independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
When I think of O Summer, I think of passion and the pursuit of dreams, of strength and sophistication, and of brilliance and boldness. I think of an indie-rock crew of fearless pals destined to change the world, and a circle of down-to-earth, funky friends who never miss an opportunity for a snack break at... Continue Reading →
OG Asheville band Toubab Krewe is breaking their seven-year studio silence with Stylo, their new album set for release on March 2nd. Again, no words are needed as West African polyrhythmic melodies produced by instruments such as the Kora and Kamele n'goni are partnered with hypnotic beats from a traditional drum set and other African-centric... Continue Reading →
Nostalgia in pop culture is at a current all-time high. Social division and unbridled technological advancement runs rampant, and has left many longing for something that feels familiar--for something safe, warm and comforting, something easily agreed upon and easily understood, a shared sense of time and place we can confide in to lift spirits as... Continue Reading →
From beginning to end, there is something familiar—almost comfortingly so—about Uncle, Duke & the Chief, the latest offering from Toronto-based rockers Born Ruffians. The band may be returning to its original trio form for the first time since its 2015 album, Birthmarks, but there is no mistaking the Ruffians’ sound. Bursting with acoustic guitar riffs... Continue Reading →
Will Varley - Spirit Of Minnie Today, UK-based folkster Will Varley released Spirit Of Minnie, his fifth studio album and first recorded with a backing band. Sweeping, yet subdued strings provide gauzy atmosphere around his delicate, acoustic finger-picking on some tracks, while others are fortified with keys, percussion, and yearning steel guitar. Whatever the... Continue Reading →
With grey skies and chilly winds serving as a constant reminder that it’s still winter, The Wombats come roaring forward with enough catchy riffs and waves of high-energy synth to thwart the bleakness of the season’s five o’clock sunsets. While a close listen to the lyrics on the band’s new album Beautiful People Will Ruin... Continue Reading →
As their name implies, Wild Child jumps into a performance of reckless abandon rounded out by seasoned, mature restraint with Expectations, their fourth album, set for release on February 9th via Dualtone Records. This record is a departure from their norm; they pull influences for a myriad of sources, embrace their moniker, and take a walk... Continue Reading →
Inara George - Dearest Everybody Today, singer-songwriter Inara George released Dearest Everybody, her first solo album in almost a decade, a deeply personal collection of songs that she didn't intend to make into an album--but we're so glad she did. Intricate instrumentation and whimsical arrangments compel us to listen, not just hear, as we hang on every... Continue Reading →
An unstoppable musical force who has released captivatingly catchy tunes since 1986, iconic pop rock band They Might Be Giants has been an integral part of my lifelong personal soundtrack. From singing along to their “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” theme song when watching television as a kid, using “Istanbul” in sixth grade history class to learn... Continue Reading →
After an aggressive touring year in 2017, Umphrey’s McGee is ready to hit the road again in 2018 in support of their 11th studio offering, it’s not us. The Chicago-based six-piece delivers 11 dynamic genre-spanning fan-pleasers--fresh debuts along with several tracks that have already had the concert treatment. Jake Cinninger and Brendan Bayliss dazzle with metal-sized... Continue Reading →
