Archive for March, 2010

Posted on March 29, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Baustelle: i nuovi mistici dell’occidente

Probably fan won’t agree with me, but as time goes by Baustelle are one of the few Italian Indie Pop Bands I can always really rely on. Some of you are still doubting on his honesty. Call him a smartass but Bianconi stands anyway one of the greatest pop lyricists of its nation, making Baustelle the clostest thing we’ve got next to Magnetic Fields.

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Posted on March 28, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Dead Can Play – Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti Live Show

Some of you may not be familiar with a band called “Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti”, if not for an Italian version of  Art Brut “My Little Brother”, or Smiths “Ask Me” turning out to be “Dimmi”. These two songs particularly became some kind of  official versions of these important pop classic in Italian as long as they picked as references from other Italian bands when played live, together with “Occhi bassi”, a catchy successful tune with lyrics of its own. (more…)

Posted on March 23, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

All you need is Love is all

It’s no mystery. “Love is all“ it’s one of the most beloved indie bands of the indie gang. One of the first friends to told me about’em was Paolo from MyHoney Records (RIP, RIP), keep on telling us how energetic that band was after he saw’em live on a showcase in New York City. After having seen Josephine on a Still Flyin’ gig it was inevitable an interview with the band. Here we are with Markus Görsch.

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Posted on March 21, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Negative Creep from Piandispino Republic

Once upon a time there was a band from Italy called Tiny Tide that tried to place its hit with a song called “Girls from Ronta”. The pop song dealt with a boy in love with a girl living in a small town nearby another very tiny little town, located in the Romagna area. Although many requests (two) were addressed to the band to record a second part of the song called “The boy from Panighina”, the band was so lazy busy on recording new stuff that let another band from Romagna steal this idea. (more…)

Posted on March 17, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

The Grip Weeds: meet the band!

Bands like Grip Weeds are pure joy for the heart. At least for anyone who grew up listening to Beatles, Byrds, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the finest stuff the ’60s wave managed to bring to our youth. Because, let’s admitt it, which of you didn’t start from there? So here we are. Revolution#2 is starting over form some distant flats in New Jersey. Can you dig it John Francis? Let’s meet the band! (more…)

Posted on March 16, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Everything Country

Springtime isn’t already began, cold won’t leave, and promises of a shiny future seems to keep distances from our urban views. Yes. We’re heading for passions, we’re heading for freedom, we’re heading for… INDIETRACKS!!! Hem, I meant, the country! Festival, Festival, Festival. This is the only thing I’m capable of thinking of without being censured in public. Still I don’t want no fake plastic beaches and  it’s a long way to go, and meanwhile in Texas they’re having fun in quite each corner of Austin I’ll have to stick to what I’ve got. (more…)

Posted on March 14, 2010 - by Clint Allen

Outbursts: feeling good with Turin Brakes

Turin Brakes are out with a new work called Outbursts. I want to start by saying what a rich bundle of feelgoodness this album is.  Now normally that would be made in the snarkiest of tones, given that this isn’t the type of music to which I primarily get down.  But in this case, it’s sincere, and this is the first time I’ve heard this band. (more…)

Posted on March 10, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Visqueen: few words with Miss Rachel Flotard

As you’ve recently noted, Seattle has never stopped to surprise me for its vigorous rock and a niche of artists never giving up on showing the world how powerful device music can be when fed with braveness, cleverness and love.  This rebel kind of rocky soul seems to be perfectly incarnated by Visqueen leader Rachel Flotard, never giving up to stand in front indie cameras and stages when a chance of kicking out some good times it’s on the go.  More than a chip trick, Visqueen is no pretender, and I hope this quick interview will be the perfect excuse to get to know a band you’re gonna love.

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Posted on March 9, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Model Rockets and Tripwires: an interview with John Ramberg

Most of you will think about Seattle just for the disco u.f.o. thing towering over the city skyline, Jimy Hendrix and Nirvana. With a little extra further effort, a very few may also convey with me that Seattle it’s the capital of American Twee Pop and TinySoft. But guess it takes you being in there to be a fan of John Ramberg and his most genuine melodic power pop incarnations. (more…)

Posted on March 8, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

That Petrol Emotion is full of lifeblood

The clock of the ’80s is running late. New Romantics and hipsters are  knocking hard at that heaven discographic door, while nothing more of a re-polished line  from the not so distant punk way is left to see. Which way to turn for a fistful of blokes that had the privilege to play with The Undertones not to get teenage kicked? Mock Duran Duran? In econocrisis the right answer was to call Steve Mack from Seattle and call “That Petrol Emotion”.

Their first album is very significant on the potentiality of the band. It’s called “Manic Pop Thrill”, and gems like “Lettuce” and “Mouth Crazy” are the perfect balance between the soft romanticism of the latest wave and the dark tension of what’s left of the most obscure eighties indie scene. Add some imaginary choirs and “Fleshprint” is practically meant to repleace “Last day on Earth” on Pop Trash. (more…)