Portland – Often in rock music, the adage “less is more” holds true. Range Anxiety, the new album from Melbourne-based Twerps (out this week on Merge Records in the U.S.), is a prime example of how accurate that statement is. With two guitars, bass, drums, and vocals shared by every member, the four-piece act has
Chicago – It was a homecoming of sorts for Islander this past Sunday. The South Carolina nu-metal band was in Chicago, home to their label Victory Records. Swarms of label employees came to see the band they’ve been praising as “the next big thing,” in alternative metal anyway. Seeing as the foursome was hand-picked by
Los Angeles – Templeton, California band Night Riots is a five-piece outfit, which includes Travis Hawley (vocals), Nick Fotinakes (guitar), Matt DePauw (guitar), Mikel Van Kranenburg (bass), and Rico Rodriguez (drums). Their brand new second EP, Howl, from Sumerian Records is a supercharged record that combines the sounds of 80s and modern rock into one
Melbourne, Australia’s Courtney Barnett, singer-songwriter, guitar virtuoso, visual artist and label owner whose 2013 release The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas set the music world alight, is releasing her debut LP Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit on March 24 via Mom + Pop Music. Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I
Chicago – Live albums can often be hit or miss. The ones that make the mark transport you to the venue, bringing a concert to life. Ty Segall Band’s Live In San Francisco (Castle Face Records) does just that, but with an extra dose of who gives a f**k and a side of brilliance! The
Portland – Author and music aficionado Nick Hornby (“High Fidelity”) wrote that musicians often have two options while crafting their songs. One way is to create something so weird that nobody has ever done it before, but does not warrant a second listen. Alternatively, “You (can) think, write, play, and sing as though you have
Chicago – Lately more and more teenagers have been breaking into the music industry thanks to the power of social media and music sharing sites like YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Bandcamp. However, there’s definitely more to it than exposure. Social networking and the readily available technology have groomed a generation of kids to be industry
Brooklyn – “So many beautiful people here tonight,” Weyes Blood (aka Natalie Mering) observed from the stage during her set on Saturday night. She had the best vantage point to ogle everyone, but it was true from where I stood, too: It seemed like Southside Williamsburg’s handsomest longhaired men and their cute septum-pierced girlfriends had
Louisville KY – The Forecastle Festival will return this summer led by Louisville hometown heroes My Morning Jacket; soulful breakout star, Sam Smith; southern rock heavyweights, Widespread Panic; and indie veterans, Modest Mouse. The three-day music celebration, now in its 13th year, will take place July 17-19, at the award-winning Waterfront Park, a sweeping green space on the banks of the Ohio River framed by the
Austin – Six months have elapsed between the U.S. and British releases of Wanted on Voyage, George Ezra’s debut record on Columbia, so that the U.S. release could be synchronized with Ezra’s breakout radio hit, “Budapest,” and his first North American tour. (Ed., Best New Bands spoke with Ezra recently; our interview will be published