Tag Archives: The Chain Gang of 1974

Fly By Midnight – You Belong

Fly By Midnight

New York-based retro-pop duo Fly By Midnight like to blend indie synth sounds with dance melodies.

Skimming through their back catalogue on SoundCloud, every track is a banger, full of hug yourself vocals, retro riffs and foot twitching electro claps.

Their new single, ‘You Belong’ is the lead single taken from their upcoming album, ‘Rerunning’, released on 16 November, and is no exception.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Great Good Fine Ok, LANY, The 1975, Joan, Ghost Beach, Passion Pit, Pistol Shrimp, Penguin Prison, Futurecop!, The Chain Gang of 1974, Paperwhite

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Weekly SubmitHub Gems 1

We receive a huge amount of submissions via SubmitHub, and unfortunately cannot review all of the tracks, so we have decided to compile those tracks into a weekly segment of gems we’ve particularly enjoyed.

Dream Lake – Midnight Sun

Dream Lake

Swedish electro-pop duo Dream Lake share the dreamy ‘Midnight Sun’.

This song perfectly encapsulates the airy, long days of light during the summer in Sweden, with dreamy vocals and romantic keys.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, Beach House, M83

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Vanguards – Rosie & The Blackheart

Vanguards

Vanguards are a indie pop focused four-piece from Brighton.

‘Rosie & The Blackheart’ is a bittersweet love song that echoes 80’s guitar legends. The track was recorded live and produced by Steve Harris (Kodaline, Dave Matthews, Kaiser Chiefs).

Sounds like: INXS, Kings Of Leon, The 1975, Kodaline

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Tigers and Thieves – Change Your Mind

Tigers and Thieves

US-based Tigers and Thieves share ‘Change Your Mind’, an indie rock track that has all the markings of a hit, despite being recorded in their garage studio. It’s been mixed by Brian McTear (The War on Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, Local Natives).

Sounds like: Local Natives, Foster the People, The Neighbourhood, alt-J, Surfer Blood, The Temper Trap, Nick Mulvey

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Gold Fir – Night Walk

Gold Fir - Night Walk

Despite what the name suggests, London duo Gold Fir (aka James and Mabel) play funky tracks for our immediate pleasure, day or night.

Their music is full of sass n soul, and is definitely bold.

Sounds like: Madonna, Little Dragon, Goldfrapp

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Someone – Say Something

Someone

Songstress, Someone is shaking off her cutesy appeal with a more earthy sound on ‘Say Something’.

Jangling beats sway nicely alongside upbeat guitar riffs and catchy vocal leads.

Sounds like: Few Bits, Bryde

SoundCloud

ALKE – Without You

ALKE

Los Angeles-based pop duo ALKE release ‘Without You’.

There is no denying the obvious chemistry shown between Jameson Flood (production, guitar, keys) and AK Karrasch (vocals) on the track as it explores love versus independence.

Sounds like: Monogem, Phantogram, Shura

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Vox Eagle – Sweet Temptations

Vox Eagle

Australian/US duo Vox Eagle share the glistening ‘Sweet Temptations’.

It’s a song about late nights out on the town and those sweet temptations that you may (or may not) encounter.

Expect their EP to arrive next week.

Sounds like: Cut Copy, Joe Goddard, Roosevelt, Goldroom, Tame Impala, LCD Soundsystem

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DVWEZ – Giving Into Us

DVWEZ

DVWEZ (pronounced “Dames”) is making a stand for independence, all the while giving into strong desires.

Lush R&B melodies breathe over unique alt-electro soundscapes in ‘Giving Into Us’.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Salt Ashes, Aaliyah

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Saro – Eyelids

Saro

Newcomer Saro continues to produce dark pop music.

His new track ‘Eyelids’ is delicately produced with its brooding falsetto vocals and a soft touch of melancholy.

Sounds like: Aquilo, Jack Garratt, Draper, Clean Bandit, Years & Years

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Anna Of The North – Someone

Anna Of The North

‘Someone’ is the lead single taken from Anna Of The North‘s debut album, ‘Lovers’.

From the get go, ‘Someone’ is a spellbinding explosion of 80’s inspired synths, and is set to be the soundtrack to your summer.

Speaking about ‘Someone’, the band say,

“We think almost everyone has woken up after a big night, instantly regretting something that happened. It’s about how easy it is to break your promises when you’ve had a couple of drinks. Going deeper, the song is about accepting that you’re only human and to learn how to forgive yourself for your own mistakes and accepting that sometimes we need someone to save us from repeating any old habits.”

‘Lovers’ is due for release on 8 Sept via Different Recordings / Honeymoon / +1 Records.

Anna’s vocals also feature on Tyler, The Creator’s new single ‘911’, alongside Frank Ocean, out last Friday.

Sounds like: Shura, Grimes, Ballet School, Claire, MØ, Lykke Li, The Chain Gang of 1974, Chvrches, I Am Karate

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Apsley – Fear

Apsley - Fear

We wrote about Idaho-based Apsley (aka Jacob Apsley) earlier this year and we’re excited to share his latest release, ‘Fear’.

The track has more of an demanding tone than Sold, reminding us of an early The 1975 with its muted guitar riffs and echoey, falsetto vocals.

Sounds like: Fenech-Soler, SOHN, Aquilo, The 1975, Friendly Fires, Delphic, The Chain Gang of 1974, The Naked and Famous, H A R T E B E E S T, Tourist, Bastille, Great Good Fine Ok, Hurts, X&Y, Young Empires

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Apsley – Sold

Apsley - Sold

Apsley – Sold

Idaho-based Apsley (aka Jacob Apsley) releases his debut track, ‘Sold’, and it’s a stunner.

Originally a drummer (he started at the tender age of six), Jacob later picked up the piano, guitar and singing skills that we today witness on ‘Sold’.

‘Sold’ is about seeing life as it really is, and not being shackled to the conforms of society. With that in mind, we recommend you whack this song on your headphones and go for a walk outside.

Sounds like: Fenech-Soler, SOHN, Aquilo, Friendly Fires, Delphic, The Chain Gang of 1974, The Naked and Famous, H A R T E B E E S T, Tourist, Bastille, Great Good Fine Ok, Hurts, X&Y, Young Empires

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Fenech-Soler – Kaleidoscope

Fenech-Soler

Fenech-Soler

Four-piece-turned-brother-two-piece, Fenech-Soler explode back into our lives with a video for the brilliant, ‘Kaleidoscope’, the lead track from their brand new EP.

The video follows a girl on a bedtime journey of multi-coloured proportions.

Still streamlining indie pop, Fenech-Soler once again share with their listeners, joyous and upbeat music, and the timing feels perfect.

Order the EP on iTunes here.

They play Oslo in Hackney on 27th October, so get yourself down there.

What else is to say? The Duffy brothers are back!

Sounds like: Bag Raiders, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Friendly Fires,The Whitest Boy Alive, Delphic, The Chain Gang of 1974, The Naked and Famous, H A R T E B E E S T, The Jezabels, The Knocks, NONONO, Duologue, Tourist, Bastille

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Anna Of The North – Us

Anna Of The North

Anna Of The North

Oslo’s finest, Anna Of The North, shares her synth-fulled pop track, ‘Us’.

We’ve all been there before; met someone who we felt a real connection with, but the timing wasn’t right. This song is for us.

Sounds like: Shura, Grimes, Ballet School, Claire, MØ, Lykke Li, The Chain Gang of 1974, Chvrches, I Am Karate

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Playlist: Great Good Fine Ok

GGFO

GGFO

Jon Sandler and Luke Moellman are Great Good Fine Ok (or GGFO for regular listeners of their synth-laden music).

They’ve teamed up with Indietronica once again and put together a playlist for us.

Breakbot – Arrested

LUKE: Love the groove on this one. Drums and percussion are sparse and simple but the complexity and funk comes from the synth and guitar rhythms. Lyrics are kind of hilarious to me — likening a romantic encounter to a legal offense? — but it works somehow.

One Republic – Wherever I Go

JON: As a crazy person with a car in NYC, I end up listening to a ton of top 40 radio. When you are suffocated with same 20 songs over and over again, you develop a unique ability to differentiate the “hits” from the HITS. I am not sure what category this song falls into yet, because I’ve only heard it twice, once when they performed it on Jimmy Fallon and once when I just looked it up on Spotify, but I do know one thing, it will soon be on the radio ALL THE TIME. Ryan Tedder is considered one of the best pop songwriters for a reason. From One Republic’s hit “Apologize” in 2006 to their hit “Counting Stars” in 2013 to songs for Beyonce and everyone one else you can think of, this dude never stops killing it. Soon we’ll all be sick of this song and it won’t be cool to talk about it, but for now, enjoy!

Porches – Mood

LUKE: As a producer one of the first things that grabs me about a track is the combination of sounds. The way the elements on this track contrast with themselves in how they give the illusion of space is great. The drums, guitars, bass, and percussion are all super dry, groovy, and right in the front, but the vocals and especially the keyboards are dramatically spacious. The writing is incredibly beautiful as well. Kind of sounds like if Midlake and Prefab Sprout collaborated on a song and James Murphy produced it.

Sia – Cheap Thrills

JON: While I’ve got radio and pop songwriters on the mind, i’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Sia’s latest banger “Cheap Thrills”. Something about a choir of kids singing “I love cheap thrills!” makes me very happy.

Steve Reich – Mallet Quartet: III. Fast

LUKE: Steve Reich has had a huge influence on the music I write. The muted piano part that plays at the beginning of “Always” and continues throughout the track is very Steve Reich to me (although he’d never swing the rhythm quite like that). I grew up playing a lot of mallet percussion, so that’s something that always seems to work its way into my music as well.

Their single, ‘Always’ is out now.

Sounds like: Fenech Soler, Ghost Beach, Yeasayer, Phoenix, Passion Pit, Pistol Shrimp, Penguin Prison, Futurecop!, The Chain Gang of 1974, LANY, Paperwhite

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Great Good Fine Ok – Already Love

GGFO

GGFO

Possibly their poppiest track to date, Great Good Fine Ok return with ‘Already Love’.

It’s a confessional number, written to a new lover who frontman, Jon Sandler, is already in love with.

GGFO will be touring with Handsome Ghost.

Tour Dates

3.1 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5 (TICKETS)
3.3 – Houston, TX @ Rudyard’s British Pub (TICKETS)
3.4 – Austin, TX @ The Sidewinder (TICKETS)
3.5 – Norman, OK @ Opolis Prod (TICKETS)
3.7 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room (TICKETS)
3.8 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry (TICKETS)
3.9 – Chicago, IL -@Schubas Tavern (TICKETS)
3.10 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake (TICKETS)
3.12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (TICKETS)

Sounds like: Fenech Soler, Ghost Beach, Yeasayer, Phoenix, Passion Pit, Pistol Shrimp, Penguin Prison, Futurecop!, The Chain Gang of 1974, LANY, Paperwhite

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Tradiio Exclusive: Interview with Empathy Test

Empathy Test

Empathy Test

Giving us a glimpse into their musical world, we chat with UK electronic duo, Empathy Test, and find out whether they are human or really androids.

Why did you start making music, and where did the name Empathy Test come from?

We’ve known each other since we were kids and both come from creative backgrounds. For us, music was a natural progression from other forms of expression like drawing and writing. We taught ourselves to play guitar in our teens and started writing and recording our own songs. Empathy Test came about many years later, after we’d both worked separately on some other very different projects. One day we just finally found a way for us both to collaborate and a style that suited us both. It probably took us a year from then to find a name that worked for the project. We wanted it to say something about our mutual love of Sci-Fi and the influence that it had had, both on the music and the artwork, which Adam does for us. Isaac was re-watching Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner for the fourth or fifth time, when he heard Tyrell say “Is this to be an Empathy Test?” and there it was. It’s what they use in the film to work out whether someone is a human or an android.

Describe your sound in three words.

Mesmerising future pop.

Despite writing critically acclaimed songs, and having a large fan base, Empathy Test remains unsigned. Has this been a conscious decision?

We’ve always wanted to be described as “critically acclaimed” – thanks! Has it been a conscious decision to remain unsigned? Yes and no. Our game plan was always to release two EPs, then an album. The first EP would be a self-release, the second we’d release via an independent. Then, fingers crossed, we’d release the album via a major. So far, so good. Three month’s after self-releasing Losing Touch (February, 2014) we caught the attention of Stars & Letters Records on Twitter. S&L agreed to release our second EP, Throwing Stones in December 2014. A year later, the album is nearly finished and we’re about to start pitching it to labels. We’ve had a few offers already but as we see it, there’s no point in being “signed” unless the label can do something you can’t do yourself. For us, it’s providing us with a much bigger audience than we already have. Once you’ve made a big enough name for yourself, you may as well just do it yourself.

Why did you decide to release a remix EP?

As a place holder really. We’d released two EPs and people were already hungry for more. We needed to record the album but didn’t want to keep people waiting too long. Over the course of 2014 we’d made a lot of new friends in electronic bands and we thought it’d be fun to get them to remix tracks from the second EP. We asked more people than we needed to, in case they didn’t have time or didn’t come up with anything, and ended up with way too many remixes. Then we felt we couldn’t reject any of them so we ended up putting out a ten track EP, which let’s face it, is basically an album.

Stars & Letters said they’d release it and that we should try and get as much press as possible in order to sell more copies of the original EP, so we planned this insane schedule of fortnightly premières for almost all of the remixes. Midway through the promo period S&L informed us they didn’t have the time or resources to see it through, leaving us to finished the promotion and release it ourselves. The irony was, after all that we had a few fans, particularly in Russia, grumbling that we should stop “rehashing our old tracks” and give people what they wanted – an album – or two!

Your album ‘Demons’ is out this year, as well as securing support slots with DE/VISION. It sounds like you have a good year ahead. Are you excited?

We’ve actually changed the name as we’ve dropped the title track, Demons, for the time being. New working title is ‘Shadows’. There’s no release date as yet because we don’t yet know who is going to release it. We’ve started working with German booking agency Pluswelt, which is home to some pretty big alternative acts like Clan of Xymox, Combichrist and Grendel. DE/VISION are on there too and so yeah, excited to be performing with them at their two pre-album launch shows in Germany in April. There’s also some big shows planned for the end of the year and the possibility of a support slot on a European tour too with another Pluswelt band, fingers crossed. So yeah, it looks set to be another big year for us and we are very excited to finally share some new material with you.

Where do you cite your musical influences from?

In a nutshell,’80s Pop and Sci-Fi soundtracks, ’90s guitar bands and UK underground dance music. More recently, Black City Lights, Electric Youth, Chromatics, Chvrches, Purity Ring, FKA Twigs, Avec Sans, Gems, Mt. Wolf.

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

We both loved The Japanese House when we played with them at Camden Barfly at the end of last year. ‘Still’ was one of the best tracks of 2015; an amazingly well-crafted track. ‘All The Sad Young Men’ by Spector is also up there, and ‘Leave A Trace’ by Chvrches. Two great albums last year were Agent Side Grinder‘s ‘Alkimia’ and Lord Huron‘s ‘Strange Tails’. Guitar music is definitely making a comeback and there’s a lot of very ’90s sounding bands appearing, which we’re all for, by the way. You can check out Isaac’s top tracks 10 of 2015 here.

We’ve invested in Empathy Test. Have you? Listen to more of their songs and support them at tradiio.com/empathy-test.

Sounds like: School of Seven Bells, Chvrches, Purity Ring, The Chain Gang of 1974, Avec Sans, Cut Once

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