Amy Guess
Amy Guess is a self-confessed “child of the ’80s” who creates highly infectious synth pop.
Her new track ’10 Times Out Of 10″ considers the trials and tribulations of a contemporary romance, all within an 80’s-inspired music video full of neon colours, fast cars and flashy lights.
Sounds like: Monogem, Kyla La Grange, Lights
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Olivver The Kid
Another one for the Drive soundtrack. It’s ‘BBBlue’ by Olivver The Kid; a song full of romantic synth pop met with perfectly melancholic undertones.
The video occurred after the director contacted Olivver The Kid out of the blue, asking him to direct the video for the track, later flying Olivver The Kid to Chicago to film it.
Watch the result below:
Sounds like: Great Good Fine Ok, LANY, The Knocks, Goldroom, RAC, Justin Bieber
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Nicky Venus by Shane Wilson
We recently received a press release asking us “Who is Nicky Venus?”
It’s a good question and one that Indietronica felt required answering.
Upon listening, we discovered that Nicky Venus is a sophisticated San Diego-based synth pop act, who has won the Best Pop award at the San Diego Music Awards 2014.
He sought musical inspiration during his travels in Asia, with nothing than a laptop, backpack and un-mailed letter to hand. The result is his new album ‘Little Runner’; a highly danceable album about suffering for love.
Indietronica is proud to be premiering the second track from the album called ‘Bodily Love’. It is full of lush minimal arrangements with a deeply sinister and haunting undertone.
Nicky will be releasing singles monthly until the album is released in November.
Sounds like: Depeche Mode, Tom Vek, LCD Soundsystem, David Bowie, Simple Minds, Thompson Twins, We are Scientists, The Album Leaf, White Arrows, College, Shiny Toy Guns, Zella Day
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Mirror Talk
Los Angeles, synth pop band, Mirror Talk returns with ‘1/M/T’ (shorthand for ‘One More Time’).
An 80’s horror parody, the video is “a tale of deep, obsession turned evil.”
Order the EP on iTunes now. It has been released via Yellow Year.
Sounds like: Scissor Sisters, Monarchy, St. Lucia, Royal Tongues, Savoir Adore
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Patternist
Patternist (aka Gabe Mouer) is a Portland based DIY electro pop multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.
You may recognise his voice as he was a co-founder of the Portland band The Welcome Home, who’ve previously opened up for The Ataris and Train. This would explain the emo-tinged synthpop sound he has produced with his Patternist project.
He’s begun a new singles campaign with the MuseBox, where he’ll be releasing new music and accopanying videos at the rate of one per month.
Check out the latest track, ‘Gone’.
Sounds like: The 1975, LANY, City & Colour, Great Good Fine Ok, Yeasayer
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Mainland by Matt Salacuse
Brooklyn’s own post punk band, Mainland, have released new single, ‘Outcast’.
We had a chat with them about all things music!
How and why did you start making music?
We as a band started making music because we love bringing people together, and having an avenue to channel our everyday life experiences.
Describe your sound in three words.
Nostalgic. Dark. Naked.
Where do you cite your musical influences from?
For our new record we drew influences from the likes of Depeche mode, the Cure, and The Cars, etc.
We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
Here’s a few albums we keep in rotation while on tour:
Black Messiah by D’angelo.
Just Enough Hip to be Woman by Broncho.
Alone with a friend by Talk in Tongues.
We are excited to hear debut records from our friends, Dreamers and Highly Suspect.
What are your plans for the future?
We’re currently working on a music video for our new single ‘Outcast’. In addition we’re developing new ways to interact with audiences in major cities by implementing curious and artful propaganda. Stay tuned…
We can’t wait!
The new album will be out early 2016 on 300 Entertainment. For now you can purchase ‘Outcast’ on iTunes.
Sounds like: Alkaline Trio, The Colourist, Atlas Genius, X Ambassadors, Strange Talk, Catfish & the Bottlemen, The Cure, New Order, Brandon Flowers
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Rose Quartz – Leaving Now
Rose Quartz is a indie pop duo comprised of Alex Anderson and Ethan Converse.
They’ve been touring non-stop with St. Lucia and Electric Sons, but have still managed to nail the 80’s darkwave electronica sound in the second part of this track, and it is definitely less upbeat that their previous offerings. Perhaps, as a consequence of those long days on the road?
The video for ‘Leaving Now’ was filmed in Brooklyn, and is directed by Fredo Jones (Blurred Pictures).
Click on the Soundcloud link for a free download of the track.
Sounds like: St. Lucia, Electric Sons, Pistol Shrimp, Suzuki Method
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West Nile
We love a bedroom band and West Nile is exactly that; a glistening synth pop girl/boy bedroom duo from London, Ontario.
Just starting out, they wish to remain anonymous, but it’s clear that they are determined to make it big.
Their latest single, ‘Turnt 2 Cult’, is a highly energised and 80’s driven gem with echoey vox.
The next single is due out in May, and the EP is set for release in September.
Sounds like: BLSHS, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Chvrches
Priest – Broken
It’s been a while since we wrote about some synth pop, but it’s spring time, so why not!
Florida-based synth pop duo Priest (formerly X priest X) have released brand new track ‘Broken’.
It’s modern pop that glides subtly between 80s lo-fi pop and sharply syncopated rhythms that fit like a glove for a John Hughes film soundtrack.
It is second single from their forthcoming debut album ‘Priest’, which is to be released on 5 May via Swedish label Emotion.
Sounds like: BLSHS, The Human League, Crozet, Chvrches, Zola Jesus, Sky Ferreira, Grimes, College
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The Black And The White – Torn Up
Falsetto-heavy synthpop is the best way to describe ‘Torn Up’ by The Black And The White; a band who is currently making waves in Los Angeles.
Like what you hear? Then you can buy the 2013 ‘Futures EP’ on iTunes.
Sounds like: Great Good Fine Ok, Chromeo, Fenech Soler, Ghost Beach, Yuksek, Blood Orange, Miami Horror, Prince, Harts, Cage The Elephant, Pistol Shrimp, ASTR
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