Category Archives: Indies, Up n’ comers & Unknowns

Stuff you probably won’t hear on the radio.

A Silent Film (the Band, Not the Movie)

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With a live show that left me with permagrin, I can’t keep quiet about A Silent Film.

Very rarely do I go into a live show blind – I usually know a handful of songs by the headlining band, or something about them has sparked my interest.  I do, however, listen to friends and artists whose musical opinions I respect.  And a bunch of mine have mentioned A Silent Film over the past two or three years.  A few weeks ago, I saw that they were going to be playing The Evening Muse, my favorite Charlotte venue.  So I figured I’d go if nothing else came up. I went.  There was a line out the door. Thank goodness I actually got there early.

Sometimes, I am way late on the party train for artists.  And I am the first to admit when I miss the boat. I missed the boat on A Silent Film.

Riding the wave of their recently released album Sand & Snow (pick it up for $5.99 on Amazon) and its catchy, jump-up-and-down first single “Danny, Dakota & the Wishing Well,” these Brit rockers are earning high marks all around – for both the album and their dizzying live shows.  And after just a few minutes on stage, they proved that they were worthy of the attention to this as-of-yet uncaptured fan.

They absolutely OWNED the stage.  They were engaged with the crowd, putting on what I can best describe as a “happily intense” performance – lively and energetic, even on the slower numbers.  Lead singer Robert Stevenson makes it clear from the get go that he is going to connect with the audience and whether his hands are dancing on the keys or reaching out to the crowd, he is belting out little nuggets of pop-gold with a silken, emotive vocal that is mesmerizing (it isn’t lost on me that this fella shares a name with a man who spun one of the most memorable tales of all time).  Backed up by Karl Barehem’s wooing guitar tones, they had my attention after just one song.

Given a number insanely foot-tapping synth-pop songs, you have to get a lot of credit to drummer Spencer Walker.  A fella that I met in the crowd said, “It sounds like there are two drummers up there!” – and that says it all pretty succinctly!  He didn’t do it all alone, though. Bass player Ali Hussain was right in there with him with driving bass lines…and, he’s a DEAD RINGER for Russell Howard (any music fan worth their salt will get that reference).

These songs are no light-hearted pop filler, either.  This is 3D songwriting – storytelling, reflective, and hooky all at the same time, the songs reach out and grab you, pulling you into the performance… People in the crowd danced.  They sang along.  They clapped at the right parts (and we all know I love some clapping!).  They swayed on the slower numbers. Had I known the band better, I would have been in the middle of the crowd, dancing, singing, clapping and swaying with them… However, not knowing them didn’t keep me from getting caught up in the magic of the performance.

Consider me among the converted – I’m a fan.


(Thanks to Silversun1100 for sharing this video from a show earlier this year on YouTube.)

More A Silent Film: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Sand & Snow on iTunes or Amazon

Free Download: Now here’s a groove slightly transformed…

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A bit of a break from the norm… Folk rockers Fort Frances give their rendition of a classic Fresh Prince tune … and it is phenomenal!

Fort Frances is a great little Midwest indie-folk-rock act.  The band’s lead singer, David McMillin, is one of my favorite songwriters of all time – as well as one of the most prolific.  So color me intrigued a few months ago when the boys started doing a series of cover songs.  They show off their musical influence range with these songs, doing versions of Beck, Paul Simon and Daniel Johnston tunes so far. They’re cleverly marketing them and I look forward to each new edition.

But today’s Fort Frances cover took the cake.  It is, quite simply, BAD ASS. “Summertime.”  Yes.  The DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince classic.  Turned on its head and folk-ified and so deliriously delicious that it will make your head spin.  And you can have it for free.

So, go grab it up, crank the volume, put your car on cruise and lay back … ’cause after all, it’s the summertime.

(P.S.  If you dig what the boys are doing, you can get their original song “Hard Earned Heart” for free, too.)

More Fort Frances:  Web | Facebook | Twitter | Download the Fort Frances Album The Atlas on iTunes

Something New: Liam Titcomb

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I love all music, but if I had to pick a genre that was my “power alley,” it would be singer-songwriter every day of the week, and three times on Monday.  So I thought it only appropriate that before I got to sleep to head into Monday, I share one of my newest favorite musical finds – a Canadian fella named Liam Titcomb.

There is nothing more than I love more than the sound of a great singer and an acoustic guitar.  Liam’s lilting voice pulled me in immediately and I made fast work of downloading his Love Don’t Let Me Down EP – which led to me immediately pre-ordering his new album, Cicada, set for release on August 7th. Anything this man sings, I want to own.

I’ll have to do a bit more buying because Liam’s been doing this songwriting thing for quite some time – he was signed to Sony Canada at age 15!  Apparently, the Canadians are trying to keep him all to themselves…why am I just now hearing about this talented singer?  Sorry ’bout your luck, Canada.  I found your secret and I’m sharing it with the world.

Here’s a video of Liam performing one of the songs that is on the Love Don’t Let Me Down EP and that will be featured on the new record.  I think I’ve played it 100 times in the three days I’ve had the EP.  Here’s hoping it gives your Monday a little boost, too.

More Liam Titcomb: Web | Facebook | Twitter

Get Your Summer On With Chasing Pedestrians

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A little slice of summer with the Charlotte-area’s homegrown entourage, Chasing Pedestrians.

I’ve been holding onto this blog post for awhile waiting for summer to arrive…and after an awesome weekend with great friends, I feel like a kid ready to break out of school for the year.  Unfortunately, I’m an adult with a full-time job and playing hookey for the summer probably wouldn’t go over so well.

That, however, did not stop me from immediately digging on Chasing Pedestrians, a band from Huntersville, North Carolina, when they opened for my loves Sequoyah Prep School a few months back.  I managed to catch about two minutes of their set at Strawberry Festival, too.  These kids are just plain summer fun.  Think Nelly Furtado meets the Cranberries meets Reel Big Fish – it’s not ska, it’s not rock, and it’s not rap, but it’s got the best parts of all three genres. This young act is quite the ensemble – complete with a horn section. Lead singer Michaela Amato, who also plays keys, sells this band – she is adorable, spunky, and has a voice that is to-die-for!   It’s modern day beach music that is sure to please your ears.

You can pick up their EP, Suddenly, We’re Older, on their Bandcamp page for the bargain-basement price of $0 – that’s right, kids, FREE.  “Brighter Day” is MADE for pool days (and Caribbean sailing, but that’s going to have to wait until February for me), and I absolutely ADORE “Tambourine Song,” a little bit of a slower song with tinges of The Cranberries.  While you’re downloading though, you should also pick up their self-titled 2010 EP on iTunes. “Can’t Tie Me Down,” “Anthropology” and “Summer Song” will inspire epic dance parties – I promise.

Here’s a little video I found on YouTube of their Strawberry Festival performance of “Tanked Outside” off Suddenly, We’re Older.  Thanks to WestArt for posting. Dig it, then go study up on Chasing Pedestrians.

More Chasing Pedestrians:  Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp

Ahh, Summer … New Music Abounds

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In my opinion, there is no better season than summer…I love it.  It’s the season of drinks on the patio with friends, beach trips with my Mom, sailing with my Dad, and long, sticky days by the pool. Bring on 90 degree temps and 100% humidity, and I am a happy, happy girl!  It’s also the season of my birthday, and birthdays are a big deal to me, so … that could explain it.

This year, it seems there’s also a TON of great new music being released just in time to help celebrate my favorite season…and to be honest, this post is just as much to help me remember release dates as it is to spread the word about these phenomenal artists.  Be sure to mark your calendars to pick up these sure-to-be-fab releases!  I’ll keep updating this post as new releases get announced and pre-order or purchase information becomes available.

  • June 4 – Quiet Hounds – Megaphona (download free here | purchase on iTunes)
    My love for this artistic and masked quintet from Atlanta is well documented (see posts below.  This exceptional EP is full of lush guitar, dreamy songwriting, and even, yes, a megaphone (and perhaps a garage door?).  Check it out.  It’s free.  You have nothing to lose.
  • June 5 – The Rocketboys – Build Anyway (purchase on iTunes | Amazon)
    Great rock n’ roll from Austin, Texas with strong songwriting to back it up.  Brandon Kinder’s voice is golden, and he’s got a revamped band line up that has produced a really put-together record.
  • June 12 – The Constellations – Do It For Free (preorder on iTunes)
    Atlanta’s funkiest band, The Constellations will not let us down with this record – it will be one dance and sweat to (and that’s however you choose to sweat – running, dancing or otherwise engaged, if you catch my drift).  You can catch them on this summer’s Warped Tour.
  • June 12 – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals – The Lion, The Beast & The Beat (preorder on iTunes or Amazon (CD only) | Stream on the band’s Facebook page)
    My favorite sultry songstress, I’m pretty sure that Grace Potter could sing the phone book and I’d love it.  Her smoky voice and high-energy live show are enough to make everyone love her – guys want to be with her and girls want to be her.  Her band is no joke, either…although the new bass player has yet to pass my test!
  • June 19 – Walk the Moon – Walk the Moon (no preorder yet available)
    High-energy indie pop, this way-too-skinny group of hipsters got me grooving last summer with their song “Anna Sun”…and it’s now all the rage.  In fact, you can’t even buy their previous album online anymore!  Watch for them to hit it big this summer….
  • June 26 – Mieka Pauley – The Science of Making Choices (no preorder yet available)
    Probably my favorite female artist ever, Mieka is one of the sharpest songwriters around.  With her sassy Yankee attitude, unique style and straightforward demeanor, she writes incredibly truthful songs that are heartbreaking, edgy, angry and fun.
  • June 26 – Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons – Old Believers (no preorder yet available)
    I’ve got to admit, this is probably one of the releases I’m most excited for.  Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons debut album, Death Won’t Send A Letter, was pure genius (and so critially underratted).  With his gravelly voice and bluesy Americana that is reminiscent of the best 60s and 70s folk songwriters, this Wisconsin-ite will make me a believer ANY day of the week.  You can pick up the first single, “I’ve Been Accused” already on iTunes.
  • July 3 – Jeremy Fisher – Mint Juleps (Pre-order hard copy or preview on Amazon)
    This Canadian songster won me over back in ’07 with his Goodbye Blue Monday album and catchy songs like “Jolene” and “Cigarette.”  He went a little more indie with his follow up release, but word on the street is that this new album hearkens back to his “folk roots.”  I’m pretty excited to hear it!
  • July 10 – Brendan James – Hope in Transition (Preorder hard copy CD here)
    When my bestie Christy – and the woman I have dubbed my “music dealer” – fell in love a few years ago, she grew a soft spot for romantic singer-songwriters. Having always had the penchant for them myself, it wasn’t long before she’d turned me on to Brendan’s music.  After seeing him live, I was a convert – what a talented fellow!  One listen to the whimsical “Anything for You” off his latest self-titled album and you’ll be in love, too.  (Thanks to Robin for the reminder about his new release!)
  • July 24 – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten (Preorder packages here)
    The modern day answer to punk-infused rock n’ roll, these Jersey boys stole my heart a few years ago with their guitar-heavy sound.  I was late on the train getting switched on to them, but I tell ya what…when Bruce Springsteen gives a band a nod, I will listen.  Next generation of Jersey awesome… And if the lead single, “45” is any hint at what’s to come, Handwritten promises to be worthy of The Boss’s approval!
  • August 28 – Jackopierce – Everywhere All the Time (preview available on Noisetrade)
    If there was a band that defined college for me, it was Jackopierce.  They were probably the first “non-mainstream” band that I fell for, and any time I hear Cary and Jack’s voices, I swear I smell Chestertown and I can’t help but smile.  Emotionally-charged, pretty pop-rock songs.  Cannot wait for this new record!
  • September 4 – Matchbox 20 – North (no preorder yet available)
    First new material in 10 years from a band that was a staple in my life through most of my 20s.  Can you say “excited?”
  • September 4 – Imagine Dragons – Night Visions – (no preorder yet available)
    I.love.this.band.  High-energy, original, and fun as all get out.  But they’re from Vegas, so I guess we should expect that!  Imagine Dragons was all over my Best of 2011 list, and I predicted they were gonna be huge…mark my words…huge!

What new music are you guys and gals looking forward to downloading/buying this summer?