Lo-Pie reviews Pollen Rx cassette Buyer’s EP

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

Lo-Pie reviews Pollen Rx‘s cassette Buyer’s EP:

…smartly political post-punk party jams are as lyrically dense as a college sociology textbook but danceable enough to make the Au Pairs proud…Pollen RX are deft about communicating their politics, never letting their message overwhelm the playful likability of the music nor shying away from the devastating truths they’re so gleefully unpacking.

VIDEO PREMIERE: Unruly Factions premieres Pollen Rx’s video “Supply Chain”

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

Unruly Factions premieres Pollen Rx‘s music video for lead single “Supply Chain” and reviews their new cassette, Buyer’s EP.

Pollen Rx is one of our favorite new discoveries. They’re a garage pop/art punk trio from Austin, TX who specialize in politically-driven, danceable music, with gritty guitars and catchy melodies. They describe their new EP Buyer’s as “a work dedicated to the frustration and deliciousness of consumer society.” Sounds about right to us. Humorous, upfront, and concise, Pollen Rx’s Buyer’s cassette is an exposition about our modern capitalistic state, delivered with a sly wit and satire that make for some quirky musical juxtapositions.

Houston Press reviews The Van Allen Belt’s show

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

Houston Press reviews The Van Allen Belt‘s show at Fitzgerald’s:

The night’s co-headliner, Pittsburgh’s The Van Allen Belt, created disharmonious melodies, managing to manipulate clamor into opulent noise pop. Tamar Kamin’s voice spreads itself sensuously — and near flawlessly — over psychedelic overtures. Surreal lyricism escalated the songs’ furtiveness. Scott Taylor sat like a mad maestro, concocting searing and agonizing tones, while Ben Ferris layered strands of lush melodies.

Read the whole review here.

San Antonio Current previews The Van Allen Belt show

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

The San Antonio Current previews The Van Allen Belt show as one of 5 Shows to See This Week:

In the spirit of Washed Out, Beach House and the host of other modern acts contained in the dream pop aesthetic into which tides. comfortably slides, there’s a subtle undercurrent to their music, gentle at first, that draws you in closer. And like those acts, the trick lies in making the complex sound simple.

TOAN Magazine features The Van Allen Belt tour dates

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

The Van Allen Belt are hitting the road this spring with their newest album Heaven On A Branch. TOAN Magazine has all of the dates, plus their video for “Different Storm”.

4/2: Chicago, IL – Hideout
4/3: Kansas City, MO – miniBar (sponsored by KC Psychfest)
4/4: Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum Arts Festival (Texas Lonestar Stage)
4/5: Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s
4/7: Austin, TX – Cheer Up Charlies
4/8: San Antonio, TX – K23 Gallery
4/10: Montevallo, AL – Eclipse Coffee & Books
4/11: Atlanta, GA – The Drunken Unicorn
4/12: Nashville, TN – Betty’s

Music Street Journal reviews Frogbelly and Symphony’s debut album

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

Music Street Journal reviews Frogbelly and Symphony‘s debut album Blue Bright Ow Sleep, out now on CD, vinyl and digital formats from Labelship UK:

This is such an unusual and original set. It’s also brilliant. The mix of sounds here is the kind of thing I’ve seldom heard. While I have laid out the basic premise of each piece, you really have to hear this to fully appreciate it. If you like your music adventurous, I highly recommend this.

Kristen Ford’s “Radio” video on Boston Survival Guide

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

Boston Survival Guide features Kristen Ford‘s video “Radio,” the first single from her live video album Tighten it Up:

On this new album, multi-instrumentalist Ford explores the musical possibilities of live looping as a one-woman-band, adding guitars, pedal effects, drums and her vocals into the mix in ever flowing, creative ways. No editing, no studio magic, no auto-tune; what you see is what you get. At a time when nearly everything is processed and filtered, it’s refreshing to see an artist confident enough to work without a net. You watch as it unfolds and her smooth style draws you in, as does her personally invested lyrics.

The Deli Magazine NYC features Frogbelly and Symphony

Posted on by Rebekah Tweed

The Deli Magazine NYC features Frogbelly and Symphony and “Invite to Eternity” from their debut album Blue Bright Ow Sleep, out now on Labelship UK. Check out their tour dates, as they head across the pond for shows in the UK.

With their sound and attitude at times reminiscent of great ’90s UK band Tindersticks (whose music was too dark and decadent to make an impression in the US), and at others veering towards some kind of operatic math cabaret, Brooklyn and Sheffield, UK based band Frogbelly and Symphony just released their debut album Blue Bright Ow Sleep, which was recorded in NYC by legendary producer Martin Bisi.

ALSO:
Watch “Before I Die” at Infectious Magazine
Listen to “Patch of Blue” at Nooga.com
Listen to “Minderbinder” at GroundSounds
Listen to “Ride off into the Sunset and Disappear” at Vents Magazine
Listen to the full album stream at Ghettoblaster Magazine
Check out more here