indie – Page 3 – poetry in an empty coke can

Arthur Beatrice – Every Cell

Posted on May 27, 2016May 27, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Another band out of the UK making wonderfully bucolic, indie folk is Arthur Beatrice, who celebrate the release of new album Keeping The Peace via Open Assembly Recordings/Polydor Records today. The quartet collaborated with the London Contemporary Orchestra on their sophomore effort to make an inspired work of contemporary pop that manages to feel grand and yet still intimate.

Regarding the raw honesty of the record, vocalist Ella Girardot writes: “Putting yourself and your emotions out there for people to hear can be a terrifying thing, so at times we tended to hide behind words and pristine production. That had to change, because music, for us, above everything, is a release; an escape from an internal battle. A kind of therapy. But it’s impossible to find without brutal honesty. And real honesty is hard, it’s uncomfortable, it’s raw and at times it’s pretty painful, but it’s necessary and at the end of it all you feel that release, that calm.”

Well said. Get a taste of the radiant effort with “Every Cell” below. If you dig it you can purchase Keeping The Peace directly through the band’s website: http://www.online-presence.info.

Eliza Shaddad – Wars

Posted on March 17, 2016March 17, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

A descendant of a long line of artists and poets dating back to the 1800’s, half-Scottish, half-Sudanese songwriter Eliza Shaddad has a rich cultural and artistic heritage to draw from (her great great grandfather was James Paterson, one of Glasgow Boys). Shaddad’s latest EP Run, which releases tomorrow on Beatnik Creative marks an evolution of sound for the UK-based singer, from folk rock to a grittier, more complex and synthesized soundscape. Lending support to the EP were the talents of Mercury-nominated Chris Bond on production, Catherine Marks (Wolf Alice, Foals) on mixing duties, and John Davis (Blur/FKA Twigs) on the mastering of the EP.

Stream the withering lead single “Wars” below.

SOFI TUKKER – Hey Lion

Posted on March 10, 2016March 10, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

With only three tracks to their name, NYC indie dance duo SOFI TUKKER has already set the blogosphere ablaze with their bossa nova and house inspired sounds. Leading up to the release of their forthcoming EP Soft Animals, this week they dropped latest effort and EP opener “Hey Lion.”

Formed by Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern in 2014, SOFI TUKKER has established their aural presence in the animal kingdom through their entrancing South American and Afrobeat rhythms — sort of a cross between Francis Bebey, Glass Animals and Jungle sonically, but with female vocals. According to singer Hawley-Weld, “‘Hey Lion’ is like the opening chant to Soft Animals. We want to welcome people into our version of this animal-world, where strength is soft and nobody is boss.”

Stay tuned for their EP, and check out their showcases at SXSW if you’re so lucky as to be going. Stream “Hey Lion” along with a rad ADDAL remix of previous dizzying hit and Portuguese-sung track “Drinkee.”

Prince Rama – Bahia

Posted on March 1, 2016March 1, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

prince-rama

Brooklyn’s sister psych duo Prince Rama began writing their forthcoming record, Xtreme Now while living on a black metal commune in Vȫrmsi, a remote island off the coast of Estonia. There, according to a press release, Taraka Larson had a near-death experience inside an ancient Viking ruin which sparked a recurring sense of time-schizophrenia — or the physical sensation of existing in multiple time periods simultaneously. Through this out-of-body experience, Taraka and her sister Nimai conceived of a futuristic, new adventure genre for their album they’re coining as “extreme sports.” Did we mention their journey was also fueled by Monster Energy drink?

Regardless of what you make of Taraka’s prophetic vision, there can be no doubt of the ensuing creativity that came of the duo’s exploits. With the help of acclaimed dance producer Alex Epton (Björk, Panda Bear, The Kills), the Larson sisters have created a fearless record that “celebrates the ephemerality of life, dancing just at the edge of death’s gilded smile.” The LP’s first single “Bahia” (below), recalls the Italo-disco beats of Giorgio Moroder with its emphatic flourishes and eminently danceable melodies.

Xtreme Now is out March 4 on DC label Carpark Records, accompanied by their record release show at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. The following day they’ll be performing at Comet Ping Pong in the District, a seemingly perfect venue for their vision to come to life.

Prince Rama 2015 Tour Dates:

March 4th – Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right
March 5th – Washington, DC – Comet Ping Pong
March 6th – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
March 9th Richmond, VA – Strange Matter
March 10th – Durham, NC – The Pinhook
March 11th – Savannah, GA – Savannah Stopover – Club One
March 12th – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
March 13th – New Orleans, LA – Siberia
March 22nd – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
March 24th – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar
March 25th – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
March 26th – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer
March 29th – Los Angeles, CA – Resident
March 30th – Oakland, CA – Starline Social Club
April 1st – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
April 2nd – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
April 3rd – Seattle, WA – Barboza
April 7th – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry
April 8th – Chicago, IL – Schuba’s
April 11th – Detroit, MI – Marble Bar
April 12th – Toronto, ON – The Garrison
April 13th – Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo
April 14th – Allston, MA – Great Scott
April 15th – Philadelphia, PA – Ortileb’s Lounge

Happy Hollows – Way Home

Posted on February 25, 2016February 25, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Two years plus after the release of their album Amethyst, the LA-based act Happy Hollows have just finished recording a series of songs with producers Lewis Pesacov (Best Coast) and Gareth Jones (Grizzly Bear, Interpol). One of the resulting efforts released this week, “Way Home” utilizes analog-synth based melodies and angular guitars to create an ode about the anxiety of being away from home while on the road. The framework for the single was written by singer-guitarist Sarah Negahdari during her time spent on tour with the Silversun Pickups, and fleshed out with the other band members Charlie Mahoney (the band’s co-founder and DC transplant), Matthew Fry, and Dan Marcellus in the studio. It’s an instantly infectious and warm track with vocals reminiscent of Stevie Nicks — recommended if you like HAERTS and Pure Bathing Culture. Listen below.

Deep Sea Diver – Secrets

Posted on February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

As a former touring member of Beck and The Shins, Jessica Dobson has obviously cultivated a sharp sense of craft with her adept guitar skills and formidable vocals. Dobson’s current project, a Seattle-based quartet called Deep Sea Diver released their sophomore effort, Secrets February 19 via the band’s own label High Beam Records.

The record’s title track is a six-minute long exploration in experimental indie, blooming from a bedrock of shuffling bass and tropical-like percussion into a tranquil interlude, eventually swelling into an all-out anthemic pop-rock banger. Stream “Secrets” below.

Deep Sea Diver is currently on tour supporting Radiation City, with whom they’ll be stopping at DC9 February 9 — so pick up tickets to see these two standout bands today.

C Duncan – Say

Posted on February 15, 2016February 15, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

As the child of two classical musicians, C Duncan seems to have followed seamlessly in their suit with his debut record Architect. A classically trained composer himself, the Scottish multi-instrumentalist aka Christopher Duncan cites influences diverse as The Knife, Arvo Pärt, Burt Bacharach, The Carpenters and Gabriel Fauré.

Architect was released on FatCatRecords in late 2015, and now the video for album track “Say” has been unveiled. The song itself is a grand and lushly layered composition, and the video adds to its majesty with the visuals of a twirling, clothed Duncan slowly unraveling as he sheds his vestments against the backdrop of a gorgeous lake. Watch the exquisite effort below.

Radiation City – Milky White

Posted on February 11, 2016February 11, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

So much of what we love about music has to do with the mood that it evokes. Suffice it to say then that if you’re nostalgic for the bossa nova soundscapes popularized in the ’60s, Portland’s Radiation City needs to be added to your rotation stat. The group, whose new record Synesthetica drops tomorrow draw their musical aesthetic from the girl groups of the early ’60s and the plush production style of the legendary Phil Spector (The Ronettes, The Crystals). This gives their music a timeless, retro feel while also invoking more modern influences such as Fiona Apple. Preview the album by streaming the LP’s second single and superbly sultry tune “Milky White,” along with older but equally compelling effort “Find It Of Use.”

Radiation City will embark on tour in the support of the album this month, stopping at DC9 February 29. Synesthetica is out February 12 via Polyvinyl.

Radiation City Tour Dates:

02/16 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop *
02/17 LA, CA @ Echo *
02/19 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
02/20 Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar *
02/21 El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow [LATE SHOW]*
02/23 San Antonio, TX @ Limelight *
02/24 Dallas, TX @ Three Links *
02/25 Austin, TX @ Sidewinder *
02/27 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl *
02/29 Washington, DC @ DC9 *
03/1 Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle *
03/3 Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade *
03/4 Boston, MA @ Great Scott *
03/5 Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo *
03/6 Toronto, ON @ The Drake Hotel *
03/8 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland *
03/9 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean *
03/11 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry *
03/12 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium *
03/14 Missoula, MT @ Stage 112 *
03/15 Spokane, WA @ Bartlett *
03/16 Seattle, WA @ Neumos *
03/17 Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore *
03/19 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios [EARLY AA]
03/19 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios [LATE 21+]

* = w/ Deep Sea Diver

Field Music – Disappointed

Posted on February 8, 2016February 8, 2016 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Friday, February 5 marked the release of UK group Field Music‘s sixth full-length, Commontime. On the energetic new LP brothers Peter and David Brewis recall late ’70s acts such as Steely Dan, with their jazzy, earnest and effulgent tunes that feel like a warm throwback to another era. Highlight of the record has to be “Disappointed,” a punchy, inspiriting song that deals with managing expectations in a relationship and navigating inevitable conflict for an ultimately worthy outcome — something that’s “as close to perfect as we were wishing for,” sings David hopefully. Listen to “Disappointed” below.

Field Music will be a making a short North American tour this spring, kicking off in the District’s DC9 March 24.

FIELD MUSIC – 2016 TOUR DATES
3/24 – Washington, DC – DC9
3/25 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
3/26 – New York, NY – Rough Trade
3/27 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
3/29 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile
3/30 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir
4/01 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
4/02 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy

Rationale – The Mire

Posted on September 17, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Rationale

Rising artist Rationale has released the fourth and final track to his debut EP, Fuel To The Fire, which drops tomorrow via Best Laid Plans. According to the London talent — who’s garnered support from numerous tastemakers — his latest effort “The Mire” is a song “about a jilted lover, sinking in a self made swamp of unrelenting regret….” Despite the despairing subject matter, it’s actually an insanely infectious and upbeat tune.

Sink into “The Mire” below.