Friday, September 28, 2018

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 205

After another week of work (although we still have a bit ahead) here comes our latest TOP TEN JUKEBOX to kick off the weekend. And what a playlist we have prepared for you! With loved bands that have already been featured at this blog, such as The Perfect Weather English, The Proctors or Papercuts (stunning tune) alongside new 'signings' that will leave you breathless. Have fun and remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Sunday, September 23, 2018

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!

Saturday, September 22, 2018

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 204

Strike gold! Sometimes playlists look like a constellation of stars, and today is one of these rare cases. Our TOP TEN JUKEBOX is a mix between the stunning comebacks of beloved Blog bands, such as The Goon SaxLine & CircleTreasures of Mexico  Swimming Tapes or Egoism, with our regular dose of amazing discoveries, with names to follow closely, like Blades of Joy or Botschaft. All in all, plenty to choose, listen and enjoy. And remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Friday, September 14, 2018

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 203

It has been a quite convulsive week at the political level (resignation of a Minister, shabby attacks about plagiarism and a very somber "mummy" that, finally, seems it will change it's "residence"...), so you can imagine we are eager to begin the weekend and leave behind the nonsense. With that aim, here comes our new TOP TEN JUKEBOX, with a 'royal flush' of novelties, as the ten groups fathered have never appeared before at the Blog. Therefore, there's plenty to discover and enjoy awaiting, so don't waste any more time. Have fun and remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Friday, September 7, 2018

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 202


Completely 'acclimated' to the routine of work and with a autumnal weekend ahead (even the rain has shown up these days in Barcelona) it's time to unveil our new TOP TEN JUKEBOX. This week we suggest you a playlist full of 'old friends' of the Blog such as Space Daze, The Chils and more recently The Goon Sax (Antipodes, Antipodes) but also of discoveries such as Rays, Papercuts or Jade Bird (what a promising talent). As always, a lot to listen, hum, dance and enjoy and remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Monday, September 3, 2018

Discoverer 167: new indie findings

September's arrival comes with a new round of our discoverer series with a trio of infallible Antipodean proposals, with bands and artists that have come out with some of the most exciting releases of the year so far. Long life to guitar indie-pop from down under!

School Damage. We begin our trip between Melbourne and Geelong, with this foursome formed around 2013, although initially it was the bedroom pop project of Carolyn Hawkins (member of the great Chook Race and also in Parsnip) and Jake Robertson (Ausmuteants), releasing the tape 'Deep Net' that November via Moontown Records. Then the duo expanded to its current format with the addition of Jeff Raty on drums and Dani 'Damage' Hakim on bass. After two 7", 'Break Up' in August 2014 and 'Phone Drone / Something New' in October 2016, the band came out in 2017 with their self-titled debut album, out in June 2017 thanks to Chapter Music. This year they have released another 7", 'Sings' ... Four Songs About One Cat' out via Upset! The Rhythm in May and, since this August, their sophomore album 'A To X'. Like an impossible crossover of Look Blue Go Purple, Young Marble Giants and Television Personalities, their songs are quirky and über catchy  indiepop tunes revolving around shaky keyboards and knitting bass lines. Instant crush.    

The Beths. Quick shift to Auckland, New Zealand, to meet this irresistible (damnit I missed their recent gig in Barcelona) four-piece leaded by Elizabeth Stokes (guitarist, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter). A band of longtime friends, Stokes and guitarist Jonathan Pearce attended high school together, and at the University of Auckland meet up with old mates bassist Benjamin Sinclair and drummer Ivan Luketina-Johnston, where they studied jazz. Luckily for us, that genre has nothing to do with The Beths music, something we started to confirm in March 2016 with debut EP 'Warm Blood'. Now the band wants to hig big with first album 'Future Me Hates Me' out via Carpark Records since this August. And they should achieve that goal, because the record is a knockout collection of energetic and infectious guitar indie-rock tunes packed with bitting lyrics, joyful pop hooks and killer vocal harmonies. Heavy contender for debut album of the year.


Hatchie.  And we return to Australia to meet Harriette Pilbeam, a very young artist from Brisbane who is making a lot of "good noise" over the blogosphere thanks to her debuting EP 'Sugar & Spice', out since May. Formerly part of Blog favourites Go Violets, her current incarnation has been properly active since 2016, the 25 year-old musican's tunes are an inmediately catchy coalescence of dreampop landscapes and the poppier side of shoegaze, with a stunning knack for penning the definitive pop hook. Yeah, it might have a bit of that everywhere now 80s sound and the "sugar", or the Sky Ferreira-Carly Rae Jepsen (ugh) could easily "win" in forthcoming releases. But there's no point in creating future bad vibes as, for now, we can enjoy this addictive five tunes summoning the spirits of The Sundays of Cocteau Twins. Lot to love.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 201

Ready to start the month of September? The month when the 'world' comes back to life (at least in Spain), schools reopen, politicians go back to Congress (another "heated" September ahead, politically speaking) etc... So, in order to turn the engines on, here's our humble contribution in the form of our latest TOP TEN JUKEBOX. A playlist for all tastes, appetites and moods, so we invite you to 'dive' into it and enjoy the weekend. And remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)