Reminisce over a lo-fi, aimless one from the Scottish girl duo of Honeyblood with “No Spare Key,” released last April. Fat Cat Records are a big fan of ‘em, they’ve opened for post-punk act PEACE and they just played Brighton’s Great Escape Festival. Not sure what’s on the docket for these guys, but I do know that the US would welcome them well.
Enrapture yourself in “Romantic Gaze,” a thin, airy jam for a late night rave or the chill soundtrack to an otherwise blah sort of day. It strays away from popular, catchy synthpop of the late — but it keeps the form of a pop/rock song. It’s definitely an interesting combo, if nothing else. Good Pop Bad Pop says, “it rattles and hums with hip-hop influenced drums, huge trance-like synth rises, and a pop similar vocal that is warped and toyed with throughout“
The tunes from Tokyo are a product of Taquwami, who began producing solo in the summer of 2011. Since then, he’s been picked up by newly formed label Void Youth, and his in-your-face goodness sure has been fillin’ my ears a ton lately with his EP “Blurrywonder.”
(Source: SoundCloud / icalp)
“There’s something about growing up in a place that’s so much bigger than any one person that gives you an appreciation for the grand scope of existence.”
Those are the deep words of Animal Eyes, a five piece based in Portland, OR — by way of a small town in Alaska where the five piece grew up.
Beginning with the reverb-y, shoegaze sound of the 2010s, this one changes the pace to throw some dynamics and originality into play. “Goat Chasing” definitely isn’t for a short attention span, as this expansive sonically replicates their Alaskan surroundings.
Indie folk of another flavor shines at the end, where a delayed crescendo puts in horns and strings at the forefront.
Beginning with an innocuous stream of “la la las,” this one calls to mind throwback ’60s pop. The singer/songwriter from Calgary, Sarah Savage Smith got local cred in the Calgary indie scene leading to linking up with producer Lorrie Matheson.
Her April 2011 effort, “Tough Cookie” came as a result, including this gem, “The Score.” She pushes her voice in different directions, leading to apt Regina Spektor comparisons.
The Wounded Jukebox puts it best: “the sound of the woman so boldly named is both parts sly and another part brass-knuckled.”
There’s definitely something about an unadulterated, basement-friendly punk anthem as simple as “I want you in my bed / Don’t want you in my head.”
One of the highlights of the Allston DIY Fest 2012 comp, the garage punk duo Streight Angular are another highlight of the Boston punk rock scene. DigBoston calls them Neon-soaked punk, but call ‘em what you want, “In My Bed, Not My Head” is some fast-and-hard Ramones-style rock.
Streight Angular are the married duo of Al and Theresa Polk, who are heavily influenced by K Records’ founder Calvin Johnson. Their most recent release, “Everything is Syncopated” was co-released in January on Polk Records and local collective Whitehaus Family Record.
This San Diego band was inspired by the “concept of feeling completely inspired to take hold of life and be the best person who you can be the next day before going to bed.”
Inspired and the Sleep, as the trio founded by Max Greenhalgh is called, has an indie psych vibe akin to Yeasayer, Animal Collective or maybe The Unicorns (remember them?!) For an insomniac it’s either surprising or very unsurprising that Greenhalgh’s favorite place is his bed.
Indie Shuffle calls “And As These Days Go By,” ‘a corky and innovative track that’ll keep you wanting more.. begins with tribal-esque bass and drums.’ Check it and find out for yourself.
Hazy, shimmery Field Mouse offered a contemplative glance at ’80s shoegaze opening for Conveyor’s show at Glasslands on Wednesday.
The quartet is led by Greenpoint, Brooklyn-based Rachel Browne which is rooted in acts like My Bloody Valentine and The Pixies, offers a back-to-basics rock vibe. Stereogum says they “shimmer,” they’ve got an enigmatic band name… and they’re on Small Plates, a vinyl-only label founded by the guys from music blogs I Guess I’m Floating and yvynyl.
(Source: iguessimfloating.com / icalp)
Here’s a surf pop lick from the SoCal duo of Alex Knost and his girlfriend, Christina Keyes. Tomorrows Tulips’ debut album, which came out with some positive hype last summer, is entitled “Eternally Summer.” I’m sure that you can sympathize in your late August blues.
Knost, who used to front indie rock act The Japanese Motors which have opened for Modest Mouse, leads this garage rock throwback. It has a “post-Velvet Underground/Modern Lovers kind of vibe,” according to KEXP.
Listen to “Eternally Teenage” (another hope of all of ours) to calm your midweek, and bring some waves of ’60s nostalgia.
A tune each day by Boston-based freelance music and arts journalist Chris Leo Palermino. Hit me up if you're going to a show, I'm always looking for show buddies.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this site is for promotional purposes only. If any artist or label does not want their material on this site, please email me at cleopale@gmail.com.
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