Author Archives: Ricky Stephens

Ricky Stephens

About Ricky Stephens

Ricky Stephens is an independent musician and music reviewer from Tampa Florida.

[New] Decibels – The Lesser

Decibels are one of the more unique groups that I’ve come across this year. Their combination of Indie Rock and Electronica displayed on their new single “The Lesser” shows the band emphasizing their strengths and maybe hinting at a new direction? Its too soon to say, but their previous releases have been glitchy and atmospheric so this new cut could be a game changer.

As for the track itself, well, there’s no denying that chorus. It swells and sings above the synth tracks and, further still, the active drum lines. Look for the official release on 3.26.12 and check out Decibels on the upcoming Bleep x Warp compilation.

Via: Pigeons&Planes

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[New] The Kickdrums – Thieves In The Choir (Ft. Casey Veggies)

With their first release, Want My Blood, the indie/hip hop duo known as The Kickdrums proved their love for loud noises and sick beats… and we loved them for it.
Now, the band has released a more mellow cut that kind of threw me for a loop before I really embraced it’s creativity. The track “Thieves In The Choir” combines a thick, eerie, guitar line with horn parts and a nice drum groove as the bottom layer, and vocals that almost sound 80’s on top. The track builds and builds to create the perfect home for a verse L.A.’s own, rising star, Casey Veggies.

’The KickDrums – Thieves In The Choir Feat Casey Veggies’
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[Remix] Housse De Racket- Chateau (Hey Champ Remix) + Tour Dates

To help Housse De Racket promote their American tour they’ve released a new remix, from Hey Champ, of their track “Chateau”. In case you don’t understand how awesome that is on your own, allow me to fill you in. Hey Champ are known for their remixes because they’re consistently good, and they haven’t released anything for quite a while. Seeing this spark of life from them means both that they’re still at it and that we get to listen to another one of their efforts. The song “Chateau” benefits from Hey Champ’s modifications by getting a new, almost disco, groove that makes you want to move your body. Enjoy!

Housse De Racket- Chateau (Hey Champ Remix)

Housse De Racket
Chateau (Hey Champ Remix)’

Housse De Racket tour:
14/03 – SXSW Festival – Austin
15/03 – SXSW Festival – Austin
16/03 – Club Dada – Dallas
18/03 – 529 – Atlanta
18/03 – Local 506 – Chapell Hill
21/03 – The Bears – Cambridge
22/03 – Bowery Ballroom – New York
23/03 – Il Motore – Montreal
24/03 – Wrongbar – Toronto
25/03 – 9:30 Club – Washington
26/03 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia
28/03 – Magic Stick Lougne – Detroit
29/03 – Empty Bottle – Chicago
30/03 – Triple Rock Social Club – Minneapolis
31/03 – Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg
04/02 – The Gateway Bar – Calgary
03/04 – The Haven Social Club – Edmonton
05/04 – Electric Owl – Vancouver
06/04 – Chop Suey – Seattle
07/04 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland
12/04 – Opti Club – Tucson
15/04 – Coachella Festival – Indio
19/04 – Rhythm Room – Phoenix
22/04 – Coachella Festival – Indio

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[New] Monde Idéal – Future Waits

Andreas Löf Hermansson and Alexander Sjödin have found beautiful harmony together with their latest project. They’re calling it Monde Idéal and have developed a sound that captures the very spirit of contemporary Swedish pop music.

Their latest release is a clever track titled “Future Waits” that flows in on a bed of orchestral tones and opens into a sweet but somber take on the difficulties of romance. Stream below:

Monde Ideal – Future Waits

’Monde Ideal
Future Waits’
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[Remix] Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yo- Let’s Go (Calvin Harris Edit)

Calvin Harris has been working on his status as a crossover artist for a little while now and, recently, has been finding a lot of success. Pulling no punches with huge hits like “Bounce” or “Feel So Close”, Calvin already has a collaboration with Rihana and Ne-Yo under his belt- making it very clear that he intends to stay at the top of the game. This new release, played by Pete Tong, shows Calvin remixing one of his own tracks called “Let Go”. Stream below:

Calvin Harris Ft. Ne-Yo – Lets Go (Calvin Harris Remix)

’Calvin Harris Ft. Ne
Yo – Lets Go (Calvin Harris Remix)’
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[Indie] Team Me – Show Me

Norwegian pop sensation Team Me are becoming quick favorites as their new release To The Treetops draws nearer. The lead single for the album, titled “Show Me”, is reminiscent of bands like The Tranq or Rubik with its positive melodies, excellent vocal performances (from all three vocalists), and upbeat rhythms- and is earning them a lot of airplay.

Team Me – Show Me

’02
Show

Recently the band recently won a Spellemann Prize for “Best Pop” and is on tour, playing SXSW, to promote To The Treetops which officially drops March 15th.

Via:Katarokkar

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[New] Lemonade- Neptune + Tour Dates

San Francisco/Brooklyn group Lemonade has been holding us at bay for a while now with remixes of 90’s r&b tracks (i.e.”The Place Where You Belong” by Shai) which, until the release of their latest single, whet our appetite but seemed kind of random.

Now “Neptune” has taken precedent as the proverbial bridge between their smashing debut EP Pure Moods and the forthcoming mystery LP that is Diver. If “Neptune” can snapshot the album as a whole then Diver rides the wave of those 90’s hits, but puts an undeniably contemporary spin on them. The band has found a balance between global pop and synth music and created their own undeniable sound through aquatic motifs and Callan’s vocal performances.

Lemonade – Neptune

’Lemonade – Neptune’

Lemonade Tour Dates:

03/14 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
04/20 – Echo – Los Angeles, CA Buy Tickets w/Bachelorette
04/24 – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA *
04/26 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR *
04/27 – Neumos – Seattle, WA *
04/28 – Venue – Vancouver, CAN *
04/30 – The Starlite Room – Edmonton, CAN *
05/01 – The Republik – Calgary, CAN *
05/03 – Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, CAN *
05/04 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN *
05/05 – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI *
05/06 – Magic Stick – Detroit, MI *
05/08 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, CAN *
05/10 – Cabaret Mile End – Montreal, CAN *
05/11 – Paradise – Boston, MA *
* = w/Neon Indian
via:

Lemonade – Neptune.

’Lemonade – Neptune’
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