The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: American


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The Hundred in the Hands – [Keep It Low]

The Hundred in the Hands

Indie electo pop duo The Hundred in the Hands know how to ‘Keep It Low’  from Brooklyn, New York

The Hundred in the Hands – Keep It Low:

Download Keep It Low Here (Directly from SKOA‘s Soundcloud)

Rarely does a band capture my imagination and force fascination upon me so swiftly with their phantasmal beats that they have me questioning the very reality of all the other musicians that came before them. The Hundred in the Hands fuse elements of dreamy electro pop with everything one could like about post-punk and indie rock. Their unique music soothes the soul whist setting ablaze a fire that causes uncontrollable urges to move and dance about the room. They are the missing piece to the indie music puzzle that I have so desperately yearned to be filled in my life. Their 2010 debut self-titled album The Hundred in the Hands is like meeting someone for the first time, yet you have seemingly known them your whole life. Two years later and we find ourselves crossing paths with our ‘life-long friends’ once again with their latest single Keep It Low. If this gem of a single is any indication of whats to come then their new album Red Night is sure to please any and all who are familiar with the band and the enormously vast sound they encompass. Actually, I’m willing to bet that Red Night will please even those new and unfamiliar to the enchanting sounds The Hundred in the Hands have to offer.

Hope you’re ready! The Hundred in the Hands second album Red Night will be out June 11/12th.

Please show the band some support by heading over to The Hundred in the Hands’ Facebook Page and give them a big ol’ Like!

Or listen to The Hundred In The Hands on Spotify!


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Superhumanoids – [Geri]

Superhumanoids

L.A band Superhumanoids make "music to help kiss the doldrums away"

Superhumanoids – Geri:

Come. Enter. Walk through the glowing dream-like doorway that Superhumanoids provide for us with their overtly enticing music. Throw-back synths and hauntingly docile vocals come together for the prefect blend of dreamy indie pop. The band’s latest track Geri had me hook, line, and sinker from the very first listen. Every aspect of this song compliments itself leaving me to find only perfection and zero faults. The only thing I might have to complain about is that the weaving musical dreamscape that makes up Geri is only a little more then two minutes long. I would love to hear something so magical and moving for a more extended period of time, but I guess a little slice of heaven is better then none. I’ve become terribly excited for Superhumanoids upcoming LP Exhibitionists even though there is no release date in sight. I’m sure all the patience in the world is worth what these dream makers have in store for us on a full album debut.

You should show your support and head on over to Superhumanoids’ Facebook Page and give them a Like!


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Fort Wilson Riot – [For All The Little Things]

Fort Wilson Riot

Fort Wilson Riot are the Minneapolis-based duo of Amy Hager and Jacob Mullis

Fort Wilson Riot – For All The Little Things:

There is just something special about a boy/girl indie duo that bring together their strong suits to form something much more. Fort Wilson Riot seemingly capture both the tender and firm sides of the indie genre into one streamline sound that holds much stronger then if either member stood alone. The pair are like “peanut butter and jelly” or “macaroni and cheese”, it’s as simple as that. Everything about For All The Little Things is in perfect sync and exemplifies the talent of this promising indie rock partnership. What starts as a simple melodic stroll ends in a complex combination of vocal layering and amazing guitar breaks that run it all the way home. I seriously could listen to only the last two minutes of this song on repeat for hours and be pleased. The track was released off the band’s latest EP Generation Complex back in early December of last year, but that doesn’t stop this track from being a breath of fresh air in 2012. Right now I’m looking forward to dissecting all of Generation Complex as I await news of a future LP album from Fort Wilson Riot.

Head over to Fort Wilson Riot’s Facebook page and give them a Like! Show your support to a band that’s as independent as it gets.


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Top 10 Albums of 2011! #3 Torches

Foster The People have set the alternative/indie rock scene ablaze with their infectious album Torches.

Foster The People more then deserve all the praise they have receive this year. It would be criminal if a band with this much talent had gone completely unnoticed. That being said I think we can all agree we’ve heard Pumped Up Kicks one too many times this year. Like chocolate and fine wine, too much of a good thing can really be a bad thing. This is where the band’s debut album Torches comes into play. You can listen to the same rhythmical and catchy indie rock you’ve known (and at one point loved) from Pumped Up Kicks in a wider variety of doses. First track in and we’ve already come across another instant favorite, Helena Beat. You thought you liked singing about running from guns? Just wait till your trying to stop your self from singing about be strapped to a chair all the while wanting to dance along to the h-e-l-e-n-a beat. Foster The People are just beyond anything I’ve come across in a while when it comes to their use of pop elements and dance hooks that sink their teeth into our brains. They can break down barriers and pierce the ears and hearts of those who listen to other genres besides indie rock. Torches may not be me top album of 2011 but I would say being my number 3 album of the year is pretty high up there when one thinks about all the other damn good music 2011 produced.

“Helena Beat” – Foster The People

“Houdini” – Foster The People

“Pumped Up Kicks” – Foster The People

Foster The People - Torches (click image to buy album)

  1. “Helena Beat”* 4:36
  2. “Pumped Up Kicks“* 4:00
  3. “Call It What You Want“* 4:01
  4. “Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)“* 2:56
  5. “Waste“* 3:26
  6. “I Would Do Anything for You“* 3:35
  7. “Houdini”*  3:23
  8. “Life on the Nickel“*  3:36
  9. “Miss You“*  3:36
  10. “Warrant“*  5:23
*Notable Tracks (All of them.)

Open and listen to Foster The People’s Torches in Spotify


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Top 10 Albums of 2011! #7 The Golden Age of Knowhere

A true testament of current times, Funeral Party brings us The Golden Age of Knowhere.

Indie bands can always seem to bring something new to the table in a what feels like an over saturated market, and no band this year could come close to touching the prolific dance punk of Funeral Party. Ladies and gents this is what edgy alternative rock is supposed to sound like- a band brimming with passion for their work. Everything about The Golden Age of Knowhere is clearly done right, as evident by the loud heart pumping and dance provoking indie rock found through out. Instantly memorable tracks like New York City Moves To The Sound of L.A. and Finale help this album break through to a broader alt rock audience, but there are so many treasures that seemed to slip through the mainstream cracks on this stunning album. I also must say the relistenability factor of The Golden Age of Knowhere just puts it that much farther ahead of some of the other great albums 2011 had to offer.

“Where Did It Go Wrong?” – Funeral Party

Can I just come out and say it? Love at first listen. Yes, this track swept me off my feet and had my questioning the very legitimacy of this band. I mean how could something be so whimsical, yet rock out just as much? Once the shock factor was pushed aside I could finally come to terms with just how great of a song Where Did It Go Wrong? is. In fact, I’d say it’s easily my favorite track from the album. Well I shouldn’t say it was that easy with there being so many other great tracks on my number 7 album of 2011.

Funeral Party - The Golden Age of Knowhere (click image to buy album)

  1. “New York City Moves to the Sound of L.A.”* 4:29
  2. “Car Wars”* 4:13
  3. “Finale“* 4:12
  4. “Where Did It Go Wrong”* 3:29
  5. “Just Because”* 3:54
  6. “Postcards of Persuasion” 3:41
  7. “Giant” 3:20
  8. “City in Silhouettes”* 3:40
  9. “Youth & Poverty”* 3:21
  10. “Relics to Ruins” 3:30
  11. “The Golden Age of Knowhere” 3:28
*Notable Tracks

Open and listen to Funeral Party’s The Golden Age of Knowhere in Spotify