Irish duo All Tvvins (aka Conor Adams and Lar Kaye) shares their ‘Divine’ new single.
In a mild existential crisis, the delightful indie-pop banger is a real repeat treat and considers taking into account how others might view you.
They begin their Irish tour in October, with support from Somebody’s Child.
Sounds like: APRE, Foals, The Editors, White Lies, Jungle, Arcade Fire, TV On The Radio, Animal Collective
Kassassin Street
Kassassin Street are a UK-based five-piece, who have just unveiled their politically charged first single of 2016, ‘Hand in My Pocket’.
It’s a punchy psych-pop number that deliberates on social injustice in a UK society under austerity.
Tour Dates
15th April – KOKO, London
16th April – Xpresstival- Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
30th April – Live At Leeds, Leeds
7th May – FESTIVAL SOS 4.8, Murcia, Spain
28th-29th May – Common People, Southampton
Sounds like: Dive In, Kasabian, Anteros, The Editors, Fickle Friends, Kid Astray, Young Kato
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Pumarosa
It’s nearly the end of weekend, so time for some lush indie pop for your ears, courtesy of London five-piece, Pumarosa.
Pumarosa originally started as a duo when drummer Nick was to only musician to turn up to a new project rehearsal in London. After moving to a warehouse in Manor House, they met Henry, Tomoya and Neville and began a period of intensely hot rehearsal in a 10′ x 10′ chipboard room. In the summer of 2015, the band was offered a residency in the cavernous disused cinema of an Italian surrealist, situated within the cliffs of Calabria. Scraping together a van and driving non-stop to Italy, the band worked on new material, and it was in Italy that they settled on the name Pumarosa: in part reflecting Isabel’s Chilean roots, but also the jungle fruit of the same name.
Their new single is a psychedelic disco number called ‘Cecile’, produced by Dan Carey (Kate Tempest, Bat For Lashes, Toy).
‘Cecile’ is out via Chess Club/Mom + Pop.
Sounds like: The Editors, Lucius, Goldfrapp, Karen O, Bat For Lashes, Talking Heads
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MIAMIGO – Soda Lime Love
Last time we spoke about dark pop Brighton-based duo, MIAMIGO, they were just preparing for The Great Escape.
After a killer performance, and a successful summer, they are back with the announcement of their ‘Soda Lime Love’ EP.
The duo wrote and recorded the EP at their studio in Brighton with the four tracks pulling together a love story. Lead singer, Liam explains “We named the EP ‘Soda Lime Love’ because soda-lime is the cheapest and most common kind of glassware, compared to crystal. It’s essentially a cheap knock-off – something that looks like the real deal from afar, but on closer inspection is more like counterfeit. The EP, in order, is the stages of a failed love story; ”What I Want’ starts the EP with flaring libido, almost like the honeymoon period of a relationship, followed by the ballad-y, puppy love of ‘Seeing Two’, then the breakdown of the couple in ‘Nobody’, and the bittersweet conclusion and ultimate failing in ‘Last Summer’.
Watch the video for ‘Last Summer’:
Sounds like: The Maccabees, Young Kato, The Editors, White Lies, Delphic, Belgian Fog
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Oslo Parks
Brighton-based Oslo Parks (aka Rob Flynn and Ian Booth) is a sporadic and summer-time band.
It’s hard to pigeon-hole Oslo Parks into a genre, with their indie vocals, disco funk drums, effortless synths…and all completed with an 80’s fade out at the end of the track. How refreshing!
‘Fiction’ is the first track taken from a double A side out via X Novo on 8 June.
Listen below:
Sounds like: Metronomy, HARTS, The Editors, Ben Khan
MIAMIGO – Hard To Love
Indie duo MIAMIGO has released their sophomore track, ‘Hard To Love’.
The duo describe themselves on their Soundcloud and Facebook page as; “Miamigo’s dark, twisted pop tales of the human condition examine both the bad and the beautiful air in life, laying bare the despair that hides behind the façade…”
Intriguing.
‘Hard To Love’ is taken from their forthcoming debut EP of the same name, which is out on 14 June via their own label, Indian Hop Recordings.
Those traveling to Brighton’s The Great Escape this year can catch their debut performance at Patterns on 14 May at 6:30pm.
Sounds like: The Macabees, Young Kato, The Editors, White Lies, Delphic, Belgian Fog
Website | Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
Young Kato – Children of The Stars
Remember when all we heard on the radio was music from The Editors, White Lies and Two Door Cinema Club? We miss those days.
Sleekly taking their place on the alt pop scene is Young Kato, who are back with new single ‘Children of The Stars’.
It’s a twinkling pop gem with 80’s-inspired driving beats.
The single is taken from the band’s debut album, ‘Don’t Wait ’Til Tomorrow’. Both are out on the 3 May and can be purchased on iTunes here.
Sounds like: Two Door Cinema Club, Temper Trap, Empire of The Sun, Kid Astray, Satellite Stories, Duran Duran, The Editors, White Lies
All Tvvins
All Tvvins is an indie rock duo from Dublin, consisting of Conor Adams & Lar Kaye.
They cite influences from TV On The Radio and Animal Collective.
It’s nice to see some classic indie rock in the mix. Watch the video to ‘Thank You’ below:
They have some live dates coming up, including supporting Jungle, and they’ve already played support dates with Arcade Fire and Pixies.
We are expecting big things from All Tvvins in 2015!
Sounds like: The Editors, White Lies, Jungle, Arcade Fire, Pixies, TV On The Radio, Animal Collective.
Spector
London based Spector has just revealed ‘Don’t Make Me Try’, which has been produced by none other than Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange).
The catchy new anthem is full of yearning with a catchy bass line. It is the first taste of their new album, due next year on Fiction Records.
Sounds like: The Editors, Foals, Blood Orange
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Since the first edition was held in 1999 in an airplane hangar, Iceland Airwaves has become the festival for music lovers, being praised by many as the best music festival in the world.
Set amongst beautiful scenery in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, the festival celebrates homegrown talent as well as musical craft from further afield.
Haven’t got a ticket? Don’t fear! Indietronica is attending to find out what all the fuss is about.
By the powers of the internet we bring you a preview of the lesser known bands and our ones to watch, straight to your computer or phone screens.
ADULT JAZZ
Adult Jazz
Adult Jazz is a four-piece from the UK. Their debut album ‘Gist Is’ has taken four years to make and was released via their own label Spare Thought.
They sound like a jazzed-up version of Bombay Bicycle Club or a mellowed out version of Jagwar Ma.
We are definitely looking forward to seeing them play.
Sounds like: Bombay Bicycle Club, Jagwar Ma, Panda Cubs, The 1975, Yeasayer, Saux
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ALICE BOMAN
Alice Boman
With simple lyrics and ethereal overtones, Alice Boman is a quintessentially Swedish singer.
Have a listen to her stunning cover of War on Drugs‘s ‘Red Eyes’:
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Sounds like: Lykke Li, Kate Bush, Ellie Goulding, Rae Morris
ÁSGEIR
Ásgeir
For fans of Bon Iver and Deptford Goth looking for something slightly different, meet twenty-two year old Icelandic singer/songwriter, Ásgeir (aka Ásgeir Trausti Einarsson).
Ásgeir’s debut album, ‘Dyrd í dauðathogn’ was mostly written by his 72 year old father and became so popular in his home country, 10% of the Icelandic population is estimated to own a copy.
The English-language version of the album (‘In The Silence’) was translated by John Grant.
Sounds like: Bon Iver, Deptford Goth, RY X
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BALLET SCHOOL
Ballet School
Berlin-based Ballet School is Irish Rosie Blair on vocals/guitar, Japanese-Brazilian Michel Collet on lead guitar and Louis McGuire on drums.
Blair and Collet met two years ago in Berlin when Blair heard Collet playing his guitar in the U-bahn. Sharing their love of the Cocteau-Twins, she immediately asked him to form a band. In 2012 they began collaborating with McGuire.
A mélange of ’80s pop and R’N’B is always at the forefront of the band’s agenda.
Sounds like: Kitten, Claire, BLSHS, Kavinsky, Madonna, Robyn, Ronika
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BERNDSEN
Berndsen
From modern 80’s inspired music to a musician who sticks to his roots and breathes 80’s electronica.
Berndsen (aka David Berndsen) is a bearded iconic figure in Iceland and regularly works with Hermigervill; one of Iceland’s most notable producers.
Sounds like: Depeche Mode, New Order, Tesla Boy, Salt Ashes, Graingerboy, Thomas Azier, Soft Cell
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BIRD
bird
bird is Jon Valur Gudmundsson, a successful 26-year-old singer/songwriter from Iceland who makes electro-infused indie pop.
Sounds like: Two Door Cinema Club, Ásgeir, 1860, Kid Astray
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BLAENAVON
Blaenavon
Blaenavon is a three-piece indie outfit from Hampshire, UK formed of Harris McMillan, Frank Wright, and Benjamin Gregory.
Heavily guitar-based, it is no surprise that these guys are being written about by the likes of NME and Clash.
Their new EP ‘Koso’ is out now on Transgressive Records.
Sounds like: The Macabees, Two Door Cinema Club, Young Kato, The Smiths, Joy Division, The Editors, White Lies, Daughter
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CARIBOU
Caribou
Following the success of ‘Swim’ in 2010, Caribou is finally back!
At first glance, his latest track ‘Our Love’ is a long wave length of dance music beats, but upon further inspection it is a lot more gritty and the R&B hooks remind us of Inner City‘s ‘Good Life’.
Sounds like: Roosevelt, Metronomy, All We Are, New Build, Touch Sensitive, Rufus
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DISA
Disa
Iceland born Disa writes celestial, synth pop. She left Reykjavik to live in Copenhagen and pursue her dream of singing.
She is now signed to Danish label Tigerspring.
Sounds like: Salt Ashes, I BREAK HORSES, Kate Boy, Death Rattle, Dimond Saints, Brian Eno
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EAST INDIA YOUTH
East Londoner William Doyle is East India Youth.
His tracks are stark and choate masterpieces with marching and minimal drum rolls.
Sounds like: Sivu, These New Puritans, Conner Youngblood, Brian Eno
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EAST OF MY YOUTH
East Of My Youth
East Of My Youth is Herdis and Thelma from Reykjavik.
Citing influences from classical and modern genres, the duo creates experimental pop music.
Sounds like: Austra, Feist, OH Land
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EMILIE NICOLAS
Emilie Nicolas
Emilie Nicolas is another one of Norway’s amazing exports.
Her voice immediately demands your attention and we have had her atmospheric cover of Norwegian band DumDum Boys‘s 1990 track ‘PStereo’ on repeat in the Indietronica office.
Sounds like: Tove Styrke, KYIKI, BLSHS, Monogem, Tove Lo, Lykke Li, Elliphant, X priest X, La Roux
FARAO
Farao
Following on from Nicolas is Farao, another Norweigen singer/songwriter with a knack for combing emotive lyrics and indie-folk sounds.
Sounds like: Poliça, Emilie Nicolas, Bon Iver, Rae Morris, First Aid Kit, Susanne Sundfør
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FURA
Fura
FURA is an Icelandic project between songstress Björt Sigfinnsdóttir, and producer duo Hallur Jónsson and Janus Rasmussen.
FURA embraces the element of drastic nature, isolation and emotional depth.
Sounds like: Phantogram, Lykke Li, Nina Yasmineh
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FUTURE ISLANDS
Future Islands
The serious electronic Baltimore trio is back.
Advising us about love and loss, and offering up mesmerising performances, we are glad Future Islands will be getting the recognition they deserve at Iceland Airwaves.
Sounds like: New Order, Suzuki Method, Wild Beasts
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HIMBRIMI
Himbrimi
Himbrini is an Icelandic band comprising of Margrét Rúnarsdóttir on vocal and keys, Birkir Rafn Gíslasson on guitar, Hálfdán Árnason on bass and Skúli Arason on keys and Egill Rafnsson on drums.
Himbrini offers up soft, Scandinavian pop and it is lush. This is one band we cannot wait to watch live.
Sounds like: Lykke Li, Röyksopp, London Grammar, Bat For Lashes, Island Fox, IYES, The XX
HOW TO DRESS WELL
How To Dress Well
How To Dress Well (aka Tom Krell) is an American singer who twists up sensual guitar-based R&B with sparkling synth pop.
He is definitely one to watch.
Sounds like: LANY, Great Good Fine OK, Until The Ribbon Breaks, July Child
Website | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube
JUNGLE
Jungle
The music-by-soul collective Jungle has been bubbling away at the surface for some time now. Their music offers a pinch of Gorillaz-esque bass lines and sexy lyrics.
Sounds like: Rudimental, Disclosure, Le Youth, Clean Bandit, Gorillaz
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KAJAK
KAJAK
We absolutely love Icelandic cousins, KAJAK.
They are heavily influenced by tribal cultures and in their live shows they mix visual arts and theatrics, making it a special and engaging experience to watch.
Sounds like: Coldplay, I BREAK HORSES, Kate Boy, Sia
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KLANGKARUSSELL
Klangkarussell
Klangkarussell is Tobias Rieser and Adrian Held; an Austrian electronic dance music production duo who formed in 2011.
They are known for ‘Sonnentanz’, a track that accidentally became a hit last year. We’ve watched Klangkarussell perform live with their band and they put on a good show!
Sounds like: Will Heard, Milky Chance, Klingande, Wankelmut, MÖWE
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KWABS
Kwabs
Vienna-via-London producer Kwabs‘s music is soulful with an electro twist.
Kwabs is a growing artist and we are expecting a number one hit soon!
Sounds like: Azekel, MNEK, SOHN, James Blake, Ben Khan, Banks, Jesse Ware, Kele Okereke
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LILY THE KID
Lily the Kid
Lily the Kid is the brainchild of Lilja K. Jónsdóttir (who was the former front woman of Icelandic electro-pop veterans Bloodgroup) and her brother, the producer Hallur Jónsson.
Breathtaking vocals, combined with a bass line bubbling at the surface makes Lily the Kid very special indeed.
Sounds like: Banks, Shura, Blood Orange
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ROOSEVELT
ROOSEVELT
Roosevelt (aka Marius Lauber) is a Cologne-based electronic artist with a flair for discotronica. He effortlessly emerges warm beats with hypnotic psychedelia.
Sounds like: The Whitest Boy Alive, Caribou, Tourist., Jagwar Ma, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Yellerkin
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SHURA
Shura
Shura (aka Aleksandra Denton) was born in London to a Russian actress and an English documentary filmmaker.
Her last (but unreleased) track ‘Touch’ gained 3 million hits on Soundcloud.
Her music can be described as a contemporary mix of twinkling, ‘Lucky-Star’-era Madonna with the bedroom-R&B grooves of Blood Orange, filtered through a haze of Balearic synths and swirling, Warpaint-inspired guitars.
Shura has just signed to Polydor.
Sounds like: Blood Orange, Massive Attack, Madonna
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SISY EY
Sísý Ey
Sísý Ey (pronounced See See Ay) was formed in 2011 by three sisters; Elin, Elisabet and Sigga. Their goal was to sing live house music, and with the help of DJ Oculus, their dream has become a reality.
Sounds like: Gorgon City, Klangkarussell, TIEKS, Celeste
THE WALKING WHO
The Walking Who
The Walking Who is a psychedelic rock trio based based in Sydney and is made up by Rohin Brown, Paul Mclean and Jay Drury. Their music is inspired by Byron Bay surf chimes and folk.
Sounds like: War on Drugs, Yellerkin, Jagwar Ma, Roosevelt, Empire of the Sun, The Doors
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VOK
Vök
Vök is a dreamy electro duo-turned-trio from Iceland.
Taking a slightly different slant on traditional Icelandic electro music, we especially like the smooth tones from the saxophone, courtesy of Andri Már Enoksson.
Sounds like: Death Rattle, Duran Duran, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Chairlift, Poliça, Björk, Tegan & Sara
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YOUNG KARIN
Young Karin
Young Karin is a simple and dreamy art pop production by Reykjavik-based Karin & Logi Pedro.
Having already been nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards, we anticipating brilliant things from the duo.
Sounds like: Banks, July Child
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Having already sold out (apart from limited package deals), this year is set to be as explosive as ever! You can track the event on the Iceland Airwaves 2014 app.