Tag: american band

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VHS Collection – Space Between Us

Artist: VHS Collection

Song: Space Between Us

Genres: #electropop #indiepop

Location: New York City, United States

Release date: November, 2021.

Comment: NY act VHS Collection wrote Space Between Us several years ago but were unable to come up with a production that satisfied them. After plenty of experimentation, they finally got it right by “combining electronics and a pop-goes-new-wave groove with influence from U2’s With or Without You“. Believe it or not, I actually thought of that classic song the first time I listened to Space Between Us‘ intro, and that was before I knew the U2 tune was their main inspiration. Besides having a cool band name, VHS Collection got a new album they will be releasing very soon and I, for one, won’t want to miss it. It sounds very promising.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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almost sex – Part of You

almost sex - Part of You

Artist: almost sex

Song: Part of You

Genres: #indierock

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Release date: November, 2021

Comment: Alternative duo almost sex have done it again. Their latest single, Part of You, is every bit as fascinating as charmer and Blue Heaven. The track is pretty much an indie love song with a rawness that gives it authenticity while having just the right amount of production to do it justice. Producer Ken Helmlinger did a great job here keeping things simple. Between the guitar strums and Nick’s vocals, it’s easy to get lost in the 130 seconds Part of You lasts.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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MUNA feat. Phoebe Bridgers – Silk Chiffon

MUNA feat. Phoebe Bridgers

Artist: MUNA

Song: Silk Chiffon

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  California, United States

Release date: November, 2021

Comment: I’m glad Phoebe Bridgers collaborated with MUNA on this great tune because I would probably have missed it otherwise, as I wasn’t aware of that music trio until now. Silk Chiffon is a catchy indie pop song with a nice 90s rock vibe, particularly during the intro. It might not be a groundbreaking track but it is deeply enjoyable. At the end of the day, that’s really what matters.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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The Break Plans – Sad Sometimes

Artist: The Break Plans

Song: Sad Sometimes

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  New Jersey, United States

Release date: November, 2021

Comment: Last December, New Jersey band The Break Plans was featured here with their catchy single Crossroads. They’re back now with an introspective song about battling your own demons and the fact that it is absolutely OK to feel sad from time to time. It is the first track self-produced by them and even though Sad Sometimes got a slightly different vibe to their previous songs, it still manages to keep The Break Plans‘ essence intact. Writing honest and authentic songs is always the way to go, even if that means getting out of your comfort zone. I got no doubt The Break Plans are headed in the right direction.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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Anna Shoemaker ft. Middle Part – It’s Depression

Anna Shoemaker ft. Middle Part

Artist: Anna Shoemaker

Song: It’s Depression

Genres:  #indierock #alternativerock

Location: New York, United States

Release date: October, 2021.

Comment: If Brooklyn-based musician Middle Part sounds familiar to you, that’s probably because he was featured here back in January. This time, though, he’s supporting fellow Brooklyn-based indie artist Anna Shoemaker with her second single, the bold and infectious It’s Depression. This ode to overthinking will be part of Anna’s forthcoming debut album, scheduled for early next year, and positions her as an alternative artist to watch. Stay tuned.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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The Maine – Face Towards The Sun

The Maine - Face Towards The Sun

Artist: The Maine

Song: Face Towards The Sun

Genres:  #poppunk #alternativerock

Location: Arizona, United States

Release date: July, 2021.

Comment: The Maine is a pretty consistent band from Arizona that always delivers a few gems per album, such as Face Towards The Sun, which is part of their latest record: XOXO: From Love and Anxiety in Real Time. It is not one of the lead singles but it will surely become a fan favorite because it got a great melody and an effervescent chorus, despite the less than optimistic lyrics. Overall, it is another great song from The Maine.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock

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Gents on Loan – From the Start

Artist: Gents on Loan

Song: From the Start

Genres:  #poppunk #punkrock

Location: Ottawa, Canada

Release date: July, 2021.

Comment: During the pandemic, many of us found ourselves with some extra downtime and that was the case for six musicians from various local bands in Ottawa, who decided to collaborate remotely and have some fun, hence the name Gents on Loan. From The Start is the first song to come out of that impromptu collaboration and it is a radio friendly punk rock song that will fill fans of the genre with renovated energy. Give it a listen!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Punk-Rock

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The Summer Set – Street Lightning

Artist: The Summer Set

Song: Street Lightning

Genres:  #alternativerock #poppunk

Location: Arizona, United States

Release date: September, 2021.

Comment: The Summer Set, a pop-punk band from Scottdale, Arizona that after achieving a decent following went on a hiatus in 2017, surprised their fans in August when they announced that they were back to making music and dropped their first single in 4 years. Street Lightning is as catchy as anything they’ve ever released with, as depicted in the music video below, some 80s music vibes that fit it really well. As lead singer Brian Logan Dales described it on his Instagram: “This song is about chasing the high of life as fast as you can, written by a guy who finally learned how to slow down and take in everything around him.”

Enjoy!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock

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Black Lab – Ghost In Your Mind

Black Lab is quite possibly the greatest #alternativerock band the average music fan has never heard about. Founded by Paul Durham in Berkeley, California, around 1995, they have scored a few radio hits and placed many tracks in different movie soundtracks and tv shows. The band’s name is an amalgamation of their two biggest influences: Black Sabbath and Stereolab. I’m totally guessing here but perhaps the reason why they remained relatively unknown despite moderate success was that their name was far from memorable. In fact, a google search will get you hundreds of websites about the black labrador dog breed before anything related to this band.

One of my favorite Black Lab songs –and there are a few– is Ghost In Your Mind, released on their 2007 album: Passion Leaves A Trace. The combination of the track’s beautiful melody, flawless lyrics and Paul’s delivery makes it an outstanding song. You can tell Paul really feels every word he sings (which, to be fair, could be said of most of his songs). If this is your first time hearing about Black Lab, by all means check their whole discography out. Otherwise, enjoy this weeks #ThrowbackThursday entry. Hope you like it as much as I do.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Funeral Lakes – Solstice

Funeral Lakes - Solstice

Artist: Funeral Lakes

Song: Solstice

Genres: #indierock

Location: Ontario, Canada

Release date: August, 2021

Comment: I featured Funeral Lakes here exactly one year ago and now the duo is back with a brand new EP: Redeemer. As is usually the case with  this act, the songs in the new EP are all filled with social content. It explores themes such as the tension between faith and justice from the moment Solstice, the first track, starts playing. It is a captivating song that sets the tone for Redeemer. I wouldn’t call it a radio-friendly tune yet it keeps your attention with its moody melody and thought-provoking lyrics. Check it out.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie