On her new single “Love Demolition,” electro-pop sprite Zowie counts down from 5 as if she’s about blow up. Which she might, if American audiences take to her edgy, synth-drenched dance music the way listeners have in her native New Zealand. The 22-year-old from Auckland, who first made waves in her homeland as Bionic Pixie, […]
It’s been six months and thousands of miles of touring since “Scott vs. the Volcano” – a battle that the volcano won but that did little to take the fight out of Scott Hutchison and his bandmates in Frightened Rabbit. The Scottish quintet was one of several bands marooned in European airports last April thanks […]
While the Black Angels have always worn their psych-rock influences firmly on their collective sleeve, it’s hard to recall the Austin quintet sounding as retro as they do on latest single “Telephone.” Ditching their trademark droning guitar sound – for two minutes at least – the band instead opts for a spirited take on classic […]
[Buzz Bands contributors Addy Danti, David McKay and Meriah Doty check in with the visiting bands on Saturday night at Filter’s Culture Collide:] Who: Bambi Kino In three or fewer words: The Hamburg Sound What’s the big deal?: Four indie-rockers form a band to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ first shows in Hamburg, […]
Before Beck was a platinum record-selling superstar, he was a DIY folk singer, whose sense of whimsy and experimentation shone through on indie albums he released both before and after he signed his major-label contract. This is the Beck to whom fledgling songwriter Joel Morales was drawn. “He was so insouciant and carefree, and, maybe […]
[Buzz Bands contributor David McKay sampled some of the wares at the first night of the Culture Collide festival — more coverage coming soon on a blog near you:] Who: Black Lips In three or fewer words: Keep keeping on … What’s the big deal? “Next time we come, we’re going to have a new […]
The spare acoustic folk music of Les Shelleys comes courtesy of two very familiar voices in L.A.’s singer-songwriter circles: Tom Brosseau and Angela Correa (of Correatown). It’s the stuff of sepia-toned photographs and black-and-white movies; the pair met eight years ago and bonded over vintage stuff like Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. Their self-titled album for […]
Hard to believe for anybody who knew Bill Baird’s music with Sound Team – memorable, expansive stuff like “Afterglow Years” – that he is the songwriter behind Sunset … or {{{ SUNSET }}} as it is rendered. It’s low-fi psych-pop that seems perfect for our current Era of Low Aspirations, but Sunset commingles with pop’s […]
With a dusty voice and a penchant for the dramatic, James Apollo sings like a lovelorn urban cowboy, inviting you to join him on his lonely road. The New York-based, Minneapolis-bred crooner will be releasing “’Til Your Feet Bleed,” his third full-length for No Alternative records, on Tuesday. The songs are dark, but seductive, convincing […]
Remember the movie “The War of the Roses?” In terms of true love gone south, it has a lot in common with the video for Tim Kasher’s “Cold Love.” The Cursive frontman’s new album “The Game of Monogamy” came out this week, and the video, starring Kasher and Molly Parker (“Deadwood”), is at once dark, […]
