Place a Belfast-born folk-singer-songwriter into Italy for the summer and what do you get? The answer is an uplifting, pop melody that transports us into ‘Dolce far niente’ – the sweetness of doing nothing. “Italian Dreams” is that song, from the pen and studio of Robb Murphy, and we’re delighted to premiere it, along with a beautifully quirky animated lyric […]

The Matinee June 6th buzzes with some anthemic rockers, personal folk-pop songs, and, of course, one ’80s-inspired tune. Oh, there’s one cover song that will rock your world for how the band re-imagined a classic disco tune.   Autre Monde – “I Want My Enemies to Prosper” (Dublin, Ireland) RIYL: Wolf Parade, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs Protest music is back […]

The Matinee May 12th has 9 awesome new tracks for your listening pleasure. One from a favorite of all of us of course and a few more alumni and also brand new artists for you to take a listen. The sampling today is worldwide with artists representing Denmark,  France, Sweden, the US and the UK today. The National – “The System […]

Hot on the heels of his debut single, “You’d Better Sell It While You Can”, released just a few short months ago, Callum Pitt is sending out his second offering. With an arrangement that takes “catchy” to a whole new level, “Least He’s Happy” is a feel-good phenomenon for foot-tapping dance-along fans everywhere. We are delighted to premiere it here […]

Since 2012, J. Tillman, otherwise known as Father John Misty, has been gradually (and effortlessly) rising in the ranks of the indie scene. Over the course of his two previous records, Misty has managed to not only act as a kind of jester to the serious and often pretentious nature of the industry, but also maintaining a high level of […]

Nine songs are the marquee of The Matinee April 11th edition. There are some whimsical, albeit clever, band names and a couple of artists you’ll recognize. As always, we try to give a taste of the different music being created around the globe.   The Dollar Bill Murrays – “The More You Know” (Brisbane, Australia) RIYL: Queens of the Stone […]

The Saturday Sampler April 8th edition is bursting with springtime energy! These 9 songs from artists in Australia, Denmark, England, Norway, and the USA will energize your weekend with their indie rock, dream pop, synth pop, and electronica. Hopefully you’ll fall in love with their sound like we have. Check back tomorrow when our Weekend Showcase playlist will include these […]

The Matinee April 7th will put some wind in your sails on this final day of the work week. Most of the songs will lift your spirits, and others will leave you breathless. Sounds like the perfect way to start the weekend!   Gothic Tropic – “Your Soul” (Los Angeles, USA) RIYL: Perfume Genius, Blondfire, Hannah Georgas There is a […]

Since 2015, we have asked independent artists to share their favorite memories from their time at SXSW. In just a couple of years, this project has become one of our most popular features thanks to the growing interests of bands and singers from around the world. Forty-five artists participated in this year’s edition, including Lewis Watson. One of the most […]

Since 2015, we have asked independent artists to share their favorite memories from their time at SXSW. In just a couple of years, this project has become one of our most popular features thanks to the growing interests of bands and singers from around the world. Forty-five artists participated in this year’s edition, including The National Parks. The band from […]

The Matinee March 30th edition features nine songs with the “wow” factor. Songs that will take you to heaven, others that will take you back in time, many that will just steal your breath way, and others that will have your rocking. We start things off with a singer-songwriter on the verge of international stardom.   Aldous Harding – “Imagining […]

Edmonton, Alberta does not register on most people’s “must-see travel” destinations. Most only know about the city because of West Edmonton Mall, which at one time was the largest mall on earth (that distinction now belongs to Mall of America in Minnesota). It is also the city whose hockey team had the audacity to trade Wayne Gretzky. Topping that was […]

The Matinee August 9th has a selection of eight sumptuous tunes. You might recognition a few of the names on the list while many will be brand new. The songs range from dark and mysterious to fun and whimsical. So whatever your mood is today, this mini-playlist likely has it. Andrew Judah – “Blue” (Kelowna, BC, Canada) RIYL: Why We […]

Saturday Sampler for June 18th features 10 songs from around the globe as always. There is an intimate and almost sensual element to many of the songs, but of course there are some anthemic tunes and the odd rocker. Happy weekend everyone!   Burn Antares – “Young Gun” (Sydney, Australia) RIYL: Jefferson Airplane, GOASTT, Pond It has been nearly a […]

Since the turn of the Century, Canada has produced some of the finest female singer-songwriters in the business with many achieving success worldwide acclaim. Feist, Basia Bulat, Kathleen Edwards, Hannah Georgas, Coeur de Pirate, and Alessia Cara are just some of the names. This week, when Alexandria Maillot releases her debut album, Time, she will be mentioned alongside some of […]

The Matinee May 6th includes six new and upbeat tracks ranging from synth pop, pop-rock, and indie rock. We hope you find a track to uplift your mood on this fine Friday. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for more tracks and our mega-playlist on Sunday. Artists are representing Canada, the US and the UK today.   Annabel Jones – […]

The weather might be warming up and usually this is the time when the summer anthems start coming out, but the Weekend Showcase 2.15 edition features albums and singles from the past week that were mostly blistering rockers and dramatic, emotional numbers that will move you emotionally and physically. There are some dance-pleasing tracks, but this Weekend Showcase is arguably […]

We have already been enchanted by Auna Sims, who released her debut track “Right Place” last fall. We were impressed by her honest songwriting and her unique and lovely vocals. Auna Sims is back with her newest track “Dance The Extra Mile”, and we are honored to share the premiere with you. With her newest release, we hear a bit […]

Evelyn Cools‘ biography reads like one from a person who is about to enter her fifth or sixth decade on the planet. Cools, though, is in her early twenties, yet her experiences are vast, and she truly is a global citizen. Born to globe-trotting parents, the world-traveling musician took her first breath in Sint-Niklass, Belgium before moving to Los Angeles, […]

New York three-piece Pearl and The Beard have been releasing some really amazing music since their first record God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson in 2009.  Their 2011 record Killing The Darlings was full of folk pop goodness and infectious toe tapping tunes as well as gorgeous instrumentation from the trio of guitarist Jeremy Styles, multi-instrumentalist Emily Hope Price, and percussionist […]