American | The Sifting Pan

July 29, 2013
by TheSiftingPan 4 Comments

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):

July 26, 2013
by TheSiftingPan Leave a comment

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!

July 25, 2013
by TheSiftingPan Leave a comment

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:

July 24, 2013
by TheSiftingPan 1 Comment

Pacific Air – [Float] + [Roses]

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!

May 13, 2012
by TheSiftingPan 3 Comments

Vacationer – [Good As New] + [Trip]

Sun dripped indie East Coasters, Vacationer, bring us their ideal Vacation package in musical form

Vacationer – Good As New:

Throw those curtains wide open and jump out of bed to meet the day with a gigantic smile. Take a deep refreshing breath, hit play on some Vactioner, and let the good vibes commence! While they may be a little behind on the trends it’s better late then never to catch a ride on last years chillwave movement. While it may seem generous to place music as tame as Good As New into niche as specific as chillwave, I feel it would be wrong to place the band outside a genre they strive so hard to be apart of. I mean the band’s debut album Gone is full of songs that are made with the simple intention of being chill. Vacationer’s own words sum it up so well:

“The audio program you are about to experience was designed with the sole purpose of relaxing the listener and sending their mind on a well-deserved trip. No airfare needed, no reservations. Simply settle in, relax and enjoy; Vacation from anywhere at anytime.”

That’s all there is to it. Really. It is that simple. Why over complicate things when simply relaxing is all the band is aiming for. I totally think they hit “Sit back and relax” right on the bull’s eye with their almost tropical approach to the indie music landscape. All flights to ‘Chill-As-Fuck’ are now boarding, hit play below on Trip for departure!

BONUS: Vactioner – Trip: