Wednesday Indie Roundup

I’d like to start doing this every Wednesday, if there’s enough support for it. Actually, I’ll probably continue to do it either way. We used to do something similar on Rock Sellout, but it was called ‘Smash or Trash’. I often thought that sounded too negative, so I’m sticking with ‘Roundup’.

The basic idea here is to try to play a little catchup with my inbox. If you’ve been blogging for a while, you’ll know that in a short period of time you can suffer from a serious pileup in there. You try to get to the time-sensitive business first, then new albums by bands you’re already excited about, the shiny things that catch your eye, etc., etc. Who suffers? The little guys that don’t have a PR company at their disposal or a record label to send out one-sheets on how absolutely fabulous they are.

This is an effort to correct that oversight while not flooding the front page with post after post (they’ll just get lost in a different sea if I do that). Being a lazy fella, I think that’s literally the least I can do.

The Online Romance

Myspace
These folks are a 6-piece out of Portland, Oregon. As often as people talk about Oregon being depressing due to all those angel tears, you’d think the bands would be downers, too. Yet, most every band I hear out of The City of Roses is full of sunshine and happiness, and The Online Romance are no exception. They currently have no label but are in the process of creating an album. Interesting tidbit about the band: They each take turns on lead. On ‘Ladybug, Don’t Smile’, the lead vocals are provided by bassist Mike. It’s beautiful and an instant pick-me-up for a dull day.

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The Online Romance – Ladybug, Don’t Smile

Kid, You’ll Move Mountains

Myspace
This bunch are out of Geneva, IL. Their debut CD is called Loomings, and can be purchased from various retailers on the band’s website. Now, I’m not a musician. I tried my hand at the guitar, the bass & the drums during various points in my childhood, and the only one that I demonstrated any skill with was the drums (probably why I eventually ended up DJing). So I can’t tell you much as far as the technical skill of any given band. All I can effectively communicate (and I’m sure that’s up for debate) is if something moves me. This moves me. The sounds here are intense – even if you tried your very best to listen casually I believe it would eventually pull you away from everything else. It’s the intensity of a love affair – stressful and exciting and heartbreaking and overwhelming, all at the same time. Highly recommended.

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Kid, You’ll Move Mountains – New Blood

The Story Of

Myspace
These boys are from Austin, TX. The music is definitely in the indie/folk/pop vein that many-a-band have tapped before, but I’d say the hook here is how warm, sincere and inviting it all ends up sounding. There’s not a drop of cynicism to be found here. Like The Online Romance, the band members trade off vocal duties from time to time, and several of the tracks end with everyone joining in on a lovely harmony. Texas seems to have a gift for producing these kinds of bands, but I can’t say I ever grow tired of it. They’re already on their 4th album, Until The Autumn, due for release on March 3rd.

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The Story Of – The Flock

That’s it for this week! Comments are obviously encouraged, as I’m sure these folks would enjoy hearing what you think.