Latest Posts

Folkfaces – How Long?

May 15, 2017

Folkfaces is a Buffalo band that falls beyond the typical confines of categorization. Their unique blend of americana, folk, and jazz is loud, rustic, and organic; there is an inherent genuineness to their craft. If I were looking for an easy way out, I could slap a “roots rock” label on them and call it a day, but with elements of ragtime, alt-country, and alt-gypsy involved, their music defies that boundary effortlessly. It is best to define them as undefinable, and give them an honest listen. They’d probably like it that way, anyway. Their latest album How Long?  sprawls 8 tracks over their road map of musical genres, and with multiple songwriters and musicians at the helm on any given track, the influence varies greatly. From the back-country banjo charm of “Institution Blues” (this one may sound familiar, as it was released as a single earlier last year), to the rowdy foot-stomping pandemonium[...]

Chiddy Bang – “Full Speed Ahead”

May 11, 2017

It’s been seven years since Chiddy Bang was at the height of their career. Popular with music blogs while leading a wave of poppy, sample-heavy frat rap, rapper Chiddy and producer Xaphoon cranked out infectious track for a hot couple of years before disappearing. Since then, Xaphoon has moved on and Chiddy has revamped his sound for his single “Full Speed Ahead.” Chiddy’s lighthearted flows are as welcome as ever as he reflects on his early days on the scene. Though he might have been out of his element in the early days, Chiddy’s happy with his path and eager to use those old experiences in his drive back into the game. “Dull Speed Ahead’s” chorus is a perfectly poppy contemporary  hook, and Chiddy’s lyrics have gotten sharper as he’s progressed as an artist. It’s great to see Chiddy bringing the positive vibes once again.

Sister James – “Sick Dog”

May 11, 2017

Indie rock conglomerate Sister James puts the edge in DIY via their latest track “Sick Dog.” Forged through the combination of various Brooklyn indie acts, Sister James melds the songwriting styles of Quinn McGovern and Ben Carbone to construct stirring rhythmic instrumentals and ponderous vocals. The switch between distortion-heavy shredding to refined strumming and hushed tones is nothing if not effective in, encompassing the band’s dynamic quality and driving listener intrigue. The band harnesses a multifaceted sound that’s hard to nail down, ultimately making them all the more appealing. Provokingly moody, “Sick Dog” is an adventure for the ears. Sister James is set to release their debut cassette release Look Away on May 12th. Throw a pre-order in over on bandcamp and check out the single below. Look Away by Sister James

Motion Trap – “Molecule”

May 10, 2017

Indie dance pop duo Motion Trap’s latest track “Molecule” is all groove in all the right places. With thick layers of brassy synths, rhythmic guitars, and powerful falsetto, the track manages to come off as cool and suave, while still begging you to get up and dance. The band harnesses their eclectic genre experimentation of past releases to create a sparkly and refined sound all their own. The Colorado natives pride themselves on the organic instrumentation of a live band, while spicing things up with digital exploration. Motion Trap clearly know what they’re doing, and “Molecule” seems to be the culmination of all of their well-molded efforts. See for yourself below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/309500800″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Duncan Lloyd – “Heads of The Bastille”

May 10, 2017

In a choice blend of indie-rock and a tinge of jazz inspired intuition, Duncan Lloyd ruminates on a love that’s slipping away in his track “Heads of The Bastille.” Lloyd’s fluid vocals and tranquil guitar lines give way to playfully syncopated keyboard interjections and an ascending bassline that draw up the song’s lighthearted tone. The lyrics, however, delve into a more solemn, resigned stance on the inevitable crumble of relationships. “Heads of The Bastille” comes at the forefront of Lloyd’s upcoming album I O U O M E. He summarizes, “From ‘Heads of The Bastille’ onwards, these songs come from a more personal perspective and it’s fair to say there is a lot of longing in them. They were mostly written in motion, travelling on long journeys, often late at night when ideas tend to mutate & evolve in a way which is less black & white, where finer subtleties[...]

Joseph of Mercury – “Find You Inside”

May 10, 2017

At first listen, the initial intoning of Toronto’s Joseph of Mercury’s vocals is purely sensual. This slinky baritone draws comparisons to the power-crooners of yesteryear like David Bowie, Morrissey, and Leonard Cohen. His newest single “Find You Inside” encapsulates a 1970’s groove in the most-millennium era, while managing to include all of the original iconic sex appeal. It’s dark, sultry and alluring, all wrapped up in a mysterious and elusive gauze. The chorus drives it all home with a soulful ascent to the melodic heavens, all while maintaining that retro height-of-pop feel. Explore Joseph of Mercury’s emotional intensity in “Find You Inside” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/317292887″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Katherine Eisenberg – “Real Nice Guy”

May 10, 2017

Bubbly Brooklyn-based artist Katherine Eisenberg gushes over the latest object of her affection in her track “Real Nice Guy.” What starts off as a quirky singer-songwriter track intensifies to embody that grungy indie-rock ideal, as she laments the fleetingness of love. It’s upbeat and playful, but keeps things fashionably cool with spunky guitar lines and a powerful vocal refrain. Halfway between a Lily Allen and Molly Rankin of Alvvays, Eisenberg channels bubblegum pop, surfer-rock, and a bit of a folksy twang to mold her unique sound. The result is cheeky, yet captivating story that is genuinely fun to listen to. Katherine Eisenberg’s upcoming debut Nice EP is out for your perusal as of May 4th. Sample “Real Nice Guy” at your leisure below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/316162236″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Penguin – “Not A Problem”

May 10, 2017

Budding alt-rock outfit Penguin jumps headfirst into the game with their debut single “Not A Problem.” Drawing parallels to bands like Young the Giant and Atlas Genius, the band pulls their weight right along with the big dogs, and does it well. “Not A Problem” hits hard with powerhouse guitar lines, beachy rhythm guitar and encircling vocals, all coated in a light, distorted fuzz. The U.K. group has a lot of alt-rock Brit acts to contend with, but something tells us that won’t be hard for Penguin. With a slot at the Evolution Emerging Festival this month, there’s sure to be a lot in store for these garage rockers. Join them on their journey first, and tune into “Not A Problem” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/316832817″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Whales & This Lake – “The Fly”

May 10, 2017

Norwegian trio Whales & This Lake delivers an energetic anthem via their single “The Fly.” Through an expert mix of electronic and rock sensibilities, the band crafts one earworm melody after another with splashes of campy vocals, jittery beats and a pulsating bassline. The song issues sharp imagery on top of it all, echoing a lost sentiment while the tune creates a resolution. “The Fly” is the latest single off of the band’s upcoming album, to be released September 22nd. Find more of Whales & This Lake on soundcloud to hold you over until the release, and get jamming to “The Fly” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/318305996″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Alyeska – “Sister Buckskin”

May 10, 2017

L.A. fuzz-pop duo Alyeska provides a smooth sip of tranquility with an underlying bite to it in their single “Sister Buckskin.” This is the third single off of their recent EP release Crush, featuring bleary guitar lines, hazy ambience, and the breezy vocal stylings of singer Alaska Reid. The misty, mellow setting of the song intensifies in the last minute of the song with brightly distorted guitar tracks circling in on all sides. This EP was the last to be recorded in New York’s Magic Shop studio through the expert work of John Agnello. Get your taste of “Sister Buckskin,” then head over to Crush where all things are streamed. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/315240365″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

SQRD – “Together”

May 10, 2017

Swedish producer SQRD has recently released an emotionally moving and introspective video for his track “Together.” Through a series of crisp percussion, moving electronics, and reverb-laden vocals, SQRD expresses a fear of loss, while attempting to hold on to a sense of stability. The track is the follow-up to his 2016 EP Gold that gained him notoriety in the electronic production world. With nods to other artists like The xx and James Blake, SQRD’s lo-fi electro-sounds have growing relatability and appeal. That appeal is then translated into video form by director Jacob Ragnarsson, while featuring the Swedish wilderness in a way that is both raw and picturesque. Dive into the landscape of “Together” below.

KOPPS Drop “Baby I’m Dead Inside”

May 3, 2017

Rochester electro darlings KOPPS are back with a new single that accurately/regrettably/inevitably captures the zeitgeist, the sweet electronic poison that is “Baby I’m Dead Inside.” Trading their trademark trashed glitz for simmering, low key electronic funk punctuated by crunchy, fuzzed out guitar riffs, KOPPS find a new brand new slowed down groove for Patricia Patrón’s sultry disco diva vocal stylings to bewitch the faithful into helpless submission. Check out “Baby I’m Dead Inside” below and keep an eye on KOPPS- they could be busy this year.

Mise en Scene – “Young Leo”

May 3, 2017

Fans of Best Coast, Hole, or Angel Olsen will dig this one. “Young Leo” from Mise en Scene is about a young Leo (the Zodiac sign, not DiCaprio) who is learning how to take life one step at a time and to not be so sad. It might also be worth noting that the singer of this track was born on August 10th. Beyond its message, this is a straight up raucous indie rock jam that we think is worth checking out. The band also released a music video for “Young Leo” which you can check out here.

Keeper Keeper – “Wine Teeth”

May 3, 2017

The three-piece rock conglomerate Keeper Keeper stake their claim on the hearts of Portland and beyond, specifically in their newest single “Wine Teeth.” With a sound reminiscent of The Killers, The Strokes, and The Growlers, they present an expressive yet too-cool-for-school sound that’s hard to attain but invigorating to listen to. Building in the best of alternative, surf rock, and a hint of folk, Keeper Keeper sets their sound apart from the rest. “Wine Teeth” has a laid back feel that is still guaranteed to get you moving, with sunny guitar lines, lightly distorted vocals, and harmonies straight out of a 90’s/early 2000’s sitcom. This is the leading track off of the band’s upcoming third album Paradigm, to be released in the very near future. Until then, get your fix with “Wine Teeth” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/304686132″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Solomon O – “Holograms”

May 1, 2017

Solomon O is an Australian indie crooner whose “Holograms” has been rubbing us in just the right way. This indie-pop nugget has a luscious rhythm section and plenty of shimmering guitars and synths to please any fan of modern-day alternative rock. Fans of Foster The People, Imagine Dragons, and The Killers will get down to this one. If you dig it, add “Holograms” to your Spotify playlist. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/312123977″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]