Showing posts with label The Indie Pea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Indie Pea. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

A Better Place - Talking Violet - The Indie Pea - Nick & June

A Better Place – Light In The Sea (EP).

With Light In The Sea, A Better Place pull all the threads together. Across four tracks, the band proves why they’ve quickly become one of the most exciting new voices in indie rock.

From the drizzly intimacy of debut single It Rains, to the dreamlike haze of Don’t Mind, and the heartfelt punch of Someday—already spinning on Amazing Radio UK—the songs carry the DNA of ’80s/’90s alt-indie greats like Polvo, Dinosaur Jr., Unwound, Sebadoh, Teenage Fanclub, and The Posies, but with a freshness that’s entirely their own.

New track Remember When completes the story: a slow-burner that starts with gentle guitars and relaxed vocals, before erupting into a midtempo surge of energy. It’s nostalgic and forward-looking all at once, a reminder of why this band resonates so deeply.

Radio stations in the UK, the Netherlands, the US, and Belgium are already tuned in, and live, A Better Place is the kind of band that wins you over in one set flat. Light In The Sea isn’t just an EP—it’s a statement. Indie rock, recharged and reimagined.

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Talking Violet - Destroy.

Talking Violet seamlessly melds shoegaze, grunge, and dream-pop into a genre-defiant wave they’ve coined “dreamo”—a sound that’s as lush as it is emotionally piercing. The Windsor, ON four-piece, formed of Jillian Goyeau (vocals, guitar), Jayden Turnbull (guitar, vocals), Jeremie Brousseau (drums), and Dylan Iannicello (bass), craft a powerful sound, touching on themes that wrestle with the grief of personal change, especially in relationships.

Now, the band returns with their latest single “Destroy,” following the release of their recent track “In Your Mind.” Where “In Your Mind” explored the helplessness of loving someone through pain and uncertainty, “Destroy” turns inward, offering a sense of closure and acceptance. “Destroy is about closing a chapter in my life where I experienced a lot of change which I talked a lot about throughout our Everything At Once record,” shares Goyeau. “Before moving on I kinda needed to say goodbye, so that’s what Destroy does. It’s me finally accepting that people can both love you and hurt you at the same time and vice versa. You can love someone even when they aren’t meant to be in your life anymore.”

“Destroy” continues the emotional thread of their recent album Everything At Once, drawing from the grief of interpersonal change. “These tracks draw on a lot of grief of change, most specifically, the grief of relationship changes in our lives,” Goyeau explains. “I was going through changes that I now see as necessary but were incredibly painful at the time. It made me realize how much I had depended on my relationships with others for my identity. I had to slowly relearn who I was—and spent the next few years healing my people-pleasing baseline. It’s still something I work on every day.”


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The Indie Pea – Reflected Hearts (EP).

Some bands take years to find their voice. The Indie Pea needed only one. After their acclaimed debut The Questions in April 2025, the Dayton-based band returns with Reflected Hearts — a five-track EP that feels less like a follow-up and more like a radiant leap forward. Where the album asked, this EP answers.

Across these songs, The Indie Pea refine their signature blend of shimmering indie rock and orchestral pop, carried by Campbell Anderson’s warm, unhurried vocals and the band’s seamless interplay of guitar, strings, and rhythm. It’s a sound that balances clarity and complexity, intimacy and scale.

From the searching pulse of Echoes And Answers to the reflective shimmer of Mirrored Days, the luminous rush of Electric Bloom, and the guiding calm of Heartbeat Guide, each track feels like a facet of the same story. The closing Cross Bridges ties it all together — a finale that looks both back and forward, capturing a year of rapid growth with unshakable confidence.

Reflected Hearts is more than a snapshot; it’s a statement. A band stepping into its own light, finding resonance in reflection, and proving that sometimes one year is all it takes.

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Photo - Luka Popp
Nick & June - Anthem.

Berlin duo Nick & June have recently announced the release of their new album 'New Year's Face' on 5th December. Produced by Grammy-winning producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Sharon Van Etten,) and recorded in Bridgeport, Connecticut, 'New Year's Face', which includes collaborations with Owen Pallett, The National’s Kyle Resnick and Ben Lanz, The Antlers and others, will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally. 'New Year's Face' is the duo's first release since 2023's 'Beach Baby, Baby EP', which enjoyed over 30 million streams, widespread critical praise and led to sold-out shows across Europe. 

This week they share new single 'Anthem': indie rock, driving drums, shimmering synths, majestic horns sweeping across the scene like a signal over the city. Everything feels massive and airy, hymn-like yet casual. It’s a song about preserving moments, holding onto fragments that would otherwise slip away. A breath between melancholy and force. A song that, in its ambivalence, captures the fleeting intensity Nick & June are always chasing.

At the end of a long relationship, you don’t usually find yourself sitting at a studio piano with your ex, writing songs. Or do you? In this case, you pack a suitcase, get on a plane, decamp to the small and melancholic harbour town of Bridgeport, Connecticut and begin work on a new record. 'New Year’s Face' is the outcome of this strange experiment: two ex-lovers, one studio, months of work and discovery. Together with Grammy-winning producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Sharon Van Etten, Stars), they settled in and shaped ten songs that feel at once intimate and expansive, fragile and resilient.

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Monday, 28 July 2025

Emily Popli - Natalie Holmes - The Indie Pea

Photo - Tyler Core
Emily Popli - Alight.

Singer-songwriter Emily Popli releases her new single Alight, the track is a powerful duet featuring the prolific vocals of Matt Giraud.

Written from the perspective of a partner struggling to make ends meet in their relationship, “Alight” carries out an emotional mantra that packs a punch. The soulful vocals of Emily Popli and Matt Giraud accompanied by the melodic electric guitar give the track a passionate feeling. With production styles mixing pop, folk and soul, the vocals of Emily Popli can be compared to those of Kacey Musgraves or Adele. Overall, "Alight" holds out hope for clearer waters ahead, as Emily Popli insists that the flames in her relationship will never burn out.
 
What makes the upcoming album Lilith Fair Kid unique is its unapologetic honesty, as Emily Popli shares true stories of struggles she’s undergone and relationships that have changed her. Emily Popli named the album after the women who helped shape her as a musician. Taking bits and pieces from Sheryl Crow’s vocal style and Sarah McLachlan’s songwriting, the songs display a heartbreaking yet brave vulnerability as she details an ongoing struggle with depression. Emily Popli has something she needs to get off her chest, and “Alight” provides the perfect platform for that.


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Natalie Holmes - To Be A Woman.

Natalie Holmes has quickly gained the attention of Beehive Candy with the brand song (and video) To Be A Woman once again impressing us again in a big way. 

The song is a raw and honest reflection on the beautifully tangled experience of womanhood. It's laughable how drastically our perception of ourselves and the world’s perception of us can shift from day to day. This is not a song about being feminine, it is a song about having to navigate the word ‘woman’ and everything it holds.

The rules are always changing, yet the pressure to follow them remains constant. Natalie honours both the frustration and the quiet, surprising joy within. Lilting, angelic, and swimming in sarcasm, this other-worldly piano ballad is scattered with playful percussion, strings and harp, as well as interesting harmony and vocals that’ll stir your insides like soup.

Lilting, angelic, and swimming in sarcasm, this other-worldly piano ballad is scattered with playful percussion, strings and harp, as well as interesting harmony and vocals that’ll stir your insides like soup. To Be A Woman is ahead of Natalie’s next studio album “Opposite Day” due out Friday 17th October.

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The Indie Pea - Mirrored Days.

The Indie Pea raises the bar once again with “Mirrored Days” a shimmering follow-up that leaves no doubt about the strength of their upcoming EP.

If previous single Echoes And Answers felt like a breakthrough, Mirrored Days is a full-blown arrival. Lush, melodic, and emotionally precise, the track balances clarity and complexity with stunning ease. Strings swell, guitars shimmer, and Campbell Anderson’s vocals cut right through — reflective yet resolute.

The Indie Pea first turned heads with their debut EP The Questions, a rich and thoughtful collection of songs that introduced their unique blend of atmospheric indie rock and orchestral pop. That release laid the groundwork — but this new material shows a band coming into full focus.

With Mirrored Days, The Indie Pea proves their debut was no fluke. This is the sound of a band confidently stepping into its next phase, crafting songs that echo long after the final note.
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Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Himmelaya - The Indie Pea - Matthew Azrieli

Himmelaya - Lost Horizon (Album).

Time to take a trip to ‘Himmelaya’ – a new name, a new album (‘Lost Horizon’), a new collaboration between Astralasia’s Swordfish and friends - think motorik rhythms meet spoken word, kosmische meets krautrock. A huge project (spanning two LPs and a bonus double CD of extra tracks, alternative mixes and remixes that comes with every set) that has taken a long time to come together, with everyone contributing from their respective countries.

Over to Swordfish to explain things… ‘Himmelaya’ started with Jochen Oberlack (the man behind Bellerophon Records in Dusseldorf) getting in touch through Fruits de Mer. Initially it was going to be a purely instrumental project, but I wanted it to be more like classic era Ash Ra Tempel with Rosi from the 70s, something a little bit more.

Britt Rönnholm from the Swedish duo Us and Them (also Fruits de Mer Records regulars) was suggested to provide spoken vocals; it was well out of her normal comfort zone, but we both loved her voice, so it was all systems go. Although essentially a three-piece project, we have been blessed with friends’ and bandmates’ contributions, plus some bonus CD remixes by other artists, including nick nicely, Schizo Fun Addict and the Lost Stoned Pandas. 

One of the last pieces we started on - 'Shangrilaya' - was recorded at our slide player Pete Prakownik’s house; sadly he passed away the day after we recorded the gongs - its become a personal piece 'lost horizon' and taken its own course with twists and turns in its journey to Shangri-la (Britt’s vocals sum it up all up very beautifully).


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The Indie Pea - Echoes And Answers.

Following the warmly received debut The Questions, The Indie Pea is back with Echoes And Answers, the first taste of a new EP in the making. Vocalist Campbell Anderson explains: “There’s so much beautiful, unfinished material left from the sessions. We felt it deserved our full attention — and this single is proof of that.”

Echoes And Answers continues the band’s signature blend of shimmering indie rock and sweeping string arrangements. It’s a sound both grand and graceful — full of unexpected twists, yet instantly catchy. Their orchestral touches never overwhelm; instead, they elevate, adding cinematic weight without losing emotional clarity.

With this new chapter, The Indie Pea builds on the atmospheric depth and melodic vulnerability that made their debut so compelling. If this track is any indication, the upcoming EP promises to be something truly special.

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Photo -  Joel Karim
Matthew Azrieli - I thought I saw you the other day.

This week singer-songwriter and founder of Baste Records, Matthew Azrieli presents his new single “I thought I saw you the other day”. A short and crisp tune containing melancholic vibes, the new track is now available to stream on most platforms. 
 
Inspired by folk-rock greats and coming straight from the heart, Matthew Azrieli’s “I thought I saw you the other day” is an intimate ode to missing an old lover or friend. A pensive, yet emotional tune clocking in at only one and half minutes, “I thought I saw you the other day” is the perfect bit of sonic sunshine needed on a dreary, rainy day. The new track is the second offering from the four track EP, Expectations, which is slated for release later this year.
 
Recorded by Jacob Cardinal-Lacroix (who received a Juno for his work with the band Half Moon Run), “I thought I saw you the other day” consists of twangy, alt-country melodies that also maintain a sleek, folk-rock demeanor. The forthcoming tracks on Expectations are sonic treasures that will hit instantly for fans of Mac Demarco, Father John Misty, and Bob Dylan.

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Tuesday, 28 January 2025

The Indie Pea - Brandi and the Alexanders - The Rishis - City Cycles - Avery Friedman - Ana Cristina Cash

The Indie Pea - Keep Holding On.

Get ready for an exhilarating musical journey with The Indie Pea. Their authentic indie music is a thrilling blend of simplicity and complexity, filled with familiar twists and turns. It's a sonic adventure you don't want to miss! Their sound uniquely combines urban and rural elements, creating a signature style that is truly their own. This characteristic quality of The Indie Pea's music makes it versatile, suitable for any environment or event.

The Indie Pea's new single, Keep Holding On, brings back their original sound with a grand indie pop rock style. This track features beautiful strings, powerful vocal lines, and lively horns. All of this is packed into a tight 3-minute song, making it a must-listen for fans.


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Brandi and the Alexanders - Black Cherry.

Yesterday, NYC-based psych-rock and soul band Brandi and the Alexanders released their new single “Black Cherry.” Drawing inspiration from R&B Queens like Chaka Khan, the subversive funk and harmonic styles of Marvin Gaye, and mix psychedelic experimentation with disco energy, the band has carved out a reputation for their cosmopolitan soul driven by their love for an insatiable groove of grit and heart with a dose of attitude. Lead singer Brandi Thompson, respected as a powerful vocalist in the classic soul vein of Aretha Franklin, Candi Staton, and Gloria Gaynor, brings a lively fire that dances inside the Alexanders’ sophisticated and cinematic heartbeat.

"I mean... I'm telling you to take a bite of my big black cherry — the lyrics came to me all at once after I had the title,” Brandi Thompson explains of the song. "We recorded it during an incredibly sweltering hot summer day with no A/C and the temperature dictated the tempo,” continues drummer Eric Gottlieb. “We all share a taste for the kind of sleazy but smooth post-disco R&B/soul/rock; George Benson, Chic, Rod Temperton and the G-funk West Coast production style which our engineer/producer Greg Teves  immediately understood what we were going for."

Brought together in 2015 first as an 11-piece band before hitting the road in 2017 as a quartet, the band has been a ragtag collective of friends and family honing their sound between adventurous sets on tour. Music blog PopMatters cuts to the chase, “This is music to move to.”
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The Rishis - Robot Factory / Coloring.

The Athens, Georgia Elephant 6 band The Rishis return with two new singles "Robot Factory" and "Coloring" off their upcoming self-titled sophomore album on Cloud Recordings. The album comes out on February 21st on digital and vinyl. The Rishis feature members of Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, Elf Power, and more.

The Athens, Georgia based band is centered around the songwriting duo of Sofie Lute and Ranjan Avasthi and has now expanded to a full band with a rotating cast of musicians playing psychedelic folk rock with tinges of world music to add coloring to the mandala. Sofie and Ranjan have been writing songs together for over a decade now with their debut album, August Moon, which arrived in 2022 on the Elephant 6 Recording Company label of Cloud Recordings.

In addition to the duo, the Rishis regularly feature a variety of artists, including members of Neutral Milk Hotel, the Apples in Stereo, the Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, and the Primordial Void Collective. Other guest musicians on this newest outing include Mac McCaughan (founder of Merge Records), Robert Schneider (producer of the Elephant 6 Recording Company), co-producer Chris Byron, and Colin Willard & Gregg White of Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, California. The Rishis self-titled second album, out February 21st on vinyl and digital formats, picks up where August Moon left off, propelling us forward to explore the inner workings of the collective consciousness.


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City Cycles - Waking Up To A World Unknown.

West coast sixties indie pop rock from London. Meet City Cycles, a fab six-piece of musical maestros, all talent! They've set up shop in always-buzzing London, adding their unique rhythm to its already pulsating music scene.

Introducing the remarkable psychedelic retro rock single 'Waking Up To A World Unknown'. This track expertly blends vintage sounds, choirs, and a nostalgic vibe while maintaining a contemporary touch. Modern indie pop rock meets the 60's retro sound of City Cycles. Experience it now.



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Avery Friedman - Flowers Fell.

Brooklyn-based artist Avery Friedman has announced her debut album, ‘New Thing,’ for release via Audio Antihero on April 18th. The album features James Chrisman (Sister.) and Felix Walworth (Florist / Told Slant), and the pre-order will launch with "Flowers Fell,” the lead single, on January 28th.

Friedman had always felt that songwriting was just something that other people did until she was pushed by a transcendent live music experience and a traumatic mugging to seek catharsis through music. Playing her first show in July 2024, she soon shared stages with h. pruz, Dead Gowns, and Sister., and she impressed the latter’s James Chrisman enough that he offered to record her debut album. The result was ‘New Thing,’ a sonically deep and layered debut that sees Friedman explore her trauma and queerness with a raw open-heartedness inspired by artists like Adrianne Lenker, Squirrel Flower, and Babehoven.

The lead single, “Flowers Fell,” is an ode to transitional stages that uses the changing seasons to demonstrate the growth Friedman has experienced by finally immersing herself in her art. The song’s tense guitar bursts offer an illustration of resistance before a starry-eyed chorus blooms, and Friedman sings, “The flowers fell off when I was asleep / But that’s okay, ‘cause now it’s all green,” as she finds acceptance and resilience in the face of change.

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Ana Cristina Cash - Last Call" / "Tu Última Llamada.

Ana Cristina Cash, the bilingual powerhouse known for her unique blend of Country, Pop, and Latin melodies, has released her latest single, "Last Call" (English) / "Tu Última Llamada" (Spanish). This captivating track marks the next chapter in her evolving musical journey, offering a poignant and empowering message that resonates across cultures.

Written by Ana Cristina Cash, Jodi Marr, and Willie Breeding, "Last Call" / "Tu Última Llamada" is a fiery anthem of liberation and self-discovery. With lyrics that confront betrayal and reclaim personal strength, the song weaves vivid storytelling with Ana Cristina's rich vocals and dynamic musical arrangement. The track bridges genres, blending pop and country influences with a Latin flair in its Spanish version.

"’Last Call’ / ‘Tu Última Llamada’ is about taking back your power. For my first single release of 2025, I wanted to release something with a strong beat that was fun, captivating, and powerful while showcasing a fusion of the two genres I have worked with all of my life: Country music and Latin music," says Ana Cristina Cash. "This fusion of genres has always felt natural to me and is very much a part of my authentic identity. I have always had a strong vision of Country music being a genre that can resonate with people globally, across various cultures. I love to be experimental in my work, and I feel that music knows no boundaries."


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Celestial Bums - The Brook & The Bluff - KiKi Holli & The Remedy - Cut Flowers - The Legal Matters

Celestial Bums - The Letters. Shoegaze warmth and dream pop elegance converge in Celestial Bums’ “The Letters” Barcelona’s Celestial Bums ...