SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Huge Shark here, from under the skies of a sunny, cool San Diego winter. We’re not getting nearly as much rain as we’d like, but with the rest of North America under an ice blanket, we can’t really complain!
I promised to help you wade through the depths of all the indie music out there — here’s a quick taste of some of last year’s finest “deep indie.” Many of these folks record in their living rooms, and none are on the big labels. But that doesn’t make them any less brilliant.
Avi C. Engel— Sanguinaria: Engel’s liquid-gold voice wraps around visionary lyrics and a throb of compelling alt-pop music. Engel plays an array of instruments, including talharpa, gudok, lap steel and melodica in addition to guitar and percussion. There’s a bit of a feel of Paula Cole here, if Cole were a returning ghost, haunting you in the mirror.
Forestlike — Forestlike: The eponymous album by Jared Myers and Joshua Wayne Hensley sounds like updated ‘60s folk revival, with light tenor harmonies, resonant guitar and the occasional poppy percussion. It’s music with a lot of heart.
Meg Mulhearn & Belly Full of Stars — Conjunctions: This experimental album by two talented women out of the southern U.S. feels like a trip through deep space — could be the soundtrack to a science fiction thriller. But there’s warmth to it, too.
Scene Noir — Violent Summer: The latest EP from Montreal, Canada darkwavers Scene Noir delivers an ‘80s post-punk feel, with shimmery synths and Sisters-of-Mercy-meets-Bauhaus lead vocals. The echoic keys and pulsing beat are irresistible; you’ll be chair-dancing at midnight.
Hilliat Fields — Gravity (Live): Hilliat Fields is the solo project of an artist in the U.K. who’s become known for his densely beautiful ambient work. Gravity (Live) takes us on a ride through some dark noises and soft sonics, and gives the listener the feel of having been present at one of his recent coffeehouse performances.
Avi C. Engel – Sanguinaria — https://cruelnaturerecordings.bandcamp.com/album/sanguinaria
Forestlike – Forestlike — https://forestlike.bandcamp.com/album/forestlike
Meg Mulhearn & Belly Full of Stars – Conjunctions — https://fallenmoonrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/conjunctions
Scene Noir – Violent Summer — https://scenenoir.bandcamp.com/album/violent-summer
Hilliat Fields – Gravity — https://hilliatfields.bandcamp.com/album/gravity-live
Hope you find something delicious here!
Cheers,
Huge Shark
