Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of their releases.The end of an offer may be based on the expiration of a set period of time or on a limited number of downloads.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 legally downloadable music that we recommend. Our plan is to post at least one FL&R song each Friday/Saturday.
Each of today’s tracks is available via Triple J Unearthed, the outstanding Australian site.
During performances, the duo front women wear matching outfits; and during photo sessions the four male members often have the “surfer dudes” look. They are Nice Biscuit from Brisbane.
The members of Nice Biscuit are Ben Mulheran (guitar, keys, harp, vocals), Billie Star (vocals, guitar, percussion), Grace Cuell (vocals, guitar, percussion, keys), Jess Ferronato (guitar, vocals), Kurt Melvin (drums) and Nick Cavendish (bass).
We enjoy vocals that carry anguish. Mylk does so in harmony. The quartet is from Melbourne. They are Nathaniel (guitar, vocals), Harry (guitar), Julian (bass) and Ewen (drums).
The selection of a marimba to accompany the positive message of “Embrace” is intelligent and revealing. The resonance of the instrument melds with that of the message to enrich the impact. The marimba is not typically heard in releases from artists based in the U.S., but Samuel J’s exposure to music from other regions of the world is atypical. He has performed at European festivals and has explored the Brazilian music circuit, where he spent much of five years.
In describing “Embrace,” Samuel J stated, “The song was written in honor of all those things we have to Embrace in life, those things that are unavoidable that we have to go through, in order to grow and come Into The Light …” “Embrace” is not his first song in which the lyrics reflect a belief in the unifying power of music. Samuel J has even performed at the Dalai Lama’s 70th birthday celebration.
The Facebook page of Samuel J indicates that he is currently based in Santa Monica, California (and that his surname is Tellam). He is the vocalist and composer of his music. He will use a Loop Pedal for solo performances, but also makes appearances with his band collective, THE LIVING REVOLUTION.
In preparation for the release of his album and life's best works, ‘Into the Light,’ Samuel J debuted his encouraging new single ‘Embrace.’ The track embodies luminescence and possesses an infectious melody that will resonate with every listener’s ear. The soulful and uplifting lyrics create the perfect vehicle for his polished and feathery vocals. ‘Embrace. is now available for download and streaming on your favorite digital music platform.
Samuel J has successfully toured with many artists including Ben Harper, Michael Franti, Jack Johnson, Jurassic 5 and more. He has collaborated with sponsors in leading surf brands like Mormaii, Alma Surf and 69 Slam. As a well-known singer-songwriter, composer and producer within the music industry, this has allowed him to use his platform to discuss and engage in world issues that he holds dear to his heart. He regularly contributes to the conservation world through affiliations with Sea Shepherd, Ocean Care, Save The Children and World Peace One. Through his music and open discussion with his audience, Samuel J hopes to bring optimism, clarity and consciousness to his listeners, enabling them to contribute the world in a positive and productive way.
The vocals in “Hide” are refreshingly distinctive. And while our understanding of the lyrics (included below) is far from fully developed, there is a sense of integrity that percolates from each verse. That integrity sits atop instrumental support with both subtle shifts and ear-grabbing jumps that evidence the passion Rainbow Kitten Surprise holds for its craft.
“Hide” is most closely aligned with the Indie Folk genre, but has an instrumental and vocal quirkiness bearing similarities to the Worldbeat of some of the best offerings of tUnE-yArDs. The track includes many praiseworthy features, but we particularly enjoy the bursts of band vocals/shouts. For comparison, the video of the more melodic “Holy War” is included in this post.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise is based in Boone, North Carolina. The members are Sam Melo (lead vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, backing vocals), Darrick “Bozzy” Keller (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Charlie Holt (bass, backing vocals), and Jess Haney (drums). On April 6, 2018, they will release the LP “How To: Friend, Love, Freefall,” which will include "Hide" and "Holy War."
Rainbow Kitten Surprise is on tour in support of the LP. The demand for tickets has led to shifts to larger venues, added dates, and many sellouts. We sheepishly admit to missing the opportunity to purchase tickets for their visit to The Fillmore in San Francisco. For ticket information, CLICK HERE.
“Philadelphia Babe” is an affirmative, vocals-driven track with a well-executed transition from a Rock emphasis to an Indie Folk slant. The genre blend is present throughout the song, but the transition is in the formula of the blend. It’s first felt a few seconds before the two-minute mark, when a guitar with Folk/Country sensibilities enters, but stays in the background. By 2:45, the guitar hook is featured, and the song has a Lord Huron vibe within a Flagship texture.
Flagship in SF
“Philadelphia Babe” is a track from Flagship’s upcoming EP, “The Ladder” (the title track of the EP is embedded in this post). We agree that “"Philadelphia Babe" is a song that makes you move; it is a song that you can relate to, but most importantly, it is a song that helps you break down those walls and makes you feel.”
Flagship in SF
Flagship has twice graced the stage at perhaps our favorite San Francisco venue – The Independent. On both occasions, the band showed a strong stage presence and an ability to engage with the attendees. The band is made up of Drake Margolnick and Michael Finster from Charlotte, North Carolina. During the two visits to The Independent, the duo was supported by other skilled musicians from the Charlotte area.
Flagship is preparing to tour with Blue October, another band Indie Obsessive places high on its list of recommended live performers. The tour dates are included in this post.
“Show Me The Way” reflects a sophistication in the expression of youthful exuberance. The song is the debut track from a pair of 19-year-old musicians in Brighton, UK. The instrumental support is assembled in the early portion and intelligently varied throughout the body of the song, including a temporary dismantling that begins around the 2:30 mark. Thus, “Show Me The Way” modestly begins with relatively calm vocals and guitar support, until aggressive percussion enters fourteen seconds into the track. Slightly later, the vocals shift and then the support is fully assembled at 0:45 – but only briefly.
Suzi Island is Hugh Reilly-Smith and Matthew Carter. The pair played in bands together prior to moving from Andover to Bristolto study music. During performances, they are joined by Carlie Randall-Smith and Harvey Norman. “Show Me The Way” was produced and mixed by Pete Robertson of the Vaccines.
We briefly wondered is the duo felt a connection to the year 1975, when Peter Frampton released a less energetic “Show Me The Way” and Suzi Quatro was in her prime. Alas, it is mere coincidence.
Some vocalists are able to wrap a listener in an emotion, as though covered by a cloak that brings sensitivity and a sense of shared experience. ARLO has that capability. In the track “Settle,” ARLO tailors the cloak from an admission of vulnerability and a soulful plea for an explanation.
ARLO states, “'Settle’ is about doing everything in your power to be loved or wanted. It's full of desperation and hopelessness. It's my most vulnerable moment on record. We all want to be loved by somebody one day. This is real heartbreak filled with real rejection, something I think most people can relate to." Similar to “Shake The Room” and other earlier singles from ARLO, “Settle” can be identified as an Electro Soul song with Pop sensibilities. But “Settle” has a greater reliance on piano and a minimalist approach. It is an arrangement that works well for “Settle.”
After attending Goldsmith University (London), ARLO moved to Harlem for two years. The songwriter/vocalist has returned to the UK and is deservedly becoming a force.
Bryde revealed another track from her upcoming album, “Like An Island.” Expectations soared with the earlier single “To Be Brave.” There isn’t any reason to adjust your sight line. “Peace” again shows Bryde as having skills across a spectrum of force. The track is almost serene at times, but aggressive at others.
Bryde says of the track, “'Peace' is about the warm glow of two drinks and real connection with another person. It's about the end of anger and the settling calm after a storm. Being able to be entirely yourself and still be liked. I had to make it the loudest track on the album because if something's not a little subversive...”
Bryde is London-based Sarah Howells, who is originally from the town of Milford Haven in West Wales. According to the Facebook page, the other band members are Jay Chakravorty and John Harris. “Like An Island” is scheduled for release on April 13, 2018.
