Discoverer 95: new indie findings

Back with our new music proposals series. Several amazing bands awaiting to be discovered for you, here's the flamboyant trio of the week!

Beverly. Based in Brooklyn, Beverly is a duo formed by hyper-active indie musician Frankie Rose, former member of Dum Dum Girls, Crystal Stilts, Vivian Girls, and Drew Citron, formerly in Ava Luna. Together since 2013, they finished their debut album in early 2014, with the irresistible first single 'Honey Do' happily collapsing our ears since February. Now, since past week we can enjoy the full album 'Careers', out on Kanine Records. The 60s married with the 90s, sweet female vocals wrapped in a dreamy pop haze with occasional bursts of electricity and fuzzy feedback placed on the background. Pleasant and solid in equal measure, the 'Careers' of Beverly promises to be an utterly joyous ride!

Cozy Catastrophes. Hailing from Bloomington, Indiana, Greg Adams ran the independent reissue record label Beehive Rebellion Records before writing over 1.000 album reviews and artist bios (!) for the All-Music Guide, plus hosting a thematic oldies radio program. What was left in his music agenda then? Starting his solo recording project, which he did last year, releasing debut album 'An Instructive Amusement' in August 2013. Now, thanks to our dear friends from February Records, Adams is back with a new EP, 'Way Last June', out now (there's an ultra-limited cassette too if you prefer, hurry!). Smart, warm and slightly somber bedroom-pop full of delicious melodic hooks and a subtle use of instruments like Casios, glockenspiels. An intimate pleasure!

Blessa. Although Liv Neller and Alex Burton started creating music before in Suffolk, as a quintet format, alongside with Jake Murray and brothers Robert and Andy Piercy, they only started making music together when most of them graduated at Sheffield's University in July 2013. After a few songs available online, in November arrived their debut 7" single 'Between Times / Bloom' on No-Self Records. The buzz start spreading and, finally, here's their follow-up in the form of EP 'Love is an Evol Word' out next week on Carmel Records / Generator. Dreamy pop fronted by Neller's killer vocals, here's The XX colliding with Fear of Men, electronic hints sharing melodies with jangly guitars... It might be an evol word, but you can't help falling in love with a band like them. Instant crush.

Discoverer 43: new indie findings

It's Sunday, so here you have the usual dose of new indie proposals. Proceed with care, they are highly addictive!

Big Wave. Watched the infectious video of "Only You", single due to November, on the ultra reliable friends Indie Pop Saved My Life. I immediately ran to hunt for more of this five-piece band hailing from Torquay, Devon, UK, and living all together. Their first EP, "Another Year or Two", appeared in November 2011. This June released "The Roots of Love (Come Tumbling Down)" plus the tune "Dying on the Vine" on August. A collection of vital indiepop, driven by euphoric guitars and contagious vocals exploding in meteoric choruses. A band to love and dance to! If you are not made of stone, that is.
 

Literature. Sometimes its the name of band what gets your attention. That has been the case with this group from Austin, Texas, active since 2010, when they released their debut 7" "Cincinnatti", followed, on January of 2012 by their first LP (grab it at the price you want) , "Arab Spring" (another name that made me curious). Glad I checked them, because their music is a formidably catchy, urgent and carefree example of why power pop and pop-punk are styles needed in this planet. Their music reinvigorates the spirit and makes you smile, so for a while, the world looks like a brighter place.

Pale Lights. And our third proposal comes from New York, being the latest project, started on Fall 2011, of Phil Sutton, former member of the indispensable Comet Gain, after the hiatus of his latest band, the already recommended here The Soft City. The first combo (a five piece group with members of Soft City, Crystal Stilts and Knight School) that Sutton fronts (guitars and leading vocals), since May we have their first EP out. Four songs that are pure jangle pop, romantic bliss. The Go-Betweens, Felt, Comet Gain and many others will come to mind. Indeed, sounds like a classic.

Discoverer 25: new indie findings

Cinema Red and Blue. Always have the same feeling with Comet Gain. No matter tone or lyrics, its always played with a joyful, passionate rawness, so it's almost mathematic: I fall for their music once and again. So when I discovered Dave Feick and co. embarked themselves in a new adventure, a collaboration with members of Crystal Stilts with guest appearances of Gary Olson from The Ladybug Transistor, I knew I would love it too. The eponymous record, released in November of 2010 is followed by "Butterbean Crypt EP", out next week. As great as Comet Gain. Enough said. 
Cinema Red and Blue - Same Mistakes
Cinema Red And Blue - Walkin' To The Cemetery

To Kill a King. A Shakespearean name for this five-piece Brit band leaded by intriguing songwriter Ralph Pellymounter, who after several attempts (started his musical career in 2004 solo), in early 2010 finally ensembled the current band's line-up, releasing heir first single "Fictional State", which is now followed by "My Crooked Saint" EP. A powerful and diverse blend between pop-rock and folk, that sometimes evoke a more restrained Arcade Fire, and others the straightness and euphoric side of Mumford And Sons' tunes. Keep and eye on them.
To Kill A King - "Bloody Shirt"
To Kill a King - "Wrecking Crew" (Acoustic Version)
To Kill a King - "Cold Skin"

2:54. Behind this curious name (their favourite moment in a Melvins song), you'll find sisters Hannah and Colette Thurlow. Hailing from London, they emerged past May with their song "Creeping". A couple of tunes followed soon, and after signing with Fiction Records, they now offer their first release, "Scarlet" EP. Many names come to mind when listening, from Garbage (that sensual voice recalls Shirley Manson's) to Warpaint or Mazzy Star. A cinematic and atmospheric affair, where guitars stride relentlessly and cymbals seems to splash, like waves, against imaginary rocks.
2:54 - Scarlet
Cold Front 7"