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Showing posts from January 29, 2017

Saturday Seven: Mr. Elevator - Klô Pelgag - Salt Petal - Ephixa & Laura Brehm - Cajsa Siik - Woodes - Our Man In Berlin

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Mr. Elevator - Ending. Background - Mr. Elevator – formed in Southern California in 2012 by Thomas Dolas and Justin Martinez (and their mutual love of Donovan) – eschews guitars for vintage synthesizers, organs, and electric pianos, distinguishing themselves within the fuzzy, distorted contemporary Psych-Pop scene. Mr. Elevator shares the second track "Ending" from their upcoming album. 'When the Morning Greets You,' is scheduled for release in February 10, 2017, on Rad Cat Records.  Under the original name Mr. Elevator and the Brain Hotel, the band began playing shows as a three-piece with bassist Wyatt Blair, and a short-while later, in 2013, relocated to Los Angeles where they released their first album, 'Nico & her Psychedelic Subconscious,' with Burger Records. After a few years of live shows, perfecting their sound alongside acts like Thee Oh Sees, The Fresh & Onlys, The Black Lips, Allah-Las, and more, Mr. Elevator recently completed their se

Weekend Wonders: Fast Romantics - Black Needle Noise with Mimi Page - Neil Brophy Band - Souleye (Feat. Alanis Morissette) - Post Death Soundtrack - Anímic - NØMADS

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Fast Romantics - Why We Fight. Background - "Why We Fight" is the new single from Toronto 6-piece Fast Romantics. "Why We Fight" is taken from the band’s forthcoming album (set for release in Spring, 2017). Both are released via Light Organ Records/Postwar Records. Anthemic in the truest sense, "Why We Fight" rushes with an energy akin to early music from fellow Canadian indie-rockers Arcade Fire, but with lashings of raw Bruce Springsteen-esque fire. It's perhaps of no surprise, given the Springsteen comparison, that "Why We Fight" was born at a time of political turmoil, written as the US election campaign was underway. However, "Why We Fight" is not a protest song, in the traditional sense. It is perhaps best described as the reflections of a non-American songwriter living close to the border, hyper-aware of the US and its influence over Canada and the world. It's a song about being hungry for something, and fighting for i

Quality Not Quantity: PEP - Garrett Pierce - Gothic Tropic

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PEP - Get Physical. Background - PEP is a supremely fitting name for an act who describes its music as “Nu-Wop Dreamsauce.” Their irresistible new single “Get Physical” embodies vintage malt-shop pop with an updated rhythmic twist. Both parody and homage, the track's punchy bass line, sugary sweet vocals, and ironic lyrics deliver on those melodic hooks that are essential to pop music. “Get Physical” is available on all DSPs now. PEP's dynamic live show has grown into a spirited seven-piece collective comprised of front-woman Karys Rhea, two back-up singers (Ilana Webber and Christina Connerton), and four male accompanists. The band has quickly made a name for itself in New York City with their one-of-a-kind retro sound and choreographed live shows. “We love synchronized movement,” shares Karys, “So we incorporate classic 60s-soul moves into our performances while occasionally referencing modern forms of dance like hip-hop and jazz." PEP says they feel musically indeb

Midweek Muse: The Little Kicks - John Andrews & The Yawns - Beau + Luci - Línger

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The Little Kicks - Don't Get Mad, Get Even. Background - The Little Kicks first emerged around five years ago, a young Aberdeen band with the wind in their sails. A crisp, upbeat debut album followed, laced with off-kilter indie pop worthy of comparison to early Franz Ferdinand, The Long Blondes, or even Sparks. Then, the band took some time off to reassess, re-jig their personnel, and are now ready to stake their return... With recent single You & Someone Like Me under their belts – complete with intricate motion capture video – The Little Kicks now officially announce that their long-awaited follow-up album Shake Off Your Troubles will be released on March 3rd through the band’s own Loosen Up Records. The third single to be taken from the album, Don't Get Mad Get Even, is out now. Website here , Facebook here . Mp3 here . 'Don't Get Mad, Get Even' is the second track we have feature by The Little Kicks. This is another fresh and refined song, where the me

Genre Wander: The Byzantines - BLu ACiD - King Salami and the Cumberland Three - Locks - HEZEN

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The Byzantines - Top Boy. Background - Hailing from the great South Australian state that brought you two giant balls, Farmer’s Union iced coffee and Cooper’s Pale Ale come brit pop band The Byzantines. The band share their newest single, ‘Top Boy’ from their forthcoming EP, You Pull It, set to release via Marshmallow Pavement Records on February 17th, 2017. Following the release of their debut EP and a successful European/UK tour in 2014, the boys head out on an east coast Australian tour during February and March in support of the new EP. The tour kicks off at The Karova Club in Ballarat on Friday Feb 24 with label-mates The Montreals, and Melbourne Garage- Rock darlings BATZ. They’ll make their way up the coast on a 9-date tour, hitting Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and other cities along the way. There’s nothing pale about these Adelaide lads and best mates; vocalist Michael Pietrafesa, guitarist David Zammit, Jose Moucho on bass and Johnny Zervas on drums. Considered ‘A

Monday Mix: Au/Ra - Aristophanes - KOYO - Ren - The Kate Lush Band

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Au/Ra - Kicks. Background - Following the success of her debut single ‘Concrete Jungle’ - Ibiza born, Antigua based artist Au/Ra has released her second single ‘Kicks’. "What’s dust to you is gold to me, but we’re just different books to read - where every single chapter is another cliff hanger” rings out in the scintillating pre-chorus, with Au/Ra continuing her penchant for surrealist lyricism. Backed up by a spirited rhythm section and thick, brooding bass-heavy production - ‘Kicks’ is an alternative pop song of the highest order, carefully sprinkled with flecks of bright electronics and intelligent synth work. Au/Ra clearly feels she’s a little different from her peers. Raised in Antigua after moving there from Ibiza at the age of 5 - she’s no doubt grown up to appreciate the small things in life. Not one to go out “chasing dollar bills” - she instead finds the excitement in her songwriting process - “when my thoughts start to rhyme, goosebumps never lie.” Speaking on the t

Six On Sunday: Oddnesse - Los Colognes - Dot Dash - No Joy - Winstons - The Forgotten Ghost

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Oddnesse - Incoming Call. Background - Fresh off the success of her first single “Somewhere Somehow”, which was recently featured on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds” and Apple Music’s “Isolation” playlists, Oddnesse dropped her second single entitled “Incoming Call”. The project began as a studio collaboration between musician Rebeca Arango and producer Grey Goon. The two east-coast expats had arrived independently in Los Angeles plagued by ghosts of old bands, with many gigs at the Cake Shop under their belts and expensive degrees in music on their linked-ins. They both shared a vision for infectious beautiful music with a dark, heavy groove and as friends occasionally dropped by the studio with contributions, the band was born. Both singles are taken from Oddnesse’s debut self-titled EP that will be released later this Spring via Myster Music. Facebook here . Buy here . The music on 'Incoming Call' is a swirling, layered and creative feast of sounds. Add in the rhythmic vocals, a