Melbourne based duo Mother Culture creates catchy indie rock, displaying an array of influence and emotion with their new release Drawing By Design. The upbeat verse section combines a driving acoustic guitar with savory melodies reminiscent of the Shins and The Smiths. Heavier guitars introduce a powerful chorus that hits with raw intensity, a signature effect embraced by indie darlings The Districts. There’s an aura of dreamy bedroom pop aesthetic and psychedelic pop influence, like a poppier version of fellow Aussie’s Tame Impala.
Mother Culture is made up of brothers Darcy and Spencer Ward. Their vocals are incredibly versatile. The lead can both serenade you with a wavering croon or soar above with ferocious intensitiy. A trademark of family band ensembles, the inflections in their voices compliment each other. The vocal is complete with catchy melodies and strong harmonies that lift the song to new heights.
The presentation is charming, but this duo really rocks. With their new release, they capture the energy and intensity they bring to their craft. The recording is lush with dreamy under layers of jangly guitars and soft synths. The ferocity of the drums and the grit of the distorted bass bring punch and presence to match the singers catchy emotional delivery.
Overall, a stellar new release from an undiscovered young band. Mother Culture has received some attention from Triple J’s unearthed and community radio around Australia, but they deserve a bigger response. Their music has major crossover appeal, and both indie pop and indie rock fans would savor in these tasty melodic jams. Hear for yourself, checkout Drawing By Design now on our Best New Rock playlist.
Bay Area rocker Izzy The Gent and singer Tobias Hawkins have teamed up for a new single for Izzy’s project Everything But The Everything. Can’t Allow has the makings of an indie rock hit, with addictive verses, great variation in the arrangement, and an infectious hook. Combined with a heavy dose of punk rock attitude and vigor, it may be Izzy’s best release yet.
Regularly collaborating with various vocalists. Izzy has used his project as a platform to feature some of the best vocalists from his scene. Tobias Hawkins has the authentic raw intensity and passion lost on disconnected rock singers of our day. You can feel the angst and desperation in constant turmoil within. There’s evidence of post punk influence where melody reconnected with raw intensity. It’s easy to make comparisons to early Bono and even a touch of the emotional Robert Smith, but Tobias has his own unique qualities.
Both as a songwriter and producer, Izzy has the material to match Hawkins intensity. On the outset, Can’t Allow delivers heavy Joy Division vibes. As the song progresses, atmospheric layers and dirty guitars reflect the indie appeal of TV On The Radio and Queens Of The Stone Age.
Izzy enlisted drummer Landon Cisneros, Moog specialist Andrew Gomez, and the recording and mixing expertise of Rex Shelverton to lift this recording to the next level. Izzy’s ability to construct an effective team to match his sound is one of his greatest strengths. The polished release serves as proof of this team’s efficiency.
The project Everything but the Everything and Izzy The Gent are purveyors of a treasured era in rock, complete with originality and attitude. Hear Can’t Allow now on our Best New Rock playlist.
Norwegian band End of Proof gets nostalgic on their new single Sad Kids Having Fun. The songwriter admits that the song is about returning to your hometown after many years away. Self prescribed emo kids, you can hear the emo influence in the vibe and the melody of this bands sound. The infectious pop of Bleed American era Jimmy Eat World and the pumping guitars of emo cult faves Hey Mercedes graduate with an indie rock aesthetic on this modified throwback. The nostalgic aura that permeates within this vibe sets well with the mood of IFC fave Garden State. It’s as if End Of Proof bottled up the vibe from the movie and captured it in this song.
Subtle 50s era cut time drum snaps and “oo-aah” backing vocals add to the mood and nostalgia, as End Of Proof take cues from Weezer as they blend elements from that era with punk.
The lyrics are inquisitive in a Socratic manner. “Stumbling down the same street, do you think it’s strange? Passed the place we would meet, do you feel the same?” The artist knows; you may not admit it but you can’t get the feeling back. It’s nice to stroll down memory lane, but you can’t recreate that magic no matter how hard you try. Characters from your past evolve, often into new ugly creatures posing as shells of their former selves. The music from your youth is often the only thing you have left. Hold onto it as long as you can. HODL
As a fellow early 2000’s emo kid, this writer knows your pain. The struggle is real. Sad Kids Having Fun is a proper tribute to a bygone era. At least we have something we can call our own.
Enjoy Sad Kids Having Fun now on our Best New Rock playlist.
Jake Bracey and the Mountain Laurels are dropping singles leading up to the release of their full length LP Grand Avenue Hymns. On their new song Drag, the band showcases Jake’s ability as a songwriter with their affinity for unhinged rock. The songs kicks off with deep reflective verses before progressing to a classic garage style rock out, similar to Neil Young’s evolution when he toured with Promise Of The Real.
Jake Bracey’s voice is a combination of soul and indie rock emotion. His songwriting has a touch of southern rock and classic influence, but with a punk rock attitude, similar to Philly native Strand of Oaks.
“Empty from where I could be, where my Father said I’d go.” Songwriter Jake Bracey delves into some difficult subject matter. It’s incredibly relatable and it’s a feeling that most experience at some point in their existence. Like living legends Eddie Vedder and the aforementioned Young, Bracey can make something beautiful out of this blue collar world. A working man’s poet, these are lyrics for the ones who don’t have it all figured out. Bracey projects it elegantly, he knows the harsher affects of his voice support the story and enhance his art. There is incredibly feeling and awareness in his work. He knows this isn’t for everyone, but for those who know this feeling, it’s just right. The revelatory vocals deserve a proper jam out to let it all process, and the band delivers a proper mid song jam to help these emotions settle.
Hear Drag on our Best New Rock playlist
The Wild Is Calling 