Discoverer 168: new indie findings

This week we triple the ante. Our latest installment in our discoverer series comes in the form of a trio of indie-rock bands. Because guitar rock is not dead. GUITAR ROCK is not dead. GUITAR ROCK IS NOT DEAD!

Woolen Men. We begin in Portland, Oregon, to meet the trio of Alex Geddes, Lawton Browning and Raf Spielman, who assembled around a decade ago after their members, intrinsic part of the Portland DIY punk community who had played in multiple bands (sometimes together), coalesced in their current outfit. A pretty active combo, they quickly began releasing a series of EPs and tapes (including the compilation album 'Dog Years'), with self-titled debut album arriving in 2012, initially self-released, but happily rescued by Woodsist label next year. Another string of releases followed until September 2015 marked the arrival of sophomore LP 'Temporary Monument'. Another round of EPs, 7" and their second compilation album, 'Lucky Box' (everything is available at their bandcamp, quite a feast for the listener) anticipated 'Post', their flamboyant new album, out this September 1st via their own label, Dog's Table. College rock in the XXI century? Woolen Men (sometimes with the The) sounds like the killer, idiosyncratic combination of The Feelies, The Clean, R.E.M., The Fall, Mission of Burma and several beloved acts from the 80s. There's a tension, a pulse, a sense of adventure and exploration without loosing the knack for the melody or a lyric with a bite in their blend of indie-rock and post-punk that sounds genuine and much needed today. Late to the party, we know, but folks, what a discovery!

Bad Sav. Big jump to our beloved Dunedin, New Zealand, in order to meet our second trio of the day, this time composed by "familiar names", as vocalist/guitarist Hope Robertson and bassist/vocalist Lucinda King are members of the highly recommendable Death and the Maiden, while drummer Mike McLeod also plays guitar with the great The Shifting Sands. They've been around for nearly 10 years, but the lack of releases, with an early song included on the Radio One compilation album 'A Century of Seasons' and four songs surfacing on their Bandcamp in 2014, was just appalling. Not anymore, as this September they finally unveil their self-titled debut album, out via our dear Fishrider Records (Occultation Records for our European needs). Shoegaze for David Lynch fans, turmoiled, disturbing guitar-pop, dark, intriguing psychedelia, Bad Sav sound stormy, nocturnal and cinematic... a lost soundtrack for the 'Twilight Zone'. Music to take a leap and dive in... 

Fontaines D.C..And we finish our trip in Dublin, Ireland, with this young quintet that met in college and assembled after their members had played individually in different outfits, bonded over their love for the same artists and poets (yes, another band with meaningful lyrics, there's still hope!). They have released three double A sided singles to date via Trigger Party Records, debuting with 'Liberty Bell/Rocket to Russia' in June of 2017, followed 'Hurricane Laughter/Winter in the Sun' that October, and 'Boys in the Better Land/Chequeless Reckless' on February 2018. Summoning the spirits of Mark E. Smith, Shane McGowan and Iggy Pop, these six tunes are raw, exciting, knockout slices of indie-rock flirting with punk and post-punk, infused with an undeniable Irish scent (that drawl from vocalist Grian Chatten, to begin with) and an "in-your-face" attitude that takes no prisoners. Instantly hooked by the soul, the swagger, the power. The promise... Press repeat!

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 190

It's finally Friday! And luckily for us, we have a long weekend ahead (much needed). But for those that doesn't, we have prepared a 'travellers' playlist. So, grab your backpack and get ready for the trip! Because thanks to the bands listed in our TOP TEN JUKEBOX you will be able to visit Seattle, Melbourne, Amsterdam or Osaka to discover flamboyant, new exciting tunes. Therefore, fasten properly your belt, the weekend begins here! 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
Week 187  Week 188  Week 189

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 172

We're back after the (much needed) holidays break! And we do it with the ‘batteries charged’ and eager to share with you new exciting music with our first TOP TEN Jukebox of 2018. Ace bands courtesy of labels like HHBTM Records and Cloudberry Records, 'old rockers' returning in full form like Superchunk, or our dose of music from the Antipodes. Lot to enjoy in this come back to reality! Have a nice day and remember, all songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2018 Jukebox playlists

Week 171

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 84

Here's the first TOP TEN Jukebox of 2016! Full of exciting new tunes and most promising young bands (and heavy on Antipodes indiepop, as usual). What an extremely joyful way to begin a year full of discoveries and mind blowing music! And remember, all these songs are available at our Soundcloud, so check it out (and follow us, if you feel inclined)!

 

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

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 77

The stars have aligned this week as our TOP TEN Jukebox series looks like a full constellation of them. The Hermit Crabs (what a pleasure hearing Mel singing again)! Slowdive (what a live rendition of 'Avalyn')! My beloved Basia Bulat! My dear Eleanor Friedberger! Strawberry Whiplash! DIIV! Flowers! Most desired comebacks to start November in the best possible way! Of course, all these songs are also available at our Soundcloud, so please 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

Discoverer 121: new indie findings

Three different takes on pop today awaiting for you in our discoveries series, check them out!

The Shifting Sands. Back down under folks, to our dear Dunedin, NZ and the amazing roster of Fishrider Records. Active from 2010, it all began as the solo project of Mike McLeod, former frontman of Alpha State. His songs morphed into a full album, like  'Feel', released on Spring of 2012, recorded with lots of guests, including the great David Kilgour (The Clean), Robbie Yeats (The Verlaines), Robert Scott (The Clean and The Bats), just to mention three. Among collaborators was Tom Bell, who alongside Jake Langley formed the proper band. Based on the legendary music venue the trio owns, the Chick's Hotel at Port Chalmers, the group has been perfecting their new record, 'Cosmic Radio Station', out early October on Fishrider. And the results are stunning. Space-rock breathing telluric and oceanic vibes, psychedelic pop done over and under the sea and haunting jangle-pop pieces coming from another planet. Turn to this radio station!

Lunchbox. Let's move to Oakland, California, to meet Tim Brown & Donna McKean (both members of Hard Left) and their back and forth story. Formed around 1994, they released four albums, and some 7" and EPs before they went on hiatus in 2002. Then came Birds of California, new band's incarnation that delivered the EP 'Great Expectations' on February Records in 2010, and one record, 'One and Only', in 2013 on Jigsaw Records. But the duo changed back their name to Lunchbox, coming in full form with LP 'Lunchbox Loves You' last year and now completing the rebirth with EP 'Smash Hits' out this summer. Recalling Boyracer, Rocketship, The Faintest Ideas, their bubblegum pop with a punk edge is as full of hooks and instant-catchy melodies as fuzz and sharp edges. Smashing pop, really!

Bodyheat. Always trust a Scott when it comes to pop. Hailing from Glasgow, here's a quintet too modest to talk much about themselves (though here's quite a supergroup). They have had a slow beginning (their Facebook says five years to show first song), although they have shared bill with Teen Canteen of The Orchids while tunes got fully formed. Besides, there's not much to complain when results are as wonderful as their self-titled first EP, out since July on Heavy Rapid Records. Six tunes of radiant jangle pop, the one that makes you smile, forget there's always a Monday awaiting. The one that gives you energy (oh, these chiming guitars!) and shelter. Warm, embraceable, immediately lovely tunes.

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 67

Despite today is a really important day on a personal level we didn't want to miss the chance to propose you a new TOP TEN playlist. Mixing the rage and ferocity of Titus Andronicus or Cruising with the introspective music of Gliss or the superb new single, perfect R.E.M. style's , of Line & Circle . We invite you to ride the emotional rollercoaster of this new playlist. And remember, it's also available at our Soundcloud, so please 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