Latest Posts

Feverbox – “Gemini”

May 24, 2016

Local garage rockers Feverbox have dropped one the great, wistful jams of the summer with “Gemini,” a satisfying change-up featuring some plaintive vocals and melodies reminiscent of the Shins and Two Door Cinema Club. These dudes are showing some real range and a nice capacity for surprise, making their show on Herd Fest Day 3 at DBGB’s seriously essential. Speaking of which, anybody else digging that Herd Fest app? I had absolutely nothing to do with it’s development so I can honestly say I’m fairly impressed, and it’s going to be fun letting my smartphone guide me around the venues and shows going off over the three days. Good times in the city because the future is starting to look like now. Anyways, check out Feverbox’ new single below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/265054943″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Petite League – “Zookeeper”

May 24, 2016

Bursting out from the Syracuse scene is Petite League with some new, noisy music. “Zookeeper” fronts zipping guitar leads on top of a dense block of jangly indie rock. The drums find themselves at the forefront, with hissing cymbals and a woody snare. The chorus claims, “[There are] no saints/gods in the animal kingdom” before interestingly cutting out. “Zookeeper” kicks back in with the same shredding guitars and bopping rhythm section until the song tires itself out. “Zookeeper” is available (only) for stream below, and you can find Petite League’s other discography here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/262189834″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Kristoffer & The Harbour Heads – “When You Say Stay”

May 24, 2016

I first heard Swedish musician Kristoffer Ragnstam nearly a decade ago when I came across his album Sweet BIlls while working at my college radio station.  I found Ragnstam’s charmingly descriptive and honest songwriting style coupled with his gentle indie-rock remarkably appealing. In the late 00’s I pulled songs from that and the follow-up Wrong Side of the Room for countless mixes and his songs were the soundtrack for many moods at the time. Since putting his solo career on hold, Ragnstam has created a new projected under the moniker Kristoffer & The Harbour Heads and guess what? They have a new single/video titled “When You Say.” The video “When You Say Stay” features a full cast of immigrants and human rights activists residing in Dresden, Germany.  In the video, a plucky girl runs through an artsy wonderland, complete with abstract tree houses, exhibits, along with a zebra (which might actually be[...]

The Lightning Year – “Endless Memory”

May 23, 2016

The Lightning Year is the pseudonym for UK based musician Matt Bishop. His new song “Endless Memory” is about having a one-night-stand and the knowledge that, for better or worse, that person and that night will be burned into your memory for life. “Endless Memory” is a really powerful indietronica song, be sure to wait for the apex at 2:33. Fans of The Secret Machines, Autolux, or Father John Misty (when he’s heavy on the synth) might dig The Lightning Year. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264729773″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

DYAN – “St. James”

May 23, 2016

DYAN is the moniker for songstress Alexis Marsh. Her new song “St. James” is a ghostly pop number highlighting driving electronic drums and Marsh’s soulful voice. About the song, Marsh says, “I wanted a sparse sound to reflect the openness of the prairies where I grew up… The landscape seemed to draw horizon-long lines of expectation into the future, which I didn’t realize I resented until I couldn’t find satisfaction in success despite my ambition.” Anyone who has ever wanted to escape the sentiments of small-town life might find “St. James” eerily relatable. DYAN’s full length, Looking For Knives, will be out July 29th. Until then, “St. James” will have to suffice. Have a look below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263609356″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rogue Wave – Delusions of Grand Fur

May 23, 2016

Hop in your car, roll the windows down, drive along a long winding road, and throw on Rogue Wave’s Delusions of Grand Fur in your CD player.  Well, I should say throw this album on the aux chord because this is 2016, lets be real. Rogue Wave’s sixth studio album releases those adventurous and spontaneous feelings in your heart.  Delusions of Grand Fur will run your car out of gas before you even know it.  Rogue Wave is driven by the acoustic guitar, the piano, clean guitar riffs, and the unique, echoing voice of Zach Rogue. “Take It Slow” is the first track off this album, which captures Rogue Wave’s style and deep thoughts on relationships and life.  A simple subject is what inspires this band’s lyrics.  Starting off with the acoustic rush and straight into the drums. Then comes the piano lick, which will be relevant throughout the entire[...]

Astral Cloud Ashes – “Get Real”

May 22, 2016

Astral Cloud Ashes is the creative outlet for Antony Walker. The project sounds like the more “intellectual” cousin of The Front Bottoms or Modern Baseball. This one goes out to all the space cadets out there (we use that in a positive light, of course!), as “Get Real” is a fun tune that deals lyrically with issues of memory recall and astral traveling. It’s a sincere guitar-driven tune that frequently changes pace and feel, perfect for the polyrhythm-loving music nerd in us all. Astral Cloud Ashes’ debut LP, Too Close to the Noise Floor, is due out later this summer. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264098344″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Theme Park – “You Are Real”

May 22, 2016

Theme Park is a London trio specializing in free-spirited alt-pop. “You Are Real” is a true love song about falling in love with a girl who you realize has been your dream all along. Boasting peppy acoustic guitars and catchy falsetto vocals, we think Theme Park seems to be on to something fun. Fans of Alt-J, Bombay Bicycle Club, or “Happy” by Pharrell would really enjoy Theme Park’s style. “You Are Real” officially comes out on July 15. Get a sneak peak via the widget below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264343205″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Magic Potion – “Jelly”

May 22, 2016

Talk about perfect hooks, “Jelly” is an archetypal slacker rock song with excellent hooks. Sweden’s Magic Potion knocked it out of the park with this quavering tune that sounds like Mac Demarco, All-Time Quarterback, and Diet Cig got together to combine geniuses. This nonsensical tune is mellow as they come – perfect for sinking slowly into your bed in the daze of mid-afternoon. “Jelly” is the third single from Magic Potion’s debut LP Pink Gum, due on May 27th via PNKSLM Recordings on vinyl and digital; Beech Coma on cassette. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263408740″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

DaDa – “Black Horse”

May 21, 2016

DaDa‘s new song, “Black Horse.” is an anti-war hymn that sounds like it could be a Beck song featuring At The Drive In or Sonic Youth. While we could try to put it into words, we think the band themselves best describe their own sound: “DaDa incorporates flowing rhythms, captivating vox, and powerful lyrics, revealing a fleshy undertone to their sound, subduing you into expanding the senses while going on a spacey trip.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves. “Black Horse” is DaDa’s debut single, set to be released on 10th June via Black Wire Music. Their debut EP, The Pigeon Conspiracy, is due out on July 8th. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263617311″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Everett James Wood – “Hold On”

May 21, 2016

Nineteen-year-old Everett James Wood is a fresh-faced new artist out of Waterloo. His debut single “Hold On” is a nice little slice of electronica meant to make your “feet crank, hips sway, and heads bob.” We recommend EJW if you like smooth electronica like Massive Attack or Caribou. “Hold On” is currently available for free download on Soundcloud. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264002319″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bones Garage – “The Run”

May 21, 2016

Surf-punx Bones Garage caught our attention by sounding a lot like something you’d hear blasting out of a West Side basement in Buffalo. With brash, echoey female vocals delivered over breakneck drums and unmistakable surf riffs, “The Run” sounds vintage and contemporary all at once. We particularly liked the chaotic background siren sounds that permeate the track. Bones Garage’s upcoming full-length, Massacre/Dance, is due out summer 2016. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263629274″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Young Mister – “Pasadena”

May 20, 2016

Young Mister is the moniker for Steven Fiore. Fiore has recently been freed from an old record deal which has given him a chance to spread his wings. His new-found freedom is encapsulated in a new track, “Pasadena” which sounds light, free, and slightly southern-tinged, almost like Manchester Orchestra or All Get Out mixed with Coldplay. “Pasadena” is about being torn between two coasts, a message delivered eloquently with vivid, relatable lyrics. Young Mister’s newest self-titled album is out now via Refresh Records. Check out the video for “Pasadena” below.    

Army of Bones – “Batteries”

May 20, 2016

Army of Bones sounds huge and powerful, we’ll just come right out and say it. The Brighton-based crew specializes in emotionally engaging music a la Foals, Imagine Dragons, or 30 Seconds to Mars. “Batteries” entered our inbox with a bang, flaunting an urgent sound, soaring vocals, and cavernous drums. Army of Bones’ latest release is the Batteries/River EP, which you can purchase here. Their next album is due out in January of 2017. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/185745051″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

elle belle – “Failed Dreamz”

May 20, 2016

Los Angeles based psych-pop act, elle belle, released the video for “Failed Dreamz”  this morning and without a doubt it’s one of the strongest songs we’ve checked out this year. The song “Failed Dreamz” is off belle’s forthcoming album Baptistina I & II, due out this fall. There are a couple of similarities between Ariel PInk and “Failed Dreamz,” both with the gothy upbeat pop delivery and the “what the fuck am I watching?” vibes. If you are pressed for time let me try to explain this to you. A man that can best be described as a Kiss cosplayer in coveralls wakes up in the wilderness and pukes up sludge. A shouting man in a hat picks him up and flips him off a lot. Hat man brings Kiss guy to a warehouse where a pretty woman shouts into the his mouth and licks his teeth then makes him choke her. Eventually hat guy[...]