Brooklyn – It’s natural to be skeptical by default of ‘90s revival bands. We tend to dismiss new bands that claim Nirvana (for example) as an influence as pandering or dull (I admit this is probably unfair). Too many bands mimic the past without adding their own personality or particular twist on history. Why should
Chicago – What is it about Iceland? With a total population of only 300,000+, the Nordic island cranks out über talented musicians left and right, from Björk to Sigur Rós and now Asgeir. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, born Ásgeir Trausti Einarsson, effortlessly creates stunning, melodic folk. After releasing his premiere LP Dýrð í dauðaþögn in 2012,
New York – In support of his full-length debut album Chaos And The Calm [Republic Records] out March 24 (pre-order here), James Bay will embark on a North American headline tour this spring. The tour starts April 27 at Mod Club in Toronto, ON Canada, plays major markets across the country, and concludes May 14 at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. (Ed. Read
San Francisco – Ty Segall returned to his hometown last week to play a couple of shows at some of the City by the Bay’s most revered venues. His show at the well-known Great American Music Hall was one for the history books, as he played an energetic, illustrious set that matched his very persona:
Nashville – New York-based artist Sarah Lipstate, who records her instrumental arrangements under the title Noveller, has completed yet another impressive array of her characteristic eerie compositions. Fantastic Planet (via Fire Records) follows 2011’s Glacial Glow, which garnered a slew of favorable reviews. Nearly four years later, Lipstate has managed to maintain that same deft
New York – The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. On January 27th, 2015 Alvvays was selected for their outstanding achievements in the “Breakthrough Group Of The Year” and “Alternative Album Of The Year” categories. The fuzz-pop quintet
San Francisco – Relative newcomers Young Ejecta have returned with a new EP—or “mini-album” as they choose to call it—entitled The Planet. The electronic duo consists of Joel Ford (of Ford & Lopatin fame) and Neon Indian’s female vocalist Leanne Macomber. Back in the late fall of 2013, the duo released their first full-length LP
San Francisco – Viet Cong are a fantastic Canadian band whose illustrious eclecticism has torn a new one in the figurative behind of modern independent music. Their self-titled debut LP is one for the ages, and at just seven tracks long, its prowess is both defiant and terrifying. The band consists of two former members
Nashville – With their latest self-titled release (via Burger Records), Cotillon once again shines with an ethereal follow up to their breezy 2013 White Roses EP. Led by the visionary singer-songwriter Jordan Corso, and known for their warm, floral sound that evokes the glory days of California surf pop, it seems that the band is
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