Beach Fossils

The release of their self-titled LP in 2010 introduced the world to Beach Fossils' Dick Dale twanged, New Wave inspired surf rock: a frenetic sound, although then unique, has now become quite prevalent in the indie scene. But where this Brooklyn-based four-piece set themselves apart was through their Johnny Rotten-esque turbulent attitutes: a trait that's been upheld in their 2013 sophomore folow-up, Clash the Truth. Led by the melancholic growl of Dustin Payseur, Beach Fossils embody a liveliness and urgency that's shared by a majority of their generation. We witnessed this energy live in Austin at Hype Machine's Hype Hotel. We suggest sticking around til the final minutes to see the extent of Beach Fossils' volatility - where an explosive bout ends with a crippled drum kit.

This particular show was captured on a sticky summer night June of 2010 at the Daniel Street club in Milford Connecticut. Though filming in an unfamiliar setting yielded a somewhat tricky production, what follows is a honest, on-stage (and, towards the end...off) account of one of 2010's most exciting bands. Here Surfer Blood take to tangy, sun kissed fret work and stomp the pedal box moments of grit...the band's raw guitar crunch seeping into a heavy sway of multiple, percussive elements. At the helm of the group, John Paul (JP) Pitts flaunts flailing, haphazard kind of vocals, high on reverb and coloring outside the melodious lines like some newbie version of Stephen Malkmus. Not surprisingly, it's a sound that reminisces more of early 90s buzz bin bands than the contemporary indie fixation with weird electronic acrobatics; a refreshing, throwback spin that has felt very of the moment all year long.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra performing live at The Oxford Arts Factory in Sydney.

One of our current new love affairs, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart bring their sugary dose of fuzzy nostalgia to the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Like a well informed ode to the great guitar driven bands of yesteryear (think My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Smiths, etc), The Pains of Being Pure at Heart tip their cap to those who inspired them with a performance that validates their current status as a band to know and watch over the coming months.

Trevor Powers, better known as Youth Lagoon, is in a class all his own when it comes to psychedelia. His lyrics delve unrelentingly into the human psyche while his music swirls with twinkling piano and a tornado of fuzzy guitars. Yet through all that intensity, he still manages to make us feel calm and collected, like we're being rocked to sleep in the midst of a storm.


We've been obsessed with his sophomore album, Wondrous Bughouse, ever since it came out in March. Lucky for us, Youth Lagoon performed a soaring set during SXSW, at Stereogum's party for Hype Machine's Hype Hotel. After admiring the unique recording production for so long, it's honestly fascinating to see Powers and his band weave their bizarre carnival sound live onstage in challenging songs like "Mute" and "Attic Doctor." Watch the video and get swept away.

Oftentimes at live shows, musicians of the indie-rock variety get so caught up in all the strut and swagger that goes along with rock music that they forget to be fun. Deerhunter are not that, as evidenced by their performance here at McCarren Park Pool. On the contrary, front man Bradford Cox is a pretty damn funny guy. And while he may look like a young Thurston Moore without the flowing hair, Deerhunter opt out of your typical art-rock arrogance and instead go for a sonically sound show complete with a driving rhythm section and extra catchy guitar riffs. There's even a nutty vocal spot from Cole Alexander of The Black Lips. Top it off with some psychedelic effects and a pretty rhythm guitarist in cheerleader garb, and you've got yourself a Deerhunter performance that's way too fun to miss out on.

Wavves started in 2008 as the recording project of Nathan Williams. Wavves released several 7"s as well as a cassette leading up to the first two releases 'Wavves' (Woodsist) and 'Wavvves' (Fat Possum/Bella Union). After gaining recognition Ryan Ulsh was enlisted as a touring drummer and Wavves did the first US and European tours.

A brilliant multi-instrumentalist, influenced by the 90s, John Lennon and Yellow Magic Orchestra, Mac DeMarco has become an indie rock figure over time. With his mischievous mouth and contagious cheerfulness, he unfolds a solar pop and dreamy, sometimes tinged with soul. A definition of the Cool all by itself.