UK-based Georgie shares the expressive ‘Chasing Kites’ taken from her album, out now. Georgie was the first signing to Soul Kitchen Recordings (the label set up by Jake Bugg’s management company: Soul Kitchen), and it’s the only song on the album that she didn’t write or produce during the lockdown. Listen below for that uplifting feel.
Swedish artist and producer Kasbo shares his emotionally-charged new single ‘Play Pretend’. Featuring Ourchives’ soaring vocals, the track marks a new chapter ahead of his second studio album ‘The Making of a Paracosm’ will be out on 23 October via Foreign Family Collective / Counter Records, and features a passionate embrace amongst nature.
American-born French residing Jesse Hite combines music from the West Coast of the US with synth-laden electro inspired by his French antics. His new single ‘I’m Glad You Called Me’ combines poppy hooks with a generous nod to 80s disco.
A new wave of rockstars are taking over, and with Billie Eilish‘s seal of approval, Dominic Fike is making huge waves with his modern take on emo-pop. The track ‘Double Negative (Skeleton Milkshake)’ is one of the more indietronica-friendly tracks taken from his genre-bending new album, ‘What Could Possibly Go Wrong’.
Glass Animals shares the David Wilson (Tame Impala, Christine and the Queens) directed video for new single, ‘It’s All So Incredibly Loud’. Written about three seconds of life, in which during that short heartbreaking moment, devastation creates a deafening silence, followed by a point of no return.
Sounds like: alt-J, Tender, Pale Hands, Foreign Air, Everything Everything, Son Lux
We do like a good festival, and after hearing that NOS Alive in Lisbon, Portugal is up there as one the world’s best music festivals, we decided to plan a trip in July to find out what all the fuss is about!
In the mean time, buckle up and check out our ones to watch within the indietronica genres (looks like we’ll mainly see you at the Sagres Stage then!).
THURSDAY 12 JULY
Friendly Fires, Sagres Stage
Energetic Brit boys Friendly Fires return to the festival circuit after a hiatus.
Having already had massive success with hits such as ‘Paris’, ‘Jump In The Pool’ and ‘Skeleton Boy’, their new single ‘Love Like Waves’ doesn’t disappoint and continues the theme of tropical-tinged synth sounds.
Expect a highly fun and bold performance at NOS Alive.
Jain is a multi-cultural singer/songwriter and self confessed beat-maker, originally from France, but who has also spent time in Dubai and The Congo.
Jain means achieving liberation of the soul, and that’s exactly what this music embodies with its flecked sounds of African rhythms with simple, yet vibrant vocals.
Watch the video for highly recognised song ‘Makeba’ below and catch Jain at the Sagres Stage on Thursday.
One artist we are super stoked to check out live is Khalid.
The American singer/songwriter originally started writing music during his college years, where he was also declared prom king. Amalgamating an array of sounds from classical, pop to hip hop, Khalid shows a real sense of urgency in his music.
We can’t get enough of his track with Billie Eilish, and can’t wait to see him perform at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Father John Misty, Frank Ocean, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, James Blake, Billie Eilish
Indie rockers Wolf Alice have been our firm favourites from the UK for some time now. They never disappoint at a live show, fronted by a fresh-faced Ellie Rowsell’s seemingly blasé but endearingly nervous attitude.
Expect a set full of their most brilliant tunes…so that’s all of them then!
Sounds like: Black Honey, Peace, Superfood, Foals, Circa Waves, Harry
Sampha is to be one of the UK’s best musical exports in 2018.
He has a knack for writing songs with deep and personal lyrics of pain and reflection, some of which have unfortunately has stemmed from health hardships suffered with his family at home, and we can’t help but think we are supporting him on this journey.
Truly thought-provoking stuff, definitely worthy of a slot at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Jessie Ware, Frank Ocean, Solange, Moses Sumney, James Blake, Chet Faker, SBTRKT, Dallas Green
Future Islands‘ front man Samuel T Herring’s dancing is reason enough to go watch these guys at NOS Alive. And of course, the US synthpop band are wildly brilliant in as many unique, refreshing and inspiration ways possible.
Feisty feminist attitudes and catchy lyrics is what CHVRCHES brings to the table.
Lauren Mayberry has faced her fair share of trolls online, but to her testament, the Scottish trio continue to go from strength to strength. We are very much looking forward to this show!
Sounds like: Kate Boy, Avec Sans, Purity Ring, Vogue Dots, R.A.B.B.I.I., Kaleida, Gems, IYES, For Esmé, ALMA, Pale Hands, Acre Tarn, Prinze George, Leitbur, Monogem, PALMEDO, NONONO, Still Corners, MUNA
Imagine if M83 and Joanna Newsom met one day and decided to make some music. The result would be the quirky and ambient tones of Portuguese Surma (aka Débora Umbelino).
Working with loop pedals, the solo artist works with analogue and digital sounds creating a primal yet sonic environment.
Kicking off Saturday’s ones to watch are Lisbon natives, Lotus Fever.
They fit somewhere in-between Alt-J and Pink Floyd and it’s really refreshing to hear. We are expecting a super tight performance, thanks to their longstanding stint together since 2011 and it being their local city.
Their music has tendencies to sway in the 60’s, psychedelic market – imagine riding on a surfboard in space. However, we expect their set at NOS Alive to be a relaxed affair, where you can chill out and have a cider…or ride a surfboard in space, whatever takes your fancy!
Less under the radar than the counterparts in this piece, but still worthy of a slot on one’s to watch at this year’s NOS Alive. The mighty MGMT!
The eclectic US-based duo are known for their otherworldly take on modern indie rock music, often combining psychedelic synths, crunchy guitars and stodgy vocals with fun videos.
Sounds like: Empire of the Sun, Foster the People, Tame Impala, Portugal. The Man
Covering topics such as sexual abuse, suicide and alcohol abuse, Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) is one such musical role model we want to be more involved with.
His music represents such struggles and recoveries in a camp but delightfully magnificent way.
Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Kate Bush, M83, David Bowie, Future Islands, Fever Ray
With a warming lo-fi sound, Brooklyn-based dream team, Real Estate is our last act to consider watching at NOS Alive.
Run by childhood friends who played in their backyards during the summer months, Real Estate write simple and endearing songs full of luminous guitar riffs and delicate synths.
We envisage this show to be a perfect end to a perfect weekend.
Glass Animals are back with a video for the off kilter and immersive, ‘Life Itself’.
Lead singer and producer Dave Bayley says of the track:
“Things have changed a lot for us over the past two years. instead of sitting in the studio we’ve been in a different city every night; making friends, hearing crazy stories, getting in crazy trouble. So much has happened! All of it made me want to think about people, and write something rawer and more human. ‘Life Itself’ is one of those. It’s a guy who was born a bit strange, and struggles to become part of society. Because of that he spends more time alone in his own head, getting stranger, and it becomes an awful cycle of doom.
Sound and production wise…we’ve been buzzing off of the amazing energy of the crowds we’ve been playing to. As crowds grew, they got more feral…and so did we. We found ourselves going wilder on stage, and playing heavier, grittier, high energy versions of our songs, changing them every night. Now we’ve tried to put some of that energy, spontaneity, and sound on tape.”
‘Life Itself ’ is released via Caroline International / Wolf Tone, and is the first track to be released from their upcoming album, ‘How To Be A Human Being’.
UK/IRE Tour Dates
15/06 – ICA, London, UK SOLD OUT
07/08 – Wilderness Festival, UK
03/09 – Electric Picnic, Ireland
10/09 – Bestival Festival, UK,
21/10 – O2 Academy 1, Oxford, UK
22/10 – Dome, Brighton, UK
25/10 – Roundhouse, London, UK
26/10 – Academy 2, Manchester, UK
27/10 – Arts School, Glasgow, UK
28/10 – Academy 2, Liverpool, UK
29/10 – The Olympia, Dublin, Eire
Sounds like: Alt-J, Tender, Pale Hands, Foreign Air
CHVRCHES return after a nine month break with a new gem, ‘Leave A Trace’.
Staying true to what made them such a successful trio in the first place, ‘Leave A Trace’ has strong repetitive vocals (courtesy of Lauren Mayberry, who really has a knack of getting her point across), crammed in over unique luscious sounds.
It’s fair to say that CHVRCHES will be leaving some serious musical traces, once again.
And check out the luscious Goldroom remix (added 17 Dec).
Sounds like: Kate Boy, Avec Sans, Purity Ring, Vogue Dots, R.A.B.B.I.I., Kaleida, Gems, IYES, For Esmé, ALMA, Pale Hands, Acre Tarn, Prinze George, Leitbur, Monogem, PALMEDO, NONONO, Still Corners, MUNA
Given that Pale Hands released a full length debut album back in October 2014, it’s somewhat miraculous that the Boston duo haven’t attracted more attention.
Lush, buoyant vocals dance over echo laden guitars and synths to create an electro pop that nestles neatly between the likes of Crystal Castles and Chvrches, only slowed down somewhat to intensify the experience.
‘Fanatic’ is the lead single from the album ‘Spirit Lines’, which was evidently born from a period of pain and suffering. Spacious tracks accompany dark lyrics to create the kind of atmospheric indietronica that we at the Bristol Beats Club and Indietronica simply can’t get enough of.
