Latest Alternative/Rock Posts

[Event Preview] The Underground Music Showcase – 7/23-7/26 – Denver, CO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - April 6, 2015

After the raucous and discovery laden journey that was last year’s Underground Music Showcase in Denver, CO; we are once again gearing up for another edition of our favorite music festival in Denver. One of the few remaining music gatherings in our the fair city of Denver to eschew the typical smattering of major label festival fare, The UMS has dropped the first glimpse into a lineup boasting over 1,500+ acts strewn across various shops and bars dotting Denver’s South Broadway district, and we’ve already got stars in our widening Ninja eyes as a result. Buoyed by the gleaming synth-pop of Portland, OR’s STRFKR and the psych induced dream-rock of Brooklyn trio DIIV, as well as TMN Favorites Rose Quartz, Wild High and The Epilogues, this year’s UMS looks to be as top heavy as ever without skimping on any of the underground qualities which brought it to prominence in the first place. Grab your tickets here, and quite honestly, for our friends in Denver, $50.00 for a four-day paradisaical dip into some of the best atmosphere and music (of an absurd number of genres as well, mind you) the Mile High City has to offer is what we like to call in the industry… “a steal”.

Check out our 2014 coverage of The UMS here, stream our mini-playlist featuring a tune from each aforementioned act to stoke your UMS fire, and read the full lineup of announced artists thus far for the 2015 installment of The Underground Music Showcase below.

UMS 2015 first lineup announcement:

STRFKR, Diiv, Milo Greene, Brick + Mortar, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Mac McCaughan (Superchunk), Moon Hooch, Until The Ribbon Breaks, Accordion Crimes, Beginners, Bud Bronson and the Good Timers, Colfax Speed Queen, Dragondeer, The Epilogues, Eros & the Eschaton, Gabriel, Garzón-Montano, In the Whale, The Knew, Land Lines, The Lonely Wild, Ned Garthe Explosion, Plum, Rose Quartz, Ryan Chrys and the Roughcuts, Shady Elders, South of France, SPELLS, Wild High, Wiredogs, The Yawpers.

’Golden Light’

’Doused’

’Leaving Now’

’Tidal’

’Hunting Season’

[Event Review] 5 Faces of Chaz: Examining Toro y Moi’s Evolution at The Independent, SF 3/28

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 2, 2015

Over the last five years, Chaz Bundick, as both Toro y Moi and Les Sins, has repeatedly redefined his style bringing refreshing facets of his reserved, enigmatic persona to light all the while maturing with each album. A true musical chameleon, Chaz has worn many hats but, regardless of genre, he maintains his aesthetic always remaining true to himself. This realization couldn’t have been more evident as I watched Toro Y Moi perform a hometown show at The Independent in San Francisco last weekend in which he intertwined his various musical identities into a cohesive and career-spanning set.

Backed by several talented musicians, including ninja-favorite Astronauts, etc. on the keys, Toro y Moi’s countless jams, from hazy bedroom productions to groovy indie rock, were presented in the most vibrant way possible. Almost signifying transitions between old and new, Chaz swapped between MIDI keyboard and guitar through out without losing a beat. As an avid fan, and music geek, I found myself not only dancing steadily through out, but also hit with a flurry of thoughts and emotions inspired by the diverse, yet unified, setlist. To best capture those feelings, I decided to recount the performance in the context of a career retrospective. Flip through the pages and explore the five faces of Toro that I witnessed last Saturday with photos and songs from the set to match.

Toro y Moi’s upcoming album, What for?, drops on April 7th but can be streamed via NPR Music now. You can pre-order on iTunes here and find upcoming tour dates here.

All photos by Dom Powell.

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[Alternative] Trails and Ways – Skeletons

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 1, 2015

Trails and Ways
Skeletons

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Oakland-based band Trails and Ways first found their way into our hearts a few years back starting with their brilliantly organic and original covers. As if their approach to covers wasn’t indicative enough, their 2013 debut EP, Trilingual, solidified T&W as one of our favorite indie acts out. After a relatively quiet period during which they were performing, practicing and working on new material, Trails and Ways were officially signed to Barsuk Records, the label of Death Cab For Cutie, early last month with a debut full-length album on the horizon.

Today, we get the first single, and opening track, from their anticipated debut and it proves more than worth the wait. “Skeletons,” which we first caught live at their hometown show last year, feels like the perfect next step in the talented group’s sound. Following an intro of atmospheric guitar and emphatic cries, the verses recess into gorgeous, breezy vocals before unleashing one of the most infectious, energetic choruses you will hear all year. Trails and Ways’ aesthetic, influenced by the band members’ international travels and outdoor hobbies, has an enchanting, transformative effect that feels best suited for a dance party in the midst of mother nature. We’ll certainly have this on repeat today and until their debut, Pathology, drops on June 2nd–pre-order here.

P.S. If you like what you hear, check out our exclusive interview with Trails and Ways from last year’s Outside Lands Festival.

[Space Pop] The Landing – Then Comes The Wonder

Posted by Clayton Warwick - April 1, 2015

The Landing
Then Comes The Wonder

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We’re taking a few hours to scour through the past few weeks of music, given the fact that we’ve been fully preoccupied with SXSW and WMC for the better half of March. One of our most intriguing finds comes via solo, Brooklyn-based act The Landing.

“Then Comes The Wonder” is a cosmically gratifying indie pop tune that boasts an infectious nature one can’t quickly shake, no matter how hard they try. Not that anyone would want to though, what with the glowing vocals, playful synths, and booming, repetitious percussion.

While this did come out two weeks ago, we feel like it still deserved a moment on TMN. We’re pretty damn sure you’ll agree with us.

[Indie] Patrick Watson – Places You’ll Go

Posted by Clayton Warwick - March 31, 2015

Patrick Watson
Places You Will Go

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As winter’s icy fingers slowly release their deathly grasp on the world, mother earth is gladly opening her eyes from the long winter’s rest to awaken the flora and fauna for yet another spring. As if pre-destined for that very happening, “Places You’ll Go,” is an articulately crafted ballad created for the engendering of the warmer months.

With slow, rolling guitars, fluttering synths, and Patrick Watson’s near-unbelievable vocals, this newly released tune is a welcome breath of fresh air for his fans. Staying out of the international limelight for some time, this distinctive Canadian act is thankfully back.

We’re honestly overwhelmingly enamoured with this new take from Watson, and all we can close with is we’re once again left jaw agape and extremely satisfied, as we’ve come to expect time and time again.

[Indie] Mew – Satellites (Acoustic)

Posted by Clayton Warwick - March 31, 2015

MEW Official
Satellites (Acoustic)

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There is a group of people in the world who have been continually listening to the same songs over and over again. This pattern has continued for the past five years, and while most won’t complain, we’re all extremely pleased that pattern has come to an end.

While we’ll never stop playing favorites like “Am I Wry? No,” and “Special,” Mew fans from across the globe are celebrating with jovial glee with the release of new music. This fan in particular got to partake in its American debut at SXSW, and can personally assure you that it’s worth the painfully long wait.

“Satellites” glows with calculated beauty, the kind that makes us think back to the first time we truly fell in love with a band’s sound. Jonas’ vocals boast the same haunting heft, soaring along the backbone of a subdued percussion, accentuating synths, and a rolling piano melody. It’s everything that we’ve come to love from this band and more.

Alternative/Rock

[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (March 2015 Round #5)

Posted by Allegra Azzopardi - March 31, 2015

You’re lucky it’s March 31st, otherwise we’d be obligated to April Fool’s you. But have no fear, we won’t pull a fast one on ya. We’ve got nothing but a good ‘ol indie dojo. No tricks, no gimmicks, no foolin’ allowed.