SHOUT is every South African’s opportunity to help battle the onslaught of crime. Powered by our country’s top musicians, it is a movement that will unify all those wanting to make a difference.
Danny K, Kabelo and 37 other top South African celebrities have SHOUTed out against crime and start the battle to make South Africa a safer place for everyone.
You can download SHOUT by SMSing SHOUT to 33 33 5 and for just R20 you can join those against crime in South Africa.
They picked the band name as “A Streme is a flow of digital information, same in concept as a stream of water. It’s also used in old English as the spelling of stream, so it kind of fits our idea of old vs new, or analogue vs digital. Truth is we didn’t know either of these facts before settling on the name.” Wayne says “I was really trying to emulate the Beatles re-spelling of Beetles.”
The band met as “Atom Shape and myself (Wayne Pauli) were at school together at S.A.C.S. The band didn’t really kick off until we were in London in 2007. We’d always spoken about doing something since school days but just never got things together. I had been involved in a previous band in S.A called The Soundfields which eventually decided to relocate to London in 2005 where Benjamin Peacefull joined us on guitar. The Soundfields broke up in mid-2006 and I kind of went solo with the intention of forming a band which became The Stremes. The band eventually settled into it’s current form when Benjamin decided to take up the bass role after The Soundfields demise. “
They “initially had the idea of having 2 guitarists but it was a struggle to find the right person (in London) and also realized after a while that it wasn’t necessary.” They then chose to stick with a three piece format for the band as Wayne adds “our sound became more focused on the big old school lead guitar sound it just made perfect sense to do the 3 piece. The 4th member is really the digital soundscape which is the flip side of our sound.”
Their influences “would be hard to pin it down as collectively there are a wide range of influences. Certainly the old school blues rock of Hendrix and Cream is a primary influence. We have a particularly British rock leaning and draw on influences from Oasis, The Beatles, Coldplay and Radiohead among others. The Verve was also an important influence. In terms of vibe and concept lyrically we’re perhaps most strongly influenced by U2. Again it’s difficult to say accurately as we’ve also been hugely influenced of late by The Killers, and not to mention a world of electronic soundscapes which also feed into the mix. I like to think of our sound as modern stadium rock with heavy roots in the blues.”
They all started making music as they are “all born and bred musicians.” Benjamin and myself both have parents who were professional musicians, and Atom has always been primarily a musician in various forms (he plays Irish folk music professionally as a fiddle player). It was really not a choice for any of us, as it was always a given that all of us would be involved with music.”
With The Soundfields they were “primarily influenced by the big melodic sound of the mid 90’s and early 2000’s British scene.” Wayne sheds light on the fact that “bands like Coldplay and The Verve were our key influences. A lot of these sounds and even a song or 2 filtered into The Stremes. The main difference with The Stremes was a return to a blues rock central guitar which was not part of The Soundfields picture. The Stremes are really a mix of these 2 ‘streams’.”
Their home demos which were placed on MySpace as The Stremes subsequently led to a deal being signed with an indie label in London. It came as a surprise “as it always is with any approach in the music business. The demos were put up at a time when the MySpace thing was really gathering pace, so in the back of my mind I kind of expected something. It really changed the way record companies looked for bands, so I just emailed every company I could find on MySpace (which is all of them) and held thumbs. Even though these days the record companies can generally only offer limited deals, nowhere near what it used to be, it was great to get a foot in the door in the UK and have an established presence pushing our music.”
They have been back in South Africa and Wayne admits that “It’s been really quite tough coming back.” He adds “Although we’ve established a strong presence among the industry insiders it’s been much harder to get the word out to the wider audience. There really are only a limited number of ways to reach people and the internet is nowhere near fast enough to drive things. In London it’s easier for people to get around to gigs and usually they have spare cash to come to shows. It’s always inspiring to be on home soil. We’ve managed to build a small but extremely loyal fan base, who will forever be our ‘home’ crowd.”
Recording Maze of Light “has been a lot of hard work. It was really quite an experimental process.” He continues thus far, (and I say that because even though we’ve got an album out, we’re currently re-mixing it for a second release), We only had enough money for a few days in the studio in which we got the guitars and vocals down, having previously recorded the drums semi-live at another studio. The bass and synth tracks were done at my home studio, so the final mix was taken from various locations and computers. It’s been great to get the music down and really form the songs.”
They picked the name Maze of Light for the album as “it’s a reflection of the digital age. The light(s) of everyday existence are chaotic. We experience a continuous bombardment of lights and messages both consciously and unconsciously. In the skies, under the ground, everywhere from computers, cell phones, T.V’s and CCTV cameras among a million other machines. The album is set against this landscape.The maze of light is both a powerfully sinister force in it’s confusion and omnipresence and yet also a carrier of all human feelings and yearnings. The duality of the digital universe is really the theme of the album.”
Off the wall antics whilst in studio included “attempting to mix 10 tracks in 24 hours! We weren’t entirely sane at the end. Apart from that I attempted to quit smoking by switching to an electronic cigarette which was about as off the wall as could be. The good thing is I could get the nicotine craving sorted without having to keep going outside all the time which helped tremendously given the limited time frame.”
They find it hard to choose a favourite track off the album Wayne elaborates “I think the songs were all well recorded and we managed to get the essence of them all. I particularly like track 5 ‘Overload’. Perhaps my emotional favourite though is ‘When It Was You and Me’, a song about the loss of someone very close to you. My grandmother had passed away a few weeks earlier and that fed very powerfully into the emotion of the song.”
The new single they are aiming at releasing is “’Silver Blue’ to radio stations nationwide. The song is about the cult of celebrity written from the perspective of the stalker, the crazed obsessive.”
Right now they are busy with a “re-mix of Maze of Light which will be ready in a few weeks. They will also be launching a full website and getting a video done.” Wayne explains “It’s a slow process but we feel that we have the momentum currently to push on to the next level”.
They would like to “fill out stadiums all over the world.” Wayne continues “But we’re always just grateful for all the people who genuinely love our songs and support us all the way. “
As for who takes the longest to get ready before a gig Wayne says “We’re all about equal actually which is pretty quick. The gigs we did in London were simple in terms of getting ready. None of us have any particular idiosyncrasies which get us bogged down before a gig, although I can never eat before a gig for at least 4 hours before we play, and Benjamin has to eat just before he plays otherwise he can’t do the gig.”
All 3 have side projects. Wayne has an acoustic folk alter ego which he works on sporadically, and Benjamin writes his indie acoustic pop tunes for release at some future point. Atom has always been involved with Irish folk music and also has an obsessive fascination for video games for which he one day hopes to write soundtracks, presumably in a death metal/celtic hip hop kind of style.
As for who talks the most rubbish Wayne makes it known that “ever since school Atom and myself have made a concerted effort to talk more rubbish than the other on any given day. I would have to say we’re on pretty equal scores currently. Benjamin on the other hand talks more rubbish than both of us put together.”
As for who is the messiest Wayne explains “In terms of stage setup however I’m obsessively neat and orderly while Benjamin isn’t too fussed about leads lying all over the show. Perhaps that would be a good indicator of future mess making trends. Atom’s house keeping skills are pretty good so no problems there.”
Their favourite thing about performing is that “there’s a sonic power to the live set which is often transcendent. Playing rock n roll is always a thrill. For us it would be an uplifting thing and hopefully the audience is moved along with us. For many people a good gig is often a highlight of their week and sometimes of their lives.”
One of the craziest things that happened at a show was at their first Bohemia gig in Stellenbosch, which doubled as a kind of audition for them to open for Z&G at Klein Libertas as their representative was in attendance (who subsequently became their press agent) Wayne admits “I’m quite adept at breaking guitar strings more regularly than most and I managed to break 4 strings in the first 2 songs…a new record by any standard that we’re aware of. We stopped the show, changed the guitar and played on. Amazingly without any further string breakages. The gig was a resounding success…rock n roll.”
Since being back in SA, Just Jinjer have performed at major festivals, corporate shows and at a jam packed Kirstenbosch Gardens. In April, they will be back in the mother city to set the Cape Town nightlife alight with two shows at The Assembly in Harrington Street. Fans can expect to hear songs from the new EP “Milk and Honies” some of the older favourites, as well as brand new songs that will be performed for the first time in preparation for their next full length album.
Just Jinjer will be back in studio in June to record a full length album due for release later this year. Fans will be able to vote for new songs on Just Jinjer`s Facebook page. New songs that get the most thumbs up after live shows in the next few months will be recorded for the new album.
Just Jinjer supports new SA Talent and have invited some of Cape Town`s finest new acts to be on the line up at Assembly. Bands to be announced soon.
Gear up, Just Cape Town – going to be two rocking nights!
Dates: Thursday 22 April and Saturday 24 April.
Cover: R110 presales at www.webtickets.co.za and R120 at the door.
Time: Doors open at 20h00. Just Jinjer performing at 22h00.
As I once mentioned “Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau is such a fan of AC/DC that they are responsible for the entire soundtrack for the film. Yes. The entire soundtrack.
This all came about through a unique collaboration between Marvel Studios and Columbia Records. AC/DC: Iron Man 2, features 15 classic AC/DC songs selected from ten of the band’s studio albums, ranging from 1976 to 2008. The soundtrack has been said to be something akin to a collection of the bands greatest hits.”
Here’s a treat for all you AC/DC fans. I have 1 of AC/DC Backtracks – The Ultimate AC/DC Box Set and 5 Collectors Edition of the Iron Man 2 Soundtrack to give away. Now if that doesn’t tickle your fancy I’m not sure what will.
The AC/DC Backtracks – The Ultimate AC/DC Box Set contains:
Five discs of rare AC/DC in one brand new, never-before-released collection:
1CD of Studio rarities
2 CDs of Live rarities
2DVDs: Family Jewels Disc 3 + bonus videos & Live at Circus Krone in Munich,
180g LP of Studio rarities
164 page 12”x12” hard-back scrapbook-style book,
Loads of collector’s items and it’s all contained in a working guitar amp.
All you have to do is comment and tell me why you’d like either The Ultimate AC/DC Box Set or 1 of 5 Collectors Edition of the Iron Man 2 Soundtrack by April 19th.
Simple enough right? If it were possible I’d enter this competition but I can’t. You however can. So get to it!
xx
yours in musical madness
Music. The Soccer World and making a difference. Yes, it’s all possible thanks to the opening FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert at Orlando Stadium in Soweto (on the eve of the opening match of the first FIFA World Cup™).
Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Shakira, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and more will be performing.
“We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.
The ticket prices range from R450 to R1,150 and all proceeds will be donated to 20 Centres for 2010, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building 20 centres across Africa offering education and healthcare services as well as football training to disadvantaged communities.
Now if that’s not a reason to get excited about the FIFA World Cup™, I’m not quite sure what is.
xx
yours in musical madness
It was inevitable. Now somebody has finally done it. You know, just free-styling on a piano with random strangers on ChatRoulette, the usual.
Kudos to Merton as in less than 5 days his (hilarious) YouTube video has gotten 492,915 hits.
Watch it and enjoy!
xx
yours in musical madness
I have gotten my hands on 5 copies of Van Coke Kartel’s ‘Skop, Skiet en Donner’ to give away.
The competition will run until Monday the 22nd of March.
All you have do is comment and tell me why you’d like a copy. It’s that simple.
xx
yours in musical madness
The Popcop explains it: “There are two ways in which you can open your senses to a multitude of music from dozens of countries in just one sitting. One is called the Eurovision Song Contest (39 nations), the other is the Music Alliance Pact (now at 36 nations this month thanks to the addition of Metal Israel).”
All the songs are available for free download. Get going!
SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
Will Mono – Seks Vir Plesier
What Will Mono does when making music is slightly different to most – he collaborates with other artists by adding their vocals to his music. In this case Will Mono worked with Jan Joknie and Seks Vir Plesier was born. It is Afrikaans electro-pop at its best. Draw conclusions where you will with regards to the content but as for the song as a whole, it’s catchy electro genius.
Will Mono is set to make an impact on the local music scene and he is working something that will no doubt propel him to the big time.”
ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Modular – Femme Fatale
Listening to Modular’s music is like a journey back to a time when lounge and space-age pop were present on almost every soundtrack and TV show. This track is their own rendition of the great song Femme Fatale by The Velvet Underground, taken from a recent free EP called Yoga Para Extraterrestres (which you can download from here). Don’t miss Requiem Para Robert Moog, another great track from this EP.
AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Otouto – Astronauts
Exciting new trio Otouto from Melbourne have released a new single called Astronauts on their own artist collective label Two Bright Lakes. You may recognise singer Hazel Brown’s voice from Whitley’s song Killer. So catchy.
BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Eddie – Gafieira No Avenida
One of the founders of the mangue beat movement in northeast Brazil in the 90s, Eddie play a mixture of frevo (a kind of folk music usually related to carnival), rock and jazz. Gafieira No Avenida is taken from the band’s latest album, Carnaval No Inferno (“Carnival In Hell”) and highlights some of Eddie’s influences, such as Fela Kuti and Lee Perry.
CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Yukon Blonde – Rather Be With You
There are all kinds of great power-pop bands from decades past that could be referenced when talking about Yukon Blonde. But you know what? As songs like Rather Be With You show, Yukon Blonde are a lot more than their influences, and it’s not hard to imagine that it won’t be long before future bands are referencing them as an influence.
CHILE: Super 45
Inverness – Nubes
Inverness has its heart divided between Santiago and England. The band flirts a lot with shoegaze revivalism but succeeds in avoiding a lame emulation of the sound, instead delivering a rich, lyrical world full of dreamy scenes. Their second album Illuminaciones was inspired by the far-away landscapes of southern Chile and received massive critical acceptance last year. The band faces the challenge of doing it again for the release of their next album this year.
CHINA: Wooozy
PB33 – Dance With Me
Formed in 2005, PB33 independently released their first album Disco Boys & Girls Night Out. It’s about youth, happiness, love, life, friendship and party. They are a band with a punk attitude. Are you ready for them?
COLOMBIA: Colombia Urbana
ChocQuibTown – En Circulo (Sa Rissa)
ChocQuibTown is the most successful urban fusion group in Colombia with two Latin Grammy nominations. The band try to mix hip hop music with native sounds of the Pacific coast. Their new album Oro has just been released.
DENMARK: All Scandinavian
The Bronson Brothers – Ancient Land
Pop, decadence, France and the 1960s are keywords when it comes to Clyde and Ted Bronson’s musical universe. The excellent Ancient Land is taken from the duo’s freshly-released debut album The Melody Bronson, the title a nod to the 1971 concept album Histoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg, who is also found among The Bronson Brothers’ influences.
ENGLAND: The Daily Growl
Stairs To Korea – All Of Your Friends
The awesome one-man band and king of the offbeat tweets, Stairs To Korea is a battery of lo-fi electronic effects, good tunes, wry lyrics and ace guitar solos. And behind his bushy beard there’s a reluctant rock god edging his way out. His new single All Of Your Friends, on the excellent Brainlove Records, is another in the gradual drip-feed of fine releases which should eventually see him with one of the best singles compilations of 2012.
ESTONIA: Popop
Honey Power – Get Country
This light, fresh and melodic indie tune from four-piece Honey Power carries a real country vibe and, as an early taste of the Tartu-based band’s long-anticipated second album, demonstrates good taste and an impeccable arrangement.
FINLAND: Glue
Flannelmouth – Sharp Paper
Sharp Paper gently opens Flannelmouth’s second album and leads the Helsinki indie band into a collection of intense and diverse pop songs, with intelligent arrangements and a good sense of melody, underlined by the dominant voice of vocalist Tuomo Kuusi. Rather than limiting themselves to the classic four or five-piece band template, Flannelmouth draw their songs with a diverse palette including subtle sounds of ukulele, pedal steel and a variety of other instruments to build an addictive romanticism.
FRANCE: ZikNation
Saycet – Easy
Saycet is a French electronic artist made famous by his album One Day At Home in 2006. Pierre Lefeuvre, the man behind Saycet, is a daydream music specialist. His songs carry the listener away in a cocoon universe where nothing can hurt you and every little noise is a delight.
GERMANY: Blogpartei
Kissogram – Rubber And Meat
The death of German indie labels continues. This month Berlin-based Louisville closed its doors, leaving a bunch of the most influential and significant German bands on their own. One of these is Kissogram, whose last album Rubber And Meat got a lot of positive reviews. To bid a fond farewell to Louisville, we are able to present its title track exclusively. Thanks for all the music!
GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
Electric Litany – February
Preferring patience and restraint over explosive blasts of atmospheric wailing, Electric Litany slowly build up tunes that glimmer with hauntingly melodic ideas and climax with rhythms that capture the traditional musical heritage of Eastern European countries. Their debut album, How To Be A Child & Win The War, offers a sonically cinematic experience that will leave you feeling both elated and emotionally drained. Gorgeous sounds are pulled from within the deepest recesses of the human soul, while vocals full of intuitive swells and fades rise over piano, synths and tremolo guitars. A work of mesmerising beauty, like a tender touch on a sad day.
ICELAND: I Love Icelandic Music
Sometime – Heart Of Spades
Sometime, a band formed by Icelandic music veterans, puts catchy dance-infused songs on the menu. Ingredients are the strong voice of frontwoman Diva De La Rosa plus the inventive drums of TheDanni, flavoured by turntable whizzkid DJ Moonshine and manipulated by Oculus. You can taste it while listening to the single Heart Of Spades from the album Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
INDIA: Indiecision
The Circus – FOPS
The Circus are an alternative rock act from New Delhi. The band’s music is Incubus-inspired, effects-driven fuzz that makes no bones about what it is and where it finds its roots. FOPS (an abbreviation of Full On Party Scene) comes from soon-to-be-released debut album From Space. It’s wholesome, angular alternative music executed without much fuss. Turn it up, get your party started.
INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
Sajama Cut – Paintings/Pantings
Sajama Cut are praised for their lyrics and unusual songs arrangements, with influences ranging from Echo & The Bunnymen, The Beach Boys, Guided By Voices, R.E.M. and tons of obscure singer-songwriters. Paintings/Pantings comes from their new album Manimals, a record which has a varied approach in songwriting, with most of the lyrics taken from Marcel Thee’s journal.
IRELAND: Nialler9
The Cast Of Cheers – Derp
The Cast Of Cheers came from nowhere last month and quickly became Nialler9’s favourite new band. Their downloadable album (get it for free here) is a fully-formed 33-minute blast of post-punk, looping post-rock, tightly-wound songs with echoes of Battles, Foals and Death From Above 1979.
ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Orphaned Land – Sapari
Orphaned Land’s latest album The Never Ending Way Of ORWarriOR is a sonic tapestry that flies a completely different path than the usual Western metal fare of Europe and the States, though there are common threads. The influence of acts such as Paradise Lost, Iron Maiden and The Beatles are evident, but Orphaned Land weave elements together that run the gamut from blacker-than-black demonic intensity to let-the-sunshine-in hippie flamboyance. The band categorizes itself as Middle Eastern progressive metal with dreams of instilling peace through their music.
ITALY: Polaroid
Heike Has The Giggles – Robot
Before you ask, the name comes from a character in an English grammar book the band used to read at high school. Heike Has The Giggles are three young kids who play sharp and dry rock ‘n’ roll in the vein of PJ Harvey and early Gossip. They just released Sh!, their forceful debut album, and you can’t listen to it without starting to dance and play air guitar.
JAPAN: JPOP Lover
Omodaka – Kyoteizinc (Video Mix)
Known as an electro/techno artist, Soichi Terada teamed up with a few visual directors and has started the collaborative music project Omodaka. Omodaka’s sound is characterized by the seamless mixture of Japanese traditional Geisha songs and electro music. Omodaka will appear live at the Japan Nite showcase at this month’s SXSW and will also go on tour the US with Red Bacteria Vacuum and Okamoto’s.
MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Los Macuanos – Pueblo Muerto (feat. Scout Klas)
Is there such a thing as ethno-dubstep? London’s urban soundscape has been well charted by dubstep – how about Tijuana’s? Los Macuanos are a duo formed by Moises “Moih” Horta and Moises Lopez, and this is their nu-electronic post-nortec mix of blurry Mexican folkloric crumbs with cyclic dubstep. Pueblo Muerto was recorded by Moih and gloomy artist Scout Klas (from Sweden via Vietnam) in his recent visit to the Red Bull Music Academy in London. The song portraits the hypnotic fumes spreading from ghost town Tijuana to the whole stratosphere.
NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam Event Guide
The Stutters – Starlight Love
Top musicians as well as first-class artists, this three-piece group have it all going for them in 2010: new songs, more gigs, screaming fans and some very fancy dancing. After the critically-acclaimed first EP back in 2008, their 2010 release Viva La Stutters has got a lot of people excited. First listens see the trio go for a slightly heavier feel than their previous singles but they still stay true to their indie-rock sensibilities, keeping it very rock ‘n’ roll and danceable. Make sure you catch them on their European tour scheduled for early June – we’ll be at the front!
NEW ZEALAND: Counting The Beat
An Emerald City – Seizuretron
An Emerald City’s first album Circa Scaria is the stuff of legend, being recorded in a cave on a storm-swept coast. Even without that back story their music is memorable for combining a traditional rock line-up with lute, violin, tablas, violin and sitar. Their songs start off quiet then build in scale and grandeur to create huge Eastern-influenced instrumental soundscapes. Surprisingly, Circa Scaria reached the New Zealand top 40. After a few months in Berlin, An Emerald City have released Seizuretron as a taster for their forthcoming second album.
NORWAY: Eardrums
Solvor Vermeer – Final Hour
Three years ago, I stumbled upon Solvor Vermeer’s music. I was amazed by the delicate and fragile beauty she managed to create with only her voice and the piano as her tools. Since then, Vermeer has developed her sound. She has a rare gift for composing and can make something really complex become catchy and accessible. On her upcoming four-track debut EP, her sound is richer and more orchestrated, with her musician friends having added strings, horns, layered vocals, glockenspiel, etc. The EP will be released this spring on her own Bloksberg Music label in partnership with UK-based Lazy Acre Records.
PERU: SoTB
Pipe Villaran – Sinnerman
When members of the band Los Fuckin Sombreros went their separate ways, Pipe Villaran began to compose new songs, preparing for what would be his new project, called Long Player. His style is still rock ‘n’ roll, to which he has devoted his whole life, influenced by classic rock and some blues touches. Sinnerman is a preview of the direction his new band will take when their debut record is launched in May.
PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
Peltzer – A Story To Tell Me
Peltzer used to be Rui Gaio’s one-man band. Today, there are more members but they continue with their electronic sound and cite the new wave movement, Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips as their influences. They have released tracks digitally and on three Portuguese compilations. A Story To Tell Me, from their new Outdated EP, is an exclusive MAP download.
ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Hot Casandra – Chroma
Hot Casandra is a new project behind which we can find Paul Ballo (the drummer of last month’s featured band, Kumm). It’s a personal playground, where no compromises will be made and everything will sound as wanted. The first song, Chroma, is a dark electro track with beautiful, haunting vocals.
SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
Admiral Fallow – Squealing Pigs
It’s hard to say what Admiral Fallow’s greatest strength is. It could be the luscious melodies which burst out of their songs, or the thick Scottish brogue that defines Louis Abbott’s strikingly unhurried delivery, or perhaps it’s the fact they have the sort of craft and invention their peers could only dream of. MAP exclusive download Squealing Pigs whisks through the speakers with a bundle of verve and is taken from the band’s forthcoming debut album Boots Met My Face, which at times sounds a lot like Elbow.
SINGAPORE: I’m Waking Up To…
Sidd & His Self-Esteem – Occupation
I’ve been informed that the frontman of Sidd & His Self-Esteem is a nervous individual, so much so that it inspired the naming of the band. Well, if Sidd finds his solace in the sheer gregariousness of his other band members, then this must surely be a case of strength in numbers. All inhibitions seemingly fall away as they deliver brilliantly on this stellar Led Zeppelin-esque track, with confidence swelling in each instrument and the vocals deliberate and full of conviction. Occupation pays homage to lo-fi garage rock, with the mix perfectly balanced for your ears to take in everything.
SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
3rd Line Butterfly – Nine Days
3rd Line Butterfly has been one of the most loved Korean indie-rock bands since 2002, when their music became known through drama series Ruler Of Your Own World. Following the release of their third album in 2004, the band went on a long hiatus, returning only late last year. Earlier this month, their out-of-print albums were re-released in remastered versions, but Nine Days is a beautiful, melancholic Americana-style folk track from new EP Nine Days Or A Million.
SPAIN: Oscuro Magazine
The Closers – Come Down
The Closers are an industrial rock band from Zaragoza similar to Nine Inch Nails or Filter. Their first work was called The End and is a preview of four songs from their forthcoming debut album. It is a very catchy and addictive work that could make a real impact beyond our borders. Come Down has touches of Primal Scream, but the powerful guitars and killer choruses are more like the best works of Trent Reznor.
SWEDEN: Swedesplease
Holy Family – Whatever There’s To Know
Holy Family is an electronica trio from Goteborg. The fuzzy beats and glowering vocals on their song Meathooks remind me of some of the heavy industrial music from the late 80s and early 90s, while the lighter, more accessible sounds on Whatever There’s To Know hint at a band that could expand their sound and possibly cross over.
UNITED STATES: I Guess I’m Floating
Javelin – Vibrationz
Javelin are an eclectic duo currently residing in Brooklyn by way of Providence, Rhode Island. Their electronic jams have been turning heads for quite some time, yet their upcoming LP, No Mas, and tour dates with Yeasayer will catapult this funky duo to the forefront of independent acclaim.
VENEZUELA: Barquisimento
Los Paranoias – No Sueltes Al Murcielago
Los Paranoias have a sound that resembles the 80s post-punk and 60s Britpop scenes. No Sueltes Al Murcielago is the second single from their album Aqui Fue, which was inspired by the troubled times our country is going through. The song is a happy rock ‘n’ roll tune with a contagious rhythm – a symbol of Venezuelan optimism.
To download all 36 songs in one file click here
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Musical Mover & Shaker! 
