Bruce Rave had a great chat with Wombats lead singer Murph before their two late January shows in LA. We updated on new songs, the surprise of “Jump Into the Fog” being the song to blow them up in the US, staying healthy on the road, his personal life, etc. The Wombats Glitterbug album drops in early April.
This is the first single from Courtney Barnett’s full-length followup to her EP, and it should dispel any questions about whether she can be successful long-term. Her energetic live shows have shown her to be a sick guitar player, and it was only a matter of time before she’d hit us with a banger like “Pedestrian at Best.” It’s her loudest and most intense tune to date. On the track, she maintains her style of writing earthy lyrics that come from the girl next door; “Put me on a pedestal, and I’ll only disappoint you,” she sings. Courtney is currently on the Australian Laneway Festival tour, which invades her home town of Melbourne this Saturday, February 7. She’ll undoubtedly receive quite a resounding welcome home. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Courtney Barnett 
(Facebook)
Welcome back to a band we’ve been following since before their initial US release. After a highly prolific few years that spawned two albums, an EP, and several one-off singles, they took awhile to come up with this return. “Handsome” is a driving pop tune in that familiar Vaccines vein, but with more production in general and a more modern approach. Singer Justin Young says it took him a mere hour to write this song. He had fun writing it and you’ll have fun hearing it. Look for their English Graffiti album to drop later this year. There’s no word on a specific date as of yet.
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
The Vaccines 
(Official)
Last year we posted Rory Wynne’s debut single “Post Party Confusion”. This talented Manchester, UK 15 year old has garnered the attention of various tastemaking radio DJ’s in London and Manchester who have raved about his talent. Now comes “I Know She Knows”, which rivals Rory’s debut in quality but is much different in sound. This tune is raw, slow and pretty with an irresistible piano hook. It can be mistaken for being a demo but Rory states that its rough sound was intentional. The entire track was improvised in one take with guitar notes all sharps and flats. Rory plays all instruments himself but has formed a band for live gigs soon to hit the UK. We really like his talent. A promising artist at any age, it’s exciting to imagine what he’ll have in store moving forward. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Rory Wynne 
(Official) (Facebook)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Father John returns, with his I Love You, Honeybear album due to drop in February. The first “official” single will come in a few weeks but this appetizer is a main course in itself. Starting with his strong vocals over only a piano and then with strings added later, the single sounds like something that could be a cross between Elton John and Hozier. He adds a laugh track to the lines “They gave me useless education, and a sub-prime loan on a craftsman home, keep my prescriptions filled, and now I can’t get off but I can kind of deal.” His first solo album Fear Fun was highly regarded and if “Bored” is any indication, I Love You, Honeybear may turn out to be one of 2015’s best. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Father John Misty
(Facebook)
Interview by Bruce Rave
Mike of B3SCI and I hit this month’s Kasabian show at LA’s Wiltern. The band blew everyone away with their usual precision and intensity. I hung with producer/creative force Serge and lead singer Tom of Kasabian at their LA hotel bar the next week when the band were back in town for their appearance on Jimmy Kimmel. We covered much, including industry trends, their plans for America, Serge as band producer, and of course their music. Interesting fact: both Serge and Tom loved Michael Jackson’s Bad album in their very young years.
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
The Uber-talented Teleman were in LA to play It’s A School Night and a B3Science produced show at The Bootleg following two shows in New York. We hit upon their creative process, working with producer Bernard Butler of the band Suede, their live shows, thoughts on the US, and their semi-tongue-in-cheek quest for American wives, etc. Interview by Bruce Rave.
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Teleman (Facebook)
These consistent Hamburg peeps are back, sporting a perfect blend of electro and pop. It’s a fine comeback following a couple of quiet years. With help from Youngblood Hawke, Digitalism deliver a track that is immediately hooky and melodic. I can see it having mainstream success if given the chance by radio. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Digitalism 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
By Bruce Rave
I’ve been spending some time with a young LA based artful alt band by the name of Trapdoor Social. The group has received kudos for their songwriting, harmonies, videos, and dedication to environmental causes. This final track on their ‘Science of Love’ EP is unique to this band in the same way that “Supermassive Black Hole” is unique for Muse. Trapdoor is typically cleaner with higher notes, which is part of what makes this harder and darker song stand out for them. It kicks off with a magnetic low-end synth hook that repeats throughout. This driving song was developed on top of that hook and is a band favorite of many who have heard it.
Trapdoor Social (Facebook)
* Links and playlists from Bruce Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Johnny Marr returns this October with his second solo album Playland. He has said this effort will be a bit more raw. “Easy Money” is the first single and it’s killer! It starts with that signature Marr guitar sound and blasts into a rocker with a full-on bass grove and a chorus that just might be all over the radio in coming months. Following October dates in the UK, he returns to the US and will be hopefully be hitting a venue near you before year’s end.
Johnny Marr (Official)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Teleman was formed by three members of the former UK band Pete and the Pirates, and “23 Floors Up” is a beauty that comes from their recently released ‘Breakfast’ album. It’s one of 2014’s prettiest tracks to date. The opening lyrics are “Another day waking up with your conscience stuck in your hotel room 23 floors up”. It’s about how people come and go in our lives, and how that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The song’s free flowing feel provides a mode of relaxation that might prompt you to take a slow wander on your own. You never know who or what might be around the corner. By Bruce Rave
Teleman (Facebook)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
They grow ‘em younger in the UK and the list of teenage Brits on the radar continues to expand. Rory Wynne is from around Manchester and is all of 14. “Post Party Confusion” is fun, raw and unique with strong lyrics. It shows that Rory has major potential. According to BBC 6 Music host Tom Robinson (yes the hit-making Tom Robinson of yesteryear), Rory is “a true rock and roll poet”. Rory played everything on this recording and manages himself. He’s got a bunch of songs recorded and is definitely worth keeping an eye and ear on. By Bruce Rave
Rory Wynne (Official) (Facebook)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
