Indie-pop » POWER OF POP: Music, Film, Comics & Book Reviews

IDENTITE 8.3: THE OTHER SOUNDS LAUNCH PARTY – THE LOST WEEKEND INTERVIEW

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Jan 142013

“Let’s kick off the beginning of a new era of music journalism in Singapore!” declares music blog Other Sounds as it launches its 3-month old website with a gig featuring Lost Weekend, Obedient Wives Club and ScotDrakula (from Australia). Certainly, over at Power of Pop, our hearts are warmed to see more Singapore music sites enter the fray and we look forward to Other Sounds living up to its promise! In any case, we are excited with the upcoming gig (Friday, 18th Jan) as it gives local music fans the chance to check out Lost Weekend, a new indie pop outfit! As a primer for the event, we caught up with the band to find out a little bit more…

How did Lost Weekend come together?

Lost Weekend was born from a mutual restlessness with tax-paying adulthood and a particularly vicious round of Beer Pong. We’re a scruffy bunch of friends who play songs to make life more interesting. For ourselves, and hopefully for you too.

METRIC – LIVE IN SINGAPORE : SYNTHETICA REVIEW

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Jul 132012

4REAL

“I’m just as fucked up as they say…”

Canadian band Metric is a true-blue indie artist in every sense of the word. Formed around the nucleus of singer-keyboardist Emily Haines and guitarist Jimmy Shaw in 1998, Metric has made its distinctive music on its own terms. Synthetica is the band’s 5th album and quite possibly its best yet.

PoPTV – HERE WE GO MAGIC

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May 012012

“How Do I Know” (off upcoming new album, A Different Ship)

Here We Go Magic have released a new video for their lead single “How Do I Know”. Directed by Sean Pecknold (Fleet Foxes, Beach House, Grizzly Bear) the video stars Janet Pants as a happy-go-lucky dancing robot who is being returned to the factory by her owner. It’s bright, chirpy with circular hooks and the video is as bizarre as you’d expect it to be. Check it out!

INCH CHUA

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Feb 272012

Power of Pop is proud – yes, proud – to report that Singaporean singer-songwriter Inch Chua has been invited back to the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas. Together with her backing band, The Metric System, they will perform multiple showcases from March 10-14, 2012 during SXSW. Following SXSW, Inch will debut at Canadian Music Week (CMW) in Toronto from March 21-22, 2012.

Inch was first featured by Power of Pop in 2007 in an interview as the front person of indie band Allura ahead of its appearance at Baybeats Festival that year. In the five years since, the singer-songwriter has blossomed into a formidable solo artist in her own right. Inch is now signed and represented by Mighty Fresh, an award-winning talent management company based in Santa Monica, California. We wish Inch all the best in North America! If you are in the vicinity, listed below are when and where you can catch Inch Chua & the Metric System.

Los Angeles Dates:

Inch Chua @ Genghis Cohen

Date: March 22, 2012 (Thursday) Venue: Genghis Cohen, 740 N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles Time: 10:00 PM

SXSW Tour dates:

Sweet Relief Musician Fund @ The Beacon

Date: March 10, 2012 (Saturday) Venue: Austin Convention Center Time: 3:30pm

Ainjel Emme & Inch Chua

Date: March 12, 2012 (Monday) Venue: Ming’s Café, 2604 Guadalupe St, Austin TX Time: 9:00pm

SXSW Style x Fashion Show

Date: March 17, 2012 (Saturday) Venue: Austin Convention Center Time: 6:30pm

Official SXSW Showcase

Date: March 14, 2012 (Wednesday) Venue: Beale Street Tavern, 214, East 6th Street, Austin TX Time: 9:00 pm

Official CMW Tour Dates:

Official CMW Showcase (Acoustic)

Date: March 21, 2012 (Wednesday) Venue: Free Times Café, 320 College St, Toronto Time: 11:00PM

Official CMW Showcase (Full Band)

Date: March 22, 2012 (Thursday) Venue: Tranzac (Front Room), 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto Time: 8:00 PM

Lomography, Toronto

Date: March 23, 2012 (Friday) Venue: Lomography Gallery Store, 536 Queen Street West, Toronto Time: 8:00 PM

Official Site

PoPTV – THE JEZABELS

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Nov 152011

TRYCOLOUR (Music Video)

Something’s definitely going on here with this track from Aussie band The Jezabels’ debut album The Prisoner. The band were recently in Singapore for Music Matters and will be back in 2012 for The People’s Party on 14th January. I’m game if you are…

THE PEOPLE’S PARTY

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Nov 152011

(Press release)

Throughout 2009 & 2010 The People’s Party (TPP) series of shows became synonymous with bringing fresh, cutting edge music talent to Hong Kong. After taking a year’s break to refocus and define itself, TPP is back, not only in Hong Kong though throughout Asia.

Full details will be announced very soon, though we just couldn’t wait to reveal the first list of artists involved! All confirmed for January 2012 and featuring the finest in European and Australasian talent - Metronomy (video below), The Naked and Famous (above), and The Jezabels will be the first TPP acts playing on one multi-bill line up that is set to take in Hong Kong, Taipei, Jakarta & Singapore by storm.

2011 UK Mercury Prize nominees Metronomy headline the tour, with their brand of feel good sunset pop funk already firm favourites amongst the Asian indie elite. Three albums in and a famed live show leave us giddy with delight at having them over for their SE Asian debuts. New Zealand’s chart topping #1 artists The Naked & Famous join us riding the crest of a wave of popularity that has seen them grow in profile across the globe. We defy you to listen to ‘Young Blood’ and not be instantly hooked. Sydney four-piece, The Jezabels, complete TPP’s return bill, and are our tips for future greatness. A cocktail of power and elegance, the band have been on a non-stop world tour stunning audiences everywhere they go. Their star is on the rise, and we couldn’t be more proud to be able to present their first tour of the region. So join us for the return of The People’s Party. A celebration of good music and good people. Great times!

**Full Details to follow soon along with more artist announcements! **

TPP Routing

Jan 2012: 10 – Hong Kong | 11 – Taipei | 14 – Singapore

FOSTER THE PEOPLE – LIVE IN SINGAPORE

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Nov 152011

One of the biggest indie bands of 2011 (yes I know that sounds like an oxymoron but bear with me) Foster the People performs in Singapore on 14th January 2012. Best known for the massive single – Pumped Up Kicks – the American band has gone from strength to strength in 2011 and promises to kickstart the new year in fine form!

Details:-

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2012

FORT GATE @ FORT CANNING PARK Doors: 7pm Show Time: 8pm

TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER

General Admission $85 Event Day $95

(Sistic $3 Booking fee applies)

www.sistic.com.sg

Tel Bookings: (65) 6348 5555

LYKKE LI – LIVE IN SINGAPORE

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Aug 072011

Here’s a show that’s already captured the imagination of the indie pop hipsters in Singapore. Lykke Li is a Swedish singer-songwriter who has made waves in the modern indie rock circles with her retro-chic style and approach. Influenced by the classic pop of the 60s/70s and 80s post-punk/synth-pop, her idiosyncratic singing style puts her music slightly off centre but that probably raises her ‘indie’ cred a notch.

So I would imagine that tickets will be at a premium when sales begin at SISTIC. Wednesday, 21st September, 8.30pm Esplanade Concert Hall. Check out the Facebook page for more information.

Check out the live video of Sadness is a Blessing below to catch the buzz.

Official Site

Buy Wounded Rhymes at Amazon

FOSTER THE PEOPLE

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Jul 112011

FOSTER THE PEOPLE Torches (Startime International)

Ok, let’s lay out the cards on the table. I will try my best to serve this review as warm as possible, and avoid all coldness. The only thing I love about their album are their outrageously catchy melodies. I mean even if you don’t own a pair of feet, you will, well have to tap on to something whilst cruising through the entire album. At least bob your head. I have been harassing the play button for Pumped Up Kicks, perhaps even another one and two more tracks. Part MGMT cum Peter Bjorn and John’s Young Folks; the whistling almost too tough to hear let alone decipher lyrics muffled between the vocals. That’s exactly what Torches by Foster The People sounds like. A very good mainstream indie-pop album I must say, but that’s about it. Starts of with Helena Beat, a sweet introduction with Mark Foster’s easygoing falsetto and the fading out of vocals. I am particular with lyrics, and having to fade out their already muffled vocals drowning in the swarm of indie electronic sounds, definitely not a charming way to prove themselves in the music industry.

PoPTV – WONDERFUL

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Jun 152011

WONDERFUL – RAINBOW COLORS

Any band christening itself ‘Wonderful’ better live up to its name! Well, based on this boisterous, gleeful track, at least these Seattle-based freaksters stand a good chance of making many music lovers feel very warm and fuzzy. No mean feat to imbue a song with simultaneous genres – this is psychedelic, ethnic, folky and ethereal, all at once! The band will be releasing its new album Wake Up to Dreamland on 21st June. Worth that second look.

Official Site

BIRDS OF TOKYO

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Aug 162010

BIRDS OF TOKYO Self-titled (EMI)

PoP10 – EXCUSE ME, PRINCESS

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Aug 102010

(Answers by Jack Campbell)

EXCUSE ME, PRINCESS

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Aug 102010

EXCUSE ME, PRINCESS The Sun & The Moon EP (Keen Coyote)

THE BIRD & THE BEE

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Apr 242010

THE BIRD & THE BEE Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates (Blue Note)

It’s a good time to be a Hall & Oates fan. What with the recent 4CD retrospective set and now, TWO tribute albums. Of the two, this tribute from indie pop duo The Bird & the Bee is infinitely more palatable and possibly closer to the spirit of Hall & Oates. Basically, eight Hall & Oates songs are covered with the opening Heard It On the Radio (which strangely sounds like ABBA!) the only original.

Basically no risks taken with the Hall & Oates songs selected to be given the Bird & the Bee treatment viz the hits. Therefore, we get gorgeously straight versions of some of my all-time favourite music i.e. Sara Smile, Kiss on my List, She’s Gone and One on One. I mean, folks, the main attraction of this tribute is hearing the wondrous vox of Inara George singing those lovely melodies.

And the version here of Kiss on my List will bring you to tears… no contest. Highly recommended.

Official Site

THE RADIO DEPT.

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Mar 122010

THE RADIO DEPT. Clinging to a Scheme (Labrador)

For fans of classic post-punk and beyond, Swedish band The Radio Dept. is an absolute treat. Combining indie twee pop with electronic sensibilities, The Radio Dept. has produced delightfully melodic pop slabs of mood and atmosphere – a potent mix!

On this, the band’s third album, the hybrid process has been honed to a fine art. The pulsating synths and chiming guitars manage to strike a fine balance to create something unique. The beats are never too intrusive and exist to serve the tunes and yet they are an entity unto themselves nonetheless.

For most of Clinging to a Scheme, The Radio Dept. can do no wrong, pulling out miraculous melodies and irresistible rhythms on mesmerizing tracks like the gleaming Domestic Scene, the slinky Heaven’s On Fire, the dynamic New Order-channeling This Time Around, the throbbing Never Follow Suit, the dreamy Token of Gratitude, the incisive The Video Dept., the thoughtful Memory Loss, the noisy OMD-referencing Four Months in the Shade and the plaintively atmospheric You Stopped Making Sense.

Yes, I realize that I’ve listed practically the entire album but that’s a simple measure of how great Clinging to a Scheme is. A delight in every sense of the word. Only thing left for me to say is that it will definitely be one of the finest albums you will listen to this year. Essential!

Oh, and of course, The Radio Dept. will be playing in Singapore on 7th April. Details TBA.

Official Site

Myspace

LET’S WRESTLE

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Mar 112010

LET’S WRESTLE In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s (Merge)

This album is the sort of freewheeling beautiful mess one would be expected to become obsessed with. I mean, Engish trio, Let’s Wrestle - Wesley Patrick Gonzalez (vocals and guitar), Mike Lightning (bass and vocals), and Darkus Bishop (drums) – like to play it as if they don’t give a fuck but listening to this fine LP, it’s clear that they obviously do. And they have the chops and attitude to match.

Don’t let the austere production and light arrangements fool you into believing that these songs are anything but well-crafted and finely-honed. Betraying catholic tastes that includes The Beatles, Neil Young, Pavement, Nirvana, Swell Maps, Pixies, The Raincoats, Bowie, Beach Boys, Fugazi, ELO, Dinosaur Jr, Buddy Holly, Black Sabbath, The Clean, Denim, Grandaddy, Husker Du, Wire, Yo La Tengo, Phil Spector (*whew*), Let’s Wrestle has delivered a quirky, melodic, spiky mini-masterpiece.

Free Download: We’re the Men You’ll Grow to Love Soon and check out the video below.

Myspace

IT’S A KING THING

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Mar 092010

IT’S A KING THING Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo (Self-released)

I must admit what caught the eye about It’s A King Thing was the list of references they cited – the first 2 Weezer albums, The Lemonheads, Nada Surf, Ben Kweller, Superdrag, The Shins, Guided By Voices – right?!

But honestly, It’s A King Thing really comes across like a quirky, anti-folk version of Weezer. There is not an ounce of “rock” in these charming songs, in fact, much of Buffalo is rather twee, if I may say so, and evokes memories of mid-80s Scottish pop bands.

So just imagine if Rivers Cuomo collaborated with Kimya Dawson, and you might get an inkling of what It’s A King Thing is trying to achieve.

Check out the video for Tammy Faye below.

It’s a King Thing – Tammy Faye from It’s a King Thing on Vimeo.

Official Site

THE HOUSTON BROTHERS

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Feb 122010

THE HOUSTON BROTHERS The Archer (Chocolate Lab)

Yes, this duo actually consists of a pair of brothers – Justin and Mark Faircloth – and this six-track EP is a pleasing concoction of ambient country-folk-rock, informed by post-punk revival sensibilities. Therefore, resonating keyboards brighten mid-tempo rustic numbers like Confederate Dance and All We Ever Wanted. Elsewhere, the memorable chorus lines of Wasted Youth and Boyfriend will keep you returning to this enjoyable indie-pop EP time and time again.

Official Site

Myspace

Check the video below of Fallen Leaves as the Houston Brothers demonstrated their famous live act.

ANNUALS

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Jan 262010

ANNUALS Sweet Sister (Banter)

Merely describing Raleigh, North Carolina sextet Annuals as an indie-pop outfit isn’t really much help. To these ears, Annuals is a creative unit which is passionate about creating eclectic, genuine pop-rock music. Therefore, on this new EP, Annuals demonstrate that they are equally at home with lusty country-folk (Flesh and Blood), whimsical rootsy jaunts (Holler and Howl), Latin-flavoured pop candy (Loxstep), world music-informed percussive nuggets (Sweet Sister) and atmospheric, moody pieces (Turncloaking).

Regular PoP visitors will be aware that the genre that I’ve coined for artists like Annuals is “widescreen rock”, which includes the likes of Mercury Rev, the Flaming Lips and the now-defunct Grandaddy. Meaning that these bands paint on a epic canvas and is all-inclusive in the genre-bending exercise they call songwriting. Well, Annuals is a widerscreen rock band, if I ever heard one. Displaying an impressive range of styles, Annuals is a band that surprises with every musical turn. My favourite kind!

Official Site

Myspace

FANSHAW

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Jan 162010

FANSHAW Dark Eyes (Mint)

In this day and age, it can be difficult for bands/artists to resist the temptation to make their music as loud as possible. Therefore, you have to hand it to artists like Fanshaw (nee Olivia Fetherstonhaugh), where the artistic imperative is subtle tones and mood created by minimal instrumentation.

Not in the least immediate, music like those found on Dark Eyes requires the greater dedication and longer attention spans than your average casual pop listener can muster. A challenge indeed.

That said, there are songs like Strong Hips, which lie on the fringe of acceptable, accessible alt-rock. Certainly, with a fuller production and sexier arrangement, who knows what Fanshaw might achieve?

Personally, what sells me is the rootsier material like Vegas or O Sailor, where the authentic country feel slays every single time. Overall, Dark Eyes is an album for those enamored of the esoteric and thus is not for all tastes.

Dark Eyes will be released in February 2010.

Myspace

THE GRAND ARCHIVES

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Feb 292008

THE GRAND ARCHIVES Grand Archives (Sub Pop)

It’s a um grand time to be a music fan. The charm, grace and yea, power of some of the new bands out there in the modern rock wasteland, is likely to leave you breathless. Dragging epic Americana, sweet baroque music, steely jazz-folk and retro-futurism – kicking and screaming – into the brave new world of post-millennium widescreen song craft, bands like The Grand Archives create fresh, vibrant yet classicist pop-rock music that recalls the gamut of the finest artists viz. Brian Wilson, Neil Young, Van Dyke Parks, the Bee Gees, Burt Bacharach, Gram Parsons et al.

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IDENTITE 8.3: THE OTHER SOUNDS LAUNCH PARTY – THE LOST WEEKEND INTERVIEW

METRIC – LIVE IN SINGAPORE : SYNTHETICA REVIEW

4REAL

PoPTV – HERE WE GO MAGIC

“How Do I Know” (off upcoming new album, A Different Ship)

INCH CHUA

PoPTV – THE JEZABELS

TRYCOLOUR (Music Video)

THE PEOPLE’S PARTY

FOSTER THE PEOPLE – LIVE IN SINGAPORE

LYKKE LI – LIVE IN SINGAPORE

FOSTER THE PEOPLE

FOSTER THE PEOPLE Torches (Startime International)

PoPTV – WONDERFUL

WONDERFUL – RAINBOW COLORS

BIRDS OF TOKYO

PoP10 – EXCUSE ME, PRINCESS

EXCUSE ME, PRINCESS

THE BIRD & THE BEE

THE RADIO DEPT.

LET’S WRESTLE

IT’S A KING THING

THE HOUSTON BROTHERS

ANNUALS

FANSHAW

THE GRAND ARCHIVES

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