A QUICK WORD FROM THE AUTHOR:
As I mentioned in week 25, EARMILK is currently in the gradual and delicate process of refining our features, aiming to provide more than just lists of tracks, but solid editorials. A big part of this process is creating a feature that tailors to you, the fans, and your needs. We've implemented some more changes to the Sabbath, mainly categorizing the sets by the 'feel' of the music, if you will, as well as implementing a few more visuals and tracking back to the Straight From the Teet features.
In the comment section below, we'd love to hear some feedback on what you think we're missing from our Features (use the Sabbath as your template). This could be anything from a News section, to more editorial content. Give us your suggestions – we'll consider them all.
In addition, we're always keen to submissions for the Sabbath. If you're an Indie artist who would like your NEW content to be up for consideration, submit it to me and I'll give it a gander. Please only submit tracks that are current (no more than a week old, preferably), and free to download. SUBMIT YOUR WORK
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cseTX_rW3uM[/youtube]
The Indie Sabbath is back, with new specs and some major changes. First off, it's on Thursdays now "SABBATH on a Thursday?? That makes no sense!" Yeah, well, get over it. Traditionally, we've used the Sabbath to feature the best new [free] Indie music around the web each week — and that isn't changing. But we've added a few things, including a Video of the Week, Album of the Week, and a brief recap of the best Indie posts featured here on EARMILK every seven days. Our goal is to provide more than just a list, leaving our readers with not only new music, but visuals, information and albums to explore with friends. That being said, let's get on to the eclectic array of Indie excellence.
THE INDIE GIFT BASKET
As you'll see below, we've added a few changes to the Sabbath. Mainly, we organized the gift basket according to product. Instead of getting your presents scrambed, you can now skip to a section depending on your mood.
- The Pasture covers the basics, from Folk to Rock to Pop, and will now serve as the hub for the tracks perfect for any occasion.
- The Chicken Dance is a hodge podge of tracks that you could be excused for doing the, err… Chicken Dance to. Although hese aren't simply Dance tracks, they're all good to whip your hair around to.
- Lastly, The Tryptophan is built for those relaxed moments, where you're winding down with the aid of something herbal — or even for a time where you might just want some background atmospherics to doze off to.
As usual, we've ventured into the pastures of the Indie realm and have come back with some deliciously satisfying results. The new categories aren't changing that, so dive into some samples of that milky goodness, ripe for the picking. The day held strong and the night is young — Milk away, my fine-haired friends.
The Pasture
The Pasture is your home for the best of Indie for every occasion. Whether you're stuck in an elevator and need to sooth your companions, or in an argument with the ex and need to calm them down — these tracks are your answer. Highlights on the fresh dairy from Matt & Kim,YAWN, Porcelain Raft, and Wild Child.
The Chicken Dance
If you're like me, your dancing skills are at best similar to an epileptic seizure — and that's on a good night. As a result of our less than impressive abilities, we often simply revert to the stupid moves that anyone can do, comforted with the knowledge that while we may look a bit odd, we won't look like a total jackass. My personal favorite is the Chicken Dance, something that I found myself doing to each of these tracks. Highlights on the fresh dairy from Pinemarten, Yeasayer, and Avec Sans.
The Tryptophan
Relax. Take a deep breath, press play and shut your eyes — these tracks will take you somewhere. Herbal stimulation recommended. Highlights on the dank dairy from Slow Magic, Insightful, and Krusht.
MILKY FRESH
The Indie Sabbath isn't the only place you'll find the best new Indie on EAMRILK. We have a wonderful staff of talented writers churning out great tracks everyday. Here's a five track flashback of the best in Indie this week on EARMILK. Take a sip, and enjoy the dishes — these are certified fresh.
"The track is in essence, everything we know Conner for + a bit of fuzzy rock, and the resulting product is impressive." (Original Post)
"'The track glides effortlessly forward, allowing the listener to come along for the trip, at least until a sax solo breaks through its shackles, releasing a wave of energy that propels the song to another level." (Original Post)
"Taking their eighties influences by the scruff of the neck and throwing in a healthy dose of math-rock inspired rhythms and angular guitar lines…" (Original Post)
VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
DIAMOND RINGS – "I'M JUST ME"
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpK5cbM8TGU[/youtube]
It may just be me, but I certainly felt a fresh dose of 80's in Diamond Ring's video for "It's Just Me" — and if you're worth anything of a person, you'll know that a dose of 80's is almost always a good thing. Lasers, cheesy outfits, disco-ball sunglasses — What's not to love?
RECORD OF THE WEEK:
This past week was more or less… lame, for lack of a better word. The year has been fruitful thus far, but the last two weeks haven't been too compelling. That being said, thankfully Zulu Winter rose to the occasion and brought up a fat one.
DIIV – OSHIN
Oshin is dangly Shoegaze at it's finest, a sound and feel that Diiv not only encompasses, but has built a reputation around. From the bumping bass (not dubstep bass, mind you) of the hit single "Doused" to the repetitive rock of "How Long Have You Known?" — Oshin has enough stamina and original to ride the wave and settle in the for long run. Suckers for the Shoegaze here on EARMILK, Diiv has won us over again, conjuring a set of tracks that feed our inner Hipster in the most delicious of ways. Full review this monday on EARMILK's Straight From the Teet. Purchase it on iTunes here.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ALBUMS:
Worship – A Place To Bury Strangers
Echo Lake – Wild Peace
Jessica Hoop – The House That Jack Built
DELIVERIES FROM THE TEET
Each Monday two things get me through the day — Mashup Mondays and Straight From The Teet — the latter of which has become a very important piece of the Indie scene here on EARMILK. Earmilk author Connecticutter has been slaving through the madness and producing a compilation of album reviews unlike any other — and he's done this for a good while. While the longevity of his work is impressive, the volume and quality is the reason it stands alone as the best review compilation on the internet. An honest Op/Ed that strays away from the pretentious, Strait From The Teet offers and inside look into seven new albums each week, spoiling their plots brilliantly. Below is the collection of tracks and a links to the corresponding albums, and you can check out the entire post HERE.
THAT BEING SAID, Straight from the Teet is actually a list of the top albums of the year so far. Check it out with the link below and browse away.
TOP ALBUMS OTY (So Far)
WANT MORE INDIE SABBATH?
There's plenty more where this came from. Click the link above to check out the rest of the Sabbaths, and stay tuned in for more of the best in Indie as well as everything else, right here on EARMILK.
Upon this day, I declare that Indie music is leaps and bounds more pure than anything else, and the term "Indie" means not that a band isn't mainstream, but that a band has been able to hold on to its roots, even through fame and fortune. While the wonderful thumps and womps of other genres get me grooving, it will always be the sui generis of Indie that guides me to the homeland. And for that — I both thank it and applaud it — for it has brought me great pleasure in the past and will so in the future.
