Dub step seems to be doing it's bit in cashing in on electronica's successful infiltration into more mainstream indie music. And as much as I don't like saying it, but have to admit...it's kind of taking over the electronic scene. Seems like every party you go to these days is tainted with this mind numbing goo rhythm of a sound. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel! Olinosterfant a three piece act hailing from Durbanville has managed to make dub step more digestible for those who are lesser-of fans by infusing it with rousing 8 bit energy and dusting it off with super-crisp production. Give two of their tracks below a listen or download it for further indulgence (right click, 'save target as'). And when that's done go tell them how much you've enjoyed their sound by befriending them on facebook and commenting on their wall.
With the first listen to Yeah Ok I'm left to imagine worn out masses, soaked with sweat and filled with sublime emotion after these guys have left the stage. It's finally here!, the much anticipated début of the Belfast native punktronic trio, Not Squares.
Tracklist:
1. Release The Bees (7:42)
2. De Na Na (2:58)
3. In Front (2:34)
4. Smith & Carlos (4:45)
5. Asylum (4:11)
6. Don't Do Nothing (5:25)
7. Yeah! (4:24)
8. Ojos Para Volar (3:53)
9. Bi Kan Na (3:04)
10. 53 (7:23)
Inspired by sand surf and sun, that which was, still is, and those that will be. A mixtape celebrating bands of recent times that's reviving the shoegaze, noise pop and lo fi rock scene.
Big thanks to Thomas for designing the album art. Visit his blog here and befriend him here.
Grab each track individually (right click, 'save target as') or download the entire mix here.
Bonus:
2010 has not disappointed in music at all and matters just keep on getting sweeter -->Crystal Stilts are back with a new single Shake The Shackles, after a two year dormancy!!
Schwefelgelb reminds me of blissed out, unrestrained, nipping nights in Berlin, where the only proof of a good night out was a sore body and a killer hangover the following day. I'm exited to announce that the boys are back with their second studio album Das Ende Vom Kreis (The end of the circle). This album packs punch in a way Muhammed Ali would only dream of (listen to Schwartz Weiss). Das Ende Vom Kreis is densely layered and restless, and continuous the dark electro new wave standard set in their début (Alt Und Neu).
This past week I've "been burning the ocean", with my thesis due end of November; 17 days and counting!! But what's been keeping me smiling is this 3 piece kit from Seattle. Their sound reminds me of what's waiting this coming holiday...sand surf and sun. Seapony churn out happy indie pop that'll compliment any day at the beach. They have a well put together sound for such a young band. Having formed only in June and releasing a free ep on bandcamp in August, they're gearing up to release Daydreaming, their 7'' début on November 15 via Double Denim.
Are you paying attention to Popskarr yet? If not, then you better be getting on their band wagon soon, because they're slowly working their way towards making their mark on the indie dance scene, if not already. Try out their latest remix of Cassius' I Love You So, and you'll find yourself itching for more. Popskarr's remixes shine with innovation and colour and their live performances are that of assured vigour and sophistication. I'd go so far and say Popskarr will surely raise some eybrows in 2011 if they drop an ep or perhaps a début on us.
Members: Yannick Ilunga and Terrence Pearce Location: Cape Town Label: Unsigned Band Page: myspace / facebook
Another mix to download and enjoy. This one marks the second instalment of Sunday Sensations, a mood setter for a chilled out mellow Sunday, featuring Fire Through The Window (Durban), Bordeauxxx (Guildford), Monzano(Oslo), Seapony (Seattle) and Peru Peru (Lille).
A big shout out to Chloe for designing the album art.
Neither French, nor particularly a collection of French films, these Finish chaps make sunny music from a cold cold place. Their two track ep entitled Golden Sea was released mid October this year via GAEA Recods. According to their facebook status a few weeks ago, they've started recording their début already. And now there's a video out for their much hyped about track Golden Sea. What do they sound like? Think of the Drums, the Young Friends and Joy Division repackaged in true subarctic Nordic style (It's Finland's answer to the Drums).
Location: Helsinki, Finland Memebers: Ohannes (vocals, guitar), Joni - (vocals, guitar), Mikael - (vocals, bass), Santtu (keyboards, guitar, percussion) Antti (drums)
Twee pop, a genre paved out by bands such as Heavenly from the 80's and more recent acts like Los Campesinos!, Camera Obscura and Belle & Sebastian, is very much alive and by the look of things, it's here to stay. Another addition to this genre is the U.K based Bordeauxxx. They formed last year in October and has cultivated a solid following of twee pop lovers. Get their ep from bandcamp for free and see for yourself if they're well worth the hype. Careful though...too much Bordeauxxx might leave you affectedly dainty.
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Members: Amy Bache, Charlie Clement, Jon Fairey, Martin Lilley, Nat Harding
I've been sharpening my teeth for this one. SIDEWALKS, Matt and Kim's third studio album is out today!! Haven't given the album a proper listen, but "Cameras" and "Where You're Coming From" appealed to me from the first listen.
Hazy tunes for a simmered down Sunday afternoon. This playlist features Holiday Murray's (Cape Town) brand new track "Jirey", Small Black's (Brooklyn)"Search Party", Prada's (Cape Town) Lagos, BlackBird BlackBird's (San Francisco) Pure and Cymbals' (London) "idon'tknowwhyyoubother". All the tracks from this mix are either from new upcoming bands or taken from albums released this year. So give them some cyber love. Download each track individually or grab the entire mix here.
Neave is an electro-distorto-pop practitioner based in London town. Influences include (Low era) Bowie, Depeche Mode, 70's Eno, Suicide, Throbbing Gristle, Justice and David Lynch.
For the past two years he's been gigging around London and Berlin building up a strong following in the process.
Click on the down pointing arrow on the right (on the SoundCloud widget) to download the track.
The chaps from Satellite Stories introduce themselves as four satellite heroes from the planet of summery breeze. They draw strong influences from Bangor's Two Door Cinema Club, Liverpool's Wombats and Brooklyn's Vampire Weekend. This is the kind of stuff you'd want to soundtrack your summer holiday. Satellite stories make feel good, happy music, that leaves you wanting more. They're just a few short weeks away from releasing another exclusive track to their followers. So get to know them before they become commercial property.
Location: Oulu, Finland Members: Weather-Satellite (vocals/guitar), TV-Satellite (guitar), Search and Rescue-Satellite (bass/vocals),
Navigation-Satellite (drums)
This is reminiscent of those lazy summer days where the heat forces you to sit inside watching day time TV and feeling lame because mom always taught you to ignore Super Mario and get some fresh air.
It's been 4 weeks and I'm still hooked on this EP (released early September this year). And every time I sit down to write something about it, or try to formulate a reason for why it's a must have, I go blank. But all I know is that I'm crushing on this band Summer Camp real hard. So instead of boring you with a review, I'll leave you with the stats and if so inclined, you can befriend them on facebook or myspace or their blog. And while you're at it download some of their tunes below.
Location: UK Members: Jeremy Warmsley and Elizabeth Sankey Label: Moshi Moshi Sounds Like: Polaroid-pop Band Page: myspace / facebook / blog
It's got vim. It's got vigour. And it's infused with the right amount of new wave and synthpop flavours from the 80's. Enter Detachments' self entitled album. Released in September this year, produced by James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco, and features additional production from Andrew Weatheralland DFA’s (Deutsch - Amerikanische Freundschaft) Tim Goldsworthy.
Dear Client is a four piece band who physically bare the resemblance of a gracefully toned down version of Kings of Leon, with less American and more South African. And I am going to try and ignore the fact that their music, identity and nationality are quite unlike their moniker and simply review their sound they introduce to the world on "Dear Client", their self-entitled EP.
Opener "Foreplay" begins worryingly with a far too familiar guitar and drum jangle, that makes you go "Uhm... I've heard that before", but the track is rescued by Braam's schmindie vocals, who in my opinion has that x-factor thing to it, that says: "I'm far too cool to bother with this whole being in a signed band thing, lets jam!!"
Then comes "Come On Over" the EP's pinnacle, the track that got me interested in the band initially. It starts out with a modest guitar jangle that builds up to a thrashing drum entrance placing the track in a falling tomtom rhythm mode that could easily soundtrack any blissed out modern romance (picture a scene from One Tree Hill). Despite lyrics and all, this track has that "open door policy, you're all welcome" feel to it, just "Come On Over"!
The remainder of the tracks "Dear Client", "Sky is Falling", "Something a Miss" and "Wake Up Slow" does not disappoint either. All the songs flow into each other, and although each track has it's own undertoned individual drive, the EP hangs perfectly together as a whole. Make no mistake, it is evident that Dear Client is still an inexperienced group of guys finding a musical flooring, albeit doing so with extremely rare panache and talent. This EP reflects a band that has found an initial sound to start with, something to built upon with more experience, maturity and time. I hope this sparks more young musicians and artists to try something unique, purely taking stimulation from previous scenes rather than a simple bash and rehash mimicry.
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape Members: Braam (rythm guitar and keys), Tinus (lead guitar and backing vocals), Frank (backing vocals), Rudick (drums) Label: Unsigned Band Page: facebook
Here's two new previously unrecorded tracks from the live session for ImprintThisOnYourMind, both of which will feature in a different form on the début album due in 2011.
Big Wave Riders is a four piece band from Helsinki, Finland. They started playing together about 5 months ago, but all the members have been making music for a long time now, in different projects. They describe their sound as new wave slash garage slash shoegaze. Their music is inspired by waves, echoes and experimental rhythms with a touch of electronics ("Republic of the Average" is evident of this).
Currently they're unsigned, but there has been discussions with labels. They're planning on releasing an ep soon and by the sounds of the two tracks below, I'd gladly want more.
Members: Teppo (vocals and guitar), Aleksi (bass), Anssi (guitar and keyboard), Pete (drums) Location: Helsinki, Finland
Girls Names is the new buzz that's been exciting blogs everywhere (or rather mostly in the northern hemisphere really). They themselves describe their music as disposable noise pop songs, It's a conglomerate of shoegaze and catchy surfer-rock hooks, so anticipate shadowy vocals echoing over a lo-fi guitar racket. The songs "Blood River" and "Tear Me Down" are good examples of this. Some may compare them to the Crystal Stilts or perhaps even the Blank Dogs. What makes them stand out, you may ask. I can mention three things. Number one: They're from Belfast, which isn't the obvious choice for a lo-fi, surf rock band. Secondly, their cover of the Twin Peak's theme song, Falling is one of the best covers I've ever heard. And last, they make good music which is fun to listen and dance to.
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland Members: Cathal (vocals), Neil (drums) and Claire (bass) Label: Unsigned Website:myspace
Ventomat conducted an interview with the relatively new and upcoming band, The Lottery Tickets. Their album launch is tonight at the The Hidden Cellar (Die Akker), 90 Dorp Street
Stellenbosch. Youth will be playing the opening slot.
This is what the boys have to say:
1) The Lottery Tickets... What's the origin of the name? Have you changed the band's name before?
The Band was originally called "The Revered", which was an acoustic project between James and Rob. Became The lottery tickets when the band went electric.
2) Please list the name, age, school, and respective instrument of each band member.
Well, none of us are in school any more. James Regout (Somerset College, 2005) - Drums. Robert Volker, James Acker (both Paarl Roos, 2006) - Both guitars and vocals. Mike Tymbios (Paarl Roos, 2006) - Bass. Dean Bellingham (Paarl Valei, 2009) - Synths and Saxophone.
3) What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
People would probably say we are Indie Rock, i don't know. What ever sounds good, no matter what genre.
4) How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
High School. Dean i met through my brother.
5) When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
2006, we had some songs and played about 8 shows and broke up. Then got back together in 2008 with James on drums and recorded our first EP "The Lone Shark"
6) Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
I rate we've played everywhere in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. Only Venues we still need to play is Bohemia and The Assembly which will hopefully happen soon.
7) Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
We only play one or two old ones from the 2008 EP, and then just new ones we have on the Album.
8) Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Rob Brings the Skeleton and we Flesh it out! On the spot writing takes very long and ends up becoming frustrating. helps when someone brings an idea that is simple and can be experimented with.
9) Could you briefly describe the music-making process (how you all would go about crafting a new tune)?
a song idea is brought - talk about it - try ideas - different arrangements - vocals added last.
10) What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Depending on shows, we practice when we like, or when James Regout isn't hungover.
11) How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
I rate you can still tell it's us, but just being more experimental. There are already new songs and ideas we are thinking of for the next album.
12) What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Money has been the one thing that has bleaked us out many of a times. Makes you grow tired and frustrated a lot of the time.
Not to sound Materialistic,but money helps a lot and brings happiness. We would really love to tour and record as much as we can.
13) What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
I won't lie, that would be nice. To play music you like and get noticed for it is a wonderful feeling.
14) How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
We have a myspace and facebook where you could hear some songs. Like Reggy said. Buy a CD. It's a awesome Package.
15) Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Family and Friends and the awesome team who did our music video.
Northern Ireland has once again gifted us with sweet comfort for our ears. Before it was the dance pop trio Two Door Cinema Club and now there's a new buzz band in the village. They go by the name of Not Squares. This Irish punktronic trio makes beats that forces your body to move in-sync even if your head says no. Its rapid bursts of nervous energy intertwined with dirty synths, double beat drums and disco baselines in a non generic fashion. Music by the band Liars suddenly seem like bedtime lullabies.
Earlier this year they signed to The Richter Collective and released the single Asylum under this label. Recently they released the video for the track "Release The Bees", which was directed by Andrew Woodby.
From: Belfast, Northern Ireland Members: Michael Kinloch, Keith Winter, Ricki O'Rawe Sound: read the description above Label: Richter Collective Website:http://www.myspace.com/notsquares
Stereo Silence is a Russian based artist (unsigned) who creates sweet electro beats using analogue synthesizers and computer sequencers.
When I chatted with him via e-mail, he mentioned that he uses cut and paste techniques to create his music. He finds this ideal as it helps him to take music that means a lot to him, divide it into small pieces and then connecting it in new ways, drawing his own pattern of sounds.
Both tracks "Flying Stones" and "Scars on Stars" are mellow but energetic. It makes for perfect driving music and is a perfect antidote for road rage. Download the two tracks from the links below. Befriend Stereo Silence on his lastfm profile and find more of Stereo Silence's work on his Sound Cloud account (see links below).
Recently a new video for the remixed version of Johnny Neon's Hearts surfaced on the net. Have a look at the 80's themed video below and download the track from the link below. If you're all new to Johnny Neon, here's something I posted on the band in the earlier days of this blog. If you like what you see and hear, follow this link to download more tunes from the artist.
This one's a bit late but well worth the mention. The Sick Leaves independently released their third studio album on March 8th this year. The new album, Last Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy follows the SAMA nominated first and second albums (Tunnel Vision in 2007 & Stone the Crow in 2009). Last Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy was produced by Grammy award winner producer David Torr who has produced for the likes of Zebra & Giraffe, Cassette and Dear Reader.
The Sick Leaves were in the Cape last year for Rocking the Daisies, Synergy Live and gigs in Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Cape Town. They are planning a Cape Tour in August, but nothing is official at this point, according to the band manager Linda Thompson.
Listen to the track “Coz you like it” off the new album, below.
Location: Pretoria, South Africa Label: Unsigned Sound: "dusty & celestial" - Jess Henson - One Small Seed magazine (Mar 02, 2009)
