Brooklyn – French Style Furs’ roster rolls together three industry veterans, and the product is both entirely unexpected and deeply intriguing. The newfound group showcases Cold War Kids’ frontman Nathan Willet and bassist Matt Maust, joined by We Barbarian’s percussionist Nathan Warketin. The first full-length album from this group, Is Exotic Bait, is slated for release
New York – In his new project, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, Dan “Soupy” Campbell has successfully created an artistic alter ego in order to get down to the meaning of “self.” His debut album, We Don’t Have Each Other, is a lyrical journey through the fraying life of Aaron West. To extrapolate on and
San Francisco – After listening to the self-titled debut album of Glasgow ‘s Honeyblood on a loop for a couple of hours, one word rings true repeatedly: honesty. Honeyblood is a much grittier album than those of its Scottish contemporaries, relying on Dum Dum Girls-esque vocals and a driving, raw guitar. Each track masks relatable, discernable
Seattle – SPEAK’s new sophomore album, Petals, has come just in time for the summer: filled with bright, synth-laced textures, upbeat tempos, and pure electro-pop. The four-piece outfit from Austin, Texas, comprised of Troupe Gammage on vocals and keys, Nick Hurt on guitars and vocals, Joey Delahoussaye on bass and vocals, and Jake Stewart on drums,
Seattle – Given the country’s propensity for churning out successful pop acts like ABBA, Ace of Base, Robyn, and even Icona Pop, it should come as no surprise that Sweden’s produced another band who’s climbing the popular charts. Since their single “Pumpin Blood” hit the airwaves last year, Stockholm-based NONONO has garnered a lot of attention. The
Portland – Let’s get the formalities out of the way: Peter Matthew Bauer played bass for The Walkmen. The indie rock stalwarts who, after thirteen years and seven studio albums, are now on “extreme hiatus” as Bauer phrases it. By all accounts the non-breakup was an amicable one, and no blood, bad or otherwise, has
Brooklyn – Rainy Day Women is a four-piece wonder out of Perth, and this band of Australians is poised to commandeer the devotion of any listener who harbors an old-soul lover of classic pop. The group’s sound borrows from the great masters of summer soundtracks, and weaves a contemporary air into the fabric of their
Portland –Tara Green and Jimi Kritzler are an Australian duo who, under the moniker White Hex, have been making sleek, cold music that seems at odds with the bright-sunshine-and-blue-water image of their home country. It’s a contrast they’re fully aware of; labeling themselves, tongue planted firmly in cheek no doubt, as “tropical goth.” If White
Los Angeles – PHOX’s self-titled debut LP is beyond dreamy — it is cosmic with fluffy ornate tracks that exquisitely travel through the veins and tap the heart. What makes PHOX’s music so masterful is that the Waraboo, Wisconsin natives don’t fight each other for attention. Lead singer Monica Martin’s gentle, but deep voice is
San Francisco – Like any good band, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart—comprised of singer/guitarist Kip Berman and the various, oft-changing system of musicians that orbit him—have evolved their sound. Over the past several years, Pains (for the sake of brevity, I will refer to the band as such within the confines of this