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Thurdeen Digz Kidneythieves

alt-rock, alternative, California, featured artists, indie, industrial, Kidneythieves, Los Angeles, reviews, rock, unsigned 5 Responses »

Feb 162011

artist: Kidneythieves
genre: alternative, industrial, rock
label: unsigned

Some things just work well together. Peanut butter and jelly, waffles and ice cream, Goobers and popcorn. Perhaps I shouldn’t have skipped dinner. Regardless, listening to Kidneythieves (one word, thank you), makes me think of successful combos. Kidneythieves write loud and pulsing songs, but songs that, at their heart, are simple sing-a-longs. They are songs you take with you on road trips or to the gym, songs you scream along with and quickly learn the words to. Hearing Kidneythieves is like walking through a driving rainstorm with a giant umbrella. There’s chaos all around, but it’s exciting, refreshing and, yes, likeable.

Lead singer Free Dominguez sings with an intensity reminiscent of Pat Benatar and the best parts of Veruca Salt. The music, thanks mostly to guitarist Bruce Somers, grinds along with cool dashes of industrial guitar and a steady pounding. Songs from their latest album, Trypt0fanatic, include ‘Lick U Clean’ (oooh, randy! I like it), ‘Jude (Be Somebody)’ and ‘Freeky People’. Their music takes you to the edge of the cliff and the choruses push you over that edge.

Check out their MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/kidneythieves) and their site (www.kidneythieves.com) to learn more. Kidneythieves – I love the name. Check it out.

- Thurdeen

Black Heart Vacancy

alt-rock, alternative, Baked Fresh Records, Black Heart Vacancy, California, featured artists, hard rock, Los Angeles, punk, videos No Responses »

Nov 012010

artist: Black Heart Vacancy | genre: alt-rock, punk | label: Baked Fresh Records

From their latest EP on Baked Fresh Records, LA’s Black Heart Vacancy sticks one right between the eyes with “Man Overboard.” I dig the melodic edginess these cats are throwing down. Yuppies beware…I’m pretty sure BHV is sending you a message here that is loud and clear!

-Drago

The Spoken and the Sassy

alternative, California, featured artists, indie pop, new release, reviews, San Diego, Sheila Sondergard, unsigned No Responses »

Oct 292010

artist: Sheila Sondergard | genre: alternative, indie-pop | label: unsigned

listen now
Spoke Too Loud
Same Ol Bend

Take a listen to “Spoke Too Loud,” the title track to Sheila Sondergard’s most recent CD, and if you don’t think it’s one of the grooviest songs you’ve ever heard…then you need groovy lessons. The verses offer a jazzy/Krieger-esque guitar sound before jumping into a stellar indie-pop chorus. Throw in some syncopated latin style riddims, a buttery bass line to hold it all together and top it off with sassy vocals from Miss Sheila and you’ve got it…grooviness times ten. On the flip side, “Same Ol Bend” is awash with indie attitude. Sparkly guitars give way to an unbridled edginess and siren like vocals.

- Drago

A Cool Groove from LA

alternative, California, electronica, Los Angeles, rock, unsigned, videos No Responses »

Jul 162010

artist: Glacier Hiking
genre: electronica | alternative | rock
label: unsigned

Contrary to the label above, neither this song nor this video are “new”. It’s actually about 1 year old, near as I can tell. However, it is new to me and I must say I have taken quite a fancy to this band from LA. You can hear their latest release, The Color By Number EP, via their MySpace page as well as on iTunes.

- Drago

From the Shores of San Diego

alternative, California, featured artists, indie, new release, reviews, rock, San Diego, Small City Calling, unsigned 3 Responses »

Jul 142010

artist: Small City Calling
genre: alternative | indie-rock
album: Oceanus (EP)
label: unsigned

listen now…
Castaways :: We Are the Messengers :: My Friend the Ocean (Coming Home)

Just a few short months ago, San Diego’s Small City Calling released their 2nd studio recording and follow up to 2009′s The Living Room Demo. Their latest work, Oceanus, is an intriguing 7-song EP that, in addition to showcasing the talents of founding members Ryan Erwin (lead vox, guitar, keys), Kevin Adams (guitar, vox) and Jake Falzone (bass, vox), also marks the debut of the band’s newest addition, Hanna Hoffman (guitar, vocals, keys).

The blend of acoustics and electrics is stellar indeed, however, equally impressive is the interplay of melody and harmony that creates a cascading effect that leaves listeners awash in auditory bliss. While there are certainly some tracks that I favour more than others, of the (7) featured on this EP there are none that I dislike.

“Castaways” jumps in from the first downbeat with a quiet, steady cadence that is an instant attention getter. Piece by piece, bit by bit it continues to build, culminating with a chorus drenched in pure indie attitude. Dig it. The groovy acoustic vibe beautifully complements the colourful vocal elements featured in “We Are the Messengers” and makes for a track that is much more than memorable. Finally, as I listen to “My Friend the Ocean (Coming Home)” two words pop into me nugget…”simply inspiring”. Coincidentally, those are the same two words which, if asked, I’d use to describe this EP and this band.

- Drago

OuterSound :: May 2010

28-200, Cantalouper, I M Munroe, podcasts, Prophet-Z, Sickhoose, Sink To See, Sunset Records, Tenpenny Joke, The Breathing, The Wake, ThisOrder 1 Response »

May 112010

The May episode of OuterSound showcases a variety of independent artists from around the world to include Australia, Italy, Korea, Canada, the UK and, of course, the US. Here’s who you’ll hear…

Prophet Z :: Brooklyn, NY
The Wake :: Rosignano Solvay, Italy
Sink to See :: Los Angeles, CA
28-200 :: Denver, CO
IM Munroe :: Vancouver, Canada
ThisOrder :: Rome, Italy
The Breathing :: Seoul, Korea
Cantalouper :: Columbia, MO
Sickhoose :: Ovingham, Great Britain
Tenpenny Joke :: Melbourne, Australia