Islandis - Home

I'm in Tokyo and it's slow
Sipping gin on the way home
Still hungover from the city bar
I'm sitting pretty 'cuz I got this far
Trying hard just to feel right
Flying higher in the sky
Tell me it's gonna be alright
And you dream this is real life

Over a million happy listens of this track on Spotify, but still no EP from Sydney duo Islandis. It was promised to arrive "in 2016" and they're still active on Twitter, so if you like what you hear, keep your eyes and ears open for more coming soon. I've been holding this song in my queue, waiting for the EP, but decided to share it today because of the title... As previously mentioned, Keith and I are in our hometown this weekend! So fun.

Upcoming Shows

Royal Canoe - Exodus Of The Year

Most of my friends got the fuck out
In the exodus of the year
Now it's just me and you in dim winterlight
Straining ourselves to hear
Those three stupid words, I haven't said
While calling you out at night

Canadian indie pop outfit Royal Canoe were one of the more interesting acts we saw at this year's SXSW. They brought an eclectic, at times jarring, but mostly fun sound to their set. Listening to their albums, like 2013's Today We're Believers, you get the sense that there is some cohesion alongside all the diverse layers and quirky songwriting. "Exodus Of The Year" for example stands out and reminds me quite a bit of the work put out by bands like Of Montreal, Cloud Cult and Anathallo.

Upcoming Shows

VHS Collection - The Longest Drive

We are young and we've gone mad
We are alone lone lone and wishing you'd come back
And we run when things get bad
We're diving deeper into nothing and we're sinking fast

You know you're in for a throw-back sound with the name VHS Collection, and they do the buzzy synths and drum machine sound justice. I've been listening to their previous EP and new releases all summer, and just loving their sorta RAC meets Fitz and the Tantrums vibe. Don't know much about this NYC trio, except that they'll be kicking off ACL for me this year - first band of the first day - and I can't wait!

Upcoming Shows

Islands - The Joke

This isn't a dream, don't know why you don't care
You see your face in a photograph, you say you weren't there
You say, "I wasn't there, you see, I wasn't there!"
This is the storm and this is the warning
And this is the war and this is it forming
Still feels like no one cares, still feels like no one cares

Ok, it's Monday, but that doesn't mean we need to stop dancing. Check out this fun track off  one (of two) crowdfunded albums Montreal-born and LA-based Islands put out in 2016.

"The Joke" is off Taste, the more electronic and danceable of the two. Should I Remain Here At Sea is more along the lines of their previous work, which I'd describe as a quirky, very Canadian take on indie rock. They're both very good, very different and very worth checking out.

Upcoming Shows

Operators - Cold Light

So do you, do you wanna dance?
Do you wanna take the long way home?
But do you stop, entranced, my love?
You know I could never be alone

Operators is a sweet post-punk synth-pop band of veterans (i.e. other-band alumni) out of Canada. Blue Wave, their first full-length LP, came out in April and I just can't comprehend why it isn't huge because it's awesome. Do you like New Order? LCD Soundsystem? If so, add some Operators to your playlist immediately. They are currently touring in Europe (a lot more places than Bandsintown is linking below), so if you happen to have found our little blog from the old countries, you may get to see them live really soon, lucky you.

Upcoming Shows