Tag: indie music

Posted on

Grand Alpaca – Julia

Artist: Grand Alpaca

Song: Julia

Genres: #indierock #indiefolk

Location: Oslo, Norway

Release date: August, 2021

Comment: Norway is not a country you would normally associate with alpacas, but perhaps Grand Alpaca will change that by himself. Last week, he dropped his debut album, Staying Quiet Is An Easy Young Thing To Do, which includes eight solid tracks ranging from indie folk to Americana. Case in point, Julia, one of its lead singles, got a really engaging chorus that makes you feel like driving through the American midwest. It also encapsulates very well what this Norwegian singer-songwriter is all about. Give him a chance.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

Posted on

Yehra – Resonate

Artist: Yehra

Song: Resonate

Genres: #indierock #neosoul

Location: Canada/Denmark

Release date: August, 2021

Comment: This is possibly first time I add the same song to both the indie and the relaxing mixtapes. That sums up Resonate very well. Yehra is an interesting duo that combines the soothing vocals of Barbadian/Canadian singer Jen Mahon with the chilled arrangements of Danish producer Rasmus Liebst. They have been working together, one way or another, for almost a decade without ever meeting in real life (at least so far). I’m glad we live in a time when that is possible. Otherwise, we would miss plenty of little gems just like Resonate.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie
  • Relax

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

The Trusted – Vellichor

Photo credit: Sweet Sugar Brown

Artist: The Trusted

Song: Vellichor

Genres: #indierock #altrock

Location:  Southend on Sea, United Kingdom

Release date: October, 2021

Comment: British band The Trusted are back with a new single, Vellichor, that is just as stunning as their previous one, Criminal. Vellichor is a word invented by John Koenig on The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows to define “the strange wistfulness of used bookstores“. That being said, the meaning the band gives to that word on this song is closer to the meaning of nostalgia. The guitar-led track showcases The Trusted‘s ability to write great rock songs and you can find it on the mixtapes below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

Posted on

The Guidance – I Didn’t Mean That

Artist: The Guidance

Song: I Didn’t Mean That

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  Los Angeles, United States

Release date: October, 2021

Comment: I Didn’t Mean That is a hypnotic track with a playful melody and a lush electronic background. Sadly, it is also intertwined with a heartbreaking story. Stefan Pruett, aka The Guidance, suddenly passed away shortly after completing his debut album, which his family and collaborators have decided to release next year as a tribute to both his life and work. Stefan had a congenital heart diseases and he was aware he was not going to be around for much longer, which is reflected in the lyrics of this lovely track, with themes such as a regret and fear. It is remarkable that The Guidance was able to make music until the end. In a way, he reminded us how precious every second we are alive is.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

Posted on

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

Posted on

for KING & COUNTRY – Relate

Artist: for KING & COUNTRY

Song: Relate

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: August, 2021.

Comment: Nashville-based duo for KING & COUNTRY is formed by Australian brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone. I wasn’t aware of them even though they have won 4 Grammy awards for contemporary Christian music, but I listened to their latest single, Relate, and found it quite catchy. With a theme focused on empathy and how we can all relate to each other, it’s easy to feel compelled by the lyrics too. This track will not change your life but it is a very enjoyable song nevertheless. Enjoy!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

Posted on

Alice Merton – Island

Artist: Alice Merton

Song: Island

Genres: #indiepop

Location: Berlin, Germany

Release date: September, 2021

Comment: I don’t know much about this German-born Irish-Canadian #singersongwriter. She achieved notoriety around 2018 with her hit No Roots but I can’t say I liked it that much. Last month, Alice Merton dropped two songs that should be part of her forthcoming sophomore album: Hero and Island. Hero is the one that got a music video recorded but Island is the track that caught my attention. I really dig it and that’s why I wanted to share it here. Hope you enjoy it as well.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

Posted on

Far West – Make It Up

Artist: Far West

Song: Make It Up

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location: Santa Cruz, United States

Release date: June, 2021

Influences: The 1975, The Cure

Comment: Make It Up feels like the soundtrack to the memories of your most cherished summer holidays. According to Ryan Settles, aka Far West, it is a song about “trying to forget the bad and relishing in the good”. He played all the instruments and produced the track in hi garage in Santa Cruz, but the track’s aesthetics are so good that you would think it was recorded at some fancy studio. Definitely check this song out. You’ll have fun!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop