Indie Music Universe

Travis DeVries is the driving force leading the new Brooklyn based band, deVries.  He released their debut album, “Death to God,” in 2009 on Noise on Noise, and the response by reviewers has been unanimously positive.  The online webzine Incendiary Magazine went as far as to declare it, “probably the greatest Manchester album never to have been made in Manchester.”  Most recently, UK based Young Rebel, added them to their March online play list, and hailed Travis as “a great talent.”

Travis DeVries comes from Seattle, where for a decade, he had been the lead singer and songwriter of legendary shoegaze band, The Turn-ons.  In 2009, Spin magazine listed them in it’s “100 Greatest Bands You (Probably) Never Heard.”  And long before that, Peter Buck of R.E.M. declared them, “simply my favorite new Seattle band,” in an article for Q Magazine.

He moved to NYC in the summer of 2008 after the recording of Death to God was completed, and continued deVries there with a new line-up of talented musicians (Sean Gibbons, lead guitar; Martin Glazier, guitar; Johnny Lancia, bass; & Kuki Kooks, drums). They are playing shows throughout Brooklyn to growing popularity and enthusiasm, and writing new songs to be recorded later this year for a future release.  They are also looking forward to hitting the road and tour come summer. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 5% [?]

Single Parents is the project of three friends: Fernando Dotta, Anderson Lima and Rafael Farah. Based out of São Paulo, Brazil, the band was formed in 2008 via a partnership between Fernando (vocals, guitar) and Anderson (bass).

After playing together for a couple of months, Fernando moved to Brighton, UK, where he began to compose songs in English on acoustic guitar, and continued his transatlantic musical exchange with Anderson.

Once rejoined in Brazil, the duo gathered demos produced over these six months they were apart to start working on final versions.

Single Parents became a trio in March 2009 when Rafael Farah (drums) joined the band. “We melded our styles and genres, focusing on Britrock and American alternative rock from the 90’s.”, says Fernando.

The band released their debut EP in December 2009, titled Could You Explain?, including four tracks written in English, whose distinct  and identifiable influences contribute to shape their musical identity. Farah comments: “We selected the demo versions that best embody the project’s aim, working on them for months before heading into the studio”.

As the EP’s title suggests, the band does not intend to restrict their sound to specific references, but to give each track a unique feel. “We came up with different structures for each song, where the theme and ambience change throughout. That is the contradiction we’re looking to express in our compositions”, highlights Anderson.

The band is currently rehearsing in studio, warming up for gigs in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 12% [?]

Cory Brown is a California-grown Singer/Songwriter with a distinct gift for crafting songs that draw fans from a variety of ages and backgrounds. Born into a musical family just north of Hollywood, Cory began playing guitar and singing at a young age. Aided by his father Barry (songwriter and lead singer for the early seventies band Morning, who shared stages with such artists as Jimi Hendrix and Chicago), Cory developed his natural talent for melodic songwriting and moving musical performance. The latest result is Cory's new debut solo album, Days In A Life, available now.

In 2001, after moving north to Berkeley, CA, Cory co-founded the Alternative-Americana Rock band 7th Direction. As their lead singer and primary songwriter, Cory also produced their debut LP Hundred Miles Gone. The album was praised by Relix and Pause/Record magazines, and Dennis Cook of JAMBASE.com named it one of the best albums of 2003. Relix Magazine, featuring 7th Direction in their 2003 article On The Verge: Artists You Should Know About, raved over Cory’s vocal performance and songwriting on his “soaring, harmony-laden” single Forgotten. The song was also featured in January 2003 on NBC’s hit television series Ed. Reviewers placed Cory’s catchy and intelligent songwriting style on the level of such music legends as David Crosby, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell. Fans compared Cory’s music to contemporary favorites such as Jack Johnson, Ryan Adams, Dave Matthews, and Elliot Smith. Cory’s fans continue to be moved by his melodic yet powerful voice, a unique sonic-blend that gives an extra flavor to his already crowd-pleasing repertoire of songs. He is determined to touch fans and music professionals alike with his talent for captivating turn-of-phrase and everlasting musical melody. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 17% [?]

Music as a means to healing. Melody as a means of providing hope. There exists a specific line of music that is comprised of folks who have changed the world around them; we are working on furthering that line. BOY PILOT is a band that partners with friends, fans and non-profits to holistically make a difference that matters in the long run.

Instrumentation:

David J. Portalatin: Lead Vocals, Guitar

Jonathan Lammering: Drums, Percussion

Jacob Rivera: Guitar

Websites:

Official website

Myspace

Discography:

The Boy Pilot E.P.

Popularity: 32% [?]

deVries (pro. devreese; Dutch def. from/of the North) is the new band of singer/writer/guitarist Travis DeVries of Seattle band The Turn-ons.  The August '09 issue of Spin magazine list The Turn-ons in its 100 "greatest bands you've (probably) never heard." Peter Buck of R.E.M. described them as “…simply my favorite new Seattle band. If I said that their sound was a combination of the Velvets, T. Rex and Spiritualized with a dash of Yo La Tengo, it wouldn’t do them justice [Q Magazine]." The Turn-ons played sold out shows with widely-known indie bands such as The Strokes, BRMC, Interpol, and played their last show with The Jesus & Mary Chain in '08.

Travis moved to NYC in the summer of '08 after recording "Death to God" in Seattle.  Death to God was produced and mixed by Turn-ons’ producer and member, Erik Blood(The Moondoggies, Tea Cozies, Romance). It was then mixed by legendary producer, Kramer(Galaxy 500, Low, Sufian Stevens).  Upon receiving the tracks for mastering, Kramer enthusiastically proclaimed “Travis, you’re a fucking genius.  This music is just too good” and “this shit is amazing.”

deVries' sound hearkens back to the reining days of Britpop/Madchester bands such as The Stone Roses and Suede.  Travis' lyrics touch on a wide range of social and human conditions and emotions of which he feels strongly about.  His songs range in issues from trans-gender children(Boys are Bores), to global warming(Slowing Down), and hints of economic upheaval(Black Thursday Repeat).  His gift of weaving lush orchestration & intensely personal lyrics is a reminder of how music can save your soul.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 34% [?]

After two woozy, psychedelic, and often–claustrophobic records that touched upon their great potential (2006's Preyers EP and 2007's Hoarse Lords), the Oakland-based Clipd Beaks have birthed something pretty damn amazing. To Realize is a turning-point. A record of personal and artistic growth. Sonically expansive, lyrically profound, and deeply moving. It recalls the societal hangover depicted in the great California rock records of the early 70's, while sitting firmly in the noisy, chaotic present day. It's a tribute to love, to moving forward, to rejecting doom. To Realize places itself as a beacon of sprawling, humanist hope in an increasingly digital world. Anyone who still believes in the transformative power of Rock n' Roll will recognize it in this record.

"Sounds perfectly fuzzed to these ears" – Stereogum

 

“Wildly danceable, postpunk mania” - Time Out

 

“Beneath the caustic bass and smeared keyboards lies some serious, seriously damaged songwriting” - The Onion

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 19% [?]

Attack the City was formed in the spring of 2008.  Sean met Sam, and wanted to start a band.  After a few lineup changes, the core of the band was created.  ATC is heavily influenced by electronic hard rock bands such as The Receiving End of Sirens, Saosin, and Underoath amongst others. Attack the City blends ambient electronic beats, catchy vocals, and driving rhythms with heavy guitar driven riffs.

In March 2009, ATC was picked up by Boston label District Kills Records, and recorded with producer Bryan Russell (Envy on the Coast, Straylight Run, The Academy Is…,). They released their debut EP titled Hostages on July 14, 2009.

Instrumentation:

Johnny Melanson:  Vocals

Sean Killary:  Guitar, sequencing

Sam Morgan: Guitar

Nick Grieco: Bass, Vocals

Rudy Olivares: Drums, Programming

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 21% [?]

"May be the most promising female voice to smack the indie rock world in years" – indyweek.com

Ume (pronounced ooo-may) has built a reputation as one of indie rock’s most electrifying live bands.  With their new critically acclaimed and self-released Sunshower EP and recent breakout performances at SXSW, NXNE, and Fun Fun Fun Fest, Ume has launched into the international spotlight DIY style.  Ume is set to tour with the legendary Meat Puppets and Dead Confederate in September and then record their highly anticipated full-length.

Behind Ume’s explosive music is an unassuming trio. Guitarist/vocalist Lauren says (in her southern drawl) that show after show she meets people who don’t think she could possibly have played in punk rock bands for over a decade. She has even had audience members ask if the guitar parts were pre-recorded, because "nobody could play guitar like that, wail, and flail around so much on stage." Sorry folks, this pint-sized shredder is the real deal. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 14% [?]

Beware Fashionable Women (BFW to their friends), collectively are respectable musicians who possess the ability to be the worst celebrities.  They are four guys who look exactly like any other four guys you would find in a local ma and pa music shop or record store. 

No, you won’t find their picture gracing the cover of their album.  Their sweaters hold as much appeal as their faces do.  What you will find however is a collection of songs that cover all the bases of the great potential of indie rock (whatever that means anymore). 

BFW appreciate the irony of They Might Be Giants, the dire lyrical nature of The Eels, and the melodic sweetness of Elvis Costello.  Why must a band only encompass one version of that vague idea that is pop music?  BFW understands that labels, managers, bookers, and indeed the listening public would much prefer a band that stuck to one thing and repeated themselves into oblivion.  This is why BFW is destined for failure.  The inclusion of jazz voicings, Beach Boy harmonies, and Latin rhythms is only a sliver of the variety the band explores to break up the monotony that often defines their genre. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 19% [?]

Mungus is a progressive rock four-piece that heralds from Louisville, KY. Classically trained vocalist Adam Lamb and guitarist Stephen Phillips were joined in the fall of 2006 by bassist G. Benjamin Ensor, a former classical violist.  In 2008 the band found the powerhouse drummer they had been searching for in Ricky Muzick, an award winning artist from Ohio.

Their music has been compared most frequently to the bands Tool (Michael Powell of LEO Weekly went so far as to write, “Tool’s latest album, Liminal, is certainly the type of thick, melodically heavy body of work fans have come to expect with each release…. Wait, this isn’t the new Tool record?”), A Perfect Circle, Muse, and Porcupine Tree.  Their first full-length album Liminal, released in May 2009, has received much critical acclaim and has been described as, “a dense and challenging record that rewards repeated listenings.” 

While they list Tool as one of their influences, the similarities in sound are organic in nature and unintentional.  Indeed, included along with Tool as major influences for the band are such diverse groups as Rush, King Crimson, Buckethead, Peter Gabriel, Muse, Ween, and Primus.  Lamb’s experience as a cantor in the Catholic Church; Phillips’s technical precision and, as reviewer Jake Lawson describes it, “liquid guitar work”; Ensor’s funk influenced lyrical bass lines; and Muzick’s speed, strength, and adaptability all mesh together to make Mungus its own unique animal.  As well reviewed as the album as been, the live show, complete with projected video and a steam punk aesthetic, is by far the more dynamic experience.  The band is currently writing material in order to capture this energy and sound on their second studio album.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 19% [?]