Photo by Philip Cosores
Brooklyn indie noise popsters Sleigh Bells are back with the track off their forthcoming album "Reign of Terror." The signature crunchy guitar sound explodes out of the speakers on "Born to Lose" with pulsating riffs and sample-heavy percussion. A hypnotic attraction that increases your desire to hear the rest of the album Well, don't worry. "Reign of Terror" will be released on Feb 21st.
Four months ago, the Alabama Shakes were gigging in their stomping grounds of Athens, Alabama just trying to bring a little attention to a newly released soul-soaked EP on Bandcamp. A few simple YouTube videos were made of a live performance at a small record store. Before you know it, the word and videos began to spread virally as several forward-thinking indie music blogs picked up on the grass-roots appeal of Alabama Shakes' earthy, down-to-earth personna. The raw rockin' R&B underpinnings of the band shone through to a promising future.
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver joins The National on a Canadian radio show in Toronto performing "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks." The National debuted two new songs (see Indie Sound Board). Justin Vernon also sat down for an interview on CBC Radio's Q show with host Jian Ghomeshi and put some ongoing questions to rest.
The Black Keys have always had respect for the past while firmly entrenching themselves into the future. The duo’s latest offering of guitar-laden indie edginess comes in the form “El Camino” due out Dec. 6th on Nonesuch Records. Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the 11-track album was recorded at singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound studio in the band’s new hometown of Nashville during the spring of 2011.
The Head and the Heart perform "Lost In My Mind" with help from Thao & the Get Down, Stay Down and the Devil Whale at the Majestic Theatre. It was a magical night as the sold-out crowd sang along with the folk-tinged melodies in true Madison fashion.
Madison indie rock stalwarts Icarus Himself release their sophomore full-length album "Career Culture" on Science of Sound Records Oct. 11th. Front Man Nick Whetro started Icarus Himself as a solo project in 2008. The project has grown to include drummer Brad Kolberg and multi-instrumentalist Karl Christenson.
The auto-biographical album depicts Whetro's transformation from a dead-end factory job in Indiana to new beginnings in Madison. The trio will kick off a tour in support of the album with a CD release show at the UW Memorial Union on Oct. 8th.
A video for "On Your Side" from Career Culture was filmed in Madison at the Gates of Heaven Synagogue. See how many Madisonians you recognize in the wedding scene! We caught up with drummer Brad Kolberg to talk about the new release and the band's Daytrotter Session.