James - Better Than That

James are an iconic indie pop/rock band from Manchester, England. They have sold over 25 millions albums worldwide. James are most famous for the songs Laid (1993), Sit Down (1991) and Come Home (1989). James are similar to The Smiths and Travis. 

James' main influences are Joy Division and The Fall. Better Than That (April'18) is from the E.P. of the same name and can be found on their fifteenth album Living In Extraordinary Times (August'18). Better Than That is the sound of a band that, not content to rest on it's laurels, is constantly striving to evolve their sound to sound relevant and exciting.

Ruler - Petrified

1.    Who?

Ruler is Matt Batey, an indie rock musician from Seattle, Washington.  Matt Batey has spent over a decade playing in other bands. Petrified (Feb’18) is the lead single from his debut album Winning Star Champion (May’18). 


2. What kind of tune is Petrified? 

Petrified is a proto-typical hard-charging indie rock song about anxiety. But what seems 'hey-diddle-diddle-straight-down-the-middle' indie rock carries hints of god-honest angry desperation that propels this flower out of the bunch.


3. Who does Ruler sound like? 

Ruler has been compared to Nada Surf, Superchunk, and Death Cab For Cutie. 


4. What have the press said about Ruler's music? 

“Catchy and grown-up indie rock” – MagnetMagazine.

“Bright and unpretentious guitar rock” – Seattle Weekly.

“Bouncy power-pop” – Pitchfork. 

5. Which bands have influenced Ruler?

Matt Bately has some love for Nada Surf, David Bazan, Charly Bliss, Chris Staples, and Sloucher.

6. Why should I have a listen to Petrified? 

Because here is a man immersed in the Seattle rock indie scene who has struck out on his own with ten years worth of songs in his back catalogue, and made his first album (a labor of love). All of that is packed into a catchy song.

7. Does Ruler have any other crackers?

Easy Life is more of the same.

8. Anything else?

Erik Howk the guitarist from Portugal. The Man plays on the album. 

Dan Mangan - Troubled Mind

Dan Mangan is an indie rock/folk musician from Vancouver, Canada. His music is similar to Great Lake Swimmers, Arkells, and Wintersleep. Dan Mangan's main influences are Nick Drake, Van Morrison and The Beatles. Troubled Mind (June'18) is the second single from an as yet unannounced fifth album. He said that Trouble Mind might be his most upbeat and danceable song yet. Trouble Mind is fast-paced, but melancholic; a synth-led, indie pop song about struggling to deal with the 24/7 bombardment of news. It was produced by Simone Felice (Bat For Lashes, The Lumineers).

“Are we the beautiful future?

I can’t figure it out”

Grasscourt - Come Alive

1.    Who? 

Grasscourt are an indie-pop duo from Stroud, England. Come Alive (June'18) is their second release from the double  A-side Come Alive/Stones Upon My Chest (June'18).

2. What kind of tune is it? 

Come Alive lays down a cute, whimsical, acoustic melody reminiscent of the Violent Femmes straight out of the gate. And that's your whack. It's enough to go on with.

3. Who do Grasscourt sound like?

 Violent Femmes, You Won't, and Django Django.

4. What is the word from the press? 

“Ramshackle charm” – Clash. 

“Wonky pop” – Clash. 

“Deft acoustic stylings” – Clash. 

5. Which bands have influenced Grasscourt? 

Grasscourts influences are too numerous and varied to share with me. That old dodge. They did say Violent Femmes and The Pixies influenced Come Alive. 

6. Why should I give Come Alive a listen? 

Because you're not in the mood for bombastic choruses, fist-pumping anthems, or 'bound to be a festival favorite' songs. 

7. Is the other song any good? 

Stone Upon My Chest has the 60's, Django Django, hippie vibes. 

8. Anything else? 

Nah.

The Beths - Happy Unhappy

1.    Who are The Beths?

The Beths are an alternative pop band from Auckland, New Zealand, who bring together influences from 90’s guitar music, 2000’s pop punk and mix it together with 60’s pop harmonies. Happy Unhappy (June'18) is the third single from their debut album Future Me Hates Me (Aug'18).


2. What kind of tune is Happy Unhappy? 

An irrepressibly bright and bubbly alternative pop song led by a captivating vocal soaring lightly above bittersweet lyrics and with delicious phrasing. A little guitar noise, especially in the coda, keeps the song grounded and juxtaposes well with the cute harmonies. A great mood maker.


3. Who do The Beths sound like?

Sixpence None The Richer, Alvvays, and Loose Tooth. 


4. What have the press said about Happy Unhappy?

“The Beth’s ‘Happy Unhappy’ is the song of summer” – Rolling Stone. 

“It’s really good” – Noisey Vice.

“Brilliant slice of sunshine filled alternative pop” – It’s Too Loud. 

5. Which bands have influenced The Beths? 

A few of their influences are Death Cab For Cutie, Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes, Courtney Barnett, Alvvays, The Cars, Weezer, The Modern Lovers, and Cole Porter. 


6. Why should I listen to Happy Unhappy? 

For the phrasing in the verses and the wry lyrics. 


7. Do The Beths have any other good tunes? 

Whatever brings a harder alternative rock sound to play. 


8. Any more words? 

All four band members studied jazz at university. 

Alvvays are an indie pop band from Toronto, Canada. They started playing together in 2011 and have recorded two albums. Alvvays sound similar to The Primitives, Best Coast, and Camera Obscura. They are influenced by Teenage Fanclub, Magnetic Fields, and The Smiths. Plimsol Punks (Aug'17) is the third single from their second album Anitsocialites (Sept'17). River Front Times thought Plimsol Punks is, “irresistibly catchy with a sugar filled chorus.” It's also a song, that is, as the title suggests, about pretentious cunts.

Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes - Headfirst (It's All Happening)

1.    Who? 

Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes are an indie rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. Headfirst (It's All Happening) (June'18)is a single from their third album Fashion (August'18). 


2. What kind of tune is it? 

Headfirst (It's All Happening) is a change in musical direction for this good times rock'n'roll band. Bouncy synth, a bass drum and vocals barely sustain interest for the first two and a half minutes but then the song explodes to life with a dark all-in rock out at the two and a half minute mark making the patient wait worth while. Rinse and repeat.



3. Who do Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes sound like? 

Beirut and Young The Giant.

4. What is the word from the people about Headfirst (It's All Happening)? 

“The sound life makes when it becomes ecstasy” – The Low Down Under. 

“A rallying cry for Daniel Ellworth & The Great Lakes” – Magnet Magazine.

“Eclectic-synth indie-rock” – Bong.

5. Which bands have influenced Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes? 

Some of their influences include Wilco, Paul Simon, Tame Impala, Kendrick Lamar, and Spoon. 


6. Why should I give Headfirst (It's All Happening) a spin? 

Because it's a reasonable introduction to a great band. For the all-in kicking in.


7. What other bangers do they have? 

Sun Goes Out is a divine indie rocker, the crown jewel. Shoe Fits and Always/Never are the dogs bollocks too. 


8. Any more words champ? 

Fashion was produced by Kyle Andrews. 

Brian Fallon is the singer and guitarist for Gaslight Anthem. He is from New Jersey and is known for his heartland rock music. Brian Fallon sounds like Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. His main influences are Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, and Pearl Jam. If Your Prayers Don't Get To Heaven (Dec'17) was the second single from Brian Fallon's second solo album Sleepwalkers (Feb'18) and is an attempt to recreate a Motown/Muscle Shoals sound. The song pops.

The Spitfires - New Age

 

1.    Who are The Spitfires?

The Spitfires are a socially conscious indie rock band with an old school English punk side to them. They are from Watford, England, and New Age (June'18) is a single from their third album Year Zero (July'18).

2. What kind of tune is it? 

New Age is next generation English guitar rock. Born of bands like The Clash, The Jam, The Specials, and singing about what's important to them now. Which in this case is crusty cunts who refuse to change. But as always the music comes first. Melodic, but with a sense of urgency and anger. A song that, for all it's obvious influences, feels immediate and relevant.

3. Who do The Spitfires sound like? 

SHARP/SHOCK, The Rifles, and The Jam. 

4. What have the press said about New Age? 

“Speaks to the youth and welcomes a new age of British guitar music” – New SoundExpress. 

“Loud guitars and energy with a sort of ‘back to basics’ approach” – Merch Bar.

“Their sound is original but full of the best of the best classic British guitar influences” – New Music Times. 

5. Which bands have influenced The Spitfires? 

Some of their influences are UB40, TOUTS, The Ordinary Boys, The Beautiful South, and Madness. 

6. Why should I give New Age a spin? 

For the Specials-eque breakdown or because you like music with a word to say. 

7. What other bangers do The Spitfires have? 

On My Mind is the one you want. 

8. Anything else? 

The Spitfires have supported both The Specials and Paul Weller (The Jam). 

Buster Shuffle are a ska rock'n'roll band from London. They started together in 2007 and have four albums in the vault. Buster Shuffle are similar to Madness and Heavyball. They are influenced by The Clash, Madness and Ian Dury. You're Alright is a track from their debut album Our Night Out (2010).