I get to do my avuncular duty with a bit of pride today, as my niece, Abi, insisted I listen to her current favorite band. The Mexican Slum Rats are Los Angelinos who are deeply loyal to the L.A. punk scene, but what struck me most by this early album Continue Reading
Indie
Various Artists – Los Angeles Rising
Though California has an utterly repellent governor whose incompetence seems boundless, the citizens, rich or poor, are resilient. In honor of the California spirit which has been bruised thanks to the horrible wildfires that destroyed parts of my former home, some fine artists have contributed tracks for this compilation of Continue Reading
six by seven – The Closer You Get (Reissue)
Nottingham, England’s six by seven are heirs to the post-punk mantle whose sound compares well with The Stooges with a more amped up feel on some tracks, but on others, the sound has a swaying, gentle quality reminiscent of Joy Division’s more tender moments. This will be seen as a Continue Reading
Science Noodles – Soothe Me
From an article in TimeOut Magazine: “Science Noodles is a self-described “Hong Kong-Taiwan mixed baby” that formed in the most 21st century way possible. While on a trip to Taiwan, vocalist/guitarist Yuet matched with vocalist Qing on Tinder, and the two bonded over their mutual love for Taiwanese indie band, Continue Reading
Various Artists – Cardinals At The Window
Though there are no tracks to share with you from this release, I can say that there are 136 tracks of indie, alternative, folk and other genres coming together for Cardinals At The Window, a compilation whose purpose is to give funds to those who suffered from the horrible flooding Continue Reading
Wire: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Today was a long work day at the school I teach at, so I leave you with the legendary Wire playing a Tiny Desk Concert from a few years ago. See you tomorrow.
Various Artists – Sharla: 100 vrati otvoreni
Respect to Sharla Records out of Skopje, Macedonia, who have produced over 100 records now of fine alternative music sung in the home language.
Bipolar Explorer – Dream Together
Bipolar Explorer are a two-person band out of New York. I came across this one online and was pleasantly surprised that there are still bands doing dream pop and mixing it with a feel that touches on genres like neofolk and lo-fi indie music.
‘Do You Remember’ 5-part podcast series to trace origins, legacy of Hüsker Dü
From the venerable Slicing Up Eyeballs: “Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current has just launched a five-part documentary podcast series called “Do You Remember?” that promises to trace the formative years and legacy of Hüsker Dü through interviews with those who were there as well as the three band members themselves — Continue Reading
And Also The Trees – Mother-of-Pearl Moon
The legendary goth-rock band And Also The Trees have been around since 1979, and are still recording elegant post-punk music that is richly produced with acoustic instruments, drones and electronics. Fine listening.