The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: Indie


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Song of the Day! Bombay Bicycle Club – Shuffle

Bombay Bicycle Club shuffle things up from Crouch End, London, England

If someone were to ask me who is my favorite band above all others I would simply reply Bombay Bicycle Club. This little indie rock band from London has stolen my heart since the release of their single How Are You back in 2007. Finaly 2009 saw the release of their debut album I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose which held a place above all other music released that year and to this day has to be the greatest album to ever grace my ears. With perfect singles like Dust On the Ground and Always Like This it was an album impossible not to fall in love with.

So as you can probably already tell I got pretty damn excited when I heard the news that they would be releasing a new album August 29th called A Different Kind Of Fix. The first taste of the their third studio album is their newest single Shuffle. I could not of asked for anything greater from Bombay Bicycle Club because Shuffle is everything one could ask for in a BBC song. Intriguing piano to lure you in and then a swift beat with take off of melodic guitars all topped off with beautiful vocals that just beg you to sing along. Ok, so maybe I’m digging a little deep into the song but it’s really hard not to when your favorite band releases such amazing new material. I haven’t heard such an wonderful single from Bombay Bicycle Club since the release of the song How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep, which was written for the Twilight Saga: Eclipse Official Soundtrack. Yeah I know *bleh* Twilight but the song stands miles away on it’s own from the rest the indie BS on the soundtrack and is a work of musical genius in my highly biased opinion.

A Different Kind Of Fix now tops my list of most anticipated albums yet to be released in 2011 and Shuffle might soon take the spot of most played song in my Itunes due to being played over and over again as I eagerly await their fall release. My only wish is that Bombay Bicycle Club breakthrough in the United States because I’m tired of being the only person I know who is aware of this magical band. Then again if they remain popular solely in the UK I can live with them being Britain’s best kept indie rock secret, and mine.


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Song of the Day! GIVERS – Up Up Up

GIVERS give us Up Up Up from Lafayette, Louisiana.

I kid you not when I say this Louisiana indie five-piece is poppin’ and poppin’ off now. Catch these kids while they are hot and fresh because they are going places fast. GIVERS unique blend of indie pop and freak folk fit perfectly into the trendy music scene that has been raging across the states as of late. Up Up Up is whimsical yet sophisticated at the same time with it’s wonderful array of percussion layered in with a multitude of vocal tracks and semi-disco beats. Honestly there is just too much going on here to be described in words and that rolls over just fine in my book. GIVERS just dropped their debut album In Light earlier this month and trust me when I say these guys (and gal) are not just a one hit wonder. In Light is teeming with life and blissful indie hits and is defiantly worth checking out. Now I’m going to sit back with a smile on my face as GIVERS deservingly blow up and get the exposure and attention that is rightfully theirs.

Don’t be shy! Hit up their Facebook and let them know just how awesome they are.

 


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Song of the Day! The Immigrant – Summer of Love (She Said)

The Immigrant help kick off the summer of love from Sydney, Australia

Music Video: The Immigrant – Summer Of Love (She Said)

Dare I say the phrase anthem of the summer? I’d hate to jump the gun with a statement like that but this song is just dripping in raw musical sex appeal. Summer Of Love (She Said) is the perfect electro banger to help make this summer as hot and melty as possible. The overlap of club bass and guitar hook here is impeccable and I could not be more on board with The Immigrant’s indie electronic infusion. The Immigrant help to further prove my theory that the best indie music acts around are coming straight out of Australia. I only wish that I could find more indie electro hits like this one from The Immigrant but it seems that they are a fairly new outfit with very little material out. If they can pull a single like this out of nowhere then you better believe that an EP from these guys has ridiculous amounts of potential. I have no choice but to keep my eyes and ears peeled for news of new material from the The Immigrant. Until then lets make this a summer of love!

Check out The Immigrant’s website at http://www.theimmigrant.com.au which serves as a central hub for the band’s social media interactions. Hit them up on Facebook or Twitter and give them a Like and a Follow.


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Song of the Day! Portugal. The Man – Got It All (This Can’t Be Living)

Portugal. The Man have really Got It All in Portland, Oregon

Portugal. The Man are one of the most creative and talented indie rock bands in the western hemisphere. Their experimental art rock is only seconded by the band’s elaborate and mind-bending album artwork that would be impossible to describe in words. Having put out five albums since 2006, that’s at least one a year, and countless EPs these guys are one of the hardest working bands you’ll come across in the indie music scene. Portugal. The Man never cease to deliver and with 2011 we find ourselves on the brink of their sixth album In the Mountain, In the Cloud which is slated for a July 19th release. The first single from the sixth LP Got It All (This Can’t Be Living) captures Portugal. The Man’s sound brilliantly and really helps to build excitement for the new album. I have no doubt in my mind that In the Mountain, In the Cloud will live up to its high expectations because the past has always shown that Portugal. The Moon can pull it off. Take for example the band’s release of their fifth album The American Ghetto last year. The album was hyped to no end and when it finally went public the band pulled off one the best albums of 2010.

Oh, and their was absolutely no way I could do blog posting on Portugal. The Man without including one of my favorite tracks of 2010, the groovy as hell and laid back track The Dead Dog.

Portugal. The Man – The Dead Dog


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Song of the Day! Hellogoodbye – When We First Met

Hellogoodbye first met in Huntington Beach, CA

Who ever said good indie music had to be new needs to loosen up and shut it. Example? When We First Met of course! The song was released late 2009 on an EP of the same name and then later released on Hellogoodbye’s second LP Would It Kill You?. When We First Met is sheer indie power pop bliss and can easily stand its ground as a track of artistic and instrumental beauty. You may be asking yourself what makes this track so special and why care about it now? The answer to the first question lies within the song itself and a good listen (or three) might help you understand. Now the answer to the second question is that music like this is never dated and I could share this track in 2012 and it should have the same effect as it did the very day it came out in 2009. Good music has no expiration date and it’s sad to see so many great songs and artist get swallowed by the vast and never ending streamline known as time. Someone’s got to remember the good ones, the great finds, the indie gems.