Posts Tagged ‘Indie’

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Don’t judge a band by its cover. (No, no, that’s not a bad pun.)

First glance and Never Shout Never seems like saccharine eye candy, nothing more. All I had to do was take a listen, and these harsh first impressions were quickly disbanded.

They’re not just another pretty boy band. Rather, they are what I would call psychedelic rock in contemporary form. A trance rock coating with a soft, chewy synth-pop centre. Because of their affiliated genres, many of their songs are increasingly dream-like. It’s like an e trip without any of the cognitive repercussions! Yay!

Resounding within the trance are lyrics that are finely tuned and poetic in hope. Mr. Ingle is what I would call a haunting front-man with a lot of potential.

Their first collaborations don’t indicate the tight approach found in their third album, which was released last year. Time Travel is their landmark, and a taste of the goodies up ahead. They are clearly maturing as artists and expanding in their skills, which will be a delight for my ears.

I’m getting excited for their latest dive in the scene, set to be released in the fall. Very much like Marianas Trench, I have a feeling these guys are just going to get better and better.

We’ll see, won’t we?

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

MARIA CIEZAK: How long have you guys been together, and how did you meet?

NATHAN BLUMENFELD-JAMES of EARLY MORNING REBEL: Dustin and I have been best friends and creative partners since we were 14 years old. We have been writing, recording and producing together ever since. A year ago, we were hitting a wall with some of the projects we were working on, and decided to start fresh. We recruited Josh Mervin to play drums and keyboards, and we’ve been working together for 8 months.

MC: Where did the name Early Morning Rebel come from?

EMR: Dustin and I used to play a game where we would come up with band names for fun. We had compiled over 300. When we decided to start a new band, we started going through the list. Over 200 of them were too ridiculous and perverse. We tried on a few names while we were recording early on, and none of them felt right. I brought Early Morning Rebel up and we all knew it was the one. It fit and made complete sense with the music.

MC: How was the music scene growing up in California? Did you always dream of making it big?

EMR: I have always known that I wanted to be a musician/artist/performer. And of course, success is the dream. More than anything I am grateful I get to do what I love. Growing up in California, the music scene was great. It’s a tough town to break into, because there are so many bands. But the LA music scene history is undeniable, from Laurel Canyon to LA punk bands, to the great hip hop and singer/songwriters.

MC: It’s my understanding you guys got somewhat of a big break from Grey’s Anatomy. I can imagine you guys want to part ways from people mentioning this. [Laughs]

EMR: Not at all. It was an honor to have ‘Life Boat’ on Grey’s. They are known for having great music, and they used it really well. We are looking forward to getting more of our songs on great shows like that.

MC: Do you guys have a favorite venue to play at?

EMR: We have played all LA venues in various bands. One of our favorite smaller venues in LA is The Troubador. It has a great history and good sound.

MC: Your new single ‘Burn Us Down’ is so dope. Where did the concept of this track come from?

EMR: It was one of the first songs we wrote when we started the band. The intention was to write a “Blood Boiler”. We wanted to have that raw energy, but do it in a somewhat anthemic way.

MC: What are the plans for the summer? Touring?

EMR: We are doing a West Coast tour in June, and then doing New York, London, Paris Fashion Weeks… The plan is to come back to the states for tour and do UK as well.

MC: For people who don’t know of you just yet, how would you describe your music?

EMR: A friend of ours described it as INDIE POP NOIR. You could say indie… alternative… pop sensibilities… but most of all, we hope it feels authentic.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Free single of the week time on i-Tunes, kids! Get on it; times are tough! This week, Animal Kingdom’s Strange Attractor is the chosen one. This English quartet has something so soothing and calming about their sound that it just leaves you in the mood. Almost “dream pop” if you will.

Their upcoming album, The Looking Away, will be released digitally 05/08.

I’m looking forward to getting to know these guys better. Check them out!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Artist to watch!

Lissy Trullie (Elizabeth “Lizzy” McChesney) has just released the music video for her new single It’s Only You, Isn’t It. The video for the track, taken from the NYC-based singer’s self-titled debut album, features a cameo from Lissy’s real-life BFF Chloe Sevigny.

Apparently, the two have been besties since meeting nearly a decade ago when both were in a fashion show at American Fine Arts. Trullie also served as a muse for Sevigny’s pre-spring collection for Opening Ceremony last year. This isn’t the first time Sevigny has been spotted in one of Trullie’s videos. In 2009, she played the role of merchandise girl in Trullie’s Boy Boy video.

It’s Only You, Isn’t It is their latest merge sesh.

Oh yeah! It was also directed by Jake Sumner (son of Sting and brother to Coco). No wonder it’s so damn cool.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Sometimes, the best things in life are free! Head on over to i-Tunes now for the free single of the week from Alabama Shakes. The Southern rock band from Athens, Georgia must be thrilled that their single Hold On is in the spotlight, because that is right where it belongs. Their debut album Boys and Girls was just released to high reviews and a long-awaited buzz. If you are seeking guitar-driven, soul-rock jams, this is the band for you! Of course, we have to mention that Brittany’s voice is insane with intense range, and with the band’s beats to support it, the end result is simply real music.

Get your copy of their single now!

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Royal Headache is a group that should be on your radar this spring. The foursome from Australia is a hyper-melodic group, combining power pop and traits of hardcore roots. They have that back-in-the-day sound — not manufactured — just raw, scratchy-throated belting. I don’t know much about them yet, except for the fact that I believe they stand out because they don’t scan as reserved. Their music isn’t just a workout in alteration or emulation.

Royal Headache really satisfies my punk retro fetish. Check out Psychotic Episode and let it be the first of many tunes you spin.

They’re on the move.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This is a band that has everything: kick ass records, notable side projects, and other antics, going by the name of The Shins. I reviewed their new single Simple Song, not too long ago, but now it’s time to embellish in their fourth studio masterpiece that goes by the name of Port of Morrow. This is a story about the evolution of The Shins.

The Shins, formed by musical prodigy James Mercer, have been a guiding light of musical hope in the genre of “Indie Pop” since they released their first LP under the name Flake, back in the late 90’s. They rapidly became The Shins, who have become far more than James Mercer most likely ever intended. Oh, how Inverted World stole my heart and ripped it out of my chest with its chilly appeal, and startling charm… They then came back for more with Chutes Too Narrow, Wincing the Night Away, and even a remarkable side project, Broken Bells, Mercer’s sophisticated, unearthly project with producer Danger Mouse. One of the only issues with Broken Bells is that it occupied much of Mercer’s time, and didn’t really seem to deliver an appropriate outlet for one of the indie movement’s strongest starters. It’s been five years since our last musical spread from The Shins, proving that after all this time, something worth having is something worth waiting for. We’ve seen members gained and lost, and sounds lost then found, all in training for Port of Morrow, which may be my favorite release to date.

This record is compacted with astounding elegances in every form and fashion; a fusion of old and new. It takes a larger leap forward, showing how Mercer has had time to evolve as an artist. (One may even say it seems like more of a solo record than one with a band, but shit, the point is that Mercer isn’t a member of the Shins — he is the Shins.) Blended with multi-instrumentalist and co-producer Greg Kurstin, Mercer lets in more electronica than ever before; in my opinion, this was an implausible, stimulating move.

These fluctuations show that The Shins, once the poster children of sing-along-and-cry indie rock heroes, are an identity that Mercer, the sole original member left, may have outgrown. Honestly, if artists didn’t grow, I feel as if their gimmicks would almost become laughable; something that wasn’t real. Who wants to hear the exact same music over and over again?

Port of Morrow is more polished than their previous wincing, but still has that emotive edge to it that keeps you listening, almost telling you to remember where you were when you first heard it. What I mean by that is, it feels like a vital announcement over a loud speaker; thrilling yet undefined, of what is still yet to come.

I have a lot of favorite bands, but never has a group made such an impact on the way I experience music. I am not saying they are the most remarkable band on the planet, but it’s tough to grasp that something so ironically simple can also be larger than life.

Some personal favorites of mine that I would recommend are It’s Only Life, No Way Down, and For a Fool. I have read many critical reviews on Port of Morrow, and yes, it is dissimilar, but I have to say, Mercer has not sold out or gone mainstream. There are all of the aspects of classic Shins, with a blend of incorporated experimental sounds to keep their music engaging and interesting to old fans. At the same time, it’s inviting rookies to come join the party, no hazing, just straight-up entry.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this record. Better yet, if you have a few minutes to spare, read the lyrics while you listen to gain the full appreciation.

Comeback stories don’t get much better than this one. A message to all The Shins-sters out there; keep on rockin’ in the inverted world.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This post is coming at cha in real time, thanks to a feature I like to call “Copy and paste from my Facebook.” It’s a really neat tool, you guys. This is a FB status I posted yesterday:

“I just made direct eye contact w/ Maggie Gyllenhaal. If Jake walks in (I’m at lunch), I might “die”. I’m just saying. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, what what! (He used to be a lifeguard, so he knows his first-aid procedures. Don’t ask me how I know this stuff.)”

Yeah, so that happened. Fun times.

Speaking of Jakey Snugglebutt…

I only watched this new music video because of Jake. But then it creeped me out. I don’t like hipster killer Jake. I like cute, puppy dog Jake.

Still, this is a piece of art backed by a pretty killer groove. Get it, killer! Gosh, I crack myself up.

Creepy Jake (boo!) + puppy dog Jake (yay!) following.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Royal Canoe is sailing down the river of weird, and I’d like to join them.

They are a band from Winnipeg that sort of got together by accident. It all started with making an album that was never meant to be played. Then came an alteration of manpower, and before anyone knew what was happening, they were touring like there was no tomorrow. Royal Canoe has since made a beautiful break on the local music scene. The quirky melodies splice up your auditory canal with multi-layer oddities.

I’m not saying I’ve sparked up a love affair with them. They are a sample on my Ipod; I doubt they’ll become a feature on the menu. Still, for someone else they may be a long term staple of a delicacy.

I leave you with their video for Nightcrawlin’, a little tuneage from their upcoming album. It’s nightmare material, but in a good way. Paranoia is good for the skin.
　

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Whoa! This video is CRAZY…good!

Melbourne natives, DEJA, have just released the music video to their new single, Atrophy, the first release off their forthcoming debut album. The track, which was created in the band’s home studio, pulsates with an erratic punch.

The video presents the jam with haunting, creepy ass scenes, focusing on themes of fear, death, and loss. Sad face!

For real though, it’s a visual feast.

Electro pop has never been so creepy and neurotic. And I love it.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I am continuously on a manhunt for musicians that are going to dent the scene and leave some sort of permanent imprint. Sometimes I find some that are middling, or buzzworthy, but then tend to fall off. My latest discovery is a chick named Jesse Thomas. What can I say about her without really knowing her yet? Well, her voice is exclusive as hell, her lyrics will really hit you, and she seems like she would be an astounding live act. Jesse’s melody and phrase are some sort of unearthly gift. Her album, War Dancer, was just released on February 14th through Red Parade Music, and can for sure be considered an Indie Spotlight for 2012.

Upon stumbling onto her music, I instantaneously started watching some of her YouTube videos, and was flat out hooked. It’s been two years since Jesse released her debut EP, Haze (which I also purchased prior to the new release), and she unquestionably has grown as an artist. Upon first glance, this is a SOLID first full-length. It’s beautifully produced to showcase the expressive complexity yet authentic simplicity of Jesse’s writing. I can absolutely recommend some tracks, like Fire and Song For You. Why? Because they are so personal it almost seems as if she is sitting in a chair next to your bed, singing only to you. Up next, some faster tracks like Back to Fighting and Already Mine, songs that will make you want to get out of that bed and bust a move.

Do yourself a favor and check out some REAL music.

Jesse Thomas: A massive musical fireball in a miniature bundle, who is bound to bust out of the packaging.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Something sweet post-Valentine’s Day.

Electric Guest: down-to-earth and oh so indie. The kind of indie that makes them host free shows and become very nearly unreachable to the mainstream. (AKA the kind of indie I love.)

I couldn’t properly describe their music, and within such elusiveness they find most of their charm. You could dance to them or play Scrabble with their sound as your serenade. When you’re listening to Electric Guest, there are no rules.

One of their most popular tracks American DayDream is speed in slow-motion. Personally, I find better groove in a more recent compilation: This Head I Hold.

“Get high,” sings their lead man. Yet I don’t need to when I’m listening to their music.

When I saw one of their upcoming shows was in Paris, I had a mini daydream of venturing off to party with the Parisians. For now, I’ll have to succumb to their beat via stereo. But hey, if you’re in the mood to run away, I’d suggest La Boule Noire on March 1st to be your preliminary stop.

Send me a postcard.
　

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I cannot wait for this record, or for their opening stint with The Red Hot Chili Peppers this spring. BTB favorites, Sleigh Bells, have a way of continuously grating my ears to shreds with their signature bone-rattling rhythms. For a comfort zone music listener, the Brooklyn-based duo may at first seem frightening. But you will quickly find that the fear rapidly turns into a pleasurable mind-blowing assault.

Although their second album, Reign of Terror, isn’t set for release until February 21st, you can get their lead single, Comeback Kid, now. Hard to call it a comeback when they’ve been here the whole time, robust and forceful.

I hear those Sleigh Bell’s ring-a-ling; may the chest-thumping force be with you.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

ROB BRAYL: I first want to say that I love your music! For those who may be new to your work, tell us, who are The Milk Carton Kids?

JOEY RYAN of THE MILK CARTON KIDS: Thank you. Beyond what can be culled from Wikipedia, I’d say we’re an impossibly quiet duo that is the result of two tremulous flounderers steadying in their collision with one another.

RB: NPR recently described the song ‘There By Your Side’ as a “gorgeous contemporary folk ballad.” And although I agree wholeheartedly, I think that label is fitting for your entire catalogue. Was it your intention to create music to move right through people?

MCK: Our intention was to distill the musical expressions of ideas from our lives and imaginations and observations into their simplest forms without, of course, losing the intricacy and complexity that makes them worth listening to.

RB: Would you ever cover a Beyonce song? Not that I think you should, but I’ve seen a lot of artists of different elements take on mainstream singles and it surprisingly works — like when Florence + The Machine, who recently covered Drake in the UK earlier this year.

MCK: So far we’ve steered clear of any covers at all, contemporary or traditional. It’s a bit of a paradox I suppose, but the tradition of songwriters from which we take our cue compels us, at least in the beginning, to stick to our own songs even as that same tradition could provide fertile ground to harvest material. Regarding any homage to our more well-known contemporaries, especially in a cross-genre effort like a potential Beyonce cover, I’d only be concerned that our attempt could become more commercially self-serving than artistically driven. As entertaining as it can be to see a painfully quiet acoustic duo perform a version of a gigantic pop hit, our motivation has to be to offer a unique perspective more than it is to participate in the zeitgeist.

RB: Why do I find it hard to believe that you guys are from Los Angeles? There’s just something so non-Metropolitan about your music. Maybe it’s the beauty of it all.

MCK: Los Angeles isn’t much of a metropolis in many ways (often to the chagrin of the residents) although I think the geography of the area inspires a sense of possibility and openness uncommon to other cities. We both, for example, were raised in the foothills above the city, looking down on it rather than surrounded. That perspective is a common one, especially for those born in Los Angeles, who I find often surprise people into comments like, “you don’t seem like you’re from LA.” The commonly stereotyped Los Angeles is more the result of the many who moved here from distant homes for a very specific purpose.

RB: Last album purchased.

MCK: Sarah Jarosz – ‘Follow Me Down’

RB: Biggest influences.

MCK: Satisfaction, Love, Contentedness, God, Coming-of-Age, and especially the lack of all these.

RB: Guilty pleasures.

MCK: Guilt is a valuable evolutionary emotion vis-a-vis pleasure. We should heed it.

RB: I know you’re all about live shows and you guys are bloody brilliant. Four words: Please. come. to. Brooklyn!

MCK: Are you sure you’re not in Manchester? (We will be at Joe’s Pub in NYC March 3!)

RB: So you’re all about giving your music away…(Most recently with the amazing album ‘Prologue’) — Why?

MCK: The recordings are in service of the live show, not the other way around. Every decision we’ve ever made as a band can be explained in that way.

PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW.

You can also download the stunningly beautiful ‘Prologue’ album by The Milk Carton Kids, for FREE(!), HERE.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

In the words of the late, great Kurt Cobain: “Punk is musical freedom. It’s saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster’s terms, ‘nirvana’ means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that’s pretty close to my definition of punk rock.” Where am I going with this? Well, every so often, I find a band that is new and dissimilar; breathing fresh air into the lungs of a sometimes stale scene. In this case, that band is New Jersey’s own Lost In Society.

Call them punk, call them rock. Hell, call them punk rock. No matter what genre you use, it’s good ass music. Don’t know who they are? Let’s change that now…

Zach, Nick and Hector are a power trio that makes music sound full. Combining gruff punk-rock vocals, fresh, fun lyricism, and a stage presence that will give any veteran concert-goer the shudders, Lost In Society are undeniably the real deal. Based in the indie music hub of NJ, this trio likes it loud and meek. Have you ever been to a live show where even if you aren’t the biggest fan of the band playing, they make you move anyway? And you leave that venue with an open mind? This will happen with Lost In Society.

Their self-titled Lost In Society/American Pinup Split (label mates on Altercation Records) album is available for purchase today. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. Plus, they’ve landed a spot on this summer’s Warped Tour, where they will be playing SXSW Music Festival, and pretty music has a year of solid punches lined up. The boys also recently released their music video for track Wrong Direction, and it slays (see below).

I suggest you take a second and check out what these boys are all about, because in the future, this could be the place where you discovered a musical breakthrough.