Showing posts with label Alternative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alternative. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

This Week on BandSoup (3/5-3/19)

0 comments

Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!

* Click the band's name to hear their music.

We had a SXSW week last week, so here is a post with two weeks worth of our best new uploads.

Typhoon (Indie Rock)--  Check out our recent blog post for more info and videos. Typhoon's music has always been marked by complicated arrangements and careful orchestration. Live performances routinely involve 12 or more band members playing at once. "The group masterfully combines indie rock instrumentals and vocals with violins, percussion, hand claps, xylophone, horns and a choir of other instruments, making for inspiring and catchy songs." 

This Means Nothing in Mexico (Indie Rock/Pop)--  Vancouver trio that dares you not to groove to their single "Spirits" off of their brand new unveiling, Year of Thunder, now available as a free download.

Rogue Sounds (Instrumental Rock)-- Formed in the summer of 2008 to create more accessible instrumental music. The band currently resides in Anaheim, CA and has released 2 EP's, 2640 & Transmission. Most of 2011 was spent writing & recording 'Jupiter And Beyond The Infinite' which was released for free download/no minimum donation March 10th 2012.

Max & The Moon (Indie Rock/Pop)-- Max & The Moon's "Out of My Head" was our Soup of the Week last night. Check out the blog post and get your free download!

Coast Jumper (Indie Rock)-- Songs from their debut album, which is currently available as a "name your own price" download.

Literature (Indie Rock)-- Songs from the debut LP from Austin TX power pop madmen. Purchase here.

Tokyo Raid (Garage/Psych Rock)-- Serving up a ferocious, fuzzy, Rohyphenol-laced cocktail that fuels the bloody collision of neo-psychedelia, garage, post-punk and glam, San Francisco’s mercurial Tokyo Raid effortlessly pull off the difficult trick of being simultaneously iconic and fresh.

Equals (Instrumental Rock)-- "The densely layered songs all have their distinctive storyboard of moods and textures, each one a lovely surprise yet all five somehow melding together to form a cohesive, cinematic whole." Click here for a free download of their self titled EP.

Planet Asia (Hip Hop)-- New music from underground hip hop legend Planet Asia's latest record, Black Belt Theatre.

More awesome new bands/solo artists on the flip side!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Green River Ordinance- Under Fire (New Album)

0 comments

Listen to Green River Ordinance on BandSoup 

Forth Worth, Texas' Green River Ordinance recently chopped their major label chains and decided to do it themselves. The success of their new album, Under Fire, is a testament to the band's talent, dexterity, and durability, as they climbed to the top ten of the iTunes album charts on release day and remain steady today at #27.

On the new record, GRO continues to flex their strong foundation of beautiful vocal harmonies, infectious instrumental arrangements, and sincere lyrics, but with an expanded repertoire of instruments including the banjo, mandolin, accordion, lap steel and upright bass. These instruments add a dash of folk and alternative country to their pop rock stew, giving the band more depth of flavor. 

Many comparisons are made with Green River Ordinance and other popular radio friendly bands like Train, Matchbox 20, and The Fray, but GRO's genre-morphing abilities give them an edge on the aforementioned. Your ears are now under fire.



Over the decade-long journey from their first incarnation as kids in Fort Worth, Texas to the upcoming release of their latest album, Under Fire, Green River Ordinance has evolved steadily. The powerful five-piece’s message on their upcoming release evokes the challenges and triumphs of its members as they continue to grow personally and artistically. In 2007, GRO’s intensity and strong fan connection prompted EMI to sign them to Capitol Records. In 2009, Out of Our Hands, the band’s debut album shot to No. 10 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart and catapulted two singles, “Come On” and “On Your Own,” into the Top 40. GRO shared stages with Bon Jovi, Train, Counting Crows, Gavin DeGraw and other headliners; earned press coverage from CNN, Billboard and Alternative Press and got their music played on 56 network and cable shows along with three films.

And then, in July 2010, they walked away to start anew.

Working with producers Jordan Critz, Chad Copelin and Jarod Evans, GRO recorded Under Fire at studios in Texas and Oklahoma. For this album, the band wrote all songs built on a foundation of strong, solid, high-impact music – walls of guitar, hushed and intimate acoustic moments and rousing harmonized vocals. Their search to find and communicate answers will guide GRO through years to come, beginning with their Under Fire North American Tour beginning Feb. 29 in Houston. But wherever their explorations take them, Under Fire may be the star that charts their course.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

This Week on BandSoup (2/27-3/5)

0 comments

Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!

* Click the band's name to hear their music.

Films of Colour (Indie Rock)--  Films of Colour are Andy Clutterbuck (vocals), James Hatcher (guitar), Jack Allinson (bass/synths) and James Rees-Flynn(drums) who together create a sound of remarkable density that incorporates layers of synths and emotive guitars that draw comparisions with the likes of Foals, Arcade Fire vs early Bloc Party, Radiohead, aswell as shades of Miike Snow and Muse.

Ben Rector (Pop Rock)--  Ben Rector is an American musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. His most recent record, Something Like This was released in September 2011. Through word of mouth the record charted at #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart, and climbed above Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV to the #4 spot on iTunes,albums overall, bested only by Lady Antebellum’s same day release, Coldplay, and Adele. Rector’s songs have been featured on One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, Pretty Little Liars, Teen Mom, ESPN SportsCenter, and ABC’s Modern Family fall promo.

Green River Ordinance (Alternative Pop)--  This fall season marks the 10th Anniversary of Green River Ordinance as a band. In 2009 and 2010, GRO saw tastes of much sought after success: 2 Top 40 radio singles, songs on over 20 TV shows ("So You Think You Can Dance", "The Hills", "The Young & Restless"), 2 music videos on MTV and VH1, tours with American Idol winners David Cook & Kris Allen, Goo Goo Dolls, Collective Soul, Train, Lifehouse, and many others. GRO's Original Song “Rise Up” was featured on the AT&T Team USA 2010 Winter Olympics Soundtrack alongside Mariah Carey, 3 Doors Down, Train, Rascal Flatts.

Midway Still (Alternative Rock)-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midway_Still

Run on the Sun (Indie Rock)-- After performing alongside megastars Bruno Mars, The Black Keys, Cee Lo Green and Mayday Parade, appearing on Howard Stern, and playing festivals such as The Bamboozle and Virgin Mobile FreeFest, Run On The Sun has proven themselves to be a band that’s worth hearing.

Shady Maples (Folk)-- Bay Area singer, songwriter and guitarist Owen Roberts and San Diego's beer brewing lap steel wizard Greg Peters formed Shady Maples in 2010 after touring California as a duo. The band's dynamic sound is soulful and gritty with hard hits and bone shivering melodies. Influenced by artists from Iron and Wine to Radiohead, Ben Harper, Fabrizio De Andre and Sam Cooke, their music does not sit comfortably in any one genre but bends between rock, americana, folk and latin.

Kid Jerusalem (Alternative Rock)-- Alternative quintet from Carmel, NY.

Wiretap Crash (Alternative Rock)--  Long Island, NY post-hardcore rockers.

How To Operate Your Brain (Alternative Rock)-- We saw stars. We saw spaceships. We heard songs of the ages and saw lights in the eyes of our enemies. Now we see nothing. We sit in a cave in the dark and revel at the sound of dust settling. 

Opaque Nature (Folk)--  Opaque Nature are a Midlands (Leamington/ Coventry) based band. We play our own brand of new folk/ alternative music, full of energy and hope as well as some more mellowed out intimate music. It has been described by Pete Donaldson as "blissed out folky loveliness, like Kirsty Maccoll and Jeff Buckley all rolled into one."

Georgiana Acchione (Classical)-- A beautiful rendition of Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata in D major L46.

Dikembe (Alternative Rock)-- Gainesville rawk.

Flip Cassidy & The Junkyard Gospel (Folk)-- The Reverend Flip Cassidy is a rusty man who plays rusty songs on rusty guitars. The Junkyard Gospel is a howling, raging acoustic sound bellowed forth with a voice like a rusty saw blade. His solo performances are known to be highly energetic and infectious, surprisingly loud, and have even caused rippling, whiskey-induced fervors in audiences, fellow performers and bartenders alike.

Giraffage (Electronic/Instrumental)--  "...A blissful blend of dreamy and ethereal fluttering sounds sprinkled with glitchy effects, quirky drums, and beautiful vocal samples. This is definitely some of the flyest damn music around. Listening to the album is akin to dancing on a cloud while drinking the magic fermented nectar of wood sprites."

Monday, March 5, 2012

2 Free EPs from The Foot.

0 comments

I guess once you are hailed as one of Denver's top rock acts and one of URB's "15 acts you wish you saw at CMJ 2010" you can toss a period next to your band's name. The Foot., an absolute fucking nightmare for bloggers with severe punctuation OCD, is an emerging west coast band with a spirited live show and genre bending sound that has been captivating audience's since their unveiling in 2010. The lifelong musicians are old schoolmates, brought together at university from all corners of the country. They immediately took their shared love of 60s and 70s classic rock, early 90s alternative rock, modern pop and r&b and began rehearsing earnestly in a basement that seemed to flood on a weekly basis. The results of these aquatic sessions were what would ultimately become their critically acclaimed debut release, 2010's Primary Colors.
Last week the band continued their onslaught with the release of TWO free EPs, The Crowd Control and The Cloud Control, each spotlighting a different vibe and expertise from the foursome. The Crowd Control EP features more of an accessible alternative rock ethos in the first two tracks-- The Day We Danced Around is a sultry and soulful alt-pop nod while Dark Dark Ways contains a lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers-esque 90s radio rock influences-- but quickly takes a turn into the modern folk realm with the sleepy yet endearing mood of A Parting Lesson. 
The Cloud Control EP continues the schizophrenic trek through rock and roll and features The Foot. messing with funky acapellas in Ignorance; a more modern take on alternative/indie rock with the Black Keys-like Daisy Baby; and ends comes full circle into another infectious alt-pop cut like the opening track of The Crowd Control EP in The Huntress.


Judging by these two EPs, Jeff McCollister, Phil Barrett, Noah Shomberg, & Drew Sowell are obviously onto a something. By providing a masterful blend of the past, the future and everything in between, The Foot. has forgone the mess and confusion of genre and scene and has instead focused on fun and connecting with their audience. That's why these guys are worth a listen. Period.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Nico Blues- Die Happy (Free Album Download)

0 comments

The Nico Blues are back with yet another free download!

Their 2011 release, Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements, was one of my most played rock albums of last year and I'm interested to hear how the band has progressed after getting MTV buzz and internet acclaim. Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements obviously made my nostalgia meter explode while writing my review:
A few flanneled and forgotten fossils of the early 90s were recently discovered in a basement in New York by an unknown yet quintessential alternative rock quintet known as The Nico Blues. Mixing the classic distorted roots of alt-rock with hints of Pavement, Mudhoney, and the more recent Silversun Pickups, The Nico Blues' debut album, Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements, is a sublime combination of vintage college rock grunge and new era alternative pop. 

Let's see what they came up with in their basement this time...

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Challenges- Going For Bronze (Video)

0 comments

Challenges is a pop-punk band fronted by lead vocalist and founder Corey Maynard, lead guitarist/backup vocalist Brian Dempsey, guitarist Danny Massei, bassist James Tripaldi, and drummer RJ Sumblin. This is their latest DIY video from their forthcoming EP entitled Our Honest Opinion.


Check out our past coverage of the band here and stay tuned for the release of their new EP.

I Swim With Sharks- Build Me Up (Video)

0 comments

Here is the latest single from Leeds based aggro-pop trio I Swim With Sharks called Build Me Up. This record is even more aggressive compared to their other incredibly catchy single, Just Be Good, that we covered last year.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

This Week On BandSoup (2/20-2/27)

0 comments

Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!

* Click the band's name to hear their music.

Leatherbag (Indie Rock)--  Leatherbag is an American power trio from Austin, Texas. After relocating to Austin from Houston in 2005, Leatherbag was formed by songwriter/guitarist, Randy Reynolds. The band's new and final form finds Drew Emmons wired on bass and Danny Blanchard wild behind the drums. The band has performed at the Austin City Limits Music Festival and at the SXSW Music Conference.

The Foot. (Alternative Rock)-- Hailed as one of Denver's top rock acts, The Foot. entered the national scene at New York City's CMJ 2010. Urb Magazine declared them "one of the 15 acts you wish you saw at CMJ" alongside such acts as Das Racist and Two Door Cinema Club. After making several swings across the country, playing some of the most prestigious venues at home, and playing with some of the most respected artists on the national stage, The Foot. has begun work on a series of EPs, the second and third which will be released in early Spring 2012. 

Funktion (Funk/Hip Hop/Jam Band)-- Funktion, the 7-man band based in Kalamazoo, MI, delivers their blend of funk-rock and soul with a hip-hop beat.

IG88 (Electronic)-- Branden Clarke, otherwise known as IG88, would maybe like to fool you into believing that he and his buttons are buried somewhere in between a spray of ambient elation and the sands of a remote desert planet – but there’s something else here. Something tangible and soulful, something raw and quick. Something like the full breath of a thunderhead, the shards of sparks following a blunt and sonic hit to the nail on the head.

Acid Baby Jesus (Garage Rock)--  ABJ represents the future of heavy psych'n'roll from an isolated, ancient civilization. Combining the ruthless elements of American outlaw roots music and celestial glam rock, like fellow deconstructionists Demon's Claws, "LP" suggests the Rolling Stones at their wearied best, with the electrifying hi-jinks of Brian Eno bulldozing the swagger into the darkest corners of the cosmos.

James London (Singer Songwriter/Folk)--  Hailing from Portland, Oregon, James London’s debut EP, “Where Do We Go From Here,” soars with memorable melodies and complex, layered arrangements. From the lush, spacioussplendor of the opening title track, to the moody ... swaggering conclusion of “Bad Seed,” the songs onthis record provide a shimmering, sometimes psychedelic, sonic landscape in which to get beautifully lost.

Beecher's Fault (Alternative Rock)--  In their first year, Beecher’s Fault has become a key player in the local music scene of Astoria, NY. The pop/rock band has played an impressive amount of shows at prominent NYC venues that include The Bitter End, Sullivan Hall, and Pianos. Though only a trio, their live performance has frequently been described as a “wall of sound” that captivates audiences as they light up venues with an energy that is more akin to that of a six-piece ensemble.

Mofo Party Plan (Indie Pop)--  It's fancy and "Dancy".

Muffler Men (Alternative Rock)--  Muffler Men is a power trio from Ghent, Belgium with an alternative rock sound that leans towards stoner rock.

Louder Space (Reggae Rock)--  Louder Space formed in San Luis Obispo, CA on October 5th, 2011 when bassist Oren Ben-Joseph and drummer Philip Tyler joined up with singer Chris Kaye and guitarist Clayton Daly. Meeting each other at a party, the group instantly connected on similar music tastes and the desire to jam together. Since then, the group has been rocking out and working hard to make new exciting music.

The Ready Aim Fire! (Synth Pop)-- Synth-driven indie rock from Walnut, CA.

Kung Foo Grip (Hip Hop)-- Eff Is H & Greg Cypher. Two MC's making that fresh coast hip hop that never gets old. Relevant, independant, & definitely dope! Lyrical, classic, hungry, and versitile.

Zombie Western (Instrumental Rock)-- The aptly named Zombie Western is a four piece instrumental post-rock band based in Waco, TX. The band's influences are clearly apparent in their music, their name, and the intensity of their performances. The careful blending of the dramatic elements of film with the subtlety of layered instrumentation come together to create their textured sound.

Tea Cozies (Garage Pop)--  Steeped in garage rock and british indie, Tea Cozies take influences from guitar-driven pop bands as Blur, Elastica, and the Pixies.

La Palma (Instrumental/Modern Jazz)--  Modern Jazz, soundscapes, and classical instrumental music.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Shiny Penny and The Critical Shoes- Mr. Welker (Soup of the Week)

6 comments

Ohio, Illinois oooh I want to take you
Kentucky, Michigan come on pretty mama
...
Off in central Indiana
There's a place called Kokomo...

Where energetic and melodic alternative rock still lives within a young trio dubbed Shiny Penny and The Critical Shoes.

What started out as an acoustic cover band in 2009 has transformed into Kokomo's 2011 best live band and a rising, spark plug act to watch out for in the future. Their 2011 debut EP, Third Spin, features three tracks that are all over the rock and roll map. Wonderville is a Red Hot Chili Peppers-esque trek into rap-rock territory; Curse of the Elephant displays a heavier, alt-punk influence packed with multi-layered chants and power chords; and the stand-out, Mr. Welker, is a nostalgic nod to turn of the century alternative rock. Third Spin gives a dizzy perception into what the band really is, but Mr. Welker is a smash hit begging for worldwide acclaim and radio play.


Dean Schimmelpfennig (say that three times fast) shines bright in this single as he and the accompanying music flip from an introspective, melancholic tone to an outcry of fear and frustrated questions. The arrangements are just as infectious as the vocals and lyrics and, in my opinion, foreshadows the direction that the band should go in because it fills a void in modern alternative rock that is still covered by bands from the 90s. Not only is this a flawless song, it's one of the best outputs of alternative I've heard in years. 

As a big fan of 90s and turn of the millennium alternative, Shiny Penny & The Critical Shoes have me highly anticipating what they have in store for 2012. I've been dying for an updated version of this type of music for years and if Third Spin is any indication of what they are doing in the future...

that's where I want to go
a place called Kokomo.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

This Week on BandSoup (2/13-2/20)

0 comments

Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!

* Click the band's name to hear their music.

Shiny Penny & The Critical Shoes (Alternative Rock)-- Often known for their "musical chairs" on stage, SPCS rotates instruments every few songs on stage to produce multiple styles and sounds. Also known for their wild, funky breakdowns, combined with Dean's strong yet melodic vocals, Brad's bluesy yet heavy guitar solos, and Dustin's tasteful beats and bass lines, SPCS looks to be a force to be reckoned with in the music world.

Afterlife Parade (Indie Rock)--  Raw and deeply triumphant, Afterlife Parade is a Nashville based indie rock band that's sound combines life's hard fought wisdom with the roar of street cadences and ticker tape; music that beckons hearts to march.

Matt Wilson Band (Rock)-- Matt Wilson Band, a four piece highly versatile rock n roll band, is fronted by piano/singer/songwriter Matt Wilson. Matt is an incredible entertainer, band leader who tailors each show for his audience. It's a wildly entertaining night that keeps audiences on the dance floor to the very end.

Dot Square (Indie Rock)-- Devised in 2005 by singer/songwriter Jason DiBartolo, "Dot Square" is an ambitious outlook on the contrary side of the world today. With swirling guitar textures, subtle driving melodies, & dramatic rhythms, "Dot Square" tackles the mind and aims straight for the mood.

The RainDoggs (Blues)-- Click Here to Hear our Soup of the Week and The RainDogg's awesome Snoop Dogg cover of My Medicine.

Scott Ramsay (Blues Rock/Instrumental)-- Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Scott Ramsay is a blues rock guitarist and sound engineer student working on his new album entitled ‘Route 66′ set to release around April-May of this year.

The Enemy Within (Hardcore/Punk)-- Former members of Boston bands Beware, Milo's Syndicate & Blood for Blood team up to form a super squad of hardcore rockers.

Color Me Blind (Hardcore/Rock)-- Color Me Blind has established a unique sound that highlights both their musicianship and utter love for music. From brutal head-banging licks to catchy choruses, there is no doubt this band loves to test the realm of Hardcore and Alternative Rock.

Karvel (Alternative Rock)-- Karvel are a three piece alternative rock band from London, Twickenham. Karvel have achieved so much in so little time. Having only been together a year, they have worked with the likes of Jim Abbiss (Bombay Bicycle Club, Adele and Kasabian) and Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse) as well as performing a live acoustic session on BBC Radio London.

Runaway Brother (Alternative Rock)-- Fueled by a wide range of bands from Say Anything to Death Cab for Cutie, and Third Eye Blind to Tegan and Sara. Released their first two EPs: Mr. Saturn & The Bull Moose Party and have been working on their debut full-length album. Split EP with The Pattern Traced out this Fall. 

Pola.A (Electro Pop)--  Pola.A, from the Flexible Friends label out of Versailles, France, is a multifaceted artist that can be best described as pop meets electronic folk.

Tha Geeks (Hip Hop)-- Tha Geeks are three MC's from Cleveland Heights, OH who spit dope rhymes on their own original beats.

Blak Lyons (Rock)-- Rock and Roll quartet from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

This Week on BandSoup (2/6-2/13)

0 comments

Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!

* Click the band's name to hear their music.

Death Rattle (Electronic/Indie Rock)-- Check out our blog post featuring a free download and Death Rattle music video. Heavily influenced by Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, and Fever Ray, Death Rattle splashes their dreary innards over what sounds like a futuristic factory machine hard at work. The femme fatale on the mic glides over the industrial synths and pounding percussion perfectly, as the grinding, seductive bass drives her kiss of death into the heart of your cortex.

Skyways Are Highways (Alternative Rock)-- After ten years and a handful of demos under their belt, Skyways are Highways have officially recorded their debut double single of the same name.
Mixed by ARIA award winning Producer & Engineer, Steve James (www.steve-james.com), whom has spent the last ten years investing his time in Skyways Are Highways, so much so it seems like Steve is another arm of the band. Check out both singles on the main site.

Saint Jude (Rock)-- Check out our recent blog post featuring Saint Jude's latest video and free downloads. 

Orange Grove (Reggae Rock)-- European based Reggae rock band that have been around for over ten years but are about to release a special project unlike anything they have released before. Stay tuned.

Quiet Hounds (Indie Rock)-- Some sounds just command the ear when created with honest pursuit; such is the case with Quiet Hounds. These are gentlemen of various talents unexpectedly united with the unabashed desire to produce pure, authentic music with only spontaneity as a guide. Stepping out of familiar cages and unleashed to create something that had been stirring within for quite some time.

Patrick Davy & The Ghosts (Rock)-- Patrick Davy and The Ghosts are a three-piece group from Detroit, MI. Their music is influenced by Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Ryan Adams, and Crosby Stills and Nash. Whether they are performing electric or acoustic, the music remains a blend of crafted, artistic melodies and powerful fundamental rock grooves. The Ghosts have a number of recordings and are now expanding beyond their hometown.

Patrick Dodd Trio (Blues Rock)-- Often compared to Albert King, Marc Broussard, Johnny Guitar Watson and Mississippi Fred McDowell, Dodd's soulful style is a fiery mix of passion, melody, rhythm and soul. He is the bridge between the roots of blues music and the contemporary influence of southern rock, roots and jam music.

Bob Dean (Alternative Rock)--  The title of their debut album describes it best "Volcanic Music" Bob Dean have set out to create something new in the Manchester music scene. This international 5-piece have been gigging for just over a year, they have been praised for their explosive live performance and have been compared to The Mars Volta, Muse and Coldplay with hints of classical and Icelandic influences.

The Province (Pop Rock)-- Female fronted pop rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. Their new album Skeletons & Keys was released last week.

The Golden Troubadours (Acoustic/Folk)-- The Golden Troubadours are a dreamlike acoustic band from Nottingham who write unique soulful songs with shades of flamenco, folk, soul and blues performed with passion and feeling, which leave the heart-strings lovingly played.

Tensei (Hip Hop)--  The Chicago based production crew, Tensei, is comprised of Simple X and Midas Wells. The two met in college at Southern Illinois University with a shared love for hip hop and together formed the group Tensei, meaning 'heaven star' in Japanese. This EP brilliantly showcases Tensei's production style, forfeiting traditional use of samples and instead, using live musicians to create and produce their tracks.

Whales in Cubicles (Indie Rock)-- New band out of London.

The Soviet (Indie Rock)--  Check out Doug Foley's Hot One of the Week/Interview with the band.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Hot One of the Week & Interview: The Soviet

0 comments

As I contemplated my blog this week, I wanted to do something different and give readers (and listeners) a chance to meet the artist rather than just read what I wrote about them. A perfect act for me to cover this week is The Soviet, a quartet from northwestern New Jersey who just released their debute EP. So without further hesitation I give you my interview:


First, before we get started, would you please introduce yourself and tell us your previous experience with music and your largest influences?

My name is Joshua Perna. I'm a multi-instrumentalist; I started playing jazz drums in my pre-teens, eventually moving on to study bass. I eventually taught myself how to play guitar, and, for this project, how to sing. I've done session work with all of these instruments, and been an actual member of only a couple of bands up until this point. Since I play different instruments I'm influenced from all over the place, but as of right now I'd say my biggest are Thom Yorke, Guthrie Govan, and Darren King.

Tell us the story behind The Soviet: a. why the name, b. who else is in the band, and c. goals you have for this project.

We originally got the name from mewithoutYou's song of the same title, but chose to keep it since it's just an interesting ad authoritative word (it translates to something along the lines of "the council", I think.) I have the blessing of working with a few really talented guys. I started the band with a long-time friend of mine, Aaron Brown, who plays lead guitar. We later found Alex Long, a jazz guitarist who picked up bass for the project, and Kevin, our drummer. Our goals are pretty simple and sincere: we just want to perform the music we're creating and get it out to as many people as we can. I feel as if many people get too wrapped up in fantasies of fame and lose sight of the fact that a band should be about a love of music, and we're really trying to hold onto that.

Your first EP is on its way out soon. How long as this been in progress and what was involved?

Wherewithal EP was written in a matter of months. We only really started as a band in Summer of 2011, and just recorded the record in January. Writing it, though, had a lot to do with finding our sound. We had all come into this project from different places, musically (primarily from a progressive/metal music scene.) So a large part of writing this was the trial and error of really agreeing what sort of sound we wanted to orient ourselves around, since this genre was entirely new to us.

Take us through the content of Wherewithal. What makes this record special, both musically and lyrically?

The EP is basically a walk through different situations and junctions in a person's life and how they choose to cope with them. Having the wherewithal (which means capability, for those who don't know) to do something is a daily struggle, and lyrically that's the emotion that the EP is centered on.
Musically, the EP is varied. We write under the pretense that no two songs should sound the same (while keeping a cohesive sound, of course.) So even though it's only a 5-track record, it covers a lot of musical ground in terms of dynamic and energy.

Do you have any closing remarks regarding the release of Wherewithal, the future of The Soviet, and your fans out there?

Just to get a copy of our music, by legal means or otherwise, and keep an eye on what we're doing. I hope our music is something everyone can get excited about, because I can honestly say this is one of the most meaningful projects I've ever been a part of, and I'm very excited about the future. Thanks!

Check out “Wherewithal” here and go like The Soviet on Facebook.



-Doug Foley

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Whores- Ruiner

0 comments

Atlanta, GA noise merchants WHORES have unleashed their debut release, Ruiner, via Brutal Panda Records.  The album was recorded this past summer at The Factory in Atlanta, GA with Kyle Spence (HARVEY MILK) handling the mastering duties.  The record is available on a limited edition 12″ vinyl, with orders available here.


The band has quickly become known for their intense live shows, which they plan to bring across North America early next year. Creative Loafing Atlanta said it best: "To put it plainly, Whores' debut EP, Ruiner, finds the Atlanta noise-rock trio destroying everything in sight with a pulverizing rumble of slow rhythm and hatred. Singer/guitarist Christian Lembach's possessed vocalizations sway between soaring melodies and screaming lashings in "Daddy's Money." The song pulls back the hammer and a blast of methodical, teeth-gnashing rage ensues without an ounce of subtlety heard anywhere throughout the four remaining songs. But there is a tuneful drive behind standout cuts "Fake Life" and "Straight Down." Each one moves with brute force, drawing strength from its own ferocity as the bass-heavy rhythms reveal themselves as the vicious centerpiece. The production is clean, direct and loud, facilitating the strengths on "Fake Life." Each song punches with reactionary, and ultimately rewarding, fits of pure psychosis.


Here is a fan made video for their song "Daddy's Money".

A Yawn Worth Yelling

0 comments

A Yawn Worth Yelling is a five piece band out of San Jose, California made up of the multi-talented Tyler Boyd (lead vocals/guitar/percussion), Brayden Deskins (lead guitar), Johannes Heine (bass) , Taylor Stover (drums), and Joey Pisacane (lead vocals/guitar). On top of mastering their main roles, all members serve as back up singers because the band likes every yawn and every yell to have multiple layers and depth, as heard on their acclaimed debut EP, 1,000.


1,000 is an interesting record mainly due to the fact that the band is apart most of the year in different universities across the north pacific. Oftentimes, the band writes and records their material separately, sending bits and pieces of ideas to each other over the internet, until they can all meet up and turn the fragments into a complete song. "Their biggest challenge", according to lead guitarist Brayden Deskins, turns out to be unnoticeable and almost unfathomable considering the cohesiveness of their debut EP.

Combining influences from Maps & Atlases and The Dear Hunter, AYWY switches from smooth to spry at the drop of that hat and executes each mood seamlessly. The band is young and green, but after listening to the first two tracks on the EP (1,001, Actually and This Inherent Omniscience), their talent, melodies, and mature songwriting abilities take over and the musical experience takes over the inexperience. Just imagine if they had more time together.




1,000 is now available as a free download. The band is rumored to have a full length album currently in progress.



This Week on BandSoup (1/30-2/6)

0 comments

Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!

* Click the band's name to hear their music.

The Scholars (Alternative Rock)-- Shimmering, hook-laden rock music from Oxford, UK. The Scholars draw inspiration from post-punk, New Wave, and rock in an attempt to make sense of a confusing media age.

Whores (Grunge/Alternative)--  "Whores is relentless and merciless in its sonic attack: Its gigantic walls of fuzz and thunderously colossal low-end rumble recall The Melvins’ refined sludge; the epic, primal howls, feedback-heavy rests and meticulous precision recall the best of The Jesus Lizard and Karp. Simply: Whores f#!king slays. Period."

Weird Dreams (Indie Rock)-- With a unique sound influenced in equal measure by David Lynch’s liminal, hallucinatory worlds, and acts as varied as the Beach boys, T. Rex, The Tammys, Syl Johnson, O.V. Wright and Smashing Pumpkins not for nothing have Weird Dreams been described as “the most exciting new band in London”.

The Average Engines (Alternative Rock)-- The debut album “Battlesuits” arrives like a large scoop of ice cream in the deepest winter; a bitter sweet combination, painfully if you eat it too fast, but extremely delicious anyway. Following on from their EP “If Dali Broke My Arm It Would Sound Like This”, they come with the goods on their first long player, published on their own label Brutkasten, containing a mixture of Indie, Stoner, Prog, Alternative and a little help of Pop. Average Engines bring a lovingly handmade debut to the fore.

3 1/2 (Garage Pop)-- Leila, Legz, and Tizza are 3 1/2, Co Wave's Los Angeles bedroom doo wop rock trio that are impossible not to like.

XBloome (Electronic Rock)-- XBloome is an Austrian band, joining electronic drum- and synthesizer sounds with classical instruments like violin, trumpet and bass into a smooth blend of ambient disco trip-hop.

The All-About (Indie Rock)--  The All-About is a synth-based power-pop project maintained by Zac Coe in and around Central New York, musically devoted to exploring the enduring connection that exists between pop music and catharsis. Described by producer Oliver Ignatius as "one of the most lovely dissections of the blisses and anguishes of a failed love affair to come out in years," the 2nd LP, Winterpop, is a "pop-soul-synth-punk opus," and it's available for free right now at: http://theallabout.bandcamp.com/.

Groj (Electronic)--  Brainwashed by the visionary sounds of Krautrock giants and the rapturous explorations of Richard D. James, in “Promised Land” Groj interprets themes of trust, self- deception and private fantasies. Under the influence of a minimalist implosive system and tangled in an abundant and hypnotic electro-acoustic foliage, the album comes through with a unique sense of simple delivery.

The Missing Season (Dream Pop)-- French duo that just released their third album, The Last Summer. 

A Yawn Worth Yelling (Indie Rock)-- A Yawn Worth Yelling is composed of five members from San Jose, California. They released their debut album, 1,000, in 2011.

The Black Black (Indie Rock)-- The trio creates their own brand of groove-heavy punk rock. Rock solid rhythms juxtaposed with powerful, driving bass lines and spastic guitars; all tied together with classic melodies. It's rock music that sinks into your bones and requires you to keep turning it up. The Black Black released their first EP "Music To Sell Drinks To" in January 2012 and will be playing shows all around the Northeast this Spring.

Kubatko (Electronic)-- A czech music composer and DJ.

The Few (Blues/Funk/Rock)-- With a passion for vintage, The Few deliver retro vibes, fine-tuned for modern times. From their original stage setup to their custom made Becker instruments and rigs, The Few does it like no other. With a sound often compared to the Black Keys or Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, The Few creates a riffy, blues charged vibe, dripping with rock induced jams.

Kid City (Indie Pop)--  Eerie electronic pop from new Toronto duo that just released their first EP.

Moody Gowns (Indie Rock)--  Moody Gowns are a band who are quintessentially British for all the right reasons. They champion that wry wit and charm that all of history’s greatest Brits possessed. They couple it with light-hearted cynicism that is undeniably funny. They don’t take themselves too seriously; yet they are more real, true to life and down right important than any other band on your radar right now.

Lower Lands (Alternative/Punk Rock)-- View our blog post from last week here. Lower Lands is a young quartet from the cathedral city of Lincoln, United Kingdom that blend a spry and spirited mixture of alternative, pop, and new millennium punk rock. Last year they released their free debut EP, This Was Not Our Greatest Endeavour, a noisy yet catchy foray into the land of post-hardcore. This year the band plans to release another EP entitled Growing Pains featuring the lead single "Reality in Routine". As seen and hard in the video/single above, it's obvious that the lads from Lower Lands have already endured those growth pains and are now reaping the benefits.

Eager Eyes (Alternative Rock)-- An emerging rock quartet from Alameda, California. Their self titled debut is available now.

I Self Devine (Hip Hop)-- Chaka Mkali, also known as I Self Devine is a musician, Mc, community organizer, racial justice trainer, graffiti artist, muralist, program coordinator and director of organizing and community building at Hope Community Center in Minneapolis. Stay tuned for the new album The Sounds Of Low Class America coming May 8th, 2012!

Devin Levi (Electronic/Indie)-- Music from Devon Levi's new album, Here's to Now, a blend of electronic music and live instrumentation that Devon likes to call "artistic alternative".

The Creech (Punk/Alternative)-- Punk/Hardcore band from Germany.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Skint & Demoralised- All The Rest Is Propaganga (Video)

0 comments

Here is the official video for Skint & Demoralised single 'All The Rest Is Propaganda' from their 2nd album This Sporting Life. Be on the look out for the digital release via Heist Or Hit Records on March 5th before the album's full launch on March 12th.


photo by Andy Broomhead

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Decortica- Shinkansen (Video)

0 comments

Here is another video from Auckland alternative rockers Decortica off their 2011 album, Love Hotel, which you can order/download in various different ways here.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Lower Lands- Reality in Routine (Video)

0 comments

Lower Lands is a young quartet from the cathedral city of Lincoln, United Kingdom that blend a spry and spirited mixture of alternative, pop, and new millennium punk rock. Last year they released their free debut EP, This Was Not Our Greatest Endeavour, a noisy yet catchy foray into the land of post-hardcore. This year the band plans to release another EP entitled Growing Pains featuring the lead single "Reality in Routine". As seen and hard in the video/single above, it's obvious that the lads from Lower Lands have already endured those growth pains and are now reaping the benefits.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Elos Arma- T.I.T.S. (Free Album Download)

0 comments

On their sophomore album, T.I.T.S. (This Is The Shit), Toronto quartet Elos Arma nurse numerous turn of the millennium punk and alternative rock influences into a healthier, less clichéd offspring. Their overwhelming energy, flair for power-pop rock, and youthful ethos translates through everything they touch. From the music to their album art to their website design and video direction-- this is a band that everyone can have fun with.


As mellow, lo-fi shoegazer rock and electronic music continue to build popularity, it's refreshing to hear an indie band revive an uptempo and happier vibe in their music. T.I.T.S. leads off with Super Diamonds, a song that spotlights the band's best attributes with infectious multi-layered vocals, twinkling keys, and catchy construction, and immediately shows us why the album title can also be used as an adjective to describe their talent. Much like Super Diamonds, the succeeding songs You Shut Your Mouth When You're Talking To Me and Walker follow the same blueprint and are equally endearing. The classic punk spawned layered vocal chants in each song add an extra pinch of catchiness to an already toxic batch of tunes. The outcome? Addiction and future interventions. Oh the Light and PS show the flip side of Elos Arma. The slower tempo and more serious tones in these songs add depth to the album and show that the vocals aren't the only thing in the band that is multi-layered.



My first dive into the chest of these young canucks was a satisfying one. The five tracks presented on T.I.T.S. reveal a future powerhouse of pop rock and a band that deserves way more attention than they have received thus far. What I like most about T.I.T.S. is, instead of being a casual spectator to an album like I usually am, Elos Arma made me want to jump in and motorboat.

Sorry for the all the spit.

- Ryan Monk


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

This Week on BandSoup (1/16-1/23)

0 comments
Another week in the books and yet another week of great uploads here on BandSoup! Here are a few of the bands that you must hear according to an unanimous vote from the BandSoup blog team. Remember, new bands pop up on the site 1-5 times per day, so check back in with us. You might be missing out on your new favorite band!

* Click the band's name to hear their music.

Colour Coding (Indie Pop)-- Together, Chris Holland and Tim Commandeur make Colour Coding.
They cut their musical teeth in Gold Coast pop band Operator Please and now these two cousins have embarked on their own musical venture. This is their first infectious single from their upcoming EP, Perfect.

Animal Empire (Indie Rock)-- A progressive rock band from Rhode Island that just finished their new record "Complicate the World" which is now available.

Crozet (Chill Wave/Electronic)-- Crozet is a computer-based bedroom project started by John Helmuth while he was living in Philly finishing up his senior year of college. John added Sean Lee to the mix and now the band builds cities made up of dreamy synths, reverb drenched vocals, and hard hitting drums.

A Name Unheard (Indie Rock)-- Click here to check out our 60 Second Review.

Blue Sky Black Death & Nacho Picasso (Hip Hop/Dope Hop)--  Ethereal production Blue Sky Black Death team up with Seattle MC Nacho Picasso on their second album, Lord of the Fly, now available as a free download. Nacho is the new generation MF Doom for dopers and goons. One liners for days.

Fort York (Folk)-- Fort York, a 5 piece folk band from Toronto, grew out of a handful of fortunate circumstances. There was a house on Brunswick street in Toronto with a small lamp-lit basement filled with old sleeping bags and bike parts. We cleaned it up and made it into a cozy practice space. The house had a back deck on the 3rd floor too, with an ample supply of exposed nails and rotting wood. That’s where we were able to write a lot of the songs on this album.

Days of Rae (Folk Pop)--  As a challenge to ourselves, an offering to our wonderful supporters and in general a really fun project; Days of Rae will be writing, recording and releasing one single each month throughout 2012. We will be distributing each song completely free of charge on as many social platforms as we can think of.

Vultures of Venus (Electro Glam Space Rock)-- This Melbourne band take inspiration from seedy and speedy urbanity to create their unique brand of Electro Glam Space Rock. There is a sense of fearlessness to the sounds and themes that is rare to find in an Australian band. Their energetic performances are influenced by some of the starkest, most danceable and lascivious music of last century.

Backburner (Hip Hop)-- What Backburner refers to is a diverse conglomerate of creative individuals who concern themselves with hip-hop spread throughout various areas of Canada.

Dirtybird B. (Instrumentals/Hip Hop/Electronic)-- Two songs off of Nor Cal hip hop producer Dirtybird B's new album, Hard Work in Paradise.

Slothrust (Grunge)--  "Slothrust is the perfect soundtrack for brooding on a gloomy day and would be a good way to psych yourself into finally telling your boss to go fuck himself (please exercise caution for the latter). Melding clean, bluesy guitar riffs with lo fi, scratchy vocals, the trio from Bronxville is strangely reminiscent of Morphine... only not really."

The Dysfunctions (Alternative Rock)--  Sydney band that presents a fresh collection of post-modern rock anthems that revive the beloved guitar sounds of the 90s with a 2000s electro edge.

 
Copyright 2010 BlogSoup