Latest Posts

Tuarrah – “Horizon’s Brow”

March 31, 2017

Two dudes and an enigmatic (and anonymous) lead signer from Boston make up the mysterious collective Tuarrah. After bonding over a mutual love of D’Angelo, Radiohead and Björk, the trio got together and created “Horizon’s Brow,” our latest recommendation. Combining blippy percussion with gentle accompaniments and a distinct vocal delivery, this jam is truly the sum of its influences. Snag “Horizon’s Brow” via iTunes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311697039″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Crystal Cities – “Who’s Gonna Save Us Now”

March 31, 2017

Crystal Cities is an Australian trio that has spent the last year holed up in their buddy’s garage, getting sweaty and writing dark, dream-pop tunes. We recommend their latest single, “Who’s Gonna Save Us Now,” the title-track of their latest EP. This track simmers all the way through, combining sparkly guitars with a frantic rhythm section and forlorn vocals. If you like it, you can purchase “Who’s Gonna Save Us Now” here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/306863779″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Masons Release New Single “Black Feather”

March 27, 2017

Fredonia electro-pop band New Masons continue to build upon their expansive sound on their latest single, “Black Feather” Having previously hinted at a synth pop inspired sound on “Night Calls” and their debut EP Sorry, Jill, the band takes things in an atmospheric rock direction with “Black Feather”. Incorporating soulful guitar tones, evocative synth sounds and vigorous percussion, New Masons are able to create tension with both their vocals and instrumentation that leads to a compelling hook and melody. The track serves as the first episode in the WAVE series, a story written by the band which their upcoming material will reference. Listen to “Black Feather” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/309998833″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Wholewheat – “Camouflage the Mirage”

March 26, 2017

The pitch-bending, lo-fi pop stylings of Wholewheat come to fruition in his track “Camouflage the Mirage.” Brian Austin has been arranging grungy bedroom-pop recordings from his Jersey Shore hometown for decades, and Wholewheat’s thoughtful lyricism and elegantly-simple melodies showcase that. “Camouflage the Mirage” is a straightforward track about trying not to complicate love with inner insecurities. The song showcases flowing lo-fi vocals and bleary acoustic guitar, while still mustering a full and resonant sound. Dig into Austin’s lyrical ponderings below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311263956″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Black Honey – “Somebody Better”

March 26, 2017

Scene: the sun is setting on a clear day. A vintage hotrod is speeding forward through the desert in slow motion, as all of someone’s worldly possessions are fully ablaze in the background. This is the distinct image conjured up through Black Honey’s single “Somebody Better.” The band’s sound equates to sultry pop with an alt-rock edge, featuring powerhouse vocals, heavy-hitting guitars, and subtle ambient synths to set the tone. It’s sharp and cutting, but manages to take a step back and ruminate gently in the song’s bridge. The band is already gaining a ton of momentum through their tour supporting Catfish & The Bottlemen, as well a features on notable sources like the FADER, Hype Machine, and more. Not too shabby for a young alt-rock band out of the UK. Catch up on more from Black Honey on soundcloud and rest assured, this is a band you won’t want[...]

Water from Your Eyes – “Cold Stare”

March 26, 2017

Indie pop duo Water from Your Eyes have become masters of the long distance relationship with producer Nate Amos in Chicago and vocalist Rachel Brown in New York, but still manage to crank out catchy tunes together from miles away. Their latest endeavor, “Cold Stare” is a synth-driven track with bright intensity and smooth vocals. Garnering inspiration on a spectrum from Fleetwood Mac to early Sonic Youth, Water from Your Eyes sits somewhere on the line between pop and punk. This translates into their sunny melodic synth lines and laid-back, lo-fi vocals. “Cold Stare” itself centers on the conflict between wanting to belong and feeling isolated, artfully summed up in the line “You say I’m unpredictable but you don’t trust me to be / I say I’m anything that makes me seem more like what you are.” The track is a single off the duo’s upcoming album Long Days No Dreams,[...]

Low Weather – “Optimistic”

March 26, 2017

St. Louis foursome Low Weather curates some moody indie-rock with their new single “Optimistic.” The track’s video follows lead singer Mikey Trieb on a night of discovery and debauchery, while the city blurs together in the background. It coincides well with the song’s theme of “false starts and the unending pursuit for contentment,” as the band puts it. Treib has the dreamy alt-rock vocals down to a T, accompanied by clear-cutting guitar interjections, exciting drum fills, and ethereal keyboard lines. Low Weather has the potential to sit among big names like Cage The Elephant and Portugal. The Man, and we can’t wait to see them get there. Take in their visual odyssey in “Optimistic” below.

Bucolic – “LEFTY”

March 25, 2017

Bubbly electronica takes the forefront in Seth Carpenter’s solo project Bucolic, specifically in his new track, “LEFTY.” This song is over six minutes of atmospheric ethereality, harnessing powerful sustained vocals with an electrified backing that never sits still. The project itself draws inspiration from nature, with its name directly defined as a pastoral poem. Combining elements of dream pop, shoegaze, experimental electronic, and folktronica, this track is creative blend of all that is dreamy yet full of life. If “LEFTY” has sparked you interest, we recommend you head over to Bucolic’s bandcamp for more content as we patiently await his debut LP. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311401339″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Gift – “Big Fish”

March 25, 2017

For fans of Talking Heads, The Gift’s “Big Fish” is the latest spark of groove-infused energy to get you through the week. The band has been around for a little while – twenty years to be exact – and their seasoned musicianship shows. They’ve captured layering of catchy melodies, spot-on group harmonies, and creative instrumental interplay. It has a distinctive 80’s synth-pop feel, but still manages to bring in modern musical elements to keep up with the times. If you’re hungry for a slice of the past, be sure to check out The Gift’s upcoming EP ALTAR due April 7th on digital platforms and May 5th in physical forms, and catch up on their recent single releases here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/305647122″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Fuzzy Crystals – “The King Is Dead”

March 25, 2017

L.A. six-piece The Fuzzy Crystals channels their inner flower child in the band’s new track “The King Is Dead.” This is modern psychedelic rock in its purest form. Featuring inspiring guitar solos, groove-heavy bass, and a cacophony of vocal harmonies, this is the kind of politically-charged aural journey we’ve been yearning for for decades. The song is complex, and plainly depicts an evolution of an idea, ending with a note of optimism. Holding true to their vintage sound, the band’s second album was completely recorded live with analog technology, only delving into digital when the final mixes were converted to audio files. Join The Fuzzy Crystals on their journey back in time below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311453923″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bleeding Knees Club – “Chew the Gum”

March 25, 2017

Australia’s Bleeding Knees Club sends metaphoric spitballs our way with the band’s latest single “Chew the Gum.” The song is the epitome of sleazy garage-pop. It centers around the idea of growing out of your old self and the things you once enjoyed. Frontman Alex Walls puts it as “It’s about over-doing things that are fun, to the point that it’s not fun at all anymore. Chewing the gum till there’s no flavor left, and it just tastes gross.” Featuring grungy rhythm guitars, crisp drum lines, and punkified vocals, this song packs a punch in a sickeningly sweet kind of way. If you want more where that came from, keep an eye out for the band’s upcoming EP Chew The Gum to be released April 14th.

Headphone Hair – “Bleeding Game”

March 24, 2017

Headphone Hair is the moniker of Ian Walters, a 6th grade History and Science teacher from Oakland. Outside of the classroom, his passion is music, and we dig his latest single “Bleeding Game.” It caught our ears for his hushed falsetto (a la Bon Iver) and use of left-field instrumentals like xylophone and trombone… Plus, it was all recorded in his classroom in one marathon session (and sounds pretty killer regardless). If you’re feeling generous, you can contribute to Bleeding Game’s Kickstarter here.

Rich List – “Esha Ness”

March 24, 2017

A little bit of history for y’all – Esha Ness was the name of a race horse that ran the second-fastest time in history, and famously “won” a race that never was. Electro-pop activists Rich List have cleverly turned that experience into a metaphor for the human condition… But we dig it for its retro stylings and clever use of 80s-style synth work. Fans of the 1980s, Duran Duran or Tears for Fears will like this one. “Esha Ness” is available via a variety of formats. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/308682788″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Morbs – s/t

March 24, 2017

Eric Ellman is a pretty busy guy in the current local scene. In the past six months he’s pumped out two Green Slime releases and now with the help of his cohorts Emily Churco, Mike Herman and Rona Eliyahu, Ellman has revealed the self-titled debut for Morbs. The 10 track debut which clocks in just under 20 minutes was recorded by Matt Chase and mixed and mastered by John Angelo. The self-titled debut from the Queen City garage-punk outfit comes out of left field. It’s hard to determine what stands out more, is it the stripped down pure adrenal gland capsule that is Ellman’s guitar? Or is it the vocals of Churco? Churco’s lips are fast moving even when they are stuck in traffic, like on the slower tracks “Co-Pilot” and “Made of Bones”. Even on these songs her vocals seem to still be moving at the speed of light. However,[...]

Ugly Sun Drop Latest Single “Marble Eye”

March 23, 2017

Buffalo garage rock power trio Ugly Sun are back with their latest single “Marble Eye,” and it’s a thrilling burst of triumphant goodness. For a band keen to keep things on the rough and wild side, the deploying of both discordant and mightily sweet harmonies behind John Crook’s plaintive wail and those epic riffs takes this whole enterprise to a higher level and almost flirts with beauty. In a city with a growing list of rock bands you can believe in, you can add Ugly Sun to the list. They’ll be playing the just announced Made Violent show at the Studio At The Waiting Room with Sixties Future May 5th, with tickets going on sale this Friday.