Christmas Series #2: Ivan & Alyosha

 Somewhat of a throwback...re-uploading this with fixed links, and of course...it's CHRISTMAS TIME.

 

                                                      They are just smooth!                                        via

I'm sure you've heard of that now-famous group The Avett Brothers? Well, let me introduce you to something that's similar but with a little more of an indie twist! These guys know how to play some serious tunes with their folksy-indie-rocky sounds. Hailing from Seattle, they've released new music and you better get ahold of it!

They are absolute pro's at what they do and I find it unimaginable that they don't have a bigger following. 
They have quite a neat sound as noted already and it includes some amazing harmonies to great folk-rock guitars and drum beats. The vocalist is very prominent and can be heard easily over the instruments, but all in a way that smooths over nicely.

Enough with the chit-chat. It's time for Christmas. Their first Christmas song I found from I&A was this beauty, "Being Home for Christmas" and I had to track it down on Amazon... Now it's released to the masses, so go snag it and enjoy it.  

The lyrics while personal to the band (I imagine), seem to connect with me. Especially this year. There is going to be a stark difference this year, and I intend to be grateful for the memories I've had and the opportunity to make new ones in the future. 

I really hope you can go support this great group of indie goodness. They know what they're trying to play and they play it impeccably.

Merry Christmas!!

Heard of Brady Alan? Tell Your Friends and Your Mom!

Just the man

This guy. Oh, what can you say? When you're proud to call him a friend, and he's just dropped a full-length album? 

Not convincing yet? Let me try again. This guy. He records, mixes, produces, and writes all of his own material. Sometimes even in that order!! Well, maybe not exactly. But still shreds on multi-different-instrumentations. He just knows how to do shtuff! 

Let's see here. Some of his songs might cause you to think of John Mayer (a major influence to Brady), or a different singer-songwriter that's in that vast (confusing) category. While other genius work might encourage you to think of bands like Two Door Cinema Club or Vampire Weekend. And maybe Electropop, and bedroom pop too? Or just simply, "Pop," whatever that is today. 

Honestly, if you're trying to categorize this man and put him in a box, pick someone else to hit play on. He's got funny songs, fun songs, cool songs, chill songs, quiet acoustic songs, loud electric songs, happy songs, and (my favorite) sad songs. 

Brady Alan you say? Yes, I say. Go give this dude a listen. He lives in Nashville with a host of people, but sure stands out (and shines) among 'em. His newest work is my favorite, and you can hear the effort and passion in it. Have fun, and keep listening!

The Blue of Colors (is the Best Color)

Pensive rocking out is what he do's! via

Back to a little bit of the pop/rock side of good music, Blue of Colors does it all right. And i mean that, this guy do's it Right.

While using some sort of auto-tune, and slamming guitars and drums, it is the fantastic combination of it all that makes it work so flawlessly. i Get into fun lyrics like his because, it simply makes me smile. Just check out his song "Jenn's Song" and you'll see what i mean..(and maybe i relate to it too, soo, who cares!?)

Head over to the Blue of Colors facebook page and be sure and click that 'LIKE' button. Quite sure it is appreciated, and check out this guy's stellar project!

The Hubbub of Rocketboys!

                        Rock on with some Rocketboys!                     via

Here's a nice rockish noise for you! What's more? The lyrics are terrific! Just check out the appropriately titled song "The Best!" The Rocketboys are a neat group of guys I saw open for The Almost and Relient K, and it was quite the show!

This band live sounds a whole lot like their recorded selves, and that is something to be treasured today. While it may be a little harder than some of the bands that i've posted on here, give these guys a listen too!

The Rocketboys' (formerly known as Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys) Facebook profile deserves some attention for sure, so please go help 'em out! i Know they'd appreciate it. And, rock a little with some good music!

Sugar + the Hi-lows If You Have a Sweet Tooth!

                                      Here's a happy duo!                          via

Thought it was about time for another duo! Amy Stroup or Trent Dabbs? Talented solo artists? Put 'em together and what do you think you'll get? Pure fun and games..with something sweet! These two know how to make you smile, that's for sure.

This duo likes the "oldie" sound and pull it off fantastically. Maybe some elements of the popular She & Him, but i like these two better. They've got a sort of old rock-pop sound, that works well with their voices. Take a listen over at my favorite site, NoiseTrade of course!

If you know these two separately, then you know that they stand out from among other vocalists..what's so neat, is that together they still sound s0 great and complement each other just right. Give "Two Day High" a listen to find out what i mean. For me, Sugar + the Hi-lows is just what one needs for a pick-me-up (if people still say that?). Please go give 'em a hand with some 'likes', and why not dance while you're at it?!

Bronze Radio Return Needs to Arrive on the Radio!

                      Some energetic sounds, but the Right ones!                      via

Oh this band! i Don't really want to write too much about this amazing band. i Feel you'll be able to fill it all in when you download this free sample. It's called A Bit of Bronze and it's just..too stinkin' good.

Seriously, these guys are a bigger band, but their sound is...so..filling! Not only banjo, but i'm talkin' harmonica too! Acoustic guitar, harmonies, crashing drums, swinging electric guitar, and on and on! What else do you need to know? That i'm hoping to see these guys live because i know it will be breathtaking?

Honestly, you've got the link to the free stuff. If you just can't handle it, like me, here's their new album on Amazon, called Up, On & Over! Go jam to some energetic guys named Bronze Radio Return, who have got the right indie and folk sounds!

If Lacking Color in Life, Please See The Colourist

                   Only two songs available? Stink.                    via

From the place i was born (Orange County, CA) comes an indie group that just..blows the socks way off! A little unsure of where to begin because i'm just...way too stinkin' proud i'm from that OC!

But, more importantly, the chunes! So yeah, there's both female and male vocals that rule so much and of course some good ol' electric guitar happy strums are found all over this band. And it's kinda' rockish, but they like to call it "majestic rock." It's just..too fun and catchy.

To compare this band, one might consider Hey Ocean! or Paper Route somewhat.. But then, sometimes like in their song "Yes Yes,"States might come to mind! However, these comparisons...pretty trivial when you think about their pure talent and unique Feels!

Well folks, have to bring sad news..followed by lighter news to look out for in the future.. This band pretty much only has two songs to listen to. Stink. i Know. However, their music video is here for their song "Little Games!" Worth it why? Because you can also read an interview that's enthralling. Girl-singer+drummer FTW!!! *wink*

Although this band sounds as good as they do, of course how many 'likes' do you think they have?! Just about 5.6K! Terrible i know. Please go love, i mean 'like' The Colourist on old facebook and here's to hoping for more tunes "soon!"

Erase the Marks and Get Scars On 45

           They've got an accent and it sounds terrific!         via

Here we go, yet another upbeat group but with those female vocals that can just..make the band, Great! If the lady, in the back-middle looks familiar it's because she's offered her voice in several different projects and songs. For example, if you've heard of Joshua Radin, she sings with him on a few songs and has accompanied him in a few performances!

Speaking of this Aimee, she can just,.."sang!" She's got this dreamy sort of voice that's quite pleasant to listen to and often is harmonizing prettily. The other vocalist is the guy in the front, and like the rest of them, is from England. So yes, they've got an accent and it sounds terrific. So there.

In listening to them, they've got more of a rock sound but one that sometimes is kind of soft-rock. If you want to hear a song mainly with Aimee, listen to "Change My Needs." It's really peaceful and might be a sad song, but a wonderful one! If you want to hear more of the full band noise, check out "Give Me Something"

What's also neat is that sometimes this band reminds of the old, good Snow Patrol. (Yes, "old, good" because i really like the old Snow Patrol stuff..classic. "Insecurity" has an element or two with an SP sound!) In other words, they've got incredible drums and electric guitar that soar in the songs.

While the 'likes' are close to 20,000...they aren't there yet and need a lot more recognition for how great they are! Scars On 45 might have struggled in England, but i hope they can fly up to the top in the U.S. Give this group more than a chance, cheers!

Good Times With Ivan & Alyosha (Xmas edit-2020)

Somewhat of a throwback...re-uploading this with fixed links, and of course...it's CHRISTMAS TIME.

 

                                                      They are just smooth!                                        via

I'm sure you've heard of that now-famous group The Avett Brothers? Well, let me introduce you to something that's similar but with a little more of an indie twist! These guys know how to play some serious tunes with their folksy-indie-rocky sounds. Hailing from Seattle, they've released new music and you better get ahold of it!

They are absolute pro's at what they do and I find it unimaginable that they don't have a bigger following. 
They have quite a neat sound as noted already and it includes some amazing harmonies to great folk-rock guitars and drum beats. The vocalist is very prominent and can be heard easily over the instruments, but all in a way that smooths over nicely.

Enough with the chit-chat. It's time for Christmas. Their first Christmas song I found from I&A was this beauty, "Being Home for Christmas" and I had to track it down on Amazon... Now it's released to the masses, so go snag it and enjoy it.  

The lyrics while personal to the band (I imagine), seem to connect with me. Especially this year. There is going to be a stark difference this year, and I intend to be grateful for the memories I've had and the opportunity to make new ones in the future. 

I really hope you can go support this great group of indie goodness. They know what they're trying to play and they play it impeccably.

Merry Christmas!!

States Put You In a Great State

                                       States are ready to rock!                                   via

Copeland... Lydia... If you have finished heaving sighs of sadness about those two celebrated names, or at least one of them, you can continue reading. If you haven't heard of those two bands, well, i guess the bright side is that you didn't ever feel any remorse for either band when they broke up.

Basically, how States was formed was that when these two ended, two guitarists from Copeland met up with Mindy White from Lydia and the result is..(can't resist) Stately!! Think kinda' rock-ish with apparent indie-infusion throughout for understanding their sound. Fuzzy electric and pure electric guitar is all over this band, with drums casually smashing quite a bit in the background.

If you don't know anything about the White's singing power, well it's time to be acquainted! If you're into bands with strong female leads, you've found your favorite indie band without a doubt. She is unique and can hit those higher notes quite well. If you want to listen to softer songs, look up their EP (it's around it's just hard to find, try youtube.com!) which i think is really good!

However, if you're desperate for tunes right now and you're ready to rock (so to speak), their album is Room to Run and i hope you'll find there is not only plenty of room to do just that, but to jump around and have a good time as well! While these guys have several 'likes' on the old social media hub that no one uses (facebook), they need the support like Hey Ocean! because they're that good and deserve more fans!