HOAX is an indie pop-rock outfit from Queens, New York, comprised of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar.
With a sound that is familiar to UK-based indie rock from the naughties, their modern vintage vibe captures, in their own words, “the beautiful sound of sadness”.
Listen to ‘Could’, the first single off their debut album, ‘b?’.
Swedish singer/songwriter, Emma Elisabeth gets nerdy in her new single, ‘Cavalry’.
With a classic band set up, the lush unfurling folk track captures stiring indie rock riffs and delicate vocals, all whilst giving a gentle nod to folk-rock kings’n’queens of the 70’s.
Sounds like: Lana Del Rey, Lucy Rose, Laurel, First Aid Kit, Susanne Sundfør, Sunflower Bean, The Japanese House, Jakob Ogawa, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young
Iceland has a reputation for producing some magical and forward-thinking music.
However, there is something quite familiar about ‘Free As A Bird’ by trio, One Week Wonder. It might be because of the serious Pink Floyd sounds going on, or the fact that member, Arni was a founding member of Of Monsters And Men and Helgi was a touring member of Asgeir’s live band.
Put the kettle on, sit back and listen to the sweet twangs of folktronica and velvety vocals on the track.
Sounds like: Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Air, Tame Impala, Of Monsters And Men, David Bowie
Meet Glassio, the alt-pop project of Sam Rad and Charlie P.
Glassio have put together a playlist for us about the influences behind their recent atmospheric cover of Iggy & The Stooges‘ ‘Search & Destroy’.
You can listen to/find out more below.
“These are 11 songs that played a role in influencing our production of “Search & Destroy,” and that we still often reference when working on new music.
Individually, there might not be much in common with the cover, but there are elements from each that either exist in the cover or that we had on our mind when working on the track.
Most notably is the idm-electro inspired cover of “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” by German producer Schneider TM –originally performed by The Smiths. That served as a specific influence by taking something from one genre and fitting it into another.
I (Sam) have also been listening to a lot of UK garage and 2-step lately. Sticky is one of my favorite producers in that area, and the song we’ve included on here, “War Rhythm” played a big part in influencing a portion of the beat in the cover.
Lately, we’ve both been digging deep into old Philly soul, MFSB, and then lots of 90s and early 2000s R&B. That’s been having a major comeback lately, and you can hear it all over the Chance album. The voices on “Same Drugs” are particularly uplifting, and we wanted our voices in the gospel section of our cover to resemble the same mood.
“Heartbeats” by Joakim and “Transformer Man” by NeilYoung are both basically singer-songwriter songs performed through vocoders, and that idea was really attractive to us, so we added that very faintly in the vocals on the first verse.
Our cover ends with a BeachBoys-inspired ending, emanating the trapped feeling that the vocals at the end of “’Til I Die” give off.
The playlist also starts off with a song by a former classmate of ours at Clive Davis. We never spoke in person, but his album is pretty fantastic, and definitely removes you from your current headspace with lots of controlled and orchestrated noise-rock. We wanted the ending of our song to have that same feeling.”
Sticking their middle fingers up to social media, rising four-piece October Drift are causing a stir amongst the gigging scene.
Kiran from October Drift has put together a really great playlist together for us.
Nick Drake – Hazy Jane II
Got this album (Bryter Layter) for a birthday sometime in my early teens. Took me a couple of years to really get into it, I don’t think it was instant enough for me to appreciate its subtleties at the time. Nick Drakes music gets better the more you hear it – which is the right way round, obviously.
The Velvet Underground & Nico – Sunday Morning
Easily one of the most important records of all time in my opinion. And this track is the go to for me. Not sure what it is about it but its so warm and dreamy. I’ve found myself the owner of one of the early editions of the vinyl where Andy Worhols banana peels. Apparently it could be worth some money, although I’ve accidentally ripped it a little trying to peel it!
Bob Dylan – Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright
Bob Dylan’s songwriting constantly surprises and impresses me with every listen (not ALL of his stuff, I have to say). The intricacy to his story telling from song to song and the imagery and descriptions can blow my mind and make me smile.
Simon and Garfunkel – America
Simon and Garfunkel have such a clarity and innocence in their style and again are instantly recognisable. The imagery and story of this young couple hitchhiking their way across the states is full of hope and optimism and as the song progresses maybe a sense of disillusionment creeps in as they try to ‘Look for America’ – trying to chase a false American dream perhaps.
Neil Young – Down By the River
Neil Young – Also extremely nostalgic for me, Neil Young got played a lot in the house while I was growing up. His voice is thin and kind of winey but its really emotive, the same goes for his guitar playing – he’s not the best in the world but he’s got a really distinctive sound and style which is far more important than being technically good. That’s important. His songwriting and melodies seem really natural and not over thought if that makes sense.
David Bowie – Five Years
The opening track to one of my favourite albums by one of the most inspiring, iconic and important artists ever.
Leonard Cohen – Suzanne
Leonard Cohen’s baritone voice and sad songs have without question directly influenced us and many more of our biggest musical influences (NickCave, TheNational to name a few).
The Beach Boys – I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times
A look into the messed up genius head of Brian Wilson. It’s a really sad song, but its got The Beach Boys happy sheen on it. I think there’s something really interesting in that – the juxtaposition of the care free surfer kid image and the troubled reality. I read his autobiography a few years ago, it’s really sad.
Steve Harley – That’s My Life In Your Hands
I heard this song for the first time in years and years not too long ago and it really took me back to my childhood, my dad used to play this album and this song I particularly liked. Really great melodies and an emotive chorus.
Sammy Davis, Jr. – Mr. Bojangles
I really like the story telling of this song. I don’t think it is originally Sammy Davis Jr’s but it fits perfectly with his character. It’s a sad story really of an old alcoholic dancer or entertainer Mr. Bojangles who from within a prison cell tells the story of his life and does a dance. I guess it could be a worry of most performers, be it bands, musicians or whatever that they’ll end up washed up, telling story’s of what they used to be.
Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line
The man in blacks influence on modern rock and pop music is un-chartable. There’s something so sincere and confident about this particular song. His work with Rick Ruben too at the last part of his life is so powerful and cemented that he will never be forgotten.
Syd Barrett – Baby Lemonade
I loved Pink Floyd growing up and they certainly have an influence on what we do, although it may not be as direct as other artists. They can be at times a bit too cliche druggie stadium-y but that came much later than Syd. This song is from after he left the band and put out some solo records. His story is very sad, yet has this (false) romantic side – the tortured artist kind of thing. He was very out there and original for the time and at the forefront of psychedelia.
JULY 2016 9th / LIVERPOOL CALLING FESTIVAL, LIVERPOOL
15th / HUDDERSFIELD, THE PARISH
16th / HARWORTH, THE BLACKSMITHS
17th / BLACKPOOL, BOOTLEG SOCIAL
18th / EDINBURGH, THE ELECTRIC CIRCUS
19th / HULL, THE ADELPHI
21st / DERBY, THE VENUE (Radar Love Club Night)
22nd / NOZSTOCK FESTIVAL, THE HIDDEN VALLEY
23rd / TRAMLINES FESTIVAL, SHEFFIELD (Crystal Stage)
24th / THE SUMMER WESTIVAL, ALDERSHOT
25th / TUNBRIDGE WELLS, THE FORUM
26th / LONDON, THE LEXINGTON
28th / ST ALBANS, THE HORN
29th / PLYMOUTH, UNDERGROUND
30th / READING, OAKFORD SOCIAL
AUGUST 2016 6th / KAYA FESTIVAL, PORT TALBOT
Sounds like: Interpol, The National, Editors, White Lies, Future Islands, Spector
Ambient pop outfit, Fjord share their brilliant cover of ‘Hey Hey My My’, by folk singer Neil Young.
Turning the original on its head, Fjord have created an atmospheric version, graceful in nature.
The duo have been causing a huge stir in their home town of Québec, having been covered by pretty much every major news outlet and organically reaching over 2.5 million streams on Spotify.
Their full length album, ‘Textures’, will drop on 16th September.
Sounds like: Baile, Prince George, July Child, Tabrill, Haux
