Indie Quick Picks

Y!KES

Genre : Alternative rock

Bio : Birmingham alternative rock band Y!KES have released their new single ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’, taken from their upcoming EP ‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’. The band have received support from Camden Rocks, BBC Introducing, Kerrang! and EGH Radio to name a few and have performed live slots with Vukovi, Mallory Knox, Led By Lanterns and Earls,

Track: ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’

Why We Like It: It’s a moody grunge drenched number brimming with sharp guitar riffs, gritty vocals and pounding drums as Y!KES present a melodic Californian punk side to their mammoth sound. Slinky guitar moments weave between a sweet melody and gripping undertone to create a moving and hopeful atmosphere immersed in old school rock charm. Y!KES are maturing wonderfully. Their deep lyrical content gives the listener a glimpse into the bands emotional and melodic side which blazes through a heartfelt powerful backdrop and scorching guitar solo. ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ is a marvelous display of musicianship from Y!KES

You can follow Y!KES on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/yikesofficial

Watch the video for ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ below 

Crash Adams

Genre :Indie pop 

Bio:Crash Adams are an indie/pop duo from Toronto Canada. They produce, write, perform, mix and master all of their own music.

Track: Ooh!

Why We Like It: It’s a suave flaunty number that glides effortlessly on cool funky tones, jangly guitar riffs and 80’s shimmers. With a strutting backdrop, chiming keys and groovy bass this track wiggles and shimmies into your head with confidence boosting charm and infectious radiance. The smooth vocals coo the catchy lyrics before the spoken verses seep swagger into this glossy pop glistening number. With tasty synths and panache dripping from every note ‘Ooh!’ is a feel good song sure to have you dancing and strutting your stuff for days. 

You can follow Crash Adams on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/crashadamsmusic

Watch the video for ‘Ooh!’ below 

Brand New Friend

Photo Credit : Ciara McMullan

Genre : Indie pop

Bio: Following on from the warmly received ‘The Letter A’ released last Autumn, the Northern Irish indie-pop quintet make a fresh-faced return with their new single and confirmation of a 7 track EP: ‘A Cure For Living’, to be released via Xtra Mile Recordings on 14 February 2020. Brand New Friend’s debut album ‘Seatbelts for Aeroplanes’, was released through Xtra Mile Recordings (Skinny Lister, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.) in 2018. The album spawned several singles including ‘Girl’, ‘I Was An Astronaut’ and the title track, all of which garnered plays on the likes of Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart shows on Radio 1, John Kennedy on Radio X and 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq. Brand New Friend have also embarked on numerous headline tours both in the UK and Ireland, whilst also being invited to share stages with big-hitters the likes of Snow Patrol, Ash, Starcrawler, At The Drive-In, Pretty Vicious, RAT BOY, Feeder and Xtra Mile Recordings label mate Seán McGowan.

Track: Nothing Stays The Same

Why We Like It: This buoyant track swirls with Brand New Friend’s youthful indie musicianship. The band lather jangly guitar strides into a punchy drum and bass tag team while the harmonies between brother/ sister duo Taylor and Lauren Johnson sweeten the powerful sting. With a smooth catchy melody and lamenting guitar injection ‘Nothing Stays The Same’ is a vibrant nostalgic ditty sure to have any live crowd going wild.

Inspired by characters imagined by 80s indie veteran Lloyd Cole in his timeless ‘Jennifer She Said’ track, Brand New Friend’s ‘Nothing Stays The Same’ finds the band musing on just what may have happened next for its lovelorn protagonist… As the band explain: “‘Nothing Stays The Same’ is a love song constantly shifting perspective between two people. It’s the sound of two people who love each other deeply but who know they’re running out of distance. It’s framed in the Botanic area of Belfast, in the old Botanical gardens near Queens University. In the rain, of course. I was heavily inspired by Lloyd Cole on this track, I love the way he colours his world so you can see who he’s singing about when you close your eyes. The girl in this song is Jennifer, from ‘Jennifer She Said’. Hopefully it all works out for her…”

You can follow Brand New Friend on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/brandnewfriendz/

Watch the video for ‘Nothing Stays The Same’ below 

Hook

Genre : New wave indie rock

Bio: Hook are a three-piece new wave indie rock band based in Dublin, made up of Eoin O’Donnell on vocals, guitars; Morgan O’Brien on drums and Danny Spelman on bass, vocals. 

Track: Spoiler Alert

Why We Like It: It’s a jaunty stab of slick indie rock with tantalizing guitar teases, elastic steamy bass and beefy whack on drums. The band blend their ferocious rock with sensual enticement to lure you into their brawny sound. With raspy vocals resounding through the kinetic backdrop and witty lyrics, this groove-filled number blisters and boils with red hot, intense swagger as Hook flesh out their intoxicating sound. 

You can follow Hook on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/listentohook/

Stream ‘Spoiler Alert’ below 

The Burma

Genre : Indie rock’n’roll

Bio: The Burma are an Indie rock’n’roll band based in Cork City, Ireland. The band draw inspiration from the American Indie scene of the early 2000’s and British guitar bands of the 80s and 90s, The line-up consists of long-time friends Tony O’Donovan and Peter Piggott along drummer Cian Doherty whom they in 2012. The band is named after The Burma steps in Cobh, Co. Cork. 2019 saw The Burma have their busiest year yet with continuous nation wide festival and tour dates throughout the year following the release of their most recent single “Phoney Personality”. The first single off of their upcoming 5 track EP “Sugar Moonlight”, due for release in March 2020. In the past The Burma have landed support slots for acts such as The Academic, The Strypes, Delorentos, The Blizzards, Brian Deady, The Frank and Walters and more.

Track: When You’re Gone

Why We Like It: This ethereal gem glistens with airy spacious tones. The twinkling guitar majestically creates little melancholic sparkles of scintillation through the icy soundscape as the flickering electronics and snappy beat create a biting breezy quality. The track builds to a tense crescendo that becomes more gritty with distortion and psychedelic hues. A smooth sombre melody weaves throughout creating a mysterious, almost magical effect as the band create a swirling track that totally immerses you in their richly layered musicianship.

You can follow The Burma on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/theburmaofficial/

Stream ‘When You’re Gone’ below 

https://soundcloud.com/theburma/the-burma-when-youre-gone-radio-editwav

Floral Sounds

Genre : Dream pop

Bio: Seventeen year old Gabe Beckles has released his new single ‘Day waste’ under the name Floral Sounds.

Track: Day waste

Why We Like It: It’s a hazy daydream that wisps through a whimsical vapour of jangly guitar and hypnotic bass lines. With sulky deep vocals echoing through the buoyant riff and steady beat the track drifts into a sweet state of euphoria with a darker undertone. There is something quite mesmerising and intriguing about this track as it weaves and entwines around your mind with a soothing quality and light dewy texture. 

You can follow Floral Sounds on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/gabebeckles/?hl=en

Stream ‘Day waste’ below 

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Author : Danu