It’s been a long and fruitful journey for Ohio’s Southeast Engine. The folk-rock quartet signed with Misra Records six years ago. Since then, the Ohioans have released four full-length albums, including 2011’s acclaimed Canary. This year, the four-piece released a companion EP to Canary, entitled Canaanville. Aside from being brilliant works of folk art, the
It’s been a quiet few years for Portland, Oregon-based duo The Helio Sequence. The two-piece, comprised of singer/guitarist Brandon Summers and drummer Benjamin Weikel, have released four studio LPs, the last being 2008’s Keep Your Eyes Ahead. In the four years since the electro-folk-pop outfit’s last album, the guys have kept a low profile, but
Sometimes the most beautiful works of art rise from the ashes of pain and suffering. So is the case with Malcom Lacey’s hypnotic, masterful songwriting. Hiding under the moniker “Arrange,” the young bedroom producer released his debut LP, Plantation, last year, followed by this year’s Five Years With The Sun EP and the recently released
The largest downfall to most new bands’ debut albums is a lack of musical focus. Many groups are in search of their sound while recording a freshman record, which can result in floundering between genres. But one band’s downfall could be another band’s treasure, which is just the case for Saint Motel. The Los Angeles-based
It is safe to say that Frank Ocean is the man of the moment. In the midst of creeping into stardom, selling out shows during a nationwide tour, and gearing up to release his debut LP, the 24-year-old R&B singer took to his Tumblr blog last week and wrote an open letter revealing that the
Canada seems to be the breeding ground for crunchy electro pop these days, and Toronto-based Parallels may be one of the groups that helped start it all. The synthpop trio formed in 2008, when Cameron Findlay, the former drummer of fellow Canadian electro poppers Crystal Castles, teamed up with vocalist/composer/producer Holly Dodson. Since its inception
Since its lauded 2009 release, Bit Orca, Dirty Projectors have left its fans nervously twiddling their thumbs in anticipation for a follow-up. After announcing that they were, in fact, working on their sixth album, the Brooklyn-based experimental indie rockers have been gradually releasing tracks to keep up the hype around one of the summer’s most
Ever since White Arrows released its Fireworks of the Sea EP this spring, the quintet’s full-length debut has been on my radar. The L.A.-based five-piece created its own brand of electro pop, incorporating calypso and tropical beats with soaring synthesizers and catchy lyrics, and its unique sound hooked me instantly. With all this anticipation built
Tuesday night, Widowspeak won over the hearts of Angelinos at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, as the opening act for the British shoegazing girlie duo, 2:54. Led by vocalist/guitarist Molly Hamilton, the indie rock quartet swooned the audience during its 30+ minute set. Usually, it is difficult for an opening act to draw a large,
So much amazing music comes out of Austin, TX and it looks like the city’s next up-and-comers are the shoegazing trio Ume. Led by the talented singer/guitarist Lauren Larson, the band named after a Japanese plum blossom has made a name for itself after releasing its debut album, Phantoms, last year to much success. The