Latest Alternative/Rock Posts

Bora York – Arrest Me [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 19, 2015

Bora York
Arrest Me

It’s been cold, rainy, and grey here in Denver for the past week, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to let up anytime soon. This comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering we’re usually blessed with ample amounts of sunshine-filled days. Luckily for us though, a fellow cold-weather state friend is giving us something to help thaw out the cold. That friend is Bora York, and that something is “Arrest Me.”

Coming off their upcoming album (June 2015), “Arrest Me” drops today, here on The Music Ninja. Featuring a very danceable bassline, upbeat guitar work, sonic layering, and alternating vocals from husband-wife duo Chris and Rebekah Bartels. It’s soulfully crafted, funk-inspired, and an absolute blast to groove to. When asked about the tune, frontman Chris had this to say:

Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or have been with someone for years, relationships always seem to have seasons of being emotional roller coasters. I might be crazy, but I think about things a lot on my own, and sometimes let emotions drive my daydreams. It’s more fun that way. And then I process everything through songs. Arrest Me is about running through a whirlwind of emotion and circumstance, but then ends up at “this cyclone has kept me alive,” essentially saying the rollercoaster is all worth it for that person you love.

“Arrest Me” blends the sonic direction of this new album – funkier, tighter, dancier, and of course 80’s synth-pop-tinged – with that moody love song subject. We had incredible Minneapolis guitarist Cory Wong write and record electric guitars on this song, and he really brought the funk out that we were going for, especially during the song’s breakdown.

Keep tabs on Minnesota-based Bora York by following them on Facebook, Soundcloud and Twitter.

[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (May 2015 Round #3)

Posted by Allegra Azzopardi - May 19, 2015

Have you ever……driven in your car form than 5 minutes in complete silence because you are so sick of your music collection you just cant figure out what to listen to? Yeah, we know, we’ve be there too. Until we started collecting these Indie Dojos. Guaranteed to fill the next 24 minutes or more with music you have or have not heard of yet. Not all ninjas are silent…

’Leisure – Got It Bad’

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’Broken Back – Happiest Man On earth (Official)’

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’Missio – I’ve Lost My Way’

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’Burhou – Please Delete’

Download

’H A U X – Our Fathers’

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’Blosh – Keep Your Tongue’

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’Men I Trust – A Prayer Ft. Odile’

Download

[Indie] Vundabar – Chop

Posted by Laura Yurich - May 15, 2015

Vundabar
Chop

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Boston’s Vundabar has nailed the mid-60s garage pop charm with their new single “Chop”. They bring the fuzzy guitars and psychedelic vocals, but with high production quality and precise arrangements. While you might expect to find a group like Vundabar on labels like Fat Possum, Autumn Tone, or Third Man, the forthcoming sophomore release (out 7/21, preorder) is set to come our way via the band’s own label, Gawk Records.

The trio has announced an ambitious two-month tour, find your show here.

GIRL FRIEND Sheds Light on Band Origins, New Wave, and Naked Mole Rats [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 13, 2015

Relative newcomers to the blogosphere, GIRL FRIEND are already making strides, as evident by the sheer volume of music bloggers taking notice of their highly infectious sounds. Combining upbeat basslines, catchy-as-hell lyrics, glowing vocal harmonies, and dancy guitar work give this band all the ammunition to continue their ascent into the hearts and ears of listeners around the globe.

After listening to Manchester-based four piece’s Arrive Alone, Leave Alone EP for quite some time, we decided we needed to know more about this quickly rising band. So, grab a cup of coffee, throw your headphones on, and enjoy getting to know what will soon be one of your new favorite acts.

TMN: Hey guys! Thanks for taking some to sit down with us. Let’s start this off by talking about how you guys came to be. What’s your story?

GF: I met Jake a few years ago and immediately fell in love…artistically. We began writing together with no particular aim, only a shared love of pop music; bands such as Depeche Mode, Soft Cell and Roxy Music. We later enlisted the help of virtuoso percussionist Sam Dabrowski, and octave clambering vocalist Eleanor, to complete the line-up.

TMN: Where did the name GIRL FRIEND originate from?

GF: Prior to Sam and Eleanor joining the band full-time, we drafted in friends as session players. There was a trend among these musicians – stealing people’s girlfriends. It sort of stuck. I suppose we saw it as challenge too; to make such a commonly used word synonymous with our music. I genuinely don’t know whose idea it was to divide the words. We slave over our music, perhaps we should have slaved over our name a little longer?
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[Indie] Albert Hammond Jr. – Born Slippy

Posted by Laura Yurich - May 13, 2015

Albert Hammond Jr.
Born Slippy

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Albert Hammond Jr. is back! Well, he never actually left, but The Strokes’ guitarist has announced his third solo album, Momentary Masters (out 7/31 on Vagrant/BMG). “Born Slippy” is just about everything you crave from AHJ—snappy guitar licks and charming vocal melodies your brain will have a hard time shaking. It’s the kind of tune strangers will catch you doing a maniacal dance to while sitting at a stoplight.

AHJ will kick off a two month North American tour in September. Find your show here.

[TMN Premiere] Sorcha Richardson – Petrol Station

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 12, 2015

Sorcha Richardson
Petrol Station

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After making a name for herself among folk fans with two gorgeous EPs, singer/songwriter Sorcha Richardson has shifted gears bringing her flawless vocals to smooth electronic production. She first experimented with this new direction early in her career as part of Con Vos, a collaboration with New Jersey hip-hop duo Fortunate Ones, and we’re really excited to be bringing you the premiere of Richardson’s latest exploration. On “Petrol Station,” the Irish-bred, Brooklyn-based songstress glides over a hazy, minimal electronic backdrop, courtesy Baile, which allows the depth of her lyricism to shine. As the percussion and energy rise, Richardson’s vocals step up to match the intensity adding a new layer of emotion and texture to her vivid storytelling.

Even though the contributing instrumental elements are a far cry from Sorcha Richardson’s acoustic Last Train EP, her voice stays true to her soulful, folky roots making for a genuine and compelling sound. We’ll definitely be looking out for more from Richardson soon but, in the meantime, get lost in this dreamy track above.

[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (May 2015 Round #2)

Posted by Allegra Azzopardi - May 12, 2015

Our ears are a terrible thing to waste. We should be taking care of them the way we do everything else. Love them, nurture them, and feed them with nothing but goodness, like a few indie artists here and there. Treat them good. We promise they will thank you later.

’Axel Flovent – Dancers’

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’Cape Cub – Swim’

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’Patrick James – California Song’

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’The New Tarot – Memory Kills’

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’Brave Shores – More Like You’

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’Sibling – Easy’

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