Browsing Tag indie
League Of Wolves – On The Run
Canadian band League Of Wolves originally consisted of Dillon Currie, David Wickstrom, and Aspen and Greig Beveridge. They’re childhood friends from the town of Saskatoon. After playing at small concert halls and outdoor events in neighbouring cities and towns, they quickly earned local recognition.
In 2016, the group played at local venue The Capitol, owned by Leot Hanson, a four-time JUNO award-winner and former lead guitarist of The Sheepdogs. Soon after, he became a permanent member of the band. His experience and writing style brought a new sound and direction to the band, which has been compared to the likes of Kings Of Leon and Queens Of The Stone Age.
Their well-received eponymous EP was produced by Gavin Brown (Three Days Grace, Billy Talent, The Tragically Hip) and mixed by Jacquire King (Kings Of Leon, James Bay, Cold War Kids).
Now, only half a year later, League Of Wolves are back with a brand-new song. On The Run is a more acoustic-sounding rock track, which is sure to broaden their appeal.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
James Blonde – Hundred Bucks
Niagara Falls produced more powerful things than the waterfalls alone. Rocking three-piece James Blonde were formed there as well. They just put out their new single Hundred Bucks, the band’s second fresh track since their self-titled debut album (2017). It’s an upbeat, driving alt-rock anthem, inspired by great classic rock bands.
But when you listen further than the music alone, you’ll find the song has an important message as well. The realization that money won’t get us where we need to be spiritually. The band explain: “Our hope for you, the listener, is that you will take a more active perspective on what you are doing with your time, money, and energy on a day-to-day basis. Find the healthiest and purest version of your life possible.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Joseph Lawrence & The Garden – Goddess
Joseph Lawrence & The Garden are a London-based collective. It consists of vocalist Joseph Lawrence (obviously) and instrumentalist Gilberto ‘Gibbi’ Mallindine-Bettini. Their bio states they ‘combine the free-jazz ambition of Kendrick Lamar with the soul-inflected ambience of James Blake’. Vocally, the latter shines through specifically in their new single Goddess. Musically, it’s a complex affair, that also contains elements of gospel and rock.
Goddess is only the duo’s fourth single since debuting in 2018 with Eclipse. It’s a slow-paced, emotional song which showcases their craft song-writing and Lawrence’s impressive vocals.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Young Gun Silver Fox – Kids
If you’re into Westcoast music, these are great times. Check Shawn Lee’s recent solo album Rides Again, for instance. Or look forward to Mamas Gun’s upcoming album, due to be released this spring. In a classic case of ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’, MG frontman Andy ‘young gun’ Platts and Shawn ‘silver fox’ Lee are also in a band together.
Next Friday, 21 February, Young Gun Silver Fox release their new album Canyons. This third collaborative record effortlessly combines laid-back ‘70s Westcoast music with a pinch of ‘80s pop. A golden formula that already convinced many fans of bands like The Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates and Steely Dan.
Do you have no idea what this sounds like? The album’s new single Kids gives the answer. A great radio tune once again, which even contains a vocal sampling effect that reminds me of my beloved Prefab Sprout. Onwards and upwards to world domination!
Recommended as well:
Young Gun Silver Fox (feat. Seaweed Horns) – Kingston Boogie
Young Gun Silver Fox – Take It Or Leave It
Young Gun Silver Fox – Midnight In Richmond
Young Gun Silver Fox – Lolita
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Werner’s Weekly (week 8)
This is Werner’s Weekly, your compass to the music that matters, containing the two most recent Carte Blanche Music Wildcards, and the best of the other new releases in alphabetical order:
- Egoism – You You (Wildcard this week)
- Dua Lipa – Physical (Wildcard last week)
- Dagny – Come Over
- Neo Minor – Fools
- Nothing Really – Yuck
- Sunbather – Softly Spoken
- The Magic Gang – Think
Click the links for more info and listen to each of the tracks via the Werner’s Weekly player below.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist. Also added last week: Ash, Cold War Kids, Lizzo, Nada Surf, Sam Fender, and many more.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Jesse Merineau – Honey
Canadian alt/pop artist Jesse Merineau spent the early years of his career issuing ballads with big production. They were compiled on his 2018 EP That Night. Since then, he turned to producing up-tempo pop tunes. She Knows was a fine first example.
Now, Honey is his new single. It’s a catchy, danceable electro-pop song, which encourages listeners to let loose and live a little. In Merineau’s own words: “My new single Honey explores how phones have recently caused mass anxiety for many people, including myself. From 2010-2019, people felt awkward not being on their phones while on a night out. Now that it’s 2020, I want to send a message that the reality is quite the opposite. Who wants to be checking their notifications when you could be dancing?”
Recommended as well:
Jesse Merineau – She Knows
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Best Coast – Different Light
On 21 February, Best Coast release their fourth album Always Tomorrow. It’s the culmination of the last ten years of front woman Bethany Cosentino’s life. These were full of intense personal discovery amidst a whirlwind backdrop of global tours, heartbreak, newfound sobriety, dark thoughts, immense joy, giving a fuck, not giving too many fucks, substances, boredom, public personas, and gratitude. The album was produced with Carlos de la Garza and Justin Meldal-Johnsen. Both of them worked with Neon Trees, Tegan & Sara, M83, Paramore, and many others.
Ahead of this long-player, the band serve up its fast-paced third single Different Light. The energetic rock track touches on being confident in your own world view, while accepting others’ points of view.
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Wildcard (week 7):
Egoism – You You
Let me introduce you to yet another promising upcoming band from down under. Sydney indie-pop duo Egoism is the result of the teenage friendship and shared musical inspirations between Scout Eastment and Olive Rush.
Only an EP and three singles into an already impressive career, artistically, the band just released their best song yet. You You may seem like a contradictory title for a band named Egoism, but it works out perfectly fine. The same goes for its combination of dreamy vocals and hazy guitar riffs.
The track opens with Scout’s angelic vocals, which remind of The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan. Olive joins in later, as they sing about the toxicity of relationships. Each of the two dissect their experiences as they exchange vocal parts. Eastment explains: “There was someone in my life causing me a lot of pain and I wrote this when I was finally trying to get away. It’s crazy how hard it is to let go, especially when you still really care for the other person. I kind of find it hard to leave anything and not feel responsible. Olive was going through something really similar at the time, so we were able to really come together and help each other through writing this song.”
You You is a classic indie-pop track with a catchy chorus, plenty of power-riffs and pop sensibilities. A first taste of Egoism’s long awaited second EP On Our Minds, it’s this week’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcard!
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist you can find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Neo Minor – Fools
Early last year, Belgian four-piece Neo Minor released their eponymous debut EP. Its five tracks featured melodical pop with some subtle sound-scaping elements. Following this release, the band won the Student Rock Rally, earning them a spot on the Student Kick-Off festival.
Despite their early success, each band member suffered an existential crisis in the summer of 2019, according to a statement. This inspired singer Astrid Vlaminck to write the track Fools, which just saw the light. Another strong song, which should encourage the quartet to continue their path to a well-deserved break-through.
Recommended as well:
Neo Minor – Run
Neo Minor – The More (I Try)
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
Sunbather – Softly Spoken
Are you ready for a stunning debut? For that’s exactly what this song is. Softly Spoken is the aptly titled first single of Brisbane dreampop duo Sally Latter (vocals/bass) and Michael Todman (guitars). They started as housemates, sharing small ideas in a converted basement studio. Experiments with guitar layers and vocal harmonies eventually led to the creation of Sunbather’s 5-track debut EP Brown Bread. This will be released later in 2020.
Softly Spoken is built around layers of warm guitar, bright percussion and Latter’s mesmerising vocals. The relaxed track was inspired by Ron Hicks’ painting Twilight Conversation. She explains: “The painting reminds me of the winding conversation that happens between friends, and the value in paying attention. The lyrics to the song explore the small details that make up a life shared, and are a reflection on the need to be gentle with one another.”
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
Music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Has been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, he developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart.
