Adding to their growing collection of produced music is up-and-coming indie/alternative rock group Lowpines with their newest single, “Parasite”. This track features dreamy synth sounds as well as hypnotizing vocals that speak truth and honesty. Like their other releases, the members of Lowpines have been able to put together a new single that will resonate with those who listen and is sure to be put on repeat. Check it out!
Amidst the release madness, we got a hot second to catch up with the artist behind it all. Those words can be found below.
Given your success among fans in the UK, do you have any intentions of reaching a bigger market or fan base in other countries?
Absolutely, it’s always fun to be invited to play in other countries, and I’m always looking to do more. I’ve played some wonderful festivals in Europe and Scandinavia and plan to do more later this year. A lot of my listeners are in the USA so we’re planning a first run dates there this summer.
While looking to expand your musical lexicon, do you ever find it difficult to create music that matches the same style palette that you have created in the past.
I think I have the opposite problem – I’m always experimenting with different sounds, styles, instruments, collaborating with different people and producing other people’s music. But as soon as I sing on something it sounds like me. Which is something I always used to find frustrating, but I’m starting to enjoy it. Someone once said to me, whatever it is you don’t like about your voice, exaggerate it – because that’s the thing that makes it you. And I can totally see that now.
Now that you have done a cover of “It’s Not Happening”, will you look to do more covers performed by other artists or is the focus to write music and lyrics that are all your own?
I did that version of ‘It’s Not Happening’ when I was just starting out as Lowpines, and I wanted to see what happened if I did a cover in the style of what I was working on. I did a few songs and only that one sat right. I was pleased with how it came out and I learned a few things about the sound I was going for. I’ve done a few other covers since, and I keep a long list of songs that I want to try. Most of them don’t sit right so I ditch them, but I always learn something from doing it. I covered Judee Sill ‘There’s A Rugged Road’ and it got picked up by the radio in the UK, and is still my most popular song on Soundcloud, so it’s interesting seeing what happens with a cover, even if it’s not an especially well known song.
Where do you see Lowpines in the near and distant future?
The new record ‘In Silver Halides’ is my first full-length with Lowpines so it’s exciting to get it out into the world and see what that does. It’s the first time I’ve taken Lowpines into a studio environment and worked with other people on the recordings. I’ve been very lucky so far that my lo-fi home-record Eps have picked up fans around the world and appeared in TV shows and films, which was beyond any expectation I had when I was recording them. Lowpines has always been a selfish place for me to do my own thing in my own way. I used to do it alongside other bands I was in and now I’m doing it full time. So long as it continues to feel like something I can do well and enjoy I imagine I’ll there’ll always be something I’m working on. Right now I’m just looking ahead to a new EP I’m finishing to follow up on the album.
Where do you find inspiration to write lyrics that have constantly been marked as honest, unique, and deep?
It’s always different places I think. I tend to write lyrics in bursts, sitting down with a million rough voice memos and writing down whatever sounds and half-words I hear in there until I think I have something. I think that way of working kind of taps into your state of mind at the time – perhaps your subconscious makes you hear what you want to hear, or need to hear. So when I start to flesh them out I start to see themes emerge and explore them further. Sometimes I realise I’m getting too close to something I haven’t really dealt with, and that can be unnerving. So I have to finish the song to see if it helps me come to any kind of conclusion. Then I have to decide if it’s any good.
I try to read as much as possible, and whatever I’m reading at the time of writing will probably influence some of the imagery. My last record was full of scenes from Raymond Carver stories as I’d imagined them while I read, but relocated to whatever narrative my song was taking. I’d been re-reading a lot of his short stories on tour so my head was full of these dark, charged situations and beautiful, nuanced imagery. So I’d try and take myself to those places while I wrote.
For this record, I actually wrote most of the lyrics very early in the morning, straight out of bed. I’d be half asleep and my brain still churning over whatever dumb shit I’d been dreaming about and start writing long streams of consciousness. Once I had the music coming together, I mined those streams to find things that fit and went together. Some, like the song ‘Chambers In The Canopy’ came out pretty much fully formed and fit straight into the song. I’ve never been good at setting out to write a song specifically ‘about’ something, I always enjoyed the discovery of figuring out the subject as I write it. So I guess that method leans toward a lot of personal experiences being woven into the words.
When your followers and fans listen to your music, what would you like them to feel? How would you like your music to influence their lives?
If someone listens to my music it’s enough for me that they’re listening. I don’t try and create a certain mood or specific influence, but it’s always interesting, and at times very moving, when people write to me and tell me how a song of mine has helped them in some way, or is of importance to them. Whatever it means to the listener is so much more valuable to me than any intention I had in making it.
If you were to associate a mood with the songs that you have produced thus far, what would it be?
It’s funny, I always played in noisy indie-rock bands. So in my mind I still do. But from the beginning Lowpines was always wilfully quiet and intimate. I tell myself I’m still in a rock band, but it’s the quietest rock band in the world.
So I guess the mood that most people associate with Lowpines would be one of quiet, stillness, calm. For some that seems to be a melancholy, reflective place. For others it’s a just a chill, relaxing music. Someone wrote to me once that their dog always jumps around to music, but that when Lowpines comes on he just lays down in the middle of the kitchen floor and won’t get up. That sounds perfect to me.
Since the beginning of his career, Greek-born artist Leon of Athens has used his poetic lyricism to share a message through his music to people and fans across the globe. Most recently, Leon has released a brilliant new video for the title track off of his latest album, Xenos. Not only is this video a visual spectacle, but it is laced with dreamy scenes and raw emotion that match the emotion and intensity of the track. Wild, flashing lights are a key element in the production of the music video that match the beat and rhythm while fast, animal like men and women race towards something that seems to be unachievable. These elements, however, were not surprising to those who have seen and heard Leon in the past. In fact, riveting graphics and intensity are both signatures of this indie-pop artist that is taking the music community by storm.
Throughout his career on the stage, Leon of Athens has received praise from some of the greatest and most well-known names in the industry. Recently, the New York Times has named him an, “Immensely appealing Greek pop star.” Also, The Guardian also hailed him as a, “Brainy pop inspired by Bernardo Bertolucci, inflected with electronic, folk and other flavors.” Clearly, with such overwhelming support from international fans and critics, the future for Leon of Athens is secure and bright.
With a follow up from his previous single “Favourite Song”, Pizzagirl has what it takes to go far with his music. The indie musician is back with a new track entitled “Carseat”, and lyrics that make it easy to listen to from start to finish. The song has a nostalgic pop vibe to it to that feels straight out of a movie. In four minutes, Pizzagirl makes you feel like you are on a ride. When listening to the track it is like you are being taken to a new fascinating world that has never been seen before.
“Carseat” is a dedication to drivers that cannot drive. Often the passengers in the car can control the music the entire destination while the driver has to focus on driving. In “Carseat”, the passenger is controlling the music.
Since his debut in the music world, singer/songwriter and solo ambient artist Tim Bettinson has changed the face of alternative pop and indie music. His most recent project Vancouver Sleep Project has literally taken him from bedroom dreamer to world class artist. Not only is he a highly decorated artist who has released several singles, albums and music videos, but he also had had countless opportunities to world with international artist in order to collaborate on his music. Along with his success in his ability to produce music, Bettinson has also had the opportunity to perform live throughout the world on highly coveted stages. However, now that he has returned from his now several headline tours, he has released his newest single “Closure” and it has fans raving.
Like much of his other music, closure features ambient sounds and dreamy loops and beats that is perfect for a night out on the town, or a night in. This single highlight everything that fans are looking for, which has added greatly to its success. Bettinsons ability to create an atmosphere is evident with this newest single that has fans looking forward to any new releases from this growing artist.
Milwaukee-based No No Yeah Okay, an electronic/pop/hip-hop/punk band is dropping their sophomore EP, Cabal, on February 9. Comprised of Mark Gage (producer), Christopher Quasius (guitar), Colin Plant (vocals) and Joshua Paynter (bass), the group, founded in 2014, signed to LA-based indie label Little Assembly last year. No No Yeah Okay came together to combine their music as one group, releasing their debut EP, Dual in 2014. They have already released their single, “Make Believe” and an accompanying music video. You can check it out here. It has been well received, being added to Spotify’s New Music Friday and streamed over 114K times, as the group has been growing in both recognition and popularity.
Kicking off Cabal with “Boulevard”, a synth-filled track that is highlighted with streams of even vocals. “Get Lost” provides more of a soft-punk sound with electronica that is not over-the-top, but perfectly present. “Make Believe” blends soft pop with hip-hop beats, while “That Ain’t You” is an upbeat, catchy track melding tight pop sounds with clear vocals. “What Can I Say” is one of the most hip-hop/electronic of the tracks, combining snappy beats with flowing vocals. Cabal shows No No Yeah Okay as more experienced, synced, and mature.
Fueled by their passion for music, Everett Bird – an emerging Montreal-based trio – is preparing to release their debut album this month. Through clever and catchy song writing, Everett Bird is able to convey relevant and relatable content with twangy hooks that rings similar to popular 90’s hits. Written in an old Montreal apartment, their first full length album was written with the help of band members Mikey Arcidiacono and Liam. Together, their music heavily reflects the popular sounds and vibes of their hometown and is deeply rooted in the indie rock genre.
Though this album is their first to release to the public since signing on with Royal Mountain Records, they have not been shy when it comes to performing around Canada. These three have performed in some of the hottest cities, such as Vancouver and Montreal, which has brought them a significant fan group eagerly awaiting the release of their album on February 23rd.
The hook to this band is found in their wide variety of incorporated styles. They have written music that dabbles in not only traditional indie rock, but also music with noticeable jazz, R&B and punk undertones. Their song, “Bucket of Dark Meat,” which is included in the album, has already been released to preview – so grab some dark meat and tune into Everett Bird’s new release, “Bucket of Dark Meat!”
Oakland natives The Minnesota Childjust released their new single “Stay With Me” off of their new EP “Fireflies.”Proclaimed as an indie folk group,the single “Stay With Me” touches on heartbreak and love.Atwood Magazine describes the single as “…some sort of musical magic, ‘Stay with Me’ is a love song, a song of struggle, and a song of acceptance: From the heart, to the heart.”
When I listened to “Stay With Me”I was surprised as the song made me feel calm and tranquil while the background of the guitar and banjo evens the song out.It is definitely a song that would pop up in a local coffee shop or a Nicholas Sparks movie…and I mean that in the sweetest, simplest way.
After releasing their single “Chorus”, front man Nate Cardaci of Literature decided that he would assemble a band that would act as an outlet for songs of a similar vibe. This is what brought about the birth of one of the newest groups to enter the indie-dream pop scene. Along with several other members from the original Literature group such as Steven Garcia and Seth Whaland as well as recruiting new friends such as synth player Ian Jensen. With this new lineup the newly formed Très Oui was able to show the music world what they had to offer.
Even though the full album Poised to Flourish will not be released until February 9, 2018, their single “Red Wine & Dry Ice” already has fans on the edge of their seats with anticipation. Not only have they used Jensen’s synth skills to create a unique sound, but they have also incorporated lots of jangy guitar loops that has strong 80’s overtones and beach-worthy vibes. In the words of the group, “We want the songs to be in your head, but we don’t want to force our way in there. More of a hug than a handshake.” This young, new group has emerged and is hitting the music scene with energy and excitement that is worth keeping an eye on.
This week, indie rock/bedroom pop musician Soccer Mommy announced that her debut album – titled Clean – is expected to drop on March 2nd. While we wait ever-so-patiently for what is to be one of this year’s most spectacular releases, here’s a fun addition to her catalog… the official music video for her track “Your Dog”. Feisty and in-your-face, the first line of the song is “I don’t want to be your fucking dog.” While we watch a series of sensitive, beautifully portrayed, and oftentimes comical scenes involving twenty-year-old Sophie Allison herself, we’re distracted enough to forget that this song is about freedom.
Admits Sophie about the track:
The song comes from a feeling of being paralyzed in a relationship to the point where you feel like you are a pawn in someone else’s world. The song and the video are meant to show someone breaking away and taking action, but at the same time, it’s only a quick burst of motivation. It’s a moment of strength amidst a long period of weakness.
