Tags archives: Indie Rock

  • We recently caught up with the guys from the band Big Sweater to discuss their music, inspiration and their exciting new album they're currently recording. In one way or another, members of the band have all been part of AFP's music education programs over the years. So, we're very proud and excited to see how they've progressed and evolved as artists.  Check out "Platform Stare," a single from the new album. Platform Stare by Big Sweater 1) What inspired you guys to become musicians, writers? Collectively what inspired us to be musicians is that of which was instilled in us by our parents and their taste for the most part. Being shown things that would be considered "old school". Those things later becoming memories and what is now sense of nostalgia of car rides and long trips throughout the years subconsciously planting a seedling in a driving force that is creating sound as well as putting words together that sum up how we feel. 2) How would you describe your sound? Our sound is derivative of multiple things that boil down for the most part to blues. Our upcoming album has a combination of really somber and light tunes and also some really upbeat ones but overall our sound is very mellow. 3) Have you been playing the songs off the new album live, and if so how has the crowd responded to the new songs? We've played most of the upcoming album in a rotation for about a year now, the crowd now sings along and its one of the most gratifying feelings[...]
  • While you wait for that new Taylor Swift album which is surely in the works given the artist’s recent break-up, here are a few songs to enjoy in the warm weather. No matter whether it’s more #endlesssummer or more endless bummer... 1. Stabwounds’ “Fragile Boy” Don’t let their name fool you. Despite the fact that their name makes them sound like a metalcore band, Stabwounds is more indie folk than -core. Together, bandmates Emma March Barash and Amanda Brooklyn form what they call “the sexually charged reincarnation of Simon and Garfunkel”. The duo crafts soft harmonies that drift likes breezes about heartache and relationships. Layered atop acoustic guitar or occasionally unaccompanied, they’re an easy listen. If you missed the chance to see the band live at their recent Pianos gig, they’ll be playing an upcoming show at The Manhattan Inn in Brooklyn on July 11th! 2. Modern Baseball’s “Wedding Singer” Although both Brendan Lukens and Jake Ewald share the duty of primary vocalist in Modern Baseball, this single off their new record Holy Ghost features Ewald alone and perhaps at his best. The video features a pink haired hearse driver (think a younger Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind) coming to the rescue of a frantic young man, pacing the gates of a cemetery. The two drive around in the modified cadillac, eventually roller skating and karaoking. It’s like a four minute rom-com complete with all the will-they, won’t-they meaningful eye contact yo[...]
  • In part 1 of this series, we looked at a video that showcased an artist as a role model, another that shed light on the creative process of an up-and-coming band, and a third that brought international superstars back to their old digs to be humbled by their beginnings. For this installment, we’re going to revisit the political music video with TARICA's “But, Anyway” as well as examine the success of the web series with a look at NPR’s Tiny Desk. Tarica's “But, Anyway” Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" has been sampled, remixed, covered and served up in countless fashions. Over the years everyone from Aaliyah to Britney Spears to Fall Out Boy to R.E.M have tried their hand at the 1987 classic, always placing the songs unmistakable “duh duh duh duduh, duh duh duduh” at the forefront of their efforts. Most recently, D.C. rapper Tarica June included the interlude in her song “But, Anyway.” In the song rather than recounting the patrons of a local cafe as Vega did decades before, June discusses the gentrification of her home town. With personal, frank and adept lines like, “But anyway, this is third generation for me / My parents and my grandparents all from DC / So I feel like I notice things other folks can't see / And like I represent things other folks can't be”, June makes her point without so much as raising her voice. Her approach, unlike many others, is one of hope and positivity with the song's chorus opening with, “But anyway I can go on forever about all of the bul[...]
  • CMJ 2015 is in full swing. The festival takes its name from the College Media Journal, which was started by Robert Haber in 1978. Haber’s publication was aimed at college radio programmers and their audiences, a crowd which is still well represented at each year’s festival. This year the CMJ speaker schedule includes talks and workshops on the radio resumes, interviews and the history of student-run radio as well as the CMJ College Radio Awards. As much as the five day, non-stop marathon still honors its history in college radio, it also delves into the live scene. Well over a thousand bands with varying levels of exposure play venues all over New York. From the basement-like space of Cake Shop to the expansive Brooklyn Bowl, artists gather to play their best and celebrate music. This year’s line-up includes bands of every genre and size. Seeing all of them is infeasible, but here are about dozen acts that you can’t miss. - - - - - - - - - - T H U R S D A Y - - - - - - - - - - Glass Animals Genre: Indie Rock Set Time: Thu, October 15, 8:00 PM @ Terminal 5 Listen To: "Black Mambo" Girls with Brown Hair Genre: Indie Rock/Comedy Set Time: Thu, October 15, 8:06 PM > 8:16 PM @ The Unicorn Listen To: "Dad Rap" Panda Bear Genre: Experimental Set time: Thu, October 15, 9:00 PM @ Bowery Ballroom Listen To: “Boys Latin” off of Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper The Maccabees Genre: Indie Rock Set Time: Thu, October 15, 11:00 PM > 11:45 PM @ Me[...]