Sock It To Me by A Lost People (Baldwin, New York)
Smile, laugh even, but have some gosh darn fun in your times here friends. Everyone should get laid to a track like this some time in their life, the world would be a much better place. Chill out peoples. Flows reminiscent of Tech N9ne, ‘Candy‘ by The Pack, and all that hyphy b.s. from the bay. Apparently DJs in Korea rock A Lost People, pretty cool. @dingusrecords
Posted in A: Spinrad, T: News, T: Single
Tagged 808, a lost people, Alternative, desil diamon, electronic, hip hop, Hiphop, jansen, Paris, pop, sock it to me, stripper
Gory Daze by Tonkapuma + Times Neue Roman (Toronto, Canada)
Oh future rap, all you foolish types whom are all stuck up in the old-school, who hate on the current and love to live in antiquity, you are missing out. Open up those venetian blinds you’ve got on and let your ears decide, instead of that overdeveloped sense of style and seen you have. This is The Kills and Aesop Rock and Nothing, I should stop making comparisons forever, maybe Die Antwoord too. Its frantic basement punk hop, come play a show in bk with LIL KIDs. [Free Music] @dingusrecords
Posted in A: Spinrad, C: Free Music, C: Staff Favorites, T: LP/EP
Tagged Alternative, times neue roman, tonkampuma, Toronto Gory daze
Hands’ EP by The Top (Brooklyn, NY)*
The fact that most of you have probably never heard of The Top is an unfortunate and curious reality. As the Hands’ EP runs its’ course, I acknowledge that reality and write this to you, with hopes of turning the music onto even one more fan, one more pair of ears to then share with their friends. The overall production is hot; most noticeably the vocals peak with a warmth we all crave as lovers of Nick Drake and The Beach Boys, but also from the crispy sound of the drums that groove and break up perfectly amongst the piano, acoustic guitar and electric guitar chinks on the 2 and 4. The band certainly accomplishes their retro pop ambitions and there is no reason they shouldn’t already have toured the US with bands like Dr. Dog and The Walkmen. This is the sort of band that fans will without any hesitation take under their wings and deliver to other music lovers with glee. It’s one thing to be told by hyped up music blogs and taste makers that you should be following a cool new band, and it’s another altogether to hear a band like The Top and pass them along out of sheer disbelief that they haven’t hit it big yet. I hope this EP finds you well and that you will pass it along like a peace pipe. @thinknotsleep
Posted in A: Egan, C: Staff Favorites, T: LP/EP
Tagged A: Dingus, Alternative, alternative-rock, Brooklyn, DIY, garage rock, indie, indie music, indie pop, indie rock, New Music, New York, New York City, NYC, pop, retro, retro rock, rock, rock n' roll, The Top
Marry Me Annie by Modern Merchant (Brooklyn by way of Connecticut)
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the latest EP by Modern Merchant upon first listen until I reached track three, a slow grooving, dreamy pop song called ‘Marry Me Annie‘. The song is in the vein of Grizzly Bear and Local Natives, no question, but the delicate horn based rhythm section at the top is infectious. Blankets of harmonized vocals swoop in shortly after and the lead melody immediately had my head bobbing in a Jim James fashion, entrancing in style. The song dynamically moves from section to section, sonically telling a tale for those who stumble on the play button. I’m glad to provide that button today and I hope you’ll download their EP right after. @thinknotsleep
Tagged A: Dingus, Alternative, alternative-rock, Brooklyn, Connecticut, DIY, dream pop, Folk, indie, indie music, indie rock, indie-folk, modern merchant, New Music, New York, NYC, pop
We Are Alive by Golden Youth (Sacramento, CA)
From the opening chirps of woodwinds to the whistles of other orchestral instruments, ‘We Are Alive‘ the new single from Sacramento indie-pop duo Golden Youth, flows forth with positivity and youthful energy. The two songwriters, Stephanie Lauren and Kyle Monroe are currently promoting the May 28th release of their debut album Quiet Frame; Wild Light that has already begun gathering a ton of hype from the likes of Nylon and more. The song is light and poppy but also packed with intricate layers of drums, vocals, strings, keyboards and more to make the song come alive. This single has come at just the right time with numerous Fun-esque youth anthems climbing the charts, it is likely that we will hear this track pouring from car windows and backyard parties with the approaching warm season. @thinknotsleep
Posted in A: Egan, T: News, T: Single
Tagged A: Dingus, Alternative, California, DIY, golden youth, indie, indie music, indie pop, indie rock, indie-electronic, New Music, pop, sacramento
The Broadcaster EP by Charles Keith Sztyk (Union, NJ)
Music Monday for me begins at home in New Jersey, both physically and musically. Fighting off a cold due to inconsistent Spring weather and sifting through music to feature today brought me to one of my favorite songwriters, Charles Keith Sztyk. He has been featured here in the past but now with a full 4-song EP to push, more praise from the DIY Dingus council is only appropriate. Knowing the many sides of Charles makes me approach his recordings with a bias but also very open to where production can take his music in alternate directions. This EP is full of distorted lo-fi vocals and dirty guitar, where as I’m used to the angelic voice displayed at live shows. This is only more reason for fans to experience the music not only digitally but at their local venue too. The songs are dynamic and all have their own strengths, flowing from one to another and speaking for themselves with powerful lyrics, melody and performance. I guess that is easier to maintain when you record every instrument yourself as did Charlie. This is a dark yet uplifting batch of songs that a broad demographic can and will relate to but certainly an EP to be embraced by fans of M. Ward and other indie-folk modern icons. @thinknotsleep
Tagged A: Dingus, acoustic, Alternative, Ambient, Charles Keith Sztyk, DIY, EP, Folk, folk rock, hipster, indie, indie music, indie pop, indie rock, indie-folk, New Jersey, New Music, pop, rock, songwriter, union
Operator by The Fleeting Ends (Philadelphia, PA)
Soaring pop strings aligned with oohs, ahhs, piano stabs and a snare drum that sounds like a mallet taken to a cardboard box, The Fleeting Ends are the butterflies you had on the first date with your significant other. Their latest track ‘Operator‘ is a sound depiction of where their collective head is at; groove based, 60′s retro rock carried gracefully by lead vocalist Matt Vantine and a wall of harmonic arrangements to allow every chorus to take flight. This Philly band is clearly following in the footsteps of pop greats before them like Dr. Dog, The Beatles, and Sufjan Stevens; undeniably a tried and true style but also a hard shoe to fill. Pressure is on and chances are these dudes can hang. @thinknotsleep
Tagged A: Dingus, Alternative, DIY, dr. dog, indie, indie pop, indie rock, New Music, PA, Pennsylvania, philadelphia, philly, piano-rock, pop, rock, Sufjan Stevens, the beatles, the fleeting ends
Polaroid by Matt Sztyk (Sydney/New Jersey)
To best compliment the talents of New Jersey young music veteran Matt Sztyk, I would resort to quoting him directly from the hook in his ‘Polaroid‘ single and say, Matt, you make EVERYTHING good. There is nothing like a self-funded, DIY project that has every quality of a big budget release; beautiful production, arrangement and songwriting topped off with a great hard copy package. Matt has been a native of the NJ music scene for years until heading to school down under in Sydney, Australia where he continues to build a local following with new players. It seems only fitting of our international DIY manifesto to plug a guy who literally takes his music all over the world and remains infinitely positive and productive. You may also remember when we featured his brother Charles Keith Sztyk a few months ago; that’s right folks, this is a family endeavor and there is plenty more music to come. Stay on the look out for Matt Sztyks’ next release The Drift. @thinknotsleep
Posted in A: Egan, T: LP/EP, T: Video
Tagged A: Dingus, Alternative, Australia, Charles Keith Sztyk, DIY, Folk, indie, indie music, indie pop, indie-folk, Matt Sztyk, New Jersey, New Music, NYC, pop, rock, Sydney, USA
Daydream by The New Regime (San Diego, CA)
Things are happening very fast for Ilan Rubin aka The New Regime. With his latest album still awaiting release, this once working drummer is quickly realizing sometimes it is better to take things into your own hands. Having spent a lot of time and energy playing for groups like Paramore and Nine Inch Nails, this solo endeavor is clearly a true representation of the real Rubin. Heavily produced with electronic instruments among many others, every decibel of sound was created and delivered by Ilan, who has also proven himself as a solid frontman. Sample what this guy has been brewing here today, an eerie pop electronica track that makes me want to throw on some Depeche Mode. @thinknotsleep
Hold Tight by Barkhouse (Brooklyn, NY)
One band that I gotta give a shout out to is Barkhouse from Brooklyn. I met these great dudes a few times during events for Wreckroom Records and they have just recently dropped a new EP recorded there with engineer Brian Koerber. The EP is consistent in style and production, channeling old school Brit pop with some more modern sounds reminiscent of The Walkmen or Interpol. Luckily you can download these 4 new tracks right off of bandcamp and enjoy a classic faux live session courtesy of Wreckroom.tv. @thinknotsleep
Tagged A: Dingus, Alternative, barkhouse, brit pop, DIY, hipster, hold tight, indie, indie music, indie rock, interpol, New Music, rock, the walkmen, Wreckroom, wreckroom records
