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
Years and Years’ Darkly Poppy Debut LP
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
A Little Chat With Little May
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
Grave Babies Bring Their Meticulous Darkness to Portland
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
Son Lux ’s Radiant Performance Rattles the Crowd’s “Bones”
San Francisco – Silence can be deafening. It brings fear to those who suffer from pressure-of-speech. It is angelic to those who seek it, yet demonic to those who aren’t used to it. As composer John Cage – famous for composing and entire song made up of musical rests called “4’33”” – once said, “what
Algiers Pass Up an Encore at the Echo
Los Angeles – As The Echo’s house lights dimmed and the eager audience shuffled into place, an ominous drone filled the otherwise empty stage. One by one, Franklin James Fisher, Ryan Mahan, and Lee Tesche took the stage, each member of Algiers sporting a glare as menacing as the music playing behind them. At this
Chris Marshall and The August Light – ‘Some Kind of Dream’
Berlin – Chris Marshall and The August Light’s new LP is out and it’s a welcome expansion of their previous work. Traditionally, Seattle has been known as the place on the West Coast to find the best emerging musical acts. But over the last few years, Portland has made its name as another city to
Augustines Announce Fall Tour & Release “Weary Eyes” Video
New York – Indie-rock trio Augustines have announced their upcoming fall North American headlining tour. Touring behind their recently released self-titled sophomore album, Augustines will be making 13 appearances across the west and east coast of the U.S. as well as parts of Canada. Beginning on Wednesday, September 17 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA, the tour will
Houston Loves You: A Weekend With Fat Tony
Houston – If you’re going to go to Houston, TX, you’ll want Fat Tony to show you around. As I was told by one gentleman, “Fat Tony runs Houston yo.” Luckily, I had Anthony Obi, better known as Fat Tony, to show me around this weekend. Though I’ve seen him many times in Austin and
Saints of Valory – Possibilities EP
While listening to “Possibilities”, the latest EP from the up and coming Austin, TX outfit Saints of Valory, there’s sort of a parallel to watching a movie like “October Sky” or perhaps even “Cool Runnings.” First is the overwhelmingly optimistic aesthetic that no matter where you are bound to geographically, barriers and obstacles can