Portland – For most of you who are reading this, the grand city of Montreal is best known as “that place where Arcade Fire came from.” It comes as no surprise then that the Montreal music scene has been steadily catching fire, in part due to the prominent artistry of acts such as Braids, Majical
Chicago – This summer a sweet little number has been dominating the airwaves. Perhaps you’ve heard of it: “Riptide” by Vance Joy. The curly haired Australian James Keogh, who goes by the moniker Vance Joy, wrote this beauty while finishing up law school. Thankfully for music lovers, the 26-year-old decided his true passion was in
Los Angeles — When Karen O steps on the stage as the frontwoman for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, she is the epitome of feminine ferocity. All that power isn’t without a little glittery razzle-dazzle, grating her bowing fans with a convincing argument to live life in anarchy. Her solo debut album, Crush Songs, is far from
New York – Avi Buffalo is a four-piece indie act out of Long Beach, California, founded by Avi Zahner-Isenberg back when the singer-songwriter and guitar slinger was but 19 years old. Now 23, Avi Buffalo is about to resurface with an arsenal of fully realized alt experimentalism that’s solid enough to cement this act in
New York – Soft Friday is the debut album of England’s psych-rock duo Coves. John Ridgard (he) and Beck Wood (she) wrote a thorough history of recent heartbreak for their first record. Soft Friday (Nettwerk Records) is a break-up album sung with a soft voice. There are no screaming vocals like in so many post-relationship
San Francisco – Songwriting is a craft that many people wish they had at their disposal. For some, true mastery is only achieved through unwavering discipline and long, arduous days of introspection. Many artists eventually do discover their true sound, but the effort can sometimes be blaringly obvious, as their apparent struggle takes the form
New York – Alt-country maverick Crow Moses is barreling back into view after a release respite, and this Chicagoan soloist’s sophomore effort is a Zen-inducing indie treasure. Horse Heaven Hills is slated to surface as an independent release on September 9 and, with but a week before we break the seal on this record, now
New York – It’s hard to discuss Frank Iero’s latest endeavor without mentioning the My Chemical Romance split early last year. The emo act was held deep in the hearts of most misunderstood adolescents and the breakup displaced all those dramatic feelings. What band was your inner angry teenager going to listen to now? Then
Portland – Merchandise are desperately afraid of being put in a box. You may have already gotten this impression from the nightmarish cube on the cover of their third album, out this week and optimistically titled After The End. It seems that no one can quite put a finger on what (or who) these Tampa
Brooklyn – Leo Stannard is a UK-based musical mastermind who has yet to make waves with a global audience. Though incognito…for now, this 19-year-old wunderkind is clearly slated for greatness. Armed with sonic architecture as strong as acts twice his age, this musician is destined to break out of the starting gates with tidal force.