Discovery: Galleries

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Scotland's indie pedigree has been flourishing with the recent recognition of The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit and the consistent presence of Mogwai. The latest inclusion is Galleries who follow the well-worn Scottish path of soaring Brit-based pop with an urgent rock foundation. The quartet had self released an EP's back in January and dropped the latest single "Rocket Science" on May 11. Both are available for free download below. Give a listen to a sampler of their music as well. Here's tae ye!

Download the "Rocket Science" single here.

Download the Galleries self-titled EP here.

Galleries

Discovery: D33J

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Now that my blog is starting to get some attention and steady readership, I am getting the always welcome unsigned artist emails. It is a welcome reminder that we live in the 21st century where some inspired musical wunderkind in Germany can read my writings half a world away and send me his homemade EP and press kit with the click of a button. Djavan Santos (aka D33J) is a Cali-based electronic music producer studying in Hamburg on an art school residency. Using his DR-202 drum machine, some odd software patches, spoken word samples and his self-described "shitty Squire mini-guitar", D33J is making music that challenges, toying with tempo and timbre and feels surprisingly warm while speaking volumes without uttering a single word. Influences range all across the electronic spectrum and sources some sunny chillwave grooves as well. His first EP Tide Songs can be found on Bandcamp and downloaded for free below.

Download Tide Songs here.

D33J - Drowning Pools

Discovery: City Reign

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The city of Manchester seems to have a never-ending stream of talent springing from the borders. The four piece City Reign is surely no exception. Their sound has a sturdy pop foundation with layers of buzzing guitars and restlessly appealing vocals. Their latest single "Daybreak" has been getting airplay both in the States and back home and will be available through their own label Car Park on May 9. It is an insistent rocker that benefits from a stomping beat, lyrics begging for a sing-along, and spotless production.  Listen to the full track below along with previous release "Out In The Cold" and you will agree that the growth potential for City Reign has yet to reach the peak. Also, give a look to their cut-and-paste video below.

Find out more about City Reign including tour dates around the UK on their Wordpress homepage, Facebook page or Myspace page.

Bonus: Grab the Daybreak EP for free on Bandcamp.

Daybreak


Out In The Cold

Discovery: In Tall Buildings

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In Tall Buildings is the nom de musique for Chicago's Erik Hall, a multi-instrumentalist who released his self-titled debut LP in April 2010 on local label/cocktail bar Whistler Records. The music is lush and moving invoking the best of indie-folk and alt-country. Album highlights are the insistent guitar pluck of opener "Walking Man", the loving jangle and eerie clarinet on "The Way To A Monster's Lair", the Neil Young-tinged beauty of "Suitor" and the aching charmer "Alarm Will Sound". In Tall Buildings will be the headlining artist at the Metro this Saturday for their new local artist showcase Sustainable Sound. Openers include Cloudbirds and Alegbro with a second "Cabaret Stage" featuring Bone and Bell and Sad Brad Smith. It should be a varied, well-rounded and cost-effective evening. The tickets are only $6 in advance, so pick them up early here.

Purchase In Tall Buildings here.

Download "The Way To A Monster's Lair" here. Download "Alarm Will Sound" here.

In Tall Buildings - In Tall Buildings (full album)