Whatever brought you to this Indie Dojo was truly meant to be. Just hit play and you will see. K, maybe we’ll just skip the poetry and stick to what we do best. Finding all the good indie jams and putting them together into a lovely little playlist just for you, boo.
The dog days of Summer are just around the corner, which brings with it a host of certifiably sunny synth and dance tunes for our sonic consumption… for better or for worse. And while the songs themselves are always aplenty this time of year, sorting through every impending Summer’s slew of quality entries can be another feat entirely. But when that consummate symbiosis of timing, production and feel coalesce so harmoniously through one song; it makes these endless hours of perusing absolutely worth it.
Enter Denver based dream-pop duo xOxford (pronounced “oxford”) and their syrupy-sweet yet deeply emotive debut single “Be Yours”. “Be Yours” rides a sticky topline synth, soulfully booming reverberations ensconced in delay, and an infectiously soothing analog bassline that has this one ear-worming its way through our house monitors like few before it.
After years toiling as solo artists, the pair -comprised of singer/songwriter Rhema Srihartiti who as as a vocalist has lent her voice to blog hits from the likes of Tim Legend & option4, and prolific Denver producer & DJ Eric Lake- seem to have finally landed on a project which provides the breathing room to truly express their artistic range and tastes. “I feel like coming from dance music, a lot of times we can take ourselves too seriously, xOxford is a really fun project. We take it seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously. Music can be super-powerful and super-political, but sometimes it’s important to just have fun and have songs to relate to and sing to.” From a couple that cites influences as obvious as New Order and LCD Soundsystem, to contemporary influences including Provoker, Black Marble and Eli Escobar; these are exciting words to a music writer’s ears.
xOxford will be polishing up more singles, and a planned EP as we head into the Summer, with their debut live show set for Denver’s Underground Music Showcase. Until then, stream “Be Yours” above and be on the lookout for plenty more from xOxford in the coming months.
It’s about that time to start stacking up those summer playlists. Let this weeks Indie Dojo get that party started.
Is it summer yet? Not quite, but it IS Tuesday, so here’s an Indie Dojo to tie you over.
Rapidly approaching, from July 26th through the 28thDenver’s preeminent indie music festival, The Underground Music Showcase has announced its lineup for 2019. After updating its format last year, and adding a plethora of new stages and venues, which now totals four outdoor main stages and over 20 indoor venues, The UMS looks to once again take the city by the reigns for one amazing weekend in late July. Dotting the top of this year’s bill are the likes of Empress Of, Honne, Chicano Batman, Black Mountain, Tuxedo, Earthgang, and Still Woozy for a certifiably heavy hitting slate of headliners; but as always, the talent buyers for the UMS have flexed their mid-card and local muscles just as hard.
Additional national support includes Yves Tumor, DRAMA, LEIKELI47, Y La Bamba, Miya Frolick, Gardens & Villa, Tessa Violet, Spooky Mansion, Greyhounds, Dressy Bessy, DBUK, Kainalu, Clavvs, Rapperchicks, Rich Jones, Divino Niño, Parallelephants, Deezie Brown, and Garrett T Capps. Coming out of Colorado, we’re getting perked up for the much buzzed about set from synth-pop duo xOxford (pronounced Oxford) who will be making their live debut at the festival, as well as Mile High stalwarts including Falcon Punch, YASI, Andy Immerman, Nasty Nachos, Bud Bronson & The Goodtimers, DeCollage, Milky.WAV, and loads more.
Are you a really big fan of music? What are you waiting to get the best dj speaker to make everyone at the party have fun? Check out these set ups professional DJ’s have uploaded to use and learn.
As always, we will be out in full force during the hot, end-of-july weekend, so be on the lookout for your Ninja fam! Stream the official UMS 2019 playlist below, get your weekend passes for just $50, and single day tickets for the 2019 Underground Music Showcase here.
Hailing from the Mile High City, 888 is back again with another massive, emotive, and encapsulating tune. And, as seen before, they’ve enlisted the help of fellow Denverites, Blurred Pictures, to help with the visual representation of “Pins & Needles.”
Living in Denver, I’ve had the pleasure of being fully aware of members Danny Stills and Danny Cooper as 888, since they emerged onto the scene with “Critical Mistakes” back in 2016, garnering overwhelming local support and some nationally. Though, this isn’t the first taste of success, having previously gained some serious buzz for their heavier work with Drop Dead, Gorgeous and Bleach Blonde.
Though the heavier stuff is behind them, nods to their emo routes are still noticeable with releases like “Critical Mistakes,” a handful of others, and now “Pins & Needles.” With such a unique and modernized sound, it shouldn’t be long before droves of others share the same adoration for this burgeoning, new(ish) act.
Today, we’re bringing you the first look at another extremely well-made music video, which was written, produced, and directed by Blurred Pictures. It’s heavy, dramatic, stars both Stills and Cooper, and is worth your attention for the next few minutes.
When you’re done, make sure to head over to Spotify and drop “Pins & Needles” into your favorite playlists.
