Tag: Recommendation

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

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

Posted on

Kanadia – Big Nothing

Artist: Kanadia

Song: Big Nothing

Genres: #indierock #alternativerock

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Release date: August, 2021

Influences: Radiohead, Muse, KingsOfLeon

Comment: Big Nothing is quite something. If you like any of the bands mentioned above, stop what you’re doing and listen to this track right now. It is part of an eponymous EP 4-piece alternative rock band Kanadia released in August with four tracks that will be part of their upcoming sophomore album. Big Nothing is a powerful song about the struggles musicians face while trying to make it in that difficult industry. When you listen to it, you can tell this Oxford-based band is going places. They also sound great live, as evidenced by the video below with a live version of this memorable track. Keep an eye on them!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

Posted on

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

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

GHST MDRN – Sleepwalking Through Fire

Artist: GHST MDRN

Song: Sleepwalking Through Fire

Genres: #postrock #cinematicrock

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Release date: October, 2021

Comment: Jordan Irwin, aka GHST MDRN, is a talented multi-instrumentalist from Vancouver and one of the nicest guys on Twitter. He draws inspiration from movies and his tracks are always interesting and compelling. That being said, Sleepwalking Through Fire is the one that most closely resembles an instrumental alternative rock song which is why I instantly loved it from the moment I first listened to a demo version about a year ago. Circumstances delayed the release of this song all this long, but the important thing is that it is finally out there as part of GHST MDRN’s new album: Always Darkest Before The Dawn. Give it a listen and enjoy!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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

Feeder – Comfort In Sound

Artist: Feeder

Song: Comfort In Sound

Genres: #indierock #alternativerock

Location: Newport, United Kingdom

Release date: October, 2002

Comment: A few days ago when J. Zito was featured here, I compared him to indie rock band Feeder, but some people had never heard of the Welsh band. They peaked in 2001 and 2003, when they won Kerrang! awards, but they’re still going strong today, after 10 studio albums (the last one in 2019) and 40 singles.

Their most popular single is Buck Rogers, a UK top five single in 2001, but the track I’ve decided to feature as this week’s #ThrowbackThursday entry is 2002’s Comfort In Sound, a personal favorite (fun fact: had The Alternative Mixtapes been taken, I would probably have called this blog Comfort In Sound. It was a matter of time before it showed up here). Feeder’s original drummer, Jon Lee, committed suicide in 2001 and the surviving members of the band were close to calling it quits. Jon’s family convinced them to continue and that’s when they wrote this great track about finding comfort in music even during your worst moments. I, for one, can relate to that.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

Posted on

Ruby Fields – Song About A Boy

Artist: Ruby Fields

Song: Song About A Boy

Genres: #indierock #alternativerock

Location: Sydney, Australia

Release date: July, 2021

Comment: If you like distorted guitars, then you’re going to love this vulnerable track from Australian #singersongwriter Ruby Fields, who has emerged as one of the most talented artists in the alt-rock scene from the Land Down Under. Song About A Boy tells the story of a love relationship gone awry and it comes accompanied by a great music video inspired by the movie Midsommar. Both track and video are well worth your time.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative