“Wildfire” by Seafret – A Song Review

     Seafret uploaded “Wildfire” as a Soundcloud stream. Until now, the UK duo steered clear of uploading their music onto Soundcloud. We understand the reasons for limiting free streaming of their music. On the other hand, staying away from Soundcloud limited the options available to the bloggers who would like to spread the word, since Hype Machine is partial to Soundcloud posts.

     “Wildfire” includes the vocal soars and thoughtful lyrics that characterize the music of Seafret. The song will be part of Seafret's debut album “Tell Me It's Real,” which is scheduled for release on January 29 through Sweet Jane/Columbia Records.

     Seafret is Jack Sedman (vocals) and Harry Draper (guitar) from Bridington, a coastal town of the North Sea. The band name has both a musical significance (a guitar fret board) and a personal significance (a “seafret” is the term for the rolling mists that enter from the North Sea during summer).

     “Wildfire” by Seafret

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seafretofficial

Website: http://www.seafret.com/

          We find the video for “Oceans” to be the most powerful in the video library of Seafret. Visually, the message is about bullying. Lyrically, the song is about a relationship – “It feels like there’s oceans between me and you once again; We hide our emotions under the surface and try to pretend.”

Rhinos Are People Too – A Band Review

     In a recent conversation about upcoming concert opportunities in our area, there wasn’t much agreement. We were surprised when the person asked with obvious distain, “Well, what do you like, Shoegaze?” Our unruffled immediate response was “Yes!” Shoegaze isn't our “go to” genre. But it is a genre that deserves appreciation, particularly in concert, since the on-stage processing adds another element of visual interest.

     Rhinos Are People Too are generously offering a four-track EP on NoiseTrade (tips appreciated). The offer is embedded below the Soudcloud stream of a song from the EP. Not only do they have one of the more intriguing band names in Indie, they are one of the more interesting Shoegaze bands currently releasing music. We particularly enjoy the song “Pelkuri,” since it blends the characteristic Shoegaze guitar with a a clean guitar experience.

     The members of Rhinos Are People Too are Loes Caels (vocals), Ewout Decraene (bass, synth, vocals), Pieter Vanheeswijck (drums), Frederik Opdeweegh (guitar), Pieter-Jan Decraene (guitar, bass, vocals), and Koenraad Foesters (synths, samples). They are based in Limburg, Belgium. 

     “Pelkuri" by Rhinos Are People Too

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhinosarepeopletoo

Website: http://www.rhinosarepeopletoo.be/

     The below EP is available for the mere price of an email address (tips always appreciated, of course).

Three for Free, Legal and Recommended (“FL&R”) – The November Version

     Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of new releases.  The end of an offer might be based upon reaching a maximum number of downloads or the expiration of some period of time.  But at least for now, here are songs that qualify as Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) downloads. 

     Finding songs that can be legally downloaded is easy. The difficult task is to find freely downloadable music that we recommend. But here are FIVE!

     There may be other words that fit, but we’re going with “confidence.” It takes confidence in your skills to select a band name that’s commonly used to identify songs as belonging to other bands. The term “covers” is not always viewed favorably. And it makes it difficult for fans to use Internet search engines to find information about you.

     Still, Covers in Melbourne, Australia is gaining attention with the release of “Amber Falls.” We’ve concluded this is the only band with music on Hype Machine and without a Facebook page.

     “Amber Falls" by Covers (download by "clicking" the arrow next to the "Share" icon).

Website: http://www.coversmusic.com/

     “Deep Forest Green” by Husky Rescue is not a recent release. But the trio is bringing out new material and the song is being promoted. Husky Rescue is from Helsinki & Stockholm, Finland. The members are Marko Nyberg, Johanna Kalén and Antony Bentley.

    “Deep Forest Green” by Husky Rescue

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huskyrescueofficial/

Website: http://www.husky-rescue.com/

          Everything Everything is a Manchester-based quartet comprised of Jonathan Higgs, Jeremy Pritchard, Michael Spearman, and Alex Robertshaw.
     “No Reptiles” (Live For BBC) by Everything Everything

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverythingEverythinguk

Website: http://www.everything-everything.co.uk/

     BLAJK is a five-piece band based in Toronto, Canada.

     “Lost” by BLAJK (If your browser doesn't show the download arrow, try CLICKING HERE.)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blajkofficial/

Website: http://www.blajk.com/

     If you share our appreciation for the vocals of London Grammar, you will enjoy “Heartbeat” by TIDEUP. They are Noelle Indovino and Ben Guzman from Orlando, Florida.

      “Heartbeat” by TIDEUP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tideup-383029778441015

Website: http://tideupmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Heartbeat”

I go to sleep at night

Looking for a reason to come back

I can feel your heartbeat while we sit beneath willow trees at night

I never wanted you to love me

I never wanted you to save my name

I was only there for the heartbeat

I was only there for the fame

I go to sleep at night

Looking for a reason to come back

I can feel your heartbeat while we sit beneath willow trees at night

I can only see you in the darkness

I can barely feel you by my side

I never wanted you to leave me here

Leave me all alone

Leave me here …

Leave me all alone

Leave me here

Leave me all alone

I go to sleep at night

Looking for a reason to come back

I can feel your heartbeat while we sit beneath willow trees at night

I never wanted you to love me

I never wanted you to say my name

I was only there for the heartbeat

I was only there for the fame

I only knew that I could trust in you

Cause you said that you knew what I was going through

I showed my age when I left that day­

And I swore I’d try to be true

You’ve got the moon it just moves to your tune

You’re just lucky that way

I’ll try do what you need me to

Cause I, I just want things to stay the same

Raury at Rickshaw Stop - A Concert Review

     Raury visited the Rickshaw Stop last night, Nov. 25, in San Francisco. This wasn't the original date nor venue scheduled for the show but this sell out was no disapointment. Raury is a 19 year old hip-hop artist  from Atlanta, GA with a mature viewpoint on life, which is directy reflected in his music and lyrics. Raury would often pause between songs and explain the meaning behind them, while sharing personal stories of friends and life. He considers himself a member of the generation of adolecents all part of the Internet Age, where information is easily and endlessly accessible, calling himself an "Indigo Child."

 “Revolution” – The opening song at Rickshaw Stop.

 “Devil's Whisper” at Rickshaw Stop

“Wild Winter” by Smoke Fairies – A Song Review

     Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies form Smoke Fairies. “Wild Winter” is the title track of their recently released album. The album includes ten seasonally themed songs.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmokeFairies

Website: http://www.smokefairies.com/

“Repulsor” by Crescendo – A Song Review

     “Repulsor” was flagged as being blogworthy even before the announcement that Crescendo would perform at SXSW 2016 in Austin.

     The core members of Crescendo are Gregory Cole (guitar, vocals), Olive Kimoto (synth, vocals and Jess Roja (guitar, aka Jess Krichelle - marriage?), but the Facebook page of the band also lists Marco and Ford. The music of the band is in the genre blend of Shoegaze/DreamPop. 

     “Repulsor” by Crescendo 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1800Crescendo/

Website: http://www.1800crescendo.com/

“Intimacy” by Sunbathers – A Song Review

“Collapse and crawl to the door; with a face like that, you’re bound to get away with a little more.”

That declaration is in the lyrics of “Intimacy” by Sunbathers, a band based in Baltimore (and Washington D.C.).

      Sunbathers is a Rock/Pop band that typically features crisp and undistorted guitar. They recently released a five-track EP (self-titled). “All Your Lovely Colors” is interesting, since it includes both the crisp guitar and Rock-distorted guitar play. In comparison, “Intimacy” is a focus on crisp guitar play and higher range vocals.

     “Intimacy” by Sunbathers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunbathersband

Website: http://www.sunbathersband.com/

“Bonnie & Clyde” - Song Reviews

Two songs in the Folk genre with fundamentally the same title – the first names of a couple who were able to avoid the law for a few years in the early 1930s. 

     “Bonnie & Clyde” is an acoustic beauty by Mark McGowan. McGowan is a singer/songwriter base in Glasgow, Scotland.  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkMcgowanMusic/

     “Bonnie and Clyde” by Wild is in basically the same genre and is also driven by vocalization. But that’s where the similarities end. Wild is a trio in Los Angeles. The members are Zach DeGaetano, Tyler Thompson, and Kristina Antuna.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildofficialus

“Whispers” by Kings. – A Song Review

     Kings. is a trio based in Melbourne, Australia. The members are Hayden Jeffery, Sam Buirski and Tim Cox. Kings. generously posted the song “Whispers” at Triple J (https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/kings-0) and we have been listening to the song on a regular basis since discovering that post.

     “Whispers” by Kings.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kings.AUSmusic

Lyrics of “Whispers”

She whispers to me

I hear her voice inside

The beating of a drum

The rhythm of the rising tide.

All the while

I’ve tried to make things right

I’ve been livin’ my life

On the glide.

Counting down the days

‘Cause times get so crazy

I’m caught in a haze

Hope it’s a passing phase.

[Repeat]

Woooo

What am I living for?

Woooo

What am I waiting for?

I whisper to her

I see it all from the outside

You’re not pleasing yourself

No matter how hard you try.

Counting down the days

‘Cause times get so crazy

You’re caught in a haze

Hope it’s a passing phase.

[Repeat]

Woooo

What am I living for?

Woooo

What am I waiting for?

Oooooh

What am we living for?

Oooooh

What are we waiting for?

[Repeat]

“Us and Them” by Thyla – A Song Review

     Thyla is a Grunge Pop band from Brighton, UK. In their latest release, there is a greater departure from the Grunge. “Us and Them” is more Rock, with hints of Post Punk. Count us among the fans.  

     The members of Thyla are Elis Davies (guitar), Millie Duthie (vocals, guitar), Dan Hole (bass), and Danny Southwell (drums).

     “Us and Them” by Thyla

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thylamusic

Website: http://www.thyla.co.uk/

“Emergency Exit” by Scarlet Echo – A Song Review

     As fans of the band Yes, we are immediately attracted to songs that have a hint of the original sound of the band. Enter “Emergency Exit” by Scarlet Echo. The lead vocalist of Scarlet Echo is Hannah Stanbury, who at various times has much in common with the vocals of Yes’ Jon Anderson. A good example at the 40 second mark of “Emergency Exit,” which begins with the word “through.”

     Scarlet Echo is an Essex, UK band with two females and two males. In addition to Hannah Stanbury (vocals, guitar), the members are Jamie Burroughs (guitar), Miles Hobbs (bass) and Save Alex (drums). The “echo” portion of the band name is appropriate. Rumor is that in the making of their recently released debut album, “An Exact Portrayal of Nothing in Particular,” some singing was done using the Alex’s cupboard.

     “Emergency Exit” by Scarlet Echo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scarletecho

Website: http://www.scarletecho.co.uk

“Close to Gold” by Hippo Campus – A Song Review

     “Close to Gold” is a result of the versatility of Hippo Campus. The Wu Lyf influence was present in other song by the band, but Hippo Campus remained true to their genre, “Kinda Pop” (quoting their self-identification on their Facebook page). Embedded below is the band’s performance of “Suicide Saturday” during a visit to Conan’s late night show. Yes, it’s Kinda Pop.

     On the other hand, “Close to Gold” is more aligned with the Wu Lyf sound, while retaining elements of the Hippo Campus sound. Wu Lyf self-identified its genre as “Heavy Pop.” To the eyes, the difference between Kinda Pop and Heavy Pop doesn’t appear very significant. But to the ears, the difference is undeniable. The vocals in “Suicide Saturday” are melodic. In comparison, the vocals in “Close to Gold” are choppy and somewhat defiant.

     “Close to Gold” is not the first venture of Hippo Campus toward the Wu Lyf campus. “Little Grace” is somewhere between the Kinda Pop of “Suicide Saturday” and the “Heavy Pop” of “Close to Gold.” However, that song more closely approaches “Kinda” than it does “Heavy.”

     The members of Hippo Campus are Jake Luppen (vocals), Nathan Stocker (guitar), Zach Sutton(bass) and Whistler Allen (drums).
     “Close to Gold”

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thehalocline

Website: http://hippocampusband.com/

     Hippo Campus on Conan - apologies if you must wait through a commercial.

“Bonfire” by The Hunna – A Song Review

     The Hunna are traveling at high speed in the UK, based on social media data. But the wind has not fully hit their sails in the U.S. That will change. “Bonfire” exhibits the guitar skills of the band. It also shows the vocal versatility of The Hunna, since it requires both melodious and belt-it-out vocalization. Lyrically, the song is about an impending breakup, which appears to be mutully agreeable; and we particularly love the verse:

Burn. So let's burn this to ashes

Burn. And go our own ways

Burn. So pass me the matches

And we'll both watch the flames.

     The Hunna is from the London area (Hertfordshire). The four members are Ryan Potter (vocals, guitar), Dan Dorney (lead guitar), Jermaine Angin (bass) and Jack Metcalfe (drums).

     “Bonfire” by The Hunna

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehunnaband

Lyrics of “Bonfire”

And if you love me then why won't you use me.

If you hate me then why do you care?

You said that we would go the distance.

Now you don't take me anywhere.

I bite my tongue.

But fuck your heart.

And I can't stand, I can't stand you baby.

We don't know which way to go, we don't know which way is home.

We don't know which way to go, we don't know which way is home.

And we blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

And blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

And you say you want to be alone

Outside the place that we call home

When you come at me with that face.

I don't know what to say.

We don't know which way to go, we don't know which way is home.

We don't know which way to go, we don't know which way is home.

And we blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

And blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

And nothing's gonna feel the same

‘Cause our love is going up in flame

And we blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

So let's burn this to ashes

And go our own ways

So pass me the matches

And we'll both watch the flames

Burn. So let's burn this to ashes

Burn. And go our own ways

Burn. So pass me the matches

And we'll both watch the flames

And we blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

And nothing's gonna feel the same

And we blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

And we blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

And nothing's gonna feel the same

‘Cause our love is going up in flame

And we blew up like a bonfire. Fire. Fire

“Run Or Hide” by Run River North – A Song Review

     Song structures are often sectional. A common pattern is vocals/instrumental/vocals. Even the vocals are sectional, for example verse/chorus/verse/chorus. The six-section structure of “Run Or Hide” is reflective/angry/reflective/angry/reflective/angry. Both vocally and instrumentally, the even numbered sections are enraged. It works well.

     “Run Or Hide” is the latest release of Run River North from San Fernando Valley, California. The song will be on the upcoming album “Drinking from a Salt Pond.” The album is scheduled for drop on February 26, 2015. The six members of Run River Runa are Alex Hwang (vocals, acoustic guitar), Daniel Chae (electric guitar, violin), Jennifer Rim (violin), Joseph Chun (bass), John Chong (drums), and Sally Kang (vocals, keys).

      “Run Or Hide” by Run River North

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/runrivernorth

Website: http://www.runrivernorth.com/

“Time” – A Video Directed by Nick Testa

   

    If a blog is capable of emotion, then two people who are loved by Indie Obsessive were invited to participate in the making of a video; and Indie Obsessive is proud.

     The video was a project of Nick Testa (www.nicktestaproductions.com/). The music is by Dan German. The story of the video:

“A man tries to make good with his girlfriend after another empty promise. As the clock ticks towards their meeting, he runs into trouble.”

Time from Nick Testa on Vimeo.

“Philadelphia” by Edelweiss - An EP review

By Rebecca Gross; Twitter: @becsgross

     Edelweiss opens up their new EP, "Philadelphia," offering a wide variety of sounds and borrowing from many genres with the first song “Winston.” The song initially manifests itself as an ambient and mysterious mingling of noises, but ultimately takes on a progressive rock, wonderfully sloshy sound to it. Especially commendable in this song is the wide range of instrumental versatility. The drums take on many different grooves and patterns throughout just the one song.

     Taking on a punk vibe, the EP continues with “Species,” the most widely listened to track on the album. Slightly more organized than the other songs on the album, this track is easy to listen to and upbeat.

     As the EP continues with two more songs, “Cookies & Brownies” and “Goblin,” it becomes increasingly clear that while each component of the EP is not necessarily unique unto itself, the EP manages to soak up different sounds that have been heard before and render them in new ways.

     Yes, I’ve heard The Strokes, FIDLAR, Kings of Leon, and Incubus before. But I’d never in my life heard them all in combination with one another—let alone heard a sonically pleasing amalgamation of the bunch—until I listened to Edelweiss’ new EP. If you’re becoming jaded with the everyday Indie-Rock music you hear in everyday life, trade out the norm for a distinctive blend of sounds pulled from many different musical techniques and styles with Edelweiss’ "Philadelphia."

     

     “Species” by Edelweiss

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdelweissOfficial/

Website: http://www.edelweissofficial.com/

      “Philadelphia” by Edelweiss in its entirety.

“Communicate” by The Dunwells – A Song Review

     The Dunwells will release an album in February 2016 and will attend SXSW in Austin the following month. For us, there are two reasons we’re pleased. One, Indie Obsessive has its tickets for SXSW and intends to be as close as possible for a performance by The Dunwells. Two, since the tracks listed for the upcoming album include “Communicate,” it is currently relevant. The song was on a 2014 EP, which in the blogosphere is much more than a “doggie year” ago. We’re taking advantage of this second occurrence of current relevance, since we missed the ship during the first.

     The strength of The Dunwells is their vocals. The band includes a pair of brothers with pleasing voices. The similarities of the sibling voices achieve a close vocal blend that is difficult for other bands, while the differences are great enough to provide some contrast.

     The lyrics (best guess at times) are pasted belong. The song is about a relationship that did not go as hoped and is now a topic for discussion, but the plea is “Please Communicate.”

          The Dunwells are a quartet from Leeds, UK. The members are Joseph Dunwell (vocals, guitar), David Dunwell (vocals, guitar), Rob Clayton (bass) and Adam Taylor (drums).

     “Communicate” by The Dunwells

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDunwells

Website: https://thedunwells.com/

Lyrics of “Communicate”

It’s been a long time

Since I left you there.

I still feel the cold hands in mine.

There were good times

But we will leave them there

‘Cause the warmth of these hands are mine.

I’ve said my “don’t goes”

I’ve said my “don’t goes”

We were always on the run

We waited for this moment

Just communicate

We took this all for granted

Should we leave this where we want?

Just communicate

There were good times

We just left them there

When I felt your hand slip from mine

It’s been a long time comin’

Should we leave it there?

Or prove that we could fight?

We were always on the run

We waited for this moment

Just communicate

We took this all for granted

Should we leave this where we want?

Please communicate

I’ve said my “don’t goes”

I’ve said my “don’t goes”

I’ve said my “don’t goes”

I’ve said my “don’t goes”  

We were always on the run

We waited for this moment

Just communicate

We took this all for granted

Should we leave this where we want?

Please communicate

We were always on the run

We waited for this moment

It will be okay I’m sure

We took this all for granted

Should we leave this where we want?

Please communicate

Please communicate

I shoulda let you go

You shoulda let me know

I shoulda let you go

You shoulda let me know

I shoulda let you go

You shoulda let me know

I shoulda let you go

You shoulda let me know