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Gold Spectacles – “Even”

Once the weather is nice all I want to do is listen to is pop, and London-based producers Gold Spectacles have just what I need. The duo’s latest single “Even” is a slice of dream-pop heaven, with gentle funk-y bass, heavy sample work, and baroque undertones. Don’t let the song’s lighthearted vibe deceive you, “Even” is all about obsession into delusion. Fans of Hess is More,  Black Light Dinner Party, or laid Passion Pit would be into Gold Spectacles. The pair’s debut EP Flaws and Vision is out at the end of the month via Specky Records, but in the mean time check out “Even” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258415361″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

LANY – “Where the Hell Are My Friends?”

Los Angeles-based electro-pop act, LANY, unveiled a new video a couple weeks back for their single “Where The Hell Are My Friends.” In the video, singer Paul Klein navigates through a party and ultimately has a crossroads moment. Why is he in Los Angeles? No one cares about him. He’s just one person out of 40 million people across the state. Should he move? Who would notice? In the end he’s alone in a room full of superficiality. “Where the Hell are my Friends” is upbeat, reflective, earnest, and overall catchy as hell. Fans of Phoenix, Humans, or Holy Ghost! would be into LANY. Check out the video below and try not to jam it all day. I dare you.

MLE – “Moonlight Desires (ft. Walsh)”

It’s a slow morning over at blog HQ, but that’s not stopping us from pumping mood music. This morning’s mood is inspired by 80’s electro-pop cover jam, “Moonlight Desires,” originally by Canadian singer, Gowan. The cover is a collaboration between MLE (aka singer Emily Dunlap) and Walsh, an electro-producer. “Moonlight Desires” is all about wanting someone and the obsessiveness that takes over your mind. Enjoy the dark disco vibes below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257306082″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Database – “Nights Off ft. Tidal Caves”

Database’s latest collaboration with Tidal Caves is the sound of 11:34pm on a Saturday night. The track, “Nights Off” is an electro-pop gem, heavy with swaggerin’ psuedo-obnoxious talk-rap a la UFFY or a good Millionaires, with Kesha’s “whatever mentality” and 90’s house on the chorus. “Nights Off” can be found on of the forthcoming Database album Vivid Exposition. Give it a listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256715822″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: EL VY

Rapids Theatre plays host tonight to one of the hottest indie acts on the tour circuit one of the EL VY (pronounced EL-PIE with a v). The band’s promo picture might yield some familiar faces, as EL VY is the side project for Matt Berninger (of The National) and Brent Knopf (of Menomena). Sound wise do not expect The National’s dreariness, but EL VY carries over the frontman’s story telling ability but in a much more wry and playful fashion. Also on deck are local sunshine haze-pop act, Get Money Squad. Doors are at 6pm with a $25 cover.

No Why – “Disconnect. Decode.”

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. 

Brimstone Blondes Return With New Singles

It’s been a while since we last heard material from plucky Buffalo-rooted glam-rock act, Brimstone Blondes. When we last checked in, the band was a four-piece college-bound band still semi-based out of Buffalo, or at least all their instruments were still in a suburbs basement. Now in 2016, Brimstone Blondes are very much a Purchase band, embracing showmanship, keyboards,  makeup, and glitter. The now five-piece released two songs this week “First Impressions Are Everything” and “Touchdown U.S.A” Recorded with $ell $ell $ell Studios in Manhattan, the A-Side single, “First Impressions Are Everything” is an introduction to lead singer Matthew Danger Lippman’s unique persona and his ability to burn bridges. If you are a fan of the band’s previous works, long gone are the simple garage-rock licks. The Blondes have evolved. Check out “First Impressions Are Everything” below.

Just Announced: Black Lips

Atlanta garage rock rascals, Black Lips, revealed on their website that they will be coming to Buffalo this summer and playing a venue that is bringing in more and more indie talents. Black Lips will be playing Nietzsche’s on Saturday, July 16th, with pre-sale tickets going for $15 plus modest Ticket Masters fees, like the luxury of printing your ticket for yourself or something. This will probably sell out so I would really suggest getting a ticket now rather than later because Nietzsche’s doesn’t hold much more than 225 people.

NGHTMRE – “Holdin’ On to You (Wet Paint and Wildfire Remix)”

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” /]

Sam Padrul – “Dirty Work (ft. Patrick Baker)”

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” /]

Sea Span – “Diane”

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” /]

Today: Record Store Day

Today is the ninth annual  Record Store Day, a holiday created in 2007 to celebrate Mom and Pop record stores and the stagnant vinyl industry. In the past nine years, much has changed in the music industry, and vinyl is HOT again (thanks millenials). Over 700 independent retailers across the world celebrating selling/collecting music by numerous rarities and one-offs being released today, including new releases from David Bowie, J. Dilla, and Regina Spektor to name a few. To get a hold of the whole list of new releases, check out Record Store Day’s website. Here’s what is going on locally. Record Theatre (1800 Main St): Ever want to meet Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs), and get a signed copy Cassandra Kublinski’s latest CD all in one location with a Community Beer Works beer in hand? Well, good news for you. Get to Record Theatre’s 1800 Main Street location[...]

Our Mother – “Age of Empirez”

  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” /]

Sleep Science – “Tears For The Money”

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[...]

Pusher – “Clear (ft. Mothica)”

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” /]