Weekend Showcase: March 13th Playlist

Another week goes by and more great music to share. This week’s playlist has 20 singles from different places, although coincidentally it’s heavy on UK and Toronto bands. If you like what you hear, click on the song title, as there may be additional tracks. If you like the artist / band, click on their name to be taken to their Facebook page (assuming they have one). Get to know these artists & bands! The tracklist follows the playlist.

“Feel It” is a catchy, anthemic indie-rock track from Chasin Vegas, who are from Colchester, UK. It’s available as a free download (click the song title).

“Fever” is from Toronto-based, indie psych-rock band Mexican Slang. The trio have released several EPs over the past three years, including the mind-bending Inside the Velvet Castle. They’re currently on tour, including a stop at SXSW. Click the song title for tour dates.

“Take Me Higher” is another great single from producer and multi-instrumentalist Guiville. This time, he’s collaborating with blues/folk guitarist and songwriter Teddy Garcia. The track is ethereal indie rock. Fantastic!

“Ondine” is the smokey new single from Baltimore indie band, Lower Dens, a band we’ve liked for a long time. The dark, melodic synth-rock track is stunning and hypnotic, grabbing your attention like Wild Beasts’ indie music. This is the second single from their forthcoming new album, Escape from Evil (3/31, Ribbon Music).

“Pick It Up” is the second single from Paris resident Allyson Ezell‘s forthcoming EP, The Ease of Remembering Sparks (3/23), whose sound combines Lorde and Adele.

“Haunter” from London-based quartet Gengahr is a smooth, dreamy track in the mode of Fleet Foxes and The Amazing. They will be at the SXSW festival and are gaining popularity and traction in a very short amount of time after their latest EP release She’s a Witch.

“Plastic Love” is the new single by Peach Kelli Pop, the psychedelic pop-rock/post-punk project of Ottawa-born now LA-based Allie Hanlon. The single has a summery, surf-rock feel à la Best Coast and Beach Day. The track is the lead single from III (4/21, Burger Records), which not surprisingly is the band’s third album.

“I Wanna Know” is the new single from one of our previous hidden gems, London-based FURS. The new track sees the band move away from psych-pop to more of an indie pop sound. However, the track is as infectious as previous tracks and even has a bit of disco vibe (must be the cow bell).

“Tact is Dead” by Tellison is a straight-up rocker in the mode of Foo Fighters. With a sound made for arenas, the East London foursome should be rocking major venues in the future.

“Hamburg” is the ethereal, dreamy new single from UK trio Mt. Wolf. It has the vibe of the 70s LA music scene with the lush quality of contemporary dream-pop. It’s the second single from their forthcoming EP, Red (4/13 on X Novo).

“The Moon is My Witness” is from 19-year old, Toronto singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tali Kouch. Combining jazz R&B, and synth-pop, the single is a steamy, sultry number. Download this stellar track for free (click on the song title). She could be the next Alicia Keys.

“Just Yet” is the hypnotic, synth-pop song from Toronto’s For Esmé. The song blends the infectious quality that drew people to Alvvays while mixing in the ethereal beauty of synth-pop artists like GEMS, Coves, and Lowell.

“Sunny Day” is the fun-loving, summery single from London-based duo Big Tooth. The single is from their debut, self-titled EP, which is available now. George Crossland & Joe Weightman are creating some unique and versatile tracks. We will definitely be keeping an eye on these two lads.

“Swarm” is the new single from London-Hampshire band New Desert Blues. With a vibe akin to Arctic Monkeys, “Swarm” is a moody but cool indie-rock song. It’s the first single from their forthcoming debut album, xNDBx.

“Young Oblivion” is the terrific, new single from Shaun Hettinger, who goes by the moniker Memoryy. The mid-tempo, synth-pop track has a euphoric chorus and is a splendid single to welcome spring. The single, which can be downloaded for free, follows the buzzy number, “Eternal Sunshine”, which he re-released three weeks ago. Both tracks are from his debut EP, Young Oblivion.

“Earth Not Above” is the scintillating, interstellar new single from London three-piece, HÆLOS. It’s completely hypnotic. It’s an electro-pop track that mixes the mesmerizing sounds of early Phantogram and M83.

“Where All the Kids Belong” is the title track of Los Angeles-based Troubadour Parade. The track is a dance-electro-pop tune that is highly catchy. The trio had a heck of an ordeal in putting together their debut EP. Click the song title to read the story.

“The Mystery Machine” is from San Francisco indie-rock band The Liquid Scene. It’s a truly trippy, psychedelic tune that will have you reaching for your tie-dyed shirts and sandals or clogs as you pile in the VW van. The single is from their debut album, Revolutions.

“Find Yourself“ is from emerging indie rocker Jacco Gardner. With a new album on its way, Hypnophobia (5/5 on Polyvinyl), the Dutch released last month this psychedelic gem, and earlier this week a terrific video (click on the song title). His sound blends The Beatles and Ty Segall, which should see Gardner reach new heights in 2015.

“Say It With Love” is the synth-pop track from Ottawa-based, sibling duo By The Lights. This is the first single from their debut EP, In Like Lions, which is expected some time this spring.