Tag: demo

Rock Out with Heavy Lag

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Brooklyn’s Heavy Lag aren’t signed to Dirtnap Records, but if you’re a fan of that label and its brand of furious pop punk, then you’re going to love this bunch! They rock forward almost immediately, blasting with some heavy riffs at breakneck speed. Of course, the vocals seem like they’re screamed atop the whole of the song, kind of like they’re crowdsurfing through the tune itself. And just like that, 2 minutes have blasted right through your speakers, you’ve punched danced across your living room with your 2 year old…wait, maybe that’s just me?! Whatever, this rips and you need it!

Jackie Mendoza Shares Tune for Exitos Varios Comp

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There’s so much to love about this post and song, so bare with me. For starters, this track appears on the forthcoming Exitos Varios Compilation…a compilation organized by the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers; the proceeds go to United We Dream, an organization that aids undocumented immigrants; as a human, let alone a Texan, this is an issue of great importance. Second, a few years ago I managed to grab Jackie Mendoza at the last minute on a very last minute SXSW show at Barracuda (RIP); she was just starting to make a name for herself on her solo work, and this one here feels really special. On the tune Mendoza says this”is a song about refusing to cave into the pressures of changing the ways I express myself as a Mexican-American musician.” Why would you want to when it sounds this fucking good? It’s like old-school trip-hop with a vibrancy that can only be expressed by a person straddling two distinctive cultures. Buy the Exitos Varios Comp tomorrow HERE.

Zachary Vito Shares New Tune

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It’s been a minute or two since we last heard from Zachary Vito. Last year, in fact. But, he has found himself stranded in California amidst the current crisis, and what’s an artist to but write a great song. He’s holed up with his new roommate Casey Golden, so they’ve pieced together some footage and offer you this really delicate pop ballad. I love how the guitar sounds solemn and sunny all at once, but mostly I’m in love with Vito’s vocal performance on this one. There’s this warmth and intimacy, it reminds me of singing to my daughter late at night, quietly letting listeners drift into their own headspace. Vito’s calling this a demo, as he hopes to go back and re-recod the tune when times are better for us all…but if you ask me, not much needs to be done here.

The Oilies Share Latest Tune

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I’m not typically one to revel in the joys of demos and remixes and all that. But, I really really love the Oilies, and I really really really love this new track…even in a demo version. There’s something in its simplicity that’s supremely rewarding; it almost feels like the song is just on repeat for much of the track…careful ears will hear slight changes. Vocals subtly change the presentation, but if you’re like me, you might have been so entranced you didn’t notice on the first run though…so go back and listen to this all again. Honestly, I just want to hang out in a world where this track is on repeat forever.

New Pop Tune from Tugboat Captain

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I’ve written about Tugboat Captain previously, and with the London outfit scheduled to show up in Austin for SXSW, I thought it would be a nice time to check back in on the band. They’ve just offered up this new tune in demo fashion in hopes of raising some funds for their 3rd LP, as well as that trip across the sea. Personally, I’m not sure what else they could really add to make this more than a demo, aside from punching up a level here and there in the mix. I love the breakdown at the 3 minute mark; it’s the perfect way to cap off a promising tune. If you’re inclined to support the group, you can go HERE to throw a buck or two their way.

Jetstream Pony Share Mitte

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Okay, so I don’t normally go out of my way to share a demo, but I absolutely loved Jetstream Pony‘s Self-Destruct EP, so I’m rather excited to hear they’re working on wrapping up an LP for the near future…sharing this demo from one of the tracks. I loved the heavy tones at work in this version; it seems like the band’s really ready to unleash a wall of noise on us. But, as is their style, the vocals have this gentle curl to them, leaving you with that juxtaposed pop sensibility that makes their songs so enjoyable. This is still a version at work, but other than some mixing, it sounds pretty solid to me!

Vashti Bunyan Tune from New Devendra Banhart Compilation

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I will admit to being way into Devendra Banhart; I loved his early work, and even more so, his later, more polished pieces. He’s always been well-regarded by his peers, or its seemed as such to me, so when he announced his new compilation, I perked right up. So, over the years he’s been collecting demos from the people he admires most, with heavy-hitters like Arthur Russell, Jana Hunter, Tim Presley and Vashti Bunyan. The Bunyan track is below, delicate in its presentation; you can also find the track on Lookafteing from 2005. The Fragments du Monde Flattant will be released on March 1st, limited to only 2000 copies worldwide, courtesy of Bongo Joe Records.

The Proctors Bring Back Indiepop

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It’s been a few years since we last heard anything from the Proctors, but it looks like there’s a new album brewing right around the corner. It only takes a few seconds for those crystalline jangles to circle around your ears and whisk you away to that happy place; I mean, even the song title references that sonic touch. But, what elevates this track, for me, are the nice little layered vocals that emphasize the melody; they build in a warmth that blankets the jangle just enough to open the doors to more than just pop fans. Not sure on a release of a new LP, or if it will even include this song…so we’ll keep you posted!

Dream Pop from Skittle Alley

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Skittle Alley brought their dreamy indiepop to my attention a while ago, and it looks like the French act are back to their old tricks with a brand new tune for offering. This one is just a demo, so it will be interesting to see if the bare bones of this song leave room for pop explosiveness; I definitely hear spots where you could throw in some heavy synth work and jangling guitar notes. It’s always interesting to hear how your favorite bands work their craft, so have a listen to see where your favorite indiepop gems come from today.

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Dreampop Demo from Adrian AP (of Sea Lions)

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sealionsPerhaps one of the things I wish for this world is that we had more music from Sea Lions; I still frequently listen to Everything You Always Wanted to Know. Luckily, AAP…one of the group’s songwriters, just upped this delicious demo I think you should spend some time with. Oddly, you could put it up against any dream pop or indiepop release of late, and you’d be pretty impressed, not only with the quality of the writing, but the home recording. Hopefully this means the band will soon be recording new material, or Adrian will, and either way, the world will be better for it.

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