Indie Music Universe

By Kristin Anderson

Indie fans are you sleeping at night? Do you close the closet door and check under your bed for clowns before you can even think of shutting your eyes? Well, if the Lunestas not working and the Adderall has got you paranoid, you may want to steer clear of some sincerely haunting new tunes from DARK DARK DARK's stunning six-song EP, BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT.

Ranging from sweet melodic symphonies to elaborate theatrical arrangements, DARK DARK DARK is the sound of the ghost that will haunt you. On March 9, Dark Dark Dark released their six-song EP Bright Bright Bright on Supply and Demand Music. Hailing from New Orleans, New York, and Minneapolis, the chamber-folk sextet have yielded a lush and intoxicating follow-up to their 2008 full-length debut, The Snow Magic.

Dark Dark Dark recorded the new EP at Sacred Heart Studios in a former church overlooking Lake Superior, and worked with Minneapolis producer Tom Herbers. Herbers engineered, produced and mixed Bright Bright Bright on analog equipment from start to finish. He encouraged the band to record live as opposed to tracking instruments separately, taking advantage of the band's unique chemistry and using the chapel's natural reverb to amplify the power of their live performances, which are the soul shaking equivilent of being in the middle of a typhoon.

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Popularity: 6% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

On my search for some quality indie to pay forward, I stumbled across a indie folk band that has helped to solidify the existence of some happy music. Thao With the Get Down Stay Down has succeeded in forcing our spoiled, overindulged, grumpy listeners to smile again. Remember smiling people, it's that thing you do when you're not all wrapped up in your own little tragic universe of perspective.

The band members consist of Thao Nguyen (guitar, vocals), Willis Thompson (drums, percussion), and Adam "The OK BIRD" Thompson (Bass, bird noises). Willis Thompson and Thao Nguyen met at a re-enactment in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and then found Adam Thompson one summer at a Richmond delicatessen, gingerly slicing. They got in a van together and stopped every night in different places. Got out, played music (often for real live people) and then got back in and rambled to the next town.

Thao With the Get Down Stay Down recorded one album, drove around and flew to and fro, and then recorded another. Both albums document the musical collaboration of many friends and colleagues and the efforts of one Thao to understand human interaction at all, ever. Their latest Know Better Learn Faster was released on 10/13/09 and is making a serious impact on its impressive show line up of all the indie hot spots you could hope to visit. (check out the tour dates on  www.myspace.com/thaomusic )

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Popularity: 13% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

Hello my Indie lovers, I have some news from the mothership.  I have made contact again with a new species of music.  This time having delved into an electric candlelit dream of classical revelation and electronic revolution. 

TEALIGHTS is an indie-electronica band with classical infusions founded in June 2008. Early into its conception, the band found itself experimenting with vox harmonies, electronic beats, live drums, synths, pedals, keyboard, guitar, bass, cello, flute, melodica, and bells. Mary's luminous brand of vocals twined with lead singer Nancy's delicate, droning tone sets the perfect balance for Tealights. To accentuate Mikey's electronic brilliance, Brett creates another dimension using gadgets and live drums.

Tealights began debuting their sound locally in September 2008 and have grasped comparisons to the likes of The Cranberries and Portishead. They have since graced the stage as opening acts for the Octopus Project, Parenthetical Girls, the Evangelicals, Starfucker, and Asobi Seksu. In March 2009, Tealights officially released their demo. The official debut EP entitled Take Us By Sea will be released on Sept 29 at the Drunken Unicorn, followed by an east coast tour in October and southwest tour in November.

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Popularity: 11% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

Greetings you indie gluttons. Get ready to hear my latest obsession. Brooklynites, the Ludlow Lions have stolen the spotlight with the new LP "No Stories," and are quickly marking their territory as Kings of the Indie Forest.

No Stories is a brilliant delivery of sweet and lyrical confessions. Wrapped in a rock-pop sleeve, the album is a storybook in itself. Honestly, it took me a minute to get a hold of the sound, but as the songs played — I was won over. Already having started earning rave reviews from the press, Owl Magazine gave No Stories an excellent rating of 4 1/2. And most recently, they were mentioned on Brooklyn Vegan in connection to Nakatomi Plaza, which Ludlow Lions current bass player Oscar Albis Rodgriguez used to play in before they disbanded.  

Indie blood pumps these fellas into sound-making fruition. From the first song, some unspoken familiarity and movement clutches you and gets you right in the mood. Original lyrics, poetic and far from overdone, the dosage is right and the delivery executed with a genuinely unified and familiar sound. Topping my list for favorite tracks, I couldn’t get past "Treasure of the Guerra Madre." Call me a lover of the slow reminiscent Doors, trippin’ in the desert sound, but this song travels through a rise and fall with a guitar clinging to hope, like a sweet prayer of some sort. This song alone solidifies this band as a indie staple. 

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Popularity: 3% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

Brace yourself my little indie music monkeys. In a defiant search for authenticity and a passionate attempt at leaving a real mark, SUDDYN has graced us with some real indie gold. This band most certainly means to stay around by connecting with its audience and proving its dedication by delivering a sound from the depths of their rocker souls.

I got the pleasure of listening to the EP "Dark Lights," which was recorded in Grouse Lodge (an exceptional residential studio which has been home to some amazing artists like Snow Patrol, Muse, REM and Michael Jackson to name a few!). “Dark Lights" was mastered by John Davis, whose clients include Snow Patrol, Artic Monkeys, REM and Led Zeppelin.

These two Montauk brothers and two Irish childhood friends came together and SUDDYN was born. Combining a emotionally driven sound with style and intensity that infuses the music with a deep sense of drama, these artists have not forfeited true passion in exchange for the security of a stamped out pop sound. With influences like Radiohead, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, U2, Muse, Queen, ELO, Remy Zero, Led Zepplin, Harry Chapin, Gordon Lightfoot, The Guess Who, T. Rex, Beck, Bowie, Spacehog, etc…. it is no surprise that SUDDYN has drawn on the influences of the talent in our music roots to initiate a sound worthy of rock anthems.

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Popularity: 12% [?]

Sti-Lo Reel proves he is a heavyweight to be reckoned with in the field of lyricism and Independent hip-hop artists.

Sti-Lo Reel is the lyrical genius on the Minneapolis based independent label named Pledge Empire Records. Born and raised in Minneapolis Sti-Lo name rings bells in just about every corner of the Twin Cities because of his sharp delivery and witty punch lines. With this August release of the long awaited “Soul Through the Speakers” mixtape Sti-Lo’s name will continue to grow rapidly not only across Minneapolis but the whole U.S.

Sti-Lo begins his lyrical assault on the opening track titled “Soul through the Speakers” letting the world know that he has finally arrived saying “I’m here haters witness the livest and the greatest” again showing his confidence in his lyrical ability. On the hard hitting track “Bacc to Business” Sti-Lo Reel really shows his audience that there is no contender when it comes to flows and style at the same time letting everyone know that he is focused on his business and his hustle is first and foremost. This is definitely Hip-Hop on a higher level!

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Popularity: 4% [?]

By Deborah Diak

New music always excites me.  I crack open the CD or watch the bar move as the download is delivered from my wireless.  Today, I’m breaking down a new track from Anwar Robinson, called “Night’s Hot”.

The song is a perfect romantic ballad-like tune that draws you into the night.  It has an earthy aphrodisiac quality that wafts around you like a fine perfume.  Before you know it, you’re knee deep in the mood of the song.  Even after the song ends, you’ll notice a lasting romantic state of mind.

Anwar blows out some great riffs…urban and earthy.  The background vocals are smooth, sweet and sexy. Impressive from the first note, “Night’s Hot” is mixed to perfection. The instrumentals are flawless and you get an old school soul vibe juxtaposed with Anwar’s trademark style – polished and steamy.  It’s no accident that Robinson was a Top Ten finalist on Idol.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

You can run and you can hide but Venus Infers will find you.

The Orange County-based band comprises frontman Davis Fetter, drummer Steve Wilmot, guitarist Hiro Makino and bassist Richard Marion.  Although this band is technically an indie rock band they do not make reference to themselves as such..Venus Infers stands by the motto that "music is for all ears". "When composing the art, artists should be discriminating," Fetter said, but "not when choosing their audience." And the world, mainstream and otherwise are most certainly in agreement.

I was sure that all the wonderful reviews meant that the band was enough like other popular bands to have the general public in a tizzy of lemming like agreement. But sometimes, just sometimes the masses are on to something. Venus Infers is remarkable. They have single-handedly taken all the things that you love about music and executed a sound that is so natural, so precisely its own flavor of rock genius, I am completely smitten. They move you the way bands like Coldplay, Radiohead, and The Killers do, with a grasp on what connects people and the common thread that bonds how we feel and the choices we make. All this and they make it seem effortless.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

Out of the mouths of babes.

The 19-year-old duo, Kyle Wyss and Orhan Chettri, hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida have graced us with the psychedelic and experimental band "Blind Man’s Colour".  The album that has redefined creative sound "Seasons Dreaming", is taking the music scene by its reigns and riding the wave of true talent and vision.  Receiving recognition from mainstream music icon Kanye West and touring with a dedicated cult following, Blind Man's Colour is using collected sound samples and fuzzy vocals to create a wave of liquid music.

Blind Man's Colour has converted sensory perception in every form to a tangible sound.  Each song is filled with blurry subconscious vibrance.  It'll delightfully and magnetically transport you to instant meditation.  Original, elegantly executed vibrations of genre shattering invocation provide outlet and serenity, song after song.

Paying homage to an eden-like state, when possibilities were endless and the universe was at our fingertips.  Blind Man's Colour could not be a more appropriate title. For if a man could not see, every feeling that would illuminate the thoughts in his mind could be generated by this music.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

Indie fans stop running in place. On June 23, Kava Kava, who hail from Yorkshire UK, are releasing their first U.S album, Forwards, on Midnight Swimming. Having started as a four-piece psychedelic funk band gracing the underground festival and party scene, KAVA KAVA has now expanded into a six piece force to be reckoned with — that fully realizes a distinct and unique sound that is bringing the indie music scene to its knees.

The vocals of singer Pat Fulgoni, who sounds like a masculine angel, are accompanied by a revolving line-up that includes Matt Bond (guitar), Martin Chung (bass), Chris Corrigan (drums), Steve Davies and Ian Bailey (horn section) alongside vocals, guitars, electronica, brass, strings and a  funky rhythm section.  The combination of lead singer Pat Fulgoni and the unified expression of sound will rip you from time and space and let you fall into a state of dream sequence. Filled with raw power and energy, this music moves. You are sure to move with it..

Fulgoni has done quite a few collaborations on his own, lending his voice to several songs released by Hospital Records and Subliminal Soup Records. The single Beliefs off of Nu:Tones's "Back of Beyond" album reached #17 on the singles chart in the UK and featured vocals by Pat. Smooth as glass and desperately funky, Kava Kava is ripping through sound barriers and embedding themselves in mainstream culture.

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Popularity: 23% [?]