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Genre Mix: Citizen Of The World - Animal Daydream - The Aquadolls

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Citizen Of The World - Setting Out. Background - Citizen of the World has built on the success of the foot stomping folk-rock genre, popularised by the likes of Mumford & Sons, to carve a new genre described by one competition judge as “epic folk”. The band successfully combines the unique sound of the saxophone with acoustic folk and traditional rock to have you reflecting on the stories that shape your life. Since forming in 2012, the band has played at various venues and band competitions around Sydney, toured India, released their first EP and is now releasing their third music video.  Their new song ‘Setting Out’ fits directly into their signature genre of epic folk, combining contemplative verses with a powerful chorus lifted up by a strong drums and horns section. The song tackles the strong feelings associated with new beginnings, new projects, and new perspectives. The kick carries the song through soft verses and strong choruses, and tries to harness a multitude of em

Weekend Wonders: Daniel Amedee - Great Lakes - Crossroad Y

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Daniel Amedee - Everything Will Change. Background -  Daniel Amedee is living proof that a musician can be from New Orleans, but not necessarily be of New Orleans, a distinction that courses through his quirky, eccentric songwriting style, informed by a haunting bluesy vocalese that scratches the soul somewhere between Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart, and certainly belies Daniel’s 28 years. In fact, he’s been at it – writing and producing his own music (and getting by with a little help from his friends) since age 14. Which prompts the question: How and where did this unassuming bundle of talent come to be inhabited by the avant garde spirits of progressive rock and guerrilla classical that suffuse his debut CD, Themes From (ExPat Records, 2011) and it’s follow-up Climbing (Arabella Music, 2013). After the release of Climbing in 2013, Daniel has spent the last two years touring the United States and Canada. He’s performed from LA to New York, from Vancouver to Montreal, and everyw

Two More On Wednesday: The Altered Hours - Field Music

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The Altered Hours - Silver Leather. Background - Following the organic buzz that arose from “Way Of Sorrow”, the Altered Hours are set to make a further mark on the flourishing psych-rock scene with the direct, sultry follow-up “Silver Leather”. The band, whose sound has been continually honed over the last few years, have been building a solid identity that will be truly apparent from their upcoming debut. Already a real prospect live, their shows are known for their intensity and the band's ability to envelope both themselves and the crowd in their sound – but where so many focus on the textures, The Altered Hours set themselves apart with as much a focus on the songs themselves. The group have toured Ireland, the UK and Europe and have won critical acclaim along the way. The group have released another 7'' – Dig Early – on Irish label Art For Blind since and their full length, In Heat Not Sorry, will finally see the light of day this coming January (29th). Part of

Two On Tuesday: No Monster Club - Mleo

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No Monster Club - Lemonade. Background/promo - The new album 'I Feel Magic'  from Ireland's No Monster Club - the follow-up to this year's highly acclaimed 'People Are Weird' LP, will be released by Popical Island on February 5th 2016. 'Lemonade' (the first single to be taken from the album), basks in a strange, new found intersection of Future Islands, Talking Heads and early Flaming Lips. Prolific Irishman Bobby Aherne may well be one of the best kept secrets in the world of underground pop music. In addition to a previous life using the moniker 'Dublin Duck Dispensary' (and his work as a member of Grand Pocket Orchestra, Women's Christmas, Paddy Hanna and Ginnels), this album marks the 28 year old's eleventh - and most fully realised - release as No Monster Club. 'I Feel Magic' could be the sound of Neutral Milk Hotel, William Onyeabor and the Beach Boys jamming out a series of lost one-hit-wonders on to a tape deck in t

Monday Double Play: Strange Faces - Dead Trains

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Strange Faces - Brand New Way. Background - Strange Faces is a four piece rock band from Chicago, IL, originating as the solo project of David Miller in 2013. Delivering lo-fi punk rock with 60s pop hooks, the band now consists of front man David Miller, guitarist Taylor Walters, bassist Phillip Valdez and drummer Ben Leach.  Their debut album "Stonerism" is out this December 11th via Autumn Tone Records.  The album was mixed and mastered by Cadien James of Twin Peaks. 'Brand New Way' is the tenth track on this eleven song album. With opening riffs reminiscent of The Kinks on Waterloo Sunset, the song soon emerges itself into a very different psychedelic atmospheric piece. Only one of two songs I have heard from the album, but based on that, the band sound like they have considerable depth and imagination. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dead Trains - County Road

Alternative Take: Squarehead - Face+Heel - Problems

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Squarehead - Citamenic. Background - After a one and a half year hiatus, Melbourne instrumental electronic outfit Squarehead return to push the boundaries of what music can be with their new single 'Citamenic'. It happens too often. You find a band you love, so you shell out for their live show - only to be bitterly disappointed by the difference between what you heard from your speakers and what you hear at the gig. It’s too stripped back, too rough, too cacophonous… you go home, dejected. Not so with ‘Citamenic’. The track, which premiered recently on Happy, paints a picture of exactly what to expect at a Squarehead gig. The name itself, a mirror of “cinematic”, speaks volumes of the track’s vivid nature; beginning as a low-key wall of sound and building to a bubbling, celestial conclusion.  ‘Citamenic’ marks the imminent arrival of a brand new two-track from Squarehead, produced by Melbourne’s P.T. Parcel, that sees the band sitting squarely in their prime . 'Ci

Genre Mix: Why We Run - Jenn Vix - Vandaveer - The Chambermaids

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Why We Run - A Moment To Return. Background/Promo - Emerging only earlier this year Why We Run have returned with energetic third single 'A Moment to Return'. Their previous two singles received over 200K streams across Spotify, YouTube & Soundcloud, as well as glowing reviews via everyone from Zan Rowe (triple j) to Rob Thomas (yes, the Rob Thomas). 'A Moment to Return’ is the first track from the Sydney quartet's forthcoming debut album (due April 2016).  Produced and mixed by Wayne Connolly (Boy & Bear, Cloud Control, Paper Kites), the song’s nostalgic lyrics and driving energy are reminiscent of indie stalwarts like The National, The Killers, Joy Division and Silent Alarm-era Bloc Party. It’s a vibrant and moving taste of the great places Why We Run are sprinting towards . 'A Moment To Return' might be a good song to play to someone, if you were trying to define what good indie rock music is. The song flows beautifully, with delicious music and

Friday Four: MRCH - Golden Daze - La Sera - Nightair

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MRCH - Spin. Background - College found the members of MRCH immersed in the worlds of jazz, opera and speciality coffee. Fast forward three years and two bands later, the trio has settled into their own unique brand of electronic indie. With two thirds of the group living in Phoenix AZ and the remainder in Sacramento CA, their songs are crafted primarily through file sharing via Ableton. Falling musically somewhere between the creative production and ideals of Phantogram and the smart pop of CHVRCHΞS and Purity Ring, 'Spin' is an accessible, cerebral outing from the trio that has seen significant label interest already. CMJ described their last track, ‘Highway Drivin’ as “…a big, squashy, glitter-glam beat and ice queen crooning”. MRCH holds high the principle of recreating their music live, often performing songs that are still being written, allowing their sound to evolve as “organically as possible.” Though much of their creative process happens remotely, the band pla

Rock Of Ages: Oracle North - Plum - The Missendens

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Oracle North - Communion. Background - Having previously collaborated on numerous projects and having released material on labels such as Kitsuné and Palms Out Sounds, Swedish four-piece Oracle North are currently getting ready to release their debut EP. Drawing inspiration from life-embracing warm and ambient soundscapes and colder forms of new-wave and punk; their new EP moves around themes as loss and alienation but never hits a dead end, rather a supposition for rebirth, for becoming your own origin. As a complete entity ‘Communion’ is both a distinct and consummate release, which when broken down calls to mind the sounds of New Order and the Manchester post-punk scene, whilst seamlessly applying osmotic pressure in the form of darkwave textures and 80’s influenced electronic sections to merge and create an EP full of rich yet dark, atmospheric colours and an orchestrated bohemian individuality. Talking about their forthcoming EP, the band said, “I think our music is touchin

Midweek Three: Sinnet - Peppermint Heaven - Justin Sawicki

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Sinnet - Houdini Hands. Background - Aaron Spransy knows a thing or two about Midwest Manners. The Wisconsin native has been settled in Boston for some time now, playing around town as guitarist for indie-pop melody makers The Fatal Flaw, but his own musical vision recently crystallised with Sinnet. His two-mikes-and-a-laptop bedroom project now evolved into a full-fledged band. That fleshing out of sound nicely augments songs like Castlevania, a smooth-as-f66k electronic pop soul-sucker that's the lead single off, an eclectic collection of lush sounds and lively spirits on their e.p. Midwest Manners. - Mike Marotta / Boston Phoenix. Sinnet brings to mind the dusty, stoic Midwest of Steinbeck and the "The Last Picture Show". This Boston group rips its way through a very studious, carefully arranged, and sometimes cathartic slew of inventive indie rock. - Matt Parish / Boston Globe. Sinnet has received airplay on Boston's WFNX and WMBR radio as well as features in

Stella Diana - Shohet. (From The EP Alhena)

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Stella Diana - Shohet. And the promo says - Stella Diana have confirmed details for the international release of their vast, compelling EP ‘Alhena’, which will be available through Italy's Vipchoyo Sound Factory and Britain's Raphalite Records on December 4th. The first single ‘Shohet’ foreshadows a release full of melodic gems. Tracks spirit you into a state of bliss, underpinned with a harmonic complexity that both beguiles and entrances. Welcome to your new favourite Italian band. Stella Diana are Dario Torre (vocals and guitar), Giacomo Salzano (bass guitar), Raffaele Bocchetti (guitar), and Davide Fusco (drums). This EP was mixed and mastered by Marc Joy of Lights That Change and Alexander Kretov of Ummagma.  Hailing from a city more known for pizza and opera than shoegaze and new wave addicts, Stella Diana possess not only the spirit of late 80s/early 90s British bands like Catherine Wheel and Ride, but also the dark wave seeds of Joy Division and the stylistic und

Alternative Take: Thug Entrancer - Liskka - FERDI-F - The Weather

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Thug Entrancer - Curaga. Background - Thug Entrancer, aka Denver-based producer Ryan McRyhew, has announced his sophomore full length Arcology is arriving via Daniel Lopatin's forward-thinking electronic label Software on March 4th. A sonic narrative of an imagined alien colony existing between the fabric of known and unknown worlds, Arcology explores high tech / low life society, mechanical structures, and data-driven humanity in an evocative techno framework. Though conceived in a similar improvisational womb as McRyhew's debut, the new album moves from the free-form foot workouts of Death After Life with an expanded palette vibrating brightly with melodic deployment. McRyhew did not sculpt Arcology's universe alone. Milton Melvin Croissant III designed the album's artwork, live visuals and forthcoming video pieces, the offspring of an expansive collaboration and a lifelong friendship between the two Coloradans. At the outset of recording, McRyhew and MMCIII spok