San Francisco – ‘A routine malaise’: It’s one of the most basic, often unrecognized human emotions. We all get bored, we all feel unsatisfied, we all wish for prospects to make our lives grander. One of the most popular indie songs of the past decade—Grizzly Bear’s “Two Weeks”—utilizes the phrase within the first two lines,
New York – Best New Bands and Interscope Records are giving away a vinyl copy of Imagine Dragons‘ new album, Smoke + Mirrors, plus a promotion-only poster made for retail! Formed in 2009 and featuring lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman, Imagine Dragons earned a grassroots following
San Francisco – Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers hail from the peaceful middle of Michigan. Beginning in their college years, they toured through Michigan playing at their alma maters, local bars, festivals, and eventually making it all the way out to California. The band has always had a calm, folk feel to their music,
Los Angeles – Ghost Modern is the third album from San Francisco electro-pop act Geographer. The record marks Geographer’s first new material since 2012’s Myth. In January, Best New Bands caught them on their brief tour introducing several new songs for this upcoming release. Geographer’s mastermind, Michael Deni, blurs the lines between electronic and
Chicago – Imagine Dragons are back with an explosive sophomore album, which was recorded at their self-built home studio, and inspired by the world music discovered in the band’s travels. The Las Vegas foursome – made up of vocalist and guitarist Dan Reynolds, bassist and keyboardist Ben McKee, guitarist Daniel Wayne Sermon, and drummer Daniel
New York – Queens is the city’s best rap borough. The form was invented in the Bronx, dudes from Harlem and Brooklyn are best at flash and attention grabbing, and Staten Island is the Shaolin, but rappers from Queens are historically the most lyrical and have the most complex personalities. Back in the 90s, Nas
Los Angeles – With a warm breeze blowing through the dry Southern California air, Angelinos could enjoy a pleasant stroll through the balmy “winter” night on their way to see Israel Nash and his band put on a roots-rock rendition of his latest record, Israel Nash’s Rain Plans. While it was just another frigid Tuesday
Chicago – California indie-pop band Bad Suns hit up Lincoln Hall Monday night for a sold-out show sponsored by Chicago’s 101WKQX. The foursome, made up of vocalist Christo Bowman, bassist Gavin Bennett, guitarist Ray Libby, and drummer Miles Morris, formed in 2012. At first, they struggled to find their place in the world of music,
New York – Wardell threw a party to commemorate the release of their self-released debut album Love/Idleness, which came out this week. The show had a warm, celebratory atmosphere, with many people in the sold-out crowd seemingly friends of the band. It was the early show at Mercury Lounge, and Wardell took the stage at
San Francisco – This week saw the very beginning of an extensive tour in which indie mainstays The Dodos share the stage with Bay Area newcomers Springtime Carnivore. Springtime Carnivore is the ‘nom de tune’ of Greta Morgan, a circus performer-turned-chanteuse after a three-story fall from a tightrope broke her fibula. Luckily, she has made