California-bred solo artist Jay Som—real name Melina Duterte—is a favorite here at Vinyl Mag and indie pop’s newest gem. Though describing her music as just “indie pop” is limiting; her sound has a harsher, grittier element that separates her from other artists in her genre. Musically gifted, Melina plays all the instruments on her records…
As we approach the summer months, easy listening is back and prepping us for spending our days lounging by the water (or on our rooftops). Whether you’re at Santa Monica Beach or drenched in sweat gazing at an awesome city skyline, Hoops should be on your summer playlist. Just one year after the release of their self-titled EP,…
Rey Pila is riding high. Signed to Cult Records, the four-piece just released their Wall of Goth EP, produced by Julian Casablancas. The group’s roots in Mexico City have influenced their sound, which oozes broody, garage rock. Their last album, The Future Sugar, is a larger-than-life record with an ’80s flare. The band is currently…
Bombay Bicycle Club’s impact on modern indie rock is undeniable. The four boys from England were part of the modern day British invasion that saw the rise of bands like Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs. After four gold certified records, the band decided to take a hiatus in 2016. While he deserved a break, bassist…
As improvements in technology have expanded musical possibilities and resulted in a surge of experimental music, it can be difficult for an artist to differentiate themselves in such an extensive landscape. For Grimes-approved new wave pop artist Tei Shi–real name Valerie Teicher–this isn’t an issue. Born in Argentina, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter and producer makes music…
Los Angeles indie rockers Goon are a breath of fresh air, generating buzz around South by Southwest with their enticingly individualistic lo-fi jams. Singer-songwriter Kenny Becker leads the quartet, writing songs in his room and fleshing them out with the rest of the band. Kenny’s affinity for making music stems from an unlikely place; he suffers from…
The Drums‘ origins can be traced back to Bible camp, which is not exactly what you’d expect from a Brooklyn-based experimental pop group. The two founding members of the band—Jacob Graham and frontman Jonny Pierce—met one summer in their early teens and became instant friends. After the concept for The Drums was developed, the duo tacked…
Minnesota indie rockers Communist Daughter are on fire. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for lead singer Jonny Solomon, who had to conquer a few demons before he saw success. Dealing with addiction and mental health problems before the band’s formation, he had several stints in treatment facilities and assumed the worst for his music…
As South by Southwest gets into full swing, we’re in for another jam-packed week of music and day drinking. With the massive amount of bands playing the festival, dwindling your roster of favorites down to even a couple dozen is a daunting task. Enter Indiana-based indie pop darlings HOOPS, ready to make the top of your must-see list…
Every spring, we see the release of new pop music as the genre awakens from its winter lull. Upcoming and already established artists vie for a coveted spot on Top 40 radio’s regular rotation, hoping to earn themselves a hit that gets airplay well into the summer and potentially leads to a lasting career. Of…