Discoverer 54: new indie findings

This Sunday we have a special edition on our "Discoverer series", as it has been "curated" by Jeremy Jensen from The Very Most. Two of the three proposals are wonderful bands that he highlighted on the amazing video interview posted on the blog earlier this week, plus a third band he recommended me by e-mail. What an impressive music taste he has. Hope you enjoy!

Silver Screen. Very hard to find info on this band, no much more aside this is the long-time project of Cris Miller, a one-man band from L.A. that has been around for virtually a decade. With just one album released in 2006, "The Greatest Story Never Told" references on him vanish until... now, with the announcement of a new record "When You and I Were Very Young" out in April on Plastilina Records. Please listen the bandcamp link and you will find a mind-blowing jangle-pop, an immediate timeless classic album. Where have you been hiding Mr.Miller? So glad you are back!

Souvenir Stand. When I asked Jeremy about a new band he had recently discovered she suggested the songs of Souvenir Stand. What a lovely choice. Let me introduce you to the music of Stephanie Cupo, this young singer songwriter from New Jersey, NJ, with just a small collection of demos and an EP, "Days I've Spent With You", released past summer. Quoting Jeremy "this is a great girl-group Beach Boys style-influenced, with really great songs, really great singing". Indeed great. Near perfection vintage tunes, 60s inspired retro pop with Ms. Cupo's voice flouring all over. We want more!

Adam and Darcie. "One of the most beautiful records ever made. Gorgeous from front to back. Beautiful folk, harmonies, just so good, I can't even tell you". If a gifted musician like Jeremy Jensen says this when asked about an underrated record he considers a classic, you instantly go through the Internet to search for it. He is referring to 2009' "California Trail", second album of this husband and wife duo from Provo, Utah. They debuted in 2007 with "The Valley Where I'm From", and their latest release (collaborations, contributions to coral LPs and Christmas EP aside) dates from 2011, with EP "Early in the Morning", both available on the infallible Indiecater Records. You don't need many songs to understand why the praise. This is highly emotional music, done with a care and honesty that sounds like pure magic, like if this lush, delicate and embellished folk-pop was created just for you. Warm and soaring intimate songs. 100% agreed Jeremy, "they deserve to be very well known".

Of course, thanks a million dear Jeremy!

Record Store Day with The Walkmen, The Very Most & Beach House!

It's Record Store Day today, so you should be hunting for your desired vinyls, cds or music collectibles. Among today's releases, I haven't found any song that has impressed me yet (few exceptions), but that doesn't mean there aren't new tunes you should be checking, and isn't the Day an occasion to celebrate great tunes? So here you have, three personal favourites, adding cracking new songs to their already incredible catalogue!

The Walkmen is back! "Heaven", their new album will be released the 4 of June, so is just a matter of a couple of months... but the wait is going to be tough, because judging by the first tunes we have been able to hear, the stunning, amazing "Heaven"  and "Heartbreaker", it promises nothing but greatness. Have your say below! And please The Walkmen, include Barcelona in the tour!
The Walkmen - Heaven by Bella Union

The Very Most and the Irish national football team? When Bloodbuzzed's dearest friend Jeremy Jensen told me about it, I was really shocked. Well, seems the band got involved into an Indiecater project celebrating the team made it to UEFA EURO 2012, contributing with the song "Sing Up for the Boys in Green", also the title of the album. Quintaessential TVM' sound, full of hooks, gorgeous backing vocals, a killer chorus (I hear The Housemartins!) and a joyous vibe, the tune, with all due respect for Irish players, is so precious that should be reserved to homage the most gifted team on Earth: Barça, of course. 
And the third proposal is Beach House, who is offering another glimpse of their (believe me) superb forthcoming album, "Bloom", on a special release for the Record Store Day, with a blue, very limited 7" for vinyl collectors, including the non-album track "Equal Mind". "Lazuli" is, again, haunting. What a band!

Discoverer 21: new indie findings

Back with the weekly proposals!

Elephant Stone. Checking the great Indiecater label, I heard the song "Bombs Bomb Away", and then "I Am Blind", that blow me out. What a discovery! This band comes from Montreal (thanks again, Canada!), leaded by Rishi Dhir. In 2009 they debuted with the stunning album "The Seven Seas", nominated for a Polaris Music Prize. They returned with "The Glass Box" EP in 2010, and  seems we'll have more tunes soon. That would be a blessing, because Rishi and co. are goldmisth genius of indie-pop song. From jangle to power-pop, sometimes with an Indian feel, they offer music gems. Absolute must.

Red Shoe Diaries. Since July we can enjoy "When I Find My Heart", second EP from this five-piece band hailing from Nottingham, UK. After a very well received self-released debut EP, gigs along The Wave Pictures, A Sunny Day in Glasgow or Nouvelle Vague, and playing festivals like the great Indietracks in 2010, the time has come for the Diaries to gather the attention they deserve. Because is hard to find such a perfect collection of indiepop gems. Classic, sophisticated, with a scent of epic and literary skills. It has MASTERPIECE written all over it. Run to grab your (limited) copy!

We Are Trees. James Nee and Josiah Schlater come from Virginia, USA. In July 2010 released their first EP, "Boyfriend", but their sophomore effort, "Girlfriend", out since March, is the one catching the blogosphere attention. Whispering voices, lo-fi acoustics predominates, and with the help of cello and violin, the duo creates a peculiar, intriguing, hazy neofolk that sometimes evolves to indie-rock territory (check the glorious "I Don't Believe In Love").  Reviewers compare them with Grizzly Bear mixed with Guided By Voices or Fleet Foxes. I prefer to say they have a unique and exciting voice of their own. Listen. Have your say. You won't regret it.