BAND CRUSH: Ballet School

Here's my current obsession!

MUST LISTEN 11

Sharing some track that we should be listening to this week.

I particularly love the first track on this set. It's After Hours from Ablebody's new EP. Also, listen to How to Dress Well's not so new track Repeat Pleasure from his upcoming new album. He has a new track circulating the net but this one stands out. First time to hear an upbeat HTDW.

INDIEBON MUST LISTEN 10

Let these pop songs brighten your weekend! Believe me, it will. :)

Not Really a Beginner's Guide to Slowdive

It's official! Slowdive are reuniting for some gigs and a possible new album. The exciting news spread out the other day as Slowdive confirmed it via their official social media. But being a broke guy from a third-world country, the only thing I'm excited about (and the only possible way I could experience this) is the new record.

Slowdive was one of the bands that made 'shoegaze' a legit genre back in the early 90's along with Lush, Ride, Chapterhouse and My Bloody Valentine who also made a comeback a few years ago. I am not gonna school you about the oral history of Slowdive but this playlist should give you, at least, a background on how great this English band is.

MUST LISTEN: Sunbathing​/​Stargazing​ (EP) by The Arctic Flow

First EP love for the new year is from the one-man band The Arctic Flow. Listening to Sunbathing​/​Stargazing in January makes you wanna fast track to summer and get some legit tan. I noticed that the surfpop influence is more evident on this new ep as compare to his previous release. Perhaps, a gradual departure from his straight-up dreampop sound. It still sounds dreamy, though, but with more sun. Listen to the EP below and don't skip a track!

Favorite OPM Songs of 2013 List

2013 is probably one of the best years in local Filipino music. From genre defying sounds to risky mainstream pop songs, OPM has never been this diverse. Every day there are new bands being discovered or new songs being released. It’s insane! Sometimes, I couldn’t keep up already.

So, here’s a list of my favorite tracks from Filipino artists of 2013 (in no favorable order).

Ang Bandang Shirley - Polygonal Graphs
Although I haven’t heard the crowd favorite Tama Na Ang Drama, I declare that this is the best track from that album.


The Strange Creatures – Stargazer
Sweet and dreamy. I cannot wait for this band’s other releases next year. More of this please!


Slow Hello – You Know It’s You
Sob. I cry every time I listen to this song. It’s so beautiful, I loop this track from their recently released album Audio Baby a million times. :’(


No Rome - Dance with Me
This might sound a bit too late for the chillwave bandwagon but the 17 year old No Rome made it sound relevant to my ears. I just love how it makes me wanna go to the beach and…yeah, dance in the moonlight :p


Sheila and the Insects - Pretty Loser
The comeback single of the Cebu-based band. What happened to the new album, guys?


Moscow Olympics – Alphonsine
Everything about this band is a fave!


The SLEEPYH3ADS - Nights without You
This is such an unexpected sound from these guys. Such fragile and just gives you that feels.


Tradewinds Sailing Club - Marina Bay
#justhittheplaybutton


Spazzkid – Getting To Know You (wow Such Shoegaze Version)
40 winks was my initial fave from Spazzkid’s Desire album but this particular version of Getting to Know You changed my mind.


Always - Spirit Ocean
These kids know their indiepop!


Gio Puyat feat Kaye Matriano - Oh Hey
The great things we discover on Facebook. This track gives me such feel good vibes every time it plays on my itunes.


Bee Eyes - Someone Else
#instafave These guys just released this song a few days ago and it’s so good that it has to be on this favorite list.


Yeng Constantino - Chinito
I would be the last person to listen to Yeng Constantino. Not a big fan of her and her music but this track. This track!!!


Sarah Geronimo – Ikot-ikot
The pop princess’ finest!

JANGLE ALL THE WAY!: A Xmas Mixtape

 Here's a Christmas mixtape for your yuletide feels! 

DOWNLOAD HERE

INDIEBON MUST LISTEN PLAYLIST 9: Punctured Bicycle

Here's a playlist for your long weekend! :)

Yes to Pop #mustlisten

15 pop tracks to listen and love this week! I swear these found tracks are all for keeps! #yestopop feat The Proctors, Skittle Alley, The Olive Shoots, Jim Ruiz Set, Love in Athens, etc.

Moscow Olympics - Reprise

dream sequence

MUST LISTEN!!!

Abusing the repeat button for this MINKS song, Margot, from their upcoming album Tides End. Summer 5evs!!

Songs we should be listening this week

Summer 5evs!

It's never too late for Labrador Records' summer sampler 2013 because it's summer here all year round!

MUST LISTEN: Alphonsine by Moscow Olympics

Finally! Here's a new track from one of my fave Filipino shoegaze bands, Moscow Olympics! Is this part of a new album? I dunno but this single is released by Beko. Alphonsine is such a lovely song for this rainy Manila weather! Lamig :)

MUST LISTEN TRACKS THIS WEEK!!!

Well, it is here now! :) Weekend tunes for all you guys! Ashrae Fax re-issues their 2003 album and I have a track from it. Also, I discovered two new shoegaze bands that I think we should be giving some lovin, they are Plastic Girl in the Closet from Japan and Eerie Summer from somewhere, it doesnt matter coz they're awesome! I have some sample tracks on the set. Soft Pillow Kisses also have a new track here but it's still the rough version. Cant wait for the new album! Anyway, enjoy the set! :)

Boyish

KONICHIWA! You guys should check out this awesome shoegaze/indiepop band from Tokyo called Boyish. I included one of their songs in my previous must-listen playlist and I think they deserve a separate post. They will be releasing their new EP With Invisible Girl soon and I have here a preview!!!

And this song below is their new single!

Visit their Soundcloud for more of their music.

Sisters are doing it for themselves...

I interrupted these two nuns while doing their lingerie shopping and asked them to reco some great tracks for the weekend coz you know, mothers know best. Here are their picks :)

Your best is my worst

Upon reading @luiskatigbak 's tumblr post this morning, i realized that most of my favorite bands/albums/songs dont usually make it to the 'best of' or end-of-the-year lists. Although I dont really base my musical preferences on which is THE best or which one makes it to the top of NME's list, it makes me question myself: Do I have the worst taste in music? So, here's a list of my favorite bands/artists that these 'listers' may have overlooked.

1. Cocteau Twins

They may be on the top 3 best shoegaze acts(if there's a list) but seem forgotten when people list the best bands in general. If my memory serves me right, one of their albums is part of 1001 Albums You Need To Hear Before You Die. But still, Cocteau Twins should be on every Best Bands Ever list.

2. Club 8 and Blueboy


Apart from Belle & Sebastian, I think most of indie-pop/twee bands dont get easily picked up by people to be part of their best lists. I dont know if these listers just dont wanna be out of their comfort zone (aka google zone) or they just dont appreciate the simplicity and charm of the sub-genre. These two band might not have the influence of Kenye West but they should have a spot on someone's Top 500 Best of. Kahit 500 th and 499th spot.

3. The Sundays and The Cardigans


I think these two bands brought the dream-pop and twee genre to mainstream consumption and yet these snob 'listers' dont seem to recognize their worth.

4. Travis and Tahiti 80


They rather put Coldplay and Phoenix.

I still have a lot of fave bands in mind like Dead Can Dance, Ivy, Morcheeba, 10,000 Maniacs, Zero 7, Kings of Convenience, etc. But it's ok. These lists dont really matter, anyway. You know at the end of the day, the best on your list could be my worst. :)

Calm your pits

Thirteen awesome tracks you need to hear this week! MINKS have this lovely demo. You need to also check this amazing indie-pop band from Indonesia called The Silent Love. The Mary Onettes track is one of my faves here. Rogue Wave is back i think with a new album soon and their new song is pretty catchy.

will you stick with me through whatever?

10 Must listen tracks you need to hear this week! The Pastel's b-side to Check Your Heart is my fave from this list and Skittle Alley's Youth and Beauty is neat as well. Enjoy the set! :)