Underground Bands and Indie Music Reviews

This Providence is an emo pop/rock band that started gaining a local following in 2003, in their hometown of Seattle, WA. After forming the band, they started recording and released their first EP soon after. Once they graduated high school, they teamed up with Rockestar Recordings, and released their full-length album, Our World Divorce, in 2004. After touring around the country with bands like Daphne Loves Derby, Sherwood, and Jenoah, they signed with Fueled by Ramen in 2006 and produced their second, and self-titled album. Earlier this year, This Providence released their third album, Where are you now?, and are currently on tour around the country.

Check out This Providence’s music video for Letdown:

Let me know what you guys think. Are they just another indie band? Or are they worth the time?

Brand New Eyes - Paramore

Paramore’s latest album, Brand New Eyes, was finally released yesterday, 09/29/09.

Paramore has gained a large group of followers in the past couple of years. This indie band really hit it big with their single, “That’s What You Get,” “Misery Business” and “Decode” (featured on the Twilight soundtrack).  Though these have been great hits, most critics agree that Brand New Eyes is the album that has really brought Paramore up to their potential and has introduced them into “rocks elite class.” The album really showcases their maturity and is void of the naiveté found in the band’s previous tracks. Though they still have a few upbeat, pop-rock songs, Brand New Eyes also consists of some harder guitar rock tracks. Though both styles are different, all of Paramore’s songs are have rock-solid choruses and creative lyrics.

Check out their official music video for Ignorance:

Tyrone Wells just released his latest pop-rock album, Remain, which does an excellent job in showcasing his pure and enlightening voice. For the album, Wells traveled to London to generate ideas and ‘open up the process.’ While in England, he felt inspired and made half of the album there, then finished the other half back in the states. Remain has been his greatest work yet. He has really developed his unique sounds and honed into his creative mind to come up with some emotional and powerful songs. The album takes your through life’s journey. Through the ups and downs, the times of trial and the times of joy.

Tyrone Wells uses his talent as a way to inspire others. One of my favorite songs on the album, More, reminds us that there is some greater purpose for living. He urges us to have faith and hope through those difficult times with these lyrics:

I’ve seen the great heights,
Reminding me that I’m alive,
I don’t wanna die,
I don’t wanna waste another day,
Or night,
I know there’s something more,
Than what we’re living for,
I see it in the stars,
I feel it on the shores,
I know there’s something,
I know there’s something more.

Here’s the song More:

Mika, a pop star from the UK, just released his second album The Boy Who Knew Too Much.

Mika said to EW about the album:

“With the album, I wanted to paint this kind of comic-book version of my adolescence. I made a conscious decision to try and write a few more songs in the first person. Unfortunately, I’ve written songs that have dealt with a lot of different things from my personal life and these kind of psychosexual melodramas set within an adolescent context but all framed within pop music. The only difficult thing for me now is I get asked questions about all these things.”

Mika’s sound revolves around contemporary power-pop/rock. Though some may distaste his  disco-friendly style, Mika is orchestra-educated and naturally gifted. I wouldn’t recommend listening to the whole album in one sitting. If you did, I would equate it to eating a huge piece of chocolate cake, a bag of skittles, 5 snikers bars, and an ice cream sundae for dinner. Case in point, it’s a little too sweet to take it all in at once.
Here’s what Mika says about his music:

Mark your calendars, Owl City is coming to the Murray Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 11, 2009, to promote his new album, Ocean Eyes.

Adam, the solo artist of Owl City, is a young musician who is quickly finding his place within the ever growing indie/electronic music genre.

The beauty of Adam’s talent is that his music has the ability to transport the listener to another world. One where there are no worries and one that escapes the seriousness of life that most music focuses on. He’s a breath of fresh air, to say the least.

Though Owl City is best known for their song “Fireflies,” the rest of Owl City’s album is just as radio worthy.

Here is the tracklist for Ocean Eyes:

1. Cave in
2. The Bird and the Worm
3. Hello Seattle
4. Umbrella Beach
5. The Saltwater Room
6. Dental Care
7. Meteor Shower
8. On the Wing
9. Fireflies
10. The Top of the Iceberg
11. Vanilla Twilight
12. Tidal Wave
13. Hello Seattle (remix)
14. If My Heart Was a House

You can buy tickets at your local Smith’s grocery store for about $12.

Good News Folks: Perez Hilton’s tour will be coming to SLC at Club Sound on Sep. 26. Though I’m sure we won’t catch a glimpse of will.i.am, we can be sure that Hilton will put on a spectacular show.

Check out this site to get tickets! Hurry and order them, I’m sure they’ll be sold out soon.

Ladyhawke, Semi Precious Weapons, Sliimy will be performing.

Other tour dates:

• 9/21 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
• 9/22 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall Ballroom
• 9/23 Kansas City, MO – The Beaumont Club
• 9/25 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
• 9/26 SLC, UT – Club Sound
• 9/28 – Seattle, WA – The showbox @ The market
• 9/29 – Portland Organ – The Wonder Room
• 9/30 San Francisco, CA – The fillmore
• 10/2 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
• 10/3 Hollywood, CA – Avalon

Perez Hilton, the infamous celebrity blogger, has struck out against Will.i.Am by publicly dissing him on Billboard.com.

As you guys know, Perez Hilton was invited to be a presenter at the the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto. Hilton claims that he was assaulted by Black-Eyed Peas member, Will.i.Am, while partying after the show. The alleged attack stemmed from Perez’s negative posts/opinions about the band and their latest single. Though reports and claims have been filed, nothing has been solidified.

So, to get back at Will.i.Am, Hilton made a video inviting the Black-eyed peas member to his Perez Hilton Presents tour which will be featuring artists like Ladyhawke, Semi Precious Weapons, Ida Maria, and more. He says, “I am inviting will.i.am to my tour,” Hilton tells Billboard. “Will, go to any of the shows on me, for free, and you can check out some artists that are better than you!”

Harsh much?

Personally, I think that Hilton is just a diva looking for some press. But love him or hate him, he knows how to stir up drama. Check out the video promoting his tour (and extending the invite). P.S. Excuse his language.

Check out tour dates to find a show nearest you.

Love Drunk album cover

Here’s what the critics have said about Boys Like Girls newest album, Love Drunk:

• “Its self-titled debut was pop-emo at its dimmest, but Love Drunk is, in places, a pleasant improvement, with the band’s brattier instincts tamped down. Produced by Brian Howes… it’s appealingly diverse.” – The New York Times
• “Boys Like Girls’ self-titled debut album was an unexpected success, eventually going gold. Devoid of any hit singles or a truly distinctive sound, the album seemed to catch on because it was a perfect distillation of the emo pop sound with no rough edges to scare people away.” – All Music Guide
• “If Love Drunk’s overall enthusiasm and high-energy pop doesn’t win over even the snarkiest of reviewers after a few listens, then they probably don’t have a heart. Everyone else will love it anyway. Pop-rock like this is popular for a reason.” – Alternative Press

I do agree that Love Drunk is better than their last self-titled album. They were able to mix up their sounds quite a bit, which is evident in “Real Thing” and “The Shot Heard Round The World.” These two songs have an 80’s pop- rock twist, coming close to imitating the style of the Ramones. One song, Two is Better Than One, feat. Taylor Swift, is a slow ballad that seems to cater to a more mainstream audience through a very formulaic melody.

BLG is known for being able to  capture their listeners with catchy bridges and sweet, glossy choruses that are easy to sing along with. And this album does just that. “Heart, Heart, Heartbreak,”  “She’s Got a Boyfriend Now,” and “Contagious” are fun, energetic and can make anyone start moving to the music. Simply put, these songs are pop-punk at their best. Though their album isn’t necessarily original, I applaud BLG for testing their own personal limits and expanding their  musical horizons. It’s definitely not what one would expect.

Case in point, I’m a fan. Tell me what you think.

Chris Merrit (known for pop-piano music) will be playing in Provo’s venue Velour on Friday, September 19, 2009.

From the biography on his website:

“Chris is a light-haired man.  He was born from a woman, like all other men before him.
Chris enjoys most foods, and doesn’t appreciate candles.  Merritt finds himself critical-minded and focused while watching animated cartoons, but confused or worried during many sporting events.
Others tend to like some of his pants and friends.
Sometimes Chris touches buttons that produce tones and yodels into a microphone carefully.  He suspiciously remains optimistic that this activity will amass him great wealth.
He has one dad and two cats.”

Check out his song, Turning Machine:

Here’s an idea of what you can expect:

The Lowdown:

• Genre: Alternative, Rock
• Sound Description: Indie electronica
• Band member(s): Ryan Marshall Lawhon – Electronica, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Vocals and
  Taylor Lawhon-Bass Player
• Website: http://www.whiteappletree.com
• Formed: San Diego

Here is one of his songs, Snow Flakes, plus the lyrics.  Let me know what you think!

Feeling like I know the words
Of a song I haven’t wrote
A song of love, A song of Hope
A song that guides me down this road

A snowflake falls onto my cheek
As I wake up from a distant sleep
I stand up dazed as I look around
What is this place that I have found?

The wind it chills as it fills the sky
The neighbors smile as I walk by
It is all so calm in this cold night air
Where the people sing without care

Though I know not where I step
I follow You untïl the death

Though I know not where I step
I follow You..