where we come from

EVIL MEN HAVE NO SONGS WHERE WE COME FROM EP independent 2013

Little is known about Hungary indiepop scene. As far as I know, Evil Men Have No Songs is the only one I know.
I got to know this one-man-dreamy-bedroom-project during the days when Holiday and Beko DSL released a single every Friday and Monday respectively... or vice versa.
Back then, a guitar driven song called 'No You No Me' got me instantly.

His 3rd EP - Always Somewhere Else - comes out with less frenetic (and distorted) guitars but richer in melody and texture. 

The hook in the title track is quite addictive. 

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mnemonic syncretism

THE SORRY SHOP MNEMONIC SYNCRETISM independent 2013

Here's some sweet noise from the south. And by south I mean the deep, antarctic south of Brazil. A place close to the end of the American continent.
Mnemonic Syncretism is the second album from The Sorry Shop, a band from Rio Grande do Sul (my home state), Brazil, fronted (and produced) by Régis Garcia. It arrives as sonic and distorted as their debut Bloody, Fuzzy, Cozy from last year…
But in this second album, there's an ambient, more melodic and profound feeling that I really, really enjoy, channeling a combination between My Bloody Valentine's experimental fuzziness and Slowdive's contemplative walls of sound with a lo-fi, angry-dreampop aesthetic.

Soundtrack for urban, grey jungles. Or polar expeditions.



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INTERVIEW 63. masami tsuchiya (wallflower)

There's a group of artists in the roots of indie music, that decided to make music because they wanted to sound like their favorite band.
While some may see their sound as a simple copy or homage, I tend to approach this issue a bit differently.
I'm constantly talking about "universes" here. And the bands that I tend to fall for, usually are successful - at least in my subjective eyes - in creating this "musical zone" that is theirs.
If every person is different and everyone has an unique reality, is not stupid to think that what may sound similar actually holds an aesthetic that came from one mind in a particular environment that has no parallels with anything else. That's where you'll find the value of creation. And this may seem naive but, the simple fact of getting in touch with someone's creation is already a valid and worthwhile experience. Specially if that creation sounds good as hell and is catchy as a bubblegum stuck under your shoes.
This introduction leads us to Wallflower: a 4-piece band from Osaka, Japan creating catchy tunes and following the paths of The Field Mice, Brighter and  - the most direct and obvious comparison - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart.
Wallflower's music takes me back to early TPOBPAH music - remember 'Orchard Of My Eye'? - and its naivety.
While the shadow of TPOBPAH is always there, Matsumi, Ryuka, Haruyo and Naohiro own their haven of noise and delicacy with jangly guitars, soft vocals and indie beauty.
Either way, never let comparisons lead you to rushed conclusions. Awesome, catchy music will always be welcomed and praised.

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After the jump, you'll find Masami's interview.

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nectarine

COLOURED CLOCKS NECTARINE (independent, 2013)

Heartfelt progressive pop psychedelia. Or as the band defines it: augmented pop. From Melbourne, Australia.

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mateo de la luna en compañía terrestrial

MATEO DE LA LUNA EN COMPANIA TERRESTRIAL S/T (independent, 2011)

It took a year to discover this precious, affecting and romantic indie pop gems coming from Argentina.
The name of the band can be translated as Mateo from the moon with terrestrial company and started as a one man project (Mateo). Later, two of his friends became his terrestrial company.

Their debut ep is available for free download on bandcamp. Five songs dripping naivety, melancholic melodies and messages of love.




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the wild

ABADABAD THE WILD EP (independent, 2012)

From Allston (Massachussets) comes Abadabad, a quartet (or quintet?) making spacey, dreamy and breezy pop with a touch of jangly and a touch of vintage groovy melancholy.

Their EP The Wild, was released on September, 12 and you should be listening to it right now. It's that good.
It is the most exciting free download of the year. Hands down.

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'All The Bros Say' is one of those songs that you listen and 5 seconds into the melody you feel that music like that doesn't appear that often. An effective - and oh so affecting -  piece of summery pop.

american photo club

AMERICAN PHOTO CLUB AMERICAN PHOTO CLUB (Independent, 2012)


Kyle Breese and Ryan Huseman are the guys behind this project. They create a moody, melodic blend of indiepop and rock in the way we love the most around here, in CuC's lands: home recordings, DIY style.

Their self titled EP was release on August, 14th. And it's available for free download on Bandcamp.

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Save Yourself is a beautiful song.

microscopic / recreation

GRAND RESORT MICROSCOPIC / RECREATION (independent, 2012)

The energy of jangle pop, the melancholy of british indie labels from the 80s and the dreamy, contemplative shoegaze walls of sound. That's Andrés Pichardo. A multi-instrumentalist  in his early 20s from Dominican Republican, now based in NYC (previously based in Boston).

'Microscopic/Recreation' was released earlier this year and it's a balance between poppy guitars and walls of - subtle - synths.
In fact, balance and effortlessness seem to be perfect words to describes Pichardo's music. The way he floats from one influence to another and/or mixed them together to create something of his own is admirable (and leaves us excited waiting for future releases).



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He has two more songs available on Bandcamp and a debut album - Vanguard Dreams - is set to be released in September. 'Night Is Dark' is the first single.

jupiter

LA ESTRELLA DE DAVID JUPITER EP (independent, 2012)

La Estrella de David is, as I've already said (a few times, actually), one of my favorite spanish acts. David Rodríguez is an unique, discreet musical figure, making indiepop sound organic even when electronics are used and bringing a certain traditional music-esque feeling to his music. The kind of guy that seems to have a very personal and accurate idea of what is the universe his trying to create.

After two full lengths and inumerous collaborations (including his partner La Bien Querida and Joe Crepúsculo, two iconic figures of the contemporary indiepop in Spain as well), came out Júpiter.
It is a 5 track intrumental EP available on bandcamp. A collection of songs where krautrock meets David's signature melodies and with a sense of travelling and movement.
'Autovía' sounds like an homage to Kraftwerk's 'Autobahn'.

(nevermind the cover art)



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INTERVIEW 57. karibean

As you from the North welcomes the closeness from the rays of sun - commonly known as summer - and your days tend to get dark around 10pm, probably some of your musical habits may change. You let the more introspective things aside and go to more sunny, warm, outdoor-sy and upbeat places of your music library. And talking about sunny and upbeat: do you know Karibean?
To welcome the summer - even though I'm wearing double layered socks and a beanie - I decided to publish an interview with my favorite indiepop trio from Italy: as I said it before - Karibean.

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Last year, their first ep called 'Love Tears and Spiritual Blessings' caught - not only - my attention with its beautiful melodies soaked in sun, beach, DIY, 60s pop and late 80s/early 90s indiepop.
The EP was first released independently (and for free download) and later was reissued - also as a free download - via EardrumsPop.
Among the songs, 'Gregorian Spring' stands out as the track of the EP and could (should!) be considered an indiepop hymn for its uplifting effect, combining melody, harmony and an outstanding and moving dialogue between vocals and backing vocals.



At the moment, they're preparing the release of their new ep - Andersen - (out in 4 days - June, 27) in collaboration with MATTAlab and We Were Never Being Boring Collective.
'Off the Lip' is the first single.


Check the interview below!

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fun water

ANDREW AND THE SAFARI RANGERS FUN WATER (independent, 2012)

The other day I received an email from Andrew telling me about his music project. It happens that the Safari Rangers are the adventurous - and imaginary - band mates of his.
Andrew is a high school senior from Rhode Island and makes super fun keyboard/ukelele based indiepop on the family computer in the dining room.
The whole aesthetic is lo-fi and evokes those restaurants with live music where a guy plays throughout the night various classic songs armed only with a keyboard. I don't mean that in a bad way... actually, in Andrew's case, it fits perfectly to the super fun and playful lyrics. The result is extremely endearing and captivating. Take 'Together In Lisbon' for example... I doubt the doo-doo-doos  won't get stuck in your head.



The album has 9 songs and barely hits the 18 minutes and it's a pleasant indiepop experience. You can get it for free on Bandcamp.



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alfonso el pintor

ALFONSO EL PINTOR LA CASA ROSADA DE ALFONSO EL PINTOR (independent, 2009)

Alfonso el Pintor is a band from Buenos Aires and is a celebration of colorful, bubblegum-ish, romantic and naive indiepop.
It all started in 2004 with Emiliano Sánchez and soon the solo project became a band. The guitar driven music with moments of electronic percussions is often adorable and in songs like 'Nuestra Canción' and 'Te Gusta el Rock' you wish they were somehow solid so you could eat them. I bet they'd taste sweet as a pink marshmallow.

You can get their debut CDR Buen Día Te Quiero Mucho (Good morning I want you so bad) -from 2005- and their latest (and only) LP La Casa Rosada de Alfonso el Pintor (The pink house of Alfonso el Pintor) - 2009 - at their website for free.
A new album is set to be released later this year.




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civil love

CIVIL LOVE CIVIL LOVE (Independent, 2012)


Civil Love is a band formed in London by 4 guys coming from different places of the world.
Their music is firmly based on 60's pop with references from the 90's indie bands that made sugary guitar driven pop without being too sweet.
If I had an 'Indiepop Promise' badge, I'd give mine to Civil Love.


Earlier this month, a debut EP was released with 4 songs. You can get it at their bandcamp page.




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INTERVIEW 54. the sorry shop

photo by Thiago Piccoli

The Sorry Shop is a bedroom project created in 2011 by Régis Garcia in Rio Grande, south of Brazil. Combining shoegaze with lo-fi and a bunch of references from the american alternative movement from the 90's filled with reberbs and distorted guitars.
His music is both a look from outside, from the distance but also a heartfelt experimentation that sounds urban and somehow chaotic, just like our modern lives.

Last year, 'Thank You Come Again' - an EP with 5 songs - was released and last month, his debut album - 'Bloody, Cozy, Fuzzy' came out.
Both can be found at Bandcamp for free download.

'About Kings and Queens I' is one of the best songs released last year.




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el murmullo

TEMPLETON EL MURMULLO (Independent, 2012)

photo by Marcos Sanchez

A few days ago I ran into Templeton's bandcamp and had the pleasure to listen to their new album entitled El Murmullo (or The Whisper). Templeton is a six piece band from Torrelavega, North of Spain.
This is their second album. In 2009, Exposición Universal was released via Subterfuge Records.
El Murmullo is a 10-track album and couldn't have a better title since - song after song - slow paced gems are delivered with a beautiful and very particular imagery of broken hearts and deceit that is continuously built throughout thoughtful lyrics.
To make this album, the band asked for fans to send them things that they associated with whispers, so they could use them as inspiration. As for the band, whispers are connected with fear.
The highlights of the album are 'Mar Cantábrico' - comparing two individuals where one is the cantabric Sea (cold and acid) and the other being Cote d'Azur ( a natural disaster that still makes the other tremble) is absolutely fantastic.

'Los Días' tells the story of a love taken for granted and has a video featuring two girls (or their memories) involved into a dreamy and full of light atmosphere.
This album is full of pop references - pop from the 60's, spanish indiepop from the 90's, flirtations with electronics used to punctuate the most upbeat song of the album 'Sabe Mejor', somber moments where the fear is almost palpable...

Everything is filled with a delicate and sensitive aesthetic that makes it all kind of irresistible.


Here's a live performance of 'El Caminante' - another favorite of mine - for Esquire Spain.


El Murmullo was released only in vinyl. You can also get the album at their bandcamp page.

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cream

FIELD TRIP CREAM EP (Independent, 2012)

Field Trip is a band from Melbourne formed by 4 boys. It first caught my attention earlier this year with their first single 'You Make Me Sleepy'.
Last week (sooner than I imagined - and for my delight), an EP called Cream EP was released.
Four songs with a shoegaze - alternative 80's influence soaked into a languid and fresh take on surfpop and C86.
BAND TO WATCH! (That's right. In capital letters.)

Cream EP is available for free download on bandcamp.



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fairweather friends

FERNS FAIRWEATHER FRIENDS (Independent, 2011)

Malaysian indiepop darlings - Ferns - are back with their second album 'Fairweather Friends'. It comes out almost four years after the acclaimed 'On Botany', that in 2007 created a languid, dreamy and atmospheric world where green gardens and fields were the scenery for an idyllic and deeply melancholic combination of indiepop, shoegaze delicacy and layers of sound contrastating with whispery vocals.
If 'On Botany' was an album for sunsets and contemplation, 'Fairweather Friends' is perfect for mid-afternoons spent in the middle of the city and where you can be surrounded by people.
It's great to see a band that left such a strong impression with their first album come back years after with songs that have their DNA and yet surprise you with new perspectives and colors.
'Fairweather Friends' keeps the fragility of delicate melodies of Ferns' debut album but this time the layers of instruments give space to a more clear, acoustic and urban aesthetic. My end of the year lists consider albums released between Novembers, that's why this album was absent in my 2011 list.
The release of their second album proved that Ferns is a band to watch, listen and feel. Their indie pop feels fresh and evocative.
You can stream their albums on bandcamp. Below, you'll find a link and how can you get the album.


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how i roseiviounessiously tipjilted the gevious on a sunday afternoon

NIKO NIKO! HOW I ROSEIVIOUNESSIOUSLY TIPJILTED THE GEVIOUS ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON (self released, 2012)

Niko Niko! is the new project of Nickolai Nilsen, a norwegian musician formerly known as Princess Niko.
Princess Niko  recorded lots of songs and released some of them on Cloudberry Records. Those who were lucky enough to hear all of them, were treated with fun and catchy pop songs and duets sang by Nickolai's "lows and highs".
Now, years after his last release, two new songs surface the web. Playful and fun are part of Nickolai's musical DNA, no doubt about it. Sappy... happy... indie pop! Welcome back, Niko!

You can download and listen to 'How I Roseiviounessiously Tipjilted the Gevious on a Sunday Afternoon' and 'Z' here.
(Unfortunately, Urort doesn't have an embedding option.)

Here's an interview I made with Niko in 2010.

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you make me sleepy

FIELD TRIP YOU MAKE ME SLEEPY (self released, 2012)

Blending shoegaze, lo-fi and indie pop, 4 boys from Melbourne (a.k.a. Field Trip) released a song on the first day of 2012.
'You Make Me Sleepy' has languid and mellow melodies, creating a dreamy - and far from sleepy - musical atmosphere.



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love, tears & spiritual blessings

KARIBEAN LOVE, TEARS & SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS (self released, 2011)

Karibean is a band formed by three guys from the east coast of Italy that in 2011, released a 5 track EP that could be described, at least, as timeless and anthemic pop.
'Gregorian Spring' is an absolute joy to the ears, bringing the best of the winter-ish 80's indiepop and soaking them into the 60's sunny melodies of The Beach Boys.
You can get Love, Tears & Spiritual Blessings for free on Bandcamp.



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