There’s a special joy in pulling together this monthly feature and going over all of the emails and music submissions. One of the best parts is seeing up-and-coming musicians continue to produce music month after month and year after year. June’s Music Roundup includes a number of musicians that have been featured here before. For some, it’s their third or fourth trip back. That being said, there’s also a number of great new artists making their debut appearance on The Indie Mine.

In all, this was our biggest month ever for music. We hope you’ll take the time to check out our Staff Picks and all of the other deserving bands included a little further down. Let us know what your Song of Summer is by leaving a comment. Happy listening!

Staff Picks

Single(s) of the Month:

“Help Yourself” – Go Life

Jennifer

Go Life has returned with a brand new single just in time for the summer. \“Help Yourself\” is a relaxing, down-tempo track that features mellow electronic drum beats and dreamy vocals. In just a few months, Rhys Viney’s presence as a solo artist has grown exponentially, delivering a rich listening experiencing for fans of chillwave and dream pop..

“What the French Call ‘Les Incompétents’” - Waterbodies

Lux

Ontario garage rock trio Waterbodies put out a fresh track this month, \“What the French Call 'Les Incompétents'", whose name is a homage to the 90's classic Home Alone. Despite the somewhat trite lyricism, the single has a great balance of pumping bass and distortion, reminiscent of Favourite Worst Nightmare-era Arctic Monkeys, and The Wombats-style \“woo woos\”. Give it a listen on Soundcloud or Bandcamp.

“Hades” – Fitness Club Fiasco

Brandon

Picking a favorite single this month was an arduous task. A number of musicians made return trips to the Music Roundup with worthy releases. Honorable mentions go out to Jonny Debt and Kings of Lowertown, but my pick this month is "Hades" by Toronto-based Fitness Club Fiasco. Last June, the band produced one of my favorite tracks of 2013 in "Goldmine", and "Hades" marks the 2nd release from their upcoming album. While the new song employs the underlying synthpop sound and generous use of harmonies that have become the band's signature style, "Hades" marks a departure in tone, moving from a high energy arrangement to a low-key feel. I'm eager to hear what FCF has up their sleeve next.

Album(s) of the Month:

Rocky - Wonder Villains

Lux

Derry City party-pop quartet Wonder Villains released their first full-length record, Rocky, on the 23rd, whose track list features my pick for single of the month back in February, \“Marshall\”, along with an almost definitive catalog of their previously released hits, including \“TV\”, \“33\”, and \“Zola\”. The central part of the album encompasses the extent of their new material, which is unfortunately weak, but passable, in comparison. The new songs, including \“Fiction\”, a sad, sparkling, Imogen Heap-like slow jam, diverge from their typically energetic, upbeat fare and take a turn towards melancholy. Despite the piecemeal nature of the album, Rocky is standout for June and certainly deserves a listen or two (or twelve), particularly if you're unfamiliar with Wonder Villains' previous releases. Rocky is available for purchase on iTunes or Amazon.

EP 1 – Gdansk

Jennifer

Gdansk’s EP 1 is a polished mix of the ethereal and deep. The Toronto quartet blends dark and brooding elements with beautiful melodies that create a haunting atmosphere. The opening track, \“Mariner’s Cross\” sets the tone with a slow and deliberate drum beat, balanced by the gentle melodies and soothing vocals. As the EP progresses, there is a noticeable increase in intensity, particularly with \“Babel\”. EP 1 closes with \“Live Away\” which is both heartfelt and uplifting, bringing the entire EP full circle..

Mary – Ivory Hours

Brandon

Ivory Hours' 6-track EP Mary is a bit of a strange animal. By and large, the alt pop group maintains a catchy, upbeat sound throughout the setlist.  However, many of the songs include themes of loss and sadness. It's an interesting juxtaposition and just one reason I selected the EP as my staff pick for the month. Lovely harmonies featuring vocalists Luke and Annie Roes pervade each of the tracks. The instrumental work shines as well. I particularly enjoyed the bass line on "Young Blood" and the opening guitar licks of "The Attic". It all spells a successful release for the talented musicians from London, Ontario.

Other Music

Singles:

By Definition releases rock/metal single “Warrior” off album The Concerns of Moral Man

Single “Salo” marks the debut of Paul Nicholson’s new pop, piano-led act Oxford Style

2-piece grunge/punk band MAD ONES release “Leather Rug“, lead single off upcoming LP Sanciety

Soulful indie pop act Wayne William releases new single “Don’t Fade Away” from upcoming album The Parade

Canadian rocker Jonny Debt releases “Purple Heart“, s single seven years in the making

Kings of Lowertown record gritty new single “Blues Haul” in an Ottawa Valley farmhouse

Metal bands Wolvhammer and Krieg release 7″ split

Kye Alfred Hillig creates “Licorice the Dog” demo during sprint tour

Seattle-based troubadour Daniel G. Harmann records live version of single “Foreverever”

With a music video banned in Turkey, The Shanks release single “German Heavy Metal Girl”

Terracotta Blue continues his series of Purple Summer singles with “Last Night”

Albums/EPs:

Indie pop duo Six Years readies release of new album Rivers

Four-piece, all girl, blues rock band Rouge releases four-track EP Edge of the Bed

Edinburgh’s Wozniak releases shoegaze/post-punk EP Pikes Peak

Manufactured Consent marks third release from London-based septet State of Play

Disco visionary Rayko releases 10-track album Rebirth

High energy pop rock band Tokyo Taboo release new EP Porno Star

Canadian musician riot nrrd releases 14-track song-cycle settle

Shoegaze/rock/pop artists Ceremony release new EP Birds

New England brother duo The Cautious Arc release self-titled debut album

Dance music veteran Bobmo releases club/acid techno album New Dawn

After multiple single releases in 2014, 5j Barrow releases From the Dim, Sweet Light

Psychedelic rock band The Eye Jabs release new modern garage rock album Songs From the Fourth Dimension

House music specialist Tunnelvision follows up first EP of 2014 with first full album, Sky Swallower

Brooklyn-based, multi-instrumentalist Jon Autry releases full length album Beautifully Broken

KLANGLIEBE veteran Klangschwester releases new EP Keep Loving Me as part of duo Go Astray

West Palm Beach alt rock band The Drip Effect releases album Dinosaur

Music veterans combine to form Royal Tusk and release new six-song EP Mountain

Canadian grunge/punk band CHAMPION LOVER release self-titled LP

Electric dance artist Airsouth releases EP Deep Space Bird featuring vocalist Elegy Parks

Blurred City Lights follows up 2013′s EP Neon Glow with full length album Anamorphic

Indie pop artists The Mothers are set to release their debut, self-titled album

Singer-songwriter solo artist Jacob Caporali releases indie alt rock album Running From My Shadow

© 2014, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Apparently the music industry has shaken off the winter cold and gotten back into their studios. We had an absolute deluge of music hit our inbox, the majority of which was far and away whole EPs and albums. We also saw a number of returning artists as well as many, many bands releasing their debut albums and singles. What all of that means is that there was stiff competition for our staff picks this month. Have a look at our choices for best single and album of April below, and be sure to check out all of the other music news a little further down. There was quite an eclectic mix, and certainly a bit of something for everyone.

Staff Picks

Single(s) of the Month:

“Wildwood” – 5j Barrow

Jennifer

5j Barrow, a six-piece band from New York, have just released their first single from their upcoming full length album, From the Dim, Sweet Light. Wildwood is a gorgeous track with emotive vocals, sweet harmonies, and also features some lovely string arrangements throughout. Fans of The Civil Wars and Of Mice and Men will love their upbeat, folk rock sound and down to earth feel.

“Robber Barons” – Cloud Person

Lux

On the tails of the release of their second album, Monochrome Places, Seattle psych-folk act Cloud Person have recently published a music video for the track "Robber Barons". A decidedly folk tune, the track has a heavy Irish folk influence in the vein of The Swell Season, while Jordan's assertive yet sensitive vocals lend the track a very Mumford and Sons' feel. Watch the music video on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDwW7ALixWw) (and keep and eye out for Dane Ueland of &Yet, my pick for last month.) “Robber Barons” can be downloaded for free on Bandcamp (http://cloudperson.bandcamp.com/track/robber-barons), where you will also find Monochrome Places available for streaming and/or purchase. (http://cloudperson.bandcamp.com/album/monochrome-places). 

“The Art Of Giving Up” – Thought Beneath Film

Brandon

"The Art Of Giving Up" is the second track off of Thought Beneath Film's recent album Cartographers. The peppy beat of the song combined with an abundant use of harmonies reminded me a bit of Tally Hall. Although this song was the highlight for me, the album as a whole was also a strong contender for my staff pick this month. You can find the whole album – including my single pick – at the following link: https://soundcloud.com/thoughtbeneathfilm/sets/cartographers/s-uAsgf.

Album(s) of the Month:

Real Snow - Kye Alfred Hillig

Lux

While the diverse artistry on Real Snow gives me pause in defining Kye Alfred Hillig as a "singer-songwriter", his gift for melodic composition is self-evident. Tracks like "None of Them Know Me Now", with pop-friendly melodies and synth riffs, would seem right at home over the radio waves beside the likes of Bastille and Imagine Dragons. The album has great variety on both a macro and micro level, with delay and synth fuzz like something off an Angels and Airwaves track, accessible lyrics, and the occasional flourish of saxophone. The entire 12-song album is available for free download on Bandcamp (http://kyealfredhillig.bandcamp.com/album/real-snow).

Musicassette/Magnetic Memory – Night Windows

Jennifer

Musicassette/Magnetic Memory is the debut LP from Night Windows, a project started by artist, Benjamin Hughes. The album can best be described as folk rock, but Hughes manages to subtly blend a number of other influences like Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie, and John Vanderslice. The album tackles themes of false promises and coming to terms with unfulfilled expectations during the transition from youth to adulthood. Musicassette/Magnetic Memory carries a certain air of strength and hope despite the challenges of young adulthood, and is an impressive debut with charming lo-fi aesthetics and honest lyrics that everyone can relate to.

Suit of Armor - Paul Starling 

Brandon

It's been topping the 90s here in Florida and it's not even Memorial Day yet. Naturally I'm already thinking it's Summer which might also explain my choice for album of the month. Paul Starling – the project of musician Brian Bringelson – is no stranger here at The Indie Mine. I actually covered a prior album, Shipwrecked Commotion, a while back. Paul Starling's vintage sound in Suit of Armor evokes a 60s beach rock feel and makes a perfect match for the season. It was a close battle for this pick, though, with Jessica Bundy, Thought Beneath Film, and Youth Club all worthy of the honor. Be sure to check them out below.

Other Music

Singles:

Pennsylvania-based punk bands Shotgun No Blitz and Name Le release two tracks off upcoming split EP

Canada’s Arkells release first single, “Never Thought That This Would Happen”, off upcoming album

Brooklyn-based keyboard duo Isle of Rhodes release video for single “Tic Toc”

Marcus O’Neill releases second single, “Oilseed Fields And Innocent Dreams”, from upcoming album Way Beyond The Sugar Beet

YUCA releases music video for second single, “Maybe We’ll Riot”, off the album Rebuilding the Fallen Empire

Femmepop teams up with Robert Parker for dream poppish single “Not That Kind”

Terracotta Blue starts the Summer early with electronic hip-hop single “Sweetheart (featuring Karnegie)”

Toronto indie rock band CANVAS releases debut single “Keeping Score” 

Albums/EPs:

It’s Not A Cross, It’s A Curse! released by WTCHS in limited edition cassette format

Post-punk/alternative artist Daniel Harmann releases 2-track album Westroy Sessions Volume Three

80s-inspired and Greek musician Paris76 unveils EP Endless Blue

h2so4 releases techno/trance/house EP King of Kings

Maine-based alt rock musician Seth Majka releases 13-track album Wake To Mourning

Alt rock/post-punk band The Feel Bad Hit Of The Winter releases self-titled, debut album

Essex’s eclectic, four-piece band Youth Club releases debut EP Colours

Animal House releases disco/house blend album House Rock

Toronto folk singer Jessica Bundy releases five-track EP Careless Smile

Bollywood veteran Kumar Sanu enters UK music scene with album Hum-Tum

Alt rock band My Satellite release debut full length album Lift

Moral Panics hitting the local UK music scene with alt/pop album WLVS

Debut EP The Chase released by Brooklyn-based quartet The LoveHowl

Surf/garage rock duo Slim Wray release debut album Sack Lunch

Hip hop/electronic artist daysdeaf release experimental album When Colour Lost Light

German musician Klangschwester releases ten tracks as part of Sisterella EP

Pop rockers Cartographers release self-titled debut album

Sétamùr creates remix project for album Remix Eye Movement

Musician Sergi Boal creates electronic/experimental album The Man Without A Hat

Youthful, grunge/punk group Billy Moon releases new 5-track EP Young Adult

New, experimental EP Blu released by Leeds, UK band Suzy Blu

Daniel Harmann leads Session Four album of the Fastback Sessions series

Five years worth of pop, slowcore, and ambient music make up Simon Waldram’s compilation album Haven’t We Met Before?

Alternative piano project Allie Lauren releases Tales of a Glass Heart :: The B-Sides, an update to the band’s debut album from 2 years ago

Dreampop duo Ummagma revisits past work with the release of their Lama Remixes LP

Acoustic/folk/pop musician Alex Riggen releases greatest hits compilation Sixteen Free Songs

© 2014, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Spring is sprung and the music keeps rolling in. We came across a lot of singles and albums this month including a ton from the UK. It wasn’t easy picking out favorites for March, but the intrepid staff of The Indie Mine stepped up to the challenge. Have a look at our picks for best single and album of March below, and be sure to catch all of the other music news a little further down.

Staff Picks

Single(s) of the Month:

“Fuchsia” – Schonwald

Jennifer

Although the name Schonwald sounds decidedly of German origin, the Italian duo have just released the equally elusive track, “Fuchsia.” The track is saturated with hazy synth and multiple layers of reverb, giving the song a dream-like quality that will give you goosebumps.

“Love and Your Name” (Fastback Session #3) – &Yet

Lux

Seattle chamber pop/indie folk act & Yet give a rousing performance at Fastback Studios in this month's installment of the Fastback Sessions. Driven by Dane Ueland's evocative vocalizations, “Love and Your Name” is a dynamic piece of melodic storytelling in the vein of Stars' “Your Ex-Lover is Dead”. Watch the performance on Session #3 of the Fastback Sessions Youtube series, or have a listen to the recording on Bandcamp.

“Talking My Soul” – 5j Barrow

Brandon

Perhaps it's the success of musical ensembles like Arcade Fire, but it seems that more and more bands are using a wider variety of string instrumentation in their music. Well, I for one love it, and perhaps that's why my pick for single of the month came down to "Talking My Soul" and "Love and Your Name". The latter was chosen by Lux, so I'm going for the former which comes to us courtesy of New York sextet 5j Barrow. You can tell just how much fun the band's having during this track, and I can't wait to hear the rest of their upcoming album, due out in June.

Album(s) of the Month:

Reconstruction - STACEY

Lux

Singer-songwriter STACEY's newest release is a reconstruction of her eponymous album featuring alternate mixes courtesy of YDID and Style of Tigers. STACEY's girlish, Vanessa Carlton-esque vocals take a step back to make way for sparse electronic idiosyncrasies and synth washes that not only complement her piano instrumentions, but give the tracks a new sort of spacey energy. Although the synth and reverb at times come across as heavy-handed, the EP still retains STACEY's signature relaxed minimalism and intimacy. The YDID mix of “Calling Me” is available on Soundcloud, and the full album can be download for free through STACEY's Facebook page. 

Inside the Ghost Machine – Anda Volley

Jennifer

Avant-garde singer-songwriter, Anda Volley, pulls out a strong set of songs in her debut album, Inside the Ghost Machine. With intelligent, creative lyrics and unique vocal style, Inside the Ghost Machine can be dark in a surprisingly catchy way. Volley’s pseudo-spoken word vocal style and hypnotizing guitar riffs are typically paired with haunting lyrics that flirt with the darker themes of life. “Laura Inside the Ghost Machine” is a prime example of this, and is one of the strongest tracks of the album.

Istedgade - Satellites 

Brandon

If you checked out our music picks from last month, this album choice shouldn't be a big surprise. "Neon Sun" was my selection for single of the month and one of four songs off of the band's latest EP. Although that track was the highlight of the set, the remaining tracks also make a strong showing. From start to finish, I love the way the band blends alternative and electronica sounds into a cohesive style.

Other Music

Singles:

Rose Berlin of SPC ECO releases dark synth singles “Burn It Down” and “Ray of Sun” under new project B O F C

London’s The Love Barons release debut single “Happy Together”

Indie disco band Stickman Cartel release new single “These Eyes”

New single “Jupiter” released by electro disco group OMFG Zombies

Eclectic musician Terracotta Blue releases trio of singles – “Feelin’ It”, “I’d Do”, and “Shieldmaiden”

Illitry shoots music video with Southern Southerns for electronic rock single “White Noise”

Kings of Lowertown take to Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans to shoot music video for “Mississippi Flood”

Upbeat indie band Nude release new single “Oh My Lady” off EP The Rockfield Live Demonstrations

Katie Bulley release music video for single “Up and In” to fundraise for new album

Cross-Atlantic duo These Curious Thoughts unveil video for song “Brain In A Jar”

Charles Bordeaux’s soulful “Bloodpacts” gets a reinvented remix as “Weeds”

Albums/EPs:

Indie rock group Navy Skies dives into punk rock roots to release The New War EP

Rock quintet The Folk release debut LP We All Say, the culmination of a three-part series

Composer Abstraction releases Just Drive Mixtape OST for indie game Just Drive

Mexico City-based alt-rock band Killvan releases 12-track album Spine Damage

Upstairs!! creates new album Honesty as part of recent Rpm Challenge event

2KM2 releases eclectic album for single “What’s Comin?” along with various remixes

Night Industries is a new EP from musical act Plastique de Reve

Four piece pop-punk band Dugout releases latest album Where There Used To Be Meaning

Singer/songwriter Nick Foster gearing up for busy year with album The Glowing Heart

Into the Night marks the first full release from the UK’s The Greasy Slicks

The mysterious Flaunt releases new EP It’s Such A Joke including multiple remixes

Atmospheric EP Shades of Light unveiled by Nadsat (formerly Flashboy)

Modeplex releases 3-track EP Lights along with a pair of remixes

French rock/blues duo Lady Flint release five-track, self-titled EP

© 2014, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.