In Dee Mail – INDIE ROCK CAFE

In Dee Mail Special Edition, Vol. V: Army of Me, Threes and Nines, Trees and Trashcans and Lefse Records’ Artists

Posted on 01/10/201012/18/2019 by Max Hammer

“I never intended for anyone to hear this music”, says Army Of Me singer/songwriter Vince Scheuerman. But we are sure glad Scheuerman decided, at the encouragement of a friend, to release the remarkable Make Yourself Naked EP to the world, even though it has received surprisingly little attention on popular indie blogs and major music sites.

The EP, released in October, was written on paper and recorded on Scheuerman’s laptop, in his Washington, D.C. bedroom during the winter of early 2009, and then taken into the studio to mix with the band. The end result is easily one of the best overlooked DIY releases of 2009. Here is yet another example of terrific, original music that flies under the radar and leaves us scratching our heads when compared to the constant flow of crappy and mediocre music that floods the popular media on a weekly basis.

The band Army of Me are not completely unknown in the indie folk rock world. Following the release of their widely acclaimed 2007 debut, Citizen, the band toured heavily, opening for major artists like The Dave Matthews Band, Switchfoot, OAR, The Used, Blue October, and The Almost. Yet the D.C. band’s new EP is almost the polar opposite of the band’s debut LP – it is stripped down and more focused, completing Scheuerman’s intent that “less is more.”

In listening to Make Yourself Naked‘s magnificent set of acoustic tracks, it’s nearly impossible to avoid comparisons with the brilliant Neil Finn (The Church), and perhaps early Verve, REM and Oasis recordings. That is a testament to Scheuerman’s elegant vocals and poignant lyrics which are the centerpiece of the EP, resulting in compositions that are original, organic, honest and heart felt. In two words: simply gorgeous.

“Don’t Be Long” – Army of Me from Make Yourself Naked EP (2009)

“Heart of Love” – Army of Me from Make Yourself Naked EP (2009)

Army of Me official website
Army of Me on MySpace

Even though they officially formed in 2004, Threes and Nines have recently raised eyebrows, and won the praise of some bloggers, following their set at the Bowery Room in NYC during October’s CMJ Musical Festival, and after opening for Patrick Watson‘s at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall.

The band’s currently unreleased album was recorded at Connecticut’s Carriage House under the direction of Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes ), and engineered and mixed by Phil Palazzolo (Neko Case, Okkervil River, St. Vincent). The band is currently looking for a label to release the songs presented here.

“Carnival” – Threes and Nines from s/t debut, unreleased (2010)

“Won’t Look Back” – Threes and Nines from s/t debut, unreleased (2010)

Threes and Nines on MySpace

Trees and Trashcans was formed in Denver in early 2008. Evan Malouf and Brad Wright met through common friend Heather Nester and started jamming. Their musical styles meshed seamlessly and the band was formed. Later bassist Mark Henry joined to fill out the sound.

Wright and Malouf co-wrote all the music and continue to do so to this day. The music toucheson a variety of different topics, issues and subjects and is influenced by various genres, making it difficult to pin down the band’s style.

“He She We Me” – Trees and Trashcans from Littering The World (2009)

“The Bike Song” – Trees and Trashcans from Littering The World (2009)

Trees and Trashcans on MySpace

The following three tracks were sent in from Lefse Records. The label’s growing rooster is turning out some terrific music as demonstrated by the promising bands My Summer As A Salvation Soldier, Tape Deck Mountain and A Grave With No Name.

“Monuments”– My Summer As A Salvation Soldier from Nytt (2009)

“Ghost Colony” – Tape Deck Mountain from Ghost (2009)

“Open Water” – A Grave With No Name from Mountain Debris (2009)

In Dee Mail Special Edition, Vol. IV: Tiny Tin Hearts, Flotation Walls, Twilight Revival, Oryan

Posted on 01/07/201012/18/2019 by Rick Sosa

The fourth installment of In Dee Mail Special Year-End edition spills over into the new year with 2009 songs from noteworthy artists and bands (who sent their music to us in dee mail and unsolicited). There will be more of these songs featured in this series alone over the next few weeks, in addition to dozens and dozens of the best new 2010 songs off recent and upcoming releases.

First up is a band that sent in two tracks that have been on regular re-play in the past two months. Austin is a hard place for a band to break through nowadays due to the saturation of musicians who have flooded this southern music mecca during the past few years.

But the latest release from the band Tiny Tin Hearts is quite good. Sure the band doesn’t exactly have a ‘cool’ name, but dorkiness has become an asset for other bands, why not these guys? Tiny Tin Hearts deliver flourishing, sprawling pop rock embellished by trombones, violins, cellos and French horns.

The eclectic band actually came together as a result of ads placed on Craigslist by band leader Seth Osborn; his previous attempts to form a band in New Jersey did not pan out. Tiny Tin Hearts, now numbering eight members, definitely have a sound that is worth checking out, and they have started to build a following. Last March, they were selected as one of the top five best new bands at the Austin Music Awards.

“Small Catastrophe” – Tiny Tin Hearts from Last Flight of the Martyr Aviator (2009)

“The Aviator” – Tiny Tin Hearts from Last Flight of the Martyr Aviator (2009)

Tiny Tin Hearts on MySpace

Columbus, Ohio band Flotation Walls mix choral, psych-folk, and orchestral music with a beautiful cinematic quality on their debut album, Nature. Next, Provo, Utah musical duo and couple Adam & Darcie craft soft folk pop songs with a revolving cast of musicians; this year they released their sophomore LP, California Trail.

“Willis The Fireman” – Flotation Walls from Nature (2009)

Flotation Walls on MySpace

Boston‘s unsigned band Sidewalk Driver offer up a powerful mix of power pop, glam and rock on their latest release, For All the Boys and Girls. The band’s music is high energy, highly-infectious and hook-driven. Lead singer Tad McKitterick‘s voice has power and clarity, is expressive, but forceful, without canceling out his vocals more subtle moments. The songs are delivered with unique oddity but are accessible enough to welcome you to join in the celebration like a carnival barker hyping a freak show.

“Jenny Don’t Really Like The Boys” – Sidewalk Driver from For All the Boys and Girls (2009)

The Sidewalk Driver on MySpace

The New Platz, New York progressive folk band Oryan – which could have easily been called something like ‘The Band of Ryands’ – formed in July of 2008 after co-workers Ryan Megan and Ryan Schoonmaker decided to do something about the “dismal state of the local music scene.”

Teaming up with bassist Ryan McCann and guitarist Adam Gosney, Oryan released their self-titled EP earlier this year, featuring music they tag as: “Tom Waits on a strong dose of acid.” The band has opened for Rusted Root, The Kin and The Rhodes.

“The Ride” – Oryan from s/t EP (2009)

Chicago‘s Americana indie rock/power pop band Twilight Revival (formed in 2006 via Craigslist) have won the praise of the city’s big daily newspapers, influential blogs and music lovers, often drawing comparisons to Wilco, REM and The Replacements.

Part raucous rebellion and part folk revival, Twilight Revival’s 2009 release, Parlour, alternately growls with rock and roll intensity and simmers in the more mellow aspects of folk rock, featuring tales of heroes and ghosts, loss and redemption, despair and salvation.

“Helicopter” – Twilight Revival from Parlour (2009)

Twilight Revival on MySpace

You may not have heard many modern songs featuring the lute – afterall, it was an instrument that enjoyed its heyday centuries ago – but musician Rolf Lislevand excercises the power of the ancient instrument to a degree that a “guitar-slinging rocker” would be hard-pressed “not to be impressed by his fleet-fingered playing,” according to Unte.com.

“Satlarello” – Rolf Lislevand from Diminuito (2009)

Rolf Lislevand on Andante

Get more great songs from IRC’s popular In Dee Mail playlist series.

In Dee Mail Special Edition, Part III: Elephant Stone, Clock Hands Strangle, The Sun, Six Simple Songs, Aeroplane Pageant, Lemonwilde & More

Posted on 12/29/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

In this third installment of the In Dee Mail Year End Special Edition series, you will hear music from an impressive line-up of artists and bands, including Elephant Stone, Clock Hands Strangle, The Sun, Aeroplane Pageant, Six Simple Songs, Lemonwilde, Cracked Latin and Lugo.

For those of you unfamiliar with the In Dee Mail profile series, it has become a cornerstone of what sets this blog apart from the rest, and a popular platform to introduce relatively unknown, and talented, artists and bands (all who sent their music to us unsolicited) to music lovers worldwide; most of whom probably would otherwise have never heard many of the songs featured in the series anywhere else. Due to the overwhelming number of great songs submitted this year, the In Dee Mail series for 2009 will spill-over in to 2010.

First up, it’s not another Stone Roses tribute act. Instead, the Montreal-India collective Elephant Stone is actually ex-High Dials’ guitarist Rishi Dhir‘s new band. Elephant Stone’s debut LP, The Seven Seas, delivers jangly indie pop infused with a distinctive Eastern influence.

We loved The Seven Seas ‘hindie rock’ from the get-go; it’s nearly impossible to resist the LP’s shimmering guitar riffs, lush harmonies and accomplished vocal work. No wonder Elephant Stone made the list of nominees for this year’s Polaris Music Prize for best album, which was ultimately awarded to Toronto’s F*cked Up for their 2009 release, The Chemistry of Common Life.

“I Am Blind” – Elephant Stone from The Seven Seas (2009)

Elephant Stone on MySpace

Melbourne, Florida’s Clock Hands Strangle follow-up their CMJ Top 50 charting-debut with Distaccati; an evolution of their classic rock-influenced indie folk sound. Distaccati was mixed by legendary producer Geza X (Dead Kennedys, Meredith Brooks) at Satellite Park Studios.

Cognoscenti singer/songwriter, Todd Portnowitz, holds a degree in poetry from the University of Florida, and is currently attending the University of Wisconsin with the goal of receiving a master’s in Italian. Throughout Distaccati, Portnowtiz and the band take the listener on a sonic and literal pilgrimage from an arid desert to the concrete miasma of New York City to an Alabama cotton field, weaving a story of the moon’s eternal loneliness and a stone that questions its sculptor.

“Distacci” – Clock Hands Strangle from Distacci (2009)

Clock Hands Strangle on MySpace

The second music video from Distaccati, “The Moon Looks Back,” features a collage of archival footage from B-movie sci-fi and monster flicks.

Although we already featured The Sun‘s second, and last album, Don’t Let Your Baby Have All the Fun, as one of the best overlooked LP’s of the year, it is so good that we have to share two more tracks with you all that were not included the initial review.

Unfortunately, Don’t Let Your Baby Have All The Fun represents The Sun’s break-up album, and yet, thankfully, the band left us with a magnificent LP that we’ll cherish years from now. Like The Format, we’d love to see this band get back together some day. Fingers crossed. You can hear the influence of Spoon‘s producer Mike McCarthy all over this LP, which is, amazingly, available as a free download from RockProper.com.

“Alien” – The Sun from Don’t Let Your Baby Have All the Fun (2009)

“Do The Sucker” – The Sun from Don’t Let Your Baby Have All the Fun (2009)

The Sun on MySpace

Singer and songwriter Daniel Bellmann and bassist Olaf Borchert began to collaborate in a meadow near the Elbe River in Hamburg, Germany back in 2003. They started with just six simple songs and an old acoustic guitar. Three months later they were recording their material at Gentle Art Studio in Hamburg with help studio owner Karsten Deutschmann on guitar and session drummer Florian Brandel.

Deutschmann and the studio’s co-owner and drummer, Henry Sperling, were so impressed with the music that they asked Bellman and Borchert to form the band, Six Simple Songs.

Band members of Six Simple Songs cite The Beatles, The Clash, Social Distortion, The Descendents, Hüsker Dü, Dramarama, The Replacements, Art Brut, U2 and Coldplay among their biggest musical influences.

“You Want It (To Be With Me)” – Six Simple Songs from Upside Down (2009)

Six Simple Songs on MySpace

Back in May we featured the Brooklyn band Aeroplane Pageant. Now we have another single from their latest – and widely acclaimed – LP to share with all of you. The band’s first single, “Stars Still Pretty,” was one of AOL’s Top 10 tracks of 2009.

Aeroplane Pageant’s 2007 debut LP Wave to the Moon paved the way for the band to open for bands like Vampire Weekend, The Hold Steady, Dr. Dog and Tokyo Police Club.

“Stars Still Pretty” – Aeroplane Pageant from Even The Kids Don’t Believe Me (2009)

“I Remember I Think” – Aeroplane Pageant from Even The Kids Don’t Believe Me (2009)

Aeroplane Pageant on MySpace

Lemonwilde is an unsigned, Los Angeles alternative rock band that create dark, spacious tracks full of crooning vocals, ambient guitars, and seductive drum and bass that at times are reminiscent of Radiohead, Muse and Franz Ferdinand.

Such bold comparisons pan out on the band’s debut EP, Red Room, released earlier this year. The sprawling and forbidding track, “Danse,” has helped make Lemonwilde a hit in the alternative rock scene. Another single, “Just This Ashtray,” was featured on IRC this past summer. You can also listen to more songs from Red Room on Lemonwilde’s official website.

“Danse” – Lemonwilde from Red Room EP (2009)

Lemonwilde on MySpace

This next couple of songs are definitely different from most of the music we usually feature on IRC. Cracked Latin‘s (yes, terrible band name) “Caracas Shakedown” is an enthralling and eclectic mix of genre-bending styles, including tropicana pop, Havana-New Orleans hybrid jazz with a Squirrel Nut Zippers meets They Might Be Giants feel throughout.

“Caracas Shakedown” – Cracked Latin from s/t debut (2009)

Nuyorican R&B and Latin Soul recording artist, and nephew of baseball legend Roberto Clemente, Lugo, is back with a new track that he is making available today for all of you called “Subway Songs,” a cut from his latest LP, Oye. Lugo has traveled as a USO Armed Forces performer to Afghanistan, Korea, Spain, Italy, Japan and the UK to entertain U.S. troops deployed around the world. Lugo is signed to the independent label Love Kiss Music.

“Subway Songs” – Lugo from Oye (2009)

In Dee Mail Special Edition, Vol. II: Dylan in the Movies, The Fling, East Hundred, Maklak, Said The Whale & Nheap

Posted on 12/14/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Last week we kicked off In Dee Mail Special Edition with part one of the series. That playlist was quite a success, and there is still more great music that has been emailed to us that we are eager to share with all of you. We hope you find some keepers in today’s mix, and become a friend/fan of an artist or band that you never heard of before until now.

First up: Dylan In The Movies is the musical brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Brian Sullivan. In 2006, Sullivan and his Boston band DIY’d their debut EP, Feel the Pull, and caught the attention of deejays at the popular rock radio stations KCRW and KEXP, as well as many bloggers.

The band’s debut LP, Josephine If You Only Knew, will drop in the spring of 2010 on American Laundromat Records, featuring guest spots from The Watson Twins and Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, Breeders, Belly). If you dig Echo and The Bunnymen, you’re bound to enjoy this band’s music. Looking forward to this LP; in the meantime, here’s an advanced single.

“Josephine” – Dylan in the Movies from Josephine If You Only Knew (2010)

The Fling recently sent a song titled, “Wanderingfoot,” and we were immediately intrigued by their 60’s-era psychedelic rock sound mixed with elements of folk, and filled with multi-layered pop harmonies. The band include among their favorite bands and artists, Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, Richard Swift, Arlo Guthrie and Led Zeppelin.

In addition to their fellow Long Beach residents, Avi Buffalo, The Fling will be a southern California band to watch in 2010. You can buy some of their music on the band’s official website.

“Wanderingfoot” – The Fling from Out of My Head 7″ (2009)

Welcome to Ashley is a Chicago band that mixes the influences of post punk and power pop to create an original sound that has begun to creep out from the Windy City to other areas of the country. Their sophomore LP, Absent Man, was self-released. The band formed in Chicago with members of the former Missouri indie band The Bennies. It’s hard not to want to hear more from a band that list among their favorite albums, The Stone Roses‘ self-titled debut, The Replacement‘s Don’t Tell a Soul, and Jesus & Mary Chain‘s Darklands. Check out Welcome to Ashley’s MySpace page for more.

“Nothing But Grey Skies Ahead” – Welcome to Ashley from Absent Man (2009)

In and around their home base of Philadelphia, the band East Hundred have been garnering positive reviews and building a loyal and growing fan base. Their debut album, Passengers (2008), was produced by Brian McTear (Matt Pond PA, A-Sides) and recorded at the Philly studios of Miner Street Recordings.

“Slow Burning Crimes” – East Hundred from Passengers (2008)

This next song sounds like early Velvet Underground meets The Doors; we dig the spacey, mysterious and psychedelic slow jam of the song “Strange Transmissions” from Orlando, Florida’s Strangers Family Band.

“Strange Transmission” – Strangers Family Band from s/t EP (2009)

With credits on The Lonely Forest‘s excellent debut LP that we featured earlier this year, Seattle resident Michael Perkins has recorded some songs under the moniker Maklak, one of which we are featuring here called “Cutting Clouds.” On the song, Maklak plays all of the instruments himself.

Drawing from the local influences of Nirvana and The Melvins, to name a few, Maklak serves up melodic alternative rock that is beginning to attract a fan base outside his following in the Pacific Northwest.

“Cutting Clouds” – Maklak, single release (2009)

The response to our featured article on the Arizona duo The Smiles and Frowns was huge – there were hundreds of downloads of their songs over the course of two weeks. See the original post here. Therefore, to meet the demand, and thank their many new fans, the band is sharing another single from their new, debut self-title LP.

“When The Time Should Come” – The Smiles and Frowns from s/t LP (2009)

Canada’s Said the Whale newest album, Islands Disappear, is full of songs about Canada. The songs are folk inspired for the most part, and rely heavily on guitar picking and prolific lyrics. Last month, STW won the CBC Radio 3‘s Bucky Award for “Most Canadian Song” – “Emerald Lake, AB.” You can buy the album containing that song, and other great tracks, on the band’s official website.

“Holly, ON” – Said the Whale from Islands Disappear (2009)

This next artist was a nice surprise in our email box. We’ve always been fans of jazz, and Nheap, the moniker of Italian composer and musician Massimo Discepoli, delivers his own brand of jazz on the new release, Skymotion. It’s not traditional jazz, but much more of a fusion with electro pop elements.

The first song, “Hldrrr,” is sweet, even Christmas-y; perfect for a visit with guests sitting in front of the fire with your egg nog or Baileys. The follow up track, “Aphelion,” sounds just like something that could work on a soundtrack to the TV show, Heroes.

“Hldrrr” – Nheap from Skymotion (2009)

“Aphelion” – Nheap from Skymotion (2009)

More noteworthy songs sent In Dee Mail:

“The Gospel Of Carlos, Norman And Smith” – Rickie Lee Jones from Balm in Gilead (2009)

“We’re Gonna Make It” – The Orange Peels from 2020 (2009)

“The Glitch” – Zealots from Flowers For My Broken Head EP (2009)

“Motorcycle” – A Brief Smile from Restaurant Airport EP (2009)

“Sacred” – The Belated from Belief in the Process (2009)

Part One of the In Dee Mail Year-End Special Edition features:

– Sean Walsh & The National Reserve
– Devries
– Jupiter One
– Julian Plenti
– Parlour Steps
– Fin Fang Foom
– Sabrosa Purr
– Jacob Faurholt
– Summer Dregs
– A Classic Education
– Mist and Mast

You can also view the entire In Dee Mail series on one page.

In Dee Mail Special Edition, Part I: Sean Walsh & The National Reserve, Devries, Jupiter One, Julian Plenti and Parlour Steps

Posted on 12/05/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

This mix is a special edition of In Dee Mail, featuring music from a variety of artists and bands who have sent their music to IRC. We literally receive hundreds of submissions a month, and therefore, we try to pick the best songs to share with you. As 2009 rapidly closes out, we are launching this multi-part series to catch up with some of our favorite submissions.

Brooklyn based multi-genre rockers Sean Walsh & The National Reserve mix traditions of country, honky tonk, Motown and classic rock on their debut LP, Homesick, a compendium of songs about heartbreak, highways, and the lonesome human condition that were written by Walsh during a one-month stint in Ontario, Canada.

Walsh recruited a band band – The National Reserve – and enlisted producer and engineer Kyle “Slick” Johnson (Modest Mouse, The Hives, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Rogue Wave) to bring the songs to fruition. The LP was subsequently released on the band’s own label, Lover’s Dream Records, and includes vocal contributions from Michelle Casillas of Ursa Minor. Since the release of the LP, the band has shared the bill with bands like Dr. Dog, Vampire Weekend, Vandaveer, and Hymns.

“You Know” – Sean Walsh & The National Reserve from Homesick (2009)

Sean Walsh & The National Reserve on MySpace

Travis DeVries, of legendary Seattle band The Turn-Ons, has embarked on a new band project, simply named DeVries. Much like his former band, his new work draws from the golden age of Britpop-Manchester bands like Suede and The Stone Roses, with lyrics that touch on a wide range of range of topics from trans-gendered children (“Boys are Bores”), to global warming (“Slowing Down”), and economic upheaval (“Black Thursday Repeat”). Death to God was released last month via Noise on Noise Records.

“Darkest Summer” – Devries from Death to God (2009)

Devries on MySpace

The next artist, Jupiter One, hails from New York City, and are hardly an unknown band. In addition to their well-received new album, Sunshower, they also opened for Regina Spektor on a recent, successful tour of the States. Jupiter One has a vintage pop rock sound and reminds us a lot of an artist or band we’ve heard of, but we just can’t put our finger on it, and so far, iTunes’ Genius, hasn’t provided any reliable clues. Do any of you have an idea? The track featured here, “Flaming Arrow,” was made available via Ryko Records.

“Flaming Arrow” – Jupiter One from Sunshower (2009)

Jupiter One on MySpace

Julian Plenti of the prog-rock band Interpol made a big splash this year with the release of his debut solo LP, Skyscraper Is. Plenti also just wrapped up a U.S. tour that was, by all accounts, a huge success. Here is a song from his debut that was sent in from one of our favorite labels, Matador Records.

“Fun That We Have” – Julian Plenti from Skyscraper Is… (2009)

Julian Plenti official website

Parlour Steps hail from Vancouver, and have just released their third full length, The Hidden Names, an ambitious affair that features sweet acoustic ballads; intricately arranged tracks and epic, energetic rockers in the style of The Decemberists and Franz Ferdinand.

“Bleeding Hearts” – Parlour Steps from The Hidden Names (2009)

“Little Pieces” – Parlour Steps from The Hidden Names (2009)

Parlour Steps on MySpace

Chapel Hill, North Carolina post punk band Fin Fang Foom return with their first new LP in six years. The album showcases the riveting interplay between Michael Triplett‘s pensive, yet powerful, guitar playing, Eddie Sanchez‘s rumbling bass guitar and restrained singing, and Mike Glass‘ dynamic drumming. Monomyth is a testament to Fin Fang Foom’s ability to overcome hardship, following the death of the band’s first drummer, Peter Enriquez, and by Triplett’s near-death experience with spinal meningitis in 2004.

“Magnetic North” – Fin Fang Foom from Monomyth (2009)

Fin Fang Foom on MySpace

Sabrosa Purr is a genre-defying rock band from Los Angeles, California, comprised of members Will Love, Jeff Mendel, Ry Sarmiento and Angie Mattson. In 2006, they released their self-produced debut EP, Music from the Violet Room on Dangerbird Records, landing in the top ten album lists of 3WK.com and Bagel Radio.

From a dingy recording studio on Santa Monica Blvd., Sabrosa Purr propelled forward, opening for bands like Silversun Pickups, Cold War Kids and 30 Seconds to Mars. Their new EP Volaras, produced by Tracy Chisholm (Stone Temple Pilots, Belly) was released this past summer. The track featured here is hauntingly beautiful, mysterious and trippy.

“One Weak Moment” – Sabrosa Purr from Volaras (2009)

Sabrosa Purr on MySpace

Last month, Danish singer/songwriter Jacob Faurholt‘s released a new EP titled Why Write? via Canadian label What A Mess. The EP is recorded in the summer of 2009 with good friends in Denmark and mixed and mastered by American producer Kramer (Galaxie 500, Daniel Johnston, Low, Half Japanese).

“Burning Holes” – Jacob Faurholt from Why Write? (2009)

Jacob Faurholt on MySpace

The following tracks are simply awesome and don’t require much writing about. Dig the cool sounds of Summer Dregs, Mist and Mast and A Classic Education. These were sent to us from Banter Media & Management in Sacramento, California. They also manage Surfer Blood, Neon Indian, Furcast, Technoir MA, Boomsnake and The Traditionist, among others.

“Bones” – Summer Dregs from From Gold to Green (2009)

“What My Live Could Have Been” – A Classic Education from 7″ release (2009)

“X-Ray” – Mist and Mast from Action at a Distance (2009)

Stay tuned, there are many more great artists and bands from In Dee Mail Year End Special Edition, Part Two coming up soon.

In Dee Mail: Swimming in Speakers, Scott Ryan and Black Mercies

Posted on 11/19/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

From their ﬁrst meeting in October 2008, Swimming In Speakersʼ multi-instrumentalist Chris Clarke and talented vocalist Meadow Eliz of Saranac Lake, New York used a Casio, a laptop and a hodge-podge of analog equipment to begin recording songs together. Here is their lo-fi, dreamy pop as featured on the songs “In Knowing” and “Serve Them Well.”

“Serve Them Well” – Swimming in Speakers from s/t EP (2009)

“In Knowing” – Swimming in Speakers from s/t EP (2009)

Los Angeles singer/songwriter Scott Ryan, along with his band, create experimental, melodic folk and indie rock using a range of instruments, including mandolin, glockenspiel, wurlitzer, organ, mellotron, guitar, violin, bajno, thumb piano, bass and drums. The band’s music is mellow, at times downright somber, as evidenced on the song, “Tree Man.” Another of the band’s songs, “Houndstooth Coat,” has an obvious, but nicely executed, Talking Heads-influence that borders on punk rock. Ryan has opened for artists like Sherwood, Josh Ritter and The Helio Sequence.

“Tree Man” – Scott Ryan from Tree Man EP (2009)

“Houndstooth Coat” – Scott Ryan from Tree Man EP (2009)

Scott Ryan on MySpace

The first time I heard the Black Mercies I thought of U2. Upon further investigation, some of you will disagree, but it’s just what first came to mind. The Portland, Oregon’s band describes its music as “infused with the cosmopolitan swagger of Roxy Music and the rapt melodrama of contemporaries like Muse and The Bravery.” The band features “BB” on vocals and guitar, Colby Hendricks on bass, Caleb Skinner on keys and Eric Storm on drums.

“Ballad Of A Kept Man” – Black Mercies from Murder It Sweetly (2009)

Black Mercies on MySpace

Last Call for 2008 Vol. II: In Dee Mail Special Arists and Bands Spotlight

Posted on 10/29/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

In 1981, The Kinks released a hit LP titled Give The People What They Want. One of the best ways to know what the people want is to look at the numbers. The web stats for IRC show a lot of interest among visitors for 2008 indie rock music. We’re not sure why this is, but here’s a playlist of excellent 2008 songs most of you have probably never heard, and all of which were sent to us In Dee Mail. We hope you find a few here that you really dig, and check out more about the artists and bands who recorded them.

The Dublin, Ireland mellow experimental pop band The Dying Seconds, released their self-titled debut LP last year. Their music is a flourishing and dreamy fusion of electronic grooves blended together with trumpet, violin, clarinet, Tunisian bagpipes, synthesizers and harmonophones at nearly every turn, making it one of the best indie releases of 2008. And others agree. The blog MP3Hugger wrote, “As albums go [The Dying Seconds] is up there with the best of 2008.”

Croatian indie band The Orange Strips‘ 2008 album, Follow LP, is full of lush melodies, accordions, guitars and overall memorable folk rock. Right away, their Gin Blossoms meets The Clientele sound makes the LP one of the most under appreciated international indie rock releases of 2008.

The indie rock band Technicolor Wolves are definitely on the radar taking the prized Best New Band of the Coachella Valley in 2008, and recently named the Best Band-Overall in 2009 by the Palm Springs newspaper, The Desert Sun.

The first time that we heard “I Was Only Sleeping” from Hotel St. George it reminded us of The Walkmen. But finding out quickly that it was not The Walkmen made the mystery even more intriguing. Wish there was more time to write about all of these terrific songs and bands, but the music speaks for itself. Enjoy.

“I’ll Make The Best Weapon” – The Dying Seconds from s/t debut (2008)

“Everything Always” – The Dying Seconds from s/t debut (2008)

“Northern Lights” – The Orange Strips from Follow LP (2008)

“Reaction” – Technicolor Wolves from Charismarithmetic EP (2008)
“Ceiling Cracks” – Technicolor Wolves from Charismarithmetic EP (2008)

“I Was Only Sleeping” – St. George Hotel from Hundreds & Thousands (2008)

“Some Kind of Light” – Kids Club from Powder River (2008)

“Devil Dressed in Blue” – Right Away, Great Captain from The Eventually Home (2008)

“Woods Waltz” – The O’Darling from A Nice EP (2008)

“Outlander” – Pilgrim Speakeasy from Anarchitecture (2008)

“Blackboots and Blackhearts” – Sweet Jane from Blackboots and Blackhearts EP (2008)

“Puma” – Instiga from Tenho Uma Banda (2008)

“Egg & Spoon Race” – The Fancy Dress Party from Off The Beaten Tracks (2008)

“Dont You Worry” – Jim Noir from s/t debut (2008)

“Dress The Stage” – You Me & Iowa from s/t debut (2008)

“Wayward Son” – Bottle Up and Go from These Bones (2008)

“Organisms” – Caw! Caw! from Wait Outside (2008)

“Fire on Corridor X” – All The Saints from Fire on Corridor X (2008)

“Big City Bright Lights” – ArtOfficial from Stranger (2008)

“Hologram Buffalo” – Brightblack Morning Light from Motion to Rejoin (2008)

“We’re Good” – Peasant from On The Ground (2008)

“Maryland” – Matt Morrell from Evette (2008)

“Roasting Song” – McCarthy Trenching from Calamity Drenching (2008)

In Dee Mail: New Music from Beautiful Small Machines, Looking Glass, Inkwell, Lemonwilde, Cool Devices & More

Posted on 10/12/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

There are plenty of indie artists and bands that have released great music in 2009. Some of the best have been published via the In Dee Mail (music sent directly to us) series; but surprisingly get little notice on other music sites and blogs. If you follow this site on a regular basis, you know that we regularly feature talented artists and bands that are rarely heard elsewhere; they all have one thing in common – they got our attention because their music stands out among the many other submissions we receive each month.

There is something very exciting, and special, about hearing good-to-stunning music that few other people know about. And there is no shortage of such music, by any means. Case in point is the New York City band Beautiful Small Machines?

The duo is Bree Sharp and Don DiLego that craft melodic electro-pop hooks and are admittedly “caught somewhere between the 70’s, 80’s and deep space”. The title track of their new EP, Simple Joys, features Simon LeBon (Duran Duran) on vocals. Simple Joys drops October 13 via Elk Velvet Records, the day before a scheduled show at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York, October 20-24.

Jim Wallis of the London-based indie rock band, My Sad Captains, debuts with his electronic lo-fi solo album, “Fish/Fowl/Flood,” under the moniker Looking Glass. Wallis‘ debut LP drops on Oct. 19. Also in this playlist are new songs from Florida rockers Inkwell; LA’s alternative rock band Lemonwilde; the recently disbanded UK buzz group Calis Star; Chicago’s punk band Cool Devices; Bi-coastal indie hipsters Esquimaux; Jersey City’s melodramatic alt rockers Their Planes Will Block Out The Sun; pop experimentalists from Brooklyn Peephole; and UK indie group Mirror Kicks.

“Simple Joys” – Beautiful Small Machines from Simple Joys EP (2009)

“Ah La Ha” – Looking Glass from Fish Fowl Flood (2009)

“The Whale The Whale The Whale!!!” – Inkwell from Rivers of Blood and Sadness, or Maybe Happy (2009)

“Just Like An Ashtray” – Lemonwilde from Red Room EP (2009)

“The Goodwill Robot” – Carlis Star from Bedroom Demos (2009)

“Primitive” – Cool Devices from s/t debut (2009)

“Guilty Boat” – Peephole from Cold Dime EP (2009)

“In The Night” – Esquimaux from Wolf EP (2009)

“Teflon Kids” – Their Planes Will Block Out The Sun from White Dancer (2009)

“Turning It Up” – Mirror Kicks, digital single (2009)

There will be more installments of the In Dee Mail series in the coming weeks, spotlighting dozens of impressive songs you’ve probably never heard. At the end of this year, we’re going to have a huge special edition, titled The Greatest of In Dee Mail, highlighting the best songs published on IRC throughout 2009.

Check out other artists and bands with free music in the archives of the In Dee Mail series.

Popular Posts and Playlists You Might Enjoy:

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol. II: Dead Weather, Flaming Lips, Sufjan Stevens, The Kinks, Radiohead, Cut Copy & More

Halloween Indie Rock Songs, Vol I: Arctic Monkeys, Spoon, The Kissaway Trail, Flaming Lips, Beach House, Cat Power & More

New Indie Releases From Vampire Weekend, No Age, Devendra Banhart, Neon Indian, Spiral Beach & More

Ears To The Music, Vol. V: New Songs from Local Natives, Daniel Johnston, Freelance Whales, Rubik, Annuals & More

In Dee Mail: One Man Band Series with Washed Out, Stuart Newman and Labrador Labratories

New Indie Songs from Birds of Avalon, ArtOfficial, Matthew Barber and More

Posted on 06/11/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

North Carolina indie band Birds of Avalon (photo by Justin Lyons)

After taking a few days to go through a huge backlog of music submissions from hundreds of musicians, bands, promoters and labels, there was so much great music that it is going to take some time and ingenuity to present it all. This means there will be special playlist mixes and band profiles all summer based on the In Dee Mail playlist series alone.

We are really excited to share with so many people some of the best songs of 2009 from largely unknown solo musicians and bands worldwide (and who followed our pesky submission guidelines to get our attention) who sent their music to be featured IRC. Hopefully, you’ll learn about some great songs and bands you never heard of before.

This first mix is a sampling of the ‘various artists’ concept – songs spanning an eclectic mix of 2009 independent music from hip hop/jazz to pop and alternative rock to alt country.

“Your Down Time is Up” – Birds of Avalon from Uncanny Valley

“Big City Bright Lights” – ArtOfficial from Stranger EP (2009)

“Glasses On” – Schwervon from Low Blow (2009)

“Pick A Fight” – Shill from In There Somewhere (2009)

“Easily Bruised” – Matthew Barber from Ghost Notes (2009)

In Dee Mail – New Songs from Vincent Minor and Chase Pagan

Posted on 05/08/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

It’s been a few weeks since the last installment of the In Dee Mail playlist series – songs sent to us in via email and post from artists and bands around the world. In this installment, listen to great new songs from Los Angeles musician Vincent Minor and Arkansas singer-songwriter Chase Pagan.

It’s not surprising that people compare Vincent Minor to Rufus Wainwright – the likeness is uncanny but distinguishable enough to stand on it’s own. A self-described lover of children’s books and 1930’s music, Minor composes and performs sharp, catchy piano pop songs.

“Late Night Show” – Vincent Minor from Born in the Wrong Era, out May 26th on Social Science Records.

Watch and listen a Minor cover of “Lost Cause” by Beck
Vincent Minor on MySpace

Though he’s a twenty-something year-old from the small town of Mountain Home, Arkansas, the music of Chase Pagan sounds like someone with a life time of experience with musical eras and subcultures. Pagan’s new album, Bells & Whistles, channels honky-tonk theatricality, the stripped-down intimacy of a folk troubadour and the visceral nature of independent rock music.

“Life Garden” – Chase Pagan from Bells & Whistles (June 9)

“Gun and the Sword” – Chase Pagan from Bells & Whistles

Chase Pagan on MySpace

See past posts from the In Dee Mail playlist series.

In Dee Mail – New Songs from Fearless Vampire Killers and Pope Joan

Posted on 04/04/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

Yesterday we featured new songs from London bands downdime and L’Advventura. Today we introduce you to another London band called Fearless Vampire Killers and a Brighton band Pope Joan.

The band has a dynamic, more classic pop rock sound, noting influences such as The Kinks, David Bowie and Green Day. There is promise with this band and with time they should get better and better.

“Fearless Vampire Killers” – Fearless Vampire Killers, newly released single
Fearless Vampire Killers on MySpacePope Joan is an indie pop quartet from Brighton, England with a sound that has been described as “ambient walls of processed guitar noise, furious drum lines and quirky 8-bit synth keyboards.” Nicely put. This is some really good stuff – sort of like Editors mixed with The Cure. Guys: Don’t forget to send the LP when it’s done. Very promising.

“Centurions” – Pope Joan, newly released single
Pope John on MySpace

In Dee Mail: New Songs from UK Bands downdime and L’Avventura

Posted on 04/04/200912/18/2019 by Max Hammer

It’s been a while since I’ve shared any UK-specific music with all of you. The UK is the source of so much of the music I love starting with The Beatles, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and so on, up to more modern day, most notably bands like Radiohead, Interpol, The Arctic Monkeys and many others.

I like to stay up with what is coming out of the UK on the indie and alternative rock fronts. All of the bands featured in this post are from England and sent their music to me unsolicited, so it makes it a little more special to share with you.

First up is a psychedelic indie pop band from Leeds, England called downdime. Originally formed in 2004, the band has a sound based on the C86 movement of the 1980s, spurring instant comparisons to bands like The Wedding Present and My Bloody Valentine.

The band’s popular reputation for playing live scored them a number of great gigs, including opening for The Black Lips and The Clientele among others. Despite having released 7″ recordings and an EP, the band just released their debut LP, titled Knowing Too Much, on Squirrel Records.

“Lessons” – downdime from Knowing Too Much
“Any Good Reason” – downdime from Knowing Too Much
downdime on MySpace

Another relatively unknown band from the big city of London is the 7-piece outfit known as L’Avventura, a band that mixes influences of T. Rex, Roxy Music and Nick Drake into their tight, layered UK pop rock sound.

UK blogger Mojophenia wrote of the band’s new debut, Your Star Was Shining: “exceptional.. An audacious release, a scrumptious collection of laid back T-rextasy.”

“Rocket Sue” – L’Avventura from Your Star Was Shining
L’Avventura on MySpace