More fantastic
new indie discoveries selected for your listening pleasure, enjoy!
Wild Ones. Hailing from Portland, OR, they formed in 2010, a slowly transition from the ashes of local band Eskimo & Sons. They debuted with as
Wild Ones (you can track down for a combo named Congratulations if you are into music speleology) "
You're a Winner" EP in late 2010, but a year later the band was close to collapse due to a line-up change, serious illnesses, and pretty dramatic economic constraints on the record making process, which took almost two years to complete. But "
Keep It Safe" finally saw the light of day this summer, being released by Party Damage Records, and it's
something we should celebrate. A natural blend of dream pop with touches of delicate electronics, a flawless and inviting melodic talent and the stunning, disarming voice of Danielle Sullivan. Truly gorgeous music. Thanks for not giving up, Wild Ones.
Charlie Big Time. Let's meet Matthew Pendlebury, Beth Arzy and Chris Tiplady in Bolton, England. Originally a duo, Matthew and Chris released its debut EP, "A Bit of Charlie", on
Cloudberry Records in 2007, followed by the album "
The Tall Storeys Of Charlie Big Time" on Series Two in 2008, plus appearances on several indie compilations. Then came a hiatus from releasing new music, until June 2012, after meeting former Trembling Blue Stars singer Beth Arzy, who joined the band on the EP “
Dishevelled Revellers”, out on our beloved
Matinée Recordings. Also as a trio, their 3rd EP “
Sale Or Return”, arrived this past October on
Jigsaw Records, with another new tune, “One Step Closer To Enemies”, included on Matinée’s 15th anniversary album. With that kind of outstanding labels and history behind I'm pretty sure you guess what are we talking about here. Soothing and instantly lovable indiepop tunes. Melancholic jangling guitars, irresistible harmonies... This is
simply timeless music. Big time indeed.
Hella Better Dancer. If Leigh Ecclestone (
Beautiful Strange Records &
Just Music that I Like blog) sends you an e-mail suggesting you a band, what do you do? You immediately go listen. 99'9% chances you'll love them. Latest case is this
quartet from Camden, London. Formed in 2009, a year later signed with Roundhouse Records, releasing debut EP "Please Stay Here" followed by "Swimming" EP in 2011. Another EP, "Living Room", self-recorded at home, arrived in 2012, with some Spring demos made available later on. Again self-produced, finally this year arrives "Sleeptalking", backed with "Sleep" on the physical 7" on
Beautiful Strange. Shifting from previous lo-fi, folkier tunes, this are spacey and darkly brooding sounds, with striking guitar lines and echoing harmonies.
Haze, night and fire. A blast. Thanks Leigh!
Fire Island Pines. Thanks to the always excellent Blog Don't Eat the Yellow Snow I can introduce you to this sextet from Wadebridge, Cornwall, UK. Formed in late 2010, they made their debut with 'Bratislava' EP a year later, followed by another EP, 'Rickie Lee Jones' on early 2012. After the limited 7" '1915 / Midwest' on our dear Manic Pop! Records in 2013, this year we can finally enjoy their first full album, entitled 'True Grit' and available since July through Firestation Records. Go check it out. You're going to find Jarvis Cocker-alike-vocals, jangly guitar lines, irresistible melodies and... trumpets! A truly great indiepop find!
Childsaint. Back to Perth, Australia to meet this all-female quartet, initially, in early 2013, a project for songwriters Chloe McGrath and Jane Azzopardi but expanded into their full form band in 2014 with drummer Ashlyn Koh and bass player Rhian Todhunter. A couple of tunes surfaced online in February 2013, followed this year by 'Dessert' anticipating single from 'sick' EP their debut release, out since September. Four exciting tunes, buried in haze, fed in dreams, darkness and beauty comprised within intriguing music pills, with a style that can remind you bands like Warpaint or Hella Better Dancer. Haunting pop hypnosis. 
No/No. And we end in Milwaukee, USA, with a band recently born from the ashes of The Delphines, named one of the best local bands of the 2010s and with a very recommendable album 'Hush', out in early 2014. But focusing in this newborn group, with first EP 'Drag' out on Milwaukee Record since late October, and another one, entitled 'XO', to arrive next week, now we have at least 8 great reasons to be excited. No/No makes instantly catchy, contagious music. Pop very high on added vitamins merging 80s new wave, waves of reverb with softly whispered vocals. Dark and sweet. Bubblegum candy, all-dressed in black. The most pleasant surrender.
