The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: Indie


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Song of the Day! Urban Cone – Urban Photograph

Urban Cone - Urban Photograph

The Stockholm based Urban Cone doesn't mind if you take an Urban Photograph

The beauty of the track Urban Photograph lies in its simplicity and familiarity. A swift indie beat, a catchy keyboard melody and very complementing lyrics make up this head bopping tune. While the song is nothing too crazy or re-inventive for the genre, it is still for sure a worth while listen in today’s repetitive music market. If even just for that sweet sweet indie beat break down that makes up the last 40 seconds. Leave it to a Swedish band to make music that is perfectly marketable to the American indie music scene. It’s too bad Urban Cone has a very minimal amount of material released because I’d love to give an EP or full LP of theirs a listen. A little birdy told me that come October we should see some interesting tunes from these guys so I figure we’ll just check back in at that point. Until then go chill and read a book or something while bopping along to Urban Photograph.

Urban Cone may not have much to share but they at least have a nice music video for their wonderful track Urban Photograph. Check it.


Bands like Urban Cone need your support so head on over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like.


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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! Los Campesinos! – By Your Hand

Los Campesinos! - By Your Hand

Los Campesinos! give us the first taste of their 4th LP Hello Sadness from Cardiff, Wales


There are few bands out their that interlock themselves into my life emotionally, and Los Campesinos! just happens to be one them. For nearly four years now I have been infatuated with the band’s the amazingly heartfelt indie pop. So when it came down to it, I easily forked over the 12 Euros so I could pre-order the upcoming album Hello Sadness, which won’t see a release until November 14th. I’m so excited to hear how the band has evolved from 2007 to the year 2011. Every album has built upon the last in terms of style and passion, and believe me when I say the band’s debut album was chalk full of style and passion. Twas as twee as a band could be.

If By Your Hand is any indication of where the new album is venturing then I am so on board. It’s classic Los Campesinos! in that I can’t help but feel like they are trying to capture such a vast amount of emotion in such a small little track. Throw in a catchy chorus that makes your heart warm and fuzzy and we have a winner. I actually have a funny feeling that By You Hand isn’t even going to be a track the album is known for. I just know that somewhere in Hello Sadness lies a track that I could lyrically sync with my life and that when I hear it I will feel as though a little bit more of me is complete. Am I psychic? No. But able to predetermine Los Campesinos! new album being a success? Yes.

Check out the fun little video Los Campesinos! made to go along with the new track By Your Hand.

Also don’t forget to check out Los Campesinos! on Facebook and give them a like!


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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! Kasabian – Pistols At Dawn

Kasabian - Pistols At Dawn

Kasabian are just about ready to drop their 4th album, Velociraptor! from the UK

The UK alternative rock titans Kasabian are just weeks away from the September 19th release date of their 4th studio album, Velociraptor! and what does the band go and do? They decide now’s a good to time to drop some B-sides that won’t be present on the upcoming album. So yes, the song Pistols At Dawn won’t be present on their new album but that does not change the fact that this song rocks! If Kasabian produced this quality of song and then said, “Meh this isn’t up to par with our new album’s standards.” What could the world possibly be in store for with Velociraptor!? I mean Kasabian is one of the hugest band’s in the world right? (outside the United States at least) So they know whatever they do has got to be better then great. If you want to hear the first taste of Velociraptor! then I suggest you check out the song Switchblade Smiles.

Piecing together Pistols At Dawn and Switchblade Smiles I can take a good assumption that Kasabian are going back to the electro rock roots of their first two albums, but at the same time keeping the amazing sound they had mastered on West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. What I truly want to see happen is Kasabian gain a huge fan base in the states so that they’d be more inclined to come tour here. This might help a bit but I find it ironic for a band that sees little attention in American music and media to be playing a special September 11th Memorial Concert in NYC. It’s kinda like Elton John putting on a show in memory of Pearl Harbor.

Head over to Kasabian’s Facebook page for more news about their upcoming album and tour dates. Also don’t forget to give them a Like!