Genres and artists change with the times, while some become mainstream while still adhering to their roots.
Helado Negro is one such artist, crafting an indie pop masterpiece using multilingual instruments ranging from guitars to analog electronics and vocal loops. Listeners will experience everything from this experience.
Tame Impala
Tame Impala stands out in an otherwise repetitive world of music by offering something truly original – their psychedelic alternative rock is a blend of 70s, 80s, and contemporary electronic sounds that come together brilliantly. Kevin Parker’s specific universe of psychedelic pop is created through guitar pedals, delays, reverbs and liquid explosions of color; no other contemporary artist can rival Parker in terms of creating such an innovative sonic landscape which seamlessly transitions from studio to stage and has cemented Tame Impala as festival go-tos!
Tame Impala began as the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Parker in Perth in 2007, as an outlet for him to compose, record, and perform most of its music. They initially enjoyed touring support for acts like Black Keys and MGMT before home recordings posted to Myspace caught Australia’s Modular Recordings label’s attention leading them into signing an record deal resulting in Innerspeaker being released and becoming critically acclaimed; soon thereafter they found themselves headlining major festivals worldwide.
While their first two albums focused heavily on throwback Psychedelia, 2015’s Currents marked a departure into Pop music that earned widespread acclaim and propelled the band into Coachella-headlining status and playa popularity. Their fourth studio effort, 2022’s LP4: The Slow Rush expands upon this acclaimed sound while taking cues from disco dance floors.
As Tame Impala continues to create their unique sound, they have also worked as producers and writers for other artists such as The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Theophilus London and Kanye West. Fans have described Tame Impala live shows as spiritual and transcendent; therefore there is an incredible demand for Tame Impala shows across the board.
Tame Impala recently expanded their lineup and introduced an all new live show, signaling their return as one of the premier bands of today. They will surely continue providing their signature sonic experience across their upcoming tour dates and bring something different and refreshing to modern music scene.
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend released their debut album to critical acclaim and quickly rose to become one of the most beloved indie bands of its era, becoming an instant classic. Their unique blend of jangle-pop guitar with worldly instrumentation earned them worldwide popularity – no surprise then that their most recent album Father of the Bride reached number one on charts worldwide!
Vampire Weekend have established themselves as one of the premier indie pop bands over time since their initial breakout release, Contra. Contra was an expansive follow up that dived deeper into advanced musical delivery while providing Koenig with more opportunities to share impressionist stories through impressionistic lyrics such as songs such as ‘I Think Ur A Contra’ and ‘California English’ which captured feelings of disappointment, disconnection, and social politics with more sophistication than their indie pop contemporaries.
Vampire Weekend took another bold leap with their fourth album, Sunflower. Packed full of innovative musical delivery like changing tempos and unusual scatting alongside guitar, this breakthrough created an exceptional musical journey which resonated deeply among both fans and musicians alike.
Vampire Weekend’s signature blend of millennial humor has propelled their success and continues to engage listeners worldwide. Their ability to balance preppy New York style with impeccable musical instincts set them apart from other bands in their genre, with Contra being an outstanding example, while Modern Vampires of the City shows they have matured without losing their youthful appeal.
Vampire Weekend are currently touring, so check out their dates to see if they’ll be making a stop near you! They will also be playing at several festivals this summer.
Alt-J
Leeds-based alt-J has established themselves as a powerful creative force. Blending rock with electronica, their music often references historical events or pop culture references; their debut album An Awesome Wave became an international hit and led to a world tour – although this eventually caused bassist Gwil Sainsbury to leave the band.
alt-J has since released four albums, two extended plays, and several singles since 2012. Their most recent offering Relaxer showcases an eclectic blend of rock, folk, and electronic music that showcases both accessibility and adventure – their unique music has amassed millions of followers since 2011.
alt-J is known for creating music videos that combine art and entertainment, drawing in even more fans while being critically acclaimed. Their unique style has enabled them to stand out in the music industry while reaching a younger audience.
Music videos created by this band often draw on historical events for inspiration; they also explore current and trending topics. Their song, Taro, pays homage to Gerda Taro – an Spanish photographer who documented Robert Capa’s death during the Spanish Civil War and whose photos can be seen documenting Robert Capa’s funeral procession as part of Godfrey Reggio’s experimental film Powaqqatsi. The music video for Taro features Godfrey Reggio’s experimental film Powaqqatsi for inspiration.
Beyond their imaginative and entertaining music, this band has also been active in their community through charity events. Their participation has raised money for various causes including cancer research and children’s hospitals while they also supported arts performances at various venues.
At their performance at the Salt Shed, this band filled the venue with powerful emotive melodies. Thanks to its acoustics, their sounds echoed throughout the room bringing closer the crowd. It was truly inspiring seeing them perform in such an iconic location; I can’t wait for their next show!
King Tuff
Kyle Thomas, also known as King Tuff, has fused together various genres into his work to produce an eclectic and upbeat collection of songs that showcases a gritty-glammy aesthetic. Born and raised in Brattleboro, Vermont, King Tuff’s musical projects (King Tuff, Happy Birthday, Feathers & Witch) all serve as platforms for his signature brand of rock music. With music that sounds as though it came straight out of a vintage boombox, his songs evoke memories of summer hikes along moss-covered riverbanks and skinny-dipping with friends. Thomas released Smalltown Stardust in 2023 on Sub Pop as an ode to his hometown and his early life there; its title track “Rock River” recalls Creedence Clearwater Revival while remaining uniquely Thomas-influenced.
King Tuff, known for being part of garage rock musician Ty Segall’s backing band, has performed at venues all around the globe. His electrifying live shows leave audiences buzzing with good vibes; joined by bassist Magic Jake and drummer Kenny Tudrick he plays catchy hooks, fuzzy guitar solos, and touches of psychedelia and punk music in each set.
Sub Pop Records released Tuff’s second release, the 2012 self-titled King Tuff, expanding his sound with retro-pop melodies and his 2014 LP Black Moon Spell reached No. 21 on Billboard’s Heatseeker Album chart. Most recently he has released Smalltown Stardust as an ode to his hometown Brattleboro and an homage to childhood memories, family relationships, friendships and SASAMI himself contributing to this project as co-writer, producer and singer as well.