BAND CRUSH: Quiet Lights

Check out this Brooklyn-based band called Quiet Lights which is appropriately named to describe their sound. It's dreamy, airy and all that shoegazer appeal. We Live In Balloons is one of their strongest tracks from the upcoming debut which is being mixed by John Congleton (St Vincent, Explosions in the Sky). I have so much to say about this band but I'd rather let their songs speak for themselves. You can check out their tracks and download them for free here.

Here's their first video Twice Today

BAND CRUSH: Minks

Like a real stalker, I was searching for some orgasmic info about this new band Minks and neither Pitchfor nor Stereogam helped me out. I've been addicted to their songs Kusmi and Funeral Song which are the only available reference about Minks out there. Their sound is a mixture of everything shoegaze, dark wave, eerie synth and all but they aren't afraid to put a little bit of spring time in their gloominess.

I particularly love Funeral Song. I cannot decipher what are they singing about and So long summer time/not coming back is the only line that I can clearly understand. But nevertheless, It's a perfect soundtrack to end this scotching hot summer days and welcome the rainy season with some shoegaze action.

Watch their video for Funeral Song and you can download their songs here and here

BAND CRUSH: Jamaica

If you are a big fan of Phoenix and Two Door Cinema Club, you would probably love Jamaica. Kitsune Maison compilation introduced me to the band with their song Short and Entertaining. And from the title suggests, Jamaica delivers what they promised. It's infectious and catchy and you would just want to put it on loop until your ears bleed. From the time the guitar intro teased me with its stop and go hook, I was immediately strung out. I also include the video for their current single I Think I Like U2 which is equally catchy as Short and Entertaining.
 
Their upcoming album is co-produced by Justice’s Xavier de Rosnay so we'll be expecting a smashing debut from this Parisian duo.

Short and Entertaining

BAND CRUSH: Doldrums

Contrary to what their name defines, Doldrums' sound is definitely not calm and stagnant. This band from Toronto is getting a lot of hype in the underground scene and they have become one of the most intrigued unsigned band there is.

I just love it whenever I hear fresh sound/music from an unknown band. It's like having a new pair of you and you just want to wear them over and over again. Doldrums just did that to me. Though they have very few materials out yet, these tracks prove that Doldrums will go beyond the borders of Canada and it doesn't matter if they don't have visas.

Their sound is a fusion of electro, art-rock, drum n' bass and everything. It's hard to pin down which genre they fall in to but whatever that is, they own the category.

The video below is my fave from their releases:


And this one is just plain awesome!


The first official release will be a limited edition VHS mixtape recorded at Everlasting Joy (Toronto's largest DIY showspace and Doldrums' home studio.) You can also check their MySpace and blog for more info of the band.

BAND CRUSH: Braids

If Stars would sing Animal Collective, they'd sound like Braids (not to be confused with the 90s emo band Braid). I am digging their shoegaze, dreampop sound with an experimental kick. Stereogum is right when they compare Braids to Velocity Girl but more baroque especially in this particular song Lemonade.

Indiensoci, marry me


image from Braids Blog