Latest Alternative/Rock Posts

[Dance/Chill] Great Good Fine OK – Too Much to Handle (Shook Remix) [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Matthew Bloss - March 2, 2015

Great Good Fine Ok
Too Much To Handle (Shook Remix)

Last week we featured the first remix for Brooklyn based indie-pop troupe Great Good Fine OK‘s latest single “Too Much To Handle” from the always stellar Penguin Prison. Following that outstanding take, is the second offering from GGFO’s official remix selections; this time coming from enigmatic electronic producer Shook. Shook instills an almost Balearic atmosphere on top of his revision, fusing recognizably glossy and warm dance backing onto ripely plucked instrumental stems from the original. Furthering this one into a space of melancholy yet buoyant bliss is Jon Sandler’s soothing falsetto; which sits like a melting pad of butter on a big ol’ stack of Shook’s musical hotcakes. Those hotcakes of course being blithe synth stabs and a carefully arranged percussive melody of course. We’re beyond happy to bring you Shook’s remix of “Too Much to Handle” before anyone else, so hop to it before the rest of the blogosphere gets their hands err… ears on this gem.

Rude – Winter EP [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - March 1, 2015

If there’s one thing you should know about the music industry, it’s that it never sleeps. Musicians are writing music around the clock, concertgoers are screaming at the top of their lungs till the wee hours of the morning, and music bloggers are up early on a Sunday morning to write up a premiere.

All of those aforementioned scenarios are culminating into today’s release, as we gleefully fill a larger-than-usual cup of coffee and throw on Winter EP from Birmingham-based Rude. We were already hip to this mysterious outfit after stumbling across their invigorating and enveloping lovelorn tale, “Heartbreaker,” and now we’re getting a more extended glimpse at their artistry to close out our weekend properly

The previously mentioned song has made another appearance in this EP, only this time it’s being accompanied by three other songs, highlighted by our personal favorite, “Sapphire.” A ghostly, luscious take on their craft, this tune boasts wavering synths that glow with a radiating aura. It’s got quite the anti-pop structure, encasing a section of vocals between a gorgeous build and outro. The final minute and a half is particularly stunning, as pronounced percussion and drawn-out legato guitar notes leave us in a state of blissful contentment.

You can pick up this four track EP today on iTunes. We recommend throwing it into your Sunday rotation, especially if you’re having a laid back day at home. And, don’t worry about wondering about upcoming music. Rude has a second EP coming up this spring.

’Heartbreaker’

’Sapphire’

’Icecold’

’Outro

[Indie] XYLO – America

Posted by Clayton Warwick - February 28, 2015

XYLØ
America

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XYLØ’s “America” only popped up online this past Monday, but it has certainly made a huge splash, racking up over 140,000 plays in the past five days.

From first listen, it’s easy to see why the LA duo have been picking up such attention. Based in Westlake Village, Page & Chase Duddy combine spacious, lush production with sultry vocals to create a downbeat electro-pop delight. Written about a relationship separated by countries, this tune calls on associations of Lana Del Rey, and a smattering of Broods. Within a few minutes, it quickly strikes listeners as immediately memorable.

This is just the first offering from XYLØ, but we’re told that there is more on the way very soon. If ‘America’ is anything to go by, color us very excited indeed.

Coasts talks about Coachella, ‘Oceans,’ and Ray Charles [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - February 26, 2015

Coasts
Oceans

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From a nationwide tour across the states, to an appearance at Coachella,Coasts is dead set on growing their presence. In our opinion, it’s more than deserved. There shouldn’t be any doubt in any music lover’s mind that this Bristol-based five piece are incredibly deserving of the increasing recognition they’re getting.

We caught up with their front man before their show at the Larimer Lounge in Denver. Press play on the tune above, and enjoy getting to know a little more about this quickly rising indie rock outfit.

TMN: Let’s kick things off with talking about the tour that you guys have right now. How’s it going?

Coasts: It’s going super well, like, better than we could have expected. The reception that we’ve been getting from fans has been really good, we’ve picked up so many more fans, which is the idea, you know? We’ve gotten really well with the two bands as well. They’re awesome lads, so we couldn’t be happier. To play and the majority of the shows are sold out is pretty awesome.

TMN: So this is your first time in the US?

Coasts: Yeah. I haven’t even been on holiday in the US. So, yeah, it’s cool to be here.

TMN: Any favorite cities so far?

Coasts: San Fran was really cool, and love Seattle as well. We stayed in LA, and we got to see most of LA because we were there for about 4 days. So that was cool because we got to see more of the city than if we were flashing through, you know? But Denver seems really cool as well. Seems really, like a really sweet place.
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Meadowlark – Fly [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - February 26, 2015

Meadowlark
Fly

Soundcloud

Enlisting the production talents of Ant West (Half of Oh Wonder), Meadowlark swoops in with an emotional tune poised to be a part of their second EP, “Dual.” Ant’s influence is highly apparent in this track, as the delicate vocals melt into the instrumentation in a seductive fashion and float gently through our ears in the most comforting of ways. Believe Recordings has signed some incredible acts, and Meadowlark’s new EP is going to be a work of beauty if “Fly” is any indication of what to expect. You may not have been expecting to feel so much today, but kick up your feet and enjoy the latest tranquil work from the talented Meadowlark above.

[Indie Rock] Black Honey – Madonna

Posted by Clayton Warwick - February 26, 2015

Black Honey
Madonna

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Often kooky and playful, but simultaneously deadly serious in the pop song writing department, Brighton’s Black Honey are more than on-point with their latest release, “Madonna.”

“Madonna” is a part of a double A-side out April 6 on Duly Noted Records as a physical release at gigs, however the first 5 are being auctioned (1-a-day) via eBay. Expect timeless pop sensibilities, soaring guitars, and lyrics that make you want to join in. Every element is artfully crafted, leading the listener along a ride that flirts with elements of classic rock anthems from yesterday, and new school indie vibes that will win over even the most discerning hipsters.

[Indie] Misterwives – “Our Own House” [ALBUM REVIEW]

Posted by Jordan Grammer - February 24, 2015

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In an indie music scene becoming more and more saturated by the week, it’s becoming more important than ever to stand out amongst your peers, both sonically and professionally. Some rely more on marketing than talent to get by (and are generally well-known) while some may be the next great thing but can never find an audience. It’s very rare to find a combination of the two, and Misterwives may be TMN’s favorite of the bunch. They have built a wonderful strategy to build up a genuine, organic fanbase from the bottom up and are making all the right moves to stay in the spotlight for years to come. And when the fans come to their intimate, yet explosive, live shows (which we’ll get into later), this New York quintet puts their talent where their mouth is and rocks out. On their debut album, “Our Own House”, they quickly turn the heads of anyone who wasn’t yet on the hype train.

From start to finish, this album is one wild ride you won’t want to get off of. The album starts off with the title track and while it takes a bit to build up, the energy carries on through the next five tracks until we reach “Coffins”, our personal favorite off the album. Absolutely gorgeous harmony work that would make even Lykke Li blush. From there on out, it’s all euphoria to the end of the album in “Queens”. In all honesty, this album is like a cracked out lovechild of Matt & Kim and Monsters & Men and we couldn’t love it more.

If you like what you hear and you live in the US, chances are you’re in luck. Misterwives are kicking off their own national tour this week and stopping on both coasts and everywhere in between (If you’re at the Columbus show and recognize me, I’ll buy you a drink. A full list of tour dates can be found here and don’t forget to pick up “Our Own House”, out today!