Hollow & Akimbo

There is something quite binding about place. I have found that if I share a similar place with another person, or musician in this case, that I end up creating a stronger interest in and/or understanding of those people or things. In considering this, I wonder if my fascination with this band is due to a similar upbringing in the Great Lakes State or to the simple fact that they rock. Did that make sense?

Hollow & Akimbo is an electronic pop duo based out of Ann Arbor, MI. Members Jonathan Visger and Brian Konicek work to create that airy elusive yet full bodied sound that their name attempts to encapsulate. Lead singer Visger offers  the introspective lyrics and open-ended song structures that he has developed in both his solo work under moniker Absofacto and in his former band  Mason Proper. This project offers Visger a chance to blend both organic and inorganic sounds/compositions equally. Together this talented duo, wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered their first EP, PsuedoScience, released back in October. Since then Hollow & Akimbo have produced a full length self-titled album that is set to release on February 11th. The first single exemplify's the aesthetic Visger and Konicek are constantly working to design. 

Subterranean Sounds reaches 10,000 views!

After a long hiatus, I hopped on Sub Sounds to create this passed due post and was pleasantly surprised to find I have just reached 10,000 views! I want to simultaneously thank all of you and apologize for the lack of content from me in the past few months!


So, let's catch up shall we?
Here's a mix of some older, some newer, some more popular, and some less popular tunes.

ChristMUST listen from SubterraneanSounds on 8tracks Radio.

Phantogram - Black Out Days
Phantogram released this track off of their recently released self-titled Ep. The Ep serves as a teaser for their upcoming album Voices due out February 18th. One listen and you'll understand why I'm so stoked for that full length.

Poliça - Vegas
A track off of Poliça's second album Shulamith, Vegas quickly became one of my favorites — highlighting the unique beats of this two drummer band.

Bombay Bicycle Club - Carry Me
Easily one of my favorite bands, Bombay Bicycle Club is set to release their 4th studio album So Long, See You Tomorrow on February 3rd. Carry Me, the first single to be released, offers a first listen to the more electronic direction the band has taken for this album. The video for the song was created in an interactive form that has been considered a piece of art in it's own right. You can play around with it yourself at carryme.tv. View a previous Sub Sounds post on BBC.

K.Flay - Starfvcker
I know, I know. I just can't stop posting about K.Flay. Take a listen to this song off her latest Ep and you will understand.  View a previous Sub Sounds post on K.Flay.

The Blow - Make It Up
The Blow released their first new album out in seven years, creatively titled The Blow, back on the first of October. It had me at this first track.

Absofacto  - Möbius Strip (Thru My Fingers)
Absofacto is the solo work of Jonathan Visger (formerly of Mason Proper). Lyrically and electronically eloquent all at once. This is one of my favorites from the Michigan native.

Hop Along - Sister Cities
Raw and unfiltered, one listen to lead singer Frances Quinlan's vocals may be all you need to get hooked to this indie trio from Philadelphia.

Rubblebucket - Save Charlie
This past summer, Rubblebucket lead singer Kalmia Traver was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Almost without hesitation Kalmia and the rest of the band decided to keep touring through the fall and even released an Ep entitled Save Charlie. The title track is a dancey one...
Kalmia has since completed her chemo and is doing well. The band looks to begin recording their sophomore album in January and February of this coming year. View a previous Sub Sounds post on Rubblebucket.

Lorde - Buzzcut Season
We all love Lorde...give it up.

Sombear - Love You In the Dark
Sombear is the solo project of Now, Now drummer Bradley Hale. While his electronic r&b style sounds nearly nothing like his dark indie rock band, Hale has found a sound of his own that is quite catchy and still a bit 'dark'.

Haim - Forever
Three jewish sisters from Southern California make up what has quickly become one of my favorite bands of 2013. While their music has been compared to bands from the past such as Fleetwood Mac and 80's and 90's pop groups alike, their sound could not have been created but in the 2010's. It's so ridiculously catchy and fun, I bet you, your mother, and your grandmother could all enjoy.

Hundred Waters

Hundred Waters is a five-piece experimental indie band from Gainsville, Florida. With inspiration coming from a wide range of genres from all over the world, the group creates a sound that is best described as art rock - an intricate weaving of vocal harmonies, keys and synths, drums, and flute and horn improvisation. In August 2012, this multi-instrumental group was the first indie act signed to Skrillex's OSWLA label.

The music video created for their song thistle is an incredible stop motion video produced by Martin Allais.

These studio sessions are as aesthetically pleasing visually as they are musically:

The Dirty Projectors [Socialites Remixes]

The contrast between David Longstreth's deep strained vocals and Amber Coffman's delicate harmonics are what create the uniquely evident sound of The Dirty Projectors. While you can't have one without the other, I've personally always favorited the tracks that highlight Coffman's voice. Perhaps the track that captures the most honest and raw sound of her voice is that of The Socialites, a track off the bands most recent LP.
Since the album's release last summer, the track has been remixed by many different artists —birthing a small compilation of sorts. Each variation offers a different atmosphere, all of which I completely dig.

As long as Coffman's vocals are present... so am I. Take a listen.

 original song:

West Ghost!

the newest mixtape from K.flay is finally here!

West Ghost finds K.flay at her very best - the most mature, refined, addictive tracks I've heard from this lady so far.

 "life is just what circumstance has given you"

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Unknown Mortal Orchestra needs a new name. After the release of their debut self-titled album in 2011 the band gained an insane amount of attention in the blogosphere — attention that has only increased with the release of their sophomore album II earlier this month. And here I am to further escalate (however insignificant) the attention. 

Frontman Ruban Nielson grew up in New Zealand but relocated to Portland, OR with his former band The Mint Chicks. After the band broke up, Nielson started writing with Portland-based producer/bassist Jake Portrait and drummer Riley Geare.

[the secret is out boys and it's time to embrace your less-than-hipster status]

I would describe their sound as a late 60's abstract rock with thick bass and refined guitar parts —a mix of Tame Impala and the Black Keys. 

(((Help me influence the increasing irrelevance of their name >> take a listen below.)))

Also, take a listen to Nielson's solo acoustic session at Oregon Public Broadcasting:

fthrsn releases Middle School Swag

fthrsn is back with his most all-encompassing release yet, and this time it's all about that Middle School Swag. Airy looped sythns laced with pop beats and even a little R&B vocals will have you reminiscing about the angsty pre-hormonal years of the past.