The Lumineers - Ophelia

     1.  Who are they?

The Lumineers are an indie folk pop band from Ramsey, New Jersey, who fight out of Denver, Colorado. Playing together since 2002 their debut album The Lumineers (2012) found mainstream success selling 3.5 million copies worldwide and reaching number 2 in the Billboard charts. Ophelia (Feb’16) is the lead single from their second album Cleopatra (April’16) that debuted at number one on both the UK and Billboard charts.

2. What’s the tune like?

Ophelia opens up with whiskey wistful vocals and lyric but sprightly piano and rhythm propels the toe tapping folky goodness forward out of the maudlin memories. The tunes light whimsy grows on you with a few listens. 

3.  Who do The Lumineers sound like?

Of Monsters And Men, Vance Joy, The Avett Brothers, The Oh Hellos and even Imagine Dragons all swim in the same pool on occasions.

4. What have the wise scribes said about Ophelia?

“Plenty percussive, full of repeated vowels and a driving piano part” – NPR.

“Familiar stomps, claps and harmonies” – Rolling Stone.

“A bluesy stomper” – Consequence Of Sound.

      5. Which bands have influenced The Lumineers?

      The main influences are Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, The Cars and Talking Heads.

     6.    Why should I give Ophelia a spin?

Ophelia’s juxtaposition of melancholic lyric and jaunty piano worms it’s way into your affections; intended or not. Given the The Lumineers' phenomenal success you’d be churlish not to give Ophelia a crack.

7.    Do The Lumineers have any more good tunes?

The new album’s title track Cleopatra is top shelf, the advertiser’s dream Hey Ho is instant love and Stubborn Love is as the title suggests. Hey diddle, diddle, head straight up the middle.

8.    Any more words?

The band started as a cover band called Free Beer in an attempt to make punters think 

there was an open bar.

“Ah, ah when I was younger

I, I should have known better”

Ages and Ages are an indie folk band from Portland, Oregon. They started playing together in 2009 and have two albums on their roll of honor. Diversionary (Do The Right Thing) (2013) was the best indie folk pop song of 2014 and is a song that NPR described as “a jubilant plea for unity and understanding” that “restores your faith in humanity.” Diversionary is a song with the campfire sing along quality of Stand By Me and a message even more valuable. The tune is a fucking knockout.

“Do the right thing, do the right thing

Do it all the time, do it all the time”

Nothing But Thieves - Excuse Me

1.    Who are these happening people?

Nothing But Thieves are an alternative rock band from Southend-On-Sea, England. Started in 2012 they hit mainstream popularity in the UK with their debut album Nothing But Thieves(Oct'15) being a number one vinyl hit in the UK and top 20 on the US Billboard Rock Charts. Excuse Me is track one from the album.


2. What’s on the platter?

Excuse Me is the proof in the pudding. The first minute is just atmospheric buildup and then the tune explodes into the chorus. Fine alternative rock with spaced out backup vocals.


3. Who are Nothing But Thieves similar to?

Foals and Civil Twilight. Excuse Me has hints of Muse and Radiohead.

4. What have the rags said about Excuse Me?

“A perfect introduction to the band and their unmistakable sound” – Bring The Noise.

“One of the records most destinctive songs” – Pop Matters.

“It’s epic” – Renowned For Sound.

 

 

5. Which bands are the muse for Nothing But Thieves?

The band picked out Led Zeppelin, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Pixies, The Foo Fighters, Kings Of Leon, TV On The Radio, Kendrick Lamar and My Bloody Valentine as the important inspirations.

6. Why should I give Excuse Me a lash?

To see what the hype is about at the least. Massive monolith of a chorus for second.
 

7. Have Nothing But Thieves got the goods?

Trip Switch isn't too shabby.
 

8. Any more words pal?

Julien Emery produced the album and he has punched in for bands like Lower Than Atlantis, Simple Plan and Halestorm.

Nothing But Thieves picked up a support slot for Muse's UK shows in April.

“Under the gun”

 

 

 

It would be rude to go past Muse for seconds. Muse are an alternative rock band from Teignmouth, England. Letting loose with their space rock flights of fancy since 1997 they have sold over twenty million albums. Psycho came storming off the band's seventh album Drones (2015). Psycho is a fiery serve at militarism on both an individual and social level, as well as a personalinventory ,and came flinging riffs like a pissed off Greek God letting rip with the lightning. NME said Psycho “sounds like three men in a room bashing thunderously at their instruments, wringing the most eviscerating noise they can from them.”

“Your mind is just a program,

And I am the virus”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basement - Aquasun

1.    Who are these young chargers?

Basement are an alternative rock band who hail from Ispwich, England. Aquasun (Jan'16) is the lead single from the album Promise Everything (Jan'15).

2. What kind of track is on the turntable?

Aquasun is strongly reminiscent of the best 90's grunge. Dense noisy guitar rock that never neglects the melody and with a simple, strong chorus.

3. Who do these young gods Basement sound like?

Basement describe themselves as like Jimmy Eat World.

4. What do the cut and paste merchants have to say about Aquasun?

“A ready made anthem, with swirling riffs and an echoing choruses showcasing the band at their most stratospheric” – The Line Of Best Fit.

“Huge guitar strums reverberate out waves of sound while singer Andrew Fisher hits multiple registers” – Noisy Vice.

“Heavy guitars, rolling basslines and huge drum sounds pave the way”  – What We Are Talking About.

 

 

 

 5. Which bands put the powder in Basements artillery?

Basement are influenced by Jimmy Eat World, Jets To Brazil, The Promise Ring, Piebald, Man Overboard andTigers Jaw.

For more music the band love check out a record hunt Basement went on posted to You Tube.


6. Why should I crank up Aquasun on the stereo?

Aquasun is grungy goodness that you can't quite place the band. Therein lies the fun.


7. Do Basement have any more bangers?

Aquasun is the nugget of gold but Covet is a cracker too.


8. Any more news to drop on Basement?

The band called it quits after their first album but popular reaction prompted them to get together and give it another crack.

“Dive into me,

I’ll meet you on the water there some time”

 

 

 

 

Slippery seconds is served by the South African alternative rock band KONGOS. Playing together since 2007 KONGOS have two long players in their honor roll and Come With Me Now (2011) was the break out hit on the second Lunatic (2012). The single Come With Me Now sold over a million copies in the US alone and is a song The Guardian described as a “thumpy stomp-fest.”

 

“I've wasted time, I've wasted breath,
I think I've thought myself to death’

 

 

Ray LaMontagne - Pt. 1 Hey No Pressure

1.   Who is this earthy looking chap?

Ray LaMontagne is a very popular folk rocker from Nashua, New Hampshire  with five long playes in the bag.  Pt1. Hey, No Pressure (Jan’16) comes grooving off his new album Ouroboros (March’16).

2. What kind of nonsense is coming over the wire?

Pt 1. Hey, No Pressure is a slow chugger with a monster riff. You can already find multiple Youtube videos on how to play the riff. The riff is just epic. A desert rocking riff.

3. So who does Mr Montagne sound like?

Black Rebel Motorcycle club with a flat wheel?  Lenny Kravitz on Valium?

Zumic punted for Black Keys.Sound Bites for Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) and Billy Thorpe. Yeah, me neither.


4. So what is the good word from the wordsmiths?

“Infectious distorted guitar riffs and swirling sound effects” - Zumic.

“Brings Black Keys-worthy riffage to his inspired words” - NPR.

“Fuzzed-up, effects-laden electric guitar and punchy drums” - Sound Bites.

5. Who inspired this free spirit?

Stephen Stills, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko are the wind in his sails. 

6. Why should I give Pt 1. Hey, No Pressure a fair crack of the whip?

The riff. Nasty big bluesy riff you will blast out your speakers with. A real sexy, grinder. The song is sex on a stick.

7. Has Mr Montagne whipped out any more big un's?

You Are The Best Thing has more of the soul singing sexiness.

8. More drivel?

Yeah. The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach produced LaMontagne’s 2014 album, Supernova, but Ouroboros was produced by My Morning Jacket’s Jim James.

“Anything you want your life to mean, it can mean”

Double trouble from The Primitives today. The English indie pop band most famous for 1988’s Crash are still alive and kicking and cracked a great one in Petals off the 2014 album Spin-O-Rama.

“A heart not broken won't need mending
Nothing gained so nothing lost”

 

 

 

 

 

Strangers You Know - Used

 

 

 

1.   Who are these chaps?

Strangers You Know are an indie folk pop band with some electric influences from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. They have been together since 2013 and have one long player in the bag. Used (Jan'16) comes off their second shorty Pre/Post (March'16).

2. What kind of tune does Used throw up?

Big bearded hipster chic comes to mind but that would be unfair. Used is a deep, rootsy, desert number with a gospel feel and sparsh accompaniment. Violins and layered vocals add some meat to the songs sun bleached bones. Used rolls with a suave folkiness that belies the bands years and with the kind of gravitas to make many a believer.

3. Who do Strangers You Know sound like?

Good golly miss Molly. Used sounds like The Score's Oh My Love or The Young Wild's Not A One. Coincidentally thats three bands in a row from L.A. There must be something in the weed out there. And, of course, The Avett Brothers.

Strangers You Know have been compared to The Beach Boys, Grizzly Bear, Band Of Horses and Cute Is What We Aim For.

4. What have the cut and paste brigade got to say about Strangers You Know?

Slim pickings compadre, slim pickings. The reviews are out on Used. About Strangers You Know's music in general Broadway World said it has a “thoughtful and poignant side, with intoxicating melodies and raw, heartfelt lyrics.” The Linfield Review highlighted the band's “ability to cross genres smoothly,” and Music Of My Mind praised the band's “solid pop-laced, indie-rock melodies and a confident swagger.” 

 

 

 

5. So which bands have influenced Strangers You Know's music?

The band get their bubble and pop from The Beatles, Beck, Kacey Musgraves and The Avett Brothers. Desert Sun intimated Strangers You Know are influenced by Coldplay, Willie Nelson, First Aid Kit and The Roots.

 

6. So why should I listen to Used?

As the immortal Stone Roses said This Is The One. Used is the game changer for Strangers You Know. Lightning has struck. Used is a fully fledged, soulful, pop folk masterpiece.

 

7. Do Strangers You Know have any more gems in the safe?

Is the Pope a Catholic? Attention will get yours. A very funky pop rock number with an assist from the sax. Be It wants to have fun and it is.

 

8. Are there any other pertinent facts to share?

There are my fine fellow and fellowettes. Strangers You Know have said the first two songs they released on Pre/Post, like Used from the new EP to be released in March, are a critical examination of Los Angeles harsh hookup culture and “follows drunken infatuation and the impact of sobering reality.” 
 
On the topic of their ability to effortlessly mix genres Adam Haagen revealed that “we are hoping to fully encapsulate the feelings you’d have at an Indie rock show, a Country hoe-down and a deep house club. From Banjos to Drum machines, we’re looking to blur the line.” 

In an interview with Crescentvale Adam tells an amusing tale of an FYF Festival after party and playing drums with the bass player from Guns'N'Roses and the keyboardist with Queen. He also gave it up on his compadre Grady singing in a trailer with Lorde and Fume. Way to represent Down Under.

Strangers You Know will be playing the Bottle Rocks and Coachella Festivals this year.

“I’m always straight with you

I wonder why you’re hiding from the truth”

 

 
 

Dessert is served today with the help of Strangers You Know’s musical inspiration The Avett Brothers. The American indie folk rock band hail from North Carolina and combine a raft of genres to make music described as having “the heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop precision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of The Beatles, the raw energy of The Ramones.”

The Avett Brothers have found critical acclaim and mainstream success, their last two studio albums featuring in the Top 5 of the US Billboard Charts.  Live and Let Die (2012) was one of three singles from their most successful album to date The Carpenter (2012).  Sit back and enjoy the magic.

“Left like a pharaoh,
sing like a sparrow anyway.
Even if there is no land or
love in sight”

 

 



The Best Indie Songs of 2014 - Royal Blood

 

 

Royal Blood rock hard without really being hard rock. More like White Stripes with a sense of urgency and relevance. There’s a hint of Rage Against The Machine in Little Monster (Feb’14) but also grunge bands like Nirvana or Stone Temple Pilots. It’s a righteous tune filled with guitar riffs and drum fills.

 

  

Royal Blood are a duo from Brighton, England who have been hard pumpin it since 2013. So far they have made one donation to the cause, the self-titled long player Royal Blood (Aug’14).

Foo Fighters, Jeff Buckley, White Stripes and Led Zeppelin are some of the artists Royal Blood would bow down in homage before.

Feeling their flow? Get jacked up with their massive hits Ten Tonne Skeleton, Figure It Out and Out Of The Black. If you like one you'll be sure to love them all.



 
Royal Blood will be supporting The Foo Fighters on their North American tour dates in 2015 and some others in Europe so with that said here’s the Foo Fighters and best  scream it to the heavens song, Hey, Johnny Park! (1995).