Tag Archives: California

Single Release: Dreaming {Smallpools}

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Ryan Egan | Leave a comment

‘Dreaming’ by Smallpools (Los Angeles, CA)

There are many different levels of being turned onto a song and why it should be appreciated in the blogosphere and abroad. Today upon discovering what will quite possibly become the most hyped song of the summer, I am all ears for that very reason. The potential for Smallpools new synth-pop, dance track ‘Dreaming‘ to take off and be heard at parties and clubs all over the world this warm season is mind blowing. The main keyboard line and Passion Pit inspired vocals are enough to grab your attention for a good 5 plays in a row and be assured that posting this track on your social media pages will make you the coolest person your followers know that day. Hard-hitting production and intelligent pop arrangement will surely bring this group to international recognition and I’m glad to have caught on in these early stages. Oh, and download that shit for free you fools! [Free Download] @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, C: Free Music, T: News, T: Single

Tagged 2 tone, A: Dingus, California, Dance, DIY, Hype Machine, indie, indie music, indie pop, Los Angeles, New Music, passion pit, pop, smallpools, synth pop

Single Release: We Are Alive

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Ryan Egan | Leave a comment

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

→ Leave a comment

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

Le Sheik Rhat EP

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Leah Lovecat | Leave a comment

Le Sheik Rhat EP by Naive Thieves (California)

Naive Thieves have released some California pop that makes me long for warm days dedicated to listening to some west coast tunes. Le Sheik Rhat has a Strokes feel that is just so sweet. Perhaps it’s the vibey guitars or the crooning vocals that make me compare the two, either way, this little EP puts you at a comfortable ease. Plus, there is a really awesome picture of one cool rat on the cover. Is that a childish statement? Maybe, but it’s definitely worth a mention. We were all thinking it. @LeahLovecat

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Lovecat, T: LP/EP

Tagged California, DIY Recording, le sheik rhat, naive thieves, rock

Daydream

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Ryan Egan | Leave a comment

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

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, T: Single

Tagged A: Dingus, alt-rock, Alternative, alternative-rock, California, Depeche Mode, electronic, Electronica, Experimental, Ilan Rubin, indie, indie rock, New Music, Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, pop, rock, San Diego, The New Regime

In The Meantime

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

artworks-000043274917-m5qt3e-t500x500 In The Meantime by KING (Los Angeles, CA)

This band opened for Prince. Dot…dot…dot. Well, I was tempted to simply leave this caption with that one opening line but decided they deserve a bit more description than that. A trio made up of three close friends, two of whom are twin sisters, KING is moving rapidly into the new age, neo-soul circuit. Effortless vocals that seem to flow in one deep breath sit atop lofty harmonies and production that grooves so hard with only the suggestion of a heavy beat. A track like this can make one feel weightless as if being offered a hand from three beautiful sirens singing down from the heavens. Take it and see what happens. @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, T: Single

Tagged A: Dingus, Ambient, California, electronic, in the meantime, indie, indie music, indie pop, indie-soul, King, Los Angeles, neo-soul, New Music, pop, pop music, prince, soul, soul music

Loving You Down

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

artworks-000040802928-l98bv6-t500x500 Loving You Down by Bells Atlas (Oakland, CA)

Emerging from the culturally and musically diverse Oakland/Berkeley, California comes afro/indie-soul group Bells Atlas. Equal parts r&b, soul, pop, and alternative, the band comfortably displays a knack for incorporating a wide variety of influences all the while creating an original, accessible sound. Nigerian-American singer Sandra Lawson-Ndu commands song after song with rhythmic vocals and a Badu-like demeanor that could promptly put any new listener straight into a trance. The sound, fully developed with help from band member multi-instrumentalists Derek Barber, Geneva Harrison, and Doug Stuart, is very open and percussive. Supporting melodies are cleverly designated to vibraphone and backup harmonies rather than the more common piano or guitar riff. I expect a broad demographic to pick up on Bells Atlas soon, a crowd ranging from fans of The Dirty Projectors to Jill Scott to Tune-Yards. @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, T: Single

Tagged afro-funk, Alternative, Bells Atlas, Berkeley, California, Erykah Badu, indie, indie music, Jill Scott, New Music, Oakland, pop, R&B, soul, The Dirty Projectors, Tune-Yards, world

The Seshen

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

1099055586-1 The Seshen by The Seshen (Bay area, CA)

A strong music scene produces results. Upon checking out and reviewing a new single from Oakland based band Bells Atlas, I stumbled on a delectably similar group called The Seshen also making noise in the Bay area. I thought it was a great double find especially how tied together the two bands were sonically and geographically and when I noticed they often play shows together it all made sense. The Seshen is psychedelic neo-soul for 2013. There are all the Badu/Dilla qualities you crave with a modern turn for indie-electronic-pop like Little Dragon and other new hit makers. Complex and colorful, this is a band that gives hope to the indie music world. Plus, it’s not often you hear Cuíca used in a song. @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, T: LP/EP

Tagged Bay area, Bells Atlas, Berkeley, California, electronic, hip hop, indie, indie music, Jazz, Little Dragon, neo-soul, New Music, Oakland, pop, soul, The Seshen

Two At A Time

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

3504976501-1 Two At A Time by The Two Man Gentlemen Band (Brooklyn/LA)

Recorded live to tape and funded by fans via Kickstarter, California pre-war swing, American blues and jazz revivalists The Two Man Gentlemen Band have brought us an incredible new record titled Two At A Time. A handsome, clean-cut duo consisting of Andy Bean on 4-string electric tenor guitar and Fuller Condon on upright acoustic bass (though you’ll never hear more than the clicking of strings on macbook speakers), song after song we’re pulled between old timey acoustic pop and 21^st century themes like prescription drugs and relationship troubles. This is upbeat, hot jazz that tourists would be so lucky to discover on a side street off Bourbon in NOLA only to find there’s much more to them than busking. While the album is not for a full free download, you can grab their single ‘Pork Chops’ free of charge and expect to come back for more. My perfect night would consist of smoking indoors, bottomless whiskey, and a small stage for The Two Man Gentlemen Band, Chris Thile, and Squirrel Nut Zippers to strum and stomp. @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, T: LP/EP

Tagged americana, blues, Brooklyn, California, Folk, hot jazz, Jazz, Los Angeles, New Music, New York, nola, pop, swing, The Two Man Gentlemen Band, Two At A Time

Re/Visions

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

1407597311-1 Re/Visions by Boomsnake (San Diego, CA)

Listening to Boomsnake to me is like listening in on one mans’ dreams. A constant air of sleepy vocals like sand slipping through an hourglass, every passing moment feels like an eternity in musical limbo. Gabriel Rodriguez is the sleeping man and the limitless space he creates with his songs seems to bring out haunting, pop visions to our material world. A little bit Grizzly Bear, a little bit Bon Iver, Re/Visions is a collection of older songs reworked and arranged by Gabriel and Brooklyn celebs CULTS. Sweet dreams. @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, T: LP/EP

Tagged Ambient, Bandcamp, Boomsnake, California, cults, Folk, indie, indie pop, New Music, pop, San Diego, T: Remix

LP I

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Andrew Prieto | Leave a comment

11794_10151429684143701_920276759_n LP I by Hideout (San Diego, CA)

A new, under-publicized release from San Diego space pop project Hideout, consisting of Boomsnake mastermind Gabriel Rodriguez and Cults/Boomsnake live members Cory Stier and Nathan Aguilar, has recently made it’s way onto a small Facebook and Twitter community of followers. The trio toured together in both aforementioned bands and have since recorded and released the first album from Hideout titled LP I for free download on Soundcloud. The album opens with ‘All I Want’ a deeply textured track with repetitively melodic acoustic and electric guitars and the feel of a young Talking Heads. The reasonably ‘verbed out production, tasteful use of delay, and roomy drums brought me back to early 70s Lennon stuff like “Oh Yoko” and succeeds in creating a sound many new bands strive for but fall short of accomplishing. Release after release from this scene of musicians has brought out some of the best minimal, indie-pop songwriting in recent years yet it continues to go underappreciated. [Free Download] @thinknotsleep

→ Leave a comment

Posted in A: Egan, C: Free Music, C: Staff Favorites, T: LP/EP

Tagged acoustic, Boomsnake, California, cults, Folk, free music, Hideout, indie, indie pop, LP I, New Music, psychedelic, rock, San Diego

Tag Archives: California

WEEKLY COLUMNS