NEUNUNDDREISSIG

"Ezra Furman is a guy you want to know all about. That's why when the Internet was recently invented (ca. 2008?) Ezra snapped into action and began his two-year preparation of his blog. On this blog he will include every single thought that crosses his mind, all the songs he likes, all the bands he likes, all the songs he makes up, and everything he writes including poems prose and grunts.Basically it's just about music and poems. Probably just music actually."

 

 

 

Maybe that short introduction has already raised your curiosity. Ezra Furman does not usually perform solo but with his band, the Harpoons, which formed in 2007. And you probably know one song quite well: Take off your sunglasses. It was released with the harpoons and includes a slightly off-tune harmonica which becomes even more off-tune live.

Albums so far include

Banging Down the Doors (2007)

Inside the Human Body (2008)

Mysterious Power (2011)

The Year Of No Returning (2012)

In The Year Of No Returning, Ezra goes solo and shifts easily between rock, heartbreak tunes and sugary pop, sometimes even within one song. And the thing that really caught me is his voice. Maybe not all the songs are gems, but some are really worth listening to.

For something raw, check out That's when it hit me.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  is angry and intense,
Sinking Slow - starts real slow, develops into an epic piece with 60s borrowings, and the new single Are you gonna break my heart offers haunting music, lyrics and of course THE VOICE.

And that's it already. Maybe I'll be able to write something more elaborate after Christmas. Until then, just some suggestions. ^^

ACHTADRIESSG

My Heart Belongs To Cecilia Winter

Be honest. How many indie bands from Switzerland do you know?

Lovebugs?

Truth Is

Favez?

Closet Astronaut

Or

My Heart Belongs To Cecilia Winter

Eighteen

2006, Thom Luz, Betty Fischer and Kusi Gerber met in Zürich. They started to perform together and soon found their own sound.

In 2010 they released their first album “Our Love Will Cut Through Everything”, bringing up comparisons with Arcade Fire or Death Cab For Cutie.

I'm in love with a mountain

Playing in front of “a junkie and a dog” wasn’t enough for them. They started touring through France where the album was a great success.

In 2012 they have now released their second album Midnight, Midnight.

Departure and Arrival

Scott Matthew visited them in the studio and took part in their song “Battle Cry”.

Emotions, love, hate, life, death – everything comes together in this wonderful piece of music. Check it out.

SIEBA-UND-DRIESSG

The Wilderness of Manitoba

Canadian 5-piece folk band. Here is a sample of a great performance from their new EP:
Forest City love


They toured a lot last year in the US and UK, also earning a standing ovation at the 'End of the Road' festival. Lots more touring and festivals in Europe this year. Often upbeat, folk-indie with wonderful music and harmonies, surely one to watch out for in the near future. Here is their newest release from their album (Island of Echoes, out soon in Europe), out now in US/Canada!

'Echoes'


Here is also the full performance from our beloved KEXP radio:

Let the music speak for itself :)

Enjoy and let's hope there is more to come from these guys...