Portland - Best Friends’ debut album is Hot. Reckless. Totally Insane. Born out of Sheffield, the foursome delivers self-deprecating garage pop that is more about music than show. Their LP, Hot. Reckless. Totally Insane consistently surprises its listeners with tracks that are littered with playfulness and attitude but never loses sight of the importance of skilled
Portland – (Publishers Note: We all reach that point where our favorite playlist starts to feel a bit tired and needs some new songs; well most of us do. Not writers for Best New Bands though, because its our job to listen to all the best new stuff. Actually the issue with being a writer
New York - I had the chance to chat with Simon Stalhamre of Small Feet just after he’d performed his first NYC gig at Pianos in the Lower East Side. We talked about finding the right label, recording in the wilderness and his longtime affinity for the English language. Firstly, how did you come up
Chicago – Yes, yes it’s that time of year again! Time for one of the hippest music festivals around: Pitchfork. As to be expected, the line-up is stellar. As an added bonus, it’s loaded with Chicago artists, from the legendary Wilco and the remarkable Ryley Walker, to local hip hop celebs Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper.
New York – London-based synth-pop trio Years & Years have already achieved widespread success since their formation in 2010. They have been slowly but steadily building up a collection of critically lauded single releases and won BBC’s Sound of 2015 (past winners of which include now household names Sam Smith, Haim and Ellie Goulding). Years
Los Angeles – San Francisco based band Panic Is Perfect are excited to release the Evan Gartner Remix to their song “Go Go Go”. The original song rocketed to #12 on HypeMachine and was named one of the Ten Best Indie Pop songs of 2014 by Indie Shuffle. Up-and-coming producer Evan Gartner has received praise from
Los Angeles – Swedish noise poppers Westkust are set to make a splash stateside with their LP, Last Forever. Due out on July 10th, Last Forever is a collection of shoegazing tunes that include punk sensibilities and ethereal guitars. With their wall-of-sound style, the nine tracks featured on Last Forever cut especially deep. Last Forever
Chicago – Australian trio Little May has begun to turn heads here in the States, especially with their recently released single “Home.” Originally leaning towards folk, they now gravitate more toward indie rock and blend in beautiful, crisp harmonies. Guitarist Liz Drummond, drummer Hannah Field, and guitarist/banjoist Annie Hamilton have been hard at work on
Portland – Nothing screams Goth like Grave Babies. The eclectic four-piece stopped at Mississippi Studios in Portland Monday night in promotion of their upcoming album Holographic Violence due out July 24th. Their lo-fi, distorted sound has garnered them comparisons to The Cure and even a darker Jesus and Mary Chain. Grave Babies have continued to
Seattle – A crowd of Seattleites gathered to see Lenka at Barboza. Having recently released her new album The Bright Side (Skipalong/Hickory Records), the Australian singer-songwriter is touring the United States to promote the record. Like the album, her live show is permeated with vibrancy and effervescence. After her darker-hued 2013 release Shadows, Lenka is now