salt and sounds

indie sounds in the digital realm . (all media posted belongs to its rightful owners)   // albums // // tracks // // videos // // articles //

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[saltandsounds]

[saltandsounds]

English vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Marika Hackman sing Cinnamon live at Toe Rag Studios.

Following her debut album That Iron Taste which gave a haunting yet beautifully raw and trancing sound, Hackman released Deaf Heat EP in April this year. 

Watch her live recording of Cinnamon from her 2013 EP Sugar Blind. 

[desnudaentusangre]

[saltandsounds]

Kid A.

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

With exciting news of the confirmation that Radiohead are in fact in the studio following cryptic hints from Thom Yorke and the mysterious white 12", I spent last night listening to my favourite Radiohead album 'Kid A'.

Released back in 2000, the album followed their breakthrough 'OK Computer' and proved a lack of fear for experimentation with a more electronic influence.

'The National Anthem', my favourite song of the album, is chaotic and manic with it's range of brass and woodwind (in the best way possible) to contrast dramatically with the simple guitar line yielding the melodies through to a more mellow vocally rich 'How to Disappear Completely'.

Check out the news here

Listen to Kid A  here

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

If you're looking for something to keep you occupied (and amazed) this afternoon, check out Bombay Bicycle Club's full set at Lollapalooza, Chicago 2014...

Bombay Bicycle Club's new album here ...

There's also plenty of other sets recommended at the end of the video.

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

British indie band Daughter has never failed to put me in awe at their simplistic, moving guitar melodies and powerfully raw rhythms . Elena Tonra’s humble, rich voice gives goosebumps and puts a wrenching meaning to the bands poetic lyrics.

After releasing their debut album ‘If You Leave’ in 2013, the band has become increasingly popular as a result of touring with indie darlings The National. I was lucky enough to see Elena, Igor and Remi perform at Laneway earlier this year. Their performance was so powerful it had the audience tearing up . They have been a strong contender for my favourite band ever since the melodies blossomed into a bouquet of melancholy in their debut EP.

After touring with The National, the band has since released an EP to rework a few of the album’s songs with a ten-piece orchestra led by Joe Duddell. The 4AD sessions which came of it, created an even more beautiful piece, creating depth and intensity which sounds unbelievable on vinyl.

Give it a listen here.

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Watch FKA Twigs cover Sam Smith's 'Stay With Me' in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.

The cover has really made the song her own and we love it. 

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[saltandsounds]

American Indie band Deep Sea Diver released their 'Always Waiting EP' today. Consisting of Jessica Dobson, guitarist from The Shins, John Raines on bass and Peter Mansen on drums. 

After briefly listening to their debut album History Speaks which was released back in 2012, I decided to listen to their new EP and Always Waiting struck me with the simplistic yet complex guitar layers, seeping into Dobson's incredibly mellifluous voice.  All Chalked Up defined the EP's minimalistic tone with an impressive contrast of silence and dynamic guitar, hollowing into the song's negative space yet giving fluency to the song. It's catchy beats, harmonies and melodies really give the EP a feel good vibe. 

Check out Always Waiting EP here

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

Watch the Official music video for Healah Dancing by Keaton Kenson from his album Romantic Works which was premiered earlier this week. 

This stunning piece, a favourite from the album, is accompanied by equally beautiful cinematography, definitely worth a watch. I was awestruck by how powerfully the video mirrors the hurt and frustration that yields through the intense, painfully honest melodies of the song, giving a striking aspect to the music. 

My favourite song and music video from Romantic Works is Earnestly Yours ft. Ren Ford which you can check out here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvr7T4sfads

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salt and sounds

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Back in June this year when British singer/songwriter Keaton Henson dropped a surprise album Romantic Works featuring Ren Ford, I was ecstatic after watching the incredibly raw trailer for the album which has since become my one of my favourite albums and videos. 

Romantic Works, unlike Henson's previous albums 'Dear' and 'Birthdays', the album is purely instrumental which has proven to be just as powerful as the poetically raw and moving lyrics of earlier works. 

Personally, I find Keaton Henson as a truly inspiring individual, by both his music and artwork. Romantic Works is pieced together with euphoniously delicate piano, harmonious strings and the soft crackles of background noise which created a powerful sense of realism to the album, dripping with melancholy. 

"Romantic Works, Henson's third album, sprang from a series of quiet instrumental pieces he wrote. As their numbers mounted, he decided to learn the arts of orchestration and arrangement, even though he couldn't read or write music, taking inspiration from Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Henryk Gorecki, Edward Elgar, Ralph Vauhan Williams and Saint-Saëns. The result is a collection of songs from cello, woodwind and piano, which he describes as "bedroom classical" – since he recorded the whole thing in his bedroom – with layers built using found objects and charity shop instruments" - Banquet Records

As one of my favourite albums, I (strongly) recommend giving it a listen, along with Keaton's earlier albums here

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

Mysterious London based, modern soul musical collective, Jungle began as an anonymous production duo under the names of J and T who released a 7" in the summer of 2013. Without even releasing their names, the funk collective has grown a fanbase around their fresh, interesting sound. 

As though a time warp from the 80's, Jungle's funk soul vibes influence it's modern slick electronics with an anonymity to make you drool. The contrast of vintage undercurrent, the waves of new-era production and it's defining rhythmic quality, Jungle is among the long list of nominees for the BBC Sound's of 2014. 

As the date is creeping upon us, I have added Jungle to my predictions to the Laneway 2015 lineup and I really hope I'm right. 

Listen to the album with all the buzz here

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[saltandsounds]

Justin Vernon, (American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer) best known for his works in the indie band Bon Iver, is also heavily involved in another project Volcano Choir. After silence from the band since 2009 when their debut album 'Unmap' was revealed, Vernon took his focus back to Volcano Choir last year. 

The band, whose members are also those of Collections of Colonies of Bees, released a long awaited second album 'Repave' in 2013. As one of my favourite albums of last year, every time I listen I manage to pinpoint something new that has been thoughtfully put into place to give that full climatic experience, it's always an interesting listen and a very pleasant one. Repave is crammed with songs that give you goosebumps from their spectacular melodies and purely poetic lyrics.

In this City of Music session, you can really see all the different nooks and crannies of the album. Not to mention how Vernon's voice is outstandingly altered to give you the sense that the band has been hit by lightning as electronics seep through its indie-rock veins.  

Give it a watch. 

Purchase Repave here.

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

Watch Chvrches perform 'Gun' from their debut 'The Bones of What You Believe' live at Reading Festival 2014. 

After getting to see Chvrches in an amazing set at Laneway this January, I am filled with jealousy at those who got to attend Reading this year to see the Scottish electronic synth-pop band among many other fantastic artists. To my great excitement, Chvrches are making a return to Singapore this November and I cannot wait. They had an astounding live show which I will no doubt enjoy even more so second time running. 

Check out 'The Bones of What We Believe' here

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

Check out American indie-rock band Warpaint perform Love Is To Die at Reading Festival 2014. 

I would absolutely love to see these girls live one day. If you haven't already, give their newest self-titled album here. It's a perfect mix of smooth, smokey and moody songs you can dance to. 

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salt and sounds.

[saltandsounds]

In preparation for the release the deluxe version of Aventine by Danish singer/songwriter Agnes Obel, a music video for Fuel to Fire from the album which was released in 2013. 

As one of my favourite albums of last year, this stunning vintage inspired cinematography beautifully complements one of my favourite songs from the album.

If you haven't already heard, I recommend you check out Aventine here. It's an incredibly moving album with vocals that melt into deep, inspired piano instrumentals and perfect for moody nights in.

Or pre-order the deluxe edition here.

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Following the announcement, Ben Howard has persisted in teasing us with two songs from his upcoming album 'I Forget Where We Were'. 

Howard's debut 'Every Kingdom', which was released in 2011, was nominated for the World Music Award for World’s Best Album. 'Every Kingdom' took on a more acoustic/folk style is still present as the roots of his music. 

'I Forget Where We Were' is filled to the brim with a beautiful sound which has seemed to simmer gently from 'The Burgh Island' into a stunning evocative of the 2012 EP. The new track proves how Howard has evolved a vintage-electric flesh around his folk skeleton and distinct voice that seems to drip as honey in our ears. 

I cannot wait for the release and will soon be ordering the vinyl. The album so far, seems perfect for listening to loud on an evening lightened with my extensive collection of candles.

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salt and sounds.