Tag Archives: indie

[Indie] Daisy Chain – Bianca Casady

Posted by Jordan Coburn - January 13, 2016

Bianca Casady
Daisy Chain

You may have heard of the talented sister duo CocoRosie some time in the recent past. They’ve been making some pretty innovative stuff—characterized by experimental vocals, depth of lyrics, and feminine power. Today we bring you a release from half of the CocoRosie project, Bianca Casady. The Paris-based producer has released her track, “Daisy Chain,” and we’re pretty stoked about how different it is.

The best way we can describe this tune is beautifully morbid, and its morbidity lies equally in the instrumentation as it does the lyrics. Demonstrating her French influence, Casady opens “Daisy Chain” with Mr. Sad Accordion, which is our name for her accordion sample, not an actual person. We wish. She simultaneously brings in a sample of a piano, but it’s like one of those pianos you’d find in an abandoned house off the interstate that you really shouldn’t go in. She continues to play on these creepy versions of accordion, piano and eventually guitar in ways that perfectly compliment her death-ridden lyrics: “We’re all in line for the daisy chain… nothing but a chain gang pickin’ wild flowers by the roadside. No one in the boneyard bringing milk and honey to their loved ones.” We’ll leave the interpretation up to you. But the interpretation we will leave you with is that of the whole song—a creepy success.

[Indie] Sunflower Bean – Easier Said

Posted by Jordan Coburn - January 6, 2016

Sunflower Bean
Easier Said

Soundcloud

Well, they’ve done it again. It hasn’t even been long since we featured them, but Manhattan-based Sunflower Bean has brought us yet another great track– “Easier Said.” This track comes as another teaser leading up to their anticipated album release with Fat Possum Records, Human Ceremony. We’re even bigger fans of this tune than the last we featured, and we quite enjoyed the previous jam.

And just a side note: Fat Possum Records is shaping up to be one of our favorites around here for indie releases. With names like Youth Lagoon and Modest Mouse on their roster, it’s gotten to the point where pretty much anything they release you can count on.

Back to the tune, “Easier Said” opens up with a guitar intro brought by Nick Kivlen that lays a foundation that’s reminiscent of one of our favorite indie bands, DIIV. We’d be content just listening to the guitar for 5 minutes, but front woman Julia Cumming comes in with her characteristically lofty vocals to deliver a harmonious indie jam that’s getting us excited for them to release the rest of their EP. Keep these magic musical beans coming Sunflower Bean.

PS they’re gearing up for tour so look out for ’em. And they’re playing at one of our favorite venues in San Diego– the Che Cafe! Long live the Che!

Indie

Travelers – Something I Said [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Posted by Jordan Coburn - November 17, 2015

Travelers
Something I Said

Soundcloud

We’re very happy to debut Travelers‘ new video for “Something I Said” here at TMN. This Los Angeles-based group is creating music that is the fusion of some quintessential indie sounds, and they do it so beautifully in this track. With an opening composed of guitar and vocals that are very reminiscent of another little So Cal success, Young The Giant, “Something I Said” gets the immediate hook around any fan of the beachy, indie sound. As the tune progresses Travelers brings in group backup vocals that take us back to the era of Fleet Foxes where soothing reverb puts a soft spin on the whole chant-like product. Finishing up with a breakdown that switches gears from this happy indie track into a blues-y one, Travelers seemed to have perfectly combined some of our decades’ most appealing elements in indie music. These folks are going places. Safe travels, Travelers.

[Alternative/Rock] Sunflower Bean – Wall Watcher

Posted by Jordan Coburn - November 16, 2015

Sunflower Bean
Wall Watcher

Soundcloud

Manhattan-based Sunflower Bean has caught our attention with their latest single off their debut album Human Ceremony. Describing themselves facetiously as “night music” in their bio, the track “Wall Watcher” indeed sets a perfect tone for the cool kids jammin’ in the moonlight in an indie daze on your local street corner. You would just want to be their friends. Very reminiscent of the all-hailed Joy Division, the drums in this track give this song an edgy English rock flare. And with the title of one of New Order’s best hits in their album name (“Ceremony”), we’ll really never be able to get away from that comparison. Blessed with some rock-goddess vocals mixed with the perfect amount of reverb, the lead singer adds a delicate touch to the otherwise grunge-y tune making it a great listen for most any ears the entire time. Keep up the good work, Sunflower Bean. We’re looking forward to seeing where this album release takes you.

[Indie/ Folk] Jackson Dyer – Steal Away

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - September 16, 2015

Jackson Dyer
Steal Away

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If like me, you’re dispirited by the closing of festival season, this Berlin-based indie-folk artist will ease the transition from summer to back to school, university or work. Having released his brilliant EP ‘White Threads’ last year, Jackson Dyer has maintained and matured his magnificence within the new single ‘Steal Away’.

Instantly amerced by the warm depth of an ambient electric guitar, Dyer’s soulful vocals entice us to lose ourselves within this beautifully simplistic piece. ‘Steal away’ proceeds to run away with momentum as he invites the drums to help accelerate his voice, only elevating the song further. The Australian’s light vocals balance delicately upon the accompaniment, singing fondly of eloquent childhood memories along the west-coast of Australia. He later introduces the violin to bring this song to a gratifying peak of liberation, before stripping it all back to the bare essentials for the final lyrics.

Easily one of my favourite songs at the moment, ‘Steal Away’ liberates us as an audience and we quite literally steal away from our surroundings, and escape through this calming track. He sings almost desperately of home-sickness and yearning for the ocean, whilst feeling trapped amidst the concrete of Berlin city. It’s a piece that begs us to sway with his breathy voice, as the drums consistently play a perfectly laid back beat behind.

Check out the link below for potential tour dates, live videos and more music.

http://jacksondyer.com/home

[Alternative] Swimm – Belly

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - August 17, 2015

Swimm
Belly

Soundcloud

American Indie-rock duo SWIMM have just released their third single ‘Belly’ from their highly anticipated EP Beverly Hells, expected to be released on August 28th! Having performed at Noisey LA’s “TOO FAR” series on August 11th, it’s easy to understand why they’re becoming increasingly popular, especially along the west-coast. ‘Belly’s’ infectious guitar harmonies pull us closely into their Californian fashion, and along with Chris and Adam’s raspy vocals we’re instantaneously placed amidst the State of white beaches and packed bars.

The liberating guitar instrumental that proceeds the tightly moulded vocal harmony of ‘I’m so tired of running around’, shares a stylistic brilliance with the guitar solo within Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’, as Swimm seem to discretely encourage us to lose ourselves throughout these electrifying moments.

Whilst delving into the musical brilliance of this track, you may have a tendency to pass-by the underlying lyrical meaning. Dedicating each verse to individuals who are terribly important to him, Chris mentions “each of them has had all the potential in the world, but because of addictions of some kind have let and maybe are still letting that potential slip away.” Although this may be perceived as disheartening or sombre, I admire and respect the way ‘Swimm’ have captured and conveyed this lyric so positively through the music!

They will be performing at a large variety of venues over the coming months, including The Echo in LA on September 11th, and London Music Hall in London on November 11th, performing their other late releases, such as ‘All the time’ and ‘Beverly Hells’. Check out their full tour plan here.

[Singer/ Songwriter] Will Joseph Cook – Hearse

Posted by Will Rowe-Parr - August 12, 2015

Will Joseph Cook
Hearse

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Whilst still basking in the height of summer it’s almost essential to find your own chilled song to indulge into on the beach, and Will Joseph Cook certainly has this! Together with his perfectly crafted guitar hooks, and organic vocals, it’s difficult to pull yourself away onto other music.

Having seen him play live in the UK in June, I was interested in discovering where Will would progress in the preceding months. Songs such as ‘Streets of Paris’ and ‘Message’ encapsulate his naturally rich voice, and his lyrics are almost familiar to us as an audience, despite hearing them for the first time. Originally from Tunbridge Wells in the South of England, the 19 year-old embodies an image of authenticity, by addressing relatable/genuine subjects, and cleverly combining light-hearted vocal hooks with pleasingly laid-back, yet infectious drum beats.

Cook has released his new EP “Proof Enough” on August 11th under Atlantic Records, and here’s the third release from this EP called ‘Hearse’. It’s impossible not to tap or hum along, especially throughout the insanely addictive chorus, so I’d play it through a set of speakers, this way at least you won’t be the only one!

He’ll be playing at The Lexington (London) on September 14th, which I undoubtedly recommend if you’re looking for a relaxed gig, plus an exciting up and coming artist; bound to be releasing some awesome new material in the future!

Indie