Image

Rock

Rave’s Fave: Courtney Barnett – Pedestrian at Best

courtneybarnett

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 australia (Facebook)

reviewed by
02-02-15

COIN – Run

coin3

Team COIN continue pump out indie pop at a high level with new single “Run”. The song which is from COIN’s upcoming EP (out Feb. 24), is airtight in its pop construction and immediate in its infectiousness. Sample “Run” below and look for an LP from COIN slated for June.

COIN (Official)

reviewed by
02-02-15

Shannon Wardrop – I Wanna Be Your Lady

1229928_10154569118435618_2934392996228247834_n

“I Wanna Be Your Lady” is new from UK newcomer Shannon Wardrop. The track, Ms. Wardrop’s first online, marries a 60’s-inspired driving guitar hook with and a standout full-toned vocal and effortless falsetto for a resulting organic and refreshing sound.

Shannon Waldrop (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
01-29-15

Review: Twin Shadow & Lolawolf @ Troubadour, Los Angeles 01/22/15

twinshadow

Reviewed by Brian Litwin

In a homecoming of sorts, George Lewis, Jr. and crew, aka Twin Shadow, played quite a set to an eager Troubadour crowd on Thursday the 22nd. The crowd, a healthy mix of fans and industry alike, seemed somewhat depraved of the ’80s tone that exudes out of the speakers as the band blasted through their set.

Opening the night was NYC trio, Lolawolf. Although possibly known more for the lead singer’s, Zoe Kravitz, father (Lenny Kravitz), do not sleep on these guys as they played one hell of a show; infusing a unique brand of R&B that is defiant and sexy. The band were a great pick to start the night.

Twin Shadow came out and meant business from the get go. George can really play the guitar and the band sounded super tight on tracks like 2012 single release “To The Top”. He also made it known that a new song will be released very shortly and an upcoming album to follow on Warner Bros. Records. Quite a transition from the UK tastemaker label 4AD, the first release via WBR “Turn Me Up” is gold. TS’s set did somewhat turn into a bit of a comedy routine, but truthfully it was nice to see him so comfortable and interacting so freely with the crowd. If you are on the fence about seeing Twin Shadow, hop off and catch the show, it is worth every penny.

Twin Shadow: newyork (Official)

reviewed by
01-28-15

WOOF. – Tiny House

woof

The sometimes cheeky and multi-talented one-man-show Woof. endears with his playful new indie folk rock single “Tiny House” which he released on Soundcloud this past weekend. Woof, who as a singer-songwriter-musician resonates somewhere between an early Beck and Thom Yorke, also recently debuted his upbeat, remarkably awesome, experimental self-titled EP. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

WOOF. newjersey (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
01-27-15

Slum Sociable – Anyway

slumsociable

Melbourne duo Slum Sociable have just put out a groove-laden debut track “Anyway” and it’s resonating well. They describe themselves as “Lofo Jazz Hop” which loosely translates into some cool Cinematic Orchestra-esq harp and hazy vocals draped over a brilliant downtempo dub track. There’s little info to be found about the duo at this stage, besides their names and location, but with their first local show on a bill with Nas, Odesza & How To Dress Well ticked off, plus rumours of a forthcoming EP, you shouldn’t have to wait too long to satisfy your craving for more like this. Reviewed by Nathan Hetherington

Slum Sociable australia (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
01-26-15

Rave’s Fave: The Vaccines – Handsome

vaccineshandsome

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)

reviewed by
01-22-15

Dorsal Fins – Mind Renovation

dorsalfins

The jangly psychedelic-leaning new indie pop single “Mind Renovation” from Melbourne-based collective the Dorsal Fins (which features the freestyle lyrics of vocalist Jarrad Brown) is the premiere track off the (fifteen member) group’s debut EP “Mind Renovation” set to release on February 13th. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Dorsal Fins australia (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
01-20-15

Jacky Winter – You Gotta Give Me Something

jackywinter

Sink into the sultry vocals and soulful swagger of Aussie singer-songwriter and fledgling MPC aficionado Jacky Winter on excellent lead single “Give Me Something” from Jacky’s debut self-titled EP which he created with musician mate Spencer Dyson and mixed in NYC with rocker-guitarist-turned-producer Matt Verta-Ray. Reviewed by Erin Shay.

Jacky Winter australia (Soundcloud)

reviewed by
01-20-15