independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
“It all related to music. We weren’t like a family band, but there was always access to music,” says Samantha Ronson, multi-instrumentalist, seasoned DJ, and member of Los Angeles-based electro-pop trio Ocean Park Standoff, of her upbringing with her famous musical family members. “I didn’t even really start playing until I was older. My stepfather... Continue Reading →
It’s hard to name a band these days, which likely explains the plethora of unique and, frankly, downright weird ones floating around the musicsphere. As band names go though, one outfit has successfully conveyed their dynamic history with their chosen two-words-pressed-into-one moniker. Meet Los Angeles-based electro-pop duo TeamMate. “We met in our college marching band,... 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 →
Norwegian songwriter/producer Coucheron has been a busy guy since moving to Los Angeles, finding himself featured under spotlights and on lists, producing tracks from Mayer Hawthorne, Charlie Puth and Nick Jonas, to name a few; he also just finished a 20-date US tour this fall with Scandi comrade Lemaire. Now the 22-year-old is working on his own material and recently released a brilliant new A-side single, "Loud," via Tooth... Continue Reading →
I caught up electropop maestro Gibbz recently as he was prepping for his current tour with Dragonette, and dealing with some not-so-fun stuff as well: He: “I’m having a tooth issue, I have to have a tooth taken out. I have terrible teeth. I think it’s genetic. I’m going to blame my mom.” Me: “Do... Continue Reading →
Utah has seemingly become a hotbed for nurturing huge pop bands like Neon Trees, Imagine Dragons, and soon-to-be-icons like The Moth & The Flame—is there something in water? “I don’t really know for sure,” laughs Christian Darais, drummer of up-and-coming Utah-based electro-pop band The Brocks. “There’s some seriously awesome stuff coming out of here.” The... Continue Reading →
What if you mixed the sun-soaked psychedelia of bands like Tame Impala with Motown-esque groovy electro-pop? There’s no need for conjecture friends, because those elements, and many more, are embodied in the soulful sounds of New York City-by-way-of New Orleans artist Mikey Hart, a.k.a. Ex Reyes, who recently released a brand new EP, Do Something. Hart could also easily add “budding... Continue Reading →
“Is it wrong if all we wanna do is dance and sing?”, asks Cherub’s Jordan Kelley in the opening track of the electropop duo’s new album, Bleed Gold, Piss Excellence; the lyrics set the tone for the record’s cover to cover atmosphere of funktastic fun from the fellas that brought us smash hit “Doses And... Continue Reading →
Brothers Robert and David Perlick-Molinari, who perform together as electro-funk band French Horn Rebellion, can do it all—David produces for bands like MGMT and owns a Brooklyn-based studio while Robert, formerly a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra, is also a producer and sought-after master of remix for artists like Sia and Beyonce. In fact,... Continue Reading →
From the land of grunge have emerged two sons of a preacher man who make infectious pop music, and whose personalities are as bright as the clothes they wear. Meet Liz Scarlett and Shazam “Tea Time” Watkins of Tacoma, Washington, the two youngest brothers in family of five boys and a pair of traveling ministers,... Continue Reading →
