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Hedge Fund – “Hot & Lonely”

Hedge Fund is an Australian duo making 80s influenced alt-rock with a modern twist. Like Fleetwood Mac, The White Stripes, and Die Antwoord before them, Hedge Fund started as a creative and complicated partnership between two lovers. The result sounds a little like Talking Heads, The Cure, and Pat Benatar with a lot of extra swagger. We think you should start with “Hot & Lonely.” Be sure to check out Hedge Fund’s website too. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/303277212″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Callum Pitt – “You’d Better Sell It While You Can”

Indie folkster Callum Pitt got us to bob our heads to his latest jam, “You’d Better Sell It While You Can.” Penned when Pitt was just 15 years old, the song features piano, clean guitar tones, and Pitt’s distinctive falsetto. Pitt gives a nod to The War On Drugs, Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, whose influence can be heard throughout his music. If you like Pitt’s style, purchase his tunes here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/297869476″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Pool Art – “Gender Balance”

Grungy shoegaze act Pool Art caught our attention with the droning noise of “Gender Balance.” The Manchester-based duo penned “Gender Balance” about loneliness; although it’s semi-autobiographical, the song also takes inspiration from an article about gender imbalance in China and inequality for women. Fun fact: the cover image is the tail fin of the legendary 52-hertz whale, which some consider to be the loneliest mammal in existence. You can purchase “Gender Balance” here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296802099″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Todavia – “Fix Myself”

Multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Rhyan Riesgo is perhaps better known as Todavia – we’re digging her latest single, “Fix Myself.” The LA-native combines an all-around swimmy atmosphere with strong attention to detail, insisting that, “all lone sounds are purposefully placed to carry out a meaning.” Fans of Lykki Li, Imogen Heap, or Mitski would dig Todavia. For more info, check out Todavia’s website. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/300812539″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: The Slums

Put out a single, play a show… That’s exactly what Buffalo’s dirtiest, grimiest, and all-around badass-iest band The Slums are doing tonight. In an effort to flip our new president a gigantic bird, they’ve decided to donate all the money raised by tonight’s gig to Planned Parenthood. Joining The Slums in their middle-finger salute are the raucous indie surf punx in Slowcooker and the emotionally heavy male/female dynamics of honey COMA. ICYMI, check out “KREB” below so you can sing along. Later on, come hang out and let your middle fingers fly at the Modeling Factory at 7pm… Ask a friend for the address.

Lowly – “Prepare The Lake”

Lowly is a Danish quintet worth checking out. The group pairs smooth synthscapes with a skittering drumbeat and lilting female vocals, a winning combination in our book. Fans of Sylvan Esso, Phantogram, or Feist will dig Lowly’s vibes. Keep your eyes open for Lowly’s debut, Deba, due out 2/10. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/300203674″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Soy Christmas – “Tinsel”

NY chilltronica duo Soy Christmas has already landed two songs on Spotify’s “New Indie Mix”” and “Undercurrents,” so it’s no surprise that their newest release, “Tinsel,” is also ear candy. The duo combines lightly auto-tuned vocals with Postal Service-style atmospherics and a steady but subtle beat. We dig it, so we think you give it a spin. Check Soy Christmas out on Bandcamp too. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296516460″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Swain – “I, You”

We think slowcore act Swain is worth a few minutes out of your day. “I, You” is a lesson in calm and beautiful indie rock, featuring a meandering guitar, smooth vocal harmonies, and chiming atmospherics. Swain says this particular jam is inspired by “pretty girls in big coats.” Recommended for fans of Bon Iver, Low, or Fleet Foxes. If you’re digging it, check Swain out on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/299375977″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Doombird – “Sheer”

Doombird is an indietronica band based out of Sacramento. You may recognize frontman Kris Anaya’s gentle voice from folksy Drive-Thru records act An Angle. Doombird is truly a new direction; ambient, indie/electronica vibes with strong influences from Caribou and Bibio – perfect for a rainy day or a hike in the woods. Lyrically, “Sheer” touches on themes of Anaya’s anxiety and his efforts to cope with it. Doombird has a website – check it out. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/214161274″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Datura Daydream – “SEA SIX”

Datura Daydream are a trio from Toronto whose latest music video has us reeling. The trio specializes in out-of-the-box music videos like the sprawling nine-minute epic “SEA SIX.” The uniquely syncopated video blends well with their proggy post-rock sound (although if you suffer from photosensitive epilepsy, you might want to sit this one out). Fans of The Mars Volta, The Fall of Troy, or Explosions in the Sky will find themselves right at home. Get more familiar with the three-piece by scoping out their Tumblr.

Slowcoaching – “Training Wheels”

Last time we checked in with Melbourne-born Slowcoaching, he was touting his dreamy new jam, “Night Fiction.” He’s caught our attention again with the delightful “Training Wheels.” Slowcoaching is still nodding towards The War on Drugs, Ducktails, and Wild Nothing – his music is full of chorus-drenched guitars, squiggly synths, and Kurt Vile-esque vocals. Head over to Slowcoaching’s Bandcamp page and do the right thing. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/297978193″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Lukr – “A Long December”

What a great song to wrap up a long year of blogging! We’ve written about Lukr before, way back in June when he released his warm weather anthem, “Fucked Up Summer.” This time around, we’re closing down operations with his take on the Counting Crows classic, “A Long December.” Lukr injects his neon-pop grunge sound into the 90s hit, turning the already infectious song into a true pop jam with sparkly production values. Until next year folks! Have a happy and safe holiday season. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296370530″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Automotive Steamhorse – “You’d Be Surprised”

We think brand new Seattle act Automotive Steamhorse are on to something with their latest single, the droning “You’d Be Surprised.” The song has a pretty unique backstory. “The lyrics of the song are based on a letter I received from an old friend who I counted cards with… There was a husband and wife who had about 10 people working under her, the FBI ended up busting them for fraud. They had ripped me off for thousands of dollars. The husband committed suicide – he took his motorcycle in the wrong lane of traffic. The wife ended up sending me a letter about two years after the fact, [and] all the lyrics are taken straight from the letter.” Recommended for fans of Pedro The Lion, Phantogram, or Radiohead. There’s also a music video for “You’d Be Surprised” – check it out here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/247110926″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Syracuse Act Ohne-Ká and the Burning River Release Apocalyptic Instrumental, “Where the Forest Ends”

Syracuse act Ohne-Ká and the Burning River caught our ears with the apocalyptic sounding “Where The Forest Ends.” Taken from their latest release, Tree Lines and Birth Rights, “Forest” is a part of a concept album accompanied by a book (or digital PDF) that you can read while you listen (or even on its own). The story follows the travels of several forest animals and the pack leader wolf they all follow. Musically, fans of mewithoutYou, Explosions in the Sky, or Thrice would dig Ohne-Ká’s style. Check these guys out on Bandcamp too.

Cities Vanishing – “I Want To Know What The Wind Blows Like”

Noisy duo Cities Vanishing caught our ears with the overblown, lo-fi production of “I Want To Know What The Wind Blows Like.” This is the first of five urgent songs that the duo penned together, with “the girl” ripping the theremin and some guitar, and “the guy” shredding drums and some more guitar. Fans of The Thermals or Ted Leo will be jazzed for sure. We think you all should get into these guys before everyone else – listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/295166278″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]