Discoverer 161: new indie findings

Time for another look back to the last months of 2017 in our discoverer series. Because there was too much exciting music coming from our beloved Antipodes at the end of the year to let it slip it away, so here's a trio of Australian wonders for your listening pleasure! Again, let's go down under!

Jeremy Neale. A staple of the Brisbane music scene (still digging among his previous/other bands & collaborations, many finds as Velociraptor or Teen Sensations and reencounters like my beloved Go Violets!) Mr. Neale debuted under his own moniker in 2012 with 7" single 'Darlin'/Winter Was The Time', followed a year later with the EP-LP 'In Stranger Times'. Another EP, 'Let Me Go Out In Style', out in 2015 via Dot Dash, seemed to anticipate his first full release. But things got somewhat quiet, but fun (particularly on social media) with 'hits' such as the 'Man In Skivvy affair' in Google (just type that) of the Jeromeo single 'Party! (Everybody In My Neighbourhood)' while Mr. Neale was carefully crafting his next step. One that surfaced past November under the title of 'Getting the Team Back Together'. And, arguably, the most enjoyable and addictive record of 2017. Power-pop, 80's new romanticism, arresting low-light numbers, über-charming melodies and harmonies, and tons and tons of pop hooks.
  

The Stroppies. Jump to Melbourne to meet this recently assembled (2016?) superband with members (take a deep breath, this is almost like a music All-Star-Game selection from down under) of Dick Diver, Twerps, The Stevens and Blank Statements. Already excited, right? You should, because their first release, the self-titled minialbum out past May via Hobbies Galore as a tape (later on as a limited 12" thanks to Tough Love), and their follow-up, the EP 'It's a Hit' out in December, are just what you can imagine considering the aforementioned cast of wonders. Lo-fi production, jangling guitars, a fanfare organ, deadpan vocals, knockout yet quirky choruses, hide-and-seek melodies... and stunning tunes. Nun's flying, feelings sneaking. Is that sound, that magic sound, floating in the air again... 

Body Type. And we end in Sydney (via Perth) with this DIY female quartet formed in 2016, coming out with a first release later that year in the form of the mind-blowing 7" 'Ludlow / 264'. out via Our Golden Friend. Propelled by the success of the single (great video too), they have toured with the likes of Cate Le Bon, our dear The Coathangers and Dianas (which whom they share some sort of idiosyncrasy in their sound). A few more tunes have followed in 2017, such as the killer 'Silver'. Lo-fi, swooning dream-pop with an edge and wide sonic landscapes recalling DIIV, expectations couldn't be higher for their next move. The future is all theirs!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 134

Friday again! That means it's time for a new dose of our TOP TEN JUKEBOX dose. This week we have prepared one of the most eclectic playlist to date. From the stunning return of Annie Hardy (Giant Drag) to the stomper Irish punk of Dropkick Murphys (Saint Patrick is approaching and what the hell, the tune is anthemic), to the really idiosyncratic indiepop of Cate Le Bon, as well as our regular music discoveries like Team Pictures or the explosive, almost Fallesque, Life. Plenty to listen & enjoy, the best medicine to start the weekend! And remember, all songs are available at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!).

Direct links to 2017 Jukebox playlists

Week 126  Week 127  Week 128  Week 129  Week 130  Week 131 Week 132  Week 133

Agenda of Concerts Fall 2016

Here we are again, beginning a new season of concerts! And therefore, in order to honor one of our traditions, here's our personal Agenda of Concerts for this Fall. Luckily, it looks like a really awesome end of year ahead, with the chance to see our beloved Fear of Men or The Wedding Present again, plus exciting newcomers as The Goon Sax or Sunflower Bean (November will be a "busy" month, for sure!). Without, of course, forgetting Primavera Club Festival which, among others, will give us the chance of watching Minor Victories' live (one of our MUSTS for the season). Obviously, we hope to add more proposals soon (September has only started) so we'll have months full of live music! Have a look and see you there!

Best Records of the Year 2013

Following the EPs list now it's time for the best records of 2013. Contrary to last year, I have increased the number of albums, but all 30 LPs are records I have listened and enjoyed fully. Meaning that records which I'm enjoying right now but have "arrived late" to my ears, or I haven't listened that much yet, didn't make the list (to name three I'm pretty sure would be among the names below with some more time ahead: Math and Physics Club's "Our Hearts Beat Out Loud", Gente Joven's "I, II, III, IV" and Doble Pletina's "De lo Concreto a lo General"). I believe they deserve to be listened properly and not be included just for the sake of mentioning more albums. Having said that, here we go, hope you like it!

30. Dress Up- The Spook School
29. Mug Museum- Cate Le Bon
28. Calendar Days- Dick Diver
27. How Many Times Have You Let Me Die- The Blanche Hudson Weekend
26. Run Fast- The Julie Ruin
25. Hummingbird- Local Natives
24. True Hallucinations- Ex Cops
23. Break It Up- Break It Up
22. Hard Times for Dreamers- Brothers in Law
21. Pick Your Century- Dub Noir
20. Girls Like Us- Pins
19. A Farewell to Youth- When Nalda Became Punk
18. Say It- Just Handshakes
17. Everything Is Going to Be OK- Big Summer
16. Waiting for Something to Happen- Veronica Falls
15. San Fermin- San Fermin
14. The Majestic 12 Years: 1994-1998- Majestic 12
13. If You Leave- Daughter
12. Everlasting Light- The Proctors
11. Lost Album- Coach Station Reunion
10. Ride Your Heart- Bleached
9. El Mundo Se Va a Acabar- Pauline en la Playa
8. Torres- Torres
7. Desire Lines- Camera Obscura
6. Choose Your Own Adventure- Arts & Leisure
5. Early Fragments- Fear of Men
4. Tall Tall Shadow- Basia Bulat
3. Personal Record- Eleanor Friedberger
2. Silence Yourself- Savages
1. Trouble Will Find Me- The National

Want to check last year's list? Then check here
And 2011's? Just click here

Discoverer 79: new indie findings

Penultimate and very female-sounding new indie discoveries of the year (we have to prepare the best of the 2013 lists), hope you enjoy!

Cate Le Bon. Hailing from Penboyr, Wales, but based in L.A., Cate gained public attention while supporting Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) on his 2007 solo UK tour. That same year, she self-released her first single "No One Can Drag Me Down"/"Disappear" and recorded the shelved album "Pet Deaths". In 2008 came "Edrych yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg", an EP sung in Welsh, while collaborating on Neon Neon's album "Stainless Style". In 2009 her first proper LP "Me Oh My" came out on Rhys' Irony Bored label, followed with her sophomore release, "Cyrk" in 2012, and after singing with Manic Street Preachers on their latest "Rewind the Film", since November we can enjoy the hypnotic "Mug Museum". A peculiar folky voice, somber lyrics and a music style that summons Nico's mystery combined with Eleanor Friedberger's natural grace, Cate's tunes are an extremely charming pleasure.
Go Violets. Coming from Brisbane, Australia, this all-female quartet formed in 2011. After a digital release in March 2012, "^​-​.​-​^" EP, three tunes, "Teenager" in August 2012, "Josie" in May 2013 and "Wanted" in August 2013, anticipated her debut proper release, the EP "Heart Slice", available since October on Create Control. Six delicious tunes of immediate addiction, full of killer hooks and harmonic vocals, bringing us back to the magic music of Tiger Trap, Go Sailor, where garage meets the sweetest pop. You can't do much more than falling in love with the Go Violets...    
Lady Lamb the Beekeper. Behind this stage name hides musician 24-years-old Aly Spaltro, hailing from Brunswick, Maine, but now based in NY. She began her career in 2007 recording songs in a DVD rental store, using it as a studio after finishing her daily job duties, giving out free samples of them in handmade packages to the local Bullmoose Record Store. In 2008 multi-instrumentalist TJ Metcalfe joined her, releasing "Samples For Handsome Animals" and becoming one of most popular local acts. Reverted to a solo project again in 2010 she was named Folk Artist of the Year by the Boston Music Awards. Finally, on February 2013, she released her first studio album, "Ripely Pine". She's a storm, a singer-songwriter with an unbelievable intensity, an explosion of feelings that come in multiple forms, without missing her stark rawness. Like Torres (Spaltro has supported her live) here's a genuine talent.