Oscar - Sometimes

1.   Who is this buttoned up player?

Oscar Scheller is an indie guitar pop one man band from North London, England. Sometimes (Jan'16) is a re-release from 2014 and the first track on Oscar's debut album Cut And Paste (May'16). Oscar has two short players and singles in the vault.


2. What kind of tune is up for grabs?

Middle of the road indie pop rock. So middle of the road it's a hazard to traffic.


3. Who does Sometimes sound like?

So Blur it isn't even funny. Add Kate Pierson from the B-52's on back up vocals. Dusted.

Stereogum feel Sometimes sounds like a Beat Happening tune.


4. What have the cut and paste merchants got to say?

“Infectious and rambunctious” – Write, Click, Cook, Listen.

“Sprightly guitar-driven rave-up” – Stereogum.

“A sparkling, hook-laden introduction (to Oscar)” – Clash Music.

5. Who puts the middle in Oscar’s road?

Oscar's influences are Blur, Grimes, The Kinks, reggae, NAS, Chet Baker and ESG.


6. Why should I waste valuable time pressing play?

Sometimes is the aural equivalent of comfort food. You won't be carving 'Oscar 4 Real' on your chest but you'll love it just the same.


7. Has Oscar got any more good tunes?

Beautiful Words is more of the same. Sound as a pound.


8. Any more pearls of wisdom?

Oscar is the product of a privileged upbringing and an art school education.

Oscar was on fluffer duties for Sunflower Bean in the UK and Bloc Party recently in Paris.

“I’m freaking out so let me through,

Head space, some place.”

Dessert is served by Cheers Elephant, an indie pop rock band from Philadelphia. Cheers Elephant have standard issue influences like The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Kinks. Also coming from a privileged background the band have recorded three albums. Speak Think is a stand alone single from 2015 and described by Swollen Fox as having a “groovy, summery feel.” The chorus is as sticky as a rapist in church.

“I’m a fill my cup

By standing up on what’s alright”

Bryce Fox - Burn Fast

1. Who is this dis-shelved looking character?

This is Bryce Fox from Bloomington, Indiana but fighting out of Los Angeles. He has been writing music for movies and TV. Burn Fast (Jan'16) is an indie pop song and the man's debut single.

2. What kind of tune is Burn Fast?

A story teller with a voice that is inticing. Big drum, crystal production, choral vocal backing and "oh oh oh's". Stock standard indie pop; not setting the house on fire but the line about singing "hey you all the drive" is killer.

3. Who does Bryce Fox sound like?

Josepvinaixa think X Ambassadors, John Newman or Chris Cornell. Going Solo were minded of Hoozier.

4. What have the good folk in the music press got to say about Bryce Fox?

“Effective, forceful and including some killer and irresistible vocals” - Josepvinaixa.

“A fully formed pop song built around the stellar vocals and a hook that will no doubt stay with you for days” - Wonky Sensitive.

“An obvious alt-rock backbone but that doesn’t disdain the use of sparse electronics, leading to a massive chorus to sing along to” - We Are Going Solo.

 

5. Who are his musical influences?

No idea. Top 40?

6. Why should I listen to Burn Fast?

It's likable. So middle of the road it would be arrested driving but inoffensive, charming and nice. Polished. Paint by numbers pop. You can singalong without a lyric video.

7. Does Mr Fox have any more indie pop marvels?

Not right now.

8. Any more good gossip on this lad?

A short player is due soon produced by Frequency who has worked his fingers to the bone for MisterWives, Eminem and Snoop Dogg among many others.

In 2011 Bryce Fox and his friend Daniel Weber composed the Indiana University basketball team anthem “This Is Indiana.”

Bryce Fox released an album in 2013 called Oh, Hello that has since been pulled.

Bryce Fox did a Weeknd cover that he's not embarassed of.

“Something about her,
When she said hello!
I'm taking you home”

Big Data is electronic music producer Alan Wilkis. He is best known for the number one (alternative charts) collaboration with Joywave Dangerous. His debut album 2.0 (2015) had a better tune though. Clean Feat. Jamie Lidell (Feb'15) was the second of three singles off the album and a song Stereogum called “burbling, spacious synth-pop.” Clean is a monster track.

“Now, I’m the darkness that hides in the light,
And it’s laughable watching you put up a fight”

The Best Indie Songs of 2014 - Young Rising Sons

Young Rising Sons High (Feb’14) is positively gleeeful. Yeah that’s right, with an extra E. No surprises given the name. Christ it starts with a chirpy whistle of the hook. An earnestly sang verse to set up the jump and bounce, all together now, chorus. The whole song feels like a rise.

 

 

If you’ve had enough of uplifting, chippy, indie pop songs with “heys”, handclaps and big drum, don’t go near this one. But if you want to find yourself smiling, brim-full of love for the world, without chemical assistance, perish the thought,  the eagle lands at the one minute mark.

“Just let it go, enjoy the ri-ii-de”

 

 

Young Rising Sons come bouncing out of Red Bank, New Jersey. They have been elevating the masses since 2010. High is off their first self-titled EP (July’14).The band have only dropped two E.P.’s so far.

Young Rising Sons have gone on jaunts with The Griswolds, Kongos, The 1975 and Weezer inflto name but a few.

Young Rising Sons get their indefatigable lust for life from the likes of The Temptations, The Boss, The Beatles, Green Day, Tom Petty and Rancid.

Heart fit for bursting? Switch on and feel the love with King of the World, Red and Gold and Turnin’.

  

For the comedown Dashboard Confessional and Hands Down (2003) a song about the best date of his life.