Tag Archives: Chairlift

Weekly Gems 52

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Indietronica Staff

Ayelle – Obvious

Ayelle

Mellow music-maker Ayelle shares her self-reflecting new single ‘Obvious’.

The Swedish-Iranian R&B singer-songwriter teamed up with producer Jonah Stevens, to delve furhter into her lyrical clarity and sultry vocals.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Banks, 4AM, Wet, IYES, The XX, SOHN

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

Jinka – Ghost 2 U

JINKA

Jinka’s track ‘Ghost 2 U’ is glitchy trip-pop at its finest.

Ghost 2 U” is the Transylvanian artist‘s most emotionally dynamic track to date.
It juxtaposes a heavy, industrial half-time drop reminiscent of acts like Cashmere Cat, Amnesia Scanner or Tommy Cash with touchingly fragile and intimate tale-telling verses.
Jinka’s vocals evolve over a loop of pluck-sounds that unavoidably take your imagination to an underground stalactite cave hidden in the souterrains of Berlin.

Sounds like: Kate Boy, I BREAK HORSES

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

daste. – SOBER

daste

Australian trio daste. is comprised of Callum MacDonald, Braxton Tahi & Tyler Harden.

Focusing on the smaller details (with the ‘d’ in daste. standing for detail), their new track, ‘SOBER’ is a summery lo-fi number showcasing simple, yet effective songwriting, and shares the idea that a clear head is always better than a mediocre, intoxicated one.

It’s out now via Mammal Sounds Records.

Sounds like: RÜFÜS DU SOL

Malihini – Delusional Boy

There is always an air of romanticism with Italian culture and Italian duo Malihini are no exception to this rule.

Their new single ‘Delusional Boy’ has upbeat drums, neatly undercut by its recurring vocal refrain, “Delusional Boy/Delusional Girl” – the downbeat rejoinder conveyed with a typically euphonious duo vocal melody that juxtaposes between a falsetto male part with baratone-esq female vocals, which all in all, creates an extremely easy-to-listen-to pop track.

Expect their debut album ‘Hopefully, Again’, out on 8 March via Memphis Industries.

Sounds like: SAMA, Beach House, Tennis, Chairlift, Au Revoir Simone

HighSchool Jacob – Cant Get Enough

Highschool Jacob is an indie pop artist who has a serious way with words, so don’t mess.

Based out of Los Angeles, this nu-funk extraordinaire weaves catchy and retro melodies and engrossing stories to make head-nod worthy and heartwarming music.

Listen to ‘Can’t Get Enough’ below.

Sounds like: Daft Punk, Du Tonc

Jesse Hite – When It All Comes Down

Jesse Hite

There is a definite lo-fi, funk theme in this week’s gems. Introducing Jesse Hite – an exciting solo artist who has just shared his debut ‘When It All Comes Down’.

An American artist living in France, Hite effortless blends sounds thanks to this move across the Atlantic, as well as travels through Asia.

‘When It All Comes Down’ is the first single of a three-song EP to be released. The song is full of character, soulful lyrics, in which Mite manages to create as much blooming sound as music troop, Jungle between a large number of them!

Sounds like: Shy Girls, YAKUL, Jungle, LCD Soundsystem

youthxx – New Frontier

youthxx

Taking on the challenge of a new anthem for millennials is youthxx (also one half of Golden Coast).

‘New Frontier’ achieves anthemic territory with an inspiring, unforgettable vocal and sharp contemporary production that mixes synthetic and organic sounds with finesse.

Sounds like: Imagine Dragons, Golden Coast

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Sofi Tukker – Drinkee

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Indietronica Staff

Sofi Tukker

Sofi Tukker is a New York based, indie-dance duo, comprised of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern.

Complete with popping jungle scenes, zebra print and some captivating to camera performances, the vintage video for ‘Drinkee’ showcases the duo’s cool and quirky nature.

If ‘Drinkee’ is the party, ‘Moon Tattoo’ is for the morning after. We’ve included this track as well, just because we love it so!

Their debut EP, ‘Soft Animals’ is out now via Ultra Records, and can be purchased on iTunes.

Upcoming Tour Dates

July 15 – Salacgriva, Latvia @ Positivus Festival (TICKETS)
July 20 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre (w/ Chairlift) (TICKETS)*
July 21 – Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion (w/ Chairlift) (TICKETS)
July 25 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant (TICKETS)*
July 27 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Stir Cove (TICKETS)*
July 28 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
July 30 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right (TICKETS)
August 19 – San Francisco, CA @ Popscene at Rickshaw Stop (TICKETS)
August 20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Pershing Square (w/ Todd Rundgren) (FREE SHOW)

Supporting M83*

Sounds like: Crystal Fighters, The Knocks

Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

Playlist: Step Rockets

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Indietronica Staff

Step Rockets

Step Rockets are a band from Minneapolis, who like to blend pop melodies with rock-inducing riffs.

They put together an incredible playlist for us. Check it out below.

Miike Snow – For U (Feat. Charli XCX)

Always a big fan of this group. Loving the non-traditional song structure here.

M83 – Go! (Feat. Mai Lan)

This song is a smash! The guitar solo is killing!

Tuxedo – Do It

Could listen to that funky synth bass all night long.

Yeasayer – I Am Chemistry

Their production is always spot on! Pushing the pop envelope by keeping it weird.

What So Not – High You Are (Branchez Remix)

Spicy future bass remix that keeps ya smilin’.

Autograf – Heartbeat

Summertime vibes.

Step Rockets – Love Is Just A Chemical

One of our favorite cuts to play live!

Tora – Latp

Super forward thinking electro-pop.

Chairlift – Ch-Ching

Just one of the many dope dance cuts off their new album. Go check the whole thing out.

Robert DeLong – Jealousy

Can’t argue with the stellar arrangement and production on this track.

Big Grams, Skrillex – Drum Machine

puts his magic touch on this crazy collab. Had to include one trap banger.

The Chemical Brothers – Wide Open

Digging Beck’s vibey vox and understated production from the Chem Bros.

Neon Indian – Polish Girl

More acid please!

Cut Copy – Lights & Music

These Aussies know how to keep the dance floor interesting.

J Dilla – Shake It Down

Wouldn’t be a Step Rockets playlist without at least one big flow cut.

The Step Rockets’ EP, ‘Future Nature’, is out now via Harbour / Caroline Records.

Sounds like: Atlas Genius, Mainland, Cold War Kids

Website | Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter

Ryan Egan – Finest Hour

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Indietronica Staff

Ryan Egan

Another cracking track from Ryan Egan. This one is called ‘Finest Hour’, and we are pretty sure this is Ryan’s finest musical hour to date.

While previous releases have seen Egan share production with Luca Buccellati (Tei Shi), ‘Finest Hour’ see’s Egan take on full production duties.

The result a glistening pop track full of 80’s vibes.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, Tei Shi, The Ugly Club, Twin Shadow, Jai Paul, JUNGLE, Shy Girls

Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

An Indietronica Preview of Iceland Airwaves 2014

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Indietronica Staff

Since the first edition was held in 1999 in an airplane hangar, Iceland Airwaves has become the festival for music lovers, being praised by many as the best music festival in the world.

Set amongst beautiful scenery in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, the festival celebrates homegrown talent as well as musical craft from further afield.

Haven’t got a ticket? Don’t fear! Indietronica is attending to find out what all the fuss is about.

By the powers of the internet we bring you a preview of the lesser known bands and our ones to watch, straight to your computer or phone screens.

ADULT JAZZ

Adult Jazz

Adult Jazz is a four-piece from the UK. Their debut album ‘Gist Is’ has taken four years to make and was released via their own label Spare Thought.

They sound like a jazzed-up version of Bombay Bicycle Club or a mellowed out version of Jagwar Ma.

We are definitely looking forward to seeing them play.

Sounds like: Bombay Bicycle Club, Jagwar Ma, Panda Cubs, The 1975, Yeasayer, Saux

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Tumblr

ALICE BOMAN

Alice Boman

With simple lyrics and ethereal overtones, Alice Boman is a quintessentially Swedish singer.

Have a listen to her stunning cover of War on Drugs‘s ‘Red Eyes’:

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Tumblr

Sounds like: Lykke Li, Kate Bush, Ellie Goulding, Rae Morris

ÁSGEIR

Ásgeir

For fans of Bon Iver and Deptford Goth looking for something slightly different, meet twenty-two year old Icelandic singer/songwriter, Ásgeir (aka Ásgeir Trausti Einarsson).

Ásgeir’s debut album, ‘Dyrd í dauðathogn’ was mostly written by his 72 year old father and became so popular in his home country, 10% of the Icelandic population is estimated to own a copy.

The English-language version of the album (‘In The Silence’) was translated by John Grant.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, Deptford Goth, RY X

BALLET SCHOOL

Ballet School

Berlin-based Ballet School is Irish Rosie Blair on vocals/guitar, Japanese-Brazilian Michel Collet on lead guitar and Louis McGuire on drums.

Blair and Collet met two years ago in Berlin when Blair heard Collet playing his guitar in the U-bahn. Sharing their love of the Cocteau-Twins, she immediately asked him to form a band. In 2012 they began collaborating with McGuire.

A mélange of ’80s pop and R’N’B is always at the forefront of the band’s agenda.

Sounds like: Kitten, Claire, BLSHS, Kavinsky, Madonna, Robyn, Ronika

Facebook | Tumblr | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

BERNDSEN

Berndsen

From modern 80’s inspired music to a musician who sticks to his roots and breathes 80’s electronica.

Berndsen (aka David Berndsen) is a bearded iconic figure in Iceland and regularly works with Hermigervill; one of Iceland’s most notable producers.

Sounds like: Depeche Mode, New Order, Tesla Boy, Salt Ashes, Graingerboy, Thomas Azier, Soft Cell

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

BIRD

bird

bird is Jon Valur Gudmundsson, a successful 26-year-old singer/songwriter from Iceland who makes electro-infused indie pop.

Sounds like: Two Door Cinema Club, Ásgeir, 1860, Kid Astray

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube

BLAENAVON

Blaenavon

Blaenavon is a three-piece indie outfit from Hampshire, UK formed of Harris McMillan, Frank Wright, and Benjamin Gregory.

Heavily guitar-based, it is no surprise that these guys are being written about by the likes of NME and Clash.

Their new EP ‘Koso’ is out now on Transgressive Records.

Sounds like: The Macabees, Two Door Cinema Club, Young Kato, The Smiths, Joy Division, The Editors, White Lies, Daughter

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter

CARIBOU

Caribou

Following the success of ‘Swim’ in 2010, Caribou is finally back!

At first glance, his latest track ‘Our Love’ is a long wave length of dance music beats, but upon further inspection it is a lot more gritty and the R&B hooks remind us of Inner City‘s ‘Good Life’.

Sounds like: Roosevelt, Metronomy, All We Are, New Build, Touch Sensitive, Rufus

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

DISA

Disa

Iceland born Disa writes celestial, synth pop. She left Reykjavik to live in Copenhagen and pursue her dream of singing.

She is now signed to Danish label Tigerspring.

Sounds like: Salt Ashes, I BREAK HORSES, Kate Boy, Death Rattle, Dimond Saints, Brian Eno

EAST INDIA YOUTH

East Londoner William Doyle is East India Youth.

His tracks are stark and choate masterpieces with marching and minimal drum rolls.

Sounds like: Sivu, These New Puritans, Conner Youngblood, Brian Eno

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

EAST OF MY YOUTH

East Of My Youth

East Of My Youth is Herdis and Thelma from Reykjavik.

Citing influences from classical and modern genres, the duo creates experimental pop music.

Sounds like: Austra, Feist, OH Land

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

EMILIE NICOLAS

Emilie Nicolas

Emilie Nicolas is another one of Norway’s amazing exports.

Her voice immediately demands your attention and we have had her atmospheric cover of Norwegian band DumDum Boys‘s 1990 track ‘PStereo’ on repeat in the Indietronica office.

Sounds like: Tove Styrke, KYIKI, BLSHS, Monogem, Tove Lo, Lykke Li, Elliphant, X priest X, La Roux

Facebook | Soundcloud

FARAO

Farao

Following on from Nicolas is Farao, another Norweigen singer/songwriter with a knack for combing emotive lyrics and indie-folk sounds.

Sounds like: Poliça, Emilie Nicolas, Bon Iver, Rae Morris, First Aid Kit, Susanne Sundfør

Facebook | | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

FURA

Fura

FURA is an Icelandic project between songstress Björt Sigfinnsdóttir, and producer duo Hallur Jónsson and Janus Rasmussen.

FURA embraces the element of drastic nature, isolation and emotional depth.

Sounds like: Phantogram, Lykke Li, Nina Yasmineh

Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube

FUTURE ISLANDS

Future Islands

The serious electronic Baltimore trio is back.

Advising us about love and loss, and offering up mesmerising performances, we are glad Future Islands will be getting the recognition they deserve at Iceland Airwaves.

Sounds like: New Order, Suzuki Method, Wild Beasts

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

HIMBRIMI

Himbrimi

Himbrini is an Icelandic band comprising of Margrét Rúnarsdóttir on vocal and keys, Birkir Rafn Gíslasson on guitar, Hálfdán Árnason on bass and Skúli Arason on keys and Egill Rafnsson on drums.

Himbrini offers up soft, Scandinavian pop and it is lush. This is one band we cannot wait to watch live.

Sounds like: Lykke Li, Röyksopp, London Grammar, Bat For Lashes, Island Fox, IYES, The XX

Facebook | Soundcloud

HOW TO DRESS WELL

How To Dress Well

How To Dress Well (aka Tom Krell) is an American singer who twists up sensual guitar-based R&B with sparkling synth pop.

He is definitely one to watch.

Sounds like: LANY, Great Good Fine OK, Until The Ribbon Breaks, July Child

Website | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

JUNGLE

Jungle

The music-by-soul collective Jungle has been bubbling away at the surface for some time now. Their music offers a pinch of Gorillaz-esque bass lines and sexy lyrics.

Sounds like: Rudimental, Disclosure, Le Youth, Clean Bandit, Gorillaz

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud

KAJAK

KAJAK

We absolutely love Icelandic cousins, KAJAK.

They are heavily influenced by tribal cultures and in their live shows they mix visual arts and theatrics, making it a special and engaging experience to watch.

Sounds like: Coldplay, I BREAK HORSES, Kate Boy, Sia

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

KLANGKARUSSELL

Klangkarussell

Klangkarussell is Tobias Rieser and Adrian Held; an Austrian electronic dance music production duo who formed in 2011.

They are known for ‘Sonnentanz’, a track that accidentally became a hit last year. We’ve watched Klangkarussell perform live with their band and they put on a good show!

Sounds like: Will Heard, Milky Chance, Klingande, Wankelmut, MÖWE

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

KWABS

Kwabs

Vienna-via-London producer Kwabs‘s music is soulful with an electro twist.

Kwabs is a growing artist and we are expecting a number one hit soon!

Sounds like: Azekel, MNEK, SOHN, James Blake, Ben Khan, Banks, Jesse Ware, Kele Okereke

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

LILY THE KID

Lily the Kid

Lily the Kid is the brainchild of Lilja K. Jónsdóttir (who was the former front woman of Icelandic electro-pop veterans Bloodgroup) and her brother, the producer Hallur Jónsson.

Breathtaking vocals, combined with a bass line bubbling at the surface makes Lily the Kid very special indeed.

Sounds like: Banks, Shura, Blood Orange

ROOSEVELT

ROOSEVELT

Roosevelt (aka Marius Lauber) is a Cologne-based electronic artist with a flair for discotronica. He effortlessly emerges warm beats with hypnotic psychedelia.

Sounds like: The Whitest Boy Alive, Caribou, Tourist., Jagwar Ma, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Yellerkin

Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube

SHURA

Shura

Shura (aka Aleksandra Denton) was born in London to a Russian actress and an English documentary filmmaker.

Her last (but unreleased) track ‘Touch’ gained 3 million hits on Soundcloud.

Her music can be described as a contemporary mix of twinkling, ‘Lucky-Star’-era Madonna with the bedroom-R&B grooves of Blood Orange, filtered through a haze of Balearic synths and swirling, Warpaint-inspired guitars.

Shura has just signed to Polydor.

Sounds like: Blood Orange, Massive Attack, Madonna

SISY EY

Sísý Ey

Sísý Ey (pronounced See See Ay) was formed in 2011 by three sisters; Elin, Elisabet and Sigga. Their goal was to sing live house music, and with the help of DJ Oculus, their dream has become a reality.

Sounds like: Gorgon City, Klangkarussell, TIEKS, Celeste

Facebook

THE WALKING WHO

The Walking Who

The Walking Who is a psychedelic rock trio based based in Sydney and is made up by Rohin Brown, Paul Mclean and Jay Drury. Their music is inspired by Byron Bay surf chimes and folk.

Sounds like: War on Drugs, Yellerkin, Jagwar Ma, Roosevelt, Empire of the Sun, The Doors

Website | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube

VOK

Vök

Vök is a dreamy electro duo-turned-trio from Iceland.

Taking a slightly different slant on traditional Icelandic electro music, we especially like the smooth tones from the saxophone, courtesy of Andri Már Enoksson.

Sounds like: Death Rattle, Duran Duran, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Chairlift, Poliça, Björk, Tegan & Sara

YOUNG KARIN

Young Karin

Young Karin is a simple and dreamy art pop production by Reykjavik-based Karin & Logi Pedro.

Having already been nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards, we anticipating brilliant things from the duo.

Sounds like: Banks, July Child

Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter

Having already sold out (apart from limited package deals), this year is set to be as explosive as ever! You can track the event on the Iceland Airwaves 2014 app.

Lykke Li – No Rest For The Wicked

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Indietronica Staff

Lykke Li

The Swedish singer/songwriter is back. This time with her new single called ‘No Rest For The Wicked’.

The spine-tingling video (directed by Tarik Saleh) is beautifully shot and features Lykke Li herself.

The emotional track is the second one taken from her forthcoming third (and last) album of Lykke Li’s 20s and is out on 23 April 2014. ‘I Never Learn’ is out on 5 May 2014. Pre-order on iTunes here.

Sounds like: El Perro Del Mar, Susanne Sundfør, Fever Ray, Bat For Lashes, Oh Land, Chairlift, Uh Huh Her, Santigold

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Youtube