independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
Hippo Campus’ forthcoming album landmark, set for release on February 24th via Grand Jury Music, is a winter treat for indie rock lovers counting the days until summer festival season; landmark is a fitting title for the St. Paul, Minnesota-based group’s debut full-length—however, the title bears a deeper meaning. In landmark, we experience the band’s evolution... Continue Reading →
Increasingly, I find myself, a dyed-in-the wool alt-rock aficionado, lured into the realm of indie pop; while others have baited the hook and cast the line, Nashville-based songstress Trella has reeled me in, and I have fallen for her debut EP, Vapor, hook, line, and sinker. “I was living in the pretense...I’m standing up, I’m... Continue Reading →
With their forthcoming album, Detroit-based folk pop outfit Frontier Ruckus invites us to “enter the kingdom”—however, in their world, that kingdom is set in the crumbling remains of the Motor City, and provides insight into the hardships endured in realizing that permanence is sometimes an idea instead of a fact. In this kingdom, old neighborhoods... Continue Reading →
“Take a chance with me, it will be alright,” sings Los Angeles-based Ryan Marshall Lawhon, a.k.a. Mating Ritual, in the title track of How You Gonna Stop It? Vol. 1, the first of two installments of his new album. The Phoenix-esque dance-tastic tune, in which Lawhon relays the ups and downs of the modern dating... Continue Reading →
Griffin Oskar never intended to be in the spotlight; at 21 years old, he packed his bags and headed to Los Angeles to find work behind the scenes. Thank goodness that sometimes, best laid plans often go awry, because if he’d had his way, the world might have never gotten the chance to experience Hostage,... Continue Reading →
After 16 years, prolific singer/songwriter Alex Dezen has moved on from his professional musical foundation with rock outfit The Damnwells—they are done, it’s over. Really though, Dezen’s voice and songs were the driving force behind the band, and he has continued to stretch his creative musical muscles. The unencumbered Dezen is now completely free to explore... Continue Reading →
Wild Adriatic prides itself on its concert vibe, so the band decided to capture the thrill of their live show on their forthcoming album, Feel; as frontman Travis Gray explains, "These songs align with everything we've gone through in the last year. They highlight hard times, but also underlying hope and optimism. We're people. We're... Continue Reading →
I love Austin, Texas; the best chili and Tex-Mex I’ve ever had live there, and much like Nashville, people aren’t afraid to be who they are, a mentality that provides fertile ground for creativity to freely bloom. There’s also a particular sound I’ve come to expect from Austin—while while it’s a hub for country twang... Continue Reading →
“Don’t love me I’m quicksand, you’ll be gone in the morning,” sings Nashville songstress Whissell in “Quicksand,” the opener of her EP, Old Souls, Young Bodies, set for release on January 27th. Equal parts “oh snap” and “have mercy,” this song is only the beginning—in more ways than one. Whissell’s distinct and soulful tone places her head... Continue Reading →
With their debut EP, Sunset Park, set for release on January 27th, Brooklyn-based rockicana outfit A Valley Son has distilled the sentiment of the free-wheeling American spirit, filtered it through the experience of life in the big city, and firmly planted their flag in the roots rock landscape. Like early morning light, we are gently introduced to... Continue Reading →
