The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: Indie Rock


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Song of the Day! Films of Colour – Capital

Films of Colour - Capital

London based Films of Colour will surely make some Capital off a tune as good as this.

Wow. I am absolutely blown away by this track. The song Capital is like falling down an indie rock Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole with its intense and overwhelming mixture of synth and guitar. Just has you feel like this track is throwing you about carelessly the amazing vocals of lead singer Andy Clutterbuck come in to level everything out. I’ll say it again, Wow. Just simply amazing delivery of the lyrics, almost sounds like Chris Martin from Coldplay. I don’t know why but I feel so much more connected with this song with each successive listen. I really wish Films of Colour had an album I could pick up, but so far the just have A and B side singles. That just means this is a band to watch and very closely at that. After looking into Films of Colour I can assume that the band is in due process of recording a real LP or EP. To say the least I’m pretty stoked to hear more. You can hear 6 great tracks, including an amazing acoustic version of Capital, on Soundcloud right here.

These guys are up and coming and need your Likes! Head on over to Films of Colour’s Facebook Page to show your support.


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Song of the Day! The Drums – Money

The Drums - Money

The Drums have released their 2nd album Portamento from Brooklyn, New York

Can you say poor man’s anthem? Well, I am broke and in a need of a good anthem so I’m pretty sure The Drums latest single Money fits the bill perfectly. The band’s signature beach fizzle is clearly evident on the new track, along with those catchy falsetto chorus lines. This track is having the same positive mood elevauting effect their single Let’s Go Surfing had on me last year. A song as catchy as Money does not like to leave the safe confines of your brain without a fight, but then again why fight it? I’ve just come to accept the track playing on an endless loop in my head. “I want to buy you something, but I don’t have any money- No I don’t have any money.” Never thought I’d enjoy a song that makes me feel like a broke schmuck who can’t take a girl out to a simple dinner. Other then Money I haven’t really checked into the band’s recently released album Portamento. Maybe when I get some money I could buy the album and give it a thorough review.

Here’s the music video for The Drums song Money. Look at them being so god damn indie.


And of course don’t forget to give The Drums a Like on their Facebook Page.


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Song of the Day! Hard-Fi – Stop

Hard-Fi - Stop

Hard-Fi know how to Stop a room full of people with their exciting Alternative British Rock.

Stop. Well, that’s at least what I did when this little gem of a track decided to make itself know me. I really can’t decide what the best part about this song is. It’s a toss up between the electric harmonica, fast and slick lyrics, or catchy as hell chorus. I guess i’m going to have to choose option D. All of the Above. I’m seriously digging this tune right now, in fact I’m digging all the tunes on Hard-Fi’s recently released album Killer Sounds. I dug into the album head first after hearing Stop and boy do I regret nothing. This is music! I’m very pleased to be hearing such a solid sound coming out of the UK right now. This is some great good ol’ indie rock but what Hard-Fi has gone and done is infuse these amazing electro instruments and styles into their music as well. The result being some incredibly fresh music at a time when old tricks are being reused in the indie genre.

It’s good to note that Hard-Fi are not at all a new band on the scene. Having formed in 2003 the band has already put out three studio albums, two of which peaked at #1 on the UK music charts. It wasn’t until some random point when I was listening to Killer Sounds that I realized this is the same Hard-Fi that released the awesome song Cash Machine in 2005. You remember how great that track was back in the day? I sure do. It makes coming full circle and rediscovering this amazing band again 6 years later all the better. Believe me when I say you’ll be seeing more Hard-Fi on The Sifting Pan soon.

Here’s the link to Hard-Fi’s Facebook page. Go give them that thumbs up likey thingy bands enjoy getting so much.


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Song of the Day! Bombay Bicycle Club – Lights Out, Words Gone

Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix

Bombay Bicycle Club have released their spectacular 3rd album, A Different Kind of Fix.

I love Bombay Bicycle Cub. Period. In fact why summarize anything when I could leave you with just this simple statement and song. But I guess it couldn’t hurt to go into detail about how spot on A Different Kind of Fix is. It over joys me to see the band return to the electric rhythms of their debut album I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the band’s acoustic 2nd album Flaws, but when I listen to Bombay Bicycle Club I like it loud, fast, and plugged in. I should note that elements of Flaws are present on A Different Kind of Fix but do so infused with the band’s electric stylings (See Beggars).

Then we reach the songs that shine above the others. Like, if youhave not heard the lead single Shuffle from the new album you need to go check it out right now. However, if you’re here then I assume you are already familiar with Shuffle and want more BBC. That’s where the ridiculously laid-back and catchy track Lights Out, Words Gone comes in. I mean if you had clicked play on the track right way then by the time you’ve read down to here you should have had the self realization this track is something else. Soft yet bold. Swift but gentle. This song defies music generalizations. This one has seen the repeat button many times in the last week.

Lights Out, Words Gone is just the tip of the ice burg that is A Different Kind of Fix. They only way you’ll be able to know for yourself is by finding a copy of your own. Good luck to those wanting to get their hands on one soon outside the UK since they have only released it within the UK. I have my deluxe edition of A Different Kind of Fix ordered and on its way from the UK right now. I can not wait to hold in my hands a physical CD of my favorite album so far in 2011.

Also it’s definitely worth mentioning that Bombay Bicycle Club are holding a contest to see who can make the best music video for Lights Out, Words Gone. I would love to take this on but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to do this song justice. Contest: http://genero.tv/BombayBicycleClub/.


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Song of the Day! The Kooks – Junk of the Heart (Happy)

The Kooks - Junk of the Heart (Happy)

The Kooks give us Junk of the Heart from their home town of Brighton, England

You’ve got to like it when a band you know and love releases new material that is rather familiar sounding, but at the same time very evolved and headed in a different direction. So far, from what I’ve heard on the new album titled Junk of the Heart, I would say The Kooks are really trying to mix things up and try new things this time around. I can not be too set on anything though because I haven’t heard the album in its entirety yet. This mainly being due to Junk of the Heart having a release date of September 12th. I’m sure The Kooks will have plenty of tracks that appease its fans all across the board. I do, however, think it’s safe to say fans have taken well to the title track and first single released, Junk of the Heart (Happy). That signature catchy chorus indie pop is present along with the band’s known talent of having complete dominance over indie rock as a genre. I’m sure Junk of the Heart will have plenty of spotlight when it comes out next month but I just thought I’d share a nice song from a band I have enjoyed numerous times over the years and watched as they’ve gained popularity.

I’m sure they really don’t need the Likes, but its the thought that counts. Head on over to The Kook’s Facebook Page and express your thoughts.