There’s just something so refreshing about listening to indie-folk music in an intimate and packed venue on a cold Saturday evening. Most shows now are all about size, scale, production, fire, loudness, you name they gimmick, most concerts and festivals have it. Not Caamp. These three bring raw emotion, mastery of their instruments, and a crafty manipulation of quietness to command the attention of audiences, whether performing indoors or out, in a big space or small, at a festival or in a bar.
With the instant classic release of “When the Night” in 2013, followed by a three-year hiatus before the group’s follow-up album “Matter,” it is not surprise the band utilized another lengthy absence of two years to craft their latest project, “Hyperion.” These long stretches, however, do not come from a lack of inspiration or desire. Instead, they reflect the care and attention put into each track of an album before the ultimate culmination of the musical work. This time around, too, singer, synth-player and wife, Patti Beranek, added an interesting twist to the writing and creative process by bearing and giving birth to Indy, her and front man Jean-Philip Grobler’s child.
Energetic and bursting with charisma, Toronto’s Wild Rivers radiate an unbeat sound that’s been quick to capture the hearts and ears of listeners around the world. And with an impressive tally of 30+ million Spotify streams stemming from the release of a single studio album and EP alone, Khalid Yassein (vocals/guitar), Devan Glover (vocals), Andrew Oliver (guitar/bass), and Julien Laferriere(drums) clearly demonstrate a strong knowledge of what makes a good track.
Whether you call it alt-rock, indie-pop, or DIY punk, viewers and fans alike agree that whatever the genre mashup title reads, Skating Polly will sound like none other than, well… Skating Polly. Raised on the wisdom of 70’s punk and 90’s alt-rock, step-sisters and original founding duo, Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse, were always surrounded by good sources of inspiration. Yet, they’ve also held onto a special pride stemming from fostering their own unique musical flair.
Mac Demarco is a man who needs no introduction by now, he is unarguably one of the most charismatic artists in the scene and has earned the title as the “Prince of Indie”. Demarco made his big debut with Rock and Roll Nightclub in 2012 but many have been following him way before that with his project, Makeout Videotape. During a short span of 5 years, Demarco has released five albums in which he progressively manages to captivate his audience even further.
Girlpool is a Los Angeles based duo fronted by Harmony Tividad who is the lead singer and bass player and Cleo Tucker who plays guitar. The band was founded in 2013 but did not release a full album until 2015 when they released Before The World Was Big, that album launched their careers in a way they never expected. Before the release of that album, Cleo was thinking about going to college in the west coast and leaving the band but the band began to pick quick success and she decided to stay with Harmony and invest more time in the band. The band caught the attention of English record label Wichita and proceeded to sign a deal and release their debut album with them.
The Hallelujah Nights Tour is what LANCO is calling their first ever headline tour. This American country tour reached The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last night and it was a full house before the show even started.
Nick Cave will have you ponder on your life’s purpose. His introspective discography covers multiple facets of life such as finding love, growing from relationships, experiencing spirituality, witnessing evil, mourning death and embracing the moment.
Cursive is an emo rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was founded by frontman Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn (bass), and Steve Pedersen (guitar) as the aftermath of the breakup from their previous band, Slowdown Virginia in 1995. The band has actively put out albums throughout the years with a few hiatuses and lineup changes in between
The Midwest took over the East Coast last week as Minneapolis punks Dillinger Four and Off With Their Heads brought along newcomers Tightwire to play a few shows in New York City, Washington DC, and Asbury Park, NJ. Their Asbury date at House of Independents was the last of their mini tour and a celebration of Asbury Park music scene legend Jim Norton’s 50th birthday. In addition to the three midwestern bands were Jersey rockers, The Vansaders and their blend of punk and rock n roll. What had transpired was one hell of a birthday party.
Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett gained recognition in 2013 upon the release of The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas which is a compilation of her two first Eps. When her first proper debut album, Sometimes I sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit came out it quickly became critically acclaimed and was featured on many of the best albums of the year lists in 2015. After constantly touring Barnett Joined forces with Kurt Vile in 2017 and recorded an album titled Lotta Sea Lice, and performed a limited string of shows together in the United States.
On a balmy Los Angeles night, Blood Orange gave a beautiful production of his latest work, Negro Swan, at The Greek Theatre. The Los Angeles Greek Theatre is one of the most charming and historical venues that holds a stage where many iconic artists have performed. And now Dev Hynes, aka Blood Orange, can be added to that list of iconic artists. Accompanying Dev Hynes, openers MadeinTyo and Empress Of all revealed a raw emotion in their live performances. The gradual musical flow into Blood Orange’s final performance was sentimental and blossomed gracefully throughout the evening.
“Erase Me” is a bold opening statement from a band that took a near career-ending hiatus from the post-hardcore rock scene a little over five years ago. However, after an almost decade-long pause since their 2013 Farewell Tour and shockwave-inducing disbandment, Underoath has re-emerged once again with a renewed sense of passion and purpose.
Known for his soothing melodies and thoughtful lyrics, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Didirri, is definitely a name that music fans will want to keep on their radar.
With two sold-out headline tours following the release of his breakout single, “Blind You” as well as appearances at Fairgrounds, Grampians, and Boogie Festival, Didirri took his home country by storm in 2017.
Mom + Pop Records, the label behind some of this decade’s (and last decade’s) best indie rock artists, celebrated their 10th anniversary Monday night at Brooklyn Steel. Veterans and friends of label, Courtney Barnett, Sleigh Bells, Tom Morello, Neon Indian, and newcomers Sunflower Bean and Alice Merton played the anniversary show, and Flume headlined the after-party.
Nashville-based phenom and platinum selling artist, Mat Kearney, has been a busy bee for quite some time. Welcoming his first child into the world back in January 2017, change as well as an increased sense of maturity and growth has not only provided the singer/songwriter with a human bundle of joy, but has also helped inspire the makings of a fifth studio album.
The rock trio DREAMERS successfully concluded their first headline tour. With their positive message stating that basically “nothing is impossible,” they entertained fans through their pop-rock songs, highlighting the ones from their latest EP release, FLY. After slowing it down with an almost fully acoustic version of “Come Down Slow,” they brought the energy back up with a cover of The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.” DREAMERS played an incredible show, and clearly every member of the (surprisingly) diversely aged crowd enjoyed it.
The Coronas are an Indie Irish rock band from Dublin made up of four band members Danny O'Reilly, Dave McPhillips, Graham Knox, and Conor Egan. This Irish multi-platinum-selling band have released five studio albums, Heroes or Ghosts (2007), Tony Was an Ex-Con (2009), Closer to You (2011) The Long Way (2014) & Trust The Wire (2017).
Sunflower Bean is a New York alternative trio with post-punk influences and psychedelia. The band was Founded Nick Kivlen and Jacob Faber. The name comes from Kivlen’s sunflower seeds obsessions and Fabor's love for coffee. The two later decided to add Julia Cumming to their lineup as lead singer and bass player.
Volumes is an American progressive metal core band based in Los Angeles, California. Volumes music consist of upbeat and bouncy guitar riffs, groovy breakdowns and dual lead vocalists. Volumes hit Miami twice within the last year and came back even harder then before, while performing at the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale.
With only two more dates to close out her Reputation Tour across the United States, Taylor Swift landed in Houston over the weekend to perform in front of thousands at NRG Stadium. Scanning the crowd, one might have had preconceived notions of what the audience would look like - females, tweens - but this crowd seemed different - diverse and welcoming. From father-daughter outings, to best friends experiencing an unforgettable night, to small children seeing their first ever concert, this night was filled with memories as diverse as the people in attendance.
Boston duo, Tall Heights hit the Tourmaline Stage at KAABOO Del Mar on Sunday, September 16. With over 130 million Spotify streams and tours alongside the likes of Ben Folds, Judah & the Lion, and Colony House, Tall Heights’ Paul Wright (vocals/cello), and Tim Harrington (vocals/guitar) have been making considerable waves in the indie-pop scene. With a sophomore album, “Pretty Colors For Your Actions” set for release on October 5th and a supporting North American headlining tour beginning on October 11th, Tall Height are definitely a band to keep on your radar for the foreseeable future.
As the ever evolving desert as their backdrop, Bipolar has definitely made an impact on the local music scene. Originally from Sacramento California, and a band restructure in Las Vegas in 2008, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Welsh pop punk band Neck Deep embarked on their second US tour for The Peace And The Panic, hitting cities that aren’t typically covered by major world tours. After kicking off the tour in Santa Cruz, they headed down to the historic Majestic Ventura Theater.
