She Makes War specializes in no holds barred, female-fronted alt rock. “Cold Shoulder” is a one-two punch to the face, peppered with a squirmy synth line, background ooohs, and of course singer Laura Kidd’s Londonesque delivery. She Makes War is gloom pop at its best – equally glittery and grungy. Think Echo & The Bunnymen meets an English-tinged Bully. The act’s newest release, Direction of Travel, is out now via The state51 Conspiracy. Check it out on Bandcamp.
Grace Joyner spent several years as a harmony singer for several prominent Nashville-area bands before writing her own material. This turned out to be a good decision. Joyner, like many of us, channeled her hurt into a positive outlet – her music. After finding her muse on an EP, Young Fools, Joyner is back with a debut LP. Joyner’s songs touch on unrequited love, coming to terms with personal failure, and the importance of taking action. “Real” finds Joyner’s lilting vocals riding smoothly on top of synthy indie rock undertones. RIYL if you like Copeland, Lydia, or The Bird and the Bee. Grace Joyner’s latest release is Young Fools, out now on Hearts & Plugs. Her new LP, Maybe Sometimes In C, will be out this May. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257200881″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Have you ever had a weird relationship? One that wasn’t necessarily permanent but you made the effort to enjoy where you were at regardless? “College Sports” by Brisbane (yes, Australia!) collective Maison Hall tries its very best to encapsulate that fleeting feeling. “College Sports” was recorded in an abandoned masonic hall in rural Australia. The band kept it relatively lo-fi, opting for few overdubs and no click track. Despite these conditions and dusty (but uniquely mysterious) setting, “College Sports” turned out to be quite peppy… Not to mention succinct, clocking in at a mere 1:48. RIYL: Diet Cit or Blueline Medic. You can check out Maison Hall’s latest release, the 10-song It Was Never About Me, via Bandcamp here. Don’t ignore that very reasonable price!
Cleveland-based indie rockers No Why quietly released duel singles last month and it has come to be the repeat album of the morning at our office. The second song on the mini-ep, “Disconnect. Decode” is for definitely the late 90’s emo fan, combining intricate-growing guitar work with sweet Matt Pond PA-like vocals. If you are Built to Spill, Mineral, or Appleseed Cast, then you’ll be into No Why. The two songs were written and recorded by the band, and their debut is available via bandcamp.
Halifax-based future-bass producers Wet Paint and Wild Fire made a mean remix of NGHTMRE’s “Holdin’ On to You.” The song starts out as an atmospheric crawl, with whispy female vocals, and drops about 37 seconds in with expecting instrumentals. Eventually the remix turns up with playful synth splices into a grandiose sound. If you are a fan of Keys N Krate or Flume, then you would dig this remix. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256502217″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Sweden’s Max I Million has cooked up a re-imagination of the Coalmine Records’ classic cut, “Perfect Timing,” featuring both C.L. Smooth and Skyzoo. DJ Devastate adds to the remix by scratching up the original chorus, in an ode to the craft. The beat is a good fusion of newer electronic production and classic hip-hop, and also features some Dr. Dre-type keys interspersed. Check it out below.
Black Honey’s “All My Pride” has been the flavor of the day over at buffaBLOG HQ. The band’s latest single, off of their forthcoming The Headspin EP. Think the gritty garage-rock stylings of The Strokes if it were fronted by Gwen Stefani with Muse’s bravado and you’ll get an idea what’s in store for the UK-based quartet’s new single. Looks like the band will be spending much of 2016 at far-off locations in the Middle East and Asia with no word of a states tour in the future. Check out the single “All My Pride” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255573758″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Now that the sun has finally come out, my music taste sheds it’s shoegazey skin and it’s all pop and electro. Sam Padrul and Patrick Baker’s collaboration “Dirty Work” is one of those songs that just oozes REPEAT button. “Dirty Work” is for fans Robbie Williams, Jamiroquai or Souldecision is they still kept it up. Check it out below and try not to re-listen. I dare you. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256474747″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Philadelphia based indie-gaze act, Sea Span, have a new song that has been the soundtrack of our weekend. The song “Diane” is a mellow song of regret about trying to rewind and make things right in a relationship. Could you win them back? Would it all be the same? It’s a snapshot of the past mixed with the reality of today meshed with the mellow and calm delivery of the band. Fans of Big Eater, Beach House, or hiding in the backyard while being heartbroken sitting in a lawn chair in your backyard with a clear view of the stars would be into Sea Span. Check out the band’s latest single “Diane” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255586305″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Philadelphia / DC based indie act Queue have a new song that is right up our alley. Queue’s song “Falling Into Skies” is emotional, with breath-y, sweet vocals over delicate guitars. Beneath the surface, “Falling Into Skies” is about falling for someone that is turbulent but gives you so much joy. The best way to describe Queue is if early Foals did a collaboration with Sarah McLachlan to form a sound in the same realm of the Temper Trap. The quintet have a forthcoming EP in the works. In the meantime, listen to “Falling Into Sky” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/251894241″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
London-based baroque indie rock quartet released their latest track from the up their upcoming debut EP titled A.O.B. this week and it’s a burner. “Age Of Empirez” is falsetto waltz, a slow and a delicate dance. Fans of Dresden Dolls, minimalist Bon Iver, or a stripped down version of TV on the Radio would be into it. The band’s freshman release will be out on vinyl at the end of the month via Lucky Number. In the mean time, enjoy “Age of Empirez” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255764471″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Islands are back again proving that undoubtedly Islands are forever. The project, fronted by Nick Thorburn, formerly of The Unicorns and current Serial theme song composer, released their new single “Christmas Tree,” off of the band’s forthcoming album Should I Remain Here at Sea. Islands’ latest single starts out with delicate vocals synonymous with Thorburn’s delivery over a simple guitar riff, eventually growing into a song the whole gang gets into. Under the surface, the band’s single is about the willingness to self-destruct. Remarkably, the track was all recorded in one live-shot. Check out Islands’ latest single below and be on the look out for Should I Remain Here at Sea, out this summer. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254993151″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Being a non-established grinding indie rock act is hard in itself, with booking paid gigs, gaining fans, balancing work schedules, and overall managing a functioning band. Canadian bands deal with this with and then some based on their basic isolation in between cities. The hard part about living in Canada as an indie rock band outside of southern Quebec or Ontario is that it’s close to impossible to tour and get your name out there. Unlike the United States, where 80% within of the country you can get to another mid-sized city within a four hour drive, Canada’s cities that have any sort of underground, DIY supportive scene are 10+ hours in between. Vancouver’s Sleep Science is one of those bands that is taking it in stride and serious about making a name for themselves. In March, the trio released their first single in over a year, titled “Tears For The[...]
Toronto-based electro-producer Pusher has returned after nearly a year with a song that could be the song of spring. The up-and-coming producer collaborated with Brooklyn-based singer Mothica to create a song that is best described as infectious. In the pair’s new single, Mothica’s delicately sweet vocals (think Chairlift) float over Pusher’s delightfully playful instrumental. Warning: This song will be stuck on repeat. I might go as far as to call this song the underground pop hit of the season. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257300076″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Los Angeles based electronic-producer, 9 Theory aka Gabe Lehner, released a new song last week that is making the rounds in our office. “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck” starts of with a 4/4 heartbeat, soft keyboards, and Moby-like snippets from “Natural Blues” accented by smokey vocals. Singer Dawn Mitschele sounds very much like Emily Haines in Metric-prime, luring the listener in for a closer listen. “Get Up, Dig In, Good Luck” is off 9 Theory’s upcoming six-song EP titled Beautiful Things. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254861891″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]