The first Sunday of November arrives with three great
new indie proposals, enjoy !
Minor Alps. A
new collaborative project with an undeniable indie rock pedigree. Bostonian
Juliana Hatfield (Blake Babies, The Juliana Hatfield Three, Some Girls, and solo) and Newyorker Nada Surf frontman
Matthew Caws met in early 90s at a Nada Surf show). They forged a friendship that has been flirting with the idea of working together (aside some contributing vocals on each other's songs) until the timing fitted this year, and the result is "
Get There", out since past week. A couple of stunning rockier numbers recalling their solid individual careers along with moody and experimental tracks on a mature, intense,
rich and inviting record where lead vocals, writing credit and emotional weight are equally shared.
Post Modern Team. Found thanks to the unmissable reference that is
Indie Pop Saved My Life, I believe this is the first time we feature a band from Osaka, Japan, on this series. With little info available out there, all we know is that the group was formed in 2012, and they have released two EPs, "
Never Let You Down", and "
By the Sea", including some covers of
The Go-Betweens, My Bloody Valentine and
The Smiths last year, before Ano(t)raks compiled their tunes on a
self-titled debut album, out right now. Extremely catchy and urgent music, between jangle and dream pop, a
delicious,
stirring discovery from the land of the rising sun.
Shady Elders. Back to the US with
this Denver quartet. Although initially a duo in 2011, soon they became a full band that is also
something of a local supergroup with members of former groups like Spires, Tulip Wars and Don'ts and Be Carefuls. Their only release to date arrived in April of 2013 with "
No Favors" EP (name your price at their bandcamp), five tunes where everything fits: dream pop, shoegaze, vintage doo-wop, some darker vibes, crisply guitars and the sounding vocals of Britt Rodemich. What a
surprising, peculiar, exciting band.
Dutch Barn. Our beloved EardrumsPop again folks. They not only come out with another fantastic (and FREE!) release, the ePop 036, but they also remind me there was a band waiting to be listened. This five piece from East London were formed from the embers of folk group Little Ray in 2011, debuting with album “Lighter Later“ in April 2013. The record and the EPop single are delightful trips to guitar-driven indie-rock tunes. Open spaces, sparse, folky roots, heavenly coexisting with reverb and upbeat melodies. They've been defined as a cross between Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr and Stereolab. The comparison is accurate in terms of sound, but also in terms of potential. 
Upset. Careful, super-indie band here. This L.A. trio, formed in 2013, is leaded by Ali Koehler, former drummer of Vivian Girls and then Best Coast, alongside ex-Hole drummer Patty Schemel.(looks like they met over Twitter) and guitarist Jenn Prince from La Sera. Upset's debut, "She's Gone", is out since October 29 through punk label Don Giovanni. Any hint of what could the record sound like? Right, pop-punk infected with hooks, channeling '90s indie-rock spirit and so ready to grab you from the ear you will think this record has been on your shelf since 20 years ago. Not to miss.
Old Lacy Bed. Back to Japan to meet this young girls-band from Nagoya formed in 2012. As always happens (unfortunately) with Asian bands, there's not a lot of info out there, so we'll stick with what we know. Although there are some more tunes at the soundcloud, what it seems a split release with band The Moments and song "Coastlands" included on the Ano(t)raks "Soon V.A." compilation from September 2012, their first proper debut might be this lovely, immediately addictive 7" single "Little Girl" on Dufflecoat Records, available since June. Somewhere in the middle of the sweetest shoegaze and the fuzzier twee-pop this three songs are just wonderful. We want more! 
