Right in the forefront of Italy’s buzzing electronic music scene is enigmatic Iranian-born singer Nava Golchini and her band, aka NAVA.
A unique blend of culture and electronic twists, they create music that is truly visceral, both musically and visually. Their new single ‘Skin’ is soft and edgy, as it explores the darker side of human nature.
Out to set the message straight and spread an empowering message to her fans, Talitha is doing ‘Fine On My Own’.
Having only released a smattering of singles over the past two years, Talitha is creating her own definition of R&B in the UK, slowly emerging as one to watch within the genre. The predominantly R&B track hits with a unique vibe, taking pop influences from artists like SIA whilst adding an urban twist.
Indie pop duo Hoofa makes a big splash with their follow up single to ‘Alone‘, called ‘Water Balloons’.
Based on summertime fun in their youth, playing water balloon fights, this is a generous pick up to remind us that being 2m apart outside can still be fun!
We haven’t shared music from electronic duo, Kaleida since 2015, so it was a pleasant surprise to see a new release appear in our inbox!
A lesson in sonic minimalism, the Glashier-directed stunning visuals features an array of solo dancers filmed on the streets in a fully locked-down Berlin.
Sounds like: Aquilo, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, VÉRITÉ, Salt Ashes, Evvy, Monogem, Paperwhite, Chvrches, Palmedo, Prinze George, Nina Yasmineh, Day Wave, Poliça, Rhye, MS MR, Roisin Murphy
Berlin-based electronic pop band NIHILS shares the pop-kissed new single ‘Lost in L.A.’.
In an era of instant gratification, will we ever truly find what we are looking for? This song imagines driving through a desolate Los Angeles looking for purpose and a sense of belonging in an era of never lasting joy.
Lisbon trio Vaarwell is back with a sultry new single, ‘New Woman’.
Set in a dreamlike scene, warm keys underpin the delicate, ethereal vocals we have come to expect from Margarida Falcã. Accompanied by subtle electronic elements, we join Vaarwell on their journey to becoming vulnerable.
East London songwriter Runrummer‘s new single ‘Toronto’ speaks about her experience living in Ontario when she was 19.
It’s about growing up with big dreams, but being confined to aprehensions, “about being gay, coming out, experimenting with drugs, living far away from home for the first time, and trying to live up to people’s expectations.”
Re-introducing Lisbon-based indie pop band, Vaarwell.
Formed in 2014, the band consists of Margarida Falcão (vocals, keyboards) – who is also a Xinobi (producer and DJ) collaborator – Ricardo Nagy (guitar, keys, production) and Luís Monteiro (bass, sampler).
With varying music genre backgrounds from indie rock to folk and electronic music, ‘False Promises’ is a wonderful return for Vaarwell, as the new song seesaws between denial about a relationship ending and absolute denial.
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.
Best Youth is a funky synth twosome from Porto in Portugal.
Their incredibly seductive new video for ‘Black Eyes’ features the duo, Ed Rocha Gonçalves and Catarina Salinas.
Ed and Catarina met as teenagers during the summer holidays. They formed a three-piece band called Genius Loki which released two EPs and toured nationally, but later disbanded. After a few years, while working on a solo album, Ed got back in touch with Catarina for a few recording sessions and they started officially working together under the name Best Youth.
Lisbon quartet Vaarwell formed in late 2014 and have been making music and touring ever since. They are currently preparing their first album, which we can expect in late 2016.
After being named Tradiio’s ‘Artist of the Week’, we decided to find out more…
How did you meet and why did you start making music together?
We all studied in the same art school and we were studying music production. Since we were all from the same class, we eventually got to know each other better and decided to try making music together and we think it worked out well!
Describe your sound in three words.
Mellow, Simple, Genuine.
We also discovered fellow Portuguese artist Isaura on Tradiio. Do you think the music scene in Portugal has a lot of offer the rest of the world?
Absolutely! We personally think that the Portuguese music scene has never been better and more diversified. There’s a lot of potential in some Portuguese projects.
Where do you cite your musical influences from?
We all came from different backgrounds when it comes to music genre, so our influences vary from indie rock to folk and electronic music, to name a few.
We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
We’ve been listening to Lapsley, Haitus Kaiyote, Ayelle, Benjamin Clementine and Hippo Campus.
We’ve invested in Vaarwell. Have you? Listen to more of Vaarwell’s songs and support them at tradiio.com/vaarwell.
Isaura is an electronic Portuguese musician on the country’s one to watch list for 2015. We discovered Isaura whilst on Tradiio.
Her slow pop jam ‘Change It’ has been produced by Ben Monteiro (D’Alva, Mount Keeper) and it was written and composed by the artist herself.
We caught up with Isaura about writing music in English and her love for a variety of artists.
Why did you start making music?
I don’t quite know how to answer that since it is not something I’ve decided to do. I’ve always loved music and most of all I’ve always felt the need to write and compose my own songs. I think that for me it is the best possible way to express myself, to tell my stories and what is going on around me. I don’t think I could write a personal journal or a book, I don’t have enough discipline for that!, but I really like to preserve memories and write down things I do not want to forget; songs are perfect for that.
You are from Portugal, but you write your music in English. Is there a reason behind this?
I love how Portuguese sounds in songs, it is a beautiful, elegant and mysterious language; but I also think that it has a lot of character and personality and I prefer to hear English in this electronic pop world I’m singing. Besides that, my main influences sing in English and that is also a more universal tool to communicate… I think when you like to tell stories you need to believe that somehow the whole world can actually hear them.
Describe your sound in three words.
Electronic, pop, urban.
We discovered you on Tradiio. Do you think free platforms, such as Tradiio, are making it easier for artists to expose their sound to the general public?
Absolutely. Nowadays almost everyone can go online, use social networks and free platforms and upload songs; for good artists that are strongly committed to work hard and to build a music career it can be good and bad at the same time since you have a lot of things going on and sometimes good artist remain hidden under those infinite gigabytes of stuff and labels will never find them. Platforms like Tradiio act not only as a platform where people can hear music and judge for themselves instead of only hearing what big labels and radio stations choose, it also gives the possibility that good artists can be noticed by labels and hopefully earn contracts. I hope the platform can really make a difference and remain parallel to the music industry.
Where do you cite your musical influences from?
I hear a lot of everything. I do not hear that much music, because for me it can be an extenuating process since I can’t work and hear music or wash dishes and hear music: when I hear music I have to stop everything I’m doing. But I listen to very different artists that can touch me somehow. However, for my work as an artist I go from Jessie Ware, Chet Faker, Honne, Shura, Jack Garrat, Tourist, Haim to Daughter, Disclosure, AlunaGeorge, Rudimental, Flume, Jamie XX, JamesBlake, MØ, FKA Twigs and so many others.
We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
I’m just like anybody else that loves electronic music: I’m still stunned with Jack Ü feat Justin Bieber.
We’ve invested in Isaura. Have you? Listen to more of Isaura’s songs and support her at tradiio.com/isaura.
Lyves is the project of North London based singer / songwriter / producer Francesca Bergami; a young artist of Italian and Australian heritage, who grew up in Portugal, before moving to London to study Psychology.
Following on from last year’s well-received ‘Visions’ is the atmospheric ‘Shelter’. The track is so emotive and powerful that it should be listened to in the pouring rain. If you were in doubt of the talent of Bergami’s vocals, then don’t be any longer, as ‘Shelter’ is a stroke of soulful genius.
Lyves will release her debut EP in the Spring, which will be accompanied by her first ever headline show in London.
Sounds like: Years & Years, London Grammar, James Blake, SOHN, The Weeknd, Banks, Jamie XX, Jesse Ware, Shura, Seal, Boards of Canada
