All posts by Indie Buddie

Golden Curtain ‘Underwater Gospels’ Album

Golden Curtain is the collaborative relationship between an indie rock band from New Zealand and a California poet. The band consists of members Andrew Mckenzie (vocals, guitar), Andrew Gladstone (vocals, drums), Brad Gamble (bass).After striking up a friendship with Hawkes Bay’s Golden Curtain around the time their debut album came out in 2011, Alex Green and Golden Curtain front man Andrew Mckenzie started collaborating via Skype on a truly transpacific musical endeavour. The result is the release of the ‘Underwater Gospels’ album
‘Underwater Gospels’ is ten tracks of laid back indie pop. From the twinkling soundscapes coated in edgy guitar strides of ‘Heart Attack Summer’ to the almost country warmth and bounce of ‘Etc Etc’,Golden Curtain give an album that is light and cosy while also displaying a knack for sublime melody and rich rhythm. ‘ I Changed My Mind For You’ has a beachy reverb laden, catch a wave vibe. It’s relaxed with echoing backing vocals and a bouncy rhythm. ‘Amen’ blasts with soulful handclaps lushly textured rhythm and nautical basslines. With a catchy percussion section that draws you into its groove and sweet passionate melody, it’s hot summers evening fireside bliss. ‘So Easy’ is sun soaked nostalgia smooth with a day dream melody and bright guitar feature that flickers and glows lifting the track into a hazy vibe. Soft beat, velvety raspy vocals and warm tones it verges into country territory without actually crossing that line.’The Captain’ is your tender slow jam while ‘The Pier’ closes the album with a doo wop vibe mixed with subtle swirling guitars and bouncy drums. The “bop shoo be doo wop” lyrics add a quirky catchy element that will have you singing along in no time.
‘Underwater Gospels’ is a display of Golden Curtain’s intricate attention to detail as they create an album easy to listen to and relaxed while maintaining rich luscious soundscapes.

Stream ‘Underwater Gospels’ below


Ragweed ‘Silver Spoon’

After 8 self booked tours Brighton’s Ragweed have released their debut AA single ‘Rust Box’ on Milky Bomb Records in November 2016, receiving mutual praise from radio stations and blogs alike. Their second single ‘Silver Spoon’ sees the trio exploring a much darker, sleazy and dirty corner of their minds. Their sound caught Alan Douches of West Side Music’s attention over in New York, most famous for his work with Motor Head, Cancer Bats, Every Time I Die and Screaming Females, who mastered the band’s second single ‘Silver Spoon’ was released with has 2  other tracks ‘Grey Matter’ and West Coast Pop’.
 ‘Silver Spoon’ announces itself with a gritty filthy riff shredding against punchy drums and creepy catchy melody. It’s mighty powerful and heavy perfect for sticky mosh pits and manic headbanging. ‘Grey Matter’ follows in a swarm of neck snapping fury. Yelling rasp on vocals and crashing guitars make for a frenzy soaked track with beating blood thirsty drums that create a massacre of sound. ‘West Coast Pop’ follows this whip-lashing trend with vigorous guitars and an aggressive bounce on drums that smash through the track with wild ferocity. Ragweed give us  a fierce 3 track powerhouse of savage pummelling punk rock.

Stream ‘Silver Spoon’ below


The Strypes ‘Spitting Image’ album launch at The Thomas House, Dublin With Support From David Keenan

I was invited to head down to The Strypes ‘Spitting Image’ album launch at The Thomas House, Dublin. The four piece seemed dedicated to include all ages of their fans in the celebrations by performing an under 18s show beforehand giving their younger demographic a chance to enjoy their live show. We sat outside the room listening to The Strypes put on a wild performance for the screaming young fans claustrophobically jammed into the room. I thought surely they can’t maintain this energy and vitality for two shows in a row.
The door opened to the second round of fans as they packed into the room tightly like sardines in a tin I could feel the temperature rise and the oxygen being stolen from me with each breath, it was going to get sticky and warm very fast. David Keenan kicks off the show warming up the crowd with his powerful emotional vocals and lyrics that cut deep.With just his guitar for accompaniment he glides from soft lulls to sharp potent wails while the audience sway gently. Belting out tracks like ‘Cobwebs’ and ‘The Good Old Days’ with a lilting twang and traditional Irish influence. His strong weighty lyrics and knack for story telling is perhaps wasted on the eager young faces but never the less undoubtedly striking and in the moment compelling. Keenan calls Harry Hoban on stage to accompany him for his final track to play keys adding an elegant graceful tone to his set. Keenan’s performance seems almost personal, it’s a man on a stage telling you his life story without flashy effects, it’s simple and raw.

The crowd push forward as they wait restlessly for The Strypes with Miles Kane blasting through the speakers to keep them entertained. A mixed bunch in the audience, The Strypes seem to hold a following of all ages. One man I spoke to who was there with his daughter loved the boys just as much as she did and had seen them many times before. These were hard core fans who knew every detail, every strand of hair on the lads heads.

The four piece take to the stage triumphantly and blast straight into some new tunes from the new album starting with ‘Behind Closed Doors’. Filled with a Californian vibe and exploding with electric energy one thing I noticed from the start, this album is definitely a game changer. The performance is slick punchy and mighty, the crowd erupt jumping,moshing and singing guitar riffs and lyrics – they know every song inside out. The atmosphere in that room was volcanic. Pete O’Hanlon passes out free badges to the crowd, who in turn later hand Ross Farrelly a can shouting “session! session!”. A circle of moshers leap and push for the bouncy ‘(I Need A Break From) Holidays’.They dedicate ‘Grin And Bear It’ to David Keenan. The crowd are wild and in a frenzy thirsty for track after track pushing forward and just jumping manically. Josh McClorey had to ask them to move back a little because they were crushing the people in the front. Not only did The Strypes showcase some slick dexterous playing they made sure everyone was safe at the show regularly checking if everyone was ok and handing out their water to parched fans. It was a sticky stuffy show that got wilder and wilder as the set went on. The band played well past their set with old songs like ‘What A Shame’ and ‘Scumbag City’ setting the crowd alight. With Evan Walsh drumming like a speed demon in flashy sun glasses and Pete O’Hanlon (who was reunited with a lost sock) exuding swagger and pizzazz, these guys effortlessly absorb the crowd into their brand of Beatlemania. They included everyone from the back of the room to the front in their party and boy was it insane.

The Strypes have grown into a band who can put on a monstrous show with outstanding stamina and vitality while showcasing their sophisticated, slick, refined sound and fun swagger-infused showmanship. I highly recommend seeing The Strypes live.

Watch the video for The Strypes new single ‘Great Expectations’ below


Queens of the Stone Age ‘The Way You Used to Do’

Queens of the Stone Age have eased the ravenous hunger of their eagerly awaiting fans with the released their new single ‘The Way You Used to Do’ from their upcoming album, ‘Villains’ which was produced by Mark Ronson and is due for release August 25th. It’s a finger snapping danceable number soaked in a slick bluesy guitar riff. Doused in greased back swagger with an effortlessly cool saunter and prance, it’s light and bouncy with just the right amount of dark grit. Homme delicately glides between vocal croons and steamy wails while punchy drums and sultry guitars create a foot tapping hip shaking groove. It’s insanely catchy and feverishly thrilling. Once that riff takes hold of you you’re hooked compelled to blissfully put it on repeat.

Stream ‘The Way You Used to Do’ below


Wolf Alice ‘Yuk Foo’

Wolf Alice have released their new single ‘Yuk Foo’, the first track from their second LP ‘Visions of a Life’. This frenzied vicious track is a brutal beating, ear bleeding bash of punk rock. Ellie Rowsell screams, wails and cackles  against the most fury filled enraged backdrop of  savage crashing guitars and pummeling battering drums. It’s a vicious bloodthirsty bruising assault that is so manic and frenzied it’s adrenaline pumping thrilling lunacy. Rowsell’s vocals snarl in a whispered poison spitting rage for the verse which is oddly luring and entrapping before the dangerous riotous chorus kicks in. This track is a rush of ferocity that announces the triumphant return of Wolf Alice.
Stream ‘Yuk Foo’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Trooper Charlie

Dublin’s indie four piece Trooper Charlie have released their new single ‘Indigo’ which was self written and produced. The band consisting of members Adam Lunnon-Collery  (Lead Vocals), Luke O’Brien ( Lead Guitar),Victor Bell (Bass Guitar & Vocals) and Colin Jackson  (Drums & Percussion) have been playing together for the best part of almost 8 years since the age of 13 years old where they met in secondary school. They have played shows all over Dublin and Ireland from Cyprus Avenue in Cork to Whelan’s in Dublin.

‘Indigo’ is a lush laid back sun soaked track drenched in tropical tones and hazy vibes. Sharp zesty guitar and elegant twinkling keys add spurts  of fruity freshness while smooth bouncy  percussion and mellow vocals soothe creating a calm relaxed atmosphere. This catchy daydream laced track cruises with an effortless flow and infectious groove. It’s polished and breezy, well layered and richly textured. These guys have created a slick fluently smooth track that is just heavenly.

Watch the audio video for ‘Indigo’ below

 


Serene ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’

Cumbria’s three piece Serene have released their new single ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ along with a video. The band consists of Kieran Day (vocals, guitar, bass, synth), Ryan Patterson ( lead guitar and synth) and Matthew Southwell (drums and percussion). ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ is darkened dreamy summer-scented bliss that glides with tender delicate emotion. Warm melancholic guitar chimes add flickers of light while the the swooning track dowses you in waves of cool hazy tones. Slight guitar wobbles add a psychedelic flicker throughout the calm verses while raspy passionate vocals bleed and coo the lyrics and sweet melody. The track builds in intensity to a punchy mosh worthy bounce and might. With full bodied bass and shredding razor sharp solo it becomes more spine chilling and piercing with tints of hallucinogenic hues. Serene have tightened up their sound refined it and created a thrilling moving piece that shows maturity and skill.

Watch the video for ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ below


La Bête Blooms ‘Lost and Found’

Fresh off the back of their latest EP ‘I Know It’s Nothing’, the Hull post-punk collective La Bête Blooms have moved fast to release their new brash and bold song, ‘Lost and Found’ portrays the plight of a modern couple seeing the world crumble around them in 2017. This shrilling track oozes their scorching fuzzed up grunge with blasts of thrilling bruising noise however this song takes a more polished refined approach. Its rounded off while still packing some serious punch with razor sharp rawness. Sneering briery guitars pierce with a splintery sting while punchy drums pummel throughout. Wrapped in sweltering hazy tones and shoegazey vibes, it’s tight and slick yet extremely spiky and sharp.

Stream ‘Lost and Found’ below

https://soundcloud.com/labeteblooms/la-bete-blooms-lost-and-found


The Real Fits ‘Pretty Bastard’

 

The Real Fits are a rock band from Phoenix, Arizona the band consists of members Nick Smith,Raquel Willand, Blair Furmanski, Jared Wood and Johl Driscoll. They have just released their new single ‘Pretty Bastard’. Exuding slick effortlessly cool swagger wrapped in a hazy dreamy mirage-like vibe. Infectious sharp guitar lines glide throughout the track adding a zesty sting while the punchy drums and elastic bass round out the sound with a cushioned yet mighty punch and rapid flexibility. Willand’s compelling vocals are filled with emotion and vulnerability. The slight rasp in her vocals add a luring almost fascinating quality that draws you into the track. Tightly layered these guys have created a catchy compact track that grooves and fluidly flows all while blasting a mosh worthy chorus and bewitching you with dark tinted verses.

Stream ‘Pretty Bastard’ below

https://soundcloud.com/therealfits/pretty-bastard/s-jQDz8