Tag: Recommendation

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Jacko Hooper – Beg, Steal or Borrow

Jacko Hooper

Not all artists are able to transmit their raw emotions when they sing, but those who can make the whole listening experience a thousand times better. Jacko Hooper is one of them and Beg, Steal or Borrow, which is one of the singles he has released so far in 2020, a great example of that. You can almost feel the sense of despair Jacko would go through if anything bad happened to the person he wrote this beautiful indie folk song for.

This musician from Brighton, UK, started out in 2012 when he released his debut EP and started a Youtube channel, which today has close to 7k subscribers. After more EPs and tours, including performances with the likes of James Blunt and James Bay, Jacko got successful enough to even run one of the leading independent promotions companies and boutique record labels of Southern England, Folklore Sessions.

If you like artist like Damien Rice or Glen Hansard, please do check Jacko Hooper out. It will be right up your alley.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Coopertheband – Stuck

Some bands can’t hide how much fun they have playing music and Coopertheband is one of them. Made up of 5 self-proclaimed “music nerds”, this indie rock band from Tennessee has released two full-length albums, two EPs, and a bunch of singles already, with Stuck being the most recent one, released a couple of weeks ago.

This great song got top-notch production and a stunning bridge that elevates it to a whole new level. With a blend of indie rock and some electronic elements, the tune got the right ingredients to make you want to put it on repeat. The band wrote Stuck inspired by the current climate and it talks about that feeling we might get sometimes when we really want to do something but we get trapped by our own thoughts. Luckily for us, that wasn’t the feeling Coopertheband experienced when working on this magnetic track.

Stuck may very well be your next musical crush.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Lachlan – Lax

Indie songs produced and recorded pretty much on your own are not supposed to sound this good. There’s usually something that would give it away, but that’s not the case with Lax, the second single of singer/songwriter Lachlan, released last Friday. The song is a radio-friendly tune with nice guitar riffs and an infectious chorus. Lachlan’s voice is a perfect fit as well.

After being part of several Edinburgh-based bands such as Lost In Vancouver, Lachlan decided to try a career solo. Earlier this year he put his debut single, Too Bad, out. Now with Lax, a song about overcoming your own insecurities, he is letting us know that he’s here to stay. Give this song a listen on the mixtapes below and keep him on your radar. He absolutely deserves it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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Stan iB – The Sky Above You

The Internet and Social media may have a lot of issues, but we cannot deny the fact that that they help us connect with people from all around the world. This is specially true for musicians. How else could we have been aware of, for instance, Bulgarian pianists if you didn’t live there unless they became worldwide famous? Stan iB is a good example of that. Not the worldwide famous part –not yet– but the one about being a talented pianist and composer from Bulgaria. Influenced by both classical music and Jazz, he focuses on the latter with his project Stan iB trio, and on the former as a solo artist, having released several albums so far.

The Sky Above You is the first track from Stan’s latest album, Dedication, and it is a sublime piece that lifts your spirit on a chilled day. If you’re looking for a calming piano-based song, head over to the mixtape with relaxing melodies or just play the video below. You won’t regret it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Relax

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Monkey Safari – Safe

Monkey Safari - Safe

I must warn you, this track by German producers and DJs Monkey Safari is highly addictive. From the first beat, it became my musical crush, captivating me with its irresistible charm. The layers of sweeping sounds, pulsating beats, and the infusion of captivating spoken words create an immersive experience that words can’t fully capture. You have to listen to believe it and let the music sweep you away.

Though I’m not an expert on Monkey Safari’s extensive discography, one thing is clear: these talented brothers have been crafting remarkable hits since 2016, leaving a lasting impact on the electronic music scene. ‘Safe’ stands as their emotional masterpiece, delicately capturing the essence of a world that feels empty, yet offering solace through its rich melodies and evocative tones. Trust me when I say, they have truly outdone themselves with this one.

Don’t miss out on this sonic gem that has the power to transport you to another realm. It’s an experience that demands to be heard, felt, and cherished. So, turn up the volume, close your eyes, and let the music wash over you, taking you on an unforgettable journey.

Embrace the mesmerizing sounds of Monkey Safari and let ‘Safe’ become the soundtrack of your emotions. 🎶

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Chill Out

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Henry And The Waiter – Don’t Wanna Die Alone

This upbeat, extremely radio-friendly tune could be the perfect song for the end of summer and the start of this weekend (which is a long one in some countries). With a catchy chorus and a sticky rhythm that camouflages very well the deep lyrics the song has, Don’t Wanna Die Alone is an indie pop song that allows you to forget about everyday problems and simply have fun.

This German artist, Henrik Steigerwald, goes by the moniker of Henry And The Waiter because it represents two different sides of his personality: the waiter, who is more impulsive and gets ideas for new songs all the time, and Henry, more introspective and the one who finishes the songs by adding his voice to the mix. Henry and his alter ego have achieved considerable success in his home country with over 12 million streams on Spotify, but it is time now to reach a wider audience. With his knack for hook-ridden songs, the odds are clearly in his favour.

Listen to this enjoyable tune below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop

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Sister Hazel – Come Around

When it comes to the Throwback Thursday entries, I’m playing it by ear. It’s not easy to pick one relatively old good song amongst hundreds or thousands of them. For that reason, I’m letting random coincidences to choose one for me. For instance, in yesterday’s post I mentioned Sister Hazel and that was all it took for me to write today about that act from Gainesville, Florida. The band, named after a local missionary who took care of homeless people, formed in 1993 and besides being extremely productive with over 10 studio albums (plus EPs, live albums and compilations) over that span, they have also been shockingly stable, maintaining the same line-up throughout all these years. That’s pretty unusual to say the least.

Sister Hazel has had several minor hits and some loyal followers, but if there’s only one song you know from them, then it’s probably All For You. This track was part of the band’s debut album from 1994 but it was re-recorded for the follow-up from 1997and it was then when the song became a hit, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It remains Sister Hazel’s most successful single to date.

However, the song that I want to highlight today is one of those minor hits Sister Hazel had, Come Around, from their excellent 2003 album: Chasing Daylight. This great tune is just as good as All For You but far less popular. It’s also a good example of the band’s trademark blend of alternative touch with southern rhythms.

Let’s remember this classic song today. Enjoy Come Around.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band – Razor Wire Heart

Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band - Razor Wire Heart

After two days of grunge pop and indie punk, it’s time to slow things down with this mellower track from Kristian Montogomery and the Winterkill Band. Razor Wire Heart showcases Kristian’s husky and pleasant voice, delivering emotional and personal lyrics inspired by his tumultuous life journey, from heavy rock bands to world travels, marriage, divorce, and six months in jail. His heartfelt experiences shine through the chords of his guitar and the depth of his vocals.

This song is part of “Gravel Church,” an album that Kristian wrote upon his release from prison, marking his debut as Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band. It’s a diverse album, blending alternative rock, country, and other genres. Reminiscent of Sister Hazel‘s style, if you enjoy that vibe, this band is a must-listen. Start with “Razor Wire Heart” here.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Grow Rich – Bounce Back

Music is universal and it can come from the most unexpected places. Maybe Indonesia is not the first country that comes to mind when you think about indie punk bands but that’s exactly where Grow Rich comes from. The project from multi-instrumentalist Abdur Rahim Latada is influenced by bands like Veruca Salt, Joy Division, and My Bloody Valentine. Abdur has released two self-financed EPs already as Grow Rich, and he also markets them himself. Frantic Semantic is the latest EP, which includes Bounce Back, a really good track.

Lyrically, to be honest, Bounce Back is nothing to write home about, but musically, it is a completely different story. It got great hooks and guitar riffs and nice soundscapes that make it really hard to believe it was all done by one person (except for drums, as he got help for that). Even the vocals are really good as well. This really sounds as good as any song produced by heavyweights. If you are into this type of music, I beg you to give this song a chance. You won’t regret it.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Punk-Rock

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Pony – WebMD

I found it hilarious that Sam Bielanski, the lead singer and mastermind behind Toronto-based band Pony, tweeted –when the band released their latest single– that she had written a song about her favorite website, WebMD. She obviously can make fun of herself and that’s a good quality to have. The song is a great alternative rock jam with an infectious melody and, despite its title, a good message about being independent and not wanting to depend on anyone else in order to feel complete.

According to Pony‘s website, the band’s style is grunge pop, which in a way makes perfect sense. Whatever it is, we need more bands like Pony. Luckily, they recently announced the signing of a deal with an indie label and will release a debut full-length album soon. That being said, the band had been publishing songs and EPs regularly since 2015, so they got plenty of material out already.

Sam even starred, directed, choreographed , shot, and edited the music video for WebMD (the link is below but you might have to go to Youtube in order to watch it due to restrictions from the music label). Or you can also enjoy this tune on the mixtapes below. Whatever you choose, have fun!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Pop