Tag Archives: Tycho

Weekly Gems 36

Francis Novotny – The Wire

Francis Novotny

Sonic production leads the way for Francis Novotny‘s new single ‘The Wire’.

It’s a brooding, electro-soul song by the Swedish multi-instrumentalist that is extremely reminiscent of Jack Garratt or Asgeir, and captures that addictive quality of a nonetheless-toxic relationship, and the feeling (says Francis) “when a person leaves you hanging on without answers – and you know you should get out of it – but you keep winding back towards them.”

It’s out now on Black Butter Records.

Sounds like: Jack Garratt, Asgeir

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Dead Sea – Know Where

Dead Sea

Dead Sea is a four-piece French band who craft dreamy and magnetic post-pop songs.

Their new release, ‘Know Where’, does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s hypnotic and joyfully melancholic.

They’ve just been on tour with Slowdive and they will support Editors next April.

Sounds like: Beach House, Slowdive

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Two Legs – Don’t Tell

Two Legs

One thing we are certain about is our dislike towards uncertainty, and it seems UK artist Two Legs feels the same.

His wistful dance single ‘Don’t Tell’ is the first of three releases this year, and has a “give a fuck” mentality that we love.

Sounds like: SAMA, Moderat, Tycho, Joe Goddard

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KUZO – Monsoon

Kuzo

Los Angeles-based duo KUZO are back with their new single, ‘Monsoon’.

Blissful and cool as ever, KUZO once again deliver a combination of emotionally driven blends of sound and sultry tones.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Noosa, EZA, Paperwhite

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7Chariot – Danger In Me

7Chariot

We are super excited about the new signing to 0E0E (pronounced: naughty naughty) called 7Chariot (aka Nashville based 20 year old Claire Wilkinson).

‘Danger In Me’ is understated, yet ambitious pop at its best, and the lyrics are something we can all relate to.

Sounds like: Mallrat, Grimes, Lorde, Sylvan Esso, MØ

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The Rare Occasions – Mercy Mercy

The Rare Occasions

It’s not often we see decent indie rock coming out of the US, and we wouldn’t blame you for thinking this foursome going by the name of The Rare Occasions is British.

Their new single ‘Mercy Mercy’ is pure garage rock – rough around the edges, but fully refreshing to see due to the saturated market of pristine pop tunes.

Sounds like: YONAKA, Arctic Monkeys

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Suzi Island – Show Me The Way

Suzi Island

Young Brighton duo Suzi Island debuts ‘Show Me The Way’, a breezy and catchy indie pop number.

These two have already managed to get some decent names onboard, including Pete from The Vaccines, who produced the song. They are definitely on our watch list for 2018.

Sounds like: Nothing But Thieves, Sundara Karma

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Glassio – Back For More

Glassio

NYC-based duo Glassio share ‘Back For More’, a song for anytime of the day!

Built on an orchestral-electronic backbone that nods to the likes of Massive Attack and Air, the pining, heartsick anthem is a penned love letter to a paramour after a strained relationship has come to a close.

Sounds like: Hot Chip, Metronomy, Foals, Jagwar Ma, Rüfüs, Flume, Odesza, Bob Moses, Glass Animals, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

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Playlist: White To Gray

From White To Gray

From White To Gray

White To Gray is the project of Charlie Gray.

His ‘When You Go’ EP offers an array of cleverly packed beats with smooth grooves, retro riffs, and soul-enhancing vocals.

Charlie has put together a pretty special playlist for us, listen below.

Sampha – Blood On Me

I have been a huge fan of Sampha ever since his work with SBTRKT. I’ve been awaiting his first solo record for sometime now and after hearing this track from it I am sure it will be one of the best records of 2017. The sound he is creating by combining his voice and piano parts with his own unique production style is for me the most exciting and innovative thing happening in pop music today.

Soft Hair – Jealous Lies

Great funky, psychedelic record, awesome vocals and electronic instrumentation.

Childish Gambino – Redbone

So much sole in this tune. Love the delivery of the vocal and laid back rhythm section.

Grace Jones – She’s Lost Control (Long Version)

Only recently discovered this gem. Everything I hear by Grace Jones is always gold and this one certainly follows suit. So much energy especially towards the end of the track, great cover.

D’Angelo – Sugah Daddy

Piano and vocals are on point in this track, so much groove.

Tourist – Trust In You

I think it’s great when artists don’t conform to typical pop or electronic structures. This tracks a great example of how you can make a beautiful piece of music by thinking outside of the box.

Tycho – Receiver

Tycho’s ‘Past Is Prologue’ record was a huge part of my life when it was released. This track from his new album proves in my opinion that he is still one of the most forward thinking producers around today.

Ata Kak – Obaa Sima

I discovered ‘Awesome Tapas From Africa’ a while back and have been delving through all of the fantastic artists he has re-discovered ever since. This ones one of my favourite tracks he has been apart of. The vocals are so strong and the story of the origin of the track makes every listen all the more enjoyable.

Sounds like: Nimmo, Honne, Draper, Boxed In

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Exclusive: Lovespeake Playlist

Lovespeake by Olav Stubberud

Lovespeake by Olav Stubberud

We are proud to have one of Norway’s hottest exports right now, prepare a lovely playlist for all our Indietronica readers.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present Lovespeake‘s springtime playlist below:

Tycho – Montana
One of my favourite tracks to listen to while on the road touring, looking out the window and just losing myself to the soundscapes. I love everything Scott does.

Anderson Paak – Am I Wrong 
This guy is such a talent. The whole album “Malibu” is a rare breed of excellence – the lyrics, production and the musicality of it all is just stunning. It doesn’t hurt having Schoolboy Q and Pomo on this banger either! Such a groover.

Housse de Racket – Roman
I remember listening to this song loads when we toured Germany back in 2012. It reminds me of sweaty nights in smoke-filled indie-bars in Hamburg and Berlin, being stuck in a mass of people going nuts to the music! The Germans can party…

Mutemath – Vitals 
I was such a huge fan of Mutemath’s first record back in high school. It was one of those “holy shit” moments when I really got interested in production and layers of details that unraveled after each listen. Their songs are always so crisp, tight & punchy. They also have some great instrumentals, like “Vitals” here.

Alpine – Foolish 
I got hooked on Alpine after their hit “Gasoline” a few years back. Their album “Yuck” from last year was very tasty. Such slick and clever pop tunes.

Lovespeake’s latest release ‘Tightrope’ is out today, and has been taken from the upcoming album called ‘DNA’, which is out 22nd April via Toothfairy.

Sounds like: Harts, Tame Impala, The Levity, Arcade Fire, Goldfrapp, MGMT, CHAPPO, The Flaming Lips, Carl Louis, Karl Kling

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Interview with Women For Hire & Time To Waste

WFH

WFH

Polish band, Women For Hire, approached us a while back about their new EP ‘Time To Waste’, and we’ve had it on repeat ever since.

We had a chat with WFH to find out more about them anf the Polish music scene.

Firstly, great band name. How did you meet and why did you start making music together?

Thanks! We thought that the name of our band has to be easy to remember and that’s why we stick with it. We are brothers – producers Mat and Chris Malart. We have been interested in music since childhood. As kids we were making together our first songs. We had been playing indie rock when we got more into electronic music. When we made a draft of Time To Waste we felt we need something special, a female vocalist to fulfill our vision of the music we wanted to make. Then we started seeking the right person whose vocal will match with Mat’s voice well. So finally, we met Zofia Wypychowska aka Sofii on the Internet, she was searching for people to make music together too. Her vocal was proper, we found out that she’s into new music too and she likes the idea of a band. Sofii stayed with us and now our music sounds complete.

You are from Poland. Tell us more about the Polish indietronica music scene.

This kind of music is gaining more and more popularity in Poland and now it is in the fast developing stage. We have well-known bands like Fair Weather Friends, Kamp or Rebeka and fresh like Pola Rise, Young Stadium Club who make really good music and they play shows abroad too. You should definitely check them out.

Your sound is really unique. Describe it to us in three words.

Rough, warm and dense.

Your ‘Time to Waste’ EP has been on repeat in the Indietronica office. Explain the process of writing and producing such a great debut EP.

We had an idea to make an indietronic music driving by male and female vocals. At the very beginning we started to write lyrics, then we made music. We talked it over and tried to find sounds that will be different and modern. Drafts had richer arrangements than final versions of songs – during the process of production we took away the needless components. That what stays is essential. We were focused on the melody of vocals and compact form of compositions. All the records were made by ourselves at our home studio, including mix and mastering.

Where do you cite your musical influences from?

We listen to different music. We like electronic sounds from Disclosure to Burial, Four Tet, and Gold Panda. We also like and respect Tycho for melodies, Bombay Bicycle Club for very good compositions, Blood Orange, Phoenix, Jungle, Lorde or Foals, AlunaGeorge, Glass Animal. So as you can see we have quite a wide range of music that we like and we are inspired by. Anyway, we try to find our own sound.

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

Now we’re listening to Mura Masa, Movement, Shura, George Maple.

The lead track ‘Time To Waste’ really reminds us of the early Cut Copy singles. Think lush vocals over a simple bass line and delicate disco-merged synths.

Sounds like: Oh Wonder, Cut Copy, Fickle Friends, Peter Bjorn & John, Goldroom, Diverting Duo, Pink Feathers, Chela

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Palmedo – Cool Down

Palmedo - Cool Down

Palmedo – Cool Down

Ever since the first listen of ‘Secret Lover‘ we have had a crush on this Gainesville duo. So imagine our excitement when we heard they were back with a wintery track called ‘Cool Down’.

‘Cool Down’ is a percussive and synth-laden track, layered with soft vocals. It was created out of a paralleled sense of anxiety, as the duo embarked on a three-month residency in separate cities.

‘Cool Down’ has been produced in collaboration with David Plakon (X Priest X, Road Kill Ghost Choir, SASKATCHEWAN) at North Avenue Studios and is being released by Eye Four Records.

Sounds like: Monogem, Chvrches, Tycho, Haim, Broods, X Priest X

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Titanics – Stepping Out

Titanics - Stepping Out

Titanics – Stepping Out

Titanics started as a project by Albany-based Mark Lombardo. Lombardo has since been joined by guitarist Derek Rogers.

With a lot under their belt already, Titanics has been featured on the Mercedes Benz ‘Best New Talent’ Mixtape 2013, and played with MSMR, Vacationer and Portugal, The Man.

Latest track, ‘Stepping Out’ is a chilled dreamy pop track. As you watch the video, you get the impression that Lombardo is slightly tired of who ever ‘Stepping Out’ and it’s pretty refreshing!

The B-Side is a remix of Tycho‘s ‘A Walk’:

Sounds like: Pistol Shrimp, Portugal The Man, MSMR, Vacationer, Tycho, War on Drugs

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Interview with Monogem

Monogem

Monogem

Monogem is LA-based singer/songwriter Jen Hirsch on the lead and Scott Smith heading up production. We had a chat with the duo.

Where did the name Monogem come from?
Scott and I were playing around with the word mono when trying to come up with a band name.  Monogem stuck, and once we discovered what a monogem actually is…we were sold.

Describe your sound in 3 words.
Groovy / Electro / Pop

What is your favourite Monogem track and why?
I would have to say “The Glow”.  It was the first song we finished which was the start of something exciting.  “The Glow” puts me in a mood every time I hear it — a mood that makes me want to close my eyes and shake my booty.

Why did you choose to have a live band perform with you?
Whenever a full band is an option, it is always the right one for me.  The energy on stage really gets the party going in my opinion.  We have had to play stripped down shows which I still enjoy, but I like the fact that every show can be different and have that certain element of surprise we could only get with a group of talented musicians.

Are there plans for a tour across the pond?
No plans yet, but definitely in the near future.

We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?
New Michael Jackson!!!  And also the new Tycho album.

Sounds like: ASTR, July Child, Mons Montis, Robyn, Lights, Chvrches, Palmedo

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PALMEDO – Secret Lover

Palmedo

Palmedo

PALMEDO is the exciting new soulful, but electro-pop duo, Tim Plakon and Delia Albert.

PALMEDO formed in 2013 after deciding to work together on a side project during their sophomore year at the University of Florida. The writing chemistry soon took hold, and the project developed into a full-blown musical endeavor.

The duo has been working on their new EP, ‘Thread’, since November of 2013. The first single, ‘It’s You’, caught the attention of electronic music lovers and claims a successful remix by Dromes, a future garage DJ from Orlando.

PALMEDO’s second single taken from the EP is ‘Secret Lover’; a shimmering upbeat track with a dark-disco feel.

The EP was produced in collaboration with Tim’s brother, David Plakon (Tycho, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros), at North Avenue Studios and will be released in early July.

Sounds like: Monogem, Chvrches, Tycho, Haim, Broods

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Tycho – See

Tycho

Tycho

Tycho (previously just Scott Hansen and now including a live backing band) is a San Francisco-based producer and designer who’s music has been bubbling away at the surface for some six years or so.

Tycho’s latest track is called ‘Sea’. The magical video is directed by Bradley G Munkowitz and mimics the ambient mood of the track. Both the track and video are full of ethereal chill waves and a kaleidoscope of colours.

His album ‘Awake’ is released via Ghostly International and can be purchased here.

Sounds like: Kygo, Goldroom, Chela, Boards of Canada, Sigur Rós, Brotherun, Bonobo, Gold Panda

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Jon Hopkins – Breathe This Air feat. Purity Ring

Jon Hopkins

Jon Hopkins

Jon Hopkins is a London-based electronic producer. His album, ‘Immunity’ has been shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Music Prize.

The album features the dusty techno track ‘Breathe This Air’ which has been reworked by Hopkins and now features the choral vocals of Purity Ring‘s Megan James.

The beautiful yet eerie video, directed by Anthony Dickenson, silently follows a story of two parallels. One of a young woman who is cleansing herself in a lake after suffering a loss, and one of a hunter who appears to be struggling during the aftermath of a car crash in which he has injured a deer.

The story lines unfold throughout the track until the abrupt ending. Watch below:

You can listen to the original ‘Breathe This Air’ on ‘Immunity’, which was released on 3 June 2013 via Domino Records.

Sounds like: Purity Ring, Lusine, Apparat, Gold Panda, Tycho, Ulrich Schnauss

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