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Sunday, November 5, 2017

Big Head Todd & the Four More Artists added to our mix this week

We've been playing the early singles from Big Head Todd and the Monsters' New World Arisin' and now that the full album is out we're picking up the title track. Frontman Todd Park Mohr says it's inspired by the Delta blues of Charley Patton. "Melodically, that song derives from an old gospel song that I heard Patton do. I turned it into a rock song ... it sort of has a heavy metal/gospel feel." The album features a good variety of sounds - and you know we like that - so you'll hear other tracks popping up in our mix as well.

Sam Valdez is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who's only released a few singles so far but has been been getting a lot of critical attention. Her latest, "It's Alright," has been called a blend of Americana and shoegaze. As usual, words (and labels) don't work well in describing music. But give a listen and see if you agree that this emerging artist shows tremendous promise.

From farther up the West Coast comes Lovecoast, a "soul pop" band that hails from Victoria, B.C. CBC Music said "Danielle Sweeney's sweet but slightly gritty vocals accompanied by some '80s-influenced pop makes for a super catchy" sound, and their latest single certainly lives up to that description. It's called "Lonely" but it's not about feeling that way; it's about wishing that the object of your crush was is in need of a new friend.

We spin the globe to Northern Ireland and catch up with an indie-folk band called Runabay. Formed in late 2013, they have a sound that might remind you of Fleet Foxes or Real Estate, but with some extra richness in the harmonies and instrumentation (including cello). Their latest single "Too Soon (Reverie)" is "an introspective song about the implications of indecision," says frontman John McManus.

And we make another big genre-shift by turning to the cool dance-pop of Rhye. This duo consists of Toronto-born Michael Milosh and Denmark native Robin Hannibal. The two began their collaboration in Europe and resumed it after separately moving to Los Angeles. They released one album in 2013, and have resurfaced this year with a few singles, apparently previewing an upcoming album. With Milosh's androgynous vocals and slinky sound, Rhye mixes well with Marian Hill and Sylvan Esso. We're adding "Taste" to the New Music bin.

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