Brooklyn-based indie funk/rock act Cosmonaut Radio – consisting of Austin Deyo (drums, back up vocals), Russell Castiglione (lead guitar, back up vocals), and Freddy Millan Jr (lead vocals) –
Austin:
Peg-Steely Dan – Could’ve chosen any of their songs honestly. And although we don’t sound like them (I don’t think anyone ever will), the way they wrote music, and found success with strange vocal melodies and crazy jazz chords is inspiring.
The Chicken-Jaco Pastorius – Arguably the best ever, this song paved the way for fusion music and bands like Snarky Puppy. It’s so catchy and the band is so top notch.
Thing of Gold-Snarky Puppy – Some of the best music I’ve ever heard, and the Moog solo will change your life.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings-100 Days, 100 Nights – Brooklyn based, funk revival, powerful vocals, groovy horns. It’s the best of like 5 different kind of musical genres combined. They’re one of the biggest reasons that funk and funk based music is popular again.
And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going-Jennifer Holliday – Jennifer hudson’s version is also impressive. This song is so epic. Musically, it’s interesting, and complex, vocally, it’s out of this world.
Love On The Rocks-Sara Bareilles – I love everything Sara Bareilles does.
Miss You-The Rolling Stones – This is one of my favorite songs, and we used to cover it. I put it on this list because it also symbolizes the end of “The Cosmonauts” and the beginning of Cosmonaut Radio. Although rock, and more specifically, blues, will always influence our music, this new record is an evolution and graduation to the next level for us. And I know you can’t graduate from the stones, but this song specifically signifies the next chapter for me and and for the band.
Another Kind of Green-John Mayer Trio – Steve Jordan, Pino Palladino, and John Mayer. Come on. The pocket is as solid as solid gets. And everything else about this song is fantastic.
Freddy:
1. “Daylight” by Failure
“Daylight” is a weird but great song to jam out to while pondering life and the universe, and it serves as the final song (and bookend) to my favorite album of all time.
2. “Dance, Dance” by Fall Out Boy
The song that originally made me want to join a rock band, the appeal of “Dance, Dance” is right there in the title, with an energy and style that always makes me want to get up and move.
3. “Ogre Battle” by Queen
One of the best songs by one of the best bands of all time, “Ogre Battle” is a microcosm of everything that made Queen great: experimental yet catchy songwriting, intensity and energy bred from tight and layered musicianship, and the inimitable vocal stylings of Freddie Mercury.
4. “Emotions” by Mariah Carey
What else can be said about Mariah Carey? Her insane range and riffing abilities were big inspirations to me as a vocalist growing up, and this song is a showcase of those talents at their peak.
5. “Greedy” by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is one of very few A-list pop artists right now who I think is bringing anything interesting to the table, and this song combines her pop, R&B, and theater sensibilities, powerhouse voice, and knack for insanely catchy hooks and key changes into something that’s arguably better than any radio single she’s ever released.
6. “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen is what I wish more radio-friendly pop sounded like, and “Run Away With Me” perfectly tinges her overt sentimentality with slightly more melancholic tones to produce a song that’s somehow both romantically fleeting and timelessly grounded.
7. “Dorothy Dandridge Eyes” by Janelle Monae
As far as I’m concerned, Janelle Monae is almost single-handedly carrying on the musical legacies of Prince and David Bowie in the mainstream, and she’s doing justice to both of them. I debated between a lot of songs to put here, but few songs demonstrate Monae’s effortless cool and subtle sensuality as well as this one.
8. “Starship Trooper” by Yes
Yes is one of my favorite bands to put on and just chill out to, and “Starship Trooper” puts their unusually long song runtimes to good use by constantly changing while remaining consistently catchy and engaging from start to finish.
9. “Glory Box” by Portishead
I love Portishead because they are a seemingly very sad band with certain songs that speak to an inner torment that I never knew I had, but I decided to go with the vaguely more upbeat closer to their stellar first album.
10. “Fortress” by Queens of the Stone Age
I’ve always liked Queens of the Stone Age, but I was not expecting to love their newest album as much as I did, and this song about vulnerability and getting back up when life knocks you down is definitely one of its many highlights.
Russell:
1. People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul – James Brown
This song has definitely influenced me as a funk guitar player. It was one of the first James Brown songs that I fell in love with instantly.
2. What A Fool Believes – Doobie Brothers
I love this song because Michael McDonald has a hauntingly amazing voice, the harmonies are killer, the key change into the chorus is a lovely change, and the song itself is so happy! I could have the worst day, listen to this song, and instantly feel better.
3. Reckoner – Radiohead
This is my favorite song from Radiohead at the moment (it changes). Thom Yorke is a huge inspiration for me because of his high falsetto range and the melodies he chooses over the band’s interesting chord progressions.
4. Skate U – Snarky Puppy
This song has an incredible build up with great breakdowns and solos, one of the best by this band in my opinion.
5. No Quarter – Led Zeppelin
This is my favorite band of all time so I had to include this. This song in particular captures the expertise of each member so well and is just really a beautiful/powerful song.
LGBTQA rockers Carry Illinois announce their new EP Work In Progress which will release May 25th. The band will hit the ground running with show release on May 25th in Austin, TX. In the meantime, the indie-pop rockers have released their latest single off of Work In Progress “Runaway.” “Runaway” dives into the synth-pop world of alternative indie with its electronic sounds. The lyrics tell of an uphill battle between anxiety, body image, and internal struggles. “When did you first begin to hate your body and your heart? I was six or I was seven…wasn’t I too young to feel that way?” proclaims the track. Diving into the chorus, Carry Illinois talks about the one thing that is familiar to them: “I know, I know how to runaway– I know, I know it’s not good to runaway.”
“Runaway” shows off a raw and open emotional narrative with no shame. Inspiration for many of Carry Illinois’ songs comes from the loss of a close bandmate, John Winsor. Frontwoman Lizzy Lehman explains this saying, “After John committed suicide in March of 2016, I decided that I no longer needed to shy away from the real struggles that I face. I decided that writing about it, singing about it, and performing with utmost strength and courage is what I need to do.” The cathartic writing that Lizzy touches on is present on “Runaway” and the latest Work In Progress.
Work In Progress is out May 25th. Keep up with Carry Illinois here.
Seattle based duo Prize the Wild have just released their debut track, “Go Nowhere”. Prize the Wild is made up of Ben Litwin and Eli Mueller, who met in Boulder, Colorado in 2014 and are now based in Seattle. The pair brings an organic element to electro pop, bringing in trumpet and a lively beat to a sprawling soundscape that is both diverse and concise. “Go Nowhere” is only a first taste of what Prize the Wild can do; their debut EP is coming soon, and looks to follow the same authenticity that “Go Nowhere” possesses.
In a world of increasingly mixed-genre music and interconnected sounds, Prize the Wild has clearly found their niche. Appealing to a variety of listeners, “Go Nowhere” includes both indie-rock aspects and a tinge of electronica. Whatever side of electro-rock-pop you’re looking for, Prize the Wild has got you covered. Their song may be called “Go Nowhere”, but Prize the Wild is certainly going somewhere, and we can’t wait to see where their musical journey takes them.
D.C. based four-piece Babbling April just self-released a brand new EP titled Holy Gold. Babbling April is made up of Dave New, Vivi Machi, Ben Medina, and Ben Melrod. February of 2015 saw their debut release, On Breath. Now, Babbling April is back better than ever with the release of Holy Gold. With a unique indie sound and always authentic by self-releasing, Babbling April seeks to be truly themselves and bring joy to others through their music.
Tracklist:
“Reputation”: Reputation seems to be a popular subject these days, and this unapologetic track flips it upside down with the idea that reputation doesn’t actually matter. Need to shake off the haters? Put this song on.
“Blighted Years”: this track starts off with some excellent instrumentals and an inescapable beat. “Blighted Years” combines harmony, hitting lyrics, and great percussion to tie up a fantastic song.
“In the Vulgate”: A rocking, quirky track, “In the Vulgate” is an instrumental interlude halfway through the EP that carries the listener into the second half of Holy Gold.
“If Hearts Really Do Break”: Starting with a foreboding, almost extraterrestrial sound leading into a more gentle and acoustic instrumental track.
“Without A Care”: Following in the vein of “Reputation”, this track lends itself to a bittersweet sound and some emotional lyrics.
“Alliances and Rifts (and Separations in the Holy Gold)”: closing out Holy Gold is another instrumental track that has excellent composition and balance of instruments.
Overall, one of the best aspects of Babbling April’s EP is the careful instrumentation and attention to balance.
Holy Gold is available for vinyl preorder now. Keep up with Babbling April here.
From the beginning of their formation, Fond of Rudy – a four piece indie alt pop band out of Brighton – has planned on creating pop music that brings your emotions to the forefront with catchy lyrics and great production sound. Their latest single, “Next”, is a song that dives into the serious issues in life. This song captures people fighting a battle with themselves and life. The song may seem like a pop track but if you listen closely, you will find a deeper meaning. “Next” shows that as humans we do not have to be perfect all the time and when we fall apart it is not our fault.
The song is perfection from start to finish with its great vocals and smooth beat behind it.
New and young the music world is fresh young band Tiny Fighter who have been together for less than a year. Despite their new appearance on the music scene, they have pulled out all the stops to start on an accelerated path to reach their dreams. Australian/Swedish group Tiny Fighter have been working on building a thriving reputation on the stage as a group full of fire and potential. Together, the group has put together a repertoire of catchy indie-pop tracks with a bittersweet edge—a style that is exploding in this genre. Along with their powerful lyricism and vocal skills, they have teamed up to create a music video for their newest release, “New Century” which embodies their sound in a beautiful and edgy way.
Although not always seen at face value, Tiny Fighter have pushed boundaries of technical capabilities in order to produce a visual spectacle that captures and demands the attention of viewers from around the world. Focusing on the urban beauty of some of their favorite landscapes, this budding duo is out to take the world by storm. In the near future, they are planning on going on their first tour through Europe and Australia and are even considering an exciting tour in the US to push their boundaries even further. Though fresh in the industry, there is nothing holding Tiny Fighter back from real success.
Swedish artist KIDDO just released her debut single, “TROUBLE,” her first project of 2018. Previously referred to as “one of Sweden’s most exciting and creative songwriters,” KIDDO has written songs for Icona Pop, Dagny, Alan Walker, and more.
Her new single, “TROUBLE,” is an ethereal indie track that boasts KIDDO’s raw yet powerfully unique vocals blended with a futuristic, synth instrumental.
KIDDO describes “Trouble” as a song about escaping reality. “It’s about a time when I knew I had lost everything but it was too painful to face it so I tried to ignore the truth for a little longer in every possible way,” she states. The intimate lyrics pop against the simple, mellow instrumental. Lyrics like “leave trouble behind” and “take the trouble off my heart” let listeners on an escape adventure as KIDDO sings about letting go of responsibility and relying on love in a time of uncertainty.
KIDDO’s distinctively haunting vocals layered with the light, atmospheric instrumental provides the perfect background to any occasion. “TROUBLE” is a summer playlist necessity.
Nashville-based QuinnLewis’ smooth contemporary R&B sound stands out with his latest single, “In Between.” The native Australian is known for his mellow crooner voice and flawlessly constructed tracks that impeccably marry indie-pop melodies with dance R&B vibes.
“In Between” is the quintessential song for anyone going through a transitional phase in their life, especially one that follows a breakup. The lyrics invoke a sense of soul-searching with the repeated phrase “I’m caught in between who I am and who I used to be.” The catchy background vocals excite listeners making it easy to sing along; this track is almost guaranteed to be playing on repeat in the heads of QuinnLewis fans.
What’s most captivating about this track is the effortless flow from verse to chorus without competition between vocals and instrumental. It has a driving beat and creates an urge to dance yet has a calming effect. With its memorable melody, buttery vocals and passionate lyrics, “In Between” is bound to be a summer hit.
Brooklyn-based indie quartet RANN just released the second track from their upcoming EP, Renegade Holiday. RANN’s sound has been described as indie rock, dream pop, and psych punk which all seem fitting as their latest release, “Renegade Holiday,” has a variety of musical elements creating the perfect eclectic mix.
“Renegade Holiday,” the album’s title track, starts with a heavy drum rhythm that eases into an electronic synth instrumental. When the vocals appear, the song takes a dreamy, ethereal direction that is both calming and exciting at the same time. The song’s pounding rhythm and uplifting instrumental propel the song forward as the airy vocals create the perfect indie atmosphere. RANN’s “Renegade Holiday” cohesively blends instrumental and vocals to create an impeccably constructed track that makes the perfect edition to any playlist.
