Author: nathan.lankford

Loch Lomond Channel Indie Greats

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lochlomondOkay, so perhaps the indie rock explosion bubble burst long ago, but the remnants of that still remain with lasting influence of Arcade Fire and the Decembrists. That’s exactly where Loch Lomond picks up, with a combination of those two, only slightly less orchestrated. There’s still a poetic note in the lyrical content, and symphonic touches that flourish in all the right places, so the Portland act isn’t too far removed from everyone’s heroes. This song was released via Tender Loving Empire to kick off the band’s tour through the West, and it’s a great way to start off your week…so says I.

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Dusk Do Country

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duskI’ve got a lot of respect for artists like Dusk, which is the project of Tenement‘s Amos; he’s taking his roots and turning them out on a bigger stage. It’s interesting, as it’s just another step in the lineage of rock n’ rollers making nod to the American musical tradition. Still, this latest Dusk single also succeeds because of it’s songwriting, not just its look backwards. I’m always going to fall for a track that has a nice bit of piano work serving as the tune’s backbone…it’s the only instrument I know well. Alas, the group will release a debut 7″ on October 8 via Forward Records.

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This Is Pop Music: Rose McDowall

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roseI wish I could wrap this track up in some strange package, something that would make it hip enough to catch your ear. But, it’s a pretty straightforward pop track…that should come as no surprise as the tune was written in the 80s. Like all legendary recording artists, Rose McDowall (of Strawberry Switchblade) has found her tunes unearthed, garnering a reissue, and remastering, by Night School and Sacred Bones. This definitely feels like something my sister would have played around the house when I was a kid, but now seems to fit perfectly into my own life…probably because the remastering sounds so great. The reissue of Cut with a Cake Knife comes out today.

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Swings Are Crafting Nu-Slowcore

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swingsI always wanted to use “nu,” so it’s a good thing that bands like Swings are crafting music that begs for it to be used. The band, who’ve had a great week with their single, are the seeming heirs-apparent to the Bedheads of the world. They build their songs in a manner that’s gentle and soft, though the “nu” comes in as this group does build a bit more of a head of steam in their tune than some of their forefathers, though even still, they hold back before the eventual release. The DC trio will release their album Sugarwater on November 13th via Exploding in Sound Records.

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ATH Premiere: Dark Industrial Pop from SPC ECO

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SPCECO-Dark-Matter1500xFirst, the name SPC ECO is pronounced as “space echo,” so I’m glad that’s out of the way. Now, let’s spend some time listening to this great piece of industrialized pop music. Sure, I could just call it some minimal version of electro-pop, but it feels like more than that to me. From the album artwork to the sterility lurking just beneath the emotive croon of Rose Berlin, there’s a concept at work here; you’ll hear actual electronic noise construction, not just repetitive bleeps and bloops. Oh, and it cannot hurt that Dean Garcia, formerly of Curve, is the constructionist behind it all. Their new album, Dark Matter, is being distributed by Saint Marie Records, who’ve had themselves quite a run lately. Happy Friday.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/222806060″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Air Waves Release New Single and Album Today

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Air WavesFriday’s got some good releases coming out, but I think one of my favorites this week has to be the new effort from Air Waves. I really enjoyed their debut, and have had Parting Glances on a steady rotation for the last few weeks. Today you can grab that record from Western Vinyl, but it comes with a new single to share as well…another that features Jana Hunter of Lower Dens fame. I like the darker undertones of this record, and song, especially when the track takes a pulsing turn on the latter half, anxiously pushing you towards the ending. Buy this album…you’ll be happy you did.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/223988809″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Indiepop Delight from Sleuth

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sleuthAre you looking for the perfect place where Alvvays and Allo Darlin meet? That perfect indiepop comes in way of Vancouver’s Sleuth. The vocal qualities seem to lean more toward the former, while the musical aspirations closely resemble that of the latter. It harkens back that perfect late 90s era of pop music…no bullshit, just great songs. They’re doing a limited release of their latest album, Out of the Blue Period, via Kingfisher Bluez and Jigsaw Records this month, so if you know anything about modern indiepop, you know this is always a trustworthy source.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/214087995″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Tuff Sunshine Jam

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tuffTuff Sunshine has been on my stereo a lot lately. There’s something about their blend of styles that’s been really attractive; I can hear glam, punk and even roots-rock coursing through their songs, so the diversity keeps things pretty interesting from start to finish. Still, it all has this anthemic touch to it, almost built to be blasted out of your nearest arena show (do they even do those anymore?). They just unleashed this video version of the song HERE, but I’ve got the song below for you to stream. Their album Fire in the Hero Building will be out on October 30th for those interested parties.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/219643179″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

ATH Premiere: Stutter Steps Are Your New Favorites

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stutterstepsOkay, so maybe Stutter Steps aren’t your new favorites, not yet anyways. But, those of you who’ve carefully wrapped yourself in a world of indiepop and Australian/NewZealand guitar craftsmanship will surely find yourselves a new band to adore. This first single is as fine example of the art of songwriting as I’ve come to hear, which should come as no surprise; Ben Harrison, the man behind the band, can call himself a contributor/collaborator to the works of Dean and Britta (if you need to look that up then it won’t mean much). Still, I can hear the band’s references to Flying Nun, though I prefer to imagine Harrison crafting his own American version of the Go-Betweens. There’s incredible melodies and such a gentle warmth; you’re bound to find this the most endearing tune today. Their self-titled album will be out soon via Wild Kindness Records.

New Old Jonathan Bree Tune

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jonathanI feel like I’ve given a lot of coverage to the jangling guitar types in the Oceanic area, so why not turn our attention to this beautiful piece of pop music from Auckland’s Jonathan Bree. Jonathan’s been working on this album for a bit, and it’s said to have a lot of classical influences from the likes of Tchaikovsky. Still, the construction and Bree’s vocal tones make him sound a little bit more like Jarvis Cocker, in my mind at least. He’ll be releasing A Little Night Music on October 23rd via Lil Chief Records. You can also view a great video for the song HERE.

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