Tag Archives: indie rock

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, indie rock, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : Freeda

Freeda are a five piece indie-rock band from Manchester UK, comprising of members Sean Rowles (Guitar + Vocals), Callum Hignett (Guitar), Cameron Meekums-Spence (Guitar), Adam Barton (Bass) and Adam Jackson (drums).Working with the production duo Sugar House (Glass Caves, Viola Beach) the band have released their debut single ‘Plug It In’ and are working towards recording their first EP. Fresh off a string of support slots at venues such as Band on the Wall and Manchester Academy, Freeda are aiming to establish themselves as a headline act in the Manchester area.

‘Plug It In’ is a blistering indie track brimming with razor sharp guitar stabs piercing through punchy drums and elastic bass slaps. This catchy track scorches with red hot intensity and scalding instrumentation. Its snappy rhythm provides a flexible foundation for the swagger soaked sizzling guitars to rebound off as they jangle throughout adding bright little stings between the infectious melody. With gritty fragments throughout these guys blend the sweet and sour perfectly creating an impressive exhilarating debut track to make them ones to watch out for.

Stream ‘Plug It In’ below

https://soundcloud.com/freedaofficial/plug-it-in


Alt Rock, Blues, Blues Rock, EP Review, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll

We Three Kings ‘Fire’ EP

We Three Kings are a three piece blues-rock band based in Manchester UK, made up of Rich on vocals and guitar, Paul on bass and Pete on drums. Describing their sound as an original blend of rock, blues, fuzz and noise, they have been compared to bands including Rival Sons, Royal Blood and The Black Keys, with a riff-driven guitar-heavy sound reminiscent of Deap Vally, Wolfmother and The White Stripes. An experienced and high-energy live act with a massive sound. The trio have recently released their second five-track EP of new and original work titled ‘FIRE’.

‘Fire’ is a blazing five track EP asphyxiated in gritty meaty riffs and pummelling drums. Each track is a shamelessly melodic rock monster locked and loaded with enough angst, fury and infectious grooves to have you moshing and dancing in no time. ‘Sound Of The Radio’ kicks off the rough and tumble EP as their slick heavy sound stampedes in with frenzy inducing mania.‘The Barrel’ and ‘Bright Lights Of The City’ blast out heavy riffs which are laced in sensual grooves which hit through like a nail gun to the eardrum while ruthless drums savagely batter you around the head at neck snapping speeds. It’s a bloodthirsty assault and an invigorating listen. Swagger soaked vocals exude attitude into the tracks while the infectious choruses make sure these tunes aren’t leaving your head anytime soon. This trio don’t give you time to rest they whack out adrenaline surging energy track after track. ‘Uncontrollable Squeal’ continues this frenzy – bluesy and steamy with kick ass riffs that are sure to have a live audience in a dizzying moshing mess. It’s slick and cool with a bass line that holds a brawny yet elastic foundation for the hefty guitar to rebound off. ‘Invisible Man’ brings us to the end of the EP leaving you thirsty for more. It’s pumped, powerful yet extremely buoyant. The snappy rhythm is guaranteed to raise your blood pressure while a shredding guitar solo will have you on your knees doing air guitar.

‘Fire’ is a bold intensely sharp and rowdy EP from We Three Kings. It’s a speed shot of riff driven rock that is sure to be epic live.

Stream ‘Fire’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, indie rock, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : Kingpins

Kingpins are a Brighton-based five-piece formed in May 2017. The band have already played a handful of gigs throughout Brighton including a sold out This Feeling night as well as featured on local radio stations. The band comprised of member Henry Foulkes on lead vocals, Chris Udell on lead guitar, Joe Simmonds on drums, Sam Glinsman on rhythm guitar and Hayden Prenter on bass have released their new single ‘Don’t Go’

‘Don’t Go’ is a blistering swagger soaked display from this quintet. With punchy drums and a boisterous bass laying down a rumbly elastic foundation for the crashing guitars to rebound off these guys have created an electrifying wall of sound that is both intricate and well layered. It’s catchy and explosive in all the right places with the fiery chorus erupting instrumentally while the cool vocals douse some effortless swagger on top. It’s a fine track from Kingpins and a confident panache driven offering. Keep an eye out for these chaps.

Stream ‘Don’t Go’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music

Vrillon ‘Find You’

Four piece alternative rock band Vrillon  have released their highly anticipated single ‘Find You’. The Bath-based lads have built up a solid reputation and a cult following in their local area playing sold out shows on a regular basis and their debut EP is set for release later this year with fans already eagerly awaiting its release.

‘Find You’ is a cruising indie track steeped in melancholic tones and a swayable wholesome groove. The track progresses steadily and fluidly as raspy vocals glide over a sweet luscious melody and sublimely subtle jangly guitar. The real thrill of the track is the emotional content and ethereal guitar moments. They touch the soul with a moody darkness yet soothe it sweetly and delicately. This track is focused and well thought out creating a slow jam that speaks to and can relate to everyone.  A mellow warm guitar solo radiates glowing illumination into the track while adding a hazy tender glare over the cushioned beat. These guys have developed a mature sound that has ability to evoke the emotional life beneath their melodies.

Stream ‘Find You’ below


Alt Rock, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Galapagos ‘Even This Glow’ EP

Galapagos are a four piece indie band from Ottawa. With the release of the debut Potential Space EP in June 2017,  Galapagos continue to create a presence in the Ottawa musical landscape. Their debut charted highly on Ottawa’s CKCU and CHUO stations and topped the CHUO charts in the fall. Ottawa Showbox, APT 613 and PhotogMusic all placed Potential Space on their lists of top local releases in 2017. The band have now released their second EP ‘Even This Glow’ to a sold out show at Pressed.

‘Even This Glow’ is a laid back thoroughly satisfying EP drenched in mellowed out sweet nostalgia. With a retro indie rock feel opening track ‘Wall’ struts in with thrilling sharp guitars laced upon an infectious bright melody and peppy animated drums. These guys deliver a quality sound, richly packed with sublime luscious layers that bring sun kissed vibes to their pure heartfelt tunes. ‘Lungs’ and ‘Jersey’ add a grittier texture into the mix with distorted guitar crashing for the pounding chorus and zealous illumination for the latter track. These tracks evoke a 90’s vibe as sweet melodies and velvety vocals soothe a wistful longing tone. The songs feature some golden guitar moments so mouth-watering and sweet they are like honey to the ears leaving you craving more. ‘Coffee’ takes a darker tone with acoustic accompaniment twinkling between sombre vocals. It showcases a diverse melancholic side to their easy going sound. It’s a soothing track one which takes its time caressing your soul. Gentle and beautiful on the ears it’s truly immaculate and tender. Though their sound is mellow and laid back it is by no means simple, intricate guitar lines weave between passionate vocals creating music that really makes you feel every note, every beat and guitar quiver. ‘Decide’ closes the EP with beaming sweet marsh-mellowness. It’s melodic, utterly emotive and richly nostalgic. Zesty vibrant guitar lines dazzle through a charming delicate melody while a running bass line wanders adding a lavish texture and meaty depth to this superb track.

‘Even This Glow’ is an EP to relax and watch the sun set to. Each track is refined and precisely layered to create a beautifully nostalgic experience that is heart-warming and wholly satisfying.

Stream ‘Even This Glow’ below

 


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From 0141

0141 have released their new single ‘Stay True’. Comprised of members John Neil-Rce, Nicky Ferguson, Ross Watters and Mark Mcghee 0141 are a four-piece rock band from Glasgow, formed in 2017 who have played in some of Glasgow’s most notable venues including King Tuts for BBC Introducing. Their new single ‘Stay True’ which was produced by Rod Jones of Idlewild barges in whisked in a whirl of adrenaline. With crashing guitars and punchy drums belting at turbo fire speeds this track feels like an instant shot of hyper active alternative rock that relentlessly blasts through in a blood rushing frenzy. The melody however, is sweet and creamy as smooth vocals coo over shouting backing vocals and riotous instrumentation. It’s vibrant with rumbling elastic bass lines and shredding guitars which add a whack of grit into the luscious peppy mix.

Stream ‘Stay True’ below

https://soundcloud.com/justhope_music/stay-true

 


Alt Rock, EP Review, indie rock, New Music

MOTHER ‘Remnants Of A Wasted Dream’ EP

Oxford based indie rock four-piece MOTHER have released their debut EP ‘Remnants Of A Wasted Dream’ after the successful release of their debut single ‘Petrichor’ back in January receiving support from BBC Introducing Oxford, and leading to their first hometown sell-out show. Comprising of Josh Alden (guitar/vocals), Sam Alden (drums), Danny Fisher (guitar) and Everton Barbato (bass), the foursome have played together for the past 3 years in various projects. As their newest project, MOTHER represents everything the boys have always wanted to create musically. Taking influence from an eclectic range of artists, such as Radiohead, Bob Dylan and Foals, MOTHER is the incarnation of years of musical attributes.Their debut EP ‘Remnants Of A Wasted Dream’ was a talking point on their BBC Introducing interview, where the boys discuss how the title was chosen as it can be interpreted in a number of ways. Lending itself to the sensation of waking up from a dream with a vague memory of its content and a feeling of missing out lingering all day. ‘Remnants Of A Wasted Dream’ refers to the awareness that your dream could have provided a useful subconscious insight into your state of mind.

‘Petrichor’ kicks starts the EP with a catchy melody swallowed up in an infectious groove infested rhythm and jagged guitars oozing gob smacking adrenaline. Their sound is edgy, rugged yet insanely catchy. ‘Potent Prophecy’ exudes darkened swagger as the peppy beat bounces along eerie vocals and rugged guitars that creep in with a hair-raising attention-grabbing melody. While ‘The Saboteur’ takes their eerie sound to a haunting new level. A sway-like Radiohead-esque melody laments along mournful twinkling guitars while a steady beat pushes through with a heavy dampening effect. The despair filled vocals flood the track with mournful rainy-day melancholy as the song builds to a dramatic crescendo. These guys have created an EP that packs some serious punches with the gritty mosh ready fierceness of ‘Make Money, Be Happy’ maintaining a rich buoyant rhythm throughout the thick rough soundscapes. There is a sublime rumbly bass line in this track that is just thrillingly electrifying. It introduces the shift in the track as the song becomes darker and ominously intense with shrilling guitars and chilling vocals. ‘Descend Into Madness’ brings us to the end of the EP. Beginning delicate and soft its starts like a mournful ballad and then like the shock from a bolt of lightning blasts into a full out rocking danceable banger. Speedy instrumentation creates a mighty wall of sound while a playful elastic bass rebounds of running sharp guitars and snappy drums. The vocals remain somewhat eerie and crawly until the snappy groovy bridge.

MOTHER have created a compact EP of instantly likeable tracks that creep, crawl, haunt and explode into indie rock bangers all while holding a firm grip on your mind with compelling lyrics and dynamic expressive vocals. Its an impressive collection and a must listen.

For more details follow MOTHER on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/MotherOX4/

 

 


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Blank Parody ‘Underachiever’

Formed in 2015 Blank Parody, a bunch of noisy lads from Birmingham, began with a year of songwriting and recording. After a year of gigging up and down the country they have supported the likes of Vukovi, Seprona, Tigercub and Electric Six! and played slots at festivals such as London’s Camden Rocks, Sheffield’s Tramlines and Birmingham’s ValeFest. Following the recent release of their highly well received debut EP ‘A Tension’, which featured tracks such as ‘Dark Pretenders’ and ‘Marching Through The Smoke’, the band now present their biggest offering from the record yet ‘Underachiever’, before playing a string of dates across the country.

‘Underachiever’ with its subtle explosive bursts is an indie anthem all rolled up in a tight little package ready for live show sing-alongs. These guys are no strangers to meaty hefty instrumentation that bashes with thrilling adrenaline and this track is no different. However ‘Underachiever’ does offer a little more emotionally. This track wallops out a melancholic melody drenched in enough nostalgia to hit you right in the chest and force out that little tear you’ve hidden for years. This is a track for the down trodden, displayed through ethereal guitars and a rumbling bass. Its one everyone can relate to and sway along mournfully to, but these guys let you have that tear then whack you through it with some shredding rugged guitars and punchy drums filled with hopefulness and powerful fist pump indie rock. These guys are relentless in showcasing their versatility as a band and ‘Underachiever’ displays this perfectly- they can be melodic and sentimental yet still pack a mighty meaty punch.

You can catch Blank Parody live at:

11th February – The Black Heart, London

22nd February – The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton

8th March – The Shed, Leicester

30th March-1st April – Your City Festival, Stoke On Trent

Check out the video for ‘Underachiever’ below

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Dry Roasted Peanuts ‘Former Child Stars’ EP

Cork based Indie-pop four piece Dry Roasted Peanuts have released their second EP ‘Former Child Stars’. Following on from the success of their debut ‘Sometimes I’ll Stay In/Sometimes I’ll Go Out’ in May 2017, Dry Roasted Peanuts are back with another barn-storming effort. Marc O’Cearnaigh (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), JJ Lee (Bass), Robert McDonnell (Lead Guitar/Vocals) and Chris O’Sullivan (Drums) have conjured up a two-track compilation of indie-pop bliss, tinged with punk-rock sensibilities.

One thing I have come to love about this band is their sound has begun to reach a maturity beyond their years and ‘Former Child Stars’ displays this perfectly. ‘Honey + Lemons’ with its depth and musical precision pierces like a proficient swordsman at an unsuspecting opponent. The track progresses slowly with sweet toned guitar and steady rhythm leaving the dramatic effect to the compelling vocals. The lyrics are striking and the bands ability to hold the listeners attention through the narration with subtle instrumentation is remarkable. When the track finally does reach its crescendo it is phenomenal. Warm hazed wobbly guitars stride through a buoyant punchy rhythm creating the ultimate dazed blissful peak to the track. Second track ‘Upstanding’ fleshes out their swagger-soaked strut worthy sound. Once again euphoric golden guitar lines flood the track with sparkling luminosity while a spongy beat cushions you in their dreamy tranquilising soundscapes. With its sweet, delicious tone, for me the guitar melody is the highlight of this track. It’s light, nimble, zesty and infectiously calming. This short little ditty is a gem for sure. I could listen to both these track all day on a loop. This four piece are getting better and better with each release. I’m looking forward to what they have planned next.

Stream ‘Former Child Stars’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Post Punk, Punk Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This week Comes from Vundabar

Boston duo Vundabar have announced a UK and EU tour throughout April and May and shared the official video for their addictive single ‘Acetone’. The sludge-indie band have built a massive following through non-stop touring and their signature brand of jittery, rambunctious post-punk, yet much of their music hints at something darker beneath the surface. Having just wrapped up a two month Autumn/Winter US tour with The Frights and Hockey Dad, Vundabar are about to embark on their Spring North American headline tour with support from Ratboys, which includes a stop through SXSW, before heading over to Europe and the UK. The duo are set to release their brand new album ‘Smell Smoke’ on February 23rd.

‘Acetone’ is a clenching intense grip of post punk. With jittery guitars swirling and crashing into punchy drums this track is filled with frustration and angst as the busy instrumentation rushes around at dizzying speeds. The catchy melody flickers around – doused in melancholic tones accompanied by an almost pizzicato jerky vocal bridge. These guys display a raw vulnerability with gripping lyrics and blistering shredding instrumentation that is thrilling and extremely emotive. It’s unique composure with stops and starts and agitated guitar shrills over choppy vocal lines is somewhat nerve wrecking yet ridiculously infectious and compelling.

You can catch Vundabar live at their  UK / EU tour here

25 April – Jena – Glashaus

26 April – Berlin – ACUD

27 April – Copenhagen – Loppen

28 April – Hamburg – Goldener Salon

30 April – Brighton – The Hope & Ruin

02 May – London – The Lexington

03 May – Birmingham – The Sunflower Lounge

04 May – Manchester – Castle Hotel

07 May – Glasgow – The Hug and Pint

08 May – Edinburgh – Sneaky Pete’s

09 May – Sheffield – Picture House Social

11 May – Cambridge – The Portland Arms

14 May – Barcelona – Meteoro

 For the North American tour dates go to their Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/Vundabar/

Watch the video for ‘Acetone’ below