The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!


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Coasts – [Your Soul] + [Oceans]

Coasts - Wallow + Yours Soul + Oceans + Stones

Coasts bring us their nautically powered indie rock from Bristol, England

Coasts – Your Soul:

Bristol based Coasts make sincere music that immediately resonates and strikes a deeper chord within. Their music is best equivalated to a deep breath of fresh air after being submerged in salty waters for far too long. You get this exhilaration and sense of feeling that screams through every fiber of your every being to let you know that you are alive, and for good reason too.

Think of Your Soul as a lively escape for your inner being to an island safe-haven that the world, and all its inherent woes, have yet to discover. The pacing hits in wonderful waves crashing one after another onto the pleasant shore that is the metaphorical manifestation of Your Soul. As soon as the song subsides your left immediately wising you could return to that tranquil coastline, once again walking with your feet in the soothing waters of Coasts‘ alluring indie rock.

Luckily enough the band has released, in what I’d be quite bold enough to say is, a flawless EP. Each and every song off of their four track EP, Paradiseis engrossing and seemingly paints a different climate each and every time. If Your Soul is the bright sunny day with sparse clouds, then Oceans climate might best be described as a bit overcast with a chance of thunder and intensity.

What begins by playing off as almost a hushed anthemic love ballad immediately takes off into full flight with great magnitude that completely engulfs you on the way up. Oceans is a top notch tune that i’m sure will grow immensely popular soon.

Simply put Coasts are one of those bands with so much potential for greatness it is almost scary. With the right push and placement, I could see the band becoming as much of a household name in British indie rock on this side of the pond as Biffy Clyro, Foals, or even Two Door Cinema Club. The future looks goods for these talented gentlemen, and the prospective music they are sure to release for our enjoyment looks even better.

Coasts – Oceans:

Likes are a terrific thing for a band these days so you should totally check out Coasts’ Facebook Page and show them some affection.

Or listen to Coasts on Spotify!

Paradise EP (2013):


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Saint Motel – [My Type]

Saint Motel - My Type

Saint Motel are just My Type from Los Angeles, California

Saint Motel – My Type:

Please put out your elongated cigarette, grab your darling, and take her to the ballroom dance floor for this one. Saint Motel have done it again, and with all the throwback swagger that we have come to know and love from the promising L.A based hard-pop/indie rock outfit. So with their latest tune My Type one could say these guys are “brass in action” and ready to show the world that with a kick in your step and smile on your face, anything is possible.

Saint Motel clearly showed everyone on their debut album Voyeur that, indeed, anything is quite possible. I mean every single damn track off their debut is a solid piece of serenity in and of itself. Voyeur has earned a permanent place in my heart for being both sincere and original through and through. I mean I could really listen to their first single Puzzle Pieces on repeat for hours, and I’m being serious. I’d probably be happy to do the same with a number of other songs off Voyeur. I can not recommend enough giving the time and day to this wonderful composition of music. Saint Motel’s newest song My Type shows that the band is headed in a similar and exciting direction leaving me absolutely eager for more. If anything the song is a heaping hunk of optimism for what is to come.

Voyeur (2012):

Saint Motel would probably love to see you stop on by to their Facebook Page to give them a Like!

Or listen Saint Motel on Spotify!


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Valley Dweller – [Another Night] + [Those Girls]

Valley Dweller - Another Night + Those Girls

Valley Dweller bring us infectious dark indie pop from the valley of Los Angeles

Valley Dweller – Another Night:

Who ever said all indie pop had to be vibrant and colorful was dead wrong. With a chilled vibe and dark atmospheric flow Valley Dweller helps to set a new standard in gloomy awesomeness with the song Another Night. Sweeping you up immediately as if in a desolate call for action, the track pushes on ever forward gaining momentum in the same fashion one might build up self confidence. By the end, the song is so self aware and confident in it’s ability to deliver that you’re left wanting more. Much, much, much more…

It’s a damn shame that Valley Dweller have only released two songs for our listening pleasure. It’s not a shame, however, that the only two songs that have seen a release are outstanding and set the level excitement for follow ups, as well as the proverbial bar for new material very high. I’m sure we’ll hear more from Valley Dweller soon, perhaps an indication of an album release or even just a simple EP. Either way i’m looking forward to what ever comes next.

Valley Dweller, is actually composed of a single man from Los Angeles, California named Dane Deaner. So mad props go out to Mr. Deaner and his pursuit of becoming an artist. I hope that one day you get all the recognition you deserve.

BONUS: Valley Dweller – Those Girls:

Valley Dweller could definitely use some well earned love. So you should head over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like!

Here is the music video for Another Night:


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Pacific Air – [Float] + [Roses]

Pacific Air

Pacific Air, formally known as KO KO, show us how to Float away

Pacific Air – Float:

What better way to end a summer then to be lost in the wonderfully whimsical and quite blissful world that Pacific Air so kindly paints for us. With a laid back pace and a whistle chorus like a cool ocean breeze, the track Float takes us on an unforgettable journey to the coastline. Float strikes all the right chords and distances itself from being a drab song one might glance over without a second thought.

I first heard Float way back in spring of 2012, back when Pacific Air still went under the moniker of KO KO. Lets just say I’ve been eagerly awaiting for more ever since I became entranced by this wonderful and memorable track. This year after quite sometime and a change of name the two brothers, Ryan and Taylor Lawhon, that make up Pacific Air decided to release their debut album Stop Talking (via Republic Records). These bros deserve some major kudos for releasing such a delightful and strong debut album. Track by track is a sun soaked journey along the American west coast so be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen while you’re away on this musical voyage.

The song Roses is far and away my favorite track so far on Stop Talking and I highly recommend giving this outstanding song a listen or two for sure.

BONUS: Pacific Air – Roses:

Don’t forget to support Pacific Air by heading over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like!

Or listen to Pacific Air on Spotify!


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WNSC Playlist for 4/23/13

The Sifting Pan is live every Tuesday night 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. E/T on WNSC, UCF’s Student Run Radio Station. Tune in HERE during my 1 hour time slot for some of the latest and greatest in Indie/Alternative/Electro.

  1. Teddybears/Iggy Pop – Punkrocker; Soft Machine
  2. Hot Hot Heat – JFK’s LSD; Future Breeds
  3. MS MR – Bones; Candy Bar Creep Show
  4. CHVRCHES – Recover; Recover EP
  5. Labyrinth Ear – Humble Bones; Apparitions EP
  6. The Decemberists – The Rake’s Song; Hazards Of Love
  7. Wakey! Wakey! – The Oh Song; Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said The Last Time I Saw You
  8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Under The Earth; Mosquito
  9. New Politics – Harlem; Harlem — Single
  10. Alt-J – Taro; An Awesome Wave
  11. Two Door Cinema Club – Sun; Beacon
  12. Tokyo Police Club – Be Good; A Lesson In Crime
  13. Bombay Bicycle Club – Beg; A Different Kind Of Fix

Or Check Out The Full Playlist On Spotify