The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: Indie Rock


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Song of the Day! Balthazar – Fifteen Floors & Throwing A Ball

Balthazar are throwing a ball from the Kortrijk area of Belgium

Balthazar – Fifteen Floors

Balthazar – Throwing A Ball

Kind of a busy weekend for me so I don’t have much time to keep up with my Song of the Day. I’m so sorry to disappoint my immense amount devoted viewers (Could you pick up the sarcasm?) so to make up for missing yesterday, and possibly tomorrow, I’m throwing two amazing indie gems at you today.

For most people I feel the name Balthazar gives the wrong impression as to what this Belgian Rock/Pop outfit is all about. Try to wipe clean your demonic pre-misconceptions and understand that Balthazar make music that is more on the heavenly end of the spectrum. Their 2010 debut album Applause was like a gift from the Gods themselves and never ceases to sweep me off my feet with each listen, and is undoubtedly the best album of 2010 that you have never heard. So what makes this album so special? Just listen to Fifteen Floors and tell me with a straight face it is not in fact something special. (And if you did I’d simply call you a liar) The trumpet, the bass, the mother-fucking Disney endings… it’s all there! And that’s only track numero uno out of a wonderfully crafted set of eleven songs. Now I could’ve added any other track from the album to this post but I had to choose my personal favorite from Applause, Throwing A Ball. It’s like a fairy tale dance hall hit minus the glamour and princess bull sh*t. The bass guitar in the song just takes over and the gritty viloin accompaniment just drives it all the way home. Throw in the catchy lyrics and it’s very hard for me to find reasons not to love this song. If Fifteen Floors or Throwing A Ball even remotely sparked your intrest I highly recommend sending a few euros Balthazar’s way and pick up a copy of Applause. 


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Song of the Day! Mister Heavenly – Mister Heavenly

Mister Heavenly are self titled doom-woopers

That’s no typo, Mister Heavenly is both the name of the band and their first single. It’s safe to say that Mister Heavenly qualifies for indie super-group status when you look at the members- Honus Honus of Man Man, Nicholas Thorburn of Islands and The Unicorns, and Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse and The Shins. To top off that delicious indie pie the band is joined by indie movie darling Michael Cera as their touring bassist. The song Mister Heavenly is a great example of the unquie genre the band classifies themselves under, Doom-wop. Apparently it’s a combination of doo-wop and doomed loved songs, and golly-gee sarah-lee I am hop-diggity digging it! (Too much perhaps?) The band has only released two songs so far but are already putting the finishing touches on their first album, which is not set to be released until “maybe august” so we’ll just have to be patience. Until then enjoy the doom-wop of Mister Heavenly or their other single Pineapple Girl.


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Song of the Day! Morning Parade – Under The Stars


Morning Parade formed under the stars in Harlow, Essex, England.

Music Video: Under The Stars

So I wake up this morning and do my normal routine of a shower and a bowl of cereal, all the while listening to my favorite Dutch internet radio station streaming out the best new indie tracks. Then this little number comes on a draws me in and doesn’t let go. Under The Stars has a beautiful upward stride that just builds anticipation that levels out just right and then takes off. I haven’t heard such wonderful guitar struts since Foals’ first album Antidotes. Having only heard Under The Stars for the first time this morning I have not yet had a chance to dig into Morning Parade’s recent release of the Under The Stars EP. From what I’ve read comparing the band to Foals really isn’t too far off track but I’m probably not giving Morning Parade enough credit for their own wonderful sound. The band is set to release their debut album sometime before the end of 2011 and you can bet that The Sifting Pan will be revisiting these indie rockers when more news of a debut comes into the light.



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Song of the Day! The Vaccines – Post Break-Up Sex


The Vaccines want to help you forget your 'Ex' from London

I may be a little late on the game for this one but there was no way of getting around me posting The Vaccines mega-catchy single Post Break-Up Sex. Officially released way back in January, the world has had months for this woe of a lovers tale to soak in and has already seen a release on The Vaccines debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?. Post Break-Up Sex is about as catchy as it is a true testament to the troubles of leaving a relationship behind. This chorus will literally not leave your brain alone until you find something more catchy or at least equal to it (And good luck with that!). You just  gotta love the mix of British indie rock and alternative punk that is The Vaccines. These Brits are bound for greatness and have already been nominated for MTV’s Best New Band of 2011 award, not like thats saying much but it’s still a great start.


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Song of the Day! Ida Maria – Bad Karma


Ida Maria brings all kinds of Bad Karma from Nesna, Norway

I honestly think that nothing but good can come from Ida Maria’s Bad Karma. This foot stomping rock’n’roll track echos the likeness of female pioneer rocker Joan Jett. I’m really digging the classic sound and wouldn’t expecting anything less from the rebellious queen of new Norwegian rock. Bad Karma is a single from her upcoming second album Katla, which already saw a release in Norway last fall but isn’t set for an international release until June 7. Her debut album Fortress Round My Heart was a brilliant way to come on to the scene and has set the bar pretty high for a sophomore release. From what I’ve heard so far I don’t think we’ll be disappointed.

Fun Fact: The song Bad Karma is also featured in the soundtrack of Scream 4.