Latest Posts

Oats Holy Roller – Fear Memorial Park

March 2, 2020

Music will shed light on what human beings are able to understand, yet unable to articulate. It provides a freeze-frame of circumstances and emotions that fall beyond the English language, and it will present them in a cohesive structure. The genre that routinely delivers the plight of human life in specific time periods, folk has a modern artist in its midst. Oats Holy Roller, the project headed by Buffalo’s Joseph Murray Meyers, has a unique voice and ability to deliver the mixture of modern emotions that are tied in with the technological revolution as we all step bravely into the new world. Their latest effort, an album titled Fear Memorial Park, draws heavily from folk artists of the past, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Joni Mitchel, while their striped down aesthetic makes the beautiful arrangements all the more powerful. Oats Holy Roller’s first released single “In Such Times//Ahhhhhhh,” tells the story of[...]

The Original Juice Boys – “Weird Dress”

February 27, 2020

Anyone else nostalgic for the days of Angelfire? We’ve got the perfect band for you – The Original Juice Boys really know how to rip it like its 1999. Beyond the MS Paint graphics and the kitschy, antiquated URL, we think “Weird Dress” is a pretty cool song. This act def takes the lo-fi, bedroom-pop route, but with a darker twist… Instrumentals are reminiscent of Pinback or Say Hi. Check it out.

West Ferry Releases New s/t EP

February 26, 2020

Emo rockers West Ferry just dropped a concise self-titled EP last Friday. Clocking in at just over six minutes, it’s a quick yet impactful listen. Each of the songs has a distinct character; angst. While each had an anthemic quality, the standout was “Forever Home.” The group really seems to have settled on a sound, and the DIY energy is still present in their recording. If not already on your radar, a must listen especially for fans of Cursive, Tiny Moving Parts and early Brand New. Check out the EP below, you’ll have time. West Ferry by west ferry Written by John Smigielski

Strandels – “Breathe It In”

February 24, 2020

There’s just something about the Swedish siblings in Strandels. Their latest single “Breathe It In” is rubbing us in just the right ways. Maybe it’s the breathy harmonies, maybe it’s the lo-fi-and-chill hip-hop beats, or maybe it’s that spiraling acoustic guitar riff… But regardless of what sucks you in, we think this one is full of reasons to listen. Kick back and let this one wash over you – check it out below and give them a follow on their IG.

Palavas – “Giorgio Baroudeur”

February 23, 2020

Get ready to feel funky – we’re digging this new one from Palavas, a mysterious French duo whose latest instrumental offering, “Giorgio Baroudeur,” got our heads bobbing. It’s not often an instrumental jam gets you feeling some-type-of-way, but this one is full of perfectly retro drum machines and hypnotic techno rhythms. There’s not much left to do but click play on the widget below and groove for ~6 mins. Enjoy.

The Day – “Tenderfoot” (The Lemonheads/Smudge Cover)

February 18, 2020

Cover inception! We’re digging this take on “Tenderfoot” – a classic cover from The Lemonheads who put their own spin on Smudge’s original take. Dreamy, Netherlands dream-pop duo The Day made this one their own with an ethereal vocal track and a simple, but incredibly tasteful electric/acoustic guitar backbone. This one is beautifully jangly, just the right amount punky, with a tinge of emo greatness – amazing all around. Listen for yourself below.

Violet Lens – “I Don’t Care”

February 18, 2020

“I don’t care if you don’t care – no, I don’t care at all…” We certainly care, and we think more than just nihilists will enjoy this light-hearted, carefree jam from Taiwanese act Violet Lens. Pairing spindly guitar leads with bright, jangly power pop, “I Don’t Care” showcases the band’s English-lyric’d work (take a deeper dive and you’ll find a bunch of songs in Mandarin). This one is a good time – check it out below. I Don’t Care by Violet Lens

Rival Cavves – “Flower Bud”

February 18, 2020

Rival Cavves is more than just a bedroom-pop act – on any given night, you might catch them performing on the edge of a cliff, recreating a bedroom on stage, or handing out free swag to the audience. While they certainly put on an engaging show, we’ve definitely been jamming on their latest release, “Flower Bud.” Pairing haunting and moody indie-electro instrumentals with catchy “ay-ee-ay-ee-ay” refrains, this one would be the perfect soundtrack for a chill, evening drive. Check it out below and stay up to date with their Insta.

Tonight: Wild Once

February 14, 2020

Wild Once headlines a night of cathartic emo rock tonight at Mr. Goodbar. Fresh on the heels of their 2019 release Perennials, Wild Once have dropped a new track off their upcoming EP. Their new track “Trophy Girls,” the title track of their forthcoming EP, is an anthemic ode to digital addiction. As lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Mayer says: “On a broad scale… this song is sort of an acknowledgement of how often we catch each other staring at our phones these days. It’s to the point where we often don’t even feel rude whipping them out in the middle of a real life conversation. In both personal and professional situations. We use them to fill the fill the silence, that we get so bored and uncomfortable with so quickly. It makes us more lonely and yet we think it is the solution for loneliness. We weigh our options.[...]

Alphabats – “Leith”

February 13, 2020

Check out the music video for “Leith,” the latest offering from Swedish duo Alphabats. “Leith” is an interesting song that combines aspects of The National, Frightened Rabbit, and modern indie-electro-pop… There’s also a splash of 80s flavor in there for added aesthetic. This one is an effervescent and sunny breath of fresh air, full of throaty synths, spindly guitar leads, and frantic electronic drums. Check out the mysterious duo’s joyride in the music video below.

WOLFJAY – “In Memory Of”

February 13, 2020

WOLFJAY is an indie pop act hailing from Adelaide, Australia. “In Memory Of” has become one of our favs as of late – it combines aspects of indie pop, emo, and electronica into an interestingly overblown, hook-laden tune. This one is jammed full of strong melodies, blasts of guitars and drums, and even a tasteful guitar solo. Fans of 2003-era Blink-182 and smart indie pop a la Generationals will like this one. Check it out below – if you dig it (and we know you will), make sure you add it to your Spotify playlist.

Floral – “The Good Song”

February 13, 2020

Oh man – ICYMI, we were recently jazzed on Floral‘s previous release, “This Year.” If you dug that one, we recommend “The Good Song,” which is just as (if not even more) spicy. There’s no doubt about it – this one is an instrumental math rock jam pairing the Palo Alto duo’s drumming and guitar virtuosity into something collectively mind blowing. Our favorite part is from 3:50 on. If your jaw isn’t left hanging, it’s time to check your headphones. Peep the Bandcamp link below – this one’s available for stream in a few days. The Good Song — Single by Floral

The Golden Age of TV – “Me, You And a Dog”

February 12, 2020

This is a cool one – Leeds act The Golden Age of TV whipped up a rip-roaring single that they’ve titled “Me, You, And a Dog.” Big guitar riffs and a tight, compressed mix give this one a big, bombastic sound. There’s a bit of Los Campesinos! in this one, a bit of Hop Along, and a whole lot of loud, indie rock energy. Better yet – “Dog” is about the joy of getting a new pet with someone special… A subtle way to say you want to spend the next 10+ years together. Check it out below for sure.

Chasing Daze – “Teenager”

February 12, 2020

We can’t help but be smitten by teen-sibling act Chasing Daze. Helmed by bro/sis combo Julia and Ryan Noble, the duo have been crafting smart indie-pop in their small-town Oregon hometown. “Teenager” is their latest – a chill jam built around squiggly, melodic samples. This one really captures the innocence of the teen psyche – imagery of Polaroid pictures, after parties, and garage hangouts are scattered throughout this short, but sweet tune. Check it out below – we think you’ll dig it.

Great News – “Greedy Little Thing”

February 12, 2020

Last time we checked in with Norwegian act Great News, we were jamming on their fantastic, synthy debut, “TV.”  Their next offering is “Greedy Little Thing,” an equally-raucous good-time full of thick guitar goodness and phat pop melodies. Where “TV” embraced the best of the 80s, “Greedy Little Thing” opts for crunchy guitar leads and soaring falsetto.  Give it a listen below.