Tag Archives: indie pop

LISTEN: Sid Seth Invites Us to Ride a Different ‘Wave’

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If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Spooky Season, it’s that it can be fun to put on a mask and pretend to be somebody else.

That makes this the perfect opportunity to share “Wave,” the latest single from accomplished New York-based songsmith Sid Seth. Produced by the renowned Al Carlson (Lady Gaga, Slaters, Roy Blair, Jessica Pratt), this breezy pop tune features clean guitars, a Caribbean-inspired beat, and silky-smooth vocals, as Seth sings of joys of finding temporary refuge from who we’re “supposed to be.”

“(‘Wave’) is about putting on an alter ego for a night and letting that persona take over,” Seth said.

“Wave” is making waves across multiple media outlets in the U.S. and abroad, including Galore Magazine, Ones to Watch, ASCAP NMF, Future Hits Radio UK, and WFUV 90.7fm. Meanwhile, Seth is currently in the midst of a coast-to-coast U.S. tour, with planned stops in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and New York.

Go on — let yourself ride a different “Wave” for a change. Listen below!

LISTEN: On ‘Call You Mine,’ ROM COM Watches Summer Love Fade

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Artwork credit: Aron Rosing

As the summer sun fades, so does summer love.

In the dramatic, cinematic fashion we’ve come to know and love, ROM COM captures the essence of that moment brilliantly on their latest single, “Call You Mine.” A collaboration with songwriter/vocalist Eliza Harrison Smith, the dreamy new alt-pop single encapsulates our collective struggle to realize that nothing gold can stay.

“‘Call You Mine” is a song about a relationship that is fading away, but still trying to hold on,” said ROM COM vocalist Aron Rosing. “It is the first release with Eliza, with several more collaborations planned over the next few months.”

Imagine the late September sun shining, though not as bright as it did just a couple months prior. Imagine the sweet, warm air growing colder with the winds of change, as the first leaves turn yellow and we’re left to face the inevitable. That is the essence of “Call You Mine.”

Hold onto the moment before it’s gone, and check it out below!

LISTEN: KJ Wild Critiques Your Social Media ‘Highlight Reel’

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Welcome to 2024, where real life is never quite as perfect as the images we portray.

KJ Wild are here with a timely (and timeless) reminder to look behind the filter on “Red Hot Magazine Girl.” The alt-pop duo — comprised of powerhouse indie artists Kiki Halliday and Jon Worthy — wrote this song as a critique on the tendency of modern society and its influencers to post only about life’s good parts, painting an unrealistic picture of life, love, success, and happiness.

“We always see smiles, celebrations, amazing achievements, and pictures displaying a sense that nothing is ever wrong in a person’s life — but truly, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Worthy said. “Nothing is as glamorous as it seems, and a lot of people in modern society feel the need to make everything seem perfect. So, this song is us calling out those people that live for the picture and not the moment; the people that always have to share that smiling picture in front of the beautiful sunset, even though minutes before, they were potentially scrolling on their phone, comparing themselves to their peers.”

“Red Hot Magazine Girl” was built on an acoustic foundation, and was written and produced entirely by the band. The song’s structure and infectious melody offer a nostalgic nod to rock and roll’s early days, while its hazy indie rock ambiance lends a modern, youthful energy to the final product.

If you’re in Nashville, come out to The 5 Spot on Sunday, November 3 to hear KJ Wild perform this one live (and while you wait, treat yourself to a preview…)

LISTEN: On ‘bad guy,’ Brooke Martin Flies Past the Red Flags

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Raise your hand if you’ve ever ignored the red flags in a relationship.

If you put your hand up, Nashville-based pop artist Brooke Martin has something fresh for you. Her new single, “Bad Guy,” is a mellow cautionary tale about what it means to ignore the warning signs.

The project began when Australian-based producer Mark “New Haven” Benedicto (Imagine Dragons) reached out to Martin via TikTok. After they connected, Martin teamed up with co-writers Colleen Francis, Tom Pino, and John Frank to bring the idea to life.

“I’m very excited about this song,” Martin said. “It’s my first release with Mark, so when messaged me and wanted to work with me, I jumped at the chance. He’s an amazing producer. And his timing was perfect, because I had a song idea I thought would resonate with every girl who ignores the red flags in relationships.”

If you’re looking for more where this came from, you won’t have to wait long. Martin is working on a forthcoming EP Billboard-charting producer and artist Andrew Kirk and Grammy-winning producer Chris Penny, set for release in 2025.

After Beating Cancer, Emma Driver Triumphantly Returns with ‘Try Hard’

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There are times when a song is more than just a song; when it is a statement of arrival, and a significant step on one’s healing journey.

“Try Hard” — the new single from Nashville-based songwriter Emma Driver — is one of those moments. The first single from her forthcoming EP, Ashamed to Admit This (coming spring 2025), the tune unveils a new sound from the former Fresh Lady. Combining anthemic pop sensibility with a robust pop punk edge, Driver sings about confronting one’s insecurities and using them to serve others facing similar struggles.

“Try Hard” also marks a significant life milestone for Driver, who faced mortality in the form of a lymphoma diagnosis at age 27. Lyrics like “what a nightmare to be perceived” — written before her diagnosis — took on an entirely new meaning, as she lost her hair to chemotherapy and became unrecognizable even to herself.

In the end, music ultimately helped her transform her fear and shame into art — while still allowing her the room to be vulnerable and accepting of her own humanity.

“I used to think that I would get to a point when I just didn’t care; like a switch would flip, and I’d just know who I was and be good. But now in remission, I still catch myself,” Driver said. “I fully beat cancer and am over here worried about if a random person thinks I’m cringe. I’ll always care, because it’s human to want to be liked, understood, and validated. Finally putting this song out feels like owning this part of myself I used to feel shame about, and that’s so freeing.”

Free yourself from your own fears of judgment when you play this one at max volume!

LISTEN: Linn Holmes Delivers Vintage Feels on ‘Baby Blue’

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Linn Holmes is no stranger to the spotlight. Now based in Los Angeles, the Swedish-born singer has shared the stage as a backing vocalist with luminaries such as Orianthi, Robbie Kruger (The Doors), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Cherrie Curie (The Runaways), and previous Australian X-Factor contestant, Julian De Vizio.

Now, Holmes is stepping out on her own. On May 31, she just released her second single.

Titled “Baby Blue,” the new tune is a spirited callback to the upbeat, piano-driven pop of the 70s. Holmes keeps the dynamic flair and storytelling spirit of the era alive, incorporating a potent groove and scorching guitars in support of an ultra-catchy melody.

“The song is a lighthearted pop song about love in a vintage daydream,” Holmes said.

“Baby Blue” was produced by Rev. Tom Chandler, and features the talents of Daniel Jakubovic on drums, guitar, piano and bass. Jenny Dang lends electronic production elements to the track, providing a modern sensibility to this timeless pop soundscape.

WATCH: Sloan Golden’s ‘Parking Lot’ Encapsulates the Feeling of a Panic Attack

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Photo credit: Kelsey Pecchia

We all need a place to go when the world feels heavy.

For LA-based indie pop artist Sloan Golden, that place has always been her car — it has been a place for hard conversations, as well as a refuge where she has collected her thoughts. She translates these real-world experiences into art in her new single and video, “Parking Lot.”

“My seventeen-year-old self, who sat alone in her car in the Best Buy parking lot having a meltdown, wouldn’t believe that all that pain she felt might’ve been worth something,” Golden said.

“Parking Lot” — co-written with Jensen McRae and produced by acclaimed indie rock musician, Runnner (Skullcrusher) — was crafted to represent “the sonic encapsulation of what an anxiety attack feels like.” Golden’s aim was to help listeners connect to the release via their own similar experiences.

“I intentionally never mentioned the title of the song within the lyrics, as I want listeners to be able to place themselves in their own ‘parking lots’ without me ever having to say it,” Golden said.

The video expands on this notion. Directed by Madi Boll, the cinematic offering begins with a disagreement — and Golden’s seemingly complete dissociation — outside of her own birthday party, as she retreats to her car to gather herself.

“A panic attack feels like everything inside of you is at hyper speed while the world outside is hazy and out of sync,” Boll said. “This got me thinking about a world where everyday objects move in sync with our mental highs and lows, and thus ‘Parking Lot’ came to life.”

LISTEN: With ‘be kind & rewind,’ znels Lets Us Re-live the Good Parts

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No matter how red the flags become, our minds like to reflect on our past relationships with a fondness that can seem downright delusional.

Ohio-based alt-pop artist znels offers us this view through rose-colored glasses on his latest single, “be kind & rewind.” Supported by an airy, pastel soundscape — think along the lines of 5 Seconds of Summer, with a dash of Owl City — we get to fall in love with our exes all over again.

Or, at least the things about them we actually liked…

“Have you ever wanted to jump back to a moment in time and just stay there? ‘be kind & rewind’ is a nostalgic daydream for when everything felt perfect,” znels said. “It’s a breakup song for when things turn out to be so much different than you wanted, but you stay a little bit delulu by living in your head and replaying the good parts.”

It may be brand new (released May 10), but the release “be kind & rewind” has been a long time coming. In fact, it’s the song that inspired znels to begin releasing music under his current project.

“It took two years to get to this point of feeling like it was ready to be released. I spent so much time with the song to get things like the lyrics, word choices, key, and BPM right,” znels said. “I produced and released my first two singles independently, but for this one, I was lucky to work with producer Connor Daniel (Iann Dior, The Veronicas, Demi Lovato), who really helped take it where I wanted to go.”

Ready to hear where it went? We can oblige!

LISTEN: Ren Richards Honors Her Grandmother on ‘Paper Moons’

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“I’ll stay with you
Right here in the picture that your memory drew
Charcoal skies and glitter stars, and paper moons
I’ll stay with you”

-Ren Richards, “Paper Moons”

This one is for anybody who has ever struggled to let go.

This past Friday, Nashville-based songstress Ren Richards gave us “Paper Moons,” a melancholic indie rock offering written as “a poignant tribute to her grandmother’s fight with dementia.”

The track begins with the distant sound of children’s laughter, representative of the innocence lost as our memories fade from view. Nostalgic, 90s alternative-influenced guitar tones chime in gently atop a somber, steadfast acoustic progression, working together with Richards’ sad, yet soothing melody to illustrate the bittersweet divide between the opportunity to cherish the moments we’ve shared, and the anguish of longing for days gone by.

“Paper Moons” was produced by Blake Mohler (Happy Landing) and Wes Harllee (Ruthie Collins), and it’s right here for you.

UMC20: An Explosive Start to April (April 3, 2024)

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Rock and roll is alive and well, as you’ll hear throughout the first half of this week’s UMC20.

This week’s compilation is frontloaded with a variety of electric guitar sounds and turbo-powered swagger. But, as always, there’s something for everyone this week. Americana lovers will want to pay close attention to the middle of the playlist, while pop, soul, and hip hop fans will particularly enjoy the latter portions.

And, as always, we’ve got some useful nuggets from that Official Podcast of ours waiting for you at the end. Check those out — especially if you fancy yourself an artistpreneur!

Track listing
Another Dead Rockstar – 1985 (Can You Help Me)
Gloom Girl MFG – Crimes
The Mad Sugars – Lost Among the Avenues
The Fever Haze – Last Night I Killed a Man
JT Loux – look into my eyes
Lurve – Run, Get Drunk, and Fall in Love Again
Lone Tree – Miss You
OPIATE – Lay
Black Suit Devil – Passage
Medium Build – Knowing U Exist
Old 97’s – Somebody
Travis Feutz – Utah
The Flying Raye – The Ballad of Leslie Cochran
Swamp Dogg ft. Jenny Lewis – Count The Days
Annie Scherer – You Like The Blues
Eliza Hardy Jones – Counterfeit
Rex & The Rhyhtm – Umbrella
Lindsey Lomis – Long Way Down
pher, – moon
Spence Brown – By My Lonely

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