Aldous Harding (born Hannah Sian Sunday Clark on November 18, 1988) is an enigmatic and ethereal folk singer-songwriter from New Zealand. She is known for her boundary-pushing expressive songwriting style, her raw emotion expressed through her breathtaking vocals, and her captivating live performances. Her music is often described as somewhat untouchable, with a contemporary alternative-folk sound that bends genre boundaries.

Born and raised in Lyttelton, New Zealand, Aldous Harding spent her childhood surrounded by the old-world, rural customs of the nearby village, overlooking the coastal harbor. Despite growing up in rurally remote surroundings, she was exposed to diverse musical influences such as Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone. While in high school, she sang in a ukulele club and began experimenting with songwriting.

After graduating, Aldous left home to attend East 15 Acting School in Essex, England. It was during her time in England that she earned her nascent artistic identity, playing open mics and street corners as she continued to develop her inventive songwriting. In summer-autumn of 2012, she self-released her debut EP, Aldous Harding, followed in June 2013 by a six-track live EP produced by Ben Edwards. The Dark Things EP was released in May 2014 and showcased a compelling signature style, combining evocative poetry with passionate vocal delivery.

In April 2015, Aldous Harding released her critically acclaimed debut full-length album, A Careful Hand, on the independent Southbound label. Containing ten songs of intimate intensity and whimsical beauty, the album earned her four-star reviews in both MOJO and NME as well as high-rotation radio play on BBC 6 Music and a nomination for the Silver Keswick Prize at the New Zealand Music Awards.

In July 2017, Aldous Harding released her sophomore album, Party. The simplistic album explored themes including death, grief, loneliness, empowerment, and betrayal, all within a series of decaying rock and folk-influenced ballads. Recorded live with a five-piece band in seven days, Party garnered Harding praise and airplay all around the world, making her one of the most visible acts in New Zealand music. Her release also featured several singles including “Imagining my Man” and “Horizon”.

In 2020, Aldous Harding released her third album, Designer, on Jagjaguwar Records and 4AD. Designer was described by Pitchfork as “a difficult and opaque record full of warnings and uncertainty” and dwells on what she regards to be the intimacy and freedom of making music for herself. The iconic album reached Top 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, emerging as her most successful record to date.

As a singer-songwriter, Aldous Harding’s life is a continuum in which her painting, act of therapy, playing violin, and collecting vintage clothes all feed into her music. She is a passionate and driven artist whose enigmatic presence adds a hard-to-define spark to her curious and unique sonic lexicon. She has created a revered body of work and extensively toured around the world, receiving accolades that ensure she occupies one of the highest tiers in the folk music genre.

Wigwam was one of the most influential Finnish rock bands in the 1970s. It was formed in the late 60s and was initially made up of lead singer/songwriter Jukka Gustavson (also of Saturnus fame), keyboardist/saxophonist Jukka Tolonen, bassist/vocalist-songwriter Pekka Pohjola, drummer Ronnie Osterberg and guitarist Jim Pembroke.

Before forming, the members of Wigwam had been making music together since the early 60s, going by a variety of monikers such as Omega Super 5, Rickshaw and finally, in 1971, Wigwam. Each musician contributed to the band’s unique sound, which incorporated elements of psychedelia, rock, jazz and folk music.

Their debut single “Lupus In Fabula” became an underground hit and Wigwam were soon gaining recognition for their inventive and often experimental approach to music-making. In 1972, the group released “Tombstone Valentine”, their first full-length album. They successfully completed two further studio albums and two live albums by the end of the 70s.

In the case of Wigwam, the sum of the parts was certainly greater than the whole: tracts from the band’s repertoire had a shimmering sense of ingenuity that both impressed critics and gained new fans. Revolutionary and daring songs such as “Ski-Jumping And lashing” saw the band truly stretch musical boundaries.

One of the band’s seminal moments was the 1975 outside recording “Fairyport”, at the Hippodrome Stadium in London. Produced by legendary producer Tony Visconti, the popular concert album found the group at their #music peak.# Pieces such as the skilful frenetic parade “At The Rack And Pin” and the blend of wild honking jazz/funk of “Vice Rag AndBone” probably remain Wigwam’s best and most beloved tracks.

With its unique fusion of musical genres, the band soon became a true staple of the 70s Finish rock scene. In 1977 they were signed to CBS Records, which marked the end of a harder rock sound of their days as an independent band. It was also the beginning of a period with increasingly pop driven sound that took them touring the US and Canada.

Unfortunately, the major label did not accept their 1976 album, Dwarf Planet, leading the band to disband after their 1979 album. Although members went separate ways soon thereafter, the influence of Wigwam would live on in many forms. They remain one of the key prog-rock bands of the 70s and a true cult classic among music fans the world-over.

Truly is an American rock band from Houston, Texas, formed in 1998 by singer and guitarist Dustin Welch. The band is composed of Welch, lead guitarist Nick Murley, bassist Juill Delgado and drummer Gezol Simons.

Truly has had numerous personnel changes throughout its career, starting out with only Welch as a member. Throughout their career, the band’s lineup has included noted guitarists such as Steffon Aarricendal, Walter Clevenger and Gabriel Keenan, and keyboardists such as Meredith Goodall and Corwin Gibbs. The core lineup has been together since 2004, with guitarist Simons joining in late 2007 and Delgado in 2014.

The band’s style has been described as a mix of “big rock, indie tendencies, soul, tejano and punk rock”. Their music, characterized by intense, angsty vocal delivery, catchy melodies and danceable rhythms, has also been compared to bands such as Weezer and early Foo Fighters.

Truly began recording and performing demos of their original material in 1998. In 2001, they released their debut album, ‘That Isn’t Storming the Castle’, which was recorded on a software program. The album was praised by local Houston press and the band began to play live gigs and regional tours.

Their sophomore album, ‘For This Machine’, arrived in 2003. This album, recorded at runner studios, is considered to be the breakthrough album, as well as a fan favorite. It was followed up with 2004’s ‘We Are the Autumn People’, which garnered significant radio airplay.

Truly followed this up with ‘The Theory of Everything’ in 2006, which was critically-acclaimed and supported with an extensive tour of the US. This album included the hit songs ‘Learn to Lose’, ‘Mescalero’ and ‘Sacrifice’. The band also made appearances on talk shows such as ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’.

The band’s fifth album, ‘Strange Religion’, was released in 2009. This album featured a darker, heavier sound than previous efforts and was recorded live to analog tape. The songs “Black Candles” and “Pink Eye” were featured in the feature film ‘Spider man 4’.

In 2010, the band released their sixth album, ‘Abandonment’. This album was described as a “return to form” as it marked the return to the band’s classic sound and was well-received by critics. In 2012, the band released their seventh and final full-length album, ‘Game Over’, which included the singles, ‘Control’ and ‘The Only Ones’.

Throughout their career, Truly has toured with artists such as Bush, Audioslave, Pearl Jam, Nickelback, and the Goo Goo Dolls. They have additionally performed in festivals such as SXSW, Bonnaroo, and the Vans Warped Tour.

Truly has earned a massive fan base over the years, thanks to their passionate and intense live performances. They are also highly respected by their peers and have been praised for their independence, heartfelt song-writing, and commitment to their music.

Truly officially disbanded in January 2014, leaving behind a huge body of work that will forever define them as one of the biggest names in modern American rock and influence many of the rising stars of today.

The Millennium was an American rock band from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. They were often referred to as “America’s own Fab Four”, and they achieved a tremendous level of success throughout their career.

The initial members of The Millennium consisted of Rocky Michaels, Mark Stevens, Carl Cameron, and Randy Carmichael. The band was formed in 1965 by Michaels and Stevens, who had both been members of different local rock bands in Sacramento, California. Stevens had previously played drums in a band called Psyworth while Michaels had played bass in a band called The Breakers. They would later be joined by Carmichael and Carl, both of whom had played in The Rhyme and Reason, another local band.

The Millennium’s music was heavily influenced by the British Invasion sound of the 1960s and was also inspired by bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. Their sound featured big hooks, a sense of energy and adventure, and powerful vocal harmonies.

The band had a series of hits throughout the 60s and 70s, including such songs as “Come On Over to My Place,” “Joy Street,” and “Everyday Things.” These songs cemented The Millennium’s legacy as one of the most successful American rock bands of their time.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, The Millennium began to explore new directions in their music while still remaining firmly rooted in their British influences. The result was a more experimental approach to rock, particularly on albums such as 1972’s “Search Parties” and 1975’s “Rodeo.” With these albums, The Millennium were now just as likely to delve into the realms of country, folk, and even jazz.

From the mid-1970s onward, The Millennium shifted their focus to live performances, particularly in Europe. After long tours of France in 1976 and the Netherlands in 1978, they moved to London and set up residence for the next decade.

Their career peaked in England during the 1980s when they had their biggest hits with tracks like “Monster Run,” an infectious sing-along which became a top ten hit in Britain at their peak, and their enduring classic “Lose Your Shoo-Shoo.”

Despite an ever-changing lineup – only Michaels stayed with the band for the entirety of its run – The Millennium continued to grow in popularity until their disbandment in 1989.

The Millennium’s music continues to endure to this day. Their sound remains an inspiration to many subsequent Rock’n’Roll acts and they continue to be held in high esteem in American music circles. The band’s immense song catalog and their described fondness for experimentation makes them one of the most beloved American rock acts of the era. Even after their disbandment, The Millennium’s music is still revered to this day.

The band Salem was founded in Salem, Massachusetts in the mid-2000s. Led by highly creative and talented frontwoman Heather Gabel and guitarist John Holland, Salem have built a long legacy as one of the most innovative and unique bands of their time.

Salem began as an experimental electronic music project in 2004, when Gabel and Holland joined forces to create something “neither of them had ever heard before”. Within months, the duo began to make their live debut, amassing an eager and dedicated fan base along the way. By 2006, word had spread far enough that Gabel and Holland were able to release their first demo album, “Curse,” which showcased their focus on warped dream pop and noise/drone-style music.

The band released several EPs in the following years, and by 2009, they completed their first full-length album, “King Night”. Released on Iamsound Records, the album is considered to be Salem’s most successful effort, and critics singled out its dark and eerie blend of sounds. The album put Salem firmly on the music map, and they began to draw comparisons to other ground-breaking music groups such as Animal Collective, Death Grips, and Beak>.

In 2011, Salem released their second album, “Iana,” which featured a shift in musical approach and dark psychedelic themes. The band also released a number of other EPs, and their 2011 tour of Europe saw them play to critical acclaim. By 2013, Salem had become a renowned live act around the globe, and they were invited to tour with prominent electronic artists such as The Knife and Zola Jesus.

In 2014 Salem released “Strength In Numbers”, an album that pushed sonic boundaries even further and showcased the duo’s continued use of soundscapes and dream pop elements. The album was supported by a worldwide tour, and featured a number of festival and showcase performances.

The same year, Salem released “Strides,” a collection of singles and outtakes from their two prior releases. In 2016, the band celebrated their 10th anniversary with the release of “Carpe Noctem,” a six-track EP of dark music rooted in noise, drone and ethereal soundscapes.

Salem released their fourth studio album, “VEX” in 2019, a release that saw them push their sound to new heights and incorporate a greater range of instrumentation into their music. The band followed up this release with a final album, “Fallow,” in 2020.

Heather Gabel and John Holland’s offbeat take on pop and electronica has seen them make waves all over the world over the years, and their commitment to exploring new sounds and concepts have seen them become one of the most inspiring and vital bands of their time. Salem remain a ground-breaking act and continue to blaze a path which many dream pop, noise and experimental artists follow in their footsteps.

Norma Jean is an American rock band hailing from Douglasville, Georgia, that was formed in 1997. They have been dubbed one of the best post-hardcore bands of the early 2000s, and have since become a pivotal part of heavy metal, experimental, and progressive metal sub-genres with the launch of their career.

Before Norma Jean, in early 1997, the principal members of the band began jamming formed what was then called “Luti-Kriss”. The group was composed of drummer Chris Day, vocalist Josh Scogin, and guitarist Josh Doolittle who were all sixteen years old. In response to a local buzz, the group began small regional touring and began to make a name for themselves.

Sometime in mid- 1998, Luti-Kriss signed to Powertrain Records and released an EP in the same year and toured up all the way to the west coast of the United States. In May of 1999, the group transferred to the Atlanta Loft Recording Studio located in Georgia to record their debut album. This album was 25lbs, which derived from the weight of the back pack of rookie singer, Josh Scogin.

The official announcement of the name change to Norma Jean was completed in Spring of 2000. Josh Scogin left the band on good terms and joined The Chariot shortly afterward and was replaced by singer Cory Brandan. With the recruitment of two new members, the group entered Atlanta’s Doppler Studios for two weeks in May 2000 to record their first album under the new band title, Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child. The album represented the character Tryon, which was instrumental in the recording process. You could say that picking the name Norma Jean was the tipping point for their legitimacy in the rock and roll genre.

Norma Jean’s summer concerts at the time included a few limited dates headlining dates, and a 30-date Warped Tour. Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child sold more than 11,000 copies its first week and ended up selling over 150,000 despite no apparent promotion. This remarkable success set the standard for the band’s next album.

In 2005, the band made their move from Solid State Records to Understanding Records. One year later released their 2nd album entitled O’ GOD, the Aftermath, which featured longtime drummer/percussionist Chris Day as a full time member of the group. This release was followed by four singles: “Bayonetwork : Vultures in Vivid Color”, “Disasteroid : Terror200, Blueprints for Future Homes”, “Songs Nuclear: ABSOLUTE.PCL.2004amed, the ‘Forever years” and “Robots 3: Human”

The process of writing and recording Redeemer in 2006 took less than two months, with the members switching up writing posts during the recording sessions and sharing ideas even during tracking sessions. With the success of the album, the members a place on the Taste of Chaos tour during the middle part of 2006. A DVD compilation entitled A Cruise Through the UK was also released simultaneously with the album.

In May of 2009, the group unveiled their fourth album, Policore: an exploration into post-hardcore and a fan favorite up to this day. The album featured Kurt Ballou of Converge as an official producer and Doug Van Sloun from Omaha Mastering Studios as the mastering navigator. Billboard.com reviewed the album on their release day and praised the band’s musical talent.

In 2012, Norma Jean released their fifth studio album, because Of The Times. and the following year, released the follow-up album, Wrongdoers. The latter was inspired by a quote from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from the Bible and was well-received by major publications like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and Revolver. In 2016, the band released their seventh album, Polar, which was also well-supported. They followed up two years later with All Hail, and would eventually take a break to focus on personal endeavors.

Throughout Norma Jean’s abilgetic career, the members have gained a wide-ranging fan base such as Market One Music, the Astoria Music Hall, the Dillinger Escape Plans, and more. Their passionate playing and profound talent has provided them with numerous accolades and LP release to their name. The power of Norma Jean’s sound had profound changes on its fans, and they remain part of post-hardcore’s iconic scene to this day.

Norma Jean’s one of a kind music has touched numerous lives, leaving a mark in the core of the hard rock and metal scene. Their sound is unforgettably distinct and it will go unsurpassed. It is clear that Norma Jean are here to stay and will continue sharing their musical journey with all.

Mono is an experimental rock band from Japan, formed in 1999 by Goto Takaakira and his high school friend Tamaki Kunishi. The band has become known for their expansive soundscape compositions and ambitious use of classical instruments to illustrate their sound. Mono has released eight albums since their debut LP Under the Pipal Tree in 2000, with their latest release, ‘Nowhere Now Here’ arriving in 2019.

Initially known as a post-rock band, Mono’s sound incorporates elements from many genres, including shoegaze, classical, drone and trip-hop, as well as post-minimalist and ambient music. Instrumentally, the band often uses vast arrangements, often featuring violins, violas, cellos, French horns, the double bass and two drummers. Through their music, Mono has tried to challenge listeners to explore and interpret their unique sound[]

Signed with Temporary Residence Ltd., the band self-released their first album ‘Under the Pipal Tree’ in 2000. This was quickly followed by their Sophomore Album titled ‘One-Step More and You Die” in 2002. This album was not only their debut in the UK but in the US as well, and they used it to establish their distinctive, instrument heavy sound in the Western Hemisphere.

Their next album, ‘Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined’ released in 2004 saw them mature their trademark sound and style. It featured string quartets that brought together sublime beauty and chaos, that gave a unique tension to their compositions. This album included ‘Yearning’ the band’s first track to have acclaim internationally, topping international music charts across the globe.

Mono entered into the studio again in 2006 and made their fifth album, ‘You Are There’. This magnificent record featured a stellar lineup of musicians including other prominent experimental bands such as Envy and 9dw. Mono began to slowly make a name for themselves in the Western Hemisphere after this album, playing with Envy at the Movement Festival in 2007.

The album ‘Hymn to an Endless Sky’ followed in yo 2009. This album was Mono’s attempt to explore a wider range of instrumentation and styles, featuring a range of different instruments as well as Japanese spoken word. In 2010 Mono made their only live album to date ‘Holy Ground: NYC live given 2017′. The record captures Mono’s homage to the New York audience diversity as it blends into a beautiful harmonic celebration into one iconic performance.

It wasn’t until 2012 that Mono released their seventh album, ‘For My Jesus In The Hunger Winter’. The album was somewhat of a break from the more explicit sound of earlier albums, flooded with the ambiguity from earlier works. Shoegaze and ambiance dominated ‘For My Jesus In The Hunger Winter’, making it their ‘tamest’ album to that point.

Their latest release came in 2019 with ‘Nowhere Now Here’, a masterful eventual combination of all the different inspiration brought upon over the course of their career, making it a master record for the band.

Mono have made a profound impact on both the experimental and Shoegaze music scenes and are celebrated as one of the leading artistic rock acts today. Although the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2015, due to medical issues and personal matters, Mono continue to impact the Indie and alternative scenes. As such, they exemplify the magic of cooperation and the ability of music to yield unexpected and magical results when a group of artists come together with a shared goal of exploration and creativity.

Kiev is an indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. The band’s sound is a combination of dream pop, indie rock, and singer-songwriter sensibilities, and is mainly centered around the band’s two lead members, bassist/vocalist Nathan Bishop and guitarist/producer Dustin Payseur. Founded in Los Angeles in 2008, Kiev began as a duo between Bishop and Payseur and quickly achieved local success with the release of their first EP, Better Homes and Gardens, in 2009.

In 2010, Kiev added drummer BrianÙŽ Lang, and then in 2011, second guitarist Jimmy Leslie was added. This lineup remained the same until September 2014, when Kiev announced Brian Lang’s departure and the band went through a period of hiatus. After this period of downtime, Kiev resurfaced in 2016 with their debut album, ‘Crown Lover.

Since then, Kiev has established itself as a strong presence among the indie rock community. The band has participated in a number of festivals, including SXSW in 2016. They have performed alongside acts such as the National, Glass Animals, Cass McCombs, and St. Vincent. Over the years, Kiev has also received critical acclaim for their well-crafted songwriting, showcased on tracks such as “Willow,” “Behold,” “Honest,” “Late Night Lover,” and “Reaver.”

Kiev consistently puts out new music for their fans, with each release being slightly different than the previous one. In 2019, Kiev released their second full-length album, “Feel Something,” to critical acclaim. The band also released two EPs in 2020 – “Tender Opposites” and “Smoke in the Sights.” Kiev’s music is characterized by its dynamic shifts in dynamics, clever lyrics, and a cohesive atmosphere that holds you captive from the beginning to the end.

In addition to their music, the members of Kiev are also involved in a number of side projects. Moving units is Bishop and Payseur’s immersive multi-media dance/theatre production. Bishop is also a solo artist, under the name sarchasm, who has released for solo EPs. Lastly, Payseur is also a solo artist under the name Beach Fossils and received considerable acclaim with his 2019 full-length, ‘Somersault.’

Whatever comes next for Kiev, one thing is certain— they’ll continue to write emotive indie rock tunes filled with earnestness and sincerity for the world to enjoy. It is no wonder that Kiev has achieved the level of success and recognition it has in the music industry, and that people all over are still discovering their entrancing sound. Kiev continues to be a leader in the DIY music scene and for that, we are grateful.

Karate, the Massachusetts-based indie rock band, has been making music for over twenty years. Formed in 1998, the band originally started out as an informal experimentation project by guitarist/vocalist Geoff Farina. Upon hosting their first live performance in Newton, Massachusetts, Farina invited bassist Jeff Goddard and drummer Gavin McCarthy to complete the trio’s lineup.

What followed was a prolific career filled with six studio albums over a span of fifteen years. Although they released their debut album In Place of Real Insight in 2000 – featuring a raw amalgam of post-punk and experimental pop – it wasn’t until the release of Unsolved that their true sound began to take shape. An adventurous reconsideration of classic rock and the indie scene of the 1980s, Unsolved established an eclectic sound that was reproduced on further recordings like Some Bridges, Pockets, and The League Of Electric Shadows. After five years and countless tours, the band put out their most successful long play release The New England Sessions in 2005. This album was especially successful due to the seamless blend of genres mixed within it, resulting in a unique and voluminous sound.

The band’s formative years, combined with their adventurous approach to music, created an unprecedented recipe of punk-inspired indie rock, drawing attention from fans and critics alike. If hits like “Expecting Any Change” and “Charlie Brown’s Advice” weren’t enough to captivate listeners, then collaborations with other indie and post-rock greats like Great Unwashed, Transient Songs, Esazar, Illuminated Coast, and File Under: Easy Listening had quite the effect.

Karate is largely responsible for popularizing the use of a “code-mixing” method – a creative practice that combines elements from several distinct genres to create a wholly unique and powerful sound. And if this isn’t admirable enough, the band has collaborated with numerous industry icons such as Lee Ranaldo and Mike Watt, herculean names of the sonic underground.

From the release of their first album in 2000 to the present day, Karate’s wildly inventive sound has remained consistent despite line-up changes; Marty Dusty and Mike Pace became permanent members after Gavin and Jeff left in 2003 and their departure allowed greater flexibility for the trio to hone their skills and numbering skills, which in turn allowed them to perfect their creative code-mixing practices.

In their wake, Karate has left a legacy that is the definition of innovation – a trait all the more commendable for an act that’s been in the industry for over two decades. To this day, the band continues to tour and make music that is both emotionally profound and genuinely powerful – a daunting task for a band still gazing into the creative and versatile horizon.

CSS is an electronica/dance/punk rock band from São Paulo, Brazil, formed in 2003. The band consists of vocalist Lovefoxxx, guitarist and keyboard player Adando Augusto, bassist Iracema Trevisan, drummer and percussionist Carolina Parra, and keyboardist Dionelli.

The band’s name is derived from the Portuguese phrase “cansei de ser serious” (or “tired of being serious” in English). The five-member collective’s mission when they began was “to rock out and party while fighting against ignorance and prejudice,” aspiring to “participate in the recent Brasileira-ness of music with international influences.”

The group’s music has evolved since its inception, but the band has always been rooted in experimental, electronic punk. CSS has released numerous singles since their debut album in 2005, showing their growth and interest in exploring different musical styles. Their music is inspired by a wide variety of artists and genres, from the punk of The Slits to the electronic pop of Robyn.

The band first began to gain more widespread attention in 2006 with the release of their hit single “Music Is My Hot Hot Sex”. The song received radio plays around the world and made them a popular choice for festivals. They went on to tour Brazil and festivals around the world, and released their second album titled Donkey in 2008. This was followed by their international album La Liberación in 2011, which featured the lead song “Hangover”. The album was a success internationally and reflected a wide range of styles and influences from all five members of CSS.

Since then, CSS has released several more albums, such as Planta in 2014, and Lovefoxxx released a solo album called Demo Love in 2013. They have toured music festivals in the U.S. and Europe, and their constant evolution has kept their fans guessing and exciting with every release. They continue to explore music with various international collaborations, and continue to bring the kind of joy, energy, and lively spirit that has been a hallmark of their sound since the beginning.