alt rock Archives - YabYum Music + Arts

The Danish trio known as Nelson Can uses drums, vocals, and bass (no guitar) to create their grungy rock sound and I fucking love it. There’s all sorts of rowdy crammed into Nelson Can and you can hear that energy on their new single, “Move Forward”. This band’s super cool Scandinavian sound will have you hitting repeat all damn day. And to think that Nelson Can all started as a joke because three chicks wanted to say they were in a band… Check out “Move Forward” below or you can head here to see Nelson Can’s DIY video for the single. Or head here to score your own copy of the single and show the band some luv.

Madus

‘Through the Dark”

Madus calls their sound “post-garage-rock” which is pretty on point. I could see this music playing in the hip (but obviously seedy) bar in the cybernetic future we all envisioned while watching Hackers back in 1994. Or, at least, those of us who are old enough to have watched Hackers back in ’94. Some us, maybe me included, are still probably waiting for that future to arrive so thank you, Madus, for giving me a glimpse of the aesthetic that I secretly long for. “Through the Dark” provides glitzy grunge and retro synths for the new world order. Check out the new single from Madus below…

Absolutely Not

“Strictly Top”

This post-punk trio outta Chicago craft an interesting mix of levity and gravity on their new single, “Strictly Top”. I am, of course, speaking both aurally and lyrically. Like some of my favorite post-punk acts (ahem, JJCnV), Absolutely Not swirls in some feisty pop elements to keep things exciting in the sonic sphere. This single comes to us from Absolutely Not’s new album, Errors, which comes out later this month (7/28). Until then, you can spend some time getting riled up with “Strictly Top” from Absolutely Not below or head here for the digi-download.

DWARF

“Take a Number”

Short and feisty, “Take a Number” from DWARF packs enough energy into two minutes to fire you up for an entire day. This three-piece from Mesa [AZ] has been steadily developing a local following since their inception. A ska rhythm on the verse gives “Take a Number” a super fun, summertime vibe, but DWARF takes the energy up to infectious on the chorus. Give “Take a Number” by DWARF a listen below or head here to show the band some support by purchasing your own copy of the single!

LUAU

“Debt Collector”

Don’t confuse Hampshire’s garage punks LUAU with the Phoenix indie rockers, LUAU. Both acts might infuse a little surf into their sound, but these bands are two very different beasts. The British LUAU have a gritty, high-energy sound they unleash on their new single, “Debt Collector”. Drawing from such westerly influences as Rocket From The Crypt (CA) and The Marked Men (TX), LUAU came together in 2016 but the five players that make up the band earned their chops in a variety of eclectic acts for more than ten years before that. LUAU isn’t amateur hour – the band is as sharp as they are fiery. Get down with LUAU (UK) and “Debt Collector” below or check out Wake Up Dreaming, the album from whence the single came.

7 Righteous Rock Videos

Fairy Bones
“No One Can Suffer Like I Can”

All-Night Visitors
“Animal Mind”

Whispering Wires
“No Buddies”

The Linecutters
“Anxiety”

The Dead-On
“Lovesick”

Zipheads
“No 2 Ways About It”

Welshly Arms
“Legendary”

7 Strange + Wondrous Music Videos

Surma
“Hemma”

Rock Band for Old Men
“Eat Some Snacks & Cry”

Jerusafunk
“Respect My Lust”

River Jones
“Fortunes and Violence”

Dreadcat & the Transitional Wave
“Captain’s Hat”

Happy Rain
“Happy Birthday”

Rauw Vlees
“Dear Human Being”

5 Fresh Indie Sounds

by Carly Schorman
Senior Editor

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Fairy Bones

“No One Can Suffer Like I Can”

The alt-glam rockers known as Fairy Bones have been causing quite the stir in the Phoenix music scene since their very inception. Maybe that’s because they have a distinctive sound that’s difficult to cram into any of the niche compartments of the Valley Scene. Or maybe it’s because Chelsey Louise is one of the fiercest frontpeople to grace Phoenix stages. Personally, I think it’s because they keep getting better. Every release is better than the last so every time competitors think they might have stepped up to the playing field, they find they are back in the fairy dust. “No One Can Suffer Like I Can” is the latest installment of self-depreciating rock from the PHX 4-piece. It’s already locking down airtime and this might only be the beginning. Check out the new Fairy Bones’ single below or head here for that digi-download.

El West

“Cuba Gooding Jr.”

Wow. Do I feel like I missed the boat on El West or what? I mean I really feel like schmuck here. We try to tell everyone that good bands often get overlooked in the deluge of music we receive on a daily basis and El West is the perfect example of this unavoidable pitfall of publications. Not every band gets the attention they deserve and El West deserves your attention. Their latest single, “Cuba Gooding Jr.”, is a serious song with a strange name. El West presents pristine musicianship and powerful vocals for a track that could easily take over the airwaves. “Cuba Gooding Jr.” comes to us from the band’s latest EP, Mainstay, which came out earlier this month (6/16). Give the new single from El West a spin below or head here to score your own copy of Mainstay.

Orchin

“I Think I”

There is a dreamlike quality to the soundscape created by Orchin on their new single, “I Think I,” which came out last month. Soft-spoken vocals drift over pensive dreampop that gains momentum as the track progresses without sacrificing that contemplative air. Orchin calls L.A. home but the act will be passing through Phoenix later this month. You can catch Orchin at The Trunk Space on June 30th with Femny, Model/Actriz, James Band, and Sun Hex (more info here). That sounds like a show you should put on your calendar. Until then, give “I Think I” from Orchin a spin below or head here to score your own copy of the single.

The National Parks

“Places”

The Utah indie-folk band known as The National Parks has an easygoing sound certain to lift your spirits. Their latest single “Places” just came out earlier this month and it’s already enjoying repeat listens down at #YabYumHQ. Check out the lyric video for “Places” here or head over to iTunes to get that digi-download of the track for your personal playlists and throw the artists some support. Of course, you can preview the single from The National Parks down below first…

The Happy Fits

“Dirty Imbecile”

This chipper ditty comes to us from New Jersey indie rockers, The Happy Fits, from their 2016 EP, Awfully Apeelin’. Anytime we’re dealing with a cello-driven melody on a song, I’m going to want to see what’s happening and The Happy Fits don’t let us down. Their sound is fresh, fun, and catchy enough to stick with you all through summer. You can preview “Dirty Imbecile” below or head here for the complete EP.

7 Rad Rock Music Videos from Alt to Indie

The Woodworks
“The Doctor Says I’m Fine”

Skating Polly
“Louder in Space”

The Murlocs
“Oblivion”

Weird Radicals
“John Lennon (Headbangin)”

Windigo
“All Your Thunder”

Lane Change
“Floodwater”

Sleeptalk
“Strange Nights”

7 Rowdy Rock Music Videos

The Dead Zones
“Hello Animal”

SLOWKISS
“Forever Together”

Zini
“Faison”

Exit
“Familiar Ground”

Noonday Devils
“Champion”

The Howlin’ Souls
“Black Heart”

Tangieguar
“15 Starter”

7 Rad Rock Music Videos

No Volcano
“Take My Chances”

Citrus Clouds
“Shapes and Things”

Dead!
“Enough Enough Enough”

Doesn’t Rhyme With King
“Can’t Tell the Difference”

Heavy Heart
“Fruitfly”

The Head
“Tea Colored Radio”

Lulu Lewis
“All Just Pretending”

7 Awesome Alt-Rock Singles

by Carly Schorman
Senior Editor
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Welles

“Life Like Mine”

The Nashville band known as Welles is set to break big so you should check out this single so you can say you knew them when. The band performed at SXSW and they’re on the bill for Bonnaroo, but it might be this single that pushes them into the mainstream. “Life Like Mine” offers a slouchy vibe and sharp musicianship while catchy, Sgt. Pepper-made-modern vocals (provided by Welles’ frontman, Jehsea Wells) seal the deal on this hit-in-the-making. Give “Life Like Mine” a listen below…

The Edisons

“5 Reasons I Stopped Drinking Tequila (and Why I Started Again)”

Woah, did we almost miss the bus on this release or what? Phoenix 4-piece, The Edisons, released their debut, Space Whales, back in October and we’re just getting to it now. Don’t judge. We’re busy. These feisty alt-rock get downright gritty at moments on “5 Reasons I Stopped Drinking Tequila (and Why I Started Again)”. But The Edisons like to keep their sound dynamic so expect some shifts, not only on this single but on Space Wales as a whole, as you move from start to finish. They are seeking to explore their sound on this first release, not to define it. Make sure you check out this single and, if you dig what you’re hearing, I highly recommend diving into Space Wales.

Slowkiss

“Forever Together”

This alt-rock quartet from Santiago, Chile now divides their time between has made the jump from South America to Southern California. Honey-sweet vocals over a sludgy sea of shoegazy rock on their single, “Forever Together”, brings me back to my 90s-era youth; a nostalgic time for me of grumpy baristas and Juliana Hatfield. This single is just the first from the band’s forthcoming EP, Ultraviolet. I’ll be keeping watch for that release. And maybe after you give “Forever Together” below, you’ll be a Slowkiss fan too.

Absofacto

“Light Outside”

I can imagine this new single from Absofacto really catching on with alt-rock radio stations across the country. It has just enough of an electro-pop punch to really hit home with contemporary audiences. Of course, once it starts to enjoy that regular radio play, I’ll probably start to hate it, but right now I’m jamming “Lights Outside”. The track premiered with Earmilk back in February and enjoyed some HypeMachine attention early on, but my guess is that we’re just hearing the start of Absofacto. Hop on that fan-train early and give “Lights Outside” a listen below…

HUNNY

“Shy”

The SoCal act known as Hunny puts a sunny pop-punk spin on their alt-rock sound that makes it perfect for warming weather. “Shy” marks the first single from their forthcoming collection. The energy on “Shy” can buoy your spirits in the middle of a rough week so it’s no surprise to us that , even though it only dropped last week, it’s enjoying some serious early attention from listeners. HUNNY plans on setting out for tour with Bad Sun soon so check for dates in your area. But, first, give “Shy” a spin below…

Maude Gun

“On High”

The Brooklyn duo, comprised of Molly Murphy and Jenni Lind, goes in for that raw, emotive sound first popularized by the alt-rockers of the 90s: something gritty and a little aggressive. Maude Gun calls their debut single, “On High”, a “mystic-folk riot grrrl anthem” and that description pretty much hits the head on the nail. There is something simultaneously earthy and otherworldly in Maude Gun’s sound. Give “On High” a listen below…

The Great Dictators

“Blood”

The Danish indie rock trio The Great Dictators combines forceful guitars with hazy vocals to erect a wall of shoegaze sound on their new track, “Blood”. The Great Dictators stomp all over the divide between post-rock and alt-rock; allowing elements from both traditions to seep into their own brand of indie. The effect is a hypnotizing blend of textures and sounds that you can really sink down into. “Blood” comes to us from the band’s new album (due out later this year). I’m definitely interested in hearing more of what The Great Dictators have to offer. Listen to “Blood” for yourself below…