Discovering the new music underground around the globe
Rock/Review The Afro Nick - Get There Before Noon (LA mix)
The Afro Nick draws on his experiences as a child growing up on Crete, a Greek island situated between the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. His earliest musical memories were of gypsies playing their guitars for coins on the Venetian cobblestone streets. In 2009 he formed “Stray Blue” and toured throughout Crete, premiering one of the first indie-rock band tours on the island.
House/Review The Ocean Beneath - Show Up (feat. Holly Taymar)
Leeds-based producer Matt Burnside, AKA The Ocean Beneath creates experimental progressive house music with hints to classic 80’s records and the heart of 90’s house and trance. Building a solid following since 2019 and collaborations with top musicians and vocalists The Ocean Beneath is here to stay. Holly Taymar is a passionate writer-performer hailing from York. Holly’s songwriting and storytelling are profoundly influenced by personal experiences and a desire to connect on a meaningful level.
Pop/Review The New Citizen Kane - Could Have Been
The New Citizen Kane, stage name of singer, songwriter, and producer Kane Luke, emerged from London in 2010 after his departure from Milan's Fuorifase Records in 2008, having previously worked under his real name and the Discokane monicker. Also, with a vision to merge music, fashion, pop culture, and visual arts, Kane's debut album in 2014 drew visual inspiration from the classic film "Citizen Kane" while sonically blending 80s and 90s house, dance, and synth pop sounds.
Rock/Review The Sea At Midnight - Wait For Rain
The Sea At Midnight, hailing from Los Angeles, is the musical project of singer/songwriter Vince Grant, with production by Chris King of Cold Showers and Kai Tak. This dynamic duo has crafted a unique sound that blends elements of post-punk, new wave, and synth-pop, creating a mesmerizing sonic experience that captivates audiences worldwide.
Rock/Review Trash Pals - Power Hug
Trash Pals is an indie rock duo formed by multifaceted artists Conor Rayne and Gabe Schnider. Their warm, upbeat songs encourage listeners to lean into how they feel, whether it’s the messiness of processing loss, the urge to dance until their legs fall off, or everything in between. After meeting as little kids at summer camp while both homesick, these pals’ friendship spans nearly 15 years; their music is an extension of their trust in one another and a form of processing the joys and challenges of living life fully.
Rock/Review The Sea At Midnight - Burning (feat. Chemical Waves)
The Sea At Midnight, hailing from Los Angeles, United States, is making waves with their original single "Burning." Led by songwriter Vince Grant, the project features a collaboration with Marco Cattani of Chemical Waves, infusing a rock sound with emotional intensity. The artist's journey towards this release has been driven by a passion for addressing climate change, culminating in the creation of a powerful track that resonates with listeners.
Punk/Review The Hammerbombs - Talk To Me
Originating from the revered pop-punk scene of the East Bay Area in Northern California, The Hammerbombs emerged as a serendipitous side project by a group of seasoned veterans, eventually solidifying into their primary endeavor a decade ago. With a raw and authentic sound reminiscent of East Bay pop-punk, The Hammerbombs defy conventional influences, opting to carve their own unique path in the music landscape.
Pop/Review Tim Compagna - All Behind You
Tim Compagna is a singer-songwriter based in Vancouver, known for creating music that blends emotional storytelling with feel-good vibes. His songs often explore themes of personal growth, love, and resilience, drawing from his own experiences of profound loss.
Metal/Review The End Is Near - Grindhouse
The End Is Near is a Southern California-based metalcore band known for its powerful sound and unapologetically intense themes. The band combines crushing riffs, slashing rhythms, and visceral lyrics to create a sonic experience that’s as thought-provoking as it is relentless. Their songs delve into the darker aspects of modern life, exploring themes of governmental control, societal breakdown, and the erosion of individuality in a digital age.
Rock/Review Tom Minor - Is Everything Okay?
Hailing from London N1, singer-songwriter Tom Minor feels inspired by indie rock, new wave and punk, power pop, psychedelic and garage rock, soul, R&B, reggae, and ska.
Punk/Review THE 351's - NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT
The 351's were formed in September 2023. Kev was playing guitar with The Rudesters (formerly The Cranky's) when Dom joined them as the new (and last) singer, followed shortly after by Tin as the new (and last) drummer.
Pop/Review Tess Posner - Can You Hear Me Now
Award-winning Alternative Pop singer-songwriter Tess Posner takes the listener on a journey into the realms of the subconscious to shine a light on the hidden parts of ourselves left behind. Tess’s revelatory lyrics and enchanting sonic landscapes invite the listener on a journey inside to self-discovery and healing. She weaves together mesmerizing piano, ethereal synths, and dynamic orchestral elements together with her lush vocal harmonies that lay over a bed of deep-sounding drums and bass.
Rock/Review Twice Dark - Telekinetic
In the neo-gothic realms of Bloomington, Indiana, Josh Kreuzman birthed the spectral music project Twice Dark in 2020. Inspired by the melancholic grandeur of decaying industrial spaces, Twice Dark weaves together goth, industrial, EBM, italodisco, deathrock, coldwave, and darkwave, capturing a haunting elegance reminiscent of a forgotten era.
Folk/Review The Celtic Social Club - I Can’t Wait Anymore
The Celtic Social Club celebrates a decade this year. Ten years that have succeeded in imposing a sound, a style, and a name. With four studio albums and three live albums under their belt, crisscrossing stages, festivals, and continents, the seven Franco-Irish continue to refine their elegant and audacious reinterpretation of the Celtic music tradition, shaken up with great blows of rock energy, pop melody, and folk magic.
Folk/Review The Ben Poore Project - One for Sorrow
The Ben Poore Project, hailing from Southampton, England, is a trio of talented musicians who bring a unique blend of rock, americana, country, and folk to their music. Lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist Ben Poore, along with bassist Dan HM and drummer Matt Axx, have been playing together for years, honing their craft in covers bands before venturing into original music.
Rock/Review Trickshooter Social Club - Mile Wide
Trickshooter Social Club's music is an oddly literate, completely eclectic approach to fuzzy, tweedy, garage-y, country-tinged, stomp and clap American rock-n-roll. Sometimes singer/songwriter, sometimes loud and unapologetic—their songs are a little whiskey-soaked and world-weary—but always leave a little room for redemption.
Rock/Review Toby TomTom - I Need A Yoko
Toby TomTom isn't your average musician; he's a sonic architect defying categorization. Imagine folk's soulful storytelling infused with the raw energy of hip-hop, electronica, jazz, and rock. This unique tapestry, born from dreamt melodies and acoustic guitar whisperings, creates a sound that's both strangely familiar and refreshingly original.
Rock/Review The O.O. - Let’s Have A Party
The O.O. is a brand new indie singer/songwriter from the Isle of Wight, UK. Taking influences from bands such as The Kooks, The Libertines, and The View, 2024’s plan for The O.O. is to steadily release more singles, building up to the release of his debut album. The O.O. fell in love with music when he was very little. Due to being disruptive in his primary school lessons, the headteacher had to remove him from lessons and teach him music instead!
Pop/Review Tillerman - The Son must follow the Moon
Like most bands, the personnel of the group often lies within family links and friends acquired along the way via mutual passions. Tillerman is no different; Jon (lead vocals/guitar) and Tom (drums/vox) are brothers who have jammed together for years while growing up. Jon was introduced to Shaun (lead guitar) through work whilst at Uni, and Tom worked alongside Iain (bass) at a well-known restaurant chain.
Hip-Hop/Review Tavia - Get It Up
Tavia is a singer ascending from Rhode Island. While honing her craft, Tavia performed in high school showcases, karaoke competitions, several Salve Regina Hunger concerts, the 2022 Newport City Council & Committee Joint Inauguration, and two League of Women's Voters Vigils (2022 & 2023). Tavia is now focused on establishing herself as a professional recording artist, recently launching her debut single Get It Up in June of 2024.