Volume 58

Black Belt : JOHN GRANT : From the album Pale Green Ghosts

 

 

John Grant began his career as frontman of the Czars, a Colorado-based band whose music split the difference between shoegaze, dream pop, and alternative country. The band established a small international audience but  their albums failed to attract a large following, and the group ultimately broke up in 2004.

 

 

After the split, Grant moved to New York and began working as a sidesman for bands like Midlake and the Flaming Lips. His first solo album was released in 2010 and this is from his second album, recorded in Reykjavik with Biggi Veira of Icelandic electro-pop outfit GusGus

 

 

 

 

Black Creme : HRVRD : From the album From The Bird's Cage

 

Not the World's most prolific band, this is one of only 25 tracks recorded by them over 9 years. This track and, indeed, the album sees them eschewing their earlier post-hardcore sound for a mellower, rather space-y indie rock sound. In fact, positively downtempo in places

 

 

 

 

Jaguar Love : THE HOT TODDIES : From the EP Bottoms Up

 

 

The Hot Toddies, an all-girl band from Oakland, California mix sunny beach pop, indie rock riffs, a bottle of whiskey and a dry sense of humour. Heidi, Erin, Jessica and Sylvia have been playing music, drinking whiskey and writing songs together since 2005.