The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: Alternative


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Sleigh Bells – [Bitter Rivals]

Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals

Brooklyn based Sleigh Bells are back with their signature noise pop style

Sleigh Bells – Bitter Rivals:

In one hell of a revival the rambunctious noise pop duo Sleigh Bells released their newest single Bitter Rivals. I am glad to see the band has not lost their traditional childish sense of humor. Light noodling, firm gasps and ‘Ahs’, a barking dog, and finger snaps all build up to the familiar thrashing guitars of Derek Miller and the somewhat distorted vocals of Alexis Krauss we might expect by now.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
- from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens(1859)

Something is seemingly different this time around. But is it subtle or is it craftily not so obvious? Could it be those super electro “pew-pew” sounds flying all over the track? Or is it the fact that we actually get a chance, for once, to stop and breath at well placed points? Then again, that is a super heavy outro they’re dishing out onto one’s speakers, which is very much the norm for them.

It is nice to be able to see that the band has progressed as we approach album number three, which not so shockingly will be titled Bitter Rivals. Sleigh Bells is headed off into the trendy direction of more heavy production and leaving their “lo-fi”ness behind. This transition is in no way a bad thing. I believe we should all be excited to hear what a cleaner sounding Sleigh Bells is like. If the band’s sound becomes more palatable then it’s only a matter of time until mom & pop are jamming out to some damn good music too. But who knows what kinds of delicious treats await us on LP3 and if the band has truly ‘cleaned’ up their act. Not that I’ve ever been one to complain about the loud and gritty sound of Sleigh Bells in the past.

If you enjoyed Bitter Rivals then you should let Sleigh Bells know by giving them a ‘Like’ on their Facebok Page.

Or listen to Sleigh Bells on Spotify!


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Cash for Gold – [Cheerleaders]

Cash For Gold - Cheerleaders

Cash For Gold give us some much needed pop chaos from Melbourne, Australia

Cash For Gold – Cheerleaders:

Get ready for a real crowd pleaser people because Cheerleaders is here to get you pumped up whether you like it or not! Sound the horns and buckle up for this hellish half-time show. Something about this loud and mysteriously catchy tune just reaches out and grabs you, almost as if by sheer force. Cash for Gold, the exciting collaboration of Jack Weaving and Stephen Mowat, is taking you hostage for the duration of this gripping marching tune, and you’re probably going to find yourself accepting this fact rather easily. Soon you’ll be singing along with C-A-S-H-CASH FOR GOLD! The song is what we kids like to call ON POINT, and at every single level to boot! While it may be kind of hard to find much about the duo Cash for Gold at this time, I’d be shocked if people did not start to take notice to the pulse pounding anthem Cheerleaders real soon.

Like what you hear? Then go ahead and Like Cash For Gold over at their Facebook Page.

Or listen to Cash for Gold on Spotify!


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Joywave – [Tongues (feat. KOPPS)] + [Dying Well]

Joywave - Tounges (feat. Kopps) + Dying Well

Joywave bring us their ambitious electronic indie pop  from Rochester, NY

Joywave – Tongues (feat. KOPPS):

Just try to get away from this one. You cannot; you simply won’t be able to escape its rhythmic clutches. Within the first ten seconds of Tongues you will find yourself lassoed into that enticing beat and the wonderfully addictive hook preformed by KOPPS. In what might very well be the fastest case of Stockholm syndrome ever, you’ll find that you want to see more of your attention captor and will feel bad for not paying them enough mind in the past. You’ll submit yourself to many more listens of this infectious tune, whether your sanity needs it or not. This could probably go without saying but Tongues is quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of 2013. I just can’t get enough of everything this song has to offer, and I’m not quite sure I ever will.

Joywave just have a knack for proper artistic arrangement it seems. It’s hard to find a composition these guys have made that is not at least intriguing to some degree. The band’s newest release is no exception from the quality one might come to expect from the Rochester, NY based indie electropop group. Their latest mixtape, aptly named 88888, continues the tradition of intrigue and cultivation that Joywave have shown such capacity for in the past.

Download the full “88888” Mixtape free directly from Joywave

88888 is an unparalleled adventure through an electropop world that is chock-full of finesse and rich texture. Joywave put so much attention into the finer details that everything on the mixtape has its dignified place and purpose. This leaves the listener with little room to question what is happening to them as their swept up in the invigorating experience. Track by track you will find yourself treated to prolific and intrepid sounds that highlight what I can’t help but to feel is progress made in music, namely electropop, this side of the 2010 decade. 

Dying Well is just one of the many entrancing tracks that caught my attention on 88888. What starts off as ethereal and almost weightless becomes solid and heavy as an upright bass line kicks in followed by the call of a solo brass. If film noir was ever condensed into song form, this just might be it. Dying Well does an amazing job of highlighting the depth and range Joywave can manage to put in just a single track.

Joywave – Dying Well:

Joywave’s Facebook Page is right on the other side of that link. I’m sure a Like on your behalf would be much appreciated by the gents!

Or listen to Joywave on Spotify!

88888 (2013):


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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, Paradise, is 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!