Sweden has developed a reputation as a pop music factory. Actually, it has earned that with ABBA, Roxette, The Cardigans, Robyn, Lykke Li, and Tove Lo becoming global sensations. The well runs really deep, though, with Amason, Miike Snow, Shout Out Louds, and Little Dragon selling out venues across the world. The land of the Tre Kronor, however, does […]

In some cases, The Matinee ’18 June 21st edition dives really deep to share new music. Some names, however, you may recognize from past mini-playlists. Today’s list is in reverse alphabetical order, except for the first track. We have to share the newest single from one of post-rock’s / shoegaze’s great bands first.   Mogwai – “We’re Not Done (End […]

 Predicting stardom for any artist, especially an independent one that shies away from the mainstream and Top-40 templates, is an inexact science to say the least. Some will excel despite the odds, and others will hover below the radar in the pursuit of advancing their craft. One thing, however, is certain. These artists, such as Therese Lithner, will touch […]

In the sports world, a head coach takes pride in their “coaching tree”. Similar to the family version, at the top is the one who started it all and below are the disciples or “lineage” – previous assistants who became head coaches. Although no such term exists in music, there should be one, as some great bands have evolved into […]

The Matinee ’18 June 19th spreads the love of music from across the globe, although there is a strong Aussie flavor to today’s mini-playlist. There is also a noticeable retro bent to the songs, but there are a couple that are “futuristic” in their orientation. If you listen to all nine songs, they could form the soundtrack to a Netflix […]

Five years into their career, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have slowly moved out from under the shadows of their more famous kin. Their first two EPs – The French Press and Talk Tight – helped the Melbourne quintet develop a reputation as a frenetic and lively indie-rock band. Their live performances put them on par with the likes of fellow […]

Friday, June 15th, 2018, was not a public holiday in Sweden, but there was a massive celebration happening. For indie music fans and followers of the burgeoning Tre Kronor indie scene, two groups of individuals celebrated a shared milestone. Just three days ago, alt-pop outfit Kluster unveiled their debut album, which is Rama Lama Records‘ first full-length release. This union […]

The Matinee ’18 June 14th edition is full of mystery, surprises, and sweet grooves. Sounds like the ideal little summer playlist in our humble opinion. Big Data – “See Through” (feat. L1ZY) (Brooklyn, USA) RIYL: The 2 Bears, More Giraffes, Caribou Alan Wilkis has quickly established a name for himself under the moniker Big Data, as he isn’t just creating […]

Another wide-ranging set of nine songs is featured on The Matinee ’18 June 12th. The mini-playlist commences with the return of one of indie rock’s great bands of the past two decades who set the tone for what comes after. Interpol – “The Rover” (New York City, USA) RIYL: Interpol, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Wolf Parade It’s hard to believe […]

Since officially arriving in 2014 with their tantalizingly rich EP, Pale, followed by the hypnotic Pine and 2016’s emotional roller coaster, Please, Plush established themselves as one of the Bay area’s most promising bands. They also quickly emerged as a new outfit ready to take shoegaze and dream-pop to new heights. Along the way, however, they’ve undergone a couple of adjustments. […]

Throughout history, very few bands create music that evokes images and emotions of their name. Band names are often just a label or a term with a hidden meaning. For Greek sibling duo Ocean Hope, however, their descriptor describes their sound – that of the warm breezes that flow through the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas and across the country’s hundreds […]

The Matinee ’18 June 7th is an all-women affair. Each of the songs either features a female singer-songwriter or a woman leading the band. The mini-playlist is just further evidence in our long-held belief that women are making the best and more creative music today.   The Beths – “Happy Unhappy” (Auckland, New Zealand)  RIYL: Alex Lahey, Anna Burch, […]

What do a Swede, an Aussie, three Americans, two Brits, and two Dutch groups have in common? No, this isn’t one of those bar jokes. Instead, they make up The Matinee ’18 June 5th edition. Seven of the songs are ear-worms and two are stunning, emotionally crippling tunes. Together they form one great mini-playlist. We kick things off with a […]

“In the end I will run back to you”, Sam Evian lushly expresses on “IDGAF”, the opener to his superb sophomore full-length, You, Forever. These nine words describe both the theme and emotions that fill the album’s eleven songs. In other words, You, Forever is made for summer road trips, as wind-swept, coastal melodies breeze through each track. The journey, […]

 Over in the UK, a renaissance in electronic music is happening. Pigeonholing the cinematic affairs of Phoria, Maribou State, and London Grammar within the genre, though, would be a disservice to their creativity and innovation. Some call it alternative, but post-rock indietronica pop is a more fitting categorization. Another band making some of the most gorgeous and breathtaking music […]

The Matinee ’18 May 31st is loaded with songs that musically and thematically focus on better days ahead. With this being the last day of May, sunnier and hopefully happier moments await us. Nine songs once again occupy this mini-playlist.   Afrikan Boy Feat. aJan – “Ancestry” (London, England via Lagos, Nigeria & Berlin, Germany) RIYL: Young Fathers, K-OS (we […]

The Long Sleep EP by Jenny Hval Throughout her fifteen-year musical career, Jenny Hval has firmly established herself as one of music’s great minds. Through her six solo studio albums, Hval makes every output not just a form of entertainment but an experience. On some occasions, they are psychological or metaphysical explorations (e.g., Innocence Is Kinky), and other times they […]

Three years ago, retro-soul and R&B artist Joel Sarakula released one of the year’s coolest outputs with Imposter. He followed that impressive album with another thriller from the ’60s and ’70s in Love Club. This time around, however, he infused more disco and psychedelic vibes to create an even groovier and mood-altering soundtrack. One of those songs is “Coney Island […]

The Matinee ’18 May 29th edition is filled with plenty of new bands or artists. Some are so new that they have a limited social media presence. Most of the musicians listed below have small followings, so now is the time to get on the bandwagon so you can tell your friends in the future that you knew about them […]

Popular Fiction by Gold Connections Will Marsh – a.k.a. Gold Connections – will in all likelihood be always linked to Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo because they are good friends and Toledo produced Marsh’s fantastic debut – and one 2017’s best – EP, Gold Connections. Marsh isn’t the first and won’t be the last person to be linked to a […]