Tag Archives: indie

UK-based singer/songwriter @iamAlicePisano channels dating app experiences into bubbly new single “Boys Like You”

ALICE PISANO, “Boys Like You”

A while back I introduced you to Italy-born, UK-based pop singer/songwriter as someone to listen for with her acoustic track “September”. “Boys Like You” shows another side of Alice, as she channels personal experiences with dating apps into a sympathetic song that masks regular heartbreak and lack of self-confidence behind rebellious lyrics, punchy beats and a deft synth melody. It’s Avril Lavigne meets Lights via Dua Lipa and Becky Hill, so-to-speak, with Alice’s highly likeable vocal and personality leading the way. She’s already scored quite a following on Tik Tok, so I’m sure we’ll hear much more from Alice Pisano.

Nashville-based @AJSmithmusic releases uplifting, anthemic “We’re All Gonna Die”

A. J. SMITH, “We’re All Gonna Die”

You never know what Nashville-based, Denver-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist A. J. Smith has up his sleeves. He surprises us again with “We’re All Gonna Die”, which is an unexpectedly uplifting track about recognizing your mortality and figuring out what to do about it. The anthemic rocker, which will appeal to fans of Sam Fender and The Killers, also has an intriguing video which finds A. J. thrashing about against a green screen while film clips depict fights, battles and a car chase. I haven’t figured out what that all means in relation to the song, but maybe you will! The song otherwise is all about A. J.’s unbridled vocal and a chorus that just doesn’t miss.

UK-born US-based singer/songwriter @TommyNewport returns with the whimsy of “Tongue and Cheek”

TOMMY NEWPORT, “Tongue and Cheek”

Tommy Newport is a singer/songwriter who is definitely striving to be one of a kind, with enough appeal with his songs not to make him simply a niche artist. He recently supported Australian group Lime Cordiale on a tour, and is back with a new song, “Tongue and Cheek”. This is Tommy’s personable look at not always getting everything right (otherwise it would be called “Tongue in Cheek”), while still making sure you pay attention to what’s going on, which includes having the delight of a new relationship.  You can find Tommy’s music somewhere between Finneas, Foster The People and Conan Gray, with the potential to be as successful as any of them. His easy going vocal style and relaxed sense of songwriting go a long way.

NYC indie rock music project @Reboundernyc releases introspective and funky “Boy Friday”

REBOUNDER, “Boy Friday”

After scoring significant streaming success with the previous infectious single “Japanese Posters” to the tune of around 10 million streams across platforms, NYC indie rock project Rebounder brings you “Boy Friday”. The song may help anyone who is what I call in media res – in the middle of things – in their life, wanting to move forward, but not without remembering the past. So Rebounder manages to successfully channel these complicated thoughts and set it to music. And “Boy Friday” – whose video above offers a travelogue of downtown L.A. – makes a good casual listen, too. It features zippy guitar work and a mid-tempo funky melody, all of which reminds me of Paul Weller’s 80’s pop project The Style Council. Rebounder is led by singer Dylan Chenfeld, who has a likeable voice with a beautiful tone that shifts into slight falsetto, which is part of the song’s appeal. If you enjoy their buddies The Neighbourhood and Alfie Templeman, then you’ll know that “Boy Friday” will go down easy.

Moving on and determination are two key themes of @GreysonChance’s exceptional new single “Athena”

GREYSON CHANCE, “Athena”

After returning home from a successful UK and European tour, Greyson Chance is moving forward boldly with songs from his upcoming album Palladium. He already gave us a taste with the warm and thoughtful softer title track, and now brings us the more ribald, energetic “Athena”. Appropriately, the song is about moving on and being determined to give it all, but still wanting a guiding force accompanying him. So, being a former student of ancient history himself, Greyson calls on the Roman goddess of wisdom and battle strategy to be along for the ride. “Athena” doesn’t mince any words and features one of Greyson’s most engaging vocals, and I’m sure it is going to be a crowd favourite and singalong when he tours North America later this year. 

L.A.-based Canadian singer/songwriter @PeterFoldy is back with his effortless new single “Fun, Fun, Fun”

PETER FOLDY, “Fun, Fun, Fun”

The music world is always a better place when there is a new Peter Foldy song in it! After dropping the auspiciously socially conscious, top notch “Toxic World” months before the pandemic began,  the longtime L.A.-based Canadian talent (who is also a film director and producer) returns with the light and easy-going pop track “Fun, Fun, Fun”. Peter continues the trademark songwriting style that he developed through big domestic hits like “Bondi Junction” and “Roxanne”, with an engaging story as well as a hook that simply doesn’t miss. “Fun, Fun, Fun” accordingly has a tropical, summer vibe and it’s a song that you’ll continue to hum, hum, hum long after the good weather is gone. 

Meet L.A.-based singer/songwriter @SUMMYsideup and her post-relationship pop track “Wish I Never Met You”

SUMMY, “Wish I Never Met You”

Meet Summer Ferguson, who performs as Summy, with her new single “Wish I Never Met You”. With a punchy, pitch-perfect vocal that recalls songs by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, the Arizona-born Summy eloquently sings about the aftermath of a past toxic relationship and the healing process that ensues. While there is lots of pain and sorrow between the verses, Summy uses her indie pop song to rise above what’s happened and share her experience with listeners in a sophisticated but direct approach. “Wish I Never Met You” never waivers and the steady, near-anthemic kind of melody makes the song inspiring rather than a downer. And stick around for the ending – a beautiful 20 second emotional vocal coda backed only by minimal piano that will certainly turn heads.

The Thomas Nicholas Band @TINband reworks classic 2000’s Bowling For Soup @BFSrocks as “1999”

THOMAS NICHOLAS BAND and BOWLING FOR SOUP, “1999”

You can’t keep a good song away, and sometimes a refreshing update can give it new life all over again. You know Las Vegas-born Thomas Ian Nicholas from his role as Kevin Myers in the “American Pie” movie. When he’s not acting in film or movies, he performs and tours in his own rock band, The Thomas Nicholas Band. So Thomas has recalibrated Bowling For Soup’s 2005 Top 30 hit rendition of “1985” (which itself was a cover of a song by rockers SR-71) as “1999”. And, in conjunction with BFS, it works like a charm as a timely reflection on growing up in the 90’s instead of the 80’s. Light-hearted rock music like this always finds a soft spot with music audiences, and while “1999” is an independent release, I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t get its own due in some shape and form.

Get to know Florida-based singer/songwriter @Tonnermusic with his inspiring electronic pop single “Castles”

TONNER, “Castles”

“Castles” has the hybrid distinction of being upbeat and inspiring, as well as touching and sentimental. It’s brought to you by Orlando-based singer/songwriter Tonner, who is perhaps better known as being a producer for the last 10 years or so as well as a member of indie Tik Tok favourites The 502’s. A few years back, Tonner decided to step into the spotlight and hasn’t looked back since, while still producing and being part of The 502’s. “Castles” is a beautifully written song that acts as a source of gentle escape for those who have experienced loss or have found difficulty coping through the pandemic. The imaginative lyrics, set to a mellow electronic production, are highly appealing with a lot of bright summery touches. If you enjoy songs by singers like Ed Sheeran, James Bay, or Mokita, then “Castles” is especially for you, although it reminds me a lot melodically of Marc Cohn’s “Walking In Memphis”.

Meet Detroit alt.pop band If Walls Could Talk @iftalkingwalls and their ode to gaming “Fs in Chat”

IF WALLS COULD TALK, “Fs in Chat”

If 2000’s alt.rock is your thing – think Panic! At The Disco, Saint Motel, Good Charlotte – then the music of Detroit trio If Walls Could Talk awaits. Tony, Nick and Steven have been best buds for years, and their enthusiastic approach to their ode to gaming, “Fs in Chat”, will win you over. Tony’s friendly and distinct voice leads the way as “Fs in Chat” is all about enjoying gaming for the heck of it, regardless of whether other online streamers are wanting you to fail or not. The creative and humorous video gives good visuals of the guys while capturing the essence of the song. It will take no time for you to want to stick around for the ride with If Walls Could Talk and “Fs in Chat”.