The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

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American Royalty


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American Royalty – [Matchstick] + [I’ve Been Fighting For You]

American Royalty

American Royalty are Los Angeleos based psychedelic-blues rockers

American Royalty – Matchstick:

I guess I should tell you upfront that this track has a bit of a build up, sixty seconds of ongoing pleasant piano riffs, but if you can handle then your ears surely will be rewarded with the wonderful changing of pace. That change of pace is the psychedelic electronic frenzy that seems to play a huge influence on the brand of alternative rock made by American Royalty. It’s true that I could sit here all day trying to list genres that this unique band might encompass, but if I were to pick two from the crowd they’d have to be electronic and blues. Makes for a hell-of-a combination as is clearly evident by the head spinning Matchstick. (I mean come on! Did you hear that breakdown?!) However, this is far from the only note worthy track made by American Royalty. I’d easily recommend any of the three songs found on the band’s latest record Matchstick EP. I know three doesn’t seem like much but we’re talking about three completely solid individual jams, and at $1 a piece that sounds like a steal. American Royalty know how to set the bar real high and I can not wait until I can see what these guys do with a full album. I also highly recommend giving the bonus track I’ve Been Fighting For You a listen.

BONUS: American Royalty – I’ve Been Fighting For You:

Don’t forget to support American Royalty by heading over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like!

Or listen to American Royalty on Spotify!


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The Royal Concept – [Gimme Twice]

The Concept

The Royal Concept bring us their pop fueled indie rock from Stockholm, Sweden

The Royal Concept – Gimme Twice: 

I can understand someone’s immediate confusion when listening to this track for the first time. I know the first thought that popped in my head was ‘Is that Phoenix I am hearing?’ I wouldn’t necessarily call it a disappointment to find out that real artist behind this gnarly jam are the soon to pop Swedish indie rockers, The Royal Concept. Detta är indierock på det finaste! The pop infused simplicity and wonderful execution of Gimme Twice gives great reason to have your eyes (and ears!) on this band. The only thing disappointing I find about this band is the overall lack of material. This song is such a tease in the sense it leaves me wanting a full album to hit the up the beach side with and jam out to. While there is no news of a debut album yet, The Royal Concept have at least released one other single for our listening pleasure. I highly recommend checking out their additional track D-D-Dance, which keeps the fun going by picking up right where Gimme Twice leaves off.

Don’t forget to check out The Royal Concept’s Facebook page and give them a Like! You’ll  definitely want to be in the know for when these guys release some new tracks.


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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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Saint Motel – [Puzzle Pieces] + [At Least I have Nothing]

Saint Motel

Saint Motel bring us their explosive indie pop from Los Angeles, California

Saint Motel – Puzzle Pieces

Talk about feel good music! Saint Motel take excitement and crank it way up the dial to maximum joy. Their music is apparently described has hard pop and progressive indie, and regardless of what those genres really mean I am 100% sold. Personally I’m all about that indie rock that can force me to smile and move along, but I can assure you that Saint Motel can most definitely do both of those things to me. Puzzle Pieces makes me smile within seconds with that addicting and lovely piano loop. Just as soon as my smile fully forms the song jumps right into those wonderful steel guitars that cause my toes to twitch. Now with a huge grin upon my face, and a steady tapping of my left foot going, I’m then forced to sing along to that ridiculously catchy chorus line. The way I describe listening to this song may sound something like being possessed by a dancing ghost, but I openly welcome that musical phantom if its in the form of Saint Motel’s joyous mood elevating melodies. I can’t recommend enough looking more into these guys and I’m sure news of their new album is just around the corner.

BONUS TRACK: Saint Motel – At Least I Have Nothing

Make sure to go and check out Saint Motel’s Facebook Page and give them a like! Great resource if your interested in more about tour dates and general news.

Or check out Saint Motel on Spotify!

 


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Song of the Day! Metronomy – Corinne

Metronomy - Corinne

England based Metronomy are responsible for this year's stunning album The English Rivera


[Note: This is NOT the real version of Corrine. This a bizarre reversed remix that is a stand-in because the real Corrine is copyright protected and was removed from Soundcloud.]

Ok, so when I last posted about Metoronomy, back in April, I had only just discovered the indie/electronic band through the track the laid back single The Look. After I couldn’t get enough of that track I had to get my hands on a copy of the band’s 2011 album The English Rivera for myself. There is no exaggeration in my words when I say picking up this album was musically one of the smartest things I did this year. The English Rivera is like journey of love and lust lead by a cascade of electronic beats and the smoothest bass playing you’re likely to hear out of an indie album this year. Then there’s the intelligent and beautiful lyrics, the intricate electro loops, and the always dominating soft percussion that just adds this perfect level to each track. I could keep going on and on about why The English Rivera is on of the best albums of 2011, but there is no way to truly convey into words the powerful and some what primordial energy put of from this wonderful third studio album. Listening through track by track never leads to disappointment. Do you know how hard it was to pick Corinne as my stand out track? Well, actually it wasn’t that hard because Corinne is an amazing song after all. I can’t help but to sway slightly back and forth faster and faster every time I full get into this song. Yeah, I’d say the majority of Metronomoy’s songs have the power of possession, which is a scary thought, but sometimes you just have to surrender and give yourself up to the music. If you too want to chill out and lose some inhibitions then I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of The English Rivera.

Please head on over to Metronomy’s Facebook Page and give them a Like! There is tons of great info about  The English Rivera on the page as well.