Indie Music Universe

"Florida kids — who meld together syrupy psychedelic pop abstractions."  Stereogum

 

"Dreamy underwater soundscapes.”  Gorilla vs. Bear

 

“What music would sound like from the womb.  In a good way.”  The Tripwire

 

In early 2009 Blind Man’s Colour suddenly found themselves the subject of tastemakers attention. Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste said, “You guys must hear these guys, love it!” via Twitter.  Kanye West blogged about the band in an entry entitled “Some Dope Shit For My Apartment.” And so too, Kanine Records (Chairlift, Grizzly Bear) found, fell in love with and set to release Blind Man’s Colour debut album Season Dreaming on August 18, 2009.

 

Blind Man’s Colour is the psychedelic brainchild of 19-year-olds Kyle Wyss and Orhan Chettri, hailing from St. Petersburg, FL.

 

Having emigrated to the Sunshine State from Washington DC at age 12, Orhan met Kyle during a 7th grade lunch period and began to collaborate on musical projects almost immediately.  Spending their early teen years playing in various psychedelia-influenced and electronic projects, (“Pink Floyd/Led Zeppelin stuff,” they attest), their sound evolved into a very diverse range of organic folk, psych-drone, desert-rock and electronic ambiance.  With the help of friend Sheridan Willard, the three spent senior year of high school recording experimental pop tracks in each other’s bedrooms, laying the groundwork for Season Dreaming.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 16% [?]

Online music retailer Tryxo announced its international line-up for the Indie Invasion Tour in Germany next month. The bands include Derek Jordan (LA), The J.U.S. Evolution (NYC) and 9lies (Belfast). A team of experts and students selected the three bands from artists selling their music through Tryxo’s online platform that applied to the Campus Tour by May 1st, 2009.

 

"The artists are all international newcomers that do not have a major label record contract," noted Tryxo founder Natalie Vandersluis. "Nevertheless, their songs, production and sound quality as well as their talent prove their class and that they deserve to be on this tour!"

 

Tryxo also announced some initial dates for the German tour this coming June:
17.06.2009 – RWTH Aachen, Karmanhof 7pm – 10pm
18.06.2009 – University Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Sankt Augustin 8pm – 11pm

 

The Tryxo Indie Invasion Tour will be held in universities across Germany throughout the month of June 2009. Tryxo’s Indie Invasion Tour is being organized by Fachhochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, a German University where dedicated 14 students coordinating everything from logistics, to marketing, to communicating with the other participating schools.
http://www.tryxoindieinvasion.com

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 17% [?]

Cleveland-bred electro-rockers THIS IS A SHAKEDOWN! are holding it down for their hometown at an upcoming Cleveland Indians game. On Friday, May 29, the Indians will take on the New York Yankees, and TIAS! will be there to root them on with a special performance!

 

During the 7th inning stretch, the band will lead the Cleveland crowd in a sing-along of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." THIS IS A SHAKEDOWN! will perform the classic tune from the "party deck" of the arena.

 

On Thursday, May 28, THIS IS A SHAKEDOWN! will celebrate the release of their debut album Love Kills (May 5 – Reversed Image, Unlimited) at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH. Joining them will be special guests Terry Urban, The Kick Drums, DJ Kosher Kuts, and Chip Tha Ripper. You can view the TV commercial spot on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z8UyG1k_8U

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 20% [?]

Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear

 

There is an unbelievable clarity of sound and vision to Veckatimest: vocals (a duty shared by all band members) are sharper and more complex, arrangements are tighter, production is more venturous and lyrics more affecting. Having opened the creative dialogue at such an early stage, Grizzly Bear was able to realize these 12 songs together as a band, making it their most collaboratively compositional album to date.

 

This yielded an unexpected mix of material that feels more confident, mature, focused and most of all, dynamic. From songs like ‘Dory’ (a gracefully psychedelic, ever-evolving work),’Ready Able’ (a synth-y opus, and one of four songs that boasts string arrangements by composer Nico Muhly) and ‘Foreground’ (a plaintive, vocal-driven send-off, and one of two songs to feature choral arrangements also by Muhly) to more resounding pop songs like ‘Two Weeks’ (an other-worldly doo wop featuring backing vocals from Beach House s Victoria LeGrand) and ‘While You Wait For the Others’ (a triumphant and melodically cacophonous pop masterpiece), Veckatimest is an album of the highest highs and lowest lows an unbelievably diverse collection of songs that celebrates the strength of each band member, and the power of the whole. It was well worth the wait.

 

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix

 

The 2009 album from the French Electro-Rockers. Born out of restlessness and a steady hunt for inspiration, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is a career-defining album filled with the band’s signature melding of synthetics and organics, sharp, danceable rhythms, infectious choruses with a considerable dose of aural panache and candy-colored pop sensibilities.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Tailgunner Joe & The Earls of Slander was formed in Spring 2007 by Tampa local scene veterans who wanted a serious shot at the bigtime. Travis and Cannon, former members of both Tampa rock outfit My Rocket Heart and acoustic trio Keilah, teamed up with Alexander Boss of Dream State Heroic to develop a group with a fresh new style. The members had a vision of a band that delivered an extra helping of in-your-face, raw rock n' roll energy with a slight Southern twang. So was born Tailgunner Joe & The Earls of Slander.

 

The group played its first show in March, 2007, was honored in 2008 to open for The Legendary Shack Shakers and the Misfits, and has been hailed as "one of the most promising young bands to hit the seen of late" by Creative Loafing Magazine and "one of the premier newcomers of '07" by Tampa Bay Times Magazine. In August 2008, Creative Loafing Magazine awarded Tailgunner Joe and the Earls of Slander the honor of Best New Band during their annual Best of Tampa awards gala.

  Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 21% [?]

 

We at Indie Music Universe would like to take a moment to acknowledge and honor those servicemembers who lost their lives in past and present conflicts/wars in order to preserve our freedom and way of life in America.

 

Without their service and sacrifice, we wouldn’t have the freedom to pursue our dreams or be able to enjoy going about our everyday business without a grave fear of foreign invasion or terrorist attack.

 

We also want to take the opportunity to salute our current servicemembers and all veterans.  Your service is much appreciated and we are very proud of you.

 

So go out and have a great weekend, eat delicious food, play some awesome indie music (very loud!), and remember to take a moment to reflect on those who made our freedom to do this possible.

 

 

Popularity: 12% [?]

Hey Indie fans! it’s that time of the year again.

 

The time of year when indie music fans take to the outdoors and come together with their cult-like following to hit up the summer music festivals. In an effort to help all you dedicated fans hand in a correct time off request form, Indie Music Universe has provided a rundown of some of the best summer festivals in 2009.

 

drumroll please…..

__________

Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival 2009
Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
May 23 – 25 Memorial Day weekend

 

Bigger and better is the mantra of Movement 2009, as Detroit’s annual Memorial Day weekend electronic music festival seeks to live up to its 2008 Festival of the Year designation by URB magazine. More than 70 acts will keep crowds dancing and windows near Hart Plaza rattling from Saturday to Monday. Movement’s four stages will host DJ and live sets by such acts as Afrika Bambaataa, Bassnectar, Glitch Mobb and more along with Detroit techno pioneers Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and Carl Craig.

 

The festival will stretch into the wee hours, too, with a series of adjunct and after parties. Among the highlights are: a bash celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ann Arbor’s Ghostly International label on Saturday at the Magic Stick; the I’m On a Boat late-night cruise Sunday on the Detroit Princess with Carl Craig, Luciano, Dixon and Ame; a reunion of the musician and DJ collective known as Family Funktion on Sunday at Cliff Bell’s; a 25th Anniversary of House Music celebration Sunday at Oslo; and the official Movement 2009 closing party on Monday at Plan B Nightclub.

 

Tickets for Movement 2009 are $30 per day, $60 for the weekend and $150 for a weekend VIP pass. Schedules and information are available at http://www.paxahau.com and http://www.myspace.com/detroitmusicfest.

 

__________

 

Sasquatch Music Festival 2009
The Gorge, Quincy, Washington
May 23 – 25 Memorial Day weekend

 

The lineup for the 2009 Sasquatch!  Headliners for the event include Jane’s Addiction, Kings of Leon, and Ben Harper & Relentless. The comedy lineup includes Zach Galifianakis, Demetri Martin, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Todd Barry, H. Jon Benjamin, God’s Pottery, People’s Republic of Komedy, Aziz Ansari, The Whitest Kids U Know, and Maria Bamford.

 

Location: The Gorge Amphitheatre, Quincy, Washington
Genre: Indie rock, experimental rock, singer-songwriter, electronica, alternative rock, underground hip-hop.

 

For more info and the amazing lineup contact http://www.sasquatchfestival.com. All Tickets are General Admission. Tickets are $76.50 per day if still available.

 

__________

 

MUTEK Festival
Montreal, Canada
May 27 – 31

 

Over 100 performers, panelists, and workshop leaders will be joining us for five days of discovery and dedication within the electronic arts.

 

As in past years, this location will serve as the place where all information on artists and showcases, as well as all our daytime and nighttime programming and the organization, sponsors, and partners who work so diligently to make this festival so memorable year and year. This 2009 edition may very well be the most ambitious program we’ve ever assembled. Between Gas, Ricardo Villalobos, Carl Craig, Moderat, and over 70 other Canadian and international acts, we’ve endeavored to represent every corner of the electronic arts in motion today.

 

For more info, check out: http://www.mutek.org/festivals/montreal/2009

 

__________

 

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2009
Manchester, Tennessee
June 11 – 14

 

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an annual, four-day music festival first held in 2002. The festival is held on a 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles southeast of Nashville, Tennessee. The main attractions of the festival are the multiple stages of live music, featuring a diverse array of musical styles including indie folk, world music, hip hop, jazz, americana, bluegrass, country music, folk, gospel, reggae, electronica, and other alternative music.

 

The festival began with a primary focus on jam bands, but has diversified greatly in recent years. The festival features craftsmen and artisans selling unique products, food and drink vendors, and many other activities including some put on by various sponsors.

 

For more info go to: http://www.bonnaroo.com/

 

__________

 

Northeast Music & Film Festival (NXNE) 2009
Toronto, Canada
June 17 – 21

 

Now in its 15th year, The North by Northeast Music & Film Festival and Conference (NXNE) is Canada’s #1 showcase for the best new music and music-related films. For five days and nights every June, NXNE takes over Toronto with the hottest bands, the coolest films, and the freshest music-related ideas – all within a few km of each other. Last year, 70,000 fans, artists, and industry pros flooded Toronto’s  famous club district for the festival.

 

The music festival gives over 500 local, national and international artists the chance to showcase for thousands of fans, agents, talent buyers, media, promoters, labels and management companies at a variety of essential downtown venues. While many NXNE performers have hit the fest’s 40 + club stages on their way to major international breakthroughs, other high-profile acts join the fray to helping make NXNE essential, fresh and eclectic.

 

For more info go to: http://www.nxne.com

 

__________

 

XX Merge Music Festival 2009
Cat’s Cradle, Chapel Hill, N.C.
July 22 – 26

 

Four nights at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC, 1 night at Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill, NC on UNC’s campus with additional music & mayhem to be announced!

 

Some performers on this years lineup:

American Music Club, The Broken West, The Clientele, Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band, Destroyer, Erectus Monotone, The Essex Green, Guv’ner, Imperial Teen, The Ladybug Transistor, Lambchop, Lou Barlow, M. Ward, The Magnetic Fields, Matt Suggs, The Music Tapes, Oakley Hall, Pipe, Polvo, Portastatic, Radar Bros., Richard Buckner, The Rosebuds, She & Him, Spent, Spoon, Superchunk, Telekinesis, Tenement Halls, Versus, Wye Oak

 

For more info go to: http://www.mergerecords.com/xxmerge/

 

__________

 

Siren Music Festival 2009
Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY
July 18

 

The Siren Music Festival (a.k.a. Sirenfest) is an annual summertime outdoors concert held in Brooklyn’s Coney Island. It is run by the free arts/politics/current-events newspaper The Village Voice, and is completely free-of-charge. The event draws fans of the indie and experimental rock that comprises the bulk of Sirenfest’s performers, as the concert itself is held in high esteem for its high-quality sound and performances and for being free of charge. Self-titled the "premier outdoor indie rock festival," the 2005 event drew upwards of 100,000 fans.

 

For more info go to: http://siren.villagevoice.com/siren

 

__________

 

Pitchfork Music Festival 2009
Union Park, Chicago, IL
July 17 – 19

 

The Pitchfork Music Festival is a three-day event showcasing over 40 of independent music’s best bands and artists on three stages. With many blockbuster festivals gouging their attendees out of obscene sums of money, only to confine them in uncomfortable, tight spaces and skimp on basic necessities, Pitchfork’s goal is to do the right thing: That is, to create a reasonably priced summer music festival that provides an overwhelmingly positive, comfortable and fun festival experience for both attendees and musicians.

 

For more info go to: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

 

__________

 

Lollapalooza 2009
Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
August 7 – 9

 

Lollapalooza is an American music festival featuring alternative rock, hip hop, and punk rock bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. Lollapalooza has featured a diverse range of bands and has helped expose and popularize alternative groups such as Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Hole. Conceived and created in 1991 by Jane’s Addiction singer Perry Farrell as a farewell tour for his band, Lollapalooza ran annually until 1997, and was revived in 2003. From its inception through 1997, and its revival in 2003, the festival toured North America. In 2004, the festival organizers decided to expand the dates to two days per city, however poor ticket sales forced the 2004 tour to be cancelled. In 2005, Farrell and the William Morris Agency partnered up with Austin, Texas-based company Capital Sports Entertainment (now C3 Presents) and retooled it into its current format as a weekend destination festival in Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois.

 

For more info go to: http://www.lollapalooza.com

 

__________

 

All Points West 2009
Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey
Jul 31 – Aug 2

 

The second annual All Points West Music & Arts Festival returns to Liberty State Park in New Jersey this summer. More than 65 artists appearing on three stages throughout the 80-acre historic location that has panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline.

 

2009 Line-up:

 

Friday, July 31st line up: Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, The National, Fleet Foxes, MSTRKRFT, Q-Tip, The Pharcyde, Organized Konfusion, The Knux, Ra Ra Riot, Seasick Steve, Telepathe, Shearwater, Heartless Bastards, Flying Lotus, College Humor Live, Arj Barker, Eugene Mirman, Bo Burnham

 

Saturday, August 1st line up: Tool, My Bloody Valentine, Gogol Bordello, Arctic Monkeys, Neko Case, The Ting Tings, Yelle, Crystal Castles, St. Vincent, Tokyo, Police Club, The Cool Kids, Kool Keith, Cage the Elephant ,Chairlift, White Rabbits, Electric Touch, The Postelles, Black Gold, College Humor Live, Tim & Eric Judah Friedlander, Jim Jeffries

 

Sunday, August 2nd lineup: Coldplay, Echo & The Bunnymen MGMT, The Black Keys, Elbowb, Silversun Pickups, Mogwai, We Are Scientists, Ghostland Observatory, The Gaslight Anthem ,Etienne De Crecy Lykke Li, Akron/Family, Steel Train, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, College Humor Live, Janeane Garofalo, Michael Showalter, Todd Barry

 

For more info go to: http://www.apwfestival.com/

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

 

__________

 

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
August 28, 29, 30

 

The Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival will take place in San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Park August 28-30 with Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Beastie Boys and dozens of other bands and attractions along with a host of local musicians, food vendors and visual artists representing San Francisco’s cultural community.

 

For more info go to: http://sfoutsidelands.com

 

__________

 

Equifunk
Camps Equinunk & Blue Ridge, Equinunk, PA
September 4 & 5

 

Nestled in the Pocono Mountains and only a 2 ½ hour drive from NYC, EQUIFUNK is a unique and intimate music festival taking place September 4-6, 2009.  The perfect end to the summer, EQUIFUNK promises adults and children alike, a fun-filled musical adventure, along with a summer camp experience, complete with sports, crafts, swimming and more.

 

A refreshing departure from the massive festivals where the stage seems miles away, EQUIFUNK offers a cozy, friendly environment where friends, fans and artists converge for a musical experience.

 

The all-inclusive 2-day event features nightly live performances by acclaimed New Orleans’ artists, The Radiators and a late night performance by England’s funkiest, The New Mastersounds.

 

Admission for the two-day festival is $250 per person (prices subject to change) and includes accommodations, all meals and beverages and all shows and performances.  Children under 12 are free. Family events are offered daytime and babysitting services are available upon request, for a nominal fee.

 

For more info go to: http://www.equifunk.com

 

__________

 

Bumbershoot Festival 2009
Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
September 5 -7

 

Bumbershoot®: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival is now in its 39th year. Since 1971, Bumbershoot has drawn artists representing the best in music, film, comedy, spoken word, dance, theatre, performance, and visual arts to the Seattle Center over Labor Day weekend. North America’s largest urban arts festival, Bumbershoot takes place in the heart of the city at the  74-acre Seattle Center. Over 150,000 visitors from near and far spend the weekend reveling in the world of Bumbershoot, experiencing everything from regional favorites to international superstars across all arts disciplines.

 

For more info go to: http://www.bumbershoot.com

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

 

__________

 

Monolith Festival 2009
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado
September 12 -13

 

The 2009 Monolith Festival will be held at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado on September 12th and 13th. Two day passed are priced at $110 and will go on sale May 2nd. If you are going with a group of friends in the same vehicle, you can buy the "Green Ticket Package," which gets you 4 two day passes for $340 ($85 each). The 2009 lineup has yet to be announced, but expect to see some of the artists who are performing at Outside Lands, Bumbershoot, and Austin City Limits to be on the bill.

 

For more info go to: http://www.monolithfestival.com

 

__________

 

Telluride Blues and Brews Festival
Telluride Town Park, Telluride, CO
September 12- 14

 

One of the most scenic music festivals in the country, the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival takes place every September in Telluride, Colorado, a world-famous resort town in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The festival is a three day celebration of music and microbrews, held in Telluride Town Park, an outdoor music venue with breathtaking mountain peaks for a backdrop. By day, experience live blues, rock, funk, gospel, and soul, the best micro brews from over 50 micro breweries during Saturday’s Grand Tasting, a wide variety of food and craft vendors, children’s activities, and more – all on the festival grounds. By night, follow the festival as it flows into the town of Telluride and Mountain Village, with late night juke joints and after-hours jams.

 

For more info go to: http://www.tellurideblues.com

 

__________

Check out schedules, lineups, cancellations, bands playing, and events. The festival pages are being updated in an ongoing basis, so keep checking back for more information.

Popularity: 100% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

 

With an impressive resume and a small crowd of familiar talented contributors, Heavy Feather (formerly Jackpot City) has their self-titled upcoming album set to be released in June 2009 on Fundamental Records. 

 

Heavy feather features members of Counting Crows, Kevin Kinney, and Sugar; and the producers include members of  Widespread Panic and R.E.M. With this reputable lineup I had high hopes that I found a new indie rock act to worship. Unfortunately I have not been converted.

 

This is not crap though. This album is obviously well produced and the artists have experience and talent. But there's something missing. It's as if the sound is lax in its delivery — they are pushing the sound but not as hard as it can be pushed, and the limits are not being breached.  Now maybe if I had a laundry list of talented producers and well known artists surrounding me I would not feel the stress or urgency to take risks and be as authentic as possible. Typically the "stick with what works" attitude is a safe bet, but even with a hand as promising as Heavy Feather, I'm not uppin' the ante.

 

I am not saying this music is souless — I'm saying it's background noise. The only time I got excited about it was when it reminded me of something else I had heard. The guitar is gritty and fabulous, the Pretenders sound is helpful, but where is my climax people? If I'm going to start something I would like to finish it…and I'm just not getting anymore than a beer drinkin', boot wearing, Tuesday night at the watering hole.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 25% [?]

Indie do-gooders unite!

 

If you love indie music, like I know you do, you know that the road to independent success is long and hard. In this age of technology where exposure is based on cyber communication and internet word of mouth, your favorite beloved indie acts are being robbed of the fruits of their labor by a generation of pirates who thoughtlessly steal indie artists’ songs and any other booty they can get their PCs on.

 

Not to fear indie fans — there is a way to get your favorite music, support your indie art, and cut down on that pirate guilt.

 

Kerchoonz.com, scheduled to launch in June, allows users to access free downloads, whilst artists, whether internationally acclaimed or as yet unsigned, are paid each time their work is streamed or downloaded.  This can only spell good news for the thousands of artists who have, since the dawn of the internet, been royally ripped off.

 

In a direct attempt to combat illegal file sharing and compensate artists, Kerchoonz.com, is the first integrated social networking and media site to legally enable streaming and download of music, videos and online games, whilst paying the featured artists and creators of music. Kerchoonz is a site built by musicians for musicians with an aim to deliver music, a fun experience and most importantly give you music for free whilst paying the artists!

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 21% [?]

by Kendrick Daye

 

Sundays at the Mint Lounge are elevating to say the least. Every Sunday, Elevated Quest, a pretty dope four-piece band consisting of a key player, bass, sax, and guitarist perform with a featured artist. The featured artist on May 3rd, was none other than Nouveau Music’s Corinne Stevie. Although she looked stunning, donning a zebra patterned top, a blue high waist skirt, and her signature yellow Dr. Martens, the focus of this night was pure indie music.

 

Stevie gushed to the modest crowd that “this was her first time performing with a band.” Those that got that early enough got a treat of Ms. Stevie’s soundcheck and were already anticipating the tracks while they smoked hooka. Corinne Stevie, with a new shaved hairstyle that would make Cassie blush, started her first song “Morning Sunrise.”

 

“This is everybody’s favorite song,” she joked before tearing into the concise flow of the track. Elevated Quest’s reinterpretation of the music sounds more jazz than hip-hop and Corinne Stevie is like an orchestrator, a Herbie Hancock on a good day. 

  Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 15% [?]