A little bit folk, a little bit pop, a little bit uncategorized, but a whole lotta Indie Dojo is ready and waiting for you below.
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.
