Tag Archives: Duran Duran

Weekly Gems 86

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Indietronica Staff

Neon Strangers – Stuck In A Rhythm

Neon Strangers by Ronja Dahlgren

‘Stuck In A Rhythm’ by Swedish duo Neon Strangers is short, sentimental and sweet.

The duo – comprised of Anton Ericson and Robin Dahlgren – explore their very own take on emotional songwriting, and what it’s like to be human.

Sounds like: Of Monsters And Men, Born Strangers

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Sophie Kilburn – Indigo Fever

Introducing Derbyshire-born Sophie Kilburn and her debut single ‘Indigo Fever’.

It’s a beautiful fiery alt-pop number that showcases Kilburn’s powerful songwriting with an anthemic backdrop – “How can you love your body, when nobody is loving you?”

Listen below.

Sounds like: KT Tunstall, Florence & The Machine, Angie McMahon, Emma McGrath, PJ Harvey, Jade Bird

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Tyler Meacham – Say Yes

Tyler Meacham

Tyler Meacham is one lady who, when she makes mistakes along the way, gets up, dusts herself off and tries again.

‘Say Yes’ is a punchy pop number with a slice of attitude for the modern female generation.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Maggie Rogers, City & Colour

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School of X – Write My Name

School of X by Jonas Bang

Touring drummer for MØ and Major Lazer, Copenhagen-based Rasmus Littauer spends the majority of his time on the road. When he does get some rare downtime, he spends it writing and producing tracks for his solo project, School Of X.

His evocative synth single, ‘Write My Name’ is the final single release before his ‘Destiny’ EP, which takes us on a journey of leaving doubts behind and looking forward.

Sounds like: MGMT, The Flaming Lips, Cat Power

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Stranger Girl – Find The Humour

Indie music often alludes to themes of adolescence, but what happens when indie bands grow up? Should their songwriting not follow suit? Stranger Girl are the perfect example of that, they retain all the trademark sonic tropes but their songwriting addresses navigating love in their twenties, hoping to ‘Find The Humour’ post-breakup.

Listen below and check out the warm fuzzy guitars set the perfect backdrop for frontwoman Melissa’s Blondie-inspired pop-rock vocal melodies.

Sounds like: Wolf Alice

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The Chevin – Big Machine

We’re not going to feel bad for digging a band that racks up similarities to The Killers and U2.

The band in question is vibrant Leeds-based The Chevin, and we can’t help but admire their nod to energetic, 90’s rock in the new single, ‘Big Machine’.

Sounds like: The Wombats, The Killers, INXS, Duran Duran, U2

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Bloom Twins – Amnesia

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Indietronica Staff

Bloom Twins

What’s better than one brilliant artist? Two, of course! And these two are identical.

Meet Bloom Twins; 19 year olds, Anna & Sonia Kuprienko. Originally from the Ukraine, the duo moved to London a few years ago to escape the political situation at home, and are both now signed to Select Model Management.

Their music definitely has some eastern European techno and industrial influences, but with lighter touches here and there, possibly following their work alongside Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran‘s keys player).

Watch the video for ‘Amnesia’ below.

Sounds like: Nine Inch Nails, ASTR, Diia, VÉRITÉ

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Interview: Twin Wave

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Indietronica Staff

Twin Wave

We hate to admit this, but despite their awesome, dream rock sound, we’ve only just heard of Brooklyn trio, Twin Wave.

With this in mind, we were at liberty to find out more from vocalist, Nick Williams…

Twin Wave is a band that has been about for some time, but this is the first time we’ve heard your music. Talk us through the members of the band, how you all met and came to form Twin Wave as it stands today.

We first started playing together in 2013 after myself (Nick Williams, vocalist) and Maxx Berkowitz (guitarist) met as neighbors living in Crown Heights, Brooklyn in 2012. We quickly became friends and found a mutual interest in music and eventually became roommates in Williamsburg. From there, we linked with Sarik Kumar (guitarist) who was living in Greenpoint, and helped form what would became Twin Wave.

Describe your sound in three words.

Dreamy, sleek, retro-inspired.

You new single, ‘Matador’, is inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s ‘The Sun Also Rises’. How did that title come about?

I was first drawn to Hemingway’s works, and that specific novel, while living abroad in Paris in 2008. The passages about bullfighting as an art form rather than a sport always stuck out to me and it was the first thing that came into my head when Sarik and Maxx first wrote the guitar riff that begins the track! It sort of wrote itself from there.

Where do you cite your musical influences from?

We are actually a pretty eclectic bunch between the three of us! We have myriad interests in music and genres, but there is a definite underlying commonality which we share — our tastes overlap in The Police, The War on Drugs, Future Islands, and Radiohead!

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

Lewis Del Mar, MUNA, Sturgill Simpson, Caveman, and Lucius!

Twin Wave will be playing a single release show today at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. ‘Matador’ is the lead single from their forthcoming EP, ‘Pour Out The Dark’ and has been produced by Tommy Eichmann (Alex Winston).

Sounds like: The Levity, Duran Duran

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Tradiio Exclusive: Interview With Britt Daley

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Indietronica Staff

Britt Daley

Britt Daley has been causing quite a stir with her single ‘Move Me’, so we decided to find out more about the songstress from the US.

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

Music was always playing in our household and as I grew up musicality was highly encouraged. For my 5th birthday my grandmother bought me an upright Baldwin, insisting on lessons. I think my grandmother had this dream of me becoming a concert pianist… the ‘female Liberace’, but that was thwarted when I began performing professionally with the Orlando Youth Opera. I continued piano lessons but I loved to sing so I was taken under the wing of Linda Ronstadt’s former vocal coach.

Describe your sound in three words.

Dreamy. Electronic. Synth-pop.

We discovered you on Tradiio after listening to your track ‘Move Me’, which has received thousands of plays. Were you expecting such a positive response to your debut?

I wasn’t expecting it to garner this much attention because it’s so hard to cut through the noise as an independent artist. But ‘Move Me’ did pretty well, which I can attribute in part to the blog attention it received early on, Soundcloud shares/playlists, and it’s presence on the Tradiio platform. Super pleased that it reached as many people as it has because it’s one of my favorites.

You’ve also collaborated with Morgan Page. How did that come about?

I was originally connected to the project through Jay and Nick of The Oddictions, who also co-wrote and produced, “Running Wild”. They heard a song I had worked on with mutual friend, producer/DJ Nicademass, and got in touch with me via Twitter. Despite the three of us living in the same town we didn’t meet in person until a couple months into the project. I’ve become pretty accustomed to working with other artists and producers remotely, and it can have it setbacks, but it’s mostly been positive because it allows me to work with people from all over the world, which has been truly rewarding. Many of the people I work with are based in L.A., but I’m also working with a producer based in Portland on my debut solo album, and I have another collaboration with a producer who lives in the Netherlands. There are a few pretty cool projects down the pipeline that I’m very excited about.

Where do you cite your musical influences from?

Gosh… where to start… as a kid… Björk, Madonna, Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley, and later rediscovering 80’s New Wave bands like Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears, The Cars, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys… (I could go on).

In more recent years, I’ve been influenced by Bat For Lashes, Sia, Com Truise, James Vincent McMorrow, Imogen Heap, Miike Snow, Marina & The Diamonds…

I also draw upon influences from my classical and theatrical training… and of course my personal life experiences. Every song on my album is very personal and each one captures a different moment of my life over the past few years.

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

I have pretty eclectic taste and I’m constantly finding amazing artists that might not be very new, but they’re new to me… good music is good music. Right now I’ve been listening to Kidnap Kid, Tame Impala, Jason Isbell, Nikki Lane, Taylor McFerrin, and Broods… Check out Kidnap Kid – Moments ft Leo Stannard it’s stunning.

We’ve invested in Britt Daley. Have you? Listen to more of their songs and support them at tradiio.com/britt-daley.

Sounds like: Miike Snow

Dutch Uncles – Decided Knowledge

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Indietronica Staff

Dutch Uncles by Adrian Lambert

Manchester pop group Dutch Uncles has shared the music video for ‘Decided Knowledge’, directed by Sam Alder and Nicholas Wood and produced by Manchester production studio Plastic Zoo.

Shot in a small beach town in Wales, the video features a puppet version of the group’s frontman, Duncan Wallis.

‘Decided Knowledge’ is comprised of intriguing lyrics, skittish vocals, a funky bass line, and colourful harmonies.

It has been taken from their topical new album ‘O Shudder’, which was out on 24 February on Memphis Industries. Purchase on iTunes here.

They will also be playing The Great Escape Festival in May.

Sounds like: The Levity, Everything Everything, Metronomy, Duran Duran, LCD Soundsystem, Tom Vek, Peter Gabriel

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Young Kato – Children of the Stars

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Indietronica Staff

Young Kato – Children of The Stars

Remember when all we heard on the radio was music from The Editors, White Lies and Two Door Cinema Club? We miss those days.

Sleekly taking their place on the alt pop scene is Young Kato, who are back with new single ‘Children of The Stars’.

It’s a twinkling pop gem with 80’s-inspired driving beats.

The single is taken from the band’s debut album, ‘Don’t Wait ’Til Tomorrow’. Both are out on the 3 May and can be purchased on iTunes here.

Sounds like: Two Door Cinema Club, Temper Trap, Empire of The Sun, Kid Astray, Satellite Stories, Duran Duran, The Editors, White Lies

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The Levity – Levity

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Indietronica Staff

The Levity

The Levity is a garage pop band from Plymouth whom we have just stumbled upon.

We sum the foursome up as having clever lyrics combined with smooth tropical vibes, reminiscent of the 80’s.

Check out the video for ‘Levity’. It is not quite as glamorous as Duran Duran‘s ‘Rio’, but is still just as sexy.

The Levity is playing at Notting Hill Arts Club on 19 November, alongside Nina, Owlle with a DJ set by July Child. Buy tickets here.

Sounds like: Cub Sport, Tina Turner, Thompson Twins, Brandon Flowers, Chromeo, Lionel Richie

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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

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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’:

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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