Knox White is dropping his brand new track, “You’ve Been My Girl” this Friday, and we couldn’t be more excited. The artist has had quite a star-studded bunch of mentors, meeting Lionel Ritchie and Paul McCartney while bartending in Los Angeles. After moving to New Orleans for a time to get inspired by the music scene there, Knox White is back in L.A. and preparing to release his debut self-titled record this July. “You’ve Been My Girl” is the first single off the EP, and with this small taste of his music, we can’t wait to hear the rest of his songs.
“You’ve Been My Girl” is the perfect marriage of R&B and chill indie pop; the Prince influences shine on this track. It’s got emotion-packed lyrics, smooth vocals, and one heck of a guitar solo – the trinity of a great song.
Says White of the track, “When it comes to love we all have that one person we come back to, no matter what.” Anyone will be able to vibe to this song.
Starting out in 2014 from Chicago Illinois is the recently signed road warriors and psychedelic rockers Post Animal. No joke while checking out their Facebook page, I was scrolling and scrolling through posts that were all tour stops throughout the U.S. dating back more than a year.
Hitting the road and pounding the pavement with their signature brand of music you swore you’ve heard before dominating radio waves in the 80’s, this 5 piece has been gaining attention, entertaining the masses, and will be hitting the road yet again in support of their debut full length album, When I Think Of You In A Castle appropriately available on 4/20 through Polyvinyl Records.
“Ralphie”, the band’s first single from the album, begins with an 80’s commercial pop synth line that becomes layered with a scale familiarly reminiscent of 70’s classic rock guitar riffs. Even with its commercial appeal, the first 21 seconds are a very technical and dynamic attention-grabber.
Originally a 6 piece group, Post Animal released an EP in 2015 and a collection of singles in 2016. Given the success and demands of Stranger Things, drummer Joe Keery, “being a member since the bands’ inception”, his role is stated as being “and inactive touring member”. He does still contribute and you can hear his vocal talents on “Ralphie”.
Post Animal has indie pop rock-ish hooks in their chorus lines, specific and clear-cut bass guitar and drum contributions, meticulously classic rock constructed guitar riffs that utilize delay to ad that psychedelic significance and verb usage that should land Post Animal into the Reverb Hall of Fame.
To sum it up, get out your blender and grab an 8-track of The Byrds’, a summarized memory from Woodstock, a record from Kansas, a cassette from Gary Numan, a VHS copy of an 80’s Revlon commercial and a Police CD. Post Animal have the ingredients that make aqua net girls bop their heads and smack their gum in unison, and make the high school douchebags lift the Firebird’s T-Top, roll down the windows, crank it up and squeal tires pulling out of the parking lot.
LA based Little Monarch captured attention and success with the release of their self-titled EP in 2016. There is no slowing down for the indie pop trio though. They recently flew into 2018 with a new video for the song “No Matter What”. The video starts with a group of friends traveling to the beach and hiking through the hills. It captures the essence of nature while encompassing the solidarity of friendship.
“For the video we simple wanted to capture the care free sun kissed feeling of the song,” say Little Monarch of the video.
Ships Have Sailed is an alternative pop-rock duo hailing from Los Angeles. Today, they released a new single titled “Let’s Just Dance”.Ships Have Sailed also plans on working on more music as 2018, so this is their year for creativity, a fact we found out when we got a chance to speak with them briefly. So check out the new track below, and read on for a little Q&A fun!
After releasing your new single “Let’s Just Dance” what are your next plans music-wise?
2018 is going to be a year of creativity! We’ve spent the last couple years pretty much out on the road, and so this year we’re going to be writing a lot and working in the studio…while we don’t have specific plans on whether that will result in an EP, an Album or more Singles, we do know we’re ready to make some more music.
How has your music evolved since your first EP Someday?
Well I think everything is an evolution, that’s just how life, experiences and time work together, so definitely our music has seen evolution. I would say we’ve become more attuned to our sound and creativity, and definitely my production chops get better and better every year, so while ‘Someday’ is near and dear to my heart, I would say it’s a little rough around the edges…which is great – it gives it its own character, but these days I’m much better at accomplishing exactly what I want sound-wise. With that said, I don’t like to hold us back creatively, so definitely we’re excited to continue to evolve as we continue to create!
Your new single “Let’s Just Dance” digs a little deeper when it comes to exploring human emotions. What do you think causes people to act upon their emotions rather than instincts?
That’s an interesting question…honestly I don’t think emotions and instincts are entirely separate from each other…just kinda different flavors of the same inner mechanism. But as far as leaning towards emotions or instincts, I think emotions often take the reigns because you can actually feel them, whereas instincts can be a bit more subtle, so you really have to pay attention to them.
Why do you think often times as humans we want more than what we already have?
This is something I ponder almost constantly! The honest truth is that I couldn’t dream of knowing the answer to why, but I often wonder if it started out as kind of a survival mechanism back in the very early stages of humanity. Think about it…we were not the top of the food chain, we didn’t have fire, tools, art, language, and over the course of time we developed all of those things…why? I think the progression of civilization (both the good and bad aspects) and technology can stem back to this gut feeling of wanting something ‘better’ …call it motivation or curiosity…regardless of whether this is really how or why this feeling originated, it’s a pretty fascinating topic to think about!
What was the influence behind “Let’s Just Dance” and what inspired it?
Well the idea itself just popped into my head at 2am one night and wouldn’t leave me alone until I sketched it out…it was just the main part of the chorus that kept repeating itself and wouldn’t quit, so I sketched it out really quick so I could get some peace and went to bed. The next day, I listened back and thought it was really good…but I didn’t want it just to be a shallow vapid love song, so I thought I would tie in the “Let’s just dance all night” theme into this fascinating topic of always wanting more that you asked about in your previous question. Through several collaborations including with co-writer Robert Gillies, co-producer Wally Gagel and the extremely talented team (Talkboy TV) who helped create the music video, these themes really developed themselves thoroughly, and the music morphed from something that started out to be a very circular, repetitive idea, to something that goes to all sorts of different places, sometimes unexpectedly…it was really amazing to watch it all come together!
How is “Let’s Just Dance” different from previous songs that you have released?
So, every song is different, but specifically I wanted this one to maintain the indie pop vibe that we’ve become known for, but to add a little edginess and also a bit of a classic vibe as well. People have compared the production to Walk the Moon (who I love, so that’s a huge compliment) but if you listen, you’ll hear a lot of classic influences in there as well…they’re just nicely blended, so I feel like there’s a little more depth to this track than some of our other singles.
What message do you hope people get from “Let’s Just Dance”?
Live your life…be happy, don’t be afraid to stay up a little too late, or have that extra glass of wine. Laugh with the people you love and enjoy every moment…I feel like we’re all distracted by the past and the future, regrets and anxiety and we generally don’t spend enough time in the present. It’s definitely something I personally try to do a little better at each day, month, year…and so, yeah, I think that’s the message behind this one. We’re human, imperfect, and beautiful…we were made to enjoy life moment by moment.
Brooklyn based singer siren Emmy Wildwood breaks out of the pop box that fans and listeners have latched onto with incredible force. Since the beginning of Wildwood’s career in 2013, she has defied all limits of the genre by bringing heavy hooks and an experimental style that is unique to her sound. Listening to music produced by this artist has been described as a mystic and lush while it also explores some of the more unfamiliar areas of the industry. Vocally, Wildwood has a past in performing with punk bands, but later broke away from that mold in order to use her inventive spirit to turn heads. As she stepped into the spotlight with a swagger unique to her own style, heads of fans and critics alike were turned.
Most recently, after spending several years to write her second album, she returned last year with her single, “Scream” as well as several mash-ups of some of the most recognized songs in the pop industry. While working on these projects, she has hopped on board with fellow indie pop act Bredhal in order to add a fresh, new dynamic to her repertoire. Not only has she come back with the full force of her vocals, but she has also returned with the full support of expecting fans and critics. With new work out and more coming soon, Billboard has raved, “you’re going to want to check this out.”
Yep, thanks. did. Indie pop duo Steve Pagano and Mario Borgatta of thanks. are celebrating their signing to Highland Park Records by re-releasing their debut single, “Your World”. Psychedelic yet approachable is a succinct description of the song. If the vocals of Bad Suns and the upbeat vibes of Bakermat mashed with the psychedelic aspects of Glass Animals, it’d almost make thanks. Key word there is “almost.”
Thanks. is able to distinguish themselves from other indie artists by their flexibility within a single track. LA-based thanks. brings something new to the indie pop scene, with an accessible sound for the pop-loving people that is still alternative enough to be enjoyed by those who rebuke the mainstream. With fantastic lines like “Why sit down when you want to dance/Let’s change the way we look at the world,” Pagano and Borgatta are already impressing us, both lyrically and musically. “Your World” is the perfect windows-down, carefree tune to blast on your stereo.
Our eyes are on thanks. as they begin to bless our ears with amazing tracks like “Your World”, and all we can say is “thank you” to thanks.
Today, the world is finally able to hear new music from indie pop band Felsen. The album delivers a message through melody and lyrics that they created in their late-night West Oakland Studio. A highly anticipated work, Blood Orange Moon is eleven tracks of musical wonder, from first track “Vultures on Your Bones” through the title track at the end.
“Vultures on Your Bones” has many different melodies crafted together as one. The acoustic guitar blends perfectly with the rest of the instruments and the leading vocals on the track. The song seems like it is about a vulture eating at the bones of an individual and the vulture will not leave the vocalist alone. The vulture continues to come back and bother the individual.
Blood Orange Moon will definitely take the listener on an emotional rollercoaster ride. The album goes from being about wanting to be with someone in songs like “Lovecraft”, losing a loved one in songs like “You and I will Meet Again”, and desire. It addresses human emotion in a beautiful way.It tackles communication, whether it’s face to face or direct. “Blood Orange Moon” is not only amazing because of the vocals and instrumentals, but the songs are relatable and relaxing. The album is great to turn on during a late night car ride when you just want to vibe to music or when you just want to unwind for the day and relax.
Los Angeles-based indie pop duo Grad Party – expertly comprised of Carlo Ladd (keys, vocals) and Ian Bowers (guitars, vocals) – are hitting 2018 hard after the success of their 2017 EP Speak. Though university brought them together – they met when they attended Brown in Rhode Island – it is clearly the music that has kept them thriving together creatively. “Pretty Boy” is calculated in its sound, timid but beautiful from the beginning. The track is vulnerable, yet quirky with its staccato instrumentals, though the message holds true, the lyrics giving light to the meaning of it all. Love who you love. “Pretty boy, don’t you care what they think.”
Be sure to give this track some love in the comments!
Oakland-based indie pop collective Felsen – expertly comprised of guitarist Dylan Brock, singer/guitarist Andrew Griffin, bassist Christian Hernandez, and drummer Art McConnell – is preparing for their fifth release, a full-length titled Blood Orange Moon set to drop on January 26th. The album – comprised of eleven insanely intricate and mesmerizing tracks – was written entirely in the fall of 2014 leading into the winter of 2015, inspired by Andrew Griffin’s experiences as an 11-year-old cancer survivor. The album has a lot of heart, but the soul of the group had already spoken for itself before this one came along, to be sure.
Our first impression? Easy-going. The tempo is slow, but purposeful. The lyrics are introspective, built into the song coated in reverb. The combination of vocals and instrumentals actually makes the listener feel as though they are floating in a nostalgic kaleidoscope, with peeks into prior decades, tickled slightly by modern references. It’s beautiful, and something you can’t exactly describe. (And that heart-melting guitar toward the end. WOW!)
“Vultures On Your Bones” is available now. Keep up with Felsen here.
