It’s fitting for News of the Fire to have a band name which derives from Lemony Snicket’s “Series of Unfortunate Events.” Even though Dan Fromhart, Nico Bergmann, Nick Tellier and Black LeCroy have had to overcome a plethora of obstacles, they’ve managed to release an impressive debut EP, “Motions and Hints.” The foursome, whose members […]
Stars’ “In Our Bedroom After The War” yielded anthems such as “Take Me to the Riot” and “Bitches in Tokyo,” but the Montreal band just now let us in on a little secret. Torquil Campbell and mates actually went into the studio with Besnard Lakes’ Jace Lasek and recorded an album’s worth of songs in […]
In an era scores of indie artists are making music so pretty it hurts, LA Font is managing to churn out tunes so hurtful they’re pretty. Everything about the Los Angeles quartet’s new single “Sharks” has sharp edges – the stinging licks from diminutive guitarist Jon Perry, the stinging rebukes from frontman Danny Bobbe (who […]
As part of the Binary Entertainment trio NightWaves, Josh Legg trades in the sheen of the 1980s – bright, nostalgic synths that slip-slide over Cure beats. Legg’s solo excursion Goldroom updates everything, with frolicsome guitar, friskier, tropical beats and spacious production. “Morgan’s Bay” is kind of a summery disco cocktail, probably blue and orange and […]
[New tunes from three artists about whom we’ve blogged recently …] Active Child, “Hanging On” (via Adult Swim) – The debut album from Pat Grossi, “You Are All I See,” is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated releases of the second half of 2011, and songs like the aching, dreamy “Hanging On” are the […]
If you witnessed any of the Dante Vs. Zombies residency last month at the Echo, you’ll chuckle at the “Dante Vs. Zombies School of Fitness.” Because, of course, elbow bends are chief exercise at any function at which Dante Adrian White presides. The frontman has some fun with that notion in the video for “Oblivion” […]
The first album from Everest, 2008’s “Ghost Notes,” tested the waters of Americana while, the Los Angeles quintet would admit, not exactly going where no flannel shirt-wearing rockers had gone before. Two years later they came back with the assertive, anthemic “On Approach,” stamping themselves as arena-worthy rockists who could seemingly move mountains with a […]
Like his Rilo Kiley bandmates, bassist Pierre de Reeder has stayed busy since the L.A. indie-rockers last released an album in 2007. To inventory: Jenny Lewis has released a solo album, and then last year’s “I’m Having Fun Now” with Jenny & Johnny; Blake Sennett emerged this year with new Elected album, “Bury Me in […]
Chicago’s Yourself & the Air don’t look nearly old enough to have released four EPs in four years, nor do they appear sage enough to arrive at the sound they’ve crafted – intricately arranged and often dreamy indie-rock that’s had reviewers name-checking the likes of the Cure, Les Savy Fav, Animal Collective and Modest Mouse. […]
Jamie Scott found his songwriting “voice” early – the Londoner was in his teens when he began penning songs intended for other performers, and just 20 when Sony took a shine to his soulful folk music and signed him. But it wasn’t until a demo session with DJ/producer Tommy D did his songs find their […]
