Elke Nominikat

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SONG PICK: Deep Dark Blue - Been Here Once Before

“Been Here Once Before”, the new single by L.A. electronic duo Deep Dark Blue (Jason Ganberg and Bryce Alber), reminds me of the sonic equivalent of a Kinder Surprise: it is lush, pleasantly delicious and with a real surprise that should make the heart of every guitar fan beat

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3 Is A Band: Nyre

Nyre is an indie rock trio based in San Francisco. The band is comprised of Tigran Gevondyan, who plays lead guitar and lends his vocals to the songs, Sevag Makasdjian, who plays bass and sings back up vocals and then there’s also Kevork Demirjian, who plays drums.  A classic

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Song Pick: Work Drugs - Method Acting

“Method Acting”, the new single by Work Drugs, is as smooth as luxurious silk on velvety skin and as pleasing as a gentle breeze on a glorious summer day! This new track is yet another example for the Philadelphia duo’s uncanny talent for beautiful pop-songs or as they say

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MUSIC QUOTES: Modesty

Avec Sans playing Lucky Lounge in Austin, TX for SXSW 2016.

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RELEASED TODAY: BLAJK - Lethal

The wait will soon be over because BLAJK, the charming indie-pop quartet from Toronto, is about to release their debut EP “Limited” on July 19th. To celebrate what’s in store soon, they dropped “Lethal” today, an elegantly dark number with a laidback yet captivating  appeal that BLAJK are known

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LATE NIGHT: MIDOCA feat. Lost Boy Crow - Never Coming Down

There’s an almost desperate, irresistible beauty to “Never Coming Down”, the latest single by Los Angeles producer MIDOCA, featuring Lost Boy Crow. The smooth, yet at the same time edgy vocals harmonize perfectly with the restrained instrumentation and create the perfect song for the darker hours of the day

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VIDEO: Sea Span - Diane

Going through phases when I wish for a different first name, toying with diverse options, along comes “Diane” and easily takes pole position! The indie-pop song features an understated, lush beauty like a hot, lazy Summer day. While lyrically the track is about a break-up, it is not all gloomy

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SONG PICK: White - Step Up

“Step Up”, the new single by Glaswegian electro-pop quintet White, is grittier and darker than their usually more upbeat sound. Exactly that edginess though makes this track so irresistibly alluring. The beats go on relentlessly, pushing forward. There’s an awesome bass line, shouting voices in the distance, and a

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[PHOTOS] Civil Twilight live at The Studio At Webster Hall

The Studio At Webster Hall recently welcomed alt rockers Civil Twilight, who are currently touring as a three piece which might, or might not again change in the future. What Andrew McKellar (vocals,bass,  keyboards), his brother Steven McKellar (guitar) and Richard Wouters (drums) put on stage though, was pretty

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SONG PICK: You Are Number Six - Glitches

While we have the brilliantly soaring “Tropic of Love”still lingering in our ears, You Are Number Six released “Glitches”, another single from their EP “VHS Dreams“. “Glitches” also features the signature lush 80s synths sounds, but is a bit more understated in its overall vibe. Luckily though, it once

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Q&A with Elk + Mammoth

‘Hauntingly beautiful’ comes to mind, when trying to describe Elk + Mammoth‘s recently released EP “Culprit” in only two words. There’s a certain melancholy to it with a sparse, guitar-driven instrumentation, and vocals that are a touch unsettling but at the same time super charming, and simply irresistibly unique.

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3 Is A Band: Warm Graves

Despite their rather morbid band name, suggesting grinding death metal or the like, Warm Graves, based in Leipzig, create sound that is more mellow than agitating. Yes, the trio’s sound is deep and dark, but they call their music sci-fidelic-rock and their debut album “Ships Will Come”, released on

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SONG PICK: Naropa - If Only While I'm Sleeping

Lush guitars as well as rich and raspy vocals with a slight tremolo in it, set the mood for “If Only While I’m Sleeping”, which starts out a tad bit melancholic yet comes around in the chorus, when things start to look brighter and more optimistic. Sonically the track

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NEW TRACK: The Halves - Are You Happy?

There is no shortage of super talented, young bands these days, and The Halves from Charlotte, North Carolina can get easily added to this illustrious group of people. While still in high school, the brothers Robbie and Cody Hudgins (I have this special fondness for bands with siblings), and friends

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[PHOTOS] The Dirty Nil Get the Punk Fest started at Gramercy Theatre

The Canadian punk-rock trio The Dirty Nil were up first last week at Gramercy Theatre, opening for Flag (the touring version of Black Flag) as well as War On Women. I was ready for some good old noisy rock’n’roll with heavy punk influences and did not get disappointed,

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MUSIC QUOTES: Growing Up

Little Racer live at Union Pool, July 2015 Little Racer Tour Dates

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SONG PICK: HØØNCH - Lost 2.0

Hardly anybody else does danceable, carefree summer sound better than acts from Los Angeles. Add LA duo HØØNCH to the growing list of bands, creating highly infectious, instantly likable synth-pop. With “Lost 2.0” HØØNCH deliver a shiny feel-good track with a funky bass , 80s drum lines and synths-laden hooks

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LATE NIGHT: Sunjacket - Not Enough

Ever wondered what resignation sounds like? The Chicago quartet Sunjacket make melancholy sound hauntingly beautiful on their debut single “Not Enough”. The track is the first release from their upcoming full-length album “Mantra”. “Not Enough” showcases Sunjacket’s dark, deeply layered, syncopated synth-rock. In “Not Enough” the bright and gorgeous

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SONG PICK: The Hazy Seas - Kite Dodging

“Kite Dodging”, by Mid-Western surf rock quartet The Hazy Seas, seems to be made for all of us who can not make it to the beach and experience Summer bliss first hand. The shimmering surf rock guitars make the glittering sun spots on top of the waves come sonically alive

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Q&A with Egyptian Blue

Egyptian Blue are a spiky quartet from England, who play uncompromising indie rock, with lots of reverb and appreciation for psychedelia and punk. So that’s a great mix right there. Egyptian Blue’s songwriting skills are spot on, and together with intriguingly gritty vocals this all makes up for

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NEW TRACK: Blonder - Lean

There’s this understated coolness to “Lean”, the debut single by New York musician Blonder that asks for immediate attention and just like that chimes itself into our ears and stays there put.  “Lean” is an optimistic and bright indie rock song, intriguing vocals and an instant likability. Playlist material

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[PHOTOS] Foxtrax Celebrate the Release of their EP "Cabin" at Mercury Lounge

Sometimes people have to move away in order to be appreciated where they came from, although that’s hardly possible in the case of indie rock trio Foxtrax who can look at a sizable, loyal fanbase already. Beginning of 2016, the three New Yorker (Long Island to be precise) took

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SONG PICK: Pure Youth - Other Side

Pure Youth, a four piece based in London, make beautifully melodic indie rock, with a catchiness that is impossible to resist. Their latest single “Other Side” is no exception!  Dave Hibbert (vocals, guitar) provides insight to what the track is about: it “is about longing to be back in a

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VIDEO: Balcony - Satisfied

Earlier this month, London based four piece Balcony, comprised of members from three different continents, have released their new single “Satisfied”. Now, they added stunning visuals to the irresistibly alluring track. The video brings the underlying melancholy and understated beauty of “Satisfied” masterly to life. Shot basically in one long

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[PHOTOS] I Am Snow Angel Live at Rockwood Music Hall

Before I Am Snow Angel, real name Julie Kathryn, starts her show at Rockwood Music Hall, she carries a mad scientist lab’s worth of equipment, including her own light show, on stage. And then she puts on one of the finest electronic solo shows I have ever seen: she