BAND TO WATCH | OLINOSTERFANT

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.

Location: Durbanville

Members: Vocals/Gameboy/Lyrics - Jaak,  Synths/Programming/Guitar - Willie, Vocals/keyboard/Lyrics - Nelmari

Band page: facebook 

Olinosterfant - Cycling Master [Download]

Olinosterfant - Volstruis in my Pankreas [Download]

Bonus:

Trash Fashion - Rave Dave [Download]

NOT SQUARES | YEAH OK

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)

Bonus: This will keep you moving
Dancing Pigeons - Brushfield Spots [Download]
MIT - Was War Es [Download]

MIXTAPE | THE TIKI HUT JIVE

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.

Tracklist:
1. Black Tambourine - Heartbeat (1:41)
2. Sea Pinks - Falling Over (3:09)
3. The Young Friends - Downtown (1:54)
4. ROLLERSKATERS - Boyhood (2:52)
5. French Films - Take You with Me (2:31)
6. Crystal Stilts - Love is a Wave (1:59)
7. Dum Dum Girls - Oh Mein Me (2:11)
8. Vivian Girls - Damaged (2:06)
9. Slow Club - Giving Up On Love (2:50)
10. Seapony - Dreaming (2:20)
11. Lovvers - Human Hair (0:46)
12. Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Cool Ice Cream (2:57)
13. Black Lips - O Katrina! (2:50)
14. Wavves - King of the Beach (2:38)
15. Lovvers - Ocd Go Go Girls (3:48)
16. Crystal Stilts - Departure (4:28)
17. The Notes - Dancing Shoes (2:20)
18. Best Coast - Far Away (1:24)
19. French Films - Golden Sea (2:28)
20. Girls Names - Graveyard (2:45)
21. Beach Fossils - Twelve Roses (2:19)
22. Sex Beet - Sugar Water (3:08)
23. Electricity In Our Homes - Hooves (3:33)
24. The Ponys - Double Vision (3:37)

 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!!

Crystal Stilts - Shake The Shackles [Download] - (PS: the first serving of the bands second disc, due early 2011)

THE NEAT | HIPS

New video for The Neat's forthcoming single Hips via Chewing Gum.

The Neat - Hips [Download]

SCHWEFELGELB | DAS ENDE VOM KREIS

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).

Location: Berlin

Memebers:  Sid, Eddy, Nyx, Hal

Label: Tapete Records

Band Page: myspace / facebook

Tracklist:
1. Schwefelgelb - Intro (0:49)
2. Schwefelgelb - Wie Ich Heiss (3:56)
3. Schwefelgelb - Alle Sterne (4:43)
4. Schwefelgelb - Wie Jeden Tag (3:55)
5. Schwefelgelb - Zu Zweit (4:50)
6. Schwefelgelb - Ruckwarts Vorwarts (4:56)
7. Schwefelgelb - Unser Eigener Mull (3:05)
8. Schwefelgelb - Solange Du Atmest (4:07)
9. Schwefelgelb - Schwarz Weiss (5:41)
10. Schwefelgelb - Von Allem Zu Viel (4:13)
11. Schwefelgelb - Regen Aus Rosenquarz (4:18)
12. Schwefelgelb - Ganz Egal Was Ich Mach (4:21)

SEAPONY

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.

Members: Jen, Danny, and Ian
Location: Seattle
Label: Double Denim Records
Band Page: myspace / facebook

Seapony - Daydreaming [Download]

Bonus
Dum Dum Girls - Throw Aggi Of f  The Bridge (Black Tambourine Cover) [Download]
Black Tambourine - Throw Aggi Off The Bridge [Download]
Black Tambourine - For Ex Lovers Only [Download]

BAND TO WATCH | POPSKARR

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

Popskarr - Tonight [Download]
Cassius - I Love You So (Popskarr Remix) [Download]
We Have Band - OH! (Popskarr Remix) [Download]