creative commons license
Trench Town Oddities: Days & Nights
There are times when all you need is good old acoustic pop rock to help make your day right. Trench Town Oddities is a five piece crew than can provide you with some feel-good, relaxing folk pop music you'll enjoy. This 5 piece crew have been together since 2006; releasing several EPs so far, one of which is a Christmas EP.
This Cornwall band not only record their own songs, they are also a party band. Playing cover songs from various artists like Jack Johnson, Sublime and even fellow Canadian, Alanis Morissette; the band is slowly gaining ground on their local hometown. Days & Nights is a 6-track EP of the band's own songs. The cuts are light and fun to listen to if you simply don't want to think about anything else other than having a good time.
Tracing Arcs: Eye See You Too (Remixes & Forbidden Fruit)
Tracing Arcs is the brainchild of British duo Fran Kapelle (vocal/lyrics) and Paul H. Addie (synths/programming). Their previous record, Fin, met with plenty of positive responses and was also featured right here on our blog.
Eye See You Too (Remixes & Forbidden Fruit) is a followup to their 2010 release, Eye See You Too, from German netlabel, iD.OLOGY. This second album features "remixes of songs from some of the finest artists in the netlabel scene, as well as Tracing Arcs themselves."
Their music is a mix of electronica, trip-hop, jazz and a deep drum and bass sound that exudes plenty of cool and moody beats.
The Matt Kurz One: Debt Sounds
One man band, Matt Kurz, knows how keep the drums on a steady beat, the guitars wailing and the bass guitar slappin'. He also knows how to add his signature growl and keep everything interesting. Perhaps the biggest draw is that this guy can actually play all these instruments at once!
Debt Sounds is the first album from this multi-intrumentalist/one-man-band who dubs himself, The Matt Kurz One. It's a mix of old school rock and roll with some upbeat indie hipster feel. Each track is quite catchy, making you want to head bob or tap your feet.
The record is available as a free download at Quote Unquote Records and it's licensed under creative commons. Give it a listen.
Emerald Park: For Tomorrow (2010 Edition)
For Tomorrow is one of those records that you find online and you think to yourself, "is this really free?" Listening to the quality of the recording as well as the music might make you think twice but it is available as a free download so listeners can enjoy this amazing folk pop compilation from this Swedish group.
Emerald Park is made up of Tobias Borelius, Martina Johansson, Frans af Schmidt, Mats Andreasson, and Mikael Eskilsson. The band formed back in 2001 and started off as a seven piece crew. Things didn't go according to plan and lineups were changed. Now, the group is back as a five piece along with a new netlabel, 23 Seconds. They re-released For Tomorrow; an album filled with lush melodies and catchy choruses that will certainly brighten up your day.
Apache Dropout by Apache Dropout (Promo EP)
Carrying the torch of indie pop rock, Apache Dropout adds some extra cool retro vibe to spice up their personal sound. This six track promo EP sounds like it was unearthed from some 60s traveller's suitcase.
Filled with jaunty, The Doors sounding tunes; the album is a great delight to listen to especially if you love retro rock music.
Apache Dropout hails from Bloomington, Indiana. The band is made up of Nathan Warrick, Sonny Alexandre and Seth Mahern. Together, they have released several short albums and hopefully there's more to come from this talented trio.
Willy’s Big Bang Theory Magic Revue: Cradle
Willy's Big Bang Theory Magic Revue (WBBTMR) is definitely a long name for a band. Luckily, even though their name is a mouthful, their music is quite good. This eclectic rock and roll blues band is actually just made of one permanent member, Will (I'm not sure what this guy's last name is.)
He's also a member of garage, punk group, The Wild Dishes. For his WBBTMR side project though, he enlists the help of his musician friends. These friends dropped drum parts, a guitar lick or two etc., and helped create this soaring album.
Take a listen and get in touch with your inner blues rocker.
Friction!: If You Turn Around You’ll See Me
Looking for the perfect background music to spend your quiet, moody mornings to? Give Friction! a try. The group is actually a one-man band composed of Swedish native, Pierre Björklund. The artist sings, writes, records and produces his own music. Currently, he's associated and signed onto Bakery Allstars Inc.; a non-profit organization that aims to release and share music, art or films to anybody who wants it.
If You Turn Around You'll See Me is a moody, atmospheric album that's filled with piano laced tracks. It's perfect if you feel like relaxing or maybe reflecting on some of the more serious things in life. The compilation is offered free on Jamendo but you can also purchase the singles on iTunes to support the singer.
Magellan’s Folly: Of The People, By The People, For The People
Magellan's Folly may not be the type of band that blows you away on first listen, but they do have a certain grace and appeal to their music that makes you want to pay attention. The band's aim is to get their message across and that is to "get people all across the world to pay attention to the world around them." This might seem like a highly ambitious goal but then again, music is a universal language.
Hailing from Minnesota, this duo creates an acoustic indie pop sound infused with a political message. They try and capture the audiences attention with the rawness of their sound as well as the message they bring. If you're looking for a twist in your typical indie acoustic affair, take a listen to this one.