It’s hump day again, and time is racing towards the Super Bowl this Sunday. While we wait for the big showdown, let’s check out these five interesting indie artists.
Artist Name: Illiterate Light
Album Name: Sweet Beast
Label: Self-released
Genre: Alt Rock
Track Listing: 1. Better Than I Used To; 2. Nuthin’s Fair; 3. Sweet Beast; 4. Two Cats; 5. Growin’ Down
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Composed of Jeff Gorman on guitar and vocals and Jake Cochran on drums and vocals, Illiterate Light is an impressive duo from Virginia who breathe new life into the alternative rock scene. The sweet guitar riffs mesh perfectly with the steady drums while the vocal harmonies fill your senses with all the emotions contained in the well-written lyrics. We featured the video for their song “Growin’ Down” in our Ten Amazing Videos of October, and also featured “Nuthin’s Fair” in our Ten Great Singles of December. This is a band that is in it for the long haul, and we expect them to be around for a long time. Their music is extremely radio friendly, especially the lead track “Better Than I Used To” and the latest single, “Nuthin’s Fair.” In fact, “Better” has more than 300,000 plays on streaming platforms and was selected by NPR as one of the 10 Hot Summer Songs.
Recommendation: Jump on this train NOW and Get their EP.
Artist Name: Joshua Powell
Album Name: PSYCHOTROPIC
Label: Self-released
Genre: Folk Rock
Track Listing: 1. Black Lodge (water); 2. Arrowheads or Worse; 3. Bright Deceiver!; 4. Econoline; 5. Bliss is a Flak Jacket; 6. Ascension; 7. Spirit of the Trailer Park; 8. Supercareful; 9. Mandala in Reverse; 10. ’59 Tomahawk; 11. Chakra #6
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Joshua Powell has been a fixture on the indie music scene for many years with his band The Great Train Robbery. Since moving to Indiana, he has emerged as a solo artist with his best work to date, what he calls a “spiritual acid trio.” We just call it one of the best albums of 2019 to date. The sound is radio friendly, with tones of psychedelic rock scattered through the folky groove. This is a sound that should resonate with many indie rock lovers, growing his fan base exponentially. The album is definitely worth multiple listens, and you may even want to put a few of these tracks on repeat. There is not a weak one on the album, so put it on, sit back and enjoy.
Recommendation: Drop whatever you’re doing and Get this one now!
Artist Name: Te’Amir
Album Name: Abyssinia + Abyssinia Rise
Label: Tru Thoughts Recordings
Genre: World Music
Track Listing: Side A: 1, Habesha; 2. The Quest (ft Dustin Warren); 3. All That you Need (ft Dustin Warren); 4. Randal in Addis; Side B: 1. Afrika; 2. Back to Abyssinia; 3. Blue Nile; 4. Afar Hustle; 5. Salem
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Te’Amir is a critically acclaimed drummer and producer from Los Angeles who has spent the last 10 years performing with Aloe Blacc. On this vinyl release he has combined his two previous EPs into one amazing record. The album pays homage to his Ethiopian heritage and shows why he is considered one of the most gifted drummers on the music scene today. This is predominately an instrumental album full of beautiful music. There are two tracks that feature the vocals of Dustin Warren which stand out from the album, and make it truly special, especially “All That You Need.” This album is perfect for your chill times or when you just want to bask in the mastery of a true indie artist, especially the amazing sax on “Randal in Addis” and the incredible percussion and horns on the jazzy “Afrika.” There are no weak tracks, so feel free to listen to this one from start to finish and then listen again and again.
Recommendation: Go Get this one.
Artist Name: Betty Bryant
Album Name: Project 88
Label: Self-released
Genre: Jazz/Blues
Track Listing: 1. Love Came and Went; 2. Lady be Good; 3. Catfish Man; 4. Just You, Just Me; 5. But Beautiful; 6. Ain’t Nobody’s Business; 7. Cho-Cho; 8. They say it’s Beautiful; 9. My Beloved; 10. It’s Hard to say Goodbye
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: Betty Bryant is proof that great musicians only get better with age and experience. At the tender age of 88, Bryant has released her ninth CD as one of the premier pianists, composers and vocalists in jazz today. The album title reflects her age and the fact that a piano has 88 keys. Bryant composed half the songs on the album (excluding Lady Be Good, Just You, Just Me, But Beautiful, Ain’t Nobody’s Business and They Say It’s Beautiful), which are sure to join the plethora of great jazz standards. The album is produced by amazing saxophonist and flutist Robert Kyle, who puts his personal stamp on several tracks, including “Just You, Just Me.”
Recommendation: If you love jazz or blues, then you should definitely add this one to your collection.
Artist Name: Various Artists
Album Name: Born to Uke (Springsteen Tribute)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Thunder Road (Sara Watkins); 2. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out (Will Kimbrough); 3. Night (Svavar Knútur); 4. Backstreets (The Weepies); 5. Born to Run (Emily Saliers); 6. She’s the One (Keith Metzger); 7. Meeting Across the River (Albatross); 8. Jungleland (Kai Welch)
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Bruce Springsteen released Born to Run in 1975, and this collection pays homage to that seminal release using only ukelele, bass, percussion and vocals. The album is a fundraiser for Little Kids Rock, which funds music education in underprivileged public schools. It features several renowned artists, including Emily Sailers (The Indigo Girls), Sara Watkins (I’m With Her, Nickel Creek), The Weepies and Will Kimbrough. They breath new life into these amazing songs and give Springsteen the respect that he has earned.
Recommendation: If you love Springsteen and great music, then you simply must Get this one.