He might be from Detroit, bit it is here in Austin that Mike Melinoe has decided to plant his creative seeds.  Melinoe is a talented painter, but it is producing and performing music that proves his true passion.  Mike Melinoe does not approach his craft from a traditional strategy, rather he blends different genres and soundscapes to give his def rhymes a unique canvas to be unleashed on. Chaotic beats blend seamlessly with psychedelic influences to guarantee a refreshing take on hip-hop that doesn’t fit in the mold of it’s predecessors. While Mike might not be producing traditional rap songs that would make fans in Detroit, he has pushed the envelope a bit further to a different aesthetic and methodology that is right at home in Austin.

 

Local musicians, Zak Angelle and Brandon Valosek of the Austin duo, Outbanders, have aimed for a distant universe on their new 3-song EP, Emergent Patterns. A deep pulsating bass serves as the backbone for a symphony of synths, soundbytes, and soundscapes. While retro-dance on the whole may be hackneyed and overdone, the funk rhythms and futuristic signature of Outbanders begs listeners to give this duo a serious listen. Slow builds coalesce into interstellar supernovas on these three tracks, but its the nuance of atmospheric effects and the bleeps and bloops that fortify the quality. While Outbanders might not have much material to dig into just yet, Emergent Patterns has set a precedent that has stirred the curiosity of its listeners to want more.

 

If you are a music fan in Austin, it’s a near impossibility that you have gone these last couple years without being exposed to the rumor mill of the tortured/triumphant saga of Levitation Fest. Cancelled because of weather in 2016, less than 24 hours before gates were to open, the festival took a year off in 2017 with many thinking it would never return.  The beginning of the comeback story began when 2018’s lineup was released, and it became evident that the festival was aiming for a complete return to former glory, not some spurious money-grab.  The redemptive arc was completed this weekend, when thousands of psych rock fans descended on a handful of downtown venues for a truly mesmerizing and immersive festival experience.

 

Headliners

 

While it may seem cliché when describing an event as having ‘something for everyone’, Levitation verifiably checked all the boxes on different music genres and music tastes.  From the spacey shoegaze of Slowdive, to the industrial metal of Ministry, attendees were not forced into a homogenized lineup.  While hipster-god, Ty Segall, and eternally touring, Thee Oh Sees, were somewhat ‘expected’, surprise bookings like Electric Wizard, Panda Bear, and Dan Deacon gave the festival a distinct edge.  The best performances of the weekend could be found in the sets of Ariel Pink, Windhand, and Chelsea Wolfe. The festival owners, The Black Angels, put on a riveting Sunday night show at Stubbs to close out their resurgent pet project.

 

Local Acts

 

Major music festivals can sometimes only include local bands as slot-fillers, but Levitation makes sure to highlight a slew of Austin bands. Christian Bland, a local Austinite himself, has a good grasp on which groups to include in the festival, and he did not disappoint this year. A Giant Dog, Golden Dawn Arkestra, and Holy Wave all had epic showcases that brought out their local fan-base. However it was the music veterans in the Octopus Project and SURVIVE that proved to host the most exhilarating showcases for the local contingent. Levitation continues to serve as a pedestal for Austin bands to increase their national exposure.

 

Culture

 

Levitation, previously called Psych Fest, had to adapt from the weather-vulnerable Carson Creek Ranch to a location with less liability.  The solution would lie within eight music venues that would host their own individual showcases under the umbrella of the Levitation festival.  While the bohemian vibe of Carson Creek Ranch was certainly missed, the individual micro-cultures within each venue brought a different backdrop of its own unique appeal. Mobility was limited and individual tickets had to be bought, but you also didn’t need to drive twenty minutes or deal with sound bleeding over from other stages.  At the end of the day, it’s the people who make the atmosphere, and while the physical location may have changed, the same crowd that had been showing up for the last ten years continued to attend, guaranteeing a vibe that continues to thrive through Levitation’s different permutations.

 

 

 

 A chorus of different flows and personalities comprise Tribe Mafia, an Austin-based hip-hop outfit that is pushing the envelope with their latest EP, For You. Tribe Mafia consists of Trelle, Chinasty, Davon Green, and Dashawn Daniels who have known each other since 2012. The four artists experimented on their own before beginning to collaborate together under the banner of Tribe Mafia. Hot off of a busy SXSW in which they played a variety of showcases, Tribe Mafia is starting to pick up momentum as their profile begins to grow.

 

 

Moontower Comedy Fest Review

 

It seems like every weekend Austin has some major feature or festival planned. Whether it’s a 5k race or SXSW, it is easy for Austinites to become jaded to the parade of festivities that our city regularly hosts. While ACL, SXSW, and Formula 1 are weekends that jut out of the collective consciousness as major calendar events, there are a slew of quality festivals that don’t get nearly as much recognition. Moontower Comedy Festival is, in my opinion, the most criminally underrated festival on the annual Austin calendar. On a trajectory of steady growth and improvement, Moontower Comedy Fest continues to attract major comedian headliners,  but simultaneously puts in the groundwork to fill out it’s undercard with a plethora of talented yet lesser-known comics. 

 

This year Moontower outdid itself with featured comics like Mike Birbiglia, Judah Friedlander, Maria Bamford, Janeane Garofalo, David Cross, Weird Al, and the red-hot Tiffany Haddish all playing at the prestigious and classic Paramount and Stateside theaters. Moontower revolves around 12 venues that host a variety of shows, screenings, and panels – so while there may be a healthy dose of walking involved, there is always something to attend, leaving little down time.  While the festival lasts from Wednesday-Saturday night, there are countless events and themes that will leave many attendees having to prioritize which event to see. 

 

With a variety of comics and events jammed into a whirlwind of a weekend, it is an arduous process of selecting the shows that stood a head above the rest, but here three that turned a few heads.

 

Mike Birbiglia @ Paramount Theater on Thursday Night

 

Birbiglia seems to be everywhere these days.  Appearances on tv shows, standup specials, and feature films are all under Mike’s belt.  His standup didn’t seem to get pidgeon-holed into any one category, he dabbled in politics, sex, and married life which all coalesced into an incredible show. (His take on the Boston Marathon bombing, while morbid, almost gave me a cracked rib)

 

The Comedy Resistance @ Paramount Theater on Friday Night

 

 A group of comics, musicians, and polticians came together to rally against Trump with anecdotes of the election and twisted theories on what’s next.  David Cross, Maria Bamford, Judah Friedlander, Julio Torres, Janelle James and many other performers took the stage for a hodgepodge of political insight and humor.  Friedlander and Cross stole the show with a deluge of crass but hilarious political  bits.  Politician, Gina Ortiz Jones, and musician, Ted Leo, offered some variety but the comics dominated the liberal and willing audience.

Tiffany Haddish @ Paramount Theater on Saturday Night

 

Still unknown to large swaths of the American public, Tiffany Haddish is quickly becoming a national treasure.  Her appearances in popular film comedies, hosting Saturday Night Live, and her close friendship with Beyonce have established Tiffany as an undebiable talent  that we want to know more about.  Closer to a rock star than comedian, Haddish’s performance was electric, provocative, and viscerally hilarious.  Admitting that she had to scrap what she had written, because the audience is almost all-white, Haddish improvised and riffed on a variety of subjects. While Tiffany shines brightest when talking about sex, it was a bit about stealing a man’s soul that sent many in the crowd falling into the aisles.

 

While Moontower Comedy Festival doesn’t assume the same gravity that some of the other events in town have, it does offer a perfect triumvirate of affordable prices, professional staff and logistics, and quality talent that returns with consistency.  The festival is a truly unique Austin experience that appeals to an eclectic mix of demographics but all boils down to  the simple fact that it has succeeded in making thousands of people laugh.

 

 Moontower Festival Photos

 

Chris Glover, who performs under the name Penguin Prison has been making music in New York Citty for over a decade now. While Chris has kept a steady stream of infectious eletropop hits flowing throughout the years, his latest EP, Turn It Up, signals an epoch for the native New Yorker. Hard-hitting dance beats light up in each new song with a vocal flare that exudes Chris’s signature style and his aloof nonchalance. On tour across the country for the new EP, Chris has proved himself an efficient tour machine that delivers a soul-freeing experience each night. We interviewed Chris in Austin and he would go on to talk about life on the road, potential remix collaborators, and his dog Maple’s instagram account.

 

 

 

You are a remix connoisseur.  Are there some artists that are on your remix wishlist?

 

There are so many people I would love to remix! Haim, Lykke Li, Hot Chip, Chromeo the list goes on and on. 

 

The newly released Turn It Up is a great EP. How long has this been in the making?

 

I worked on some of these songs with my friend Ben who plays guitar in my band and we would just go crazy in my studio and scream until we came up with something. That’s how the chorus of Turn It Up came about. Then I wrote and produced the rest of the song around that idea. 

 

You are coming to Austin, a city you’ve played a lot.  Are there any places or routines you have when you come to Austin?

 

Austin is one of my favorite places! We went to Taco Deli last time we were there which was good. Food trucks are always great and the weather is a nice contrast after coming from New York!

 

What are some jobs you had prior to doing music full-time?

 

I worked in a nursery school for the professor’s kids at my college, an after school running program teaching kids about running and a company that made music for Sesame Street and boxing matches!

 

Staying financially independent is tough for artists today, what is some advice you have for up and coming artists to make a buck?

 

Don’t spend money you don’t have to. Find deals and think outside the box. 

 

 

Have you ever/or did you ever have moments of self-doubt about doing music?  Did you ever have a ‘plan B’ in case it didnt work out?

 

Yeah I think a lot of people have self doubt in all industries. I am not sure I would be able to have a “normal” job if I wanted to. I’m a little too weird. 

 

 

Is NYC still a great city for artists to develop? How has it changed since you started?

 

There are still a lot of creative people who live in nyc and therefore it’s still a good place to be to be an artist. However it does seem to get harder to live in financially but it seems like people said that to me about Austin when I was there last!

 

 

What is the song "Dont Fuck With My Money" specifically about?

 

That song just came to me all at once one day and I was very surprised by it! I asked my friends advice and people said I shouldn’t make that song. But I did it anyway. 

 

What is your favorite country to play in outside of the US and why?

 

I love to play in Mexico! I’ve been there many times and I just love all the people there and the vibe and the food. 

 

What is your ideal day, from wake-up to sleep?

 

Wake up go for a long walk / run with my dog maple (mapledoodlegram on instagram), eat breakfast, work on music, exercise, see a movie, go to a good restaurant with my wife and friends, go home and play with my dog and go to sleep!

 

How do you handle your touring life to stay sane? Do you have a routine when on the road?

 

I like to travel so it’s not a question of staying sane but it can be hard to not get sick or lose my voice. Sometime I don’t speak all day and to communicate I have to type something and show it to my band mates. 

 

Do you have a moment in  your career where you realized you were going to be able to do music full-time?

 

 

I’m not sure if I ever had a moment like that. I think every day I am still just trying my best so that I can make a living making music and it just keeps being true somehow. 

 

What is your goal as an artist? Is it # of listeners? Playing a certain-sized venue? Cultural influence? Describe what you would consider a successful career in your own context?

 

I think it’s a combination of things. It would be nice to play certain size venues when I tour as well as have a certain amount of listeners. I also want to expand into producing and writing for other artists as well so I hope to be active doing that also. 

 

Do you think Trump’s presidency is fostering a creative golden-era amongst musicians?

 

When he first won the election I had a feeling that art was over in away. But that only lasted for one day and then I realized it was the opposite of course. Life is just telling us all that we have to always remain vigilant because the obstacles will never ever stop. 

 

 New Orleans is only about an 8 hour drive from Austin, but its cultural influence seems to wash up on our shores regularly. Slow Cooked is gets its name and derives its influence from the ‘slow cooked’ gumbo of Louisiana of which its methodology can also be applied to soul music.  Multiple ingredients and distinct soulful sounds swirl around band leader, Alex Hartley, who orchestrates the sextet with the patience and experience of a tenured soul man. Vocalist, Ida Khojandpour, brings Slow Cooked tracks to life through her versatile singing prowess.  Slow Cooked claims a variety of influences which evidences their trajectory towards alt-soul.  Listed influences include Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Vulfpeck, Thelonious Monk, Tom Waits, Radiohead, Bruno Mars, Charles Mingus, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and Radiohead. Indulge your senses by catching the newly formed Slow Cooked, as they begin to raise the heat in Austin.

 

 

Cut Copy arrived in Austin once again, this time on tour for their latest album, Haiku From Zero.  We sat down with Dan and Ben, backstage at Stubbs, to discuss influences, life on tour, local hotspots, and working at Blockbuster.  Cut Copy would go on to put a memorable show that proved to be just as scintillating as it was epic.

 

Lee:                          When you’re in Austin, do you have any favorite spots or things to do while in town?

Ben:                          We do, we’ve developed one kind of go-to thing in the last sort of couple of trips, it’s a taco truck, called Granny’s Taco’s, which is just sort of a couple blocks away, but they make amazing breakfast tacos. When you’re on tour, getting something in your stomach after a big night is usually a Godsend, so finding this place that makes amazing breakfast tacos was a game-changer for us. We went there this morning.

Lee:                          Haiku from Zero was recorded remotely, which this is the first time you’ve done that, correct?

Dan:                         Well it was written remotely, and then, we did a bunch of recordings, remotely, but then, inevitably we kind of had to meet up to finish the recordings, so we did a bunch, maybe 4 or 5 weeks in Atlanta, just kind of doing the final stage, but yeah. As far as everything else up to that point we’ve done separately.

Lee:                          Why Atlanta?

Ben:                          We worked with a guy called Ben Allen, who we’d mix the albums with back in 2010, and yeah there’s a studio there. We wanted to work with him more, so we hadn’t really worked in that sort of classic, Ben in the studio with a producer at the helm, kind of model for a while, so we wanted to do that. So we rented a Airbnb, lived there for like a month, or more, maybe 6 weeks. And, yeah it was good. It’s a good city to do a record, a lot of new stuff, really great places to eat and drink, and yeah obviously Ben, we love Ben. He had a really great studio there as well.

Lee:                          So no collaborations with Outkast, or any Atlanta artists coming up?

Ben:                          Not this time around.

Dan:                         No, No.

Ben:                          Maybe next time.

Lee:                          I know you guys are NBA fans, did you catch Hawks games while you were there?

Dan:                         We went to one actually.

Ben:                          Yeah.

Dan:                         Which was really cool.

Ben:                          Yeah. Our bandmate is a big Boston Celtics fan, but Ben Allen is a pretty big Atlanta Hawks fan, and we saw the Hawks.

Dan:                         Hawks versus the Bulls actually, pretty cool.

Lee:                          Do you have to be a Ben Simmons fan? Being from Australia right now he’s kind of like the new Jesus from Down Under.

Ben:                          Yeah, I guess so. We actually went to a Philly game…

Dan:                         …yeah a few months ago.

Ben:                          …and he was playing, which was, yeah. That was pretty cool, but I think if anyone in Australia kind of doesn’t even vaguely have interest, in a foreign sport, the press just goes obsesses over them, and it’s just sort of, so we’re probably, you know, overloaded on Ben Simmons already, without him even, yeah he’s had one season or something now, but I feel like I’ve read a lifetime of articles about him just from Australian magazines and newspapers and stuff.

Lee:                          Gotcha. One thing I’m curious about before Cut Copy kind of took off, how did you guys make a living? Did you have any odd jobs going on?

Ben:                          Yeah, I mean I worked in the service industry, and I worked in a video store actually for a long time-

Dan:                         That’s actually when, I think probably about when you joined the band

Ben:                          Yeah.

Dan:                         I lived in the area where this video store was, and he’d be the guy going in, you know, gets the DVDs or whatever, and he’d be there at the counter. That was sort of funny like, going in for a video, and going "how you looking for rehearsal next week?"

Lee:                          Was it a Blockbuster?

Dan:                         It was.

Ben:                          Which it’s kind of amazing, because they’re all gone now. I remember when I started working the place was still VHS videos, but mainly VHS. Then it was mainly DVDs, then couple Blu-Rays, and it was…I mean I finished it before it failed. They didn’t last much longer after I left. I must have been holding it all together.

Lee:                          You saw it all the way through then?

Ben:                          Yeah, I saw…

Dan:                         Yeah, lightning round.

Ben:                          Yeah.

Lee:                          As Cut Copy was starting, what were your biggest influences?

Ben:                          I mean I guess probably a lot of the influences are in the album sleeve, you know a lot of the artwork I did for that was referencing the artists that were inspirations, but I mean I guess just from a perspective, like an Australian guy, like The Avalanches were hugely influential, because they were probably the first act that I knew of like electronic, sort of, band to emerge from Australia and really have international success.

Lee:                          Cool.

Ben:                          Yeah, I mean there just weren’t many artists that came out of Australia at that point in time, I guess it was a lot harder, the internet wasn’t sort of a medium for getting your music out at that stage. So you need to kind of somehow, get a record deal or get on the radio if you want to even play a show outside of Australia, so The Avalanches were pretty influential in that, certainly at that point in time. Well you know, if they can do it, then maybe we can do it, kind of thing.

Lee:                          What would a perfect day for you guys look like?

Dan:                         It probably changes, I mean …

Ben:                          I don’t know, any day that would be perfect would be, you know, once you have it, you’d be looking for something else, but I don’t know, it depends. I think the perfect day for me would probably just be at home, but you know, I’d get bored of that as well and want to go on tour again.

Dan:                         Yeah, the life a musician is kind of a strange one, because you’re never really 100% settled, ’cause if you’re writing a record you’re at home all the time, you don’t really see anyone, you’re kind of just in a bubble, and then when you’re on tour, you’re kind of in front of people the whole time, like you’re never in same place for more than a night, and so somewhere in the middle of those two things, is kind of an ideal life, but you never have that ideal life. It’s always one extreme or the other, and that’s just kind of the way it … that’s the life between both those extremes.

Lee:                          Always greener pastures.

Dan:                         Yeah.

Ben:                          Yeah.

Lee:                          I know when you guys write songs it’s first you create, but then you go back and make sure you can play it live, is there a catalog of music that just sitting somewhere, that you could release later?

Ben:                          I mean, not really, there’s definitely a catalog of songs that never made onto our records or anything like that. Probably a long catalog, but I guess, you know, there’s probably like, you know just wanting what we put out there to be as awesome as it can be, so we kinda don’t want something that’s two thirds good, we want it to be 100 % good.

Dan:                         There’s probably one or two songs off this album that we still haven’t released yet that may see the light of day, there’s not, yeah …

Ben:                          There’s a couple beats I would still…

Dan:                         Yeah

Ben:                          I don’t know if we’re ever going to release those.

Dan:                         We might.

Ben:                          Just a couple.

Dan:                         Thanks for reminding us.

Lee:                          Has touring taken over your life recently?

Ben:                          It’s great fun, I think we’re … we’ve been doing it for a while, and sort of, as the years go by, it doesn’t necessarily get easier it just sort of back up day after day, doing what we do, but we still have to remind ourselves how lucky we are to be doing it and playing amazing shows, at places like this, and going to really nice cities, it’s a pretty rad job.

Dan:                         I think it does in a way, I think the only thing with touring is you kind of, even when you come off tour, you feel there’s a bit of a recovery period. It’s like you kind of, yeah it’s like a surreal existence, you know when you’re off on tour. You’re getting a lot of attention, and you’re probably exhausted most of the time, even though, but you’re constantly stimulated.

Dan:                         Then coming home, it’s like there’s a come down from that, you just, it might take a week or two to sort of get back down to Earth, and be like "okay, alright, I’m back in the real world again". So, I think, yeah, even sometimes when your home, you’re not really 100% home, a part of you is still out on tour in your mind. But yeah I don’t know, I kind of enjoy the feeling of adventure and unexpectedness of touring, cause it just feels like you’re never quite sure what the next day is gonna bring, it’s like, you know, it’s exciting.

Lee:                          At least you know Granny’s Tacos is happening in Austin.

 

A quintet that blends pop elements with mid-oughts indie influences, Night Cap is allabout the smooth progressions and blissful harmonies.  While Night Cap is still formulating a catalogue and has yet to release an official EP, songs like "Somehow" and "Heat" show that the group definitely have the music-writing chops to put a career together. Keep an eye on these bright-eyed boys as they continue to create in their adopted hometown of Austin.

 

Night Cap plays at the Spiderhouse Ballroom on March 30th https://www.facebook.com/events/197431147706991/

 

Swimming through a sea of bands and artists that have subjected themselves to the grueling SXSW experience, it becomes hard to keep an open mind and an objective ear. Thankfully there are always a handful of acts that don’t require further analysis, their brilliance and appeal are obvious, and we selected five of those gems to share with you.

 

1. Blackillac

A super group of sorts with local rappers Phranchyze and Zeale joining forces with Gary Clark Jr. as producer, Blackillac is a tour de force onstage. Stage presence and deft rhyme schemes made this duo a must-see at SXSW.

 

2. Neil Frances

Aussie upbeat electronica never felt so right as when Neil Frances played his funky fresh SXSW sets. The groove-centric band leader from down under made some new fans during his infectious sets.

 

3. Wake Island

No Wave meets dance electro with this Montreal-based duo.  Philippe Manasseh and Nadim Magzhai are both strong songwriters who played the Canada house show and turned heads with their undeniable appeal.

 

 

4. Thandi Phoenix

With a sound that is equal parts raw and emotive, captivating Sydney songstress Thandi Phoenix, is set to carve a path for herself as one of Australia’s most promising female artists. Thandi’s SXSW experience only served to fortify her eventual ascendence.

5. DUCKWRTH

West Coast funk mixed with a lax Southern rhyme scheme, Duckwrth is a fusion of lyrical talent and unending charisma. While its a bold comparison, Duckwrth has shades of a young Andre 3000 in more ways than one.

SXSW is essentially a United Nations conference for artists. Each country sends its best entrepreneurs, film-makers, and musicians to a city in Texas to show their skill-set and hopefully get attention from industry types. While it might be cliche, SXSW has the potential to make dreams come true, and each of these countries listed below brings something unique to the table. Listed below is each country, a link to it’s party, and three bands from that country that are worth checking out.

Canada

https://cimamusic.ca/events/canadian-blast-events/display,details/1365/sxsw-2018 https://www.evensi.us/breakout-west-sxsw-canada-house-swan-dive/248595950

3 Worthwhile Canadian Bands:

StrVngers – Edmonton; Intense Electro Pop

Le Couleur – Montreal; New Wave Electro Pop

Metz – Toronto; Garage Rock

England

http://www.thebritishmusicembassy.com/

3 British Bands:

Bugzy Malone; Manchester; Conversational Grime

Idler – London; Chill Electronic Pop

Draper – London; Electro Dance Pop

Scandinavia

https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseofscandinavia/about/

3 Scandinavian Bands:

Sassy 009 – Oslo, NOR

Pink Milk – Gothenburg, SWE

Sturle Dagsland – Stavanger, NOR

France

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/france-rocks-austin-sxsw-2018-tickets-43837425921?aff=efbneb

3 French Bands:

Fishbach – Paris; French Electro Pop

The Blind Suns – Angers; Indie Rock Base

Champagne Superchillin- Paris; French Garage Pop

Dutch

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dutch-impact-party-sxsw-2018-tickets-43328208839?aff=efbneb

3 Dutch Bands:

Insterstellar Funk – Amsterdam; Spacey House Music

Canshaker Pi – Amsterdam; Garage Pop/Indie Rock

DAZION – The Hague; Percussive Electronica

Spain

https://www.spainculture.us/city/austin/sounds-from-spain-at-sxsw-2018/

3 Spanish Bands:

Bifanna – Vigo; Dreamy Indie Rock

Belako – Mungia; Garage Pop/Rock

Museless – Barcelona; Moody Electro Pop

New Zealand

https://www.facebook.com/nzmusicmonth/

3 Kiwi Bands:

Noah Slee – Auckland; Electronic R&B

October – Auckland; Grey Tinted Pop

Hex – Wellington; Gothic Shoegaze

Italy

https://www.facebook.com/officialitalysxsw/

3 Italian Bands:

Denis The Night & The Panic Party – Fano; Industrial Math Rock

Fabrizio Cammarata- Palermo; Folk Pop Base

Altre Di B – Bologna; Raw Electro Pop

Germany

https://www.facebook.com/GermanHausSXSW/

3 German Bands:

World Brain – Berlin; New Wave Pop

Better Person Berlin; Bedroom Synth Pop

Blackberries – Solingen; Psychedelic Rock

 

The ethos of SXSW has always been about the band/artist who has yet to be discovered. However with the all of the noise surrounding the fest and the deluge of music that seemingly has no end – it can be extremely difficult keeping your head above water and actually discover new music. Here is a tasting board of some bands/artists that you may not recognize, but their sound proves them to be worth your while.

United Ghosts:

Los Angeles band United Ghosts blends a seemingly dizzying collection of influences (Dreampop, Psychedelia, Electronica, Krautrock) into a cohesive, hypnotic sound that celebrates its influences, while keeping one eye firmly set towards the future.

U.S. Girls:

This year marks a significant anniversary for U.S. Girls, the protean musical enterprise of multi-disciplinary artist, Meg Remy. 10 years ago Remy first used a 4-track recorder and a microphone to self-produce a series of spontaneous, starkly musical, ‘instant expressions’.

Thandi Phoenix:

At just 24, the Sydney singer-songwriter has been touted as “one of Australia’s most promising up and comers” (The AU Review), with songs that blend pop with electronica and raw, honest storytelling.

Mnkybsnss:

MNKYBSNSS is an electronic music duo conformed by Mono Urina and Kike Vélez, from Barranquilla, Colombia. The group originated in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the year 2013, where both members were studying music and music production.

Altre Di B:

Since 2005 Altre di B has played hundreds of gigs all over Europe, carrying around a lively and energetic sound inspired by bands such as TV on the Radio and the Vines.

Draper:

After the release of his second EP, Draper acquired many high-profile remixes, including Twin Atlantic, Passion Pit and Ellie Goulding. His remix for Goulding appeared on her Tesco exclusive edition of her album Halcyon.[7] After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a 1st class honours degree in Media Technology, Draper was invited to DJ for Rita Ora at the Capital Summertime Ball 2012.

Bbymutha:

BbyMutha’s gaining a foothold in the rap game alongside many other female artists thanks to a raw honesty, a refusal to be anyone but herself. Others try to box her in as the mom of rap, but she won’t become a gimmick, putting the totality of her life on display – an attitude which extends equally to the production that she chooses. The hyperactive retro house of “Beautiful Ratchet” and the gritty, smoldering “Rules” that just went viral on Twitter recently, manage to feel united despite their vast differences, her laconic flow and smirking charm tieing everything together.

Champagne Superchillin:

Let the bubbles take control! That was the lyrical takeaway (sung in French, subtitled in English) from the music video announcing Champagne Superchillin’s first album, Destino. The album is an invitation to an artsy cult with champagne and vibey dance parties instead of Kool-aid and total bummers. Let the bubbles take control… seriously.

Bambara:

Bambara is a Brooklyn-based dark, noise/punk band with a Western slant. The trio, consisting of twin brothers Reid and Blaze Bateh and childhood friend William Brookshire, formed in Athens, GA. Their 3rd LP SHADOW ON EVERYTHING, Bambara’s first release on Wharf Cat Records, comes out on April 6th.

DUCKWRTH:

In 2016, DUCKWRTH took the energy he developed in New York back to Los Angeles where he created and released his critically acclaimed debut LP, I’M UUGLY. IM UUGLY was a project that merged the most unique parts of DUCKWRTH’s personality and talents to create a sound and visual palette that indicated he had not only grown as an artist but well on his way to being a music icon and visionary for his generation.

Totally Mild:

Melbourne’s Totally Mild write songs that are lush and luxurious, polished to sparkle. Her, the band’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, is full of narrative heart, but with a Stepford sheen. Teasing out a thematic tension between the loving and the lacklustre, the domestic and the deluxe, vocalist/guitarist and songwriter Elizabeth Mitchell’s voice is crystal clear.

Otzeki:

Mike Sharp and Joel Roberts are East Anglia-bred, London-based duo Otzeki, part of the burgeoning electronic/rock/pop genre sweeping Britain at the moment. The pair initially turned heads with their 2016 debut EP Falling Out, featuring the uber-catchy “Hope in Hell,” successfully combining vocals oozing beautiful desolation with a driving beat. Singles such as “True Love” and “All This Time” and EP Sun is Rising followed, showing their aptitude in fusing irrepressible electronic beats, R&B infused vocals, and alt-rock guitar into something truly intriguing.

Great Good Fine OK:

Brooklyn synthpop duo Great Good Fine OK met one evening in 2013 and by the next morning had written their first song together, “You’re the One for Me,” a gauzy, heart-thumping anthem that hit #1 on Hype Machine twice in one month and instantly established the group’s sound with Jon Sandler’s dancefloor falsetto soaring over Luke Moellman’s lush post-Space Age production, the perfect soundtrack for retrofuturism.

Wake Island:

Wake Island is a Montreal electronic duo, deftly manoeuvring between genres, crafting songs that mix minimal techno beats with 90s rock/pop influences. The band is comprised of Philippe Manasseh and Nadim Maghzal, both Lebanese immigrants who met while studying in Montreal in the early 2000s.

Hot flash Heat Wave:

San Francisco rock quartet Hot Flash Heat Wave rose to prominence in the Bay Area music scene in 2015. Their versatile sound, at times reminiscent of golden 60s, power pop, dream pop, post-punk and indie rock, demonstrates a dynamic range of songwriting prowess centered around consistently infectious, sun-soaked melodies and guitar hooks.