Grimson on “Household,” Visualizing His Music, and His Process
Isolation is a funny thing. We’re social creatures, and when we’re alone we have to find ways to cope. Grimson explores this in “Household”, in a drifting, dreamy, sound reminiscent of early 90’s alternative and 60s psychedelia. It’s a track focused on its story, where the rhythm and sound and vocals build towards this central […]
Leni Black on “NOT A ROBOT,” Vulnerability, and ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’
Leni Black is effortlessly cool and international, just like her favorite film star Audrey Hepburn. She lived for four years in Beijing and Hong Kong, surfed in Sri Lanka, and then gained attention in the Boston indie scene before moving to Nashville. We’ve all seen the ubiquitous “I’M NOT A ROBOT” authentication used to thwart […]
Chelsea Rose on “Let Go,” Guitar Influences, and Astrud Gilberto
Photograph by Chelsey Croucher. The beyond-smooth melody of “Let Go” by Chelsea Rose offers proof that today’s indie scene is a playground for Renaissance women. Chelsea is a gifted photographer and art director who also writes great songs, plays guitar brilliantly and sings in both English and Portuguese. I doubt that either Joan Jett or […]
talker on “Little Bird,” Naming EPs, and Catharsis
Have you ever noticed how a great movie released in March often gets overlooked when the Oscar favorites are unveiled in December? Well, don’t sleep on this EP from talker because it may get my vote for EP of the Year and Indie Pop Video of the Year. The band name “talker” is a clever […]
Nolan DeBrincat of 24hr Video on “Dead or Alive,” Mental Health, and Radiohead
When listening to “Dead or Alive” by Kansas City-based indie band 24hr Video, it’s impossible not to think about legendary Kansas City musician Charlie “Bird” Parker. The song (just like Parker’s life) is about the ambivalence of living on the razor’s edge between life and death, between drug dependency and freedom. While Parker’s drug of […]
Deborah Stokol on “Gilgamesh” and the Importance of Preserving Stories
Humans have been singing their stories since before the first tales were written. The people of antiquity had one way to carry on the stories and epic that defined them: song. In order to remember long tales such as the Iliad, Beowulf, or The Epic of Gilgamesh, the tales were sung from one generation to […]
Pom Poms’ Jessie Payo on “Desperate Love” and Cinematic Influences
In “Desperate Love,” the sweetness of Jessie Payo’s classic sounding voice floats atop surf rock-esque guitar lines, and there’s a palpable yearning in her delivery of the song’s honest and beautifully evocative lyrics. Longing and wait, anticipate Smell the gardenias blooming This line depicts the slow and sudden growth of love, as Payo paints a […]
Skinny Dippers on “Wedding Ring”, Songwriting, and Their Vibe in Seven Words
“Wedding Ring” carries you through the feelings of attraction, embarrassment, and an epiphany tinged with regret. Ryan Gross, frontman of Brooklyn based project, Skinny Dippers, sunbathes in nostalgia as he reflects upon fond memories of a summer affair. Recollections of this encounter are shadowed by a subtle detail and startling realization. I won’t give it […]
Plumes on “When I Walk In,” Classical Influences, and the Power of an Unplugged Phone
“When I Walk In” feels like an unexpectedly pleasant crossover episode as a whimsical blend of indie pop and classical music. The track feels current with its clean production and poignant, personal lyricism, while the simple ensemble of three instruments moves you like an intimate concert hall performance. Veronica Charnley of Plumes’ voice is paired […]
Dorota Konchevska on “Gold Goes Out”, the Irish Music Scene, and Raising Morale in Troubled Times
Writing about this track, I was reminded of this moment growing up: the scene is 2008, and I’m walking around Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History. Between dimly lit exhibits and dioramas, I drift along. The whole time, I had this feeling that there was something impressive around me, but I just didn’t have the […]
