Discovering new music, and then writing about it, can sometimes be tricky. Especially if the bands that you are listening to have little, or no information about themselves out there. I feel especially like a sleuthing detective when I message bands asking them for information about themselves and then have to dig a little deeper when I get no reply. But, it is always worth it my friends!
Let’s kick things off with some upbeat, quirky indie-pop. Risley is a band from Portland, OR – that have been posting new music with some regularity on Soundcloud and Bandcamp. That is all I know about them. In my opinion, the best of the bunch is a song called Warpaint On. I love the shimmering guitars with the (what sounds like) lone female vocal for the intro, leading to the plectrum-picked lead guitar melody underpinning the understated lead vocals of Michael Deresh. An indie band on the verge of greatness.
I love these lyrics:
Streets are wet and reflect the lights from cars and the rows of bars
and nobody knows the story of your bones
Salt and sea, city lights … all the unsung thoughts of your unsung life
There might be nothing left when we arrive, so ….
Put your warpaint on
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Let’s continue with an incredible voice – that of Gemma Hayes from Above & Beyond. This is a brand new remix of the A&B song Counting Down The Days by Rob Fillo. He writes that he “took the accapella from an EDM remix contest and made this indie rock track by playing and programming different instruments.” The end result is pure anthemic indie-pop pleasure. I especially like the aggressive bass guitar in the foreground of the mix. If the aim of a remix is to bring perhaps hidden facets of the original work to your attention and appreciation – then this is a job brilliantly done.
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Finally, this week, a nice slice of ambience for you. SineRider is the ambient electronic project of Devin Powers, based in Norwood, Massachusetts. With the track Moonlit Shadows sonic textures leak through your speakers, like intermittent transmissions from unknown origins far across the galaxy. I like how there is a rich, organic warmth to the analog sounds here. Think of this as a soundtrack to the slow-motion ending of the world, as light fades for the last time to be replaced by…of course…moonlit shadows. Hauntingly beautiful.
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That’s all for now. More next week!
Take care and stay alive!
– Rob
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