Today is a very historic date. Growing up, it was remembered as the day they started the American Revolution. Unfortunately, in the past few years, it has transformed from a celebration of freedom to a memorial of horrible atrocities. Sounds like a good reason to check out some indie music and make our own history. Here are five more for your reflection.
Artist Name: Bay Station
Album Name: Other Desert Cities
Label: Self-released
Genre: Americana
Track Listing: 1. Sleeping Hard Waking Slow; 2. Look but Don’t Touch; 3. Fire Song; 4. Sands of Time; 5. Everybody’s Business; 6. Baja Blues; 7. Purple; 8. Clean Up; 9. Trickster Moon; 10. Bay Station Wiggle
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: The San Francisco Bay area has a surprising number of really good Americana artists, including the multi-award winning Katie Garibaldi and Jeffrey Halford and the Healers. You can now add one more to that list with Bay Station’s release of their third studio album, Other Desert Cities. Between the amazing vocals of Deborah Crooks and the equally awesome musicianship of her bandmates, Kwame Copeland, Steve Waters and Chris Veenstra, Bay Station delivers its own unique style, incorporating the best parts of Americana, Alt-Country, and just plain good storytelling. These songs will grab you with their sound, but truly capture your attention as they sing about what it must be like to live in the desert, from both the viewpoints of visitors, residents, and native animals. Best songs include “Look but Don’t Touch,” “Sands of Time,” “Everybody’s Business,” “Clean Up,” and the unforgettable surf rock sound of “Bay Station Wiggle.” This one is sure to make your day.
Recommendation: This album is a most worthy addition to your musical library. Get it today.
Artist Name: Young Galaxy
Album Name: Down Time
Label: House of Commons
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Under my Wing; 2. Seeing Eye Dog; 3. Catch Your Breath; 4. Show you the Valley; 5. River; 6. Frontier; 7. Stay for Real; 8. Glowworms; 9. Devotion; 10. Elusive Dream
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: Montreal continues to deliver great indie music with the latest release from Young Galaxy. We have loved sharing some of the previous material (including their latest music video for “Frontier), and are excited to review the complete album for you. Their harmonies are sublime, with amazing musicianship underscoring those great vocals and lyrics. Their sound is unique, combining elements of indie rock, 80’s percussion and amazing storytelling. Our favorite tracks include “Under my Wing,” “Catch Your Breath,” “River,” “Frontier,” “Stay for Real,” and “Elusive Dream.” Ride the wave and chill to the sound of Young Galaxy.
Recommendation: This one is a must for your chill time. Get it while you can.
Artist Name: Jaunt
Album Name: Cue
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Machined; 2. Best Case; 3. Intimate Sunset; 4. Faster Interactions; 5. Cued
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Jaunt is a Toronto-based boy band that has collaborated with incredible vocalists Caitlin Woelfe-O’Brien (aka Blunt Chunks) and Eliza Niemi to create seamless chill tunes with amazing vocals and harmonies. The sound is so smooth that you will be relaxed before the first tune is over. The music is breezy and light, flowing over you like a river of sound. All five songs are perfect for creating a relaxing mood, and will have you pressing repeat so you can listen again and again, especially the final track, “Cued.” Just for fun, check out the music video for “Faster Interactions” on YouTube.
Recommendation: If you enjoy smooth relaxing music as part of your chill routine, you can’t go wrong with Jaunt. Get em while they’re hot.
Artist Name: SAYERS
Album Name: Horror Stories
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. The Arsonist; 2. Get Naked; 3. Headache Mind; 4. Reno; 5. Push Pull Cave Control; 6. Norman’s Girls; 7. Nothing New
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Indie Rock has a new champion, and it’s name is SAYERS. This fun band from Chicago hasn’t forgotten that playing and creating music is not work, but something that everyone would love to do. The guitar work throughout is stellar, as are the strong vocals that soothe as they entertain. The first two tracks (“The Arsonist” and “Get Naked”) have been released as singles, and “Get Naked” is the best of the two. This band doesn’t quit delivering, and “Headache Mind” shows just have great an indie band can be. Other great songs include “Reno,” with its driving beat and impressive guitar, and “Norman’s Girl,” with its psychedelic 60’s groove. The album closes with the amazing “Nothing New,” which is a great party song reminiscent of the B-52’s and deserves radio airplay.
Recommendation: You should definitely give this one a chance.
Artist Name: Rachael Cantu
Album Name: Love Rush
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Pop Rock
Track Listing: 1. Run Free; 2. You’re the Most; 3. Pieces; 4. Long Time Lover; 5. Won’t let you Go; 6. Love Rush
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: The beat grabs you and then that voice just washes over you, enveloping you in the raw emotion and power of a love rush. Rachael Cantu has the “Hotel Cafe'” sound, so it is only fitting that her EP release show should be held there on April 28. If you are in or near Los Angeles, we STRONGLY encourage you to go to the show – we definitely would if we weren’t in Montana!!! Cantu’s songs are truly radio friendly, and also should be carefully considered by the music supervisor community, as they would work extremely well as placements in television and film. “Run Free” could be a monster hit, so radio programmers, stand up and take notice of this amazing indie artist. It won’t be long before Cantu and Sara Bareilles are used in the same sentence – this is an artist about to break.
Recommendation: Don’t waste any time – you simply must Get this one today. You will not regret it.
