Some might call me a music snob. I always say “I don’t choose the music I like, it’s whatever sounds good to my ears.” I mean…isn’t that the way it should be?
Sooo much music swarming around nowadays, it’s real easy for a passionate musician to get overshadowed by mainstream…..mainstreamness (just made up a word there…but you know what I mean.)
I’ve decided to start a “5 Musical Acts” column and plan to post one monthly so you guys can discover the amazing music I have, and hopefully get these guys the attention they deserve.
1) 
The New Division – The New Division is a 4-piece synth-pop band with electronic dance roots. The guys come to you out of Riverside, California and include John Kunkel (vocals), Mark Michalski (synths), Michael Janz (sequencing) and Brock Woolsey (guitar). The band list Joy Division, New Order, and Depeche Mode as influences. This makes total sense as The New Division sounds like these 3 bands thrown in a blender with a modern feel, and it tastes oh so good!!
The New Division’s latest’s album, Shadows, is available for download for $4.99 via bandcamp. You can also download “Soft” and “Saturday Night”(two of the better songs on the album..Not that the whole album isn’t great) for free.
2) The Hunting Accident – Gearing up for their summer west coast tour, this 5-piece band consists of Andrew Stuart, Travis Shettel (Piebald), Nate Greely (Arlo), Pete Beeman (Burning Brides), and Ryan Jebavy. Despite every member having different past band experiences, they came together and made something that would’ve been impossible in previous bands.
The Los Angeles based band’s brand of indie-rock is the kind you love to wake up to first thing in the morning. After you download the four songs available on the band’s bandcamp be sure to try it.
3) Lil’ Kids – Lil’ Kids is the Virginia hip-hop duo of Adam Kane and Nick
Adams. Nick (Lopato) lays down the beats and Kane lays down the rhymes
You’ll hear him rap about everything from wanting to smoke with Steve (the first host of Blue’s Clues) to getting his private parts stuck in a zipper and contemplations of a female name change.
Three things are for sure:
- Adams’ sampling and overall beat-making skills can be compared to some of the best right now
- Adam Kane’s drug-infused rhymes are sometimes unorthodox, but always lyrical and witty.
- When you blend the two together…it’s instant magic.
Download the entire “Slow Rainbow” album for free, and be sure to catch them live March, 8th at Brooklyn’s Production Lounge.
4) Ivy Dye – Chicago’s Ivy Dye is pretty new to the scene and has yet to release a full album or EP. Chris Adams says he and the rest of the band (Spencer Walters and Tommy Imburgia) are currently recording the debut EP expect it’s release in the summer.
Until then we have to settle for “Statue”, the demo available for listen on the band’s SoundCloud page. The song kinda remind me of Tokyo Police Club mixed with a ska band of some sort. I can’t wait to hear more from Ivy Dye.
5) Soft Lighting – “Chillwave at its finest” is the term that comes to mind when describing Kansas City’s Soft Lighting. Relaxing melodies accompanied by dreamy, almost haunting vocals.
Couldn’t find much on this group and maybe that’s how they want it. Maybe, they wanna be one of those mysterious groups we’ll start to know more and more about as time progresses. Maybe…just maybe….it isn’t even a group at all.
Whatever the case may be, Soft Lighting is definitely worth the listen.
Well…that does it for this month..and by the way, this wasn’t done in any specific order. I encourage listening to all these guys. I also encourage you guys to send music my way (which is how I’ve discover A LOT of great music, so I thank you guys) via Twitter, Facebook, or even email and I’ll be sure to give it a listen!
You keep sending great music…I’ll keep writing about it.
Lito
Lito's Life 