If asked to name a band that could be representational of what’s popular in indie music today, Amherst’s Calico Blue could serve as an unlikely, if not interesting answer. They have a dreamy, nostalgic sound based on pristine guitars, minimalist tendencies á la The XX, and deeply sad vocals reminscent of a lo-fi version of Lana Del Rey. Their self-described "surfer blues" is able to capture vintage elements and conteporary influences and coalesce them into something new and intriguing. Their 2015 self-titled album drags the listener down with heavy lyrics while also keeping them afloat with light guitar work. You can check them out at O’Brien’s Pub on 7/1. — Henry Solotaroff-Webber
