucous hard rock sound.

The trio’s mix of thrashing garage rock with 70’s-styled psych and 80’s arena rock on songs like “Burn It Down,” “Blood & Glitter,” and “Her Name Was Vengeance” set them apart from many of their DIY contemporaries. And yet to see them walking down the street you’d never guess they were the musicians behind such awesome, riff-heavy rock. In fact, the album is so good, it was hard to pick just a couple of songs to highlight. It’s too bad that – even after this posting – so many people will never know about one of the best under-the-radar rock albums of 2014.

“Burn it Down” – North By North from Something Wicked

Lurching into the cafe speakers with ringing, blazing guitar work by Nate Girard, the unforgettable and passionate vocals of Kendra Blank (who also plays keyboards) and the energetic and ferocious drum work of Dylan Andrews, this Windy City band has managed to release one of the best, yet largely overlooked, debut rock albums of 2014. And that’s not just the consensus in the cafe; check out what others are saying about North By North and Something Wicked.

Once you’ve listened to this double album a couple of times, you’re likely to see why it has garnered such praise with rock and rollers. And some of you will be as baffled as we are about why this band hasn’t broken through as one of the best new rock bands of the year. Not surprisingly, the band’s top musical influences are The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys, Black Keys, and The Kills. North By North have shared the stage with alternative and DIY bands such as The Ivorys, Swimsuit Addition, The Cunning, Inspector Owl, and All Eyes West.

“Her Name Was Vengeance” – North By North from Something Wicked

In May, the band released a double single, “Mama Gold/Break Some Bones,” that offers more hard-hitting rock and roll for, as the band says, “the intellectual,” or, “the thoughtful individual whose ears require more than four chords and a chorus to get them off. ” For those who bemoan the alleged decline of rock, North By North are one of many bands we’ve feature since 2007 that demonstrates that under-the-radar, DIY indie rock is alive and well. That’s what Indie Rock Cafe is all about; we don’t just regurgitate what dozens and dozens of other blogs are posting every week. Instead, we’re committed to documenting the rarely heard, but amazingly good, music that would otherwise go unnoticed, and unrecorded, in the annals of DIY rock history.

Visit North By North on Facebook

FEiN – FEiN Times

Hailing from Los Angeles, the DIY alternative rock band, FEiN, are not your run-of-the-mill LA rock outfit. In fact, the band’s debut EP, Fein Times, released in August, features songs like “#Grownupz,” which the band calls “a tongue-in-cheek tune about trust-fund babies, mad stacks, Buddhism, bass drops, and memorizing the days of the week.” Together with other tracks like “Monay Grabba,” the EP has been gaining ground throughout the second half of the year. In fact, “#Grownupz” with it’s sick melodic allure, was featured as the opening track on Tunecore’s Summer Songs compilation. Their sound has been called “Vampire Weekend’s bitter cousin and “Grizzly Bear meets a more electronic Arctic Monkeys.” However one wants to label their sound, the duo dabble nicely with integrating pop and electronic elements.

The unsigned duo of former session guitarist Luke Walton and Brandon Woodward (drums, guitar, keys, vocals) have been gaining ground in the ball-busting world of LA’s underground scene, including a well receive show at the Troubadour, the iconic LA club that helped launch famous bands and artists like Led Zeppelin, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Eagles, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Both Walton and Woodward have also played separately with The Beach Boys, and Walton toured with The Doobie Brothers as a session guitarist. Imagine that for young musicians? The duo’s wide musical influences include Mother Mother, St. Vincent, Portugal. The Man, Saint Motel, Belle Brigade, and Everything Everything .

“#Grownupz” – FEiN from FEiN Times

“Monay Grabba” – FEiN from FEiN Times

FEiN on Facebook

Wrong Body – BIG

From the city of Boston, home of dirty water, baseball and clam chowdah, the DIY band Wrong Body delivers tightly structured post-rock inspired by the ‘D.C. sound’ (but which is not, they proclaim, ’90’s revival’ rock) on their debut album, BIG. The title track single drives hard with chunky guitars and raw riffs, raucous drumming and the high-pitched, sort-of-Ozzy-but-not-really vocals of guitarist Andy Szymcik, creating a ‘big’ rock sound that deserves a spot headlining a hot Boston club. The second track, “Medal of Honor,” starts out slow with jangling guitar licks and subtle beats and then builds and blasts into a full throttle rocker with an interestingly ghostly chorus.

Wrong Body formed in August 2010 when Syzmcik met guitarist Bryan Mastergeorge while working at an electronics store. The two bonded over the first Rival Schools‘ album, and set out to emulate it along with their other big influences like Fugazi, Jawbox, Nada Surf and Burning Airlines.

The rare common link of musical inspirations propelled the duo to get serious about jamming together and putting together a sick rhythm section to form an official rock band. Not long after, drummer Steve Delany and bassist Jonathan Hislop joined, marking the creation of one of Boston’s best DIY bands you’ve never heard of. If you have, chances are you caught them opening for Therefore I Am, The Bynars, Ghost Thrower, or Foreign Tongues.

“Big” – Wrong Body from Big

“Medal of Merit” – Wrong Body from Big

Wrong Body on Bandcamp

The Electric West – Dusty Trails

There are probably more bands in the Los Angeles area than any other one region in the world. So, you could say, they’re a dime a dozen. But then there are bands that stand out from the blur of all the others, like DIY post punk psych outfit The Electric West. Formed in 2012, the band released their self-produced debut album, Dusty Trails last year featuring tracks like the riff-heavy, dark “Who’s Big Enough” and “Devil Horse.”

The band members include Lee Lewallen on bass and vocals; Chandler Sterling on guitar and keys, and Byron Pagdilao on drums. The Electric West counts among their biggest musical influences Interpol, Sunset Rubdown, Wolf Parade, Interpol, Arctic Monkeys, Bad Brains and Prince. Around the megalopolis of LA, the band has opened for groups like Owenstone, The Shivas, Gravy’s Drop, The Black Heartthrobs, Ghost Noise, and Hex Horizontal.

“Who’s Big Enough” – The Electric West from Dusty Trails

“Devil Horse” – The Electric West from Dusty Trails

The Electric West on Facebook

Rhino House Band – Golden Summer EP

Straight outta Brooklyn, indie pop rock band Rhino House Band serve up some stellar melodies, harmonies and pop-inspired guitar riffs on their 2014 Golden Summer EP thanks to songs like “Little Things” and “James’ Song.” The band first formed in the college town of New Paltz, New York, comprised of students from the local SUNY campus. The band’s first public performance was at the town’s Rhino Records shop, and it went off so well that they decided to name their band after the shop. As the band played more shows around town, their crowds became larger, and soon, they were a buzz band on campus, drawing attention of the local press thanks to songs like “Wallkill River Demo.”

By the time graduation came, the band’s farewell concert at Snug Harbor turned out to be the second best-selling show of all time at the venue. Golden Summer is the reconfigured band’s first release since relocating to Brooklyn. The new trio includes Ricky Demetro on vocals and guitar; Steven Bartashev on drums and background vocals and Joey Vergara on bass. The band’s top musical influences are The Beatles, The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, Paul Simon, and Best Coast.

“Little Things” – Rhino House Band from Golden Summer EP

“James’ Song” – Rhino House Band from Golden Summer EP

Ontologics – Something to Needle Over

The Providence, Rhode Island DIY band, Ontologics‘, debut album, Something to Needle Over, showcases their own brand of jam-tronica, trip hop, and post and prog rock fusion, sprinkled with psychedelic prose and melodies. The band members spent a year writing, rehearsing, recording and mixing before releasing their debut.

Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ian C. (short for Campopiano) has an unconventional and experimental love for the fusion of genres and unique prose as well as “various forms of string and percussive instrumentation and sampling.” The other pivotal member is drummer Matt Walshe who approaches percussions with the world of possibilities and forms that he selects from to make it fit the intent of the song, covering the range from rock to hip hop and with complex time signatures and dual drum arrangements in the mix.

Ontologics have previously opened for artists like Godsmack, Michelle Branch, and Gruvis Malt, and they count among their biggest musical influences King Crimson, Beck, Peter Gabriel, Beastie Boys and The Noise.

“Something To Needle Over” – Ontologics from Something to Needle Over – Jan. 10th

Something To Needle Over – Ontologics from Something to Needle Over

Hemmit – Antimatter

From Portland, Oregon, the garage rock duo, Hemmit, featuring Adam Rohosy and Keith Fleming, belts out high-energy, melodic rock complete with vicious guitar riffs and even howling on songs like the short, rapid fire DIY hit-worthy track, “Everything Is Fine.”

That song, and the second recent single, “15 Minutes,” were released on the duo’s 2014 release, Antimatter, the follow up to their marginally successful 2008 debut, Rocketride, an album that received regular college radio airplay. In fact, the single “Yeah, Right Now” was featured on MTV‘s Shreducation Season 2 and became a No. 1 hit on the rock charts at Our Stage. A second single, “Hold Out,” was selected for Dirtbag Music’s Navy Seals Tribute Vol. 2, and the band was featured on Diesel U Music’s Emerging Artists Show on Boston’s WFNX FM. Ronosy and Fleming list among their top musical influences Motorhead, The Ramones, The Pixies, The Posies and Bob Mould.

“Everything Is Fine” – Hemmit from Antimatter

“15 Minutes” – Hemmit from Antimatter

Hemmit’s Official Website

Sam Burchfield – Where To Run

Atlanta DIY singer and songwriter Sam Burchfield blends a unique mixture of funk, blues, rock and R&B in standout songs like the soulful “Monopoly” and the upbeat and romantic, “Here Tonight.” How has a talent like this remained under cover? Well, as anyone who has followed IRC for long knows, we feature incredibly talented, under-the-radar artists year round. Yet Burchfield is one of the best ‘unknown’ vocalists we’ve heard in some time; his vocal abilities and range are apparent in his passionate and sultry vocals you can hear for yourself on the songs below.

He was raised in South Carolina where he had an immersed exposure to different styles of music and began playing the guitar at a young age and discovered his vocal abilities which were honed as he maneuvered through the awkwardness of adolescence. His musical influences are not the typical names we see for artists featured on IRC – ZZ Ward, James Morrison, Ray LaMontagne, and Joe Bonamassa. His accomplished band members and contributors include Spencer Smith on drums; Phil Scheidt on bass, Zach Wells on guitar and banjo, and a trio of horn players – Richard Sherrington, Dashill Smith, and Will Scruggs. The group’s 2014 release is Where To Run.

“Monopoly” – Sam Burchfield from Where To Run

“Here Tonight” – Sam Burchfield from Where To Run

Sam Burchfield Official Website

The Hickory Town Ruckus – Old City Night

The raspy vocals of Lancaster, Pennsylvania folk singer/songwriter Gordon Smoker, aka, The Hickory Town Ruckus rise up to a melodic chorus “some day before I die, I’d like to see Holland in the spring time” on the track of the same name, “Holland in the Springtime,” from his sophomore DIY LP, Old City Night. The album also contains the song “I Held You Close.” Smoker, who is an RN by professional, is truly a dedicated unsigned artist – he has no backing, label or publicity budget, but writes and records music simply to “make it available and visible.” His musical influences include Counting Crows, Joshua Radin, Blackhawk and Switchfoot.

“Holland in the Springtime” – The Hickory Town Ruckus from Old City Night

“I Held You Close”– The Hickory Town Ruckus from Old City Night

By Philip E. Daoust