Monthly Mix: August 2015

Grace Potter arrives at Midnight

   
     The wave of heat is coming to an end, but there is still plenty of good summer fun to be soaked up. The pontoon boats are still running strong and the new tunes keep rolling along.
     Vermont rock queen Grace Potter is taking a step into the pop world with her new release Midnight [August 14, via Hollywood Records]. Radio play isn't foreign to Potter, as her band The Nocturnals have churned out a few hits in the past. For Midnight, she takes the solo route and focuses on bubble gum beats and dance club anthems. On the song "Delirious" she combines her smooth voice with an infectious synth groove. The tour will weave through the United States with marquee stops at Red Rocks and Radio City Music Hall.
     As we continue to enjoy the summer nights, it's good to know the mp3 players are reloaded with a whole new arsenal of fresh tracks.


August 2015 Playlist

1.  Night Riots  -  "Oh My Heart"

2.  Hippo Campus  -  "Suicide Saturday"

3.  Silversun Pickups  -  "Nightlight"

4.  The Dead Weather  -  "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)"

5.  Houndmouth  -  "Sedona"

6.  Grace Potter  -  "Delirious"

7.  Vundabar  -  "Darla"

8.  Tear Council  -  "My Car"

9.  Eagles Of Death Metal  -  "Complexity"

10.  CHVRCHES  -  "Leave A Trace"

11.  Nathaniel Rateliff  & The Night Sweats  -  "S.O.B."

12.  Trey Anastasio  -  "Sometime After Sunset"

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

Visit iTunes if interested in purchasing any songs featured in Orbit Sound!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: February 2014

Bear Hands create a Distraction

     Love was in the air as February's cupid warriors shot arrows and mp3s all over the icy landscape. Valentine's Day may have come and gone, but the fresh music cuts still resonate strong.
     Brooklyn's indie-rock band Bear Hands have entered the college radio stratosphere on the heels of their new album Distraction [February 18, via Cantora]. Packed with post-punk flavor, frontman Dylan Rau explores a variety of lyrical themes over dance-club worthy rock beats. On the bouncy "Agora", Rau contemplates leaving the comforts of his house and venturing out into the world. The rest of the album is a delight of catchy indie hooks and sleek guitar riffs. The tour weaves through the United States with hot stops at SXSW, Coachella, and Big Guava Music Festival.
     The arctic chill was not enough to spoil the surplus of spanking new tracks coming in to the iPods. February's Playlist has enough alternative, garage, and indie rock to keep the temperatures up while enjoying the last chocolate in the box.

February 2014 Playlist

1.  Cloud Nothings  -  "I'm Not Part Of Me"

2.  The Hold Steady  -  "Spinners"

3.  Bear Hands  -  "Agora"

4.  Neon Trees  -  "Sleeping With A Friend"

5.  Blitzen Trapper  -  "Thirsty Man"

6.  311  -  "Five Of Everything"

7.  Bad Suns  -  "Cardiac Arrest"

8.  U2  -  "Invisible"

9.  Tokyo Police Club  -  "Argentina (Parts I, II, III)"

10.  Silversun Pickups  -  "Cannibal"

11.  Last Lynx  -  "Lacuna"

12.  Saint Pepsi  -  "Mr. Wonderful"

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

Visit iTunes if interested in purchasing any songs featured in Orbit Sound!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: The Playlist, May 2012

     Although the summer isn't technically here yet, it sure does feel like it. This May treated us to sunshine, a fresh bloom of wildlife, and signs of new things to come. The same can be said about the musical offerings, which features an array of new sun-baked treasures.
     Canada is definitely not short on relevant music these days. Toronto's Metric exploded back onto the alt-radio waves this month with "Youth Without Youth", a glam-rocker that finds front-woman Emily Haines describing a new generation of youngsters who are neglecting their childhood innocence. As the summer nears, this message seems to be very much appropriate. Their new album Synthetica is available for download June 12.
     It's always refreshing to hear music with meaning, and this month The Gaslight Anthem delivered. The New Jersey-based punkers handed us an early summer anthem in "45", a track off their upcoming Handwritten (July 24) which features a soaring guitar riff and powerful vocals about moving on from a past relationship.
     Michael Angelekos, lead singer of electro-pop outfit Passion Pit, claims that there is more of a dichotomy between the lyrics and the music on the band's new album Gossamer (July 24). The first single "Take A Walk" is a departure from the group relying on their trademark synth grooves and gives way to Angelekos exploring themes of political nature, something we haven't seen from them before.
     As the weather continues to become more enjoyable, the new music seems to as well. We here will throw our sunglasses on, grab our mp3 players, and head to the beach to soak up the rays, and of course the fresh tunes.

May 2012 Playlist


1. Jack White - Freedom at 21

2. Metric - Youth Without Youth

3. The Gaslight Anthem - 45

4. Silversun Pickups - Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)

5. White Arrows - Roll Forever

6. Passion Pit - Take A Walk

7. Happy Hands Club - Astrology

8. Friends - Mind Control

9. Hot Chip - Night & Day

10. St. Lucia - Closer Than This

11. Animal Collective - Honeycomb

12. B.o.B - So Good

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For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @s_ferris