The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 212

As the wise man said, 'when the going gets weird, the weird turns pro' (the Good Ol' Doctor Gonzo, if you are asking). Shame at the Congress, shame at the courts, traditions (happy Thanksgiving American friends) packed with the Black Friday nonsense (cultural imperialism courtesy of capitalism)... we need a time out. And, for this Blog, there's no better tool for a break than exciting new music awaiting to be discovered, such as our new TOP TEN JUKEBOX. Ten tunes to disconnect from the madness and enjoy the weekend as it deserves. Take care and remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2018 Jukebox playlists

Week 171  Week 172  Week 173  Week 174  Week 175 Week 176  Week 177  Week 178 
Week 179  Week 180  Week 181  Week 182  Week 183 Week 184  Week 185  Week 186
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Week 211

Discoverer 156: new indie findings

August is a month of recoveries, so today is the turn of our discoverer series. And we do so with three stunning proposals (look for some of them at the end of the year lists) with some of the latest bands that have gotten us excited. Indiepop all over!

Eyelids. Supergroup alert, supergroup alert! This collective (the regular cast is a quintet) hails from Portland, Oregon and includes current and former members of (take a deep breath, this is ridiculously stunning) Robert Pollard's bands as well as Guided By Voices, Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, The Decemberists, Elliott Smith, Sam Coomes of Quasi, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Loch Lomond, Damien Jurado and even Peter Buck solo adventures! Main songwriters John Moen and Chris Slusarenko started "making waves" in 2014, but the first, proper release of the combo arrived in 2016 with the 7" 'Seagulls Into Submission'. It was followed by the debut album '854' a month later, plus the 'Eyelids' 12"EP. And now, after another EP, it's time to celebrate the arrival of sophomore LP 'or'. What can I say? You hear Flying Nun, Paisley Underground, Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, an Athens band that might be familiar to you (guess who produces the record)... If you are a little familiar with this Blog you should know this is not just another discovery. THIS IS A MUST!!!

Hideout. Based in Manhattan, NY, singer-songwriter Gabriel Rodriguez, alongside drummer Cory Stier, who is based in San Diego, began his recording & just for fun project on the road, as the two longtime friends are part of Cults (happily back after what can qualify as a hiatus, by the way) live band, tracking the tracks that would become debut album 'Rookie', out via Thrill Me Records in November 2014, there and there, as the tour kept going. Now, in this 2017, Rodriguez has come out with his sophomore release, mostly cooked at home and again with the help of Stier, 'So Many Hoops/So Little Time' is due out February 3rd 2017 via Small Plates Records. A rich second take of unabashed, very diverse (from jangle-pop to glam-rock) and emotionally charged (heavy stuff inside, dealing with a tough loss) indiepop tunes. It might have been hiding, but we have found a pop master craftsman here...  

Rat Fancy. And we end in Los Angeles, CA, to meet this trio of effervescent twee punk. Formed just a year ago when Diana Barraza (a former Sweater Girls) and Gregory Johnson recorded some tracks in their bedroom. The duo quickly recruited friend Gavin Glidewell and the completed band was ready to debut live at at 2017´s SXSW. Songs have been surfacing online during the year, but since late May the group has its proper debut release, the EP 'Suck a Lemon', out via our dear friends at Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records. A small yet very promising collection of six indiepop tunes, with enough sugar and catchiness to knock you out immediately, but also an edge, a sharpness, and a sourness (very apt title) that endures and demands for more soon. Check them out! 

Discoverer 149: new indie findings

Plenty of music to suggest you in our discoverer series after holidays! But first goes first, so let's pay a visit to our dear Antipodes to see (and hear, of course) what's going on with this trio of wonders! 

Chook Race. Again (just virtually, damn it!) in Melbourne, Australia, to meet this trio formed by Matt Liveriadis, Carolyn Hawkins and Rob Remedios in 2010. Initially a garage surf band, soon their sound evolved towards a jangly, guitar-driven pop reminiscent of the Flying Nun bands and other lo-fi legends. Debut 7", self-released and self-titled, arrived in 2012, with highly limited tape 'Power Nap' and the 'Cheap Split' 7", alongside with Unity Floors following in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Again self-released, first LP ‘About Time’ came a year later. And now they return with sophomore album ‘Around The House’, out just now via Trouble in Mind (Tenth Court in AU, NZ & Japan). Hard to resist, it has boy-girl harmonies, simple yet urgent jangle riffs to keep you going all day, these sunny vibes melted with the Antipodean trademark melancholia... Another one to fall in love from down under, folks. Keep it coming!

The Wild Poppies. "Short" jump to Wellington, New Zealand, to talk about a long-time disbanded & forgotten combo that, thanks to the love and care for great music by unmissable independent labels. has revived, at least for a while. The Wild Poppies formed around 1986 and recorded the debut LP 'Heroine' and a single called 'Where Is Wellington?'. They relocated to Oxford, UK, toured for a few years with well-known local contemporaries such as Ride and Swervedriver, and released the (sadly, prophetic or ironic?) 'Out of Time' EP dissolving in 1989, when the rave culture emerged. But last year, thanks to Manufactured Recordings and our dear friends at Pretty Olivia Records 'Heroine: The Wild Poppies Complete Collection' appeared, compiling, for the first time ever, their long out-of-print aforementioned releases as well as demos for many latter-day tracks (both released and unreleased). It's a stunning collection of music. Warm, breezy jangle-pop with hints of a more experimental, shoegazy sound. You now have the chance to (re)discover a lost gem.

Bloodhounds On My Trail. Still in Melbourne, but now getting into the burgeoning shoegaze scene to introduce you this quartet formed in 2013 (based on the fact they played their first gig in February 2014) by Johnny Green, Chris Donaldson, Che Walden and Nik Donaldson. Quickly making some noise locally, they received the support from Tonedeaf and Gabe Lewis from Lowtide, allowing them to record with Matt Hosking their debut EP 'Escape' in October 2014, receiving the overwhelming praise of the blogosphere and shoegazing lovers. A year later got revamped and expanded for a international release by Moon Sound Records, entitled 'Escape II' (including the a remix by the dreampop duo Ummagma), while the group shared slots live with acts like Flyying Colours or Day Ravies. With a new EP about to surface, expectations couldn't be higher with BOMT: their combination of hazy atmospheres and rhythm tension immediately recalls to Ride and Slowdive, with a very appealing nod for that "Velvetian" edge. Big soundscapes for a-soon-to-be big band.

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 108

Hi there! Here comes the first TOP TEN Jukebox of July, pretty diverse and full of new bands, but with a non-surprising (not if you follow this Blog, thank you for that) soft spot for the music coming from our Antipodes. And with a big, unmissable highlight this time, thanks to the reissue of The Chills' majestic 'Kaleidoscope World'. And remember, all songs are listed at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!).

Direct links to 2016 Jukebox playlists

Week 84  Week 85  Week 86   Week 87   Week 88  Week 89 Week 90   Week 91   Week 92  
Week 93  Week 94  Week 95  Week 96   Week 97  Week 98  Week 99   Week 100  Week 101 
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Discoverer 140: new indie findings

As we can't go physically (yet, we won't give up) what about taking advantage of the holidays to go tour most dreamt destination? Yes, here's another trip down under, with an incredible trio of Antipodean new bands in our discoverer series. Sure you're going to enjoy!

The Goon Sax. Riley Jones, Louis Forster (son of the great Robert Forster) and James Harrison are still teenagers and hail from Brisbane. The band formed at high school in 2013, when friends James and Louis began recording at James' home as a duo, until Riley joined in March 2014, after a month of drum lessons. First live show arrived at the Zoo in June 2014, and since then have played with Twerps, Blank Realm or Crayon Fields among others. In 2015, after getting impressed by an unsolicited demo, Chapter Music signed the trio. After first singles 'Sometimes Accidentally' and 'Boyfriend' appeared later in that same year creating such an exciting buzz on the group, their heavily anticipated debut album is now here. Under the title of  'Up to Anything' here's a surprising love letter to the magic of The Pastels, of course The Go-Betweens (talent stays in the family), Arthur Russell, Beat Happening and every pop band that should be on your music shelves. Frontrunners for the debut album of the year, fated for greatness.

Kane Strang. Let's go back to Dunedin's, NZ (always Dunedin) to meet young musician Kane Strang who kept self-releasing self-recorded acoustic tunes for a few years, until in 2013, while living in rural Germany he assembled (seems that it was recorded in a WWII bomb shelter) ‘A Pebble & A Paper Crane’, a self-released album or compilation of demos, depending the source of information. One of these songs, 'Winded' was included on the 2014' fantastic compilation LP 'Temporary', put out by our friends at Fishrider Records. After returning to New Zealand, he spent two months housesitting his parents Dunedin home while composed his proper debut album. 'Blue Cheese', out since February 2016 via Flying Nun and Ba Da Bing Records. Intriguing but undeniably melodic and immediate, Strang connects psych-pop with peculiar folkie and garage vibes, like channeling The Chills and The Clean kindred spirits with the most quiet moments of the Pixies. Very special and addictive.

Loose Tooth. And we end in Melbourne with another trio forged on the life-long friendship of Etta Curry (drums/vocals) and Nellie Jackson (guitar/vocals), completed around 2012 with the addition of Luc Dawson on bass, transforming their pop sketches into real hyper-catchy fuzzy tunes. Signed with the great Milk! Records, they are ready to make an impact with debut EP 'Saturn Returns' this April. Mark the date in your calendar, because this band has everything to knock you out. Stomping garage-rock tunes with traces of punk-rock, think on Thee Oh Sees and The Shop Assistants, guitars crunching, erupting vocals, that unstoppable beat... hearts conquered.

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 95

Back with another TOP TEN Jukebox! Despite being on vacation we don't miss the chance to bring you our last & favourite discoveries. This week, alongside our regular dose of new findings, we have prepared a playlist heavy on "old friends" and Blog long-time crushes. For starters, more Flying Nun sounds, the great return to action of Be Forest, followed by Charlie Darling from Les Bicyclettes de Belsize, plus another ace tune of Why We Love. But the main highlight is the special comeback of Monkey Shallows the Universe, with a new version of one of their greatest tunes. Pretty amazing, you'll hear. Happy holidays and remember: all songs are listed at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!).

Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists

Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40  Week 41  Week 42 Week 43   Week 44  

Week 45  Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49   Week 50  Week 51   Week 52  Week 53   

Week 54   Week 55  Week 56   Week 57  Week 58  Week 59   Week 60 Week 61  Week 62 

Week 63  Week 64  Week 65  Week 66   Week 67   Week 68  Week 69   Week 70  Week 71  

Week 72   Week 73  Week 74   Week 75 Week 76   Week 77   Week 78  Week 79   Week 80

Week 81   Week 82   Week 83  Week 84  Week 85  Week 86   Week 87   Week 88  Week 89

Week 90   Week 91   Week 92  Week 93  Week 94

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 94

Yesterday we didn't post our regular TOP TEN Jukebox. A pretty busy day, but compensated with the enjoyment of Invisible Harvey and The New Raemon's gigs. And to continue with the excellent, charming, poppie mood we are in, we have prepared the best soundtrack for this Eastern vacations. Starting with the great David Kilgour or our friend The King in Mirrors, this are a fantastic companion for whatever plan you have on the forthcoming days. Take care and remember all songs are listed at our Soundcloud page (Join Us!).

Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists

Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40  Week 41  Week 42 Week 43   Week 44  

Week 45  Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49   Week 50  Week 51   Week 52  Week 53   

Week 54   Week 55  Week 56   Week 57  Week 58  Week 59   Week 60 Week 61  Week 62 

Week 63  Week 64  Week 65  Week 66   Week 67   Week 68  Week 69   Week 70  Week 71  

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Week 90   Week 91   Week 92  Week 93  

Discoverer 119: new indie findings

Recovering the Blog's pace, here's a new trio of discoveries for your listening pleasure!

Blank Realm. Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, this quartet comprised by three siblings, Daniel, Luke and Sarah Spencer plus Luke Walsh, formed in 2004. First release arrived in 2007, with album 'You Don't Know the Devil Till You've Seen Him in a Flower'. A very prolific band, aside from touring with the likes of Wild Flag, The Clean or the great Robert Forster, they have released 9 albums, 3 EPs and several compilations and collaborative works. Now they are back with 'Illegals in Heaven', out on September 4th on Fire Records. An album where their trademark psych-pop channels Flying Nun's spirit with 90s American alternative rock, achieving new melodic, fierce and jangly peaks. The realm of pop is here folks!

Static Daydream. Among the most exciting bands reaching my mailbox is the latest project of Paul Baker (Skywave, Ceremony), alongside his girlfriend and musical partner Jamie Casey. Beginning in 2012, their highly praised debut EP, 'The Only One' came out on Moon Sounds Records in 2014. Now it's time for their first self-titled album, out at the end of August on Saint Marie Records. 11 blistering tunes between noise and dreampop, melting thunderous guitars, drenched in reverb and crunching distortion, with harmonies, a ton of melodic hooks and ethereal landscapes. All you have to do is embrace the (not so static) daydream...

PONY. And we end our trip in Toronto, Ontario, with a four-piece active since 2013, when we heard their first tune and with a proper debut, available since this June at their bandcamp (pay what you want) in the form on an EP entitled 'CRUSHED'. Sweet, straightforward, unabashed and fun garage pop, combining jangly guitars, sunny vibes and tones of carefree attitude (girl pop power, yay!). A most exciting first step for a band we are going to take a close care.

Discoverer 112: new indie findings

Oh what a triplet of bands we have gathered in our discoveries' series this weekend! You're going to love it, enjoy!

Surf City. You can't do wrong going down under. Formed in 2004 in Mt Roskill, Auckland, this New Zealand quartet was quickly hailed as a "band to watch", releasing their s/t debut EP in 2008 on Arch Hill Recordings/Morr Music, with full-length 'Kudos', arriving two years later. But the best was yet to come. First with sophomore album 'We Knew It Was Not Going To Be Like This' out on Fire Records and, arriving in just a couple of weeks, 'Jekyll Island' that should propel Surf City to indiepop's stratosphere. Psychedelic pop with twists of fuzz, echoing our Flying Nun heroes while taking a ride as well with American heavyweights like The Velvet or The Feelies. Influences aside, this is catchy as hell, ridiculously engaging. Serious contender for addictive record of the year. Not to miss.

American Culture. Hailing from Denver (the press release says "they live out in the desert near four corners where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico meet"), there's very few information on a band that, back to the press release, "don't really want the world to know who they are, personally. Just the music. We even had a hard time tracking them down for this. The tracks and art come to us on a CDR in an envelope with no return address. We have only e-mailed with them. Never spoken. They ask (politely) for no photography during their rare live shows, usually in houses or basements". They define themsleves as "pop music for introverts". Which is kind of ironic, in a way, because the majority of 'Pure American Gum', their first record (as far as we know), out next week on Jigsaw Records, is expansive, pure, unadultered, 90s indie-rock. Guided By Voices meeting Dinosaur Jr, Pavement on stereoids, Jesus and Mary Chain high on Coca-Cola. Pop hits.
Diet Cig. Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman of Earl Boykins (Forged Artifacts) hails from New Paltz, NY. With a very short background, only a handful of shows after the duo started out las summer, we began to hear first, promising tunes, late last year. Now five songs have seen the light of day via Father/Daughter Records, on the debut EP 'Over Easy', out since February. An incredible, flawless litte dose of efervescent pop-punk, irresistibly catchy and energetic, with shouty, sing-along lyrics (Tiger Trap? Don't want to point that glorious name in vain but...). Make no mistake, Diet Cig are here to make you dance, yell, smile and love them. Instant crush...