The Rest Say Goodbye

 

After a decade, FZB favorites The Rest are calling it a day. The Hamilton, Ontario band of Adam Bentley, Blake Bowman, Dwayne Brydon, Matty Buzanko, Anna Jarvis, Steve T. Jones and Jordan Mitchell have been featured on this blog many times with their music and videos. Even though the band is ending its tenure, we are sure the fine music they made will live on. Stream and buy their records at the links below.

 



Yourself In Peace: Infrarealist EP

 

The Infrarealist EP is the sophomore release from L.A. based shoegaze artists Yourself In Peace. Blending elements of synthpop, noise, hip-hop and garage, the duo of Justin Corrál and Westley Ulit deliver five tracks of lo-fi rock. The vocals have a muffled, understated quality to them, while the instrumentals lead out front with fuzzy guitars, minimalist beats and imaginative synths. Stream and buy Infrarealist EP at the link below.

 



Restorations: LP2

 

LP2 is the new album from Philadelphia indie rock band Restorations. Starting with a hard rock core, the nine tracks blend a post-punk intensity, with radio ready alt rock production that never seems to loose the feeling of a live performance. Jon Loudon's vocals growl and strain with a rawness that gives a compelling edge to the music. Interspersed with melodic guitar parts, the intensity keeps coming at you with each track. Turn this one up. Stream and buy LP2 at the link below.

 

Dreamgrl: Heavy Sin

 

Heavy Sin is the debut album from Vancouver synthpop duo Dreamgrl. The seven tracks are glitchy combinations of darkish synths and unique vocals, mated to well placed samples and hip-hop influences. Dreamgrl take their highly original sound into radio ready tracks that push genre boundries, but with a cohesive feel that holds the album together. Slick production with plenty of space finish off this record in fine style. Stream and Heavy Sin at the link below.

 



News of the Fire: The Paint

 

SoCal indie rock band News of the Fire have released their new EP, The Paint. The four tracks paint a darkish picture of melodic melancholy. In the two years since their last EP, the band has matured musically, with a stronger lyrical sense and music that finds an indie rock radio vibe permeating the songs. This record is fresh and engaging. Stream and download The Paint at the link below.

 



Hey Anna: Pompette Trailer

FZB favorites Hey Anna are coming with a new EP on May 8th. From what can be heard on the trailer this is going to be another winner. Watch the trailer below.

Nightlife: Days In Other Days

 

Days In Other Days is the new album from FZB favorites Nightlife. The duo of Darin Rajabian and Caroline Myrick return with ten tracks of dreamy euro-disco inspired synthpop. Delicate vocals, engaging beats and lush synthpads build an inspired work of sublime pop music. Nightlife just get better with each new release. Stream and buy Day In Other Days at the link below.

 



Klam: Klam

 

Italian post-punk band Klam have released their self-titled debut EP. The four tracks feature a lo-fi aesthetic paired with heavy shoegaze instrumentation. Melodic passages blend with noise overtones to good effect to create an overall raw and edgy sound. This is a fine debut. Stream and download Klam at the link below.

 



The Rest: Who Knows Video

Here's a new video from FZB favorites The Rest, for their track Who Knows, from the FZB reviewed album SEESAW. The video features a mental institution, geometry, 3D printing, hugs, science, birds, and explosions! Check it out at the link below.

Los Dos Hermanos: Bourbon, Blood & Seafoods

 

May 9th marks the release date for the debut album, Bourbon, Blood & Seafoods from garage duo Los Dos Hermanos, on the French label Howlin Banana Records. Reverby and lo-fi, the duo take a page from bands like Thee Oh Sees and combine it with their own take on surf, to serve up an album that is ready for a summer day on the beach at Biarritz. Moving from pop to punk influences, Los Dos Hermanos are a band to watch. Check out videos for the tracks The Buster and Louis VI, and stream Bourbon, Blood & Seafoods at the links below.

 



It's Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen Day on FZB

 

Small DIY labels are at the heart of emerging music. To support these labels and their artists, Floorshime Zipper Boots will be having a label day on Friday from time to time. We previously featured Mouca Records Day on FZB. Today is the second installment of this feature as it is Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen Day on FZB.

While operating as a label and PR firm in many ways, Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen is actually a DIY recording studio, music collective and general cross-pollinating brain hive. According to principal, Oliver Ignatius, they don't own or control the music that is recorded at the studio (although with everyones' great relationships, no one minds us using or borrowing their music for, say, a compilation). They began as an affordable, high quality recording solution, with the primary objective of facilitating the freedom and individual creative expression of all the bands, working with them like a great A&R would to find what made them special and bring it out of them into the records. Quickly the operation grew and expanded, the bands started bonding together, we started rolling out our regular PR campaigns and doing the frequent live showcases (there have been 20 in the last year). At this point there are over 40 bands in the MCFK stable. Everyone has the freedom to come and go as they please, but the vast majority keep coming back because we have a good thing going.

 

Oliver Ignatius, founded the studio in 2010, first in his bedroom and then in his parent's basement. They moved into their current space, a large commercial space in Windsor Terrace, a little over a year ago. Oliver at 23 years old, has been a musician since he was 3. His first real exposure to the music industry was as a teenager: "When I was 15, my band Hysterics surfed a wave of early blog-hype and was featured on MTV's TRL, in the New York Times and some other places. We were signed to V2 before it folded, and played SXSW." Although they had some great experiences, it was generally a pretty bumpy and unhappy ride, which found Oliver unsatisfied with how their album came out. After that band split up, he took some time off to sort of regenerate, and came back with Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen and his new band Ghost Pal. With MCFK, he was really just initially seeking to solve his chronic unhappiness in any recording studio he'd ever been in. "I never felt really listened to or cared for during recording, and it sucks to lose control of your vision. I wanted to open up Mama Coco's as a place where you could count on that never happening." Oliver has done all the production on the records that have come out. "At this point the operation is expanding, some members of the collective have been brought on board as junior engineers in training, and a couple others have stepped up to take over our PR operations (previously I was running those myself too, but I've just about reached capacity as far as what I can do alone)."

 

Several MCFK acts have been reviewed on FZB and Oliver's band Ghost Pal has a new EP, God Save MCFK. You can stream and download it at the link below. Also below is a link to Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen: Section 3 compilation. You can download the compilation for free.

The Almighty Rhombus: The Almighty Rhombus

 

Canadian indie band, The Almighty Rhombus, have released their self-titled debut EP. Featuring an energetic new wave vibe, the five tracks are radio ready pieces of indie rock. Melodic and poppy, the EP has a disctinct singles oriented feel to the tracks. This is a band that could reach a much wider audience. Best part, the EP is available for free download till the end of the month. Grab The Almighty Rhombus at the link below.

 



Riel: EP de Zombies

 

There is a copious amount of good new post-punk music being made around the world and one of the best we've found in our search for it here at FZB is Riel from Buenos Aires. EP de Zombies is the latest release from the duo of  Mora (guitar & vox) and Germán (drums). The four tracks are raw, edgy, minimalist affairs with siren like vocals. There is a compelling vibe to the music and this is definately a must for everyone's collection. Stream and buy EP de Zombies at the link below.

 

100%chevalier: EP-IC

 

French math rock band 100%chevalier just released the sophomore EP titled EP-IC. The tracks blend heavy yet melodic instrumental math rock, with elements of noise and alt rock, to deliver a driving EP. Crisply produced and expertly performed, this is an EP of high musicality. The trio of Florian Borojevic, Samuel Siebert and Thomas Triebel give us an EP with a transcendent sound. Stream and buy EP-IC at the link below.

 



Plankton Waves: Songs of Endings

 

We had the trailer back in January and now we have the new EP from FZB favorites Plankton Waves. The Luxembourg based duo of Natalie Pickar and  Michel Flammant make dark, tintilating synthpop. The five tracks on Songs of Endings blend new wave vibes, with heavy electronic synths and post-punk driven vocals into a compelling sound that is a unique Plankton Waves signature. This EP was worth the wait. Stream and download Songs of Endings at the link below.

 



FZB's 2nd Birthday Top 5 So Far for 2013

 

March 27th marked the 2nd birthday for this blog. In that time we've published reviews of 441 albums, 346 EP's, 41 singles, streamed 90 videos and done about a dozen focus pieces on different emerging music topics. We look forward to discovering many more great emerging artists in the future. That makes as good an excuse as any to take a look at the top five artists of the year 2013 so far based on readers' pageviews. Watch for the full and official FZB top 20 of 2013 so far on June 27 & 28.

#5: Balladur: Balladur



#4: Sol Cat: Sol Cat



#3: Giant Drug: Waking Up Is Hard To Do



#2: Dress Rehearsal:   Some Where Under The Weather



#1: Petty Victories: Wait It Out

Mirror Kisses: Runaways b/w Kameron

 

Synthpop purveyors and FZB favorites Mirror Kisses are back with a new single and two new videos; Runaways b/w Kameron. The band bring their larger than live Depeche Mode'esque sound to good use on the two tracks, scoring big for production, sound and overall radio sensibility. One of these is going to break this band out. Just a matter of time Watch ythe videos for Runaways and Kameron, and stream and download the single for free at the links below.

 



Exit Strategy: Dreamcatcher

 

Dreamcatcher is the new album from Montreal based artist/producer Exit Strategy, aka Anthony Baird. The twelve tracks are a chill glide through ambient textures, nice melodic piano lines, lush synth pads and understated beats. This is music for listening, dreaming and close together moments with someone you love. Take some time and do something nice for yourself. Stream and download Dreamcatcher at the link below.

 



Love And Radiation: You Will Know Me

 

Today marks the release of You Will Know Me, the much anticipated debut album from Chicago synthpop artists and FZB favorites Love And Radiation. The duo of Adele Nicholas and Lakshmi Ramgopal have released what is, to our ears,  the album of the year so far for 2013. Crisp production, melodic synth lines and tasteful beats are paired with stunning huge vocals and lush towering harmonies. This album is as good as it gets. If you're in Chicago, you can catch the Love And Radiation album release show this Thursday night, April 11th, at the Hideout Inn. Stream and buy You Will Know Me at the link below.
 

Giant Drag: Waking Up Is Hard To Do

 

Waking Up Is Hard To Do is the new album from L.A. band Giant Drag. Fronted by singer/songwriter Annie Hardy, the twelve tracks are a quirky mix of heavy power pop. Hardy's vocals demand attention, as her unique stylings offer a compelling focal point to the music. The music itself is heavy, melodic and poppy all at the same time. Giant Drag have a highly original sound and belong in everyones collection. Stream and buy Waking Up Is Hard To Do at the link below.

 



Sect: Sect

 

Sect is the self-titled debut album from this Barcelona based foursome. The ten tracks are rooted in 80's punk and UK anarchopunk. The songs are raw in your face affairs, with an energy that is itself a political statement. Punk still lives in many incarnations and thrives in areas that were not part of its origination. Sect is another fine example of the lasting imortance of the genre. Stream and download Sect for free at the link below.

 

Appropriate Grammar: Lies and Stories

 

Lies and Stories is the latest album from Kansas City based indie rockers Appropriate Grammar. The quartet of Nick McKenna, Alex Dunsford, Claire Adams and Steve Gardels deliver ten tracks of edgy yet melodic post-punk. No cliche indie here as the album has an original vibe, eschewing the Brooklyn and Bay Area influences so prevalent today. This is one to add to your collection. Stream and buy Lies and Stories at the link below.

 

Sannhet: Known Flood

 

Known Flood is the new album from Brooklyn instrumental band Sannhet. This is an album on the edge of metal, on the edge of noise, on the edge of rock, on the edge of epic. This is just an album on the edge. Heavy, dark, brooding and raw, Sannhet make music that challenges one's perceptions about what modern rock music can be. Known Flood is a work of importance and needs to be heard. Stream and buy Known Flood at the link below.

 



Small Prey: Small Prey

 

Small Prey is the self-titled debut EP from the Berlin based duo of Irene de La Selva and  Raffaele Cuccu. The eight tracks are a mix of avante garde, electro and post-punk with a dark upbeat aesthetic. Berlin has always been a fertile creative ground and Small Prey are another fine example of the rich artistic scene happening there. Stream and buy Small prey at the link below.

 



Whirr: Pipe Dreams

 

Pipe Dreams is the new album from Bay Area shoegazers Whirr. The ten tracks show just how good post-punk music can be. The production is huge and anthemic, the songwriting compelling, the performace powerful. This is a band on the verge of wide recognition and this album may well be the breakout. It is that good. Stream and buy Pipe Dreams at the link below.