The Matinee ’18 December 13th is filled with light and darkness. Some of the songs will place a spell on you while others will get you up and moving. This is the penultimate mini-playlist of the year, so dive into these nine singles. Be Forest – “BENGALA” (Pesaro, Italy) RIYL: No Joy, Trementina, Swervedriver As the shoegaze world awaits My […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 December 12th edition shines the spotlight on storytelling guitarists. From the indie folk-comedy stylings of Flight of the Conchords to dazzling indie psych-rock and dream-pop, today’s playlist offers plenty of lyrical and musical richness. Flight of the Conchords – “Father and Son” (Live in London) (Wellington, New Zealand) RIYL: Flight of the Conchords What better way […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 December 5th edition is a bold mix of multiple genres. This year may be almost over but 2019 has lots of great musical treats in store. Today’s playlist begins with a thunderous roar from an indie icon.   Bob Mould – “What Do You Want Me to Know?” (Berlin, Germany via USA) RIYL: Hüsker Dü, Sugar, […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 November 28th is a mostly American affair, with plenty of strong talents on display. But we can’t pass up a chance to share new tunes from a timeless British band who are one of our favorites.   Swervedriver – “Drone Lover” (Oxford, England) RIYL: Slowdive, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. Is it too soon to declare 2019 […]

Whether you’re lining up to snag a bargain during the Black Friday sales or are recovering from the massive Thanksgiving feasts, The Matinee ’18 November 23rd edition will help you stay alert and wide awake. The nine songs taken together are like a massive caffeine cocktail, so forego the Red Bulls and just spin the mini-playlist. Amasa Hines – “Zatoichi” […]

The Melodic Tonic November 14th is an all-American affair. These six new music cocktails are slow-sipping delights from established names and newcomers alike. Let’s get started with an indie veteran who also released his memoir this week. Jeff Tweedy – “Let’s Go Rain” (Chicago, USA)  RIYL: Wilco, Woody Guthrie There’s quite a menagerie at play on the new Jeff Tweedy […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 September 26th edition features some familiar faces and sounds. Most of these six artists are better known for their work in their other bands. The others are emerging talents who should be on everyone’s radar. Let’s get started with an artist who feels like an old friend.   Jeff Tweedy – “Some Birds” (Chicago, USA) RIYL: […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 September 19th edition serves up sonic warmth on this last Wednesday of the summer. Bask in these sunny tunes courtesy of artists in Australia, Canada, England (via Northern Ireland), and the US. We start with a surprise group that exists as a tribute of sorts.   Goshen Electric Co. – “The Gray Tower” (Goshen, Indiana USA) […]

The Matinee ’18 July 31st is filled with marvelous tunes and stories. The songs are listed in reverse alphabetical order, except we begin with the long-awaited return of one of music’s geniuses. Phosphorescent – “New Birth in New England” (Brooklyn, USA)  Alternate streams: YouTube, Spotify RIYL: Phosphorescent, Matthew Houck Finally! At long last! It’s coming! Matthew Houck – a.k.a. […]

Take a mini mid-week holiday with the Melodic Tonic ’18 July 18th edition. From Seattle to Scotland and Switzerland, today’s playlist offers plenty of sonic variety. We kick things off with the latest from one of indie music’s most powerful groups.   The Twilight Sad – “I/m Not Here [missing face]” (Kilsyth, Scotland) RIYL: The Cure, Mogwai, Editors, Interpol The […]

We have two mini-playlists for you since the past few days yielded some incredible new music. The Matinee ’18 July 16th – European Edition has seven songs, and it is listed in reverse alphabetical order. The majority are of the sublime variety, but a couple will get your heart pumping. Head over here to listen to the Americas Edition, which […]

 Approximately a year ago, Sam Valdez quietly launched her career, introducing herself with two dazzling singles – “Hours” and “Don’t Want To Be Yours Anymore”. Comparisons to Angel Olsen, The War On Drugs, and Hope Sandoval were inevitable and unsurprising since they are three of her influences. She is not, however, an imitator nor a follower, but rather she […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 July 4th edition celebrates American artists but also includes a pair of UK singer-songwriters as a hat-tip to America’s roots. We kick off today’s playlist with some sun-kissed indie rock from North Carolina. Echo Courts – “Take Away” (Raleigh, USA) RIYL: Parquet Courts, Kurt Vile, Kevin Morby “All I’m asking is will you come take me […]

Women rule the Melodic Tonic ’18 May 16th edition. Many of these six songs feature strong female voices – some well known; some new. These artists represent Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and USA. Bernice – “He’s the Moon” (Toronto, Canada) RIYL: Feist, Cat Power, tUnE-yArDs The terms substantive and richly textured are seldom paired with dream pop because most artists […]

For some, today represents bad luck. For us, Fridays are meant for great music that delivers you to the weekend. The Matinee ’18 April 13th edition, specifically, is the source of our good vibes, featuring the usual nine sweet tunes that caught our attention. Happy weekend everyone!   Florence + The Machine – “Sky Full of Song” (London, England) RIYL: […]

The six songs on the Melodic Tonic April 11th edition will make you sigh and smile in appreciation. These artists from Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the US offer some musical encouragement to help you get through whatever this week throws at you. So sit back and let yourself get lost in these tunes. Neko Case – “Bad Luck” (Vermont, […]

For this Good Friday, we’re offering two for the price of one. On The Matinee ’18 March 30th – World Edition, we head off to five countries for six songs. There’s a wide range of singles for your listening pleasure. Dirty Pixels – “On Ice” (Auckland, New Zealand) RIYL: Bright Eyes, Deerhunter, of Montreal It has been seven years since […]

Like any art form, the more creative a song is, the more striking it is. Let’s be honest, there are only so many times you can view still-life paintings or portraits of rich, dead people. Similarly, one can only listen to a love song set to a folk-pop or electro-pop arrangement so often. Then there are the few artists and […]

The Saturday Sampler March 24th edition once again spans the globe to bring you nine sizzling new tunes. From England, Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa, and the USA, this playlist is full of sonic treasures for you to explore this weekend. We kick things off with an absolute banger from an emerging Irish band destined for greatness.   Brass Phantoms – […]

Haley Heynderickx’s first album, I Need to Start a Garden, transports us into a world of mystery, insecurity, fantastic landscapes, and love. The slightly de-tuned guitars and minimalistic production enhance songs that defy classification and grow from nuance. Haley’s voice vibrates with desperation and at times flirts with seduction in an 8-song album that is sure to make noise this year… […]