Category Archives: indie rock

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, Indie Quick Picks, indie rock, New Music

Indie Quick Picks Featuring thanks. Pondarosa, Mint , Fi and The Gallerys

thanks.

Genre : Indie Pop

Bio : thanks. is Steve Pagano and Mario Borgatta. Combining psychedelic pop, cinematic vibes and electronically influenced beats and melodies, thanks. have succeeded in creating catchy indie pop with an edge. Pagano and Borgatta have seen previous success with numerous TV placements on major networks including MTV, ABC and Netflix, as well as having worked on records from world renown, critically acclaimed artists such as Muse, Death Cab For Cutie, Foster The People, Powers, Mallrat and many more. ‘Busy’ is set for release February 2020.

Track: Busy

Why We Like It: It’s a groovy slick anthem laced in swirling soundscapes and lush sun kissed vibes. With a pulsing funk flexed bass line that wrestles your mind into submission teamed with swagger dipped guitar jangles and a foot tapping catchy beat – this juicy infectious gem is a strut ready glossy delight. The smooth vocals caress the melty melody with panache and sweetness while the indie pop backbone keeps this vibrant number revolving around in your head all day. Utterly chic and oozing confidence ‘Busy’ is one effervescent cool track and swanky display from thanks.

You can follow thanks. On Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/thanks.theband1

Stream ‘Busy’ Below 

Pondarosa

Genre : Indie 

Bio : Pondarosa are a five-piece based between Manchester and Liverpool.In their two years as a band, they have progressed from garden shed to headline act. Working with top promoters including This Feeling, Scruff of the Neck, DHP Family and SJM Concerts, the band have played to sellout crowds at Jimmy’s, The Star and Garter and Night People in support of hotly tipped bands from Manchester and beyond, such as Honeymoan, Shambolics, Cleargreen and Jekyll. Pondarosa’s first two singles, ‘Crystalline’ and ‘Sooner Or Later,’ have received radio play from local stations in the United Kingdom, and been played further afield courtesy of WDVR 89.7FM in New Jersey, USA and Valley FM 89.5 in Canberra, Australia.

Track: Bright Lights

Why We Like It: It’s a sparky indie track that skims buoyantly on a blistering backdrop of chiming jangly guitars, punchy drums and vibrant bass rumbles. The track travels at a blistering tempo as the band wallop out their catchy and instrumentally deft sound. With swirling guitars creating an ethereal bite the track is driven with intense adrenaline as the tight well layered sound makes Pondarosa stand out as ones to watch.

You can follow Pondarosa on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/pondarosamusic

Stream ‘Bright Lights’ below

Mint 

Genre : Alternative

Bio : West Marsh, Grimsby Mint have enjoyed UK radio support from Radio 1 and playlisting on Radio X and have performed at all major UK festivals. In mid 2019 they started to realise their sound, an idiosyncratic fusion of indie melodies set to beefier instrumentation. Recently they have begun work with award-winning production team Sugar House and taken on management.

Track: Goodbye Beautiful

Why We Like It: Mint have created a frenzied assault on the senses.This briary punk slapped track stomps in lean mean and utterly ferocious as the dizzying swirl of guitars shrill and screech with unapologetic flamboyance and brazen valour. With sensual rampant bass lines, pulverising drums and screaming vocals- this groove-strutting, raw track, is utterly thrilling. There is no coyness about this band they storm in and batter your brain with their manic whirlwind sound that is catchy as hell and steaming from every brash note. With hues of glam rock glossing over the powerful punk backbone ‘Goodbye Beautiful’ is one heck of a track.

You can follow Mint on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/WeAreJustMint/

Watch the video for ‘Goodbye Beautiful’ below 

Fi

Genre: Singer/songwriter

Bio: Dublin based singer/songwriter Fi has released her new single ‘Pathetic’.Fi has played many venues around the city including Whelans, The Grand Social, the Academy, and at several of Dublin’s classic sessions such as The Ruby Sessions, Nerano Sessions and Zodiac Sessions as well as performed in international venues including the iconic House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois.

Track: Pathetic

Why We Like It: It’s a passionate tune flooded in dark undertones as thick bubbling electronics wisp and boil behind the moving pop hued melody. With Fi’s powerful emotive vocals leading the track to its mighty and striking crescendo the song ferments and coils with a sticky gloopy beat creating a clammy atmosphere between the pulsing soundscapes. The track has an emotive and heartbreaking tone as Fi’s vocals deliver a strong yet moving performance.

You can follow Fi on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/fitheartist/

Stream ‘Pathetic’ below 

The Gallerys

Genre: Indie

Bio: Hailing from Kent’s Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone, The Gallerys exploded onto the UK music circuit in 2017 with their unique blend of 60s rock, Britpop and indie sounds which gained them immediate attention from BBC Introducing, Fred Perry Subculture & This Feeling.Having shared the stage with Louis Berry, Madness, The Sherlocks, Scouting For Girls, The Blinders, The King Blues, The Skints, Dr. Feelgood, Space, Alan McGee and embarking on UK tours with both The Rifles and The Bluetones, as well as going on two UK headline tours of their own, they are no stranger to huge crowds and quickly sell out their headline shows.

Track: You’re a Dreamer

Why We Like It: Emotionally tender – this delightful, sweetly melodic, indie pop number boasts The Gallerys vibrant sound at its best. With jangly guitars, buoyant drums and a clamorous yet honeyed wall of sound the band create a tender track that is bitter/sweet yet charming and catchy. Lyrically the song is about feeling helpless about a loved one who is lost in life and finding it difficult to get out of a mental rut of low ambition and self-sabotaging behaviours. The songs narrator can merely sit back and watch the loved one being a ‘dreamer’ for a better life. The band portray this theme through a melancholic soft melody, velvety vocals and punchy instrumentation filled with tones of hope and encouragement. A sublime new track from The Gallerys.

You can Follow The Gallerys on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/TheGallerysUK/

Stream ‘You’re a Dreamer’ below 

You Can Follow Our Indie Quick Picks Playlist On Spotify Here


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Shoegaze

Zeros & Ones ’15 to 1 (feat. Tiny Murder)’

Galway alternative rock band Zeros & Ones have released their new single 15 to 1 (feat. Tiny Murder). The release of 15 to 1 will be accompanied with a music video and the band will play a series of live shows to support the launch.The song was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Roger Kelly at Galway Rehearsal Studio. Zeros & Ones have played countless shows around Ireland to date, highlights include two EP launches on the main stage of Galway’s famed Róisín Dubh and an appearance at Whelan’s annual Ones to Watch showcase to name a few.

‘15 to 1’ is a breezy shoegaze number as Zeros & Ones layer intricacies within a laid back fuzzy backdrop. With sweet twinklings on guitar and an energetic buoyant beat that becomes almost drowned in mellowed hazy melodies, the band create a wonderful prism of sun kissed indie pop.Zeros & Ones deeply immerse the track in an effortless soundscape as the guitars clang and rattle with a honeyed tonality building the joyously effervescent noise pop layering. The brilliant vocal interplay between David McDonagh and Tiny Murder creates a wonderful and delicate element to the track, as their voices coo against the guitar noise while complementing each other perfectly. ‘15 to 1’ is a sublime return from Zeros & Ones.

Stream ‘15 to 1’below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Pop Rock

Stolen City ‘The Tower’

Dublin three piece Stolen City are back with their new single ‘The Tower’.The release comes off the back of a whirlwind 2019 that not only saw the band sell out 3 nights at Academy 2, Drop Dead Twice and upstairs in Whelans, but also saw lead singer Sean, at the end of his birthday night out, share the stage with Lewis Capaldi in The Olympia to sing the scot’s hit ‘Bruises’ together. The new single was written as a letter by lead singer Sean to his girlfriend Amy to explain that no matter what she has, or will go through in life, that he will be there to help her through it.

‘The Tower’ is a beautifully crafted emotive pop rock track with heartfelt songwriting and powerful instrumentation. Stolen City build the track superbly creating a gripping and comforting number filled with passion. With ethereal biting guitar melodies venturing between soft laments and strident power chords it’s a strong and potent track. Radio ready and anthemic the band burst into a massive adrenaline inducing chorus that is sure to have a live audience swaying, embracing and fist punching the air to this emotionally mighty track. With punchy drums sturdy bass and dynamic vocals Stolen City present a genuine and tight track filled with oodles of passion and tenderness with their strong sturdy pop rock keeping the energy and kinetic intensity alive. 

Stream ‘The Tower’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Blues, doo-Wop, Indie, Indie Blues, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

King Kartel ‘Be Mine’

King Kartel have released their new single ‘Be Mine’.The band have sold out shows across Manchester and Northern Ireland, as well as securing slots at the likes of Isle of Wight, Truck and Y Not Festivals. They have received support from Radio X, BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1’s Phil Taggart to name a few, and had tracks featured across TV shows including Hollyoaks, Come Dine With Me and World’s Strongest Man,

‘Be Mine’ trades King Kartel’s riotous indie rock for a swaying sugar sweet doo wop ditty, swooned in 50’s charm. With a bluesy swinging rhythm and soft jaunty guitars the band create a hook laden number that builds sublimely. Oh so catchy and sweet the melody is caressed by tender delicate vocals while the buoyant beat keeps that foot tapping tempo.The band maintain their dynamic punch by progressing into a scorching solo and steamy crescendo as the track broods into a vaporous outburst. It’s extremely sweet with a thrilling backdrop that holds the heavier aspects of King Kartel’s sound without becoming overpowering. A magnificent addition to King Kartel’s catalogue marking them as a diverse and well rounded band to watch out for. 

You can catch King Kartel live at :

6th March – Club Academy, Manchester 

11th April – KU 2, Stockton Calling 

12th April – Indiependance, Wigan 

3rd May – Stag & Dagger, Glasgow

29th May – Spirit Store, Dundalk

30th May – Whelan’s, Dublin

Stream ‘Be Mine’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen – Under Starling

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Under Starling

Under Starling are back with their new single ‘Quasar (3C 273)’ Under Starling are an alternative rock band from Waterford formed by brothers Danny and Tommy Dunford, Stephen Keating and Colin Drummey.They released their debut single, Far Be It From Me, in August 2018 which was followed by an independent Irish tour hitting the core Irish music scene and rallying fans across the college demographic.The band have been gigging and releasing music for 5 years under a former title of Cider Wasps – this was changed to Under Starling during summer 2018 as the band entered a new chapter in their lives.The previous project saw 2 EP releases both titled ‘Here’ and ‘Ethereal’ which included singles such as ‘Lunasa’ and ‘Hummingbird’ which were picked up by national radio stations. Their live shows are known to have a popular chaotic energy as they invoke a range of emotions from their fans.

‘Quasar (3C 273)’ is a beautifully crafted emotive display from Under Starling. With grand production and heart gripping tension that builds superbly with every note and expressive progression.The heartfelt vocals are equally powerful and tender. With a chorus destined for arena sing alongs, massive crescendo and utterly gripping space-rock elements Under Starling has created one hair raising rock gem.The swirling ethereal soundscapes rush and flicker between a pulsing beat as the band cultivate this track beautifully with lush harmonies and twinkling guitars.The erupting chorus bursts into a million fragments of scintillation as the rich rhythm, swirling sonics and mesmerising textures create a magical quality that is vibrant, kinetic and so moving you could cry, laugh, sing and dance all at once with this majestic beautiful track. 

Stream ‘Quasar (3C 273)’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Outfielder ‘In Play’ EP

Outfielder have released their new EP ‘In Play’. Outfielder is an Ottawa based indie rock band with a ’90s flair, featuring members of Galapagos, John Creeden & The Flying Hellfish and Jonathan Becker & The Northfields.

Doused in heartfelt melodies, warm tinges of 90’s alternative rock with a dash of blues and pop peppering ‘In Play’ is a satisfying listen from Outfielder. These guys have a knack for warm honeyed melodies and slick musicianship. The warm twang of ‘Tracks’ and sweet slow burner ‘Saint John’ show the bands emotional tenderness and ability to create passion through sublime guitar work.Sandwiched between these ballad – esque tones and brooding numbers is the blistering 60’s melancholic swagger of ‘Like A Man’ and the jangly nostalgic ‘Past’ – these tracks display scorching guitar lines dripping in sunshine in the former,  sweet lamenting guitar in the latter against a pop-filled buoyant beat and vibrant alternative moodiness.

Outfielder has created a lush well crafted melodious EP that hits the spot with refined instrumentation and wonderful songwriting. However for me it’s those sweet golden guitar moments that make each track refreshing and special. 

Stream ‘In Play’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Madison Front ‘Sleep Off’

Indie/Alternative rock band Madison Front have released their new single ‘Sleep Off’.The band comprised of Luke O’Connor on Vocals, Patrick Murphy on Lead Guitar, Gary Murphy on Drums, Jack Shakespeare on Bass and Conor Cullen on Rhythm Guitar gained some notoriety during their first year, performing at Ireland’s well-renowned Longitude Music Festival, featuring alongside acts such as Hozier, Alt-J and The Chemical Brothers. Following this, the band made an appearance on Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ. They spent the next couple of years playing in popular music venues across Dublin, including Whelan’s, The Academy, The Workman’s Club and The Grand Social, establishing themselves within the local music scene.

‘Sleep Off’ glazes Madison Front’s sound with bubbling indie soundscapes as they burnish their buoyant backdrop with slinky zealous guitar and ethereal qualities. The band polish and rein in the meaty rhythm to create enough explosion without becoming overpowering. There are sublime radiant guitar riffs and licks throughout the track that provide a sun kissed lightness and prismatic quality while the strong backdrop maintains the bands sturdy punch. With a steamy solo and expressive accented vocals ‘Sleep Off’ is a tight number from Madison Front. 

Madison Front will play their single launch for ‘Sleep Off’ on February 15th in the brand new Lost Lane venue.

Stream ‘Sleep Off’ below 


Author : Danu

electro - rock, Electronic, Indie, indie rock, New Music

COLUMBIA MILLS ‘Understand’

Photo Credit : Derek Kennedy 

Irish indie band COLUMBIA MILLS have released their new single ‘Understand’. 2019 saw the band release two singles from their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘CCTV’ which is due for release later this Spring. ‘Strange Game’ and ‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now?’ garnered huge radio support here and in the UK including John Kennedy Radio X, RTE Radio 1, Ed Smith (Today FM) choosing COLUMBIA MILLS as his Play Irish Artist of the week and ‘Recent and Decent’ on Today FM, Dan Hegartys (2FM) Track of The Week, and heavy rotation on Paul Mc Loones Today FM show, as well as heavy airplay across all national and regional radio stations. COLUMBIA MILLS are about to release ‘UNDERSTAND’ (31/01/20), the third single from ‘CCTV’. After selling out their Dublin headline show in Bloody Marys last November, this release comes ahead of COLUMBIA MILLS headline show in the Button Factory on April 24th 

With gripping electronics whirling through a suspenseful indie soundscape ‘Understand’ is a breathtaking and emotional new addition to COLUMBIA MILLS’ passionate repertoire. The lamenting chime on guitar adds a bittersweet tenderness to the track as its moving melody is isolated within the flickering soundscapes.The pulsing beat pounds like an increased heartbeat as the rasp-filled warm vocals coo and caress the melancholic melody. The track erupts into a flurry of kinetic motion as COLUMBIA MILLS’ sublime songwriting holds the listeners hearts in their hands through striking and emotive musicianship and hair-raising instrumentation.Their ability to blend and swirl flickering dance infused electronics into a darkened concoction of melancholy, nostalgia and punchy indie is first rate.’Understand’ is pretty potent stuff. 

About the track Fiachra Treacy says : ‘’Understand’ is a song about coming to terms with watching a friend self-destruct. The frustration of realising the warning signs were there when given the benefit of hindsight. Could I have done more or is it possible to save somebody when they fall into this mode?” 

Stream ‘Understand’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Garage Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

TV People ‘Kitchen Sinking’

Garage/indie-rock newcomers TV People have released their new single ‘Kitchen Sinking’. Formed in early 2019, the Dublin-based four-piece have concocted an indie-tinged sound that combines sleek dynamism with infectious punk-infused undercurrents.Rooted in 00s garage rock, “Kitchen Sinking” is a fiery, rousing single discussing the tensions caused by conflicting societal views. 

‘Kitchen Sinking’ maneuvers shrewdly through indie rock elements and garage rock grit as TV People flesh out their feverous musicianship and mature lyricism. With sharp guitar riffs jabbing between sweet guitar melodies and slinky licks the track creates a dreamy hazy atmosphere entangled in beefy blasts.There is a mellowed shoegaze- esque quality to the track that is almost lethargic. However the band blend this meticulously with their meaty garage rock to add a bite and punch to the track against jarring bass rumbles and hefty drums while the majestic guitar ricochet and soar with an ethereal quality. The laid back melody and moody vocals weave between tones of nonchalance and angst as the track builds to its thrilling crescendo. A sublime piece of musicianship. 

Explaining the single further, the band says:“The song is about the extremist nature of disagreement in the world at the moment and the inability for people with different views to find common ground or mutual understanding. Kitchen Sinking is a term used in an abusive relationship for when people continuously barrage their partner with negative comments one after the other to break them down psychologically. We felt that this was a fitting description of what’s going on in the world at the moment on a universal level.”

Stream ‘Kitchen Sinking’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Grunge, indie rock, New Music

Paradox ‘Welcome to the Happy Place’

Irish Alternative Rock band Paradox return with a guitar heavy sound and plenty of sarcasm for their new single ‘Welcome to the Happy Place’. Recorded by Brian Casey at Wavefield Recording Studios, West Cork the single sees Paradox returning to a more old school heavier sound than the bands previous single ‘All Life Matters’ which was also recorded at Wavefield Recording Studios. Jota Gambuzino is behind the artwork of the new single.

‘Welcome to the Happy Place‘ is a feisty grunge fist-pumper as Paradox create sweet moody moments between their signature explosive heavy sound. The band’s ability to blend sweet pockets of melancholia amidst raw blasts of rock reminiscent of Nirvana is impressive. Sulken verses of soft, whispered vocals and twinkling guitar coo before erupting into a mighty bulky chorus of crashing guitars, pulverising drums and powerful vocals.There is plenty of moshing moments within this track as the band take their edged sound and add gravel and grit to it when the track reaches its expressive manic crescendo. With it’s ominous dark atmosphere filled with delicate tonalities and a potent wall of sound ‘Welcome to the Happy Place’ is quite the hard hitting, gloomy anthem.A must listen. 

About the track the band said : “The single itself takes a sarcastic view on today’s buy happy 9 to 5 society. The idea of the single artwork was to mimic a fast food restaurant with a familiar yet unfamiliar clown who’s sales pitch is Happy.” 

Stream ‘Welcome to the Happy Place’ below 


Author : Danu