youbloom’s Top 10 of 2017

22-Dec-2017 By 1 Comment

In 2017, independent artists from across the globe came together in Dublin and Los Angeles for a weekend of master classes, collaboration, and performance. Youbloom artists have been hard at work pumping out fresh sounds all year long. To wrap up this 2017 we thought we’d share some of our favorites. Tune in everyday for a new featured artist.

10. Shivan

Music Box is one of three singles released by the solo artist Shivan in the last year and it was a tough choice picking which one to feature. In Music Box, Shivan meshes silky smooth vocal harmonies with sparse synth tones of bells and plucked strings culminating in an airy atmosphere. This spacious intro gives way to a head-bobbing interlude powered forward by Shivan’s hocketing voice put through a vocoder. Shivan’s sound in general is clean, at times funny (take a listen to Manta Ray), and never lacking in innovative catchiness. You can check out more of his music on Spotify and SoundCloud.

9. We Bless This Mess

In their new single, Ocean, We Bless This Mess brings their soulful, raw fervor to a new level as Nelson Graf Reis leaves off the bass and drums to create a more stripped-back level of intimacy. The track starts with the sound of waves, barely audible and gently lapping. The waves quickly give way to Graf Reis’ soulful solo voice waxing sweetly against the brittle strumming of his guitar. Occasionally his own voice is subtly layered by vocal harmonies while at other times, it all falls away completely and were are left alone with Graf Reis’ beautiful, wailing words reminding us: “Step by step, you breathe the same air as eye.” If you want to see the music video that accompanies Ocean you can find it here on youtube. And to see what else We Bless This Mess has cooked up, find them on Spotify or follow them on Twitter to see when they’re playing near you.

8. The Magnettes

https://youtu.be/iqK2B6UPR4o
Ugly Youth, the newest album by the Suisse duo The Magnettes, is full of catchy songs that quickly hook listeners. The captivating and distinct sound of the Magnettes is fun and similar to that of Madonna. Their June release can be found on sites such as Soundcloud, and iTunes. Killers in a Ghost Town, the leading song on the album incorporates a wide variety of instruments in coherence with a more modern techno style.

7. OSIYM

OSIYM has been making a lot of noise this 2017, dropping 3 new singles and with music videos to match. Youbloom is excited to name one of these singles, the party anthem FLEX, as #8 on our countdown of 2017 releases. With its infectious beat and slick bravado, FLEX is a hot addition to your party playlist. The rap duo Nova and Charlie Black have become synonymous with the boom bap and trap scene in their hometown of Toronto and thanks to their witty word-smithing and on-stage charisma, OSIYM’s music has spread the continent. While there’s a lot of exceptional talent spilling out of Toronto right now, OSIYM is in no danger of being drowned out. Take a listen on Spotify or Soundcloud, and see what we mean.

6. Royal Prospect

Royal Prospect started 2017 off strong with the March release of Hearts. Hearts beautifully displays the group’s lyrical ability as well as the amazing vocal capacity of lead singer Oscar Reingsdahl. The song begins with a slow taste of the chord progression that later speeds and evolves as the mood of the song changes. The overall lyrical message is both relatable as well as captivating to the listener. Hearts can be found on iTunes and Soundcloud and check out their music video on Youtube. The group followed up Hearts with the September release of I Feel Alright. Unlike Hearts, which is a very vocally heavy song, I Feel Alright places great emphasis on the instrumental abilities of Gustav Reingsdahl (Guitar), Hannes Tingfors (Bass) Oscar Reingsdahl (Guitar) and Hannes Pennsäter (Drums). See what you’re missing and check out Royal Prospect!

5. Hannah

In her new EP, Blossom, Hannah swishes together a cocktail of jazzy piano accompaniment, chill-step hip-hop beats, and her soulful voice to create a mesmerizing piece of poetry. Originally from Chicago, and now making noise in Los Angeles, Hannah’s sound is unique and colored by the iconic cities she’s lived in. Blossom, on the surface, is a mellow set of Rap and R&B charts to chill out to. Listen a little closer, and it’s a story of Hannah’s life, her experiences, and finding her identity in a world off-kilter. Take a listen to Blossom on SoundCloud or Bandcamp.

4. Ivy Nations

Ivy Nations has undoubtedly had a successful 2017 with the release of two new singles and accompanying music videos. In early April, the group released the soothing track Live By Design. The steady and notable rhythm of this single immediately pulls in the listener as it sets the tone for the song’s entirely. The music video, which can be found on Youtube, beautifully captures the mood of this unique and unforgettable song. Check it out on Soundcloud and iTunes. Following Live By Design, Ivy Nations released the single Sentimental Hearts. This song has a happy and upbeat tone portrayed by the swift major chord progressions and catchy lyrics. You can catch Sentimental Hearts on Soundcloud and iTunes. Also, don’t forget to check out the new music video on Youtube!

3. The Fontaines

Choosing to feature The Fontaines on our Top 10 was easy. Deciding what to feature was the hard part. With 5 singles and 2 EPs out this year, the LA-based band has been pumping out breezy indie-pop ballads and New-Wave rock charts like you wouldn’t believe. In the end, we settled on Evaporate. We know what you’re thinking! Choosing the single that garnered the group 100,000 streams on Spotify and hundreds of new fans isn’t exactly bold but if you go ahead and press play, you’ll see why we just can’t stop listening. Comprised of funky guitar riffs, retro synths, and eerily sweet vocals, Evaporate gives off an air of old-school cool that’s hard to come by. You can hear more of what The Fontaines have been cooking up on Bandcamp or SoundCloud but of course nothing beats a live show and you’re in luck, they’re playing at the Troubador in West Hollywood on January 11th.

2. Cider Wasps

Cider Wasps’ 2017 featured the release of their EP Ethereal. This album was a compilation of five tracks, some of which had been previously made into music videos in 2016 such as their hit Hummingbird. Thirty seconds into this song and you’ll be dancing along. Hummingbird displays Cider Wasps’ ability to simultaneously rock-out while maintaining steady control over their sound and producing quality music that’s as catchy as it is artful. The band’s unique style is also portrayed through the vocal layering in Magic Beans. Check out Magic Beans, Hummingbird and the rest of the EP as well as upcoming tour dates on Cider Wasps’ Website.

To anyone who loves early 2000s rock, your year is about to get a whole lot better: check out Cider Wasps on iTunes, and Soundcloud!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7SPSBRhcFA

1. Faulkner

The bi-coastal band Faulkner is back with their sanguine new single, Hot Streak. In style with the bouncy alt-rock ballads and sleek production present in their previous EP, Revanchist, Hot Streak manages to hook and groove, while still delivering in substance. Between lead singer Lucas Asher’s visceral imagery sung in punchy verse, and the soaring synths that sound unmistakably of The Killers, Hot Streak has a flavor you won’t want to put down. It’s no surprise since the group collaborated with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and worked with producers like JP Bowersock (The Strokes) and Mark Needham (The Killers). Bash into the new year with this New Wave cut on Spotify and see why it was youbloom’s #1 in our Countdown to the New Year! Faulkner will be gracing the Peppermint Club in LA on February 8th, 2018.

BEFORE I DIE: youbloom | HEADROOM #9 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

01-Oct-2016 By Leave a Comment

Sometimes all it takes is a little list. There’s a big world out there full of choices and for an ambitious musician it can be hard to know which direction to steer in. That’s where a BEFORE I DIE list comes in.

Narrow things down. Weed out distractions. Focus on the three things that will make your time on this mortal coil the best it can possibly be. Then go.

The youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival is in full swing, with scores of the finest independent artists around hitting stages all around the city of angels with one thing in mind: to share the music they love with you. They’re on this journey because they know, deep down, that this music train ain’t stopping; they’re in it for the long haul; they’re married to rock ‘n’ roll...you get the picture. But where the path will lead is different for every single artist up there tonight, and five of them were kind to provide us with some truly great answers when we asked: Hey buddy, what do you want to do before you die?

Huxley Rittman:

1 | Be featured on a hip hop banger

2 | Play a show somewhere stupid like underwater or in space or while freefalling from a great height

3 | Play a show in which I actually don’t screw up

An act we’re pleased to welcome back to the youbloom stage, Rittman is an artist who brings fresh footfall to the well-hiked trails of acoustic storytelling, making it more about the listener than about himself, which is dignified and refreshing. Like a relaxed, neofolk Dylan; instantly persuasive and warmly addictive. For fans of: Nick Drake, Hudson Taylor, Mark Kozelek

Nasty, Dirty and Nasty:

1 | Become a touring artist full time.

2 | Be featured on a song with Nas.

3 | Perform the 5 fingers of death on the Sway in the Morning show.

Eclectic, exploratory hip-hop that pulls no punches. The chemistry between Dirty and Nasty is colossal; together they capably tackle a range of different compositions, from sexy grooves to party anthems and rhymes to make you stop and think. This is an act that’s going places, and you really want to be there to see their live show before they blow up. For fans of: Black Milk, J Dilla, Digable Planets

Jonny Cat, frontman & guitar, Coo Coo Birds:

1 | Write an Opera.

2 | Score a great film.

3 | Tour three times a year in Europe and Asia.

Welcome to your new favourite garage band. Coo Coo Birds bring the fuzz and crunch with all the references to sex, drugs and rock’n’roll essential to doing justice to this timelessly rebellious musical style. They’re groovy, they’ve got swagger, and they write really great rock’n’roll tunes. You’ll love ‘em live. For fans of: The Stooges, The Black Keys, Jay Reatard

Case Bargé:

1 | Make a positive change with my music, rather it be in a listener’s personal life or in the overall music scene in general.

2 | Go on a world tour and have every show sell out.

3 | I would love for the creative collective I’m a part of to be a staple and known for our influential and positive efforts to better not only the music community but the entire world as a whole.

Like a dark dream shot through with sharp-as-a-knife clarity, Bargé’s music blends ambient tones and synthy, electronic landscape sounds with rhymes so deftly spat you get the sense they must be red hot. It’s top class hip hop with more than enough food for thought for a feast. For fans of: Tyler, the Creator, Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q

Grover Anderson:

1 | I would kill for one of my songs to become so ubiquitous that everyone rolled their eyes when it’s played, even if that meant someone else played it. Like, I want to feel like Ketch Secor from Old Crow Medicine Show does when Darius Rucker’s version of Wagon Wheel comes on.

2 | I’d also like to play in one of those overstuffed tribute performances that they do every year at the Grammys, like when Growl & Springsteen & Costello & Little Steven did that Clash Tribute.

3 | I’d like to tour with Garth Brooks. In my book, he’s the best live singer-songwriter that you can see, and I want to learn everything I can from him.

Wistful and clever, the wonderfully proficient Grover Anderson weaves together songs that mix youthful whimsy with heartfelt daydreams, delivering them to eager ears with a stripped-back, pure and well-considered expression. From the acoustic gems to rockier grooves, It’s the perfect road trip music, and it’s sure to be a killer live. For fans of: Paddy Casey, Josh Ritter, Ryan Adams

What three things would you put on your BEFORE I DIE list? We’re, uh, dying to know. 😉

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WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’: youbloom | HEADROOM #8 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

28-Sep-2016 By Leave a Comment

We all have heroes – performers and artists we’ve stayed up late into the night listening to and watching over and over. For many of us, it’s these legends and icons of music who inspire us to pursue musical careers of our own, and for that kind of life-changer, we’re eternally thankful. But what if we had the chance to live their life? Would we take it? Knowing everything we know about our favorite artists, would we want to say I WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ and cashed it all in for a shot at walking in their shoes?

Six featured artists from this coming weekend’s amazing youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival tell us, in no uncertain terms, who, if anyone, they’d rather be if they WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ and found another face staring back at them.

Gabbs Casanova, guitar & backing vox, Only on Tuesdays: ‘I would have to say Miles Davis. Not only is he one of the most amazing trumpet players to this day, but he was also a passionate and spiritual figure who refused to be pigeon-holed, which I find very inspiring. To me he represents an artist with great insight about life whose brilliant music and rejection of the status quo transformed not only jazz, but also genres like rock and fusion. It would be absolutely amazing to wake up and find out what it is like to be Miles Davis, even if just to play an improvised solo with the mastery that he did.’

Alfredo Lucero-Canaan, bass, Only on Tuesdays: ‘I would love to wake up as Joe Lally, the bass player from Fugazi, only because I would get to play with my favorite band of all time.’

Only On Tuesdays blend the very best elements of folk, indie and blues and bundle it all up into a shiny pop package that’s instantly catchy and smooth. The guitar playing is superb, going tête-à-tête with the impressive vocals as the tempo-perfect rhythm section rolls along beneath it all. It’ll be gorgeous live. For fans of: Lisa Loeb, Carla Bruni, The Growlers

Marcelo Loss, bass & vox, Banda Concreto: ‘I wanna be one of the biggest musicians in the world, Mr. Glenn Hughes. He is my hero – an amazing musician and a great singer as well.’

Insanely tasty heavy metal from four Brazilian rockers, reminiscent of the most fun headbang-worthy acts from the 80s, updated just the right amount for a contemporary audience. Wailing vocals, shredding guitar, machine gun drums – Banda Concreto has it all. Don’t miss them. For fans of: Iron Maiden, Saxon, Avenged Sevenfold

RickEy, keys, Of The Dark I Dare: ‘I would most want to be Quincy Jones because I can’t play trumpet and he can.’

Tribal beats meet soaring, soulful, dark vocals and stripped back and sultry electronic elements to create an exciting and unique sound that you can either dance or bliss out to. It’s earworm-worthy music that is going to sound incredible live. For fans of: Björk, MØ, Lamb

Kathleen Farless: ‘Freddie Mercury; he was an incredible performer, a brilliant singer-songwriter. I wish at least I could be half of his talent. He is really an inspiration and a huge influence on my music.’

Jagged beats, cabaret-inspired lyrics and rolling piano and bass make the perfect vehicles for Farless’ powerful, sweet vocals, at once tender yet inspiringly confident. With bulletproof composition and challenging arrangements, it’s seriously beautiful stuff.

For fans of: Corinne Bailey Rae, Rebecca Ferguson, Les Nubians

Erica Lulakwa: ‘I would want to be me. In life one never knows what really goes around or what other big artist goes through in their life. So I would want to be me and be an icon of my own.’

Synthy and infectious, Tanzanian-born Erica Lulakwa’s music is a funky, friendly take on Afropop, blending in elements of dance and gospel to make something totally new. True to form, African polyrhythms set the meter, as enchantingly atmospheric sounds swirl around and Erica’s voice cuts through like a crystal. For fans of: Sade, Yemi Alade, Sia Tolno

What do you think? What if you WOKE UP THIS MORNIN’ and saw another face? Who’s rock’n’roll mug would you want staring back?

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MY FIRST TIME: youbloom | HEADROOM #7 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

23-Sep-2016 By Leave a Comment

Being a beginner is never easy, but every great artist started somewhere. Whether it’s making beats on Garage Band alone in your basement, busking on the streets of your town, or churning out your first rock tunes, learning your instrument as you go, your first time playing music leaves its mark on you forever. Often, these experiences become relegated to teenage photo albums – the stuff your parents break out to embarrass you in front of new girlfriends and boyfriends. But for a handful of people the memory they might call MY FIRST TIME plants a seed that blooms into a full-blown passion. Every time we at youbloom organize a new festival, we get the privilege of hearing all about these first band experiences. From the good to the horrible, they always make for a good story.

Read on for MY FIRST TIME stories from five featured artists who will be playing at the upcoming youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival.

Defacto Thezpian: ‘As a hip-hop artist, I haven’t necessarily been in a band, but I have been in a two-man duo named Cully Base (KUH – lee Base). The group, and how we affected other people, truly inspired me to be involved in music. Cully Base, and all of its experiences, taught me core values I still use to this day.’

Jazzy and creative, Defacto Thezpian’s smart brand of cross-genre hip-hop is mellow and thoughtful; smooth atmospheric instrumental samples ripple beneath incredibly spat rhymes, with a delivery that is sincere and energetic. It makes you listen and it makes you think. Absolutely one to watch. For fans of: Quasimoto, Danger Doom, Edan

Gray Tolhurst, bass, Coo Coo Birds: ‘I was in a band called Teardrop Raygun in high school. We had kind of an indie-pop sound. Our greatest moment was winning a Catholic middle school Battle of The Bands in Los Angeles. The guitarist from Extreme was the judge and for some reason he liked us. I think it was when I swung my guitar into an audience of frightened middle-schoolers that did it.’

Welcome to your new favorite garage band. Coo Coo Birds bring the fuzz and crunch with all the references to sex, drugs and rock’n’roll essential to doing justice to this timelessly rebellious musical style. They’re groovy, they’ve got swagger, and they write really great rock’n’roll tunes. You’ll love ‘em live. For fans of: The Stooges, The Black Keys, Jay Reatard

Madi Rindge, singer/songwriter: ‘The first band I was ever in was one called It’s All Relative with my cousin Allie. We literally named our band after the fact that we are relatives! We were about 14 and we wrote songs about our love for the Jonas Brothers. We also put covers up on our YouTube channel of Demi Lovato songs, Jonas Brothers songs, and anything Disney. Talk about obsessed. Sad to say that duo does not exist anymore but we both pursued music careers as artists AND write about things other than the Jonas Brothers.’

One of the most soulful voices we’ve heard in a long time, Madi Rindge serves up the perfect blend of style, substance, and vocal prowess with her sweet, soaring tones and tendency to ake things just a little bit funky. Her tracks take just the right amount of hooks and melodies from indie, dance and pop genres, making her perfect for both dancefloor and the pop charts. For fans of: Selena Gomez, Bridgit Mendler, Gabrielle Aplin

B-Rad, drums, Ambiguous Culture: ‘The first band I was ever in was called the Blenders and it was a bunch of homies I knew growing up. The guitarist’s dad was a heavy musician and guitarist and he would coach us through rehearsal. We played all the songs the dad knew and liked to play so mainly Creedence, Cheap Trick, and blues jams. We fucking killed it for being 8-10 yrs old.’

Andre Sinatra, MC, Ambiguous Culture: ‘To be honest, this is probably my first band I’ve been in with this many people. But it is definitely not my first musical venture. Prior to teaming up with Ambiguous Culture this year, I had actually been performing as a solo rapper under my alias, Andre Sinatra, along with my good friend Josh (aka DJ M-O) for 2 years. I’d rap/sing and he’d spin the beats. Our relationship was very band-like. And for the most part, it was a lot of great and fun times I will never forget.’

If you’re sleeping on Ambiguous Culture, you’re missing some of the most impressive independent hip-hop out there right now. It’s melodious and syncopated, with sick flow and understated, yet tight-as-a-drum beats. Observant and pensive, this is hip-hop for the dreamers. For fans of: Asher Roth, The Cool Kids, Kid Cudi

BEFORE I DIE: youbloom | HEADROOM #6 with Featured Artists from the youbloomLA 2016 Music Summit and Festival

21-Sep-2016 By Leave a Comment

Ready, aim, fire. Attempting to accomplish anything in this life requires focus, determination, and persistence, but when it comes to the really big stuff? Hopes and dreams kind of stuff? Well, that’s when it pays to know what you want out of your time here on the planet. And there’s no better way to figure it out than to sit down and make yourself a little list entitled BEFORE I DIE.

We gave six featured artists from a little upcoming west coast party called youbloomLA 2016 (you might have heard of it) three blank spaces and asked them to fill them in with the three most important accomplishments they hope to one day claim as their own as musicians in this crazy business – before they croak, of course.

Chris Meck, Chris Meck and The Guilty Birds:

1 | I want to get back to Europe.

2 | A better van and a decent hotel at the end of the night.

3 | Make better records, and more people to hear them.

With a distinctive growl and guitar blues driven by swelling organs and sweet backup vocals, Chris Meck and the Guilty Birds is a group doing serious justice to the soulful road-worn blues rock that so many people love. Every detail on 2016’s It’s 4am Somewhere album has been meticulously seen to, and the result is uplifting, nostalgic, and note perfect. For fans of: The Black Keys, Tom Waits, Jeff Healey

The Magnettes:

We want to…

1 | Top the Billboard chart.

2 | Play stadiums.

3 | and, you know, end patriarchy.

The very sultry Magnettes serve up slick, smart electro pop shot through with dark and alluring images, raw and beautiful feats of vocal acrobatics, and a confident hold on the music. It makes for extremely pleasurable listening – for daydreamers and nightcrawlers alike. For fans of: Purity Ring, Active Child, MNDR

Jon Goodhue, vox, 3 By Design:

1 | Travel the world playing music.

2 | Share the stage with some of my musical influences.

3 | Be successful enough to sustain myself with a comfortable life financially.

Big soulful vocals meet crunching guitars, punchy drums, and an arena-ready energy in a band that seem – even at first listen – to be larger than life. Production on tracks from this year’s release Enemy build on the band’s evolution as serious musicians. Think cranking rock radio on an epic road trip. For fans of: HIM, Alter Bridge, Finger Eleven

Alex Ayala-Guzman, Lezayr:

1 | Be produced and collaborate with Dave Grohl. That’s a big one. I respect him as a musician and I feel like he would be great to work with.

2 | Play a big music festival. It could be any of them, however the Mexican Vive Latino would be a really big stepping stone personally. I want to be able to hear people singing along to my songs.

3 | I’d like to win a Grammy. I know it may sound like a big goal but I am working hard to get there.

An incredible and unexpected mix of Spanish language anthems and ballads and punk-infused indie rock tracks that will have you up on your feet and rocking out before you know what’s hit you. A true crossover act, they serve up catchy hooks and impressive vocals, all while appealing to fans across language, culture, and genre lines. Fantastic. For fans of: Une, 5 Seconds of Summer, My Chemical Romance

Dirty, Dirty and Nasty:

1 | Create a Broadway production style show for an album (like The Yeezus tour).

2 | Have at least one or two sold-out performances in both Europe and Japan.

3 | Create band merch collaborations with some of my favorite streetwear groups.

Simone Simon, Turning Violet:

1 | To be a locally well-known and respected band that draws a consistent crowd would be a lot of fun.

2 | To be signed by a well-respected indie label would be cool.

3 | To occasionally go on short tours with other bands that are our friends would also be great.

Unmistakable indie pop perfection, with sizzling beats, jangling guitars and impeccable harmonies, Turning Violet bring a lot to the table. Songs are carefully arranged, smartly crafted, and perfectly produced; they’re a DIY wonder you simply have to see live. For fans of: Marina and the Diamonds, Gabrielle Aplin, Lisa Hannigan

So what’s on your BEFORE I DIE list? Let us know in the comments below.

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