The Friday Fire Track: SPORTS – “Saturday”

You absolutely cannot keep me away from the type of indie infection that Gambier, Ohio’s SPORTS plays. “Saturday” is an explosive tune that reminds me of every great little song from bands that never received the proper exposure. The foot tapping number is a great introduction to the group’s sophomore record, All of Something, which … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: The Dear Hunter – “Waves”

The Dear Hunter have just released the second track from their forthcoming album Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise, out September 4 on Cave & Canary Goods / Equal Vision Records. “Waves” is our Friday Fire Track this week and it showcases the magnitude of this record with its large lush arrangements. Acts I-III of this … Read more

Track Premiere: +Aziz – “Halal”

Today’s premiere track is from +Aziz. The Kuwaiti singer/songwriter, now living in New Orleans, has a spiritual side to his music which may initially turn some listeners off but I encourage you to still check out “Halal” below. The song has such a pleasant flow to it that it will have you humming along in … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Tedo Stone – “To The Marshes”

Anytime I hear a “Dinosaur Jr. meets Neil Young” description you know I will dig a little deeper. That tag is what some are throwing around about Atlanta’s Tedo Stone with his southern flare and indie rock. After checking out his first track I think you argue that it is a fair comparison. His new … Read more

Bandcamp Artists: Discover, Support & Share – Volume 23

How about 10 new artists to finish off June? For the latest Bandcamp edition, TFN has found dream pop from LA, a pure singer/songwriter from New Mexico, excellent garage rock from France, distorted beauty from Canada and emo-punk out of Florida. Discover, Support & Share! Guapo London, England Led by drummer extraordinaire David J. Smith, … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Veruca Salt – “Empty Bottle”

Why not? So many bands from the past have been reforming, why not welcome back Veruca Salt? Maybe because you are sure to be disappointed? Ok – today’s Fire Track, “Empty Bottle,” might make you rethink that assumption. Having reformed with their original line-up back in 2013, Veruca Salt is set to return with their … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Blackheart Honeymoon – “Bodies”

We always strive to promote self-released music and today’s Fire Track does just that. Seattle’s Blackheart Honeymoon may tell you that they have been influenced by the likes of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Gram Parsons, but after one play of “Bodies,” I think you will agree that New Pornographers meets Fleetwood Mac is a … Read more

Track Premiere: Kissing Party – “New Glue”

We are happy today to premiere the second song from Kissing Party’s forthcoming album, Looking Back It Was Romantic But At The Time I Was Suffocating. What most people probably don’t know is that Denver’s Kissing Party has been releasing material since around 2006, so they are a real gem just waiting for some deserved … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Fine Points – “Astral Season”

Matt Holliman and Evan Reiss are the twin guitar heroes of the Bay area band Sleepy Sun and they’ve teamed up for this side project which happily does not stray far from the mothership. Their sunny, reverb-heavy take on California psych-pop definitely recalls the ease of song craft found on last year’s Maui Tears. However … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Negative Scanner – “Would You Rather”

You can hear the fierceness of Negative Scanner on today’s fire track in their new single “Would You Rather.” Lead vocalist Rebecca Valeriano-Flores has a PJ Harvey meets Sleater-Kinney sound as her pulsing energy drives this song and makes you want to hear more. Negative Scanner’s punk is for real and “Would You Rather” showcases … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Dead Stars – “Calm Punk”

Brooklyn-based Dead Stars flex their 90’s-influenced indie rock muscles 30 seconds into their new single and today’s Fire Track “Calm Punk.” The catchy laid back guitar riff and its companion toned first verse sets you up for surprise as the track quickly explodes and turns the amps past 10. This back-n-forth tempo works well and … Read more

Bandcamp Artists: Discover, Support & Share – Volume 22

Oh May! Here are 10 artists you should check out today. We have sister rock from Ohio, a singer/songwriter from Alaska, underground sounds from Los Angeles, power pop out of Philadelphia and indie-afro-soul from Oakland. Also, do everyone a favor – Discover, Support & Share! Max Gowan Raleigh, North Carolina I don’t believe that we … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: La Luz – “You Disappear”

Let’s start out by saying that I think La Luz will be one of the bigger indie surprises in 2015. The Seattle surf-rock female foursome had an excellent debut with 2013’s It’s Alive and after hearing today’s fire track, “You Disappear,” I have a heightened anticipation for their sophomore effort Weirdo Shrine due out August … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Froth – “Turn It Off”

Fuzzy psychedelic rock! That is what Froth is all about and you can hear it for yourself on the group’s first single from their forthcoming sophomore record, Bleak. “Turn It Off”, will make you imagine a dusk beach fire with the waves crashing in and the clouds slowly passing by in the background. Froth has … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Fort Lean – “New Hobbies”

Today’s Fire Track, “New Hobbies,” is from Brooklyn band Fort Lean which will see their debut album, Quiet Day, release June 23 via Ooh La La Records. The single has a delivery strength of a Gaslight Anthem but if you dive deeper into the new full length (which you can hear at their website) you … Read more

Bandcamp Artists: Discover, Support & Share – Volume 21

April can’t end yet! Why? Because we haven’t rolled out the April Bandcamp edition yet! This month’s feature includes some heavy rock from St. Louis, west coast indie from LA, a classic Pacific-Northwest sound and lo-fi psychedelic from Canada. Remember to Discover, Support & Share! Dot Legacy Paris, France While the album was released in … Read more

Sufjan Stevens: No Shade In The Shadow Of The Cross [7-Inch Review]

It has been five years since Sufjan Stevens released The Age of Adz (2010), so it is no surprise that there is some hype for his latest full length, Carrie & Lowell, which is due out next week via Asthmatic Kitty. The album is a return to Stevens’ earlier sounding work, which was more intimate … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: The Midwestern Charm – “Can’t Stand It”

I can never turn down catchy power pop so featuring Milwaukee’s The Midwestern Charm today was a no-brainer. The band’s newest record, Growing Pains, actually was released last year but the group recently signed to Texas Is Funny who’s given the album a re-release this week. “Can’t Stand It” leads with its somewhat nasally vocals … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: EZTV – “The Light”

Captured Tracks is still one of my favorite labels but as their roster has grown I think some of their early core sound has been somewhat overshadowed. Great albums from Beach Fossils, DIIV and Wild Nothing highlighted a break out period for the label and reissued to the world the classic indie-alternative meets new wave … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Penicillin Baby – “Stick It Out”

Penicillin Baby is a psych-pop band out of Nashville, who mix fuzzy surf-pop melodies, pounding bass and rhythmic drums. Did that grab your attention? If so, then you will want to check out their single “Stick It Out,” either from the soundcloud stream or their new video below. What makes this band appealing is all … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Speedy Ortiz – “Puffer”

Speedy Ortiz could easily produce songs that sound rote. But within their 90’s indie trappings a distinct personality develops with the help of angular guitars, barely-disguised pain, and poetically-delivered wit. They’ve delivered before, so it can only be assumed that this personality will transfer over to their new release Foil Deer. After the exciting release … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: The Splits – “Melody”

The Splits hail from Helsinki, Finland and after one spin of today’s fire track you will not be surprised that they have a love for 70’s punk. The velocity of “Melody” is all I need to hear with the power vocals and backup ahh ahhs to make my day better. Their new record, simply titled … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Van Dale – “Speak Yellow”

Today’s Fire Track comes from Columbus, Ohio’s Van Dale. The trio have a back-to-basics self-titled record coming out March 31st via Fleeting Youth Records and I will tell you that after one spin it is a fun ride! “Speak Yellow” is the highlighted track today and I think you will dig it from its opening … Read more