indie rock – Radio Free Lightning Bug

Charlotte Cornfield Sings “Andrew”

Posted on January 30, 2019January 21, 2019 by Rob Jones

A languorous and contemplative indie-rock love song from Toronto-based, Montreal-bred singer-songwriter Charlotte Cornfield. This is her new single “Andrew”, a harbinger for her soon-to-drop new full-length record The Shape of Your Name, out April 5, 2019.

Have a listen!

The song reflects a sense of quiet helplessness; seeing someone you know take a path that’s ultimately not good for them, wanting to shake some sense into them, but realizing that such an action would be ultimately fruitless.

Charlotte Cornfield has been on the scene in Canada for many years by now, building up her momentum as an artist and a dedicated following along with her. In and out of different bands of various genres, and with a formal education in jazz drumming, she took all of those experiences and influences and poured them into her music. Among those influences, her songwriting reflects a modern take on the Laurel Canyon-style confessional style, taking autobiographical raw materials to make her songs into aural indie films that play in your head as you listen.

She recently signed with Outside Music (The Besnard Lakes, The Hidden Cameras, etc), with the upcoming The Shape of Your Name being her third full-length.

Around the time her first record Two Horses came out in 2011, I had a chance to interview Charlotte Cornfield about her background and her approach to songwriting. You can read that piece right here while you wait for the new album to come out on the Next Door Records label.

Otherwise, you should check out charlottecornfield.com for more music, and for news on the upcoming record.

Happy Listening!

Secret Treehouse Play “Fear of Frogs”

Posted on January 16, 2019January 11, 2019 by Rob Jones

Melancholic indie-synth pop from self-styled “pop orchestra” Secret Treehouse.

This is a single that’s less about amphibian aversions, and more about the kinds of fears that we’re standing in the way of someone else’s journey even though we love them, or perhaps even because we do. It’s all wrapped up in brooding synth lines, soaring vocals, and moody chord progressions.

Have a listen!

Secret Treehouse hail from Bergen in Norway, a well-known hotbed for musical delights that also include Kings of Convenience, Datarock, and so many others.

This single is the lead to their upcoming new record The Big Rewind, which is out right now.

Learn more about the band and the new album at their official site.

Happy listening

Gamblers Play “Corinthian Order”

Posted on September 12, 2018September 9, 2018 by Rob Jones

Happy/sad indie pop from Brooklyn, NY’s Gamblers. It’s “Corinthian Order”, an anthem not so much to a dramatic break-up as it is about the slow death of a relationship. Here’s the video, friends.

Time to watch.

Gamblers is fronted by Michael McManus, who in another life is an accomplished hip-hop producer. That stream of musical interest seems pretty far away from this (to my ears) eighties-influenced post-punk pop song with a breathy lead vocal full of resignation. Gamblers’ line up is rounded out by Gary O’Keefe (lead guitar, backing vocals, production), Boris Palacios (guitar, keyboard, production), and Evan O’Donovan (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals).

The video was shot in a defunct DIY venue Suburbia, and seems to be a character itself in the story of a bereft man cast appropriately in literal blue through out whose life as he knows it is slipping away from him. It was shot by filmmaker Tyler Walker who started working with the band after overhearing them talk about music videos in a cafe that McManus’ family has owned and operated since 1936. Walker was serving tables at the time, including the band’s that night. Right place, right time strikes again!

This song is the title cut from their upcoming EP Corinthian Order, out now.

Get more insight on Gamblers at their official site. Be sure to check out the animated video for another song on the new EP, “We’re Bound to Be Together”, also directed by Tyler Walker.

Happy listening!

Pack of Three: Alice Merton, Slothrust, Thirsty Curses

Posted on August 22, 2018August 17, 2018 by Rob Jones

Fiery new wave disco rage pop. Crunchy stream of consciousness folk-punk. Jaunty, fun-loving indie pop.

That’s what we’ve set up for you in this week’s Radio Free Lightning Bug Pack of Three. Knock ’em down one by one by listening here.

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“Lash Out” by Alice Merton

Name: Alice Merton

From: Berlin, Germany (by way of many points on the map)

Sound: Upbeat guitar pop with a hint of PJ Harvey bite and Florence Welch attack, ready made for the dance floor

Story: Alice Merton was formally trained in composition in Manheim, Germany, although she spent her early life in Canada, with stops in the US, England, and Germany with an English dad and a German mum. How’s that for an international sensation? Recently, she’s done the rounds on North American TV appearances including Kelly & Ryan, and The Late, Late Show with James Corden, and has been listed as “one to watch” in Rolling Stone. This song featured on her latest EP No Roots, is about resisting the pull to fall in line with the expectations of others, instead forging a path of one’s own.

Links:

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“Birthday Cake” by Slothrust

Name: Slothrust

From: Boston, MA, USA

Sound: Folk-influenced alternative rock infused with punk rock spirit and stream of consciousness flow.

Story: Originally premiering on Consequence of Sound, this track from Bostonian-bred, LA-based indie rock band Slothrust (Sloth-rust as opposed to slo-thrust, friends), this cut as taken from the band’s upcoming record The Pact (out September 14, 2018). It’s one of a selection of singles that serve as a harbinger to that release. You can read this interview on Billboard magazine with creative lead Leah Wellbaum who talks about the new record, among other things. You can then hear yet another single of theirs, “Peach”.

Links:

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“Dimlit Cathedral” by Thirsty Curses

Name: Thirsty Curses

From: Raleigh, NC, USA

Sound: Cheeky, bouncy indie pop that doesn’t take itself so goddamn seriously, but seriously gets in your head all the same.

Story: “The only way to get these songs out of your head is with a bullet” says Thirsty Curses front man Wilson Getchell during the recording of the band’s newest record All Shook Up, which is out right now, friends. That’s kinda dark, maybe. But this tune helps to illustrate the point by its brightness, buoyed up by frenetic playing and affable delivery, not to mention a kaleidoscopic animated video that matches with the childlike energy of the music. The song and the rest of the record was produced by none other than Mitch Easter, he of Let’s Active and the early production chair occupier for a little band called REM.

Links:

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Which way do the musical winds blow for you, gentle wayfaring music fan? Tell me your tales in the comments!

Happy Listening!

Pack of Three: Modern Leisure, Freedom Fry, The Rad Trads

Posted on August 15, 2018August 10, 2018 by Rob Jones

Melancholically languid indie rock. Gentle and easy folk-pop from America and France. Brown-sound inspired roots rock. It’s all here for you, questing music fans.

Lend me your ears, friends! This is this week’s Radio Free Lightning Bug’s Pack of Three.

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“Never Got The Buzz” by Modern Leisure

Name: Modern Leisure

From: Denver, CO, USA

Sound: Wistful indie rock that carries the weight of the world, yet is quietly content in doing so.

Story: Denver’s Modern Leisure is led by Casey Banker, who’s shared stages with Mazzy Star and the Lumineers, with the band he’s in realizing the same kind of spirit as each of those. This song was inspired by the idea of a spark that can exist between two people, yet often never seems to get off of the ground. Can you relate? The song is taken from the band’s debut record, Super Sad Rom Com.

Links:

Facebook

Spotify

Twitter

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“Tidal Wave” by Freedom Fry

Name: Freedom Fry

From: Los Angeles, CA, USA via Paris, France

Sound: Countrified folk-pop with glorious vocal blends and with pedal steel that comes in like a cool breeze on a summer day.

Story: Comprised of American Bruce Driscoll and Paris-born Marie Seyrat, Freedom Fry is the name of the band. The two met on the set of a music video and began writing songs together in 2011, with several singles and EPs since. This cut is a paean to love that is both desired and overwhelming at the same time. I am a convert, friends. And you will be, too. The new album is called Classic and is out right now.

Links:

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“Good Luck Unto Ya” by The Rad Trads

Name: The Rad Trads

From: New York City, NY, USA

Sound: “Rock of Ages” era The Band textures, complete with loads of brass and celebratory vocal arrangements.

Story: To contrast the ecstatic love song from Freedom Fry, this one is a kiss-off track, albeit and extremely joyful one. “Good Luck Unto Ya” is an anthem to the end of a relationship that is marked with more of a sense of relief than sadness. The track conjures up The Band to my ears, singing drummer and all (that would be John Fatum), but also the trad jazz-style horn arrangements. As of this writing, The Rad Trads are on tour, promoting their second and newest full-length release On Tap, which will be released on September 14.

Links:

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What think ye, good travellers of musical highways and byways? Don’t keep me in suspense! Share your impressions in the comments below.

Happy Listening!

Pack of Three: Jeen, Here Are The Lions, Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics

Posted on August 1, 2018July 19, 2018 by Rob Jones

A vital rock-pop sock in the gut from a prominent songwriter for a selection of Canadian acts and solo artist in her own right. A dance-rock clarion call from an international music collective. And a funk-soul excursion from the deep south.

What is your flavour, friends?

Observe this week’s Pack of Three board of fare right here.

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“Any Moment” by Jeen

Name: Jeen

From: Toronto, ON, Canada

Sound: Hard-edged Breeders-like indie-rock with echo-drenched vocals and distinct pop hooks.

Story: Jeen (aka songwriter and musician Jeen O’Brien) when not writing songs for others (Great Big Sea, Serena Ryder, Hawksley Workman, and others) has spent some of her time in her attic self-producing her own records, recently with the help of friends and family on various instruments. Her newest, Gift Shop, is out soon with “Any Moment” as a single that serves as an infinitely crankable rock anthem to add to our summer playlists. The song is a snapshot of Jeen’s continuing self-education as an artist who constantly pushes herself. Look for the release of Gift Shop on September 14, 2018.

Links:

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“Unsatisfied” by Here Are The Lions

Name: Here Are The Lions

From: France and other geographical points

Sound: Electronic dance pop as informed by a melange of world music ingredients and positive protest.

Story: Here Are The Lions is a project masterminded by French musician, producer, author, and activist Bernard P. Boyer, founded in 2014 and since featuring a range of musicians from all over the world. The name Here Are The Lions is a phrase found on old maps, marking territories that are unexplored, and slightly dangerous. This is their newest single, an amalgam of dance rock and world music with an undercurrent of protest music. The new EP is out in September 2018.

Links:

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“Broken Woman” by Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics

Name: Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics

From: Atlanta, GA. USA

Sound: Retro soul-pop full of wah-wah guitar, buoyant bass, sassy brass, and sultry vocals that’s appealingly unpredictable

Story: Singer Ruby Velle leads her merry band of soulphonics into musical territory tied to no single era, touching on many, while still managing to sound “classic” all at once. The band has shared stages with artists as far ranging as The Temptations, Erikah Badu, Feist, Kendrick Lamar, and Iggy Pop. This cut is featured on the upcoming record The State of All Things, and all a part of a mission to embody an earthy groove while also championing an informed awareness of the world at the same time. The new record is out now.

Links:

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What say you, friends? Give me your impressions in the comments!

Happy Listening!