Tag Archives: Dan Croll

Weekly Gems 96

Epic Empire – Go On

Epic Empire - Go On

French composer and “perfectionist machinist” Epic Empire brings joy to our ears with the new song, ‘Go On’.

Asking for us to search deep inside ourselves, the emotive track echoes both the old school touches of Moby as well as more modern producers, Model Man.

Sounds like: Model Man, Joe Goddard, Moby

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Hundreds – Body of Water

Hundreds by J Konrad Schmidt_

Hundreds by J Konrad Schmidt_

Introducing electro-pop band Hundreds.

The serene new single ‘Body Of Water’ is, according to lead singer Eva Milner, “an ode to the spirits of the water and its power”.

With a focus on nature, especially the sea, Hundreds reminds us of being care-free creators in nature with great poignancy.

Sounds like: Róisín Murphy, Austra, St. Vincent, La Roux, The Knife

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Sløtface – Tap the Pack

Sløtface

Norweigan band Sløtface shares ‘Tap the Pack’ – a raw and catchy self-pep talk about keeping fear by your side to drive you and not letting it bring you down.

Their album ‘Sorry For The Late Reply’ is out at the end of the month via Nettwerk/Propellor Recordings.

Sounds like: Wolf Alice

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KYTES – GO OUT

KYTES

Wow, the German music scene is really blossoming at the moment. Munich-based band KYTES is bringing some positive energy in the new video for the indie-pop banger, ‘GO OUT’.

Reminiscing to a time when life seemed easier, ‘GO OUT’ is a throw-back tune through and through and celebration of teenage years.

Sounds like: Phoenix, Blossoms, High Tyde, Travis, Them Swoops, Native People, Strange Talk, Two Door Cinema Club, Parcels

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Dan Croll – Yesterday

Dan Croll

Dan Croll returns with the release of double A-side single ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Stay In L.A.’ through Communion Records.

Following a transition to California from Liverpool two years ago, Croll’s writing has taken a more sunny demeanor, although there still remains a contemplative undercurrent with a gentle nod to his home town.

Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, The Beatles, Elton John, Bombay Bicycle Club

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Bad Progress – Bad Progress

Bad Progress

Started by London-based Zygmunt Day, Joe Hyam and Nathan Kerntiff in 2019, Bad Progress is an experimental and refreshingly practical project that focuses on “the blend of musical styles playing in pubs and out of car windows in London” in a timeless and often scrappy style.

Their philosophy is “just make it easy”, which can be seen in their EP, ‘Moody Bangers’, out now.

Sounds like: Fontaines D.C., Black Midi, The Clash, Black Country New Road

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Big Fox – Beast

Big Fox

Big Fox might not be a name on the lips of the UK music lovers, but she has had huge success around Europe, especially Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and France.

The fragility of her new single ‘Beast’ is moving – she interrogates the process of using violence and fear to enforce order, and frames through a plucky-pop lens.

Sounds like: Feist, Lana Del Rey

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M.I.L.K – Need A Witness

M.I.L.K

Multi-talented Scandinavian songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Emil Wilk, better known as M.I.L.K releases new single ‘Need A Witness​’ via Capitol Universal.

His new, self-produced single, ‘Need A Witness’ is a feel good and laid back jam full of technicolor. Expect his forthcoming debut album ‘Always Summer Somewhere’ set for release in March.

Sounds like: Easy Life, Rex Orange County

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Savannah Sgro – Stable

Savannah Sgro

Nashville based independent singer/songwriter Savannah Sgro is another addition to the sad girl pop revolution.

Her new single ‘Stable’ comes ahead of her SXSW debut, and features heartfelt lyrics and plenty of other pop sensibilities.

Sounds like: CILVR, Chelsea Cutter

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Weekly Gems 54

Malory – Blue Umbrella

Malory

Rising pop artist Malory shares the beautiful ‘Blue Umbrella’, which we have had on repeat all week.

Seeking inspiration from life actions, ‘Blue Umbrella’’ started life on a tube journey after Malory had observed a family and noticed the father had a sadness in his eyes and seemed strangely discontented.

The Londoner was later in the studio making an experimental instrumental with producer Danny George when they noticed there was a blue umbrella left in the studio, which Malory found represented the image of an unhappy corporate figure in the rain on his way home from work.

Expect her debut album ‘Cornucopia’ out on 1 March.

Sounds like: Zella Day, Aurora

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Noé – Pity Party

Noé

Raised between Hong Kong and Aix en Provence in France, Paris-born singer/songwriter Noé doesn’t want to fit inside a musical box any longer.

Not quite defining her sound, her low-tempo music gathers inspiration from a blend of Pop, R&B and alt-indie sounds, tied together through painfully honest lyrics.

Her new single, ‘Pity Party’ highlights Noé’s tendencies to overthink and sometimes feel sorry for herself.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ

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Crow – Go

Crow

Exciting new Argentinian/American artist Crow shares the sultry single ‘Go’.

The song channels the idea of courage – following brutality at the hands of bullies during Crow’s school years – with hypnotic and melodic soundscapes and introspective reflection.

Sounds like: Gwen Stefani, CHLØË BLACK

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Gold Spectacles – Courtside

Gold Spectacles - Courtside

Forming in London, Gold Spectacles is the collaborative output of two British songwriter/producers who create “baroque-pop”.

Their new single ‘Courtside’ focuses on dependence in a long distance relationship, and uses flute, spanish guitar with analog synths to create a post-modern landscape.

Sounds like: Lykke Li, Bombay Bicycle Club, San Fermin, Fyfe, Astronauts, Carousel, Dan Croll, Nick Leng, Bibio, ROSTAM

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Drinker – Something I Want

Drinker - Something I Want

Brooklyn-based duo Drinker shares ‘Something I Want’ – a track slightly darker than your average musical tipple.

Inspired by a mututal love of James Blake, songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer Ariel Loh “wanted to create a visually diverse and bold message with the video for “Something I Want” and enlisted the help of NY based LGBTQ focused film maker Tyler Byrnes. With the implementation of stop motion animation and found footage, we aimed for a stark and surreal aesthetic to paint America’s multi-generational story of consumerism.“

Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Trentemoller, The Acid, Fever Ray, Sevdaliza, Tame Impala

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2CRE8 – Naughty Boy

2CRE8

Dutch DJ/producer duo 2CRE8 has today released their debut single ‘Naughty Boy’.

Having spent their time growing up together at high school, it was until a gig in December 2014 that everything fell into place and they decided to form a duo.

Check out ‘Naughty Boy’ with its bold dance-led lyrics and a catchy flute drop, which definitely hints at their playful side.

Sounds like: Harlee, Just Kiddin, Blonde, The Magician, Calvin Harris, Rihanna

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Ariela Jacobs – Missing You

Ariela Jacobs

Externalising her thoughts, Ariela Jacobs considers the concept of missing her old self in new song ‘Missing You’.

New York born and Melbourne bred, indie-pop singer-songwriter Ariela Jacobs was raised on a diet of literature and art. Her songwriting sends the listener on a journey both intimate and other-worldly; with melodies with clear folk-based lines, underscored by lush chords and pulsing rhythms.

Sounds like: Evvy, Linney, Goldroom, Le Youth

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Weekly SubmitHub Features 10

JOHN.K – OT

John.K - OT

We all have to do it. Work overtime. But what if it wasn’t a bummer, but something you wanted to do?

JOHN.K takes a different approach. ‘OT’ is an Autumnal track that is about spending that one extra day with your far away friend.

Sounds like: Sam Smith, Justin Bieber

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REGN – WATR

REGN - WATR

Who is REGN? We’re glad you ask.

REGN (pronounced Reagan) is a Los Angeles-based songstress who has just dropped her latest single, ‘WATR’.

Co-written with Robokid, the song has delicate Nordic-inspired vocals chopped into a romantic format.

It’s out now via Moving Castle.

Sounds like: Dagny, Sigrid

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Martin Luke Brown – Opalite

Martin Luke Brown by Bjorn Franklin

Londoner Martin Luke Brown has seemingly come out of nowhere with a banger of a indie pop track called ‘Opalite’ and he means business!

Speaking of the song, MLB says,

“Opalite as a song began with this hypnotic little drum loop and the words just came out. I write placeholder lyrics all the time and then chip away at them until they’re complete but I pretty much stuck with what rolled on Opalite. It just felt right. It’s about finding hope in something and not wanting to let itgo. Whether you find that hope in superstition or religion or love. Whatever really.”

MLB plays London’s Servant Jazz Quarters tonight and ‘Opalite’ is out now via LAB Records.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, Will Joseph Cook, Dua Lipa, Kyko, Sody, Dan Croll

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courtship. – Tell Me Tell Me

courtship. - Tell Me Tell Me

Well, it’s very sad that summer is over for us here in the UK, but keeping the feeling very much alive is electro pop duo courtship..

They’ve just released their new single, ‘Tell Me Tell Me’, a declaration to not hold emotions back, especially when it comes to those love feelings!

Sounds like: Cut Copy, Van She, Summer Heart, Jagwar Ma, Two Door Cinema Club, MGMT, Passion Pit

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Donkeyboy – Kaleidoscope

Donkeyboy

Goosebumps galore with the new track by Norwegian trio, Donkeyboy.

Driving analogue synths predominate the song, followed by sky-high vocals and a massive chorus. Listen below.

Sounds like: Pnau, Mew, LANY, The 1975

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Sasha – Skin Deep

Sasha

London-based Sasha shares ‘Skin Deep’.

Equally as soft on the electronic side of things as the beautiful ‘Picking Flowers‘, ‘Skin Deep’ is a contemplative track about ways to get over a lover through emotionless actions.

‘Skin Deep’ is out now via Lemon Zen Records.

Sounds like: Lucy Rose, Daughter, Maggie Rogers, The Japanese House, Bon Iver, Fenne Lily

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Loud Forest – Wake Up
Loud Forest - Wake Up

California couple Loud Forest are a force to be reckoned with.

Their new single ‘Wake Up’ is about loving an independent person, who is always slightly out of reach, making it all seem like a dream.

Sounds like: Arcade Fire

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Tailor – Blame

Tailor - Blame

Birmingham-born singer/songwriter Tailor has already written for the likes of , TĀLĀ, Huntar, FTSE and Peking Duk, and his own solo material is pretty decent too.

Bordering on alt-pop and electronic music, Tailor has a knack of discussing both sides of the story. His most recent release is a double-A side single called ‘Disillusion / Blame’.

Whilst ‘Disillusion’ is more upbeat in production, ‘Blame’ is about taking the hit in a relationship to benefit the unit as a whole.

Sounds like: Chet Faker, Francis and The Lights, Toro Y Moi, Lauv, Huntar, Sam Smith

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Martin Luke Brown – Into Yellow

Martin Luke Brown

London based Martin Luke Brown shares his first release on LAB Records.

It’s slightly more restrained than his previous single, ’65 Roses’, but this approach keeps emotional tension throughout the track, whilst Martin Luke Brown continues to showcase his expansive vocal range with the accompaniment of an organ and the rumbling of bass lines.

Sounds like: Will Joseph Cook, KYKO, Sody, Dan Croll, Amaroun, Frank Ocean, DAUNT, Bon Iver, Rationale

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Interview: Will Joseph Cook

Will Joseph Cook

Will Joseph Cook

Will Joseph Cook is a Kent-based pop act. Although he creates wistful tunes, he often has comedic tendencies.

We had a chat with the young man about growing up and his recent videos.

For those of you who don’t know you, tell us a bit more about Will Joseph Cook and how you got into music.

When I was young teenager I went to a lot of gigs with my dad. It was almost every other weekend, I became pretty infatuated with what it meant to be an artist and seeing all the different ways people react to music. Having those experiences definitely made me want to write songs and play my own shows.

Describe your sound in three words.

Your wildest dreams.

Where do you cite your musical influences from?

Like most, my dad and older sibling’s records had a big influence on me. Some of the early constants were bands like Eels, Beck, Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, Fatboy Slim… Then as i got a bit older and started buying my own records some of the first were Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Darwin Deez, Calvin Harris, Bright Eyes

You like starring in your own videos. The video for ‘Girls Like Me’ shows you taking on various different characters, including a few sassy ladies, whilst your new video for ‘Take Me Dancing’ features you dancing around an office.

Where did the idea behind these two videos come from, and were they fun making?

Both were a lot of fun to make for sure. I find that with most ideas they just come into my head randomly. With the last two I have tried to take the titles of the songs and base the idea around to give the track a second meaning.

You’ve just been signed to Atlantic. How does that feel?

Feels great, anything that helps my music reach more people is awesome.

You’ll be playing the first ever Neighbourhood Festival in Manchester on October 8th. Have you got any other shows lined up this year?

I’m playing Reading & Leeds, Y NOT festival, In The Woods and a bunch of other festival dates this summer. Hopefully I will have some headline show announcements in the coming months.

We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?

I’ve been listening to band called Beatenberg today, not super new but have been enjoying recently. Also the latest Villagers album is great.

Sounds like: Darwiz Deez, Dan Croll

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Reading & Leeds Festival Our Guide – Indietronica Artists

So you’re heading to the festival which was born and raised a rock festival but which seems to be getting more and more indie and pop headliners? That’s OK, cause turns out that there’s some pretty cool synth-driven indie acts playing, both bigwigs and new artists. And if you’re into that kinda thing and aren’t too sure about who to watch, don’t worry! Here’s our guide as to all the indietronica artists playing over the weekend. Hot tips are starred (*) and listen to the whole playlist below.

Phoenix – Indietronica heavyweights and french electro-indie at its finest, their recent album ‘Bankrupt!’ has been played many times at the Indietronica office. ‘Trying to be Cool’ is not only an awesome song, but it has an awesome video to go with it. Watch it here.

MS MR* – This US duo make fun quirky pop and videos about dysfunctional American traditions to accompany it. Read our review of ‘Hurricane’ here.

Thumpers* – These London newbies make cool alt-pop indie and ‘Unkinder (A Tougher Love)’  is an absolute tune.

Foals – Oxford five-piece play one of the best live sets of any current artist, persistently selling out, so if you get a chance to go see them, do. They’ve just had an album out; ‘Holy Fire’

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