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

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

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

Frenship feat. Emily Warren - Capsize

Your silhouette is burned in my memory
Rubble left from the moment that you left me
Oh my God, oh my God
And three words have never come easy
Cause you're more than they ever could be
Oh my God, oh my God

How could you have ever known
If I never let it show, now I just wanna know are you?

I'm fine
Drop tears in the morning
Give in to the lonely
Here it comes with no warning
I capsize, I'm first in the water
Too close to the bottom
I'm right back where I started
Said I'm fine

The Los Angeles duo Frenship released this great single in July, in front of their debut EP Truce, just out on Friday. Fun backstory: the dudes met as coworkers at Lululemon (expensive yoga/"athleisure" clothes, if somehow ya didn't know). Thanks to the internet, their after-hours musical messing around got the attention of a Norwegian pop producer. Now they're getting good press and in the middle of a huge (52 city) U.S. tour so catch 'em if you can! 

Upcoming Shows

Twin River - Antony

Well I hear you say that you're ok
And I don't wanna lie to you, say that you're gone
And it feels like we took off the wrong way
And I can't find the right way to tell you I'm wrong

Vancouver band Twin River has hit on some of my favorite musical notes with "Antony". It's got gorgeous and ethereal vocals that flow beautifully over a perfectly harmonious guitar and bass combo that reminds me quite a bit of The War on Drugs. Their latest album, Passing Shade, is more of the same and well worth a listen if you're into dreamy garage pop.

Upcoming Shows