Hardly anything gets our proverbial Music Ninja blood pumping quite like unveiling brand new artists yet unheard to the rest of the world. Such is the case with today’s TMN Premiere coming from L.A. based, Canadian Indie-Pop project, Loveclub. Loveclub’s aural aesthetic is one bending 80’s synth kits & sensibilities around sharp songwriting, and contemporary pop arrangements for a sound uniquely his, yet utterly relatable.
The first single to see light from Loveclub is “Stuck”. Fusing tinny kick-drums, aerated pads and perfectly popping snare stabs, Loveclub buoys the lovely instrumentation with a flitting vocal track that shapes the tune’s emotional identity; landing somewhere between indie-pop and (wink, wink) PBR&B. About the tune, the debuting artist shared: “’Stuck’ is about putting it all out there and realizing that sometimes it doesn’t work out.” Something surely most of our listeners can associate with. We’re prognosticating a strong finish to 2018 from the budding synth-pop style-bender that is Loveclub, and you can be sure we’ll be revealing more pieces to his unraveling puzzle as they are released. Until then, stream Loveclub’s premiere single “Stuck” above.
The 18th anniversary of one of Denver’s most storied music events, The Underground Music Showcase, is rapidly encroaching, bringing with it perhaps its heaviest-hitting lineup ever. What began as a one-night performance featuring just four bands, The UMS has steadily exploded into to a three-day music and arts festival featuring hundreds of performances. As the time draws nearer to what will no doubt be another incredible weekend of performances, this year taking place from July 27th – July 29th, it’s time to get our readers familiar with this year’s crop of highly established headliners and burgeoning local & national artists, spanning a plethora of genres and sounds.
Dotting the top end of this year’s addition of The Underground Music Showcase are more than a few TMN regulars. Among this year’s biggest highlights are the smooth indie-disco stylings of L.A. electronic duo Classixx, the infectious ciphers of B.J. the Chicago Kid, Deezie Brown & legendary hip-hop troupe Digable Planets, a healthy smattering of established indie acts including Greta Kline’s Frankie Cosmos project, Parallelephants, Deerhunter & Mothers, scuzzy rock sets from Alvvays, White Denim & Superchunk; not to mention the most eclectic handling of local talent we get to hear year after year including sets from olorado’s own CRL CRRLL, Aaron Bordas, Slow Caves, Bud Bronson & The Goodtimers and loads more.
Right now, special one-day GA tickets can be found for $40 over on their homepage with weekend passes for just $75. We’ll see you there in full force on July 27th, but until then, get in the UMS swing of things by streaming our playlist below.
Seriously, how is it July already? Guess time flies when you have a weekly Indie Dojo to look forward to.
Even writing this, it’s hard to believe that Canadian synth-pop stalwarts (and quasi Broken Social Scene offshoot) Stars are nearing their twentieth year in existence. Once supplying some of this writer’s favorite sugary sweet, heartfelt pop tunes, Stars have managed to carve out one of the most endeared fan bases in any stretch of music, and last week, your Ninja faithful were privy to another stirring performance from our Northern friends. Stars, who are touring on the heels of 2017’s excellent There Is No Love in Fluorescent Light, and a pair of exciting singles to pace the first half of 2018, trotted out to rapturous applause before diving straight into aforementioned LP’s lead single “Flourescent Light”.
Read the rest of our review, and check out a few pictures from the evening after the jump!
Aside from a simple blurb on Facebook and Soundcloud, there’s not much I can share with you about Astrolemo, the person. Self-described as somewhere between “a drug-free Flying Lotus and a spicy Bonobo,” this enigmatic character is purposefully hidden behind a moniker and the anonymity that only the web can provide.
What I can tell you, is that since starting the #TMNMailbag series, this is far and away the most impressive submission I’ve received. As he mentions, his art beckons on notable acts like Flying Lotus and Bonobo. Personally, I also notices comparisons that lean towards a few other personal favorites — Tycho and Absofacto.
Typically, I like to feature the song that the artist submitted, and that alone. Today, though, I’m showcasing his last EP, as well as his most recent single.
Kicking things off is his most recent offering, “Haunting Me” is a deep and enveloping experience. Starting off with haunting keys and (assumedly) Astrolemo’s captivating vocals, the tune provides a layered and textural listen from start-to-finish. It’s pleasantly dreary, lending itself to a harmony with a relaxing Sunday rainstorm.
Next up is the title track from his last EP, “Stay with Me.” A bit more upbeat than the former, the experience comes to life with glowing, echoing vocals, and danceable percussion. It has plenty of drive, yet still maintains that all-encompassing soundscape that embodies his sound.
As I’m sure you’re convinced at this point, I’ll stop yammering and leave you be with this tasty little collection. After you’re done, make sure to throw this budding young act a follow on Facebook and Soundcloud. As of right now, he has less than 500 on both accounts, meaning you’ll be an early adopter. Get on it.
