Discoverer 164: new indie findings

No, this Blog is not taking holidays! Instead, we are eager to propose you another trio of music wonders in our discoverer series. Our "Easter eggs"are just ready for your listening pleasure!

Hurry. We begin or music trip in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with this trio composed by Matt Scottoline (vocals, guitar) and cousins Joe and Rob DeCarolis (bass & drums respectively). Formed in 2012, Hurry began as Scottoline's, member of Everyone Everywhere, solo project, writing the first homemade material under that moniker later on released on Bandcamp. But the need of assembling a band to perform the songs live alongside the sort of "hibernation" of Everyone Everywhere helped the proper birth of Hurry. After signing to Hot Green Records the trio announced first (or second, depends on how we count) album 'Everything/Nothing', out in October 2014, which was followed by LP 'Guided Meditation' in Spring 2016 via Lame-O Records. Now, after the EP 'Casual Feelings' out in October 2016, the band is back with their third/fourth record, 'Every Little Thought', out since this February. Somewhere in between Teenage Fanclub and Yo La Tengo, with traces of noise-pop and 90s alternative rock, Hurry's tunes are a jangly and melodic delight, instant love affair for the listener. Don't waste your time and check them out! 

Chemtrails. We move to London, UK, where this quintet is based. Lead by founders and main composers Mia Lust and Laura Orlova, the group started to make noise in 2016, signing with the great nordic label PNKSLM and debuting that September with EP 'Love in Toxic Wasteland'. A second EP, 'Headless Pin Up Girl' (one of the Blog favourites last year) appeared in Spring of 2017 and now, we can enjoy their first album, 'Calf of the Sacred Cow', out since this February. A very personal, idiosyncratic crossover between garage rock, power-pop and lo-fi psychedelia, think on Shrag meeting Blondie. Raw, bouncy, exciting music.

CCFX. And we end in Olympia, Washington, to meet this quartet discovered at the very end of past year (but they had to be featured at the Blog), formed by Chris McDonnell, Mirče Popovic, Mary Jane Dunphe and David Jaques, the result of local cult bands CC Dust and Trans FX (hence the mysterious moniker) merge. Self-titled debut EP appeared in late October 2017 via DFA Records, and is a very special one. Dream-pop unafraid of contemplating the waves at the cliff's edge, strangely warm and nostalgic, cinematic and disarmingly melodic, with the vocals of Dunphe knocking you out. There's magic here, a real gem awaiting to be discovered. More soon, please, please, please. 

Discoverer 131: new indie findings

Great, exciting new bands keep coming to our discoverer series! Three more late finds with a trio of amazing women (another dose of girl power, yay!) and their fantastic music, enjoy!

Faith Healer. Allow me to introduce you to Jessica Jalbert, a musician from Edmonton, Alberta, who after playing in a bunch of bands over the past ten-ish years. put out a solo album in 2011 called 'Brother Loyola' with the help of great friends and musicians. One of those friends, which also engineered the LP was Renny Wilson, another veteran musician involved in several local acts (some with Jessica). The idea of teaming with Wilson on a new band was there but it never happened. Nevertheless, Jessica had had a bunch of new tunes and after dubbing herself Faith Healer called Wilson and the two created 'Cosmic Troubles', which came out past March via Mint Records. Heavily influenced by ’60s and ’70s psych rock, the LP is pure magic: classic pop with beautiful harmonies and warm vibes, packed with an inventive, adventurous, eclectic sparkle. Discovered late, but here's one of the records of 2015.

Jay Som. From Canada to San Francisco to meet Melina Duterte, member of Summer Peaks but who has been offering tunes at their bandcamp since 2011. On late November 2015 she delivered 'Untitled', an album she describes as a collection of finished and unfinished songs. That's something quite shocking, considering how impressive the whole affair (don't know if I should call it record) is. Ranging from stark bedroom pop to instantly catchy power-pop and dream-pop landscapes it's clear Melina's capable of crafting very diverse kinds of pop wonders. So, while we await impatiently for her first, official release in 2016, you have plenty to listen and fall in love with. Don't forget her name!
  

Try the Pie. Quick trip from SF to San Jose, California to meet Bean Tupou and her songwriting solo project. Tupou, an incredible active woman who is also member of bands as Sourpatch, Salt Flat, Crabapple and Plume, as well as the coordinator of the art program at San Jose's Chromatic Coffee, plus the founding member of the Think and Die Thinking booking collective, has been penning tunes on her own since early 2000s. She has been offering us her tunes at her bandcamp, collecting them in EPs and records. But we can say that 2015 was the year when Try the Pie became with the release of her first full-length record with a full band, 'Domestication' out on Salinas Records in April, followed with 'Rest', a collection of early recordings wrote between 2005 and 2008, out since late November by our friends at HHBTM records. Tupou can do everything: sound lush, dreamy, evocative, moody, fragile, intimate, overtly poppie, arrestingly folkie, openly lo-fi. But always haunting. Try this pie, you'll never get enough.

Discoverer 107: new indie findings

Our Discoverer Series adopts a dreamy and evokative style for this rainy weekend, enjoy!

Lily and Madeleine. Let me introduce you to the Jurkiewicz sisters. Hailing from Indianapolis, USA, their natural and graceful talents started to buzz around the Internet in early 2012, when they uploaded some tunes as well as cover songs to YouTube, just for fun. Among the ones watching was producer Paul Mahern who, with the help of songwriter Kenny Childers. teamed up with the sisters to release debut EP 'The Weight of the Globe' in January 2013. Single 'In The Middle' again hit heavy YouTube and Reddit, grabbing the attention of Asthmatic Kitty Records. The label quickly signed them & issued the EP on 10'' in June while the duo re-entered the studio to record their self-titled debut, out that October. Prolific & hard-working, now Lily & Madeleine are back with sophomore album, 'Fumes', released a month ago. Surprisingly confident and mature despite their young ages, their songs, just have that rare, perfect combination of sweetness, fuelled by the mind-blowing blending of their voices, with a haunting hint of mystery and darkness. It's all quiet and harmonic on the surface, but the clouds are about to come... Affecting and immediate lovable music.

Dianas. Another duo, this time based in Perth, Australia. Singers-guitarists Nathalie Pavlovic & Caitlin Moloney, helped by Ashley Ramsey on drums, joined forces in late 2012, after several adventures in another combos. They quickly came out with debut EP '#01' that November, followed by single 'Cruelty/Origami', out in Hot Violet in August 2013. This year, they released another EP, '#02', in February, and just now, the digital single '1.000 Years', that seems to be anticipating a full album on the final stages. Expansive & free indie-pop, Dianas have a quite unique sound combining dreamy atmospheres, swelling guitars and whispered, ultra-soft vocals. Intriguing and addictive music to follow closely.

Parrot Dream. And we end with a Chilean-North American quartet based in New Yok. Formed a year ago, since August we can enjoy their first release to date, 'Set Sail Someday' an EP made of six tunes, out on Beast Discos, that you can freely grab at their website. Something you should do as fast as you read this words, because the foursome has all the charms and tunes to knock you out. Warm and lush dreampop, subtly wrapped in synths and layers were guitar lines and the lovely vocals of Christina Appel just melt naturally like the sea and the horizon. Here comes the most gentle autumn. Embrace the dreamy sundown.

Discoverer 96: new indie findings

Three wonders in the next round of our new music proposals series. A lot to enjoy!

Blooper. Based in Seattle, USA, Adriano Santi began Blooper as his solo, homemade project in 2011, which crystallised that summer in the 'Ballard Avenue' EP. But Santi wanted to have a proper band and, with the help of Darrin Ruder on bass & Chris Quirk on drums, the now trio came out with self-released EP 'Go Away' in May 2012. A year later, the band joined the sadly now defunct label Manic Pop Records to release the 7" 'Long Distance'. With Chris Mac replacing Ruder on bass, Blooper has just presented their latest work, the EP 'So Very Small' out now in Jigsaw Records. Power-pop, surf, garage, 60's vibe, British invasion, you name it. All the means fuzzy and upbeat, hyper-addictive and guitar-driven unmissable pop fits them. Fun and extremely contagious music.

Tashaki Miyaki. This L.A. based trio, named after a mispronunciation of film director Tashaki Miike, started in 2011 initially as a duo, Lucy "Miyaki" on vocals and drums with Rocky "Tashaki" on guitar, while Dora 'Lil D' joined later as bassist and additional vocalist. First songs appeared digitally later that year, with first physical, very much limited releases arrived in 2012 in the form of a limited 7" covering The Everly Brothers and a full cover album (including Roxette, INXS, The Troggs or Father John Misty). Their proper, official debut, though was the 7" AA single 'Best Friend / Tonight' that came out that in Luvluvuv Records. A self-titled EP on Burger Records followed in March 2013 and since February 2014, anticipating a full album soon to see the light of day, you can enjoy the wonder 'Cool Runnings / There Was a Light' 7" single, via their own label Blonde Dog. Lo-fi & dream pop, with hints of psychedelia and shoegaze, they rightfully self-defined as “dreamy, syrupy, and easy listening”. They should have added haunting to the list of adjectives.

Mermaidens. (Gladly) Back down under again. Hailing from Wellington, NZ, this trio began their career in 2012, uploading initial demos (all their music so far is 'name-your-price' available at their Bandcamp) July. In 2013 they started to appear playing live, with the song 'The Bay' arriving in April. But seems the sirens where awaiting 2014 to abandon the seas & reach solid ground with two EPs, 'Bones EP', released in February, and the enigmatically titled 'O', out since June. Hypnotic and obscure psych-pop in the vein of early Warpaint, with the vocals and dreamy guitar lines of Lily Paris West & Gussie Larkin inviting you to surrender, while Abe Hollingsworth's feral drums adding a sense of mystery and menace. Hard not to fall after hearing the Mermaidens' call.

Discoverer 94: new indie findings

It's been a short while, but with recharged batteries and many exciting bands to unveil for you, here's our new music proposals series' comeback, enjoy!

Martha. Formed in 2011 in a suburban area of Durham, UK, named Pity Me, this quartet is a pop blast. Not much info on the band origins, though it seems the band's name comes from the fact the very last passenger pigeon (now extincted) was called Martha, they are vegan, straight-edge and DIY group. Recorded in Leeds, since late May the promise of the first tunes has been confirmed on 'Courting Strong', debut album out in Fortuna POP! and Salinas Records. Fun, infectious pop with traces of punk, energetic and impassioned, with intertwined "in your face" vocals (it's a record to shout and sing-along out loud) and a devastating legion of hooks. Knock-out.

The Casket Girls. Coming from Savannah, GA, this is a three-piece with a curious origin. Electronic sound shaper Ryan Graveface found sisters Phaedra and Elsa Greene under a tree in one playing Autoharp and singing bizarre songs. Collaboration began, with Ryan in charge of song structures and instruments while newcomers Elsa & Phaedra were responsible of lyrics & vocals. As a result 'Sleepwalking' arrived on November 2012 on Graveface Records, creating a noteworthy cult status among fans and critics. A self-titled EP followed in September 2013, and since this February (again after a very peculiar recording process, psychedelia meets poetry) we can enjoy their sophomore album, 'True Love Kills the Fairy Tale'. Dreamy, spooky, ethereal and extremely intriguing, this is twisted pop, or psych-rock with a knack for melody among the haze and foggy layers. Prepare yourself to get haunted. Pop witchery...

Gingerlys. Hailing from Long Island, this very young band formed in 2012 around the demos of guitarist Matt Richards, fitting the pieces together in his New York basement and later on studio, with tunes blossoming and a proper band taking shape from a trio to a quartet, finally adopting its current quintet format. First songs started appearing digitally in the summer of 2013 and early 2014, and now the infallible Shelflife Records is going to publish their debut EP 'Jumprope' on early July. Urgent, dreamy and immediately catchy indiepop with the suggestive voice of Maria Garnica reigning four explosive tunes. Sky is the limit with Gingerlys. 

Discoverer 90: new indie findings

What a trio of amazing discoveries, I 've prepared for you today, so sure you'll love them!

Fireflies. Lisle Mitnik is the one-man band behind Fireflies. Born and raised in New England but based in California, he's been around doing great music since early 2000s, solo or in delicious projects like Tiny Fireflies (check their wonderful EPs at EardrumsPop!), Very Truly Yours or Edine. As Fireflies he has released three "official albums" to date, "Goodnight Stars, Goodnight Moon" (2007); "Autumn Almanac" (2011) and the just out "In Dreams", via Jigsaw Records, a bunch of EPs (please do not miss the Covers Digital EP from 2009) and singles and four albums of home-recordings / demos. But let me go back to "In Dreams", because folks, this is one of the best records of the year. A humming, ethereal, gentle, delicate indiepop classic made in 2014 I cannot recommend you enough. Missing it should be considered a crime.

Should. Formed in Austin, Texas, initially under the name of shiFt, Marc Ostermeier together with Tanya Maus and his brother Eric debuted with EP "A Folding Sieve" in 1995'. After a 7" in 1997 came trio's first full length "Feed Like Fishes", in late 1998 via Words in Music. In 2002 the label re-released a expanded version of their debut EP, now a full album. In April 2011 arrived "Like a Fire Without Sound" while label Captured Tracks kicked off its Shoegaze Archive series reissuing again "A Folding Sieve" on its most complete version. And finally, since this March we can enjoy fourth record "The Great Pretend". Diverse and lush, dream pop, shoegaze, traces of post-punk, chiming guitars, propulsive drum beats and vocal harmonies coexist on an impeccable album full of rewards for the listener.  

The Skywriters. And we end in Philadelphia with this short -lived band now rescued from the twee-pop vaults. This quintet came out with a self released cassette tape, a CDEP, a Japanese 7” record, and a handful of compilation tracks on a career that only lasted from 1998 to 2000, with band members forming The Snow Fairies, Ex-Friends or more recently Scary Monster. But now the always reliable Jigsaw Records alongside with label Lost Sound are releasing a new compilation entitled "Skywriter Blue" that resumes the group's career. Fourteen songs of lovely twee-pop, full of the catchiest melodies, jangly guitars and adorable intertwined male/female vocals. Hard to resist.

Discoverer 87: new indie findings

Courtesy of three infallible labels, here's another Sunday full of great discoveries, enjoy!

Soft Science. We move to Sacramento, CA, to introduce you the latest release from our dear label Test Pattern Records. The band, a quartet of well-known musicians from the local scene got together in 2010, releasing debut album "High and Lows" a year later, receiving consistent praise from critics. Now they are back with sophomore LP, "Detour", out now. Pretty unique, Soft Science infuses a pop sensibility to a shoegaze soul, with the sweet vocals of Katie Haley riding high among the waves of shimmering guitars, and propels the immediate catchiness of power pop vibes to dream pop territory with the inviting textures and sonic lushness. Engaging and rich, knock-out record!  
She Sir. Without leaving the States, now is time to check the first 2014's release from one of the best labels on Earth, Shelflife Records. Coming from Austin, Texas, this quartet came together after the initial project of Russell Karloff and Matthew Grusha, who met in college as music composition students, expanded into a full guitar-driven band. They debuted in 2006 with the self-released mini-album "Who Can't Say Yes", followed with the EP "Yens" in 2010. Critic recognition arrived and, that same year, Japanese label Happy Prince compiled all their material in the album "Ev'rything in Paris". After a digital single in 2012, She Sir are back with their proper debut LP "Go Guitars", out February 25th. Coined by press as “shimmer-pop”, they sound as Real Estate doing shoegaze, eternal pop drenched in reverb. Go guitars go, and never stop, what a blast!
The Pretty Greens. We end our trip in Philadelphia, thanks to our beloved February Records, to meet Carly, Julia, and Kool Schmool, a female trio that first came together in October of 2010, as Lust2Love, a tribute to one of their favorite bands, The Go-Go's. But in a matter of months, the band was already playing originals as The Pretty Greens. After some line-up changes, self-relesed debut EP  "Ghost World" came in August 2013, followed by single "When Krampus Calls" in December. And just out now on February Records arrives "Jealous Waves", a limited three tunes single on which the band offers an irresistible new dose of their very diverse and genuine pop-punk music. Feminist-grrrl attitude with many addictive pop faces.

The Indie Anthology 33: essential songs

Recovering the Indie Anthology, which is going to be much more active in the coming months (just wait and see)... with a classic band which could be (its an ongoing, growing rumour, with exciting and pretty clear clues you can follow) announcing a comeback after almost 20 years! Primavera Sound bosses are you hearing me?

Song: When the Sun Hits
Artist: Slowdive
Year: 1993

Choosing only a song from "Souvlaki" is incredibly hard. Of course, let's skip the mighty "Alison" from the lot. But "When the Sun Hits" has everything. The trademark cinematic dream pop sound, the tension in the verses, nailed by the ringing guitars, and then the burst, the reverb and Rachel Goswell backing vocals appearing to carry Neil Halstead into the stratosphere, hailed by these "Hey hey!" and the final 30 seconds, where the tune fades. A full soundtrack in just one song. Would be a wonderful gift seeing you at least once live, Slowdive, so fingers crossed the rumours are true.

Spanish Indie 16: suggesting the best national acts

Here's a new dose of the best national discoveries, beware, your ears are going to be seriously amazed!

Mequetrefe. This blog section wouldn't be the same without El Genio Equivocado. Here they are again, before the year fades out. This four-piece project began in 2007 in Santiago de Compostela, a year later recording two demos for Alg-a netlabel and reaching the semifinals of the FIB Festival Demo contest. In May 2010 they released their first EP “Play Of”, receiving excellent reviews in and out of Spain. The next step would arrive with the digital single "Kill All Indies" in 2012, after which they signed with our favourite national label, publishing the EP “A Serious Band”, the single "Orange", and finally, their second album “Gobi”, out now. Defining Mequetrefe's sound is almost impossible. Madchester, Chicago, Detroit, My Bloody Valentine, The Beta Band, The Sabres of Paradise. Electronic shoegaze? Guitar dub? Whatever. The only important is that Mequetrefe's music will take you places. Don't be scared. Enjoy the ride.

Victoria Ford. This quartet hail from Alcalá de Guadaíra, Seville, and formed in 2007. Many local gigs followed, as well as recognition in the form of the 12doce award and being listed as one of the emerging national bands in 2010. The next year, after playing at the Monkey Week Festival, they entered the studio, and the first results are here, in the form of their S/T debut EP. Alternative rock with pulse and punch, head and heart, that clicks ignition to then turn mournful and elegiac the next second, where guitars play hide and seek and synthesizers appearing from nowhere ready to swallow you. I hear the biting lyrics and the emotional depth of The New Raemon, the irresistible driving force of Wiggum, and a glimpse of The National's mystery. You know I can't use these two words in vain, so you should check them out immediately.

Seven Tin Stars. There are bands that really knock you out, leaving you longing for more when you find them for the first time. This quartet hails from Asturias and Castilla, and they formed in 2012 when their members, initially a trio with quite an extended career in other projects, gather together to create the first songs of this exciting combo. Expanded to a quartet, "Songs My Mother Never Sang to Me", their first EP is ready to come out now at Diente de León Records, and its a debut so precious you will keep it as your most beloved treasure. Balancing gracefully between shoegaze and dreampop, strumming guitars and fragile, distant vocals, colliding in three tunes where melancholy and promise burst directly into your ear, and then into your heart. Want more? Check this Luna cover and fall in love.

Spanish Indie 15: suggesting the best national acts

Very happy to reintroduce this blog's section, several great Spanish bands discovered recently!

Coach Station Reunion. Here's the Barcelona based solo project of Xavi Rosés, leader of bands Fred i Son, The Epic Kind and Senderos. A "Covers Record" EP, with versions of BMX Bandits, The Field Mice and Prefab Sprout was his first digital release in 2011. Then came the 7” “Eli EP” on Discos de Kirlian in 2012, and his participation at the The Great Escape Festival. Finally, after digital single "In the Night" in April of 2013, we can enjoy his debut LP, "Lost Album" since past week. Warm, delicate, intimate. A genuinely disarming delight of softpop and jangle-pop tunes, packing rescued old gems with new wonders on a collection that makes Xavi Rosés a privileged disciple of his seminal pop masters. Extraordinary. 
Gente Joven. A bit of mystery and a lot to love in this personal project of Fernando de la Flor, hailing from León. Teaming up with Patricia Magadán and Pablo Álvarez, as a trio they have offered us a couple of tunes in June, two more in August and, at the end of September, again in Discos de Kirlian, their first record, "I, II, III y IV". Eight tunes gathering the first demos with four new ones, on a surprisingly mind-blowing collection of melodic dream-pop with whispered male-female vocals, slightly obscure, melancholic and moody. Precious songs.


Cristina Quesada. Last proposal comes from an ultra-young musician from the Canary Islands but based in Madrid that, starting at a very young age became a music-lover, as well as a precocious artist -music theory, violin, theater groups, a local tv program- until at 15 she discovered the ukulele. The 7" EP "Pineapple Princess", her only release to date, came out on Elefant Records this summer, leaving us wondering where is this haunting charm coming from. An impossibly sweet voice and her ukulele in six songs covering the Sherman Brothers, Billy Rose and Lee David, the essential indiepop band Family, or Paul Bevoir, Cristina Quesada's music is one to fall in love with and hope for more to come.

Discoverer 45: new indie findings

A rainy Sunday deserves great new indie proposals, so here you have, enjoy!

The Spook School. The image on your left completely caught my eye. Is the cover of 7" "Here We Go/Cameraman", the latest release (out now in Cloudberry) from this DIY four-piece band from Edinburgh (Scotland again). Active since 2011, they released their lovely (check it out!) first single "History/Hallam" in March, followed by a homemade EP of demos entitled "Are You Who You Think You Are?" A small collection of gorgeous indiepop lo-fi tunes, delicate, sweet, vocally irresistible (hear "Cameraman and fall in love). See? Artwork matters. Thanks to it, I found The Spook School.     
Boarders. It's kind of frustrating the little amount of information I have found on this six-piece group from Melbourne. Because judging from their amazing music the Australians deserve a longer account of their short history. A first EP "Flower Drum" in 2010, a couple of songs this year and a compilation entitled "Vintage 2011" just out now at their bandcamp. So I will have to focus on the music. Which is outstanding. Jangle pop made in heaven, with stunning dreamy guitars and vocal harmonies. If you love The Pains of Being Pure at Heart this band is for you. Or if you just love the best indepop, go check them quickly!
 
The Bilinda Butchers. Michael and Adam are "the butchers" a duo from San Francisco who obviously love My Bloody Valentine, and in particular her vocalist, Bilinda Butcher. Formed in 2010, two EPs, "Regret, Love, Guilt, Dreams" in June of 2011 and "Goodbyes", in August of 2012, is the melancholic, sophisticated, moody and haunting repertoire they have so far. Atmospheric dream-pop with a lightweight electronic pulse and droned-out vocals. Check them out now. You can download their songs naming your price at their bandcamp.

Discoverer 17: new indie findings

Time for the weekly recommendations!

The Robot Heart. Described as "Icelandic sounding Beach Boys", this four-piece from Brighton, UK, are gorgeous epic indie-pop songcrafters. That's what you feel hearing their eponymous debut album, released in May, or their previous EP "Dust". Leaded by Tom Marsh after a turbulent and sad period for him, I don't think their name makes justice to their music. Because this is emotionally uplifting, hauntingly beautiful electro-acoustic sound with a lot to scratch behind the surface. The opposite of a robot. As Guy Garvey from Elbow wisely says "A very special band.”

The Robot Heart - The Robot Heart by B H Recordings

The Moth & the Mirror. A six-piece supergroup from "the factory", Scotland, including Stacey Siewright, singer on The Reindeer Section and Arab Strap, and Gordon Skeen from Frightened Rabbit. Active live since 2006, their debut album, "This World, Honestly" will appear in October 10th. Meanwhile, check their myspace for great tunes, and you MUST download (for free) "Lights in the Sky", their new single. Dream-pop, chamber-pop, folk-pop, multi-layered and epic, with the stunning voice of Stacey (love at first listening) on top of it. Counting down the days...

Grass Widow. The third proposal hails from another recurrent place, San Francisco, where this female trio formed in 2007 and quickly got the attention within the underground scene. In 2009, they released their first S/T LP, followed in 2010 by album "Past Time" on label Kill Rock Stars. Self-taught musicians, part of the DIY (they even do their own music videos) community, and active in social and political movements, their music resist to be categorized. Melodic post-punk? Adventurous pop? A combination of exquisite three-part harmonies, punk attitude and intricate guitar parts and arrangements. A unique an addictive experience.

Grass Widow "Milo Minute"

Discoverer 13: new indie findings

Back with the Sunday proposals, for your ears only!

Widowspeak. This trio from Brooklyn started in spring of 2010, and after being signed by the (wise) Captured Tracks they have presented two 7" this year, showing their talents: a fascinating combination of guitar melodies from another time (50's,60's, 90's sophisticated pop) with the haunting dreamy voice of Molly Hamilton, somewhere between Anna-Lynne Williams (Trespassers William) and Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star). Eager to hear their full length debut this summer. I feel this band is really special.
Gun Shy
Harsh Realm
Kids On A Crime Spree. You can always rely on Slumberland Records, so checking their new releases we found the project from veteran Californian Mario Hernandez (From Bubblegum to Sky), who became addicted to Phil Spector's wall of sound. Using old recording techniques to recreate that sound, he composed more than a hundred songs, selecting 8 for their debut album, "We Love You So Bad", released in May. An ultra-short but radiant collection of power-pop pills layered in full-of-reverb guitars, martial drumming and occasional indie-pop pure joy, like on the irresistible "Dead Ripe" (handclapping, yay!).
Dead Ripe.
Sweet Tooth
Saskatchewan. Little we know about this young band from Orlando, Florida. But what matters is that the three songs we have heard from them are stunning postcards of dreamy indie-pop, with "Nice Daze" and the wonderful "Dreamboat" (if it doesn't stick with you after 30 seconds you should probably go visit the doctor) destined to end on the best-of the year compilation lists. In a world with some musical taste, these would be the songs of the summer. More, we want more!
Dreamboat
Nice Daze

Discoverer 2: new indie findings

Second round of indie bands for your listening pleasure!

Reading Rainbow. Sarah Everton and Rob Garcia are Reading Rainbow, the couple responsible of "Prism Eyes", their sophomore album, a refreshing treaty of indie pop/garage-punk, full of reverb, compulsive beats, hyper-vitaminated guitars, joyful intertwined harmonies and occasional vintage synth sounds, like in this "Always on My Mind". If you like Best Coast, Wavves or Dum Dum Girls, try Reading Rainbow.

La Sera. "Kickball" Katy (or Katy Goodman) is one third of the Vivian Girls, one of the top bands from the lo-fi/pop-punk, female-fronted, American scene. But she also embarked herself on a solo project, that after hearing a couple of tunes in 2010, has crystallised in a debut album released this February, where she replaces the noisier sound of the Vivian Girls for a poppier style, somewhere between Pixies and the dream-pop. Add funny videos like this one, and the combination  is simply irresistible.




Summer Fiction. Before 2010 ended, an unknown band from Philadelphia released a collection of charming, bookish and classy indie pop gems. It was one of the best debut albums of the year and it all came from Bill Ricchini's mastermind, who composed and self-produced this wonderful album. Chamber pop that trails back to the 60s and has the looks of a black and white French or Italian film full of glamorous parties, betrayals and summer romances. Like in this stunning "Chandeliers".