Independent Music Discoveries, Issue #18

Success! - Boxstr is once more accepting mp3 uploads, which means more downloads+Hype Machine/Elbo.ws aggregation, woohoo!

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*UPDATES ON PAST ARTISTS FEATURED!*

John Carpenter (‘08 Album Review) - Rock / Pop - Los Angeles, USA
John Carpenter has a new single out on Mexican Summer (also home to Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti and Wooden Shjips): “Seasons / Haunt My Home”! “Seasons” is a beautiful, truly epic track recalling the spirit a lost ’60s psych gem, while “Haunt My Home” is a soft, spooky tune; haunting indeed. You can also check out the Possibilities EP over at Bandcamp to hear more. John Carpenter and his band’s music (J. Explosive on drums, and live members Andy James on bass, and Matt Eddy on keyboards) are highly recommended!

Movie (White Whales Review, Issue #4) - New Wave / Grunge / Experimental - New York, USA
If you’ve been following AFIN, you’ll have noticed coverage on the fantastic Movie and their brilliant White Whales album. New track “Closer to the Sun” will be available on 8/18 on iTunes/Amazon, but you can stream it now below!:

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Mojo Method - Psychedelic / Other / Rock - Louisiana, USA
Mojo Method are a decidedly avant-garde group, not particularly easy to pigeon-hole or compare to another band off-hand, which is a good (and rare!) thing. Their psychedelic-jam band aesthetics reach a fever pitch in their quirky new track “Sphinx vs. Cobra”. Also recommended is their fabulous Kiwi Tree EP (streamable at Bandcamp).

AdamandEvil - Alternative / Gothic / Pop - California, USA
AdamandEvil are two Londoners, Scott Fairbrother and Julian Shah-Tayler (formerly of the band Whitey), who moved to Hollywood in ‘07 and had their track “Wrap it Up” included in a variety of media (The OC, House, Grand Theft Auto IV). Their upcoming debut EP, yet to be released and mixed by Danny Saber (who’s worked with David Bowie and Rolling Stones), is an interesting combination of Gothic and retro-synth vibes; check out highlight track “Shooting Stars”!

Golden - Folk Rock / Punk / Blues - Tokyo, Japan
Golden are a Japanese trio, described as “one part classical Japanese, one part sea shanty and rock” whose first, self-titled LP comes across as more of a strong collection of songs from seasoned pros than a debut. There’s often a noticeable western, frequently bluesy element present in the music and a wild, fiery energy that gives Golden a glowing sound. Check out “Black Star Shining”!

The Second Academy - Rock - Seattle, USA
This group certainly can show that they know a thing or two about grunge (they’re in Seattle, after all), as you can hear in the Alice in Chains-esque “Aftergrass”, though they have a melodic, dreamy side as well that comes through on track like “Pretty One”. Their first album The Grave from out Which We Briefly Wander, as well as the aforementioned Golden debut, are now available from Tsurumi Records.

Syd - Rock / Pop - California / Vermont, USA
Syd is a singer/songwriter, and founding member of The Co-Op, who has just released his new EP The Upswing as a digital exclusive. With a penchant for crafting solid pop songs, and a strong focus on performance (he’s played hundreds of shows a year since ‘02!), the mainstream could certainly use the catchiness and sincerity of tracks like “The Pattern”. Get the EP for free via The Co-Op.

1. afutureinnoise posted this