Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Like many people in the US today, The Matinee ’18 November 22nd is an extravagant musical feast. However, you won’t find any turkeys on the mini-playlist. Since it is a major holiday and due to yours truly’s own personal travel, the descriptions are extremely short. Actually, each song has been compared to one of the dishes you […]

The Matinee ’18 September 28th gets you ready for the weekend with a bevy of new music singles. Some will blow your eardrums out and others will get you moving. A few will take you back to the ’80, and at least one will leave you astonished by its innovation. So kick up your feet, turn up the volume, and […]

Tank Town by Many Voices Speak When Matilda Mård released “Video Child” nearly two years ago under the moniker Many Voices Speak, the song marked the triumphant return of a woman and singer-songwriter who at one point lost her confidence and almost quit music entirely. After years of toiling in Stockholm’s music scene and with little success, Mård moved to Borlänge […]

The Matinee ’18 August 17th edition is a blustery affair – for the most part anyway. Raging rockers, hip-shaking pop anthems, and one dazzling ballad fill up the mini-playlist. We begin, though, with the return of one of the great singer-songwriters of the past decade. Kurt Vile – “Loading Zones” (Philadelphia, USA) RIYL: Kurt Vile The biggest surprise yesterday came […]

The Matinee ’18 June 15th is pretty awesome. It’s so good that we think you’ll agree that many of the songs below are song of the year worthy. Seriously, the songs today are that great. Oh, there is also one surprise collaboration that is too good to be true (there’s a common theme here). Calva Louise – “Outrageous” (London, England) […]

The Matinee ’18 April 3rd is filled with fabulous storytellers and superb musicians. The nine songs will either crush your souls, make you laugh, entice you to take a long drive, or daydream about better days to come. Arctic Lake – “What You May Find” (London, England) RIYL: London Grammar, Portishead, Dahlia Sleeps Since debuting three years ago with the […]

Rocking tracks, shimmering electronic / electro-pop numbers, two young English singer-songwriters to watch, and one of the most devastatingly beautiful songs of the year are featured on The Matinee ’18 March 27th edition. Several countries are yet again represented, once again demonstrating that music is one of the few things that unites us. Blush Response – “Cruel” (Adelaide, Australia) RIYL: […]

Yesterday’s mini-playlist was filled with under-the-radar talent. The Matinee ’18 March 2nd edition, however, is loaded with indie stars, many of whom dropped brand new tunes yesterday. There is, of course, plenty of hidden gems, although eight of the nine artists listed have been previously featured in this space. As such, you’re likely to recognize a few of the names. […]

The Saturday Sampler October 28th edition brews up some bewitching treats in preparation for Halloween. From brooding indie art rock to charming Americana and sultry pop, these nine songs will put a spell on you. Today’s featured artists are from Canada, Colombia, England, Netherlands, Sweden, and the USA. Check back tomorrow when our Weekend Showcase includes every song we have […]

It’s time to go gallivanting around the globe in search for new music. The Matinee September 19th has nine songs from artists in seven countries. You’ll recognize a few of them if you’ve been following this space, and there are, of course, some newcomers. You might want to be sitting down for some of the songs because they are absolutely […]

Yesterday, Wendy and Ben featured only two artists from the US on The Matinee August 25th edition. For the Saturday Sampler August 26th version, Hollie and Ben have upped the ante and opted to just have one American band. Do we succeed? Of course we did! The selection on the Sampler is enticing, featuring songs from artists in seven countries. […]

The Matinee August 15th will hopefully get you focused on the tasks at hand. Who are we kidding. The ten songs will have you contemplating the events of the world, reflect on your past, and mostly entertain you. As you listen to each song, hopefully you’ll fall head over heels for the artists and bands like we have. We kick […]

The Matinee May 18th is full of surprises, featuring songs by some really popular indie bands and emerging artists you ought to know. We hope this collection of new tunes won’t disappoint. Alexa Dark – “Blur” (London, England / New York City, USA) RIYL: Ali Beletic, Rodes Rollins, Jack River The opening strains of Alexa Dark‘s new single, “Blur,” may remind you of […]

The Matinee April 21st includes a multitude of new tracks to get your weekend kicked off right. We have no shortage of talent today and a global playlist to boot. We hope you find your new favorite band or artist. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for our Saturday Sampler and of course or mega playlist on Sunday. Bands today […]

The curtain has lifted on The Matinee October 27th edition. Today’s set of songs features new music by a few familiar names (including one star band) and a handful of talented artists about to make major noise. Today’s list is in reverse, alphabetical order.   The Van T’s – “Fun Garçon” (Glasgow, Scotland) RIYL: Black Honey, Honeyblood, iDestroy There are […]

Swedish duo Grapell are a rare breed in today’s music. They are one of the very few bands who can make the sultry sound spectacular. Take music that is blissful and romantic and simultaneously make it breathtaking and mind-altering. The secret to Emil Erstrand and Nils Nygårdh’s sound is that they have not confined themselves to any particular genre. Instead, […]

Saturday Sampler October 1st edition has a worldly feel. Of the 10 artists and bands featured today, only one comes from the United States. Scotland, Sweden, Ireland, England, Norway, Portugal, and Australia are all represented on this fun, playful, and awesome mini-playlist.   Be Charlotte – “Machines That Breathe” (Dundee, Scotland) RIYL: Miya Folick, Lucia Fontaine, Lorde Alloysious Massaquoi of Young Fathers once told […]

We could dedicate the Saturday Sampler September 3rd edition to the long weekend in North America or to all the dads celebrating Father’s Day in Australia and New Zealand, but we’re not. Instead, this playlist goes to Alice Costelloe and Kacey Underwood, who announced on Thursday that Big Deal was dissolving. We wish the two all the best, especially after […]

The Saturday Sampler August 13th edition offers a feast for your ears, with 10 new singles from across the globe. This week’s artists hail from Australia, Denmark, England, Sweden, and the U.S., so crank up these tunes to get your weekend off to a smashing start.   Arc Iris – “Paint with the Sun” (Providence, USA) RIYL: The Low Anthem, Laura Marling, Cross […]

Big things were anticipated from Swedish indie band Humfree Bug Art in 2014. The natives of Falun had signed with terrific Stockholm label Strangers Candy and their single, “Hawaii”, received buzz in their home country and abroad. They were creating music that was vibrant and refreshing, as they incorporated various influences and cultural sounds. They were like a mix of […]