Artist Spotlight: Confessional Pop, Punk-Jazz Noise Rock, and Late-90s Shoegaze
By David Weddle
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
It is an exciting time for new music currently. With our regular spotlight articles, we love to highlight a massive variety of independent acts from across the musical spectrum. Today we are diving into three incredible projects that swap rigid, over-polished production for pure, raw human energy: Luke H Reynolds, Mercury Teeth, and Celestial Sailors.
Wake Forest singer songwriter Luke H Reynolds has spent many years building a huge, tight-knit and global community of music lovers thanks to his nightly concerts on TikTok LIVE. He has now chosen to step out and share his own story with his debut single, 'House I used to live in'.
The track has a youthful alt pop energy that is reminiscent of early John Mayer. Blending a scorching guitar solo with a delicate falsetto Luke uses upbeat melodies to tell his incredibly tragic backstory. The track is was written about the profound loss of his older brother to suicide in their childhood home at just thirteen years old. 'House I used to live in' explores the painful contrast of thriving in adulthood while that "other life" and the house he left behind are never truly far away. Listen Here
The track has a youthful alt pop energy that is reminiscent of early John Mayer. Blending a scorching guitar solo with a delicate falsetto Luke uses upbeat melodies to tell his incredibly tragic backstory. The track is was written about the profound loss of his older brother to suicide in their childhood home at just thirteen years old. 'House I used to live in' explores the painful contrast of thriving in adulthood while that "other life" and the house he left behind are never truly far away. Listen Here
If you are looking for something a little bit different then look no further. Mercury Teeth has exactly that in their latest track 'The Knife that Burns'. Avoiding the writing music in the traditional radio ready format, Mercury Teeth choose to push the boundaries with a distinctive sound that defies all conventions.
Opening with a lusciously loose bassline that draws you in to a false sense of security, the track quickly switches to what I can only describe as experimental punk jazz. It is a piece of music that really explores Mercury Teeth's artistic side. 'The Knife that Burns' is available right now.
Listen here
Opening with a lusciously loose bassline that draws you in to a false sense of security, the track quickly switches to what I can only describe as experimental punk jazz. It is a piece of music that really explores Mercury Teeth's artistic side. 'The Knife that Burns' is available right now.
Listen here
Brothers David and Jonathan Owens joined forces to form Celestial Sailors. The Phoenix based duo have served up a large dose of nostalgic energy with their track 'Bad Leadership'. The track is a real treat for the ears with its expansive, dreamy musical style that feels reminiscent of late 90s indie rock. Not a bad thing by any standard.
With a strong and steady bassline as the backbone for the entire track, the gorgeous shoegazey vocals are able to float around without losing their grounding. The reverb drenched guitars and the warm atmosphere help to give this intimate, cathartic anthem a comfortingly familiar feel. Focussing on self reflection and resilience, the brothers have delivered a song that is memorable for all of the right reasons.
Listen here
With a strong and steady bassline as the backbone for the entire track, the gorgeous shoegazey vocals are able to float around without losing their grounding. The reverb drenched guitars and the warm atmosphere help to give this intimate, cathartic anthem a comfortingly familiar feel. Focussing on self reflection and resilience, the brothers have delivered a song that is memorable for all of the right reasons.
Listen here
Keep an eye out for more artist spotlights, and if you have any new music that you think deserves a shout-out, feel free to send it our way.