Welcome All My Fellow Indie Music Lovers!!!
As you should have now noticed, I have recently changed the name of this blog to
Chasing The Sirens. In an effort to relieve any confusion, I wanted to let you know why I have changed the name of this blog and the inspiration behind 'Chasing The Sirens'.
As early as I can remember, one of my favorite sounds was that of the siren. It sparked in me a want to know what the sirens were for and find the action. I have very distinct memories as a boy of hearing sirens in the distance grow in intensity, multiply, and move ever closer. Ask my mom about this and she will tell you the same stories....as she was just like me! With my Radio Shack plug-in scanner by my side, I would listen intently for all the details of this emergency call.
But it did not stop there. In my mind, the logical next step was to find the action or more accurately find the fire. Many times my mom and dad and I (and my brothers) would jump in the car and chase the sirens. I remember driving all over our surrounding neighborhoods doing just this. One expression often heard in these moments was "I think I smell smoke!" Although many times we came up empty in our search, I have vivid recollections of chasing the sirens and finding fires. On one particular New Year's Eve, our neighbor's house caught on fire when a log rolled off their basement fireplace. Not even the shin-high snow nor the sub-zero temperatures could keep us from chasing across the big field that separated the houses. We would not be denied all the particulars of this unexpected incident.
So now, as a 30-something adult, I
still love 'chasing the sirens'. In many ways, my love for music (specifically indie music) leads to similar encounters. A great song is heard and immediately the chase is on to know more about the song, the band, the style, etc. I don't stop until I 'Find the Fire'. I want and need to know all the particulars of great music that is so unknown to the majority of people.
So there it is...Chasing The Sirens.
My hope is that after visiting my blog you will be onto your own 'chase' after hearing some really great and under-appreciated music.
Thanks for stopping by!
Derek
Artist: Surfer Blood
Artist: Ola Podrida
If you want a guy to root for, why not Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. This New York (by way of Portland and Eugene, Oregon) singer-songwriter tried his hand at several bands that ultimately failed and with only addiction left at his side, wound up homeless on Coney Island. But for this talented artist, thankfully the story doesn't end there. In 2006, with the help of close friends from bands TV On The Radio and Grizzly Bear, Miles began recording his self-titled debut in his apartment. The album was released to very strong reviews in 2008.
At this point, chill-wave band Washed Out has been blogged more times than Barry has been asked about health care. Nonetheless, I will add my post to the mix. Washed Out is actually the recording moniker for Georgia native Ernest Greene, another bedroom composer. Listening to Washed Out literally makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the 80's. Their song "Feel It All Around" conjured up feelings of being about 11 years old, sitting on the enclosed front porch watching "Miami Vice" on my parent's enormous console TV. It must be those drums and synthesizers. Regardless of the feelings, it is one of the best songs of 2009.
Silverlake, California's Local Natives are a band I recommend you keep a close eye on in the coming months. I recently heard their song, "Sun Hands", and was instantly enamored. They have this tight 3-piece harmony (read: Fleet Floxes) thing going on. Apparently Local Natives have already completed the recording of their debut album. Yet to this point, the album is unnamed and they remain unsigned. With songs like "Sun Hands", I would expect some smart indie label to snatch Local Natives up very soon.
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