Amidst these strange turbulent times of madness, it is important that we stick together, for all things pass. Spend some time in nature, and reflect upon the things in life that truly matter. Namely; family and friends, a safe home, a good sweet dog and naughty kitty cat, food, and clean water to drink. Nothing else really matters as a living and breathing human being.
The most brilliant minds in the world (I hope) are working on this and will find a solution.
In the future, let’s just be ready for things like this, and not react in such a volatile manner. The virus will take its course and the circle of life will continue on.
Meanwhile, in Portland, you may just encounter the mustachioed Brazilian spaghetti western rock and roller who goes by the name of Johnny Franco.
And to help you pass the time as you’re hunkered down, here is the nostalgic Johnny Franko and his radical new jam, “Tell Me Something”!
Recently moving from Sao Paulo, Johnny has developed a radicalized cult following in Portland for his intense street performances and timeless style. He’s a true rock and roll classic.
Johnny’s single “Tell Me Something” is a raucous and indelibly groovy tune with heavy doses of glowing nostalgia. It is a dandy of a jam that is glimmering with undertones of psychedelia.
The lyrics are an ambiguous nod to Johnny’s life on the streets in Portland and is an insightful commentary on the haves and the have nots of society. Truly an honest, yet relevant reflection of the modern-day culture in America.
May you all stay safe during these turbulent times of madness and confusion. The most important thing to remember is that we are all in this together. And there is no reason to panic. We will get through this.
The past several weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the utility of music blogs as we throttle into the digital age. And, I just no longer feel the standard blog post, containing an embed and a slew of compelling words, is the best way for us to feature independent music at this point in space and time.
We feel we’ve been caught up in a vicious cycle.
From time to time I stumble upon a beautiful post that seems to bloom like a morning daffodil, and illustrates a particular track perfectly, but then again, these are few and far between, and how many people actually read these, and listen to the embeds within said post, are even fewer.
It’s sad but true. Music blogs have evolved into a sort of plastic legitimacy badge for the artist. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Example: Artist sends blog their track. If the blog digs it, they post track. Artist shares blog post with fans. A few fans skim the article. And that’s about it. Exposure is minimal. But, we think we can change this. However, we must evolve in order to do so.
The better blogs out there (you know who you are) also post a link to their social media, and if they’re really good, add track to a Spotify playlist. But sadly, most blogs are not this cordial, and do the absolute bare minimum. But hey, that’s okay. Most of us do this for free.
Anyway, all I’m really trying to say is that this will be our last standard blog post, ever. That’s right, in the future, we’ll be packaging tracks into a radio show that will be made available just about everywhere. So please, stay tuned my friends. I think you will all enjoy the new way we’re going to be featuring indie music.
Jon Campbell
Jon Campbell is an american singer-songwriter, and visual artist based out of Berlin.
His music fuses indie-folk and alt-country with a powerfully raw expression of his homosexuality and love for roots music.
Facets of “Work Boy” are brilliant. A vivid manifestation of Jon’s evolution as an artist.
“Two years ago I hoisted my bed onto 2-meter “stilts“, built a recording booth underneath it, and was stowed away in that hull every single night. Black Widow was filmed there; it represents the darkest moment in that journey. It’s my Land of the Lotus Eaters and the Sirens wailing from the shore. It’s Francis’ self-destructive little sister. It’s realizing that after all those years of fearing the monster under the bed, that it was you all along.” – Jon Campbell
Ryan Melone
Ryan Melone is an alternative rock musician and producer based out of Nashville.
Inspired by both classic and modern psych music, Ryan takes an organic approach to the recording process. And lets the cosmos do the dancing.
Over the course of his career, Ryan has performed with various alternative outfits in addition to serving as a multi-instrumentalist for a slew of recording artists.
“Diamonds” is a waxing track of psychedelic significance. Just as one drifts off to sleep, another wave breaks upon the shore, and opens up a brand new world.
Mother Mariposa
Mother Mariposa is a new project from the underground experimentalist, Jason Atoms (The Upsidedown) – an unprecedented sound from the niche record label, Little Cloud Records.
Mother Mariposa channels elements of contemporaries like Spiritualized and The Flaming Lips.
Having toured with bands like Brian Jonestown Massacre, Mother Mariposa has made close friendships with heavy-weights in their genre.
FYI, the band will join the Warhols on tour this Winter. So please stay tuned.
In the past, Rah-C has been mainly known as a rapper, but recently he dished up an infectious little lo-fi treat for his niche, yet rabid fanbase on Youtube.
The track is fresh, and is the 2nd 60 second episode from a string of short songs he’s been creating as an experimental exercise into a new world of sound. You can check out the 1st episode here, and the 3rd one here, but today we’ll be diving into episode #2 — entitled “Rest Of Our Lives”.
Yesterday, I reached out to Rah-C to see what was up with this unexpected departure from an art form he so long stayed loyal to. This is what he had to say: “I was rapping forever, but as a result of I guess maturing and growing I’ve dove head first into this new world, but no one has really heard it yet at all. My next project is a straight up alt-pop record (away from rapping) so it’s all new territory for me.”
When Rah-C dropped his debut alt-pop gem “Rest Of Our Lives” on Youtube, he told his base to share it with their loved ones. We think he’s right. It’s quite simply some poignant lo-fi alt-pop emitting a new love for unrestricted beauty and radical vibratory sensations. It’s some very special and unique shit. We just need a longer version, please. :p
We’ll keep you updated as Rah-C explores this new path of experimental lo-fi music, and continues to evolve as an artist. In the meantime, keep up with him on Instagram.
Northern Virginia native — Kate Brunotts — is just your typical indie bedroom producer who up and moved to Brooklyn at just 18 to pursue a career in music, and fulfill her innermost dream.
This particular track “Bicycle Spokes” is about feeling kinda empty inside, yet still somehow looking like you’ve got it all together on the outside.
Anyway, it’s pretty much perfect in our humble opinion. Quintessential lo-fi bedroom pop music from the year 2019. The renaissance of indie diy music.
The eclectic percussion seems to drive a hypnotic chorus of poignant lo-fi vocals that we really do think seems to transcend both space and time. It’s a perfect mixture of indie lo-fi pop infused with a strong dose of experimental brilliance.
Kate produces everything from her little apartment bedroom. And we feel her sound is quite reminiscent of a sound that can only grow from a real, and authentic source. Here, take a listen for yourself.
Indigo Bunting
Indigo Bunting is an experimental indie pop trio out of Austin, Texas — mixing up catatonic tracks that glisten of gold and seem to radiate vibrations of a most pure, and sublime nature.
If you’re into psychedelic music from the sixties, then you’ll most assuredly fall in love with this magnificent gem from an outfit who’re into the groovier things in life.
You might as well give up bud, you’ll never be this cool…
Indigo Bunting’s “White Noise (Don’t Be a Winner)” is a finely tuned ensemble of a multidimensional melody that seems to come from a different, and more nostalgic place and time. It’s quite simply, bonkers — total madness. But madness of an overwhelmingly beautiful, cool, and refined nature mind you.
And now, without further ado, the time has come to soak in the radical vibrations of “White Noise” — and become infected with a sound that will most definently alter the trajectory of your life.
You too, will become just a little bit cooler by listening to this song. This, we promise you.
Flowerbed brings us some intensely lush dream-pop all the way from the artistic haven of Denton, Texas.
The track we’re featuring today is a lo-fi slow dance through an eclectic mirage of oldLevi’s, twisted afternoons, and a warm, densely vegetated forest.
When one thinks of quintessential lo-if indie rock — Flowerbed may just be that sound that seems to float effortlessly through the cosmic waves of the universe, and into the inner regions of your mind.
It’s almost like a disease.
And now, without further ado, here is “Daisy” — a waxing slow burner off Flowerbed’s latest album. Enjoy.
Helenor
Helenor is the musical moniker of Boston-based visual artist, David DiAngelis.
His latest single “Wasteful” is the fourth and final single off Helenor’s upcoming debut LP — something twice. The album was written and recorded at home.
“This song is about throwing away food. More so, it’s about not fully appreciating the people or things around you.” — Helenor
The album something twice will be released on 8/30/19. And the limited edition vinyl is now available for pre-sale! Get yours now.
Sean the Turtle
Sean the Turtle is the new lo-fi project of Sean Lutz, founder of Southern California-based — kitchenromance.
The jam is a radical portrait of faded days, and lonely nights. A medley of guitars drenched in reverb, and beautiful sunsets that seem to melt into the sea.
As the day turns to night — light one up, and burn one down to the infectious vibrations of Sean the Turtle. You’ll be sad you missed it.
