Browsing Tag

Indie Rock

National Pride: Spectacular Scottish band The Ronains return triumphantly with top notch version of the classic ‘Flower Of Scotland’

Posted on 22 May 2021

DragonSoop sponsored band The Ronains show their quality once again on the proudly-sung remix of an absolute classic that shows the true love for their country on ‘Flower Of Scotland‘.

The Ronains is a powerfully constructed Clydebank, Scotland-based indie-rock band. They make that movie or series-type soundtrack, that has you feeling uplifted and ready to achieve what you know you can conquer.

After getting the much-needed blessing from The Corries’ Ronnie Browne and as they got the proper licenses all sorted, this legendary song has been redone by this quality band and they certainly make this a terrific version all the way though. The hairs on the back of your back stand up to attention, you feel invigorated and ready for anything.

”The Ronains bring together a mixture of New Wave and Rock and Roll to form a unique live sound, and have enjoyed performing to packed venues across the country, including sold out shows from the O2 ABC, Glasgow to The Cavern Club, Liverpool, supporting the likes of Jake Bugg and Gerry Cinnamon along the way.” – The Ronains

‘Flower Of Scotland‘ from the magnificent Clydebank, Scotland-based indie rock act The Ronains, is the hair-raising story of rising upwards and pulling all that nation pride together as one, to counter-act the hostility and anger that is way too apparent in this unconnected world.

With tremendous vocals and a soundscape that echos through the mountains, this is a remix that certainly has made the original version from 1967 very proud.

Stream this top notch track on Spotify and support their journey via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Fauna recollects on disillusionment in pre-COVID times in their alt-indie-rock anthem Didn’t Wanna.

Posted on 21 May 2021
Fauna

With so many big names springing out of the Manchester music scene, breaking alt-indie-rock artist Fauna have some stiff competition but their latest single, Didn’t Wanna, establishes them as an artist worth a spot on your radar and in your gig diary.

Didn’t Wanna was written during lockdown while the fourpiece recollected on those nights out that aren’t worth the Uber fare because the minute you find yourself in a crowded room, there is no place you would rather be but home. Despite the relatable disillusionment, Fauna succeeded in creating a fervent earworm out of Didn’t Wanna. Every introvert will want it on their feel-good playlists.

With sonic angular riffs sweeping through the soundscape that was constructed through influence from Kings of Leon, Peace and Foals along with instrumental stylings of 70s rock and 60s psych-pop, Fauna’s sound in their fourth single hit the airwaves as an endlessly distinctive one.

Instead of crawling out of a mould cast by Manchester icons, Fauna’s constraint-less sound breathes an air of ingenuity into Manchester’s music scene, often stifled by Joy Division, The Fall and the Smiths assimilators. If you needed any additional reason to love the pioneers, they also brewed their own Didn’t Wanna IPA to coincide with the release.

Didn’t Wanna hit the airwaves on May 21st; you can hear it for yourselves via SoundCloud and Spotify.

Connect with Fauna via Instagram and Facebook

Review by Amelia Vandergast

New White Shoes: Charles Keyte sings from the reflection in her eyes on ‘Euphoria’

Posted on 12 May 2021

After releasing ‘Seaside Town‘ and ‘Stuck In The Hole‘, Charles Keyte returns with the fantastic new song that will put you in a state of ‘Euphoria‘.

Charles Edward Keyte aka Charles Keyte, is a determined Leicester, England-based indie singer-songwriter. He started off with EDM tunes, to now be performing a soothing mix of indie rock music, that settles the stomach and has your head nodding along with him.

This is the story of having a crush that is like a perfect score in the exam, everything about them makes you happy and you see so much goodness when you take a closer look. You are feeling so good whilst looking at them, as you smile to yourself and wonder if you could be together. That purple hair has you struck and you like it.

He sings with such a gritty style and the electric guitar strikes hot into your mind as you bounce along and get caught up in this wonderful gaze, that has you thinking about your dream human.

‘Euphoria‘ from the very talented Charles Keyte, has us singing along with this fine singer who has brought us a real gem here. This is a laid-back song that has you thinking so sweetly — as your stress heals from this mellow ambiance — that has you happy inside.

Hear this awesome new single from a passionate young artist on YouTube and see more via his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Sham Chewali puts a silver lining on our post-truth society with ‘The Unelectable Liar’

Posted on 10 May 2021
Sham Chewali

For his latest single, Manchester’s singer-songwriter, Sam Chewali, served a roots-deep slice of Rock n Roll. Behind the nuancedly psychotropic Stone Roses and Charlatans reminiscences which give Chewali an undeniablely Manchester sound, you’ll hear his intricate bluesy guitar lead work and frenetic keys throwing back to the 50s.

The Unelectable Liar was penned as a rhythmic high-vibe protest track to point out the absurdity and injustice which came through the vilification of the best Prime Minister we never had. Singles such as The Unelectable Liar are the silver linings to living in a post-truth corrupt society.

The Unelectable Liar is due for release on June 1st. You’ll be able to hear it for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud and Bandcamp.

Keep up to date with their new releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

No Mission: West Lothian band The Tropicanas are at their honest best on ‘Your Man on the Moon’

Posted on 3 May 2021

With their minds up in the skies as they look for brighter and more exciting days ahead, The Tropicanas avoid the lonely times with the new single which has you thinking deeply called ‘Your Man on the Moon‘.

The Tropicanas is an experienced West Lothian, Scotland-based indie-rock band that are named ironically due to their areas tough climate that hardly has much sunshine, as they dream of those holidays away from the doom and dull gloom.

With a chilled vibe that shows us their likable style of music, you get lost in his gritty vocals and the mellow soundtrack blossoms throughout, which certainly feels like it belongs in a movie. The riffs are so soul-healing and the story about drifting away from peculiar times is a welcome addition, to a time that needs all the goodness it can get.

‘Your Man on the Moon‘ from lovable Scottish indie-rock band The Tropicanas, shows us into a mindset that has your spirit up above in space — as you think about leaving this strange planet for a while — to see what else is up there.

This is a nap-takers dream song, as the imagination takes you for another spin upwards, which is such a pleasant thought as you drift off into a whole new exciting dream.

Stream this new single on Spotify and follow their music mission on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

That Romantic Planet: Irish artist Tadhg dreams of that sweet ‘Space Love’

Posted on 2 May 2021

Sparking in hot with a supremely creative debut single that has your attention and brings in a cheeky smile, Tadhg takes us to an exciting new planet to rejoice, with the freshly squeezed new single called ‘Space Love‘.

Tadhg is a proudly Queer Irish indie pop/rock artist, Jazz and Contemporary performance student who makes that catchy music, which has your whole body moving and grooving.

”Mix Elton John with Lady Gaga, add a hint of George Michael, and a sprinkle of Queen, smack it in the oven for 21 years and boom, you’ve got me baby.” – Tadhg

You feel the vibrant lyrics that hugs you so close — while taking you to a new place that is full of freedom and care — far way from this dark world that can be so dull and very undesirably hateful sometimes. The razz and jazz mix in so sweetly here like a perfectly poured drink, the crisp texture is a joy to listen to as this tasty sip gets your blood flowing again.

‘Space Love’ from the new and entertaining Ireland artist Tadhg, is that romantic groove that has you feeling like you are in a rocket ship, and headed towards that person that you care about so much. With vocals that are full of compassion and a deeply intriguing tone, this is a song to play loud and proud when you need some inspiration to believe in love again.

Stream this fresh new single on Spotify and see the IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Brushing Away The Doubt: East London rockers Howard And The Leaves drop new single ‘Broken Rocks’

Posted on 28 April 2021

Recorded after the first UK lockdown at Stratford’s cozy Mustard Seed Studio, Howard And The Leaves sweep away the treacherous ‘Broken Rocks‘ to mend all past worries away into the distance forever.

Howard And The Leaves is an exciting East London, UK-based alt-rock band, who after writing this song during an improv jam, show their creative skill set with music that soothingly gushes at the sweet spot in your stomach, and never lets go easily.

They give a story about wanting someone so badly, as they race into your mind but it feels like they don’t really want you. You feel like you are sliding down and are picking up so many cuts on the way, as you want something you can’t have right now.

With a catchy chorus that has you reminiscing about those dusty music festivals that you feel a band like this would absolutely revel in, they power into steal your heart on a fantastic single with so much to like.

‘Broken Rocks‘ from the quality East London rockers Howard And The Leaves, is a motivated track that shows their intent to get off the slippery cliffs and only be on dry land again. They morph a sound that gives you a tremendous boost that blasts into your speakers and makes you real sweaty. Just the way music should be.

Stream this top new song on Spotify and see more stories on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

It Will All Pass By: Hilton brushes off those treacherous ‘Demons’

Posted on 23 April 2021

After taking the risky but ultimately rewarding decision to leave home with just his 2006 4-Runner, some clothes and his trusty guitar to follow his dreams via a house with thirty people inside it, Hilton has faced his ‘Demons‘ and won.

Hilton is a Michigan-born, Los Angeles, California-based indie rock/rap one man band, who sings and flows with that inner desire to make music that helps him find his path to self-enlightenment and to inspire others to do the same.

This is the heartfelt message of giving yourself a break if you are going through some personal issues, as eventually it will all pass and you will be able to breathe again. Life is a marathon, not a sprint after all and better days do certainly lay ahead.

His voice is so atmospheric, you are drawn into his deep lyrics and soothing vocals. You feel rather inspired to reach for what you really want to do in life — rather than being stuck in your home town where the same stories are plastered together — and you can’t really grow.

‘Demons‘ from LA-based indie rock artist Hilton, leads us into his vivid imagination, as he tells us that we shouldn’t worry too much about those feelings inside that bring us down sometimes. They will eventually pass, if you keep the faith, work hard at your craft and keep positive. This is a wise musician who has sacrificed much to follow his heart, his soaring vocals and crisp guitar playing, only leads to happier times for all.

See the live video on YouTube and see his adventures on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ins Kino is ‘Coming Around’.

Posted on 22 April 2021
Coming Around by Ins Kino

Ins Kino is the recording project of Raleigh, North Carolina, based singer-songwriter Evan Farkas, and ‘Coming Around’ is the first single from his forthcoming debut EP. There’s a melancholic-yet-upbeat feel to the track, reminiscent of The Divine Comedy, early Smiths, or My Life Story. That could be down to Farkas’ use of strings and woodwind over a pushy, bouncy rhythm section, rather than simply relying on the more usual ‘indie’ guitar, bass, and keyboards approach.

It’s a nice mix of cynical and optimistic, chilled-and-mellow yet somehow bouncy-and-upbeat all at once, hooky melodies and a catchy pop chorus coupled with orchestral, cinematic sweeps and swooshes from the off-beat instrumentation, Farkas’ vocal beautifully delivered in that sort of almost-distracted, sardonic Neil Hannon, Ed Harcourt kind of way. It’s undeniably chamber pop, but with an eye to lazy, witty lyrics and deep, crooning vocals.

You can hear ‘Coming Around’ on BandCamp, and follow Ins Kino on Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Angelo Amarello – A perfect summery invitation in ‘Let’s Drink’.

Posted on 21 April 2021

It seems like everyone’s starting to think about the end of lock-down and getting back out to seeing friends, sharing a drink, maybe going to the pub…with ‘Let’s Drink’, Angelo Amarello sings us an ode to overindulgence and perhaps having just one glass of wine too many and waking in the morning ‘with a hammer on your mind’.

It’s fun, it rocks out in a very, very well-put-together post-grunge radio-friendly kind of way – think The Calling or the Goo Goo Dolls, and maybe at times even a little single-releases-Bring Me The Horizon – with one of the catchiest choruses we’ve heard so far this year. Amerello’s voice is perfect for the track (or vice versa), laconic without being lazy and effortlessly familiar, instantly. It’s a great, perfect, summer radio rock single, and a wonderful look forward to the end of isolation.

Check out ‘Let’s Drink’ on Spotify; follow Amarello on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes