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RUMTUM

RUMTUM | Mora Tuga | 3hive.com

RUMTUM | Mora Tuga | 3hive.com

Mora Tuga is the imaginary world that RUMTUM (sometimes known as John Hastings) created through drawings as a kid. A graphic novel that he wasn’t able to finish as a kid has now been completed through his new LP of the same name. Like RUMTUM’s drawings and illustrations, his music is created very much in the same way, as layers upon layers of guitars, percussion, synths and more play and bounce off of each other with precise intent.

Mora Tuga is clearly a labor of love. I highly recommend getting lost in it. Give “Hemispheres” (below) a spin – it’s a perfect peek into the world that RUMTUM has created.

Mora Tuga is available now on vinyl through the fabulous Wax Thématique Records – you’d be a fool not to get a copy of this on vinyl. If vinyl is not your thing you can get it digitally from RUMTUM’s Bandcamp page. Please enjoy.

RUMTUM – Hemispheres from Mora Tuga (2016)

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Ladyhawke

New Zealander Pip Brown, AKA Ladyhawke, has made some changes in her life over the three years since her last album’s release. She gave up drinking and focused on getting healthy. This new found health is clearly evident on her newest sunny, electro-pop release Wild Things.

Album opener ‘A Love Song” (below) is packed with bright tones and throbbing synths – a real pop gem that’s sure to get a dance party started, even if it’s only a dance party for one.

Wild Things is out now and available from Polyvinyl Records. Check it out.

Ladyhawke – A Love Song from Wild Things (2016)

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Howard

Brooklyn-based quartet Howard released their debut album, Religion, at the beginning of 2015. For their follow up EP, Please Recycle, Howard has completely reworked songs from Religion (with no additional tracking or anything else, mind you) to create a fantastic departure from their debut. The results, Please Recycle is 5 songs of electronica gold, reminiscent of artists like Four Tet and Tycho.

Give “Plastic” (below) a spin, it’s a great example of the entire EP. Please Recycle is available now via Fashion People, I highly recommend it.

Howard – Plastic from Please Recycle (2016)

Howard FB

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Radiation City

Portland-based Radiation City recently dropped their third LP and first with Polyvinyl Records. Synesthetica is a hook-driven, electro-pop gold mine – the deeper you dig into the album the more rich stuff you find. Check out one of many standout tracks “Milky White” (below) for a taste.

Synesthetica is out now and available in all formats from Polyvinyl.

Radiation City – Milky White from Synesthetica (2016)

Radiation City FB

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Pillar Point

Scott Reitherman is back with his second album as Pillar Point, Marble Mouth. Recorded at Kevin Barnes’ (of Montreal) home studio, Marble Mouth is an electro-pop masterpiece with of enough throbbing bass and synths to make any fan of 80’s electro drool. Check out the sun-soaked “Dove” below for a taste.

Marble Mouth is out on January 22 through Polyvinyl Records, it’s a must have for your record collection.

Pillar Point – Dove from Marble Mouth (2016)

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Krisp

Miami quartet Krisp blend elements of electro-pop, chillwave and some good old rock and roll to create a throwback of sorts to the new wave sounds of the 80’s.

Check out their super-tight, dance-pop single “167” below (named for it’s BPM), it’s the most upbeat track from their new album, Sonic Monarch, and one of the best from it.

Sonic Monarch is out on January 15 via Gummdrop Records.

Krisp – 167 from Sonic Monarch (2016)

Krisp FB

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Lasso

Lasso is the solo (mostly) project of Tucson multi-instrumentalist/beat maker Andy Catlin. He covers about every genre imaginable throughout his seven release discography, including psych, pop, electro, hip hop, pop and rock. His newest release, Into The Lasso, is a kind of groovy, psych-pop meets hip hop beats hybrid. Check out the Money Mark-like album opener “Pepper”, it’s a great example of what this guy can do.

Into The Lasso is available now from Lasso’s bandcamp page. While you are there be sure to check out his other releases, you will not be disappointed.

Lasso – Pepper from Into The Lasso (2015)

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Club 8

Swedish duo Club 8 celebrate their 20th anniversary this month and they’re kicking things off with their ninth album, Pleasure, due out the 20th of this month. Club 8 began as a bedroom, twee-folk band with a knack for dropping in a few beats and knob-twists to taste. Based on the two songs I’ve heard from this new album, the band is putting a heavy emphasis on club. No longer the exception, dance beats are now the rule. For their 20 year celebration Club 8 is moving the party from their house to a nightclub—hitting the lights and getting down!

Public shout out to my man Todd for keeping the ‘hive alive! I dig his picks and I’m geeked to have him on board! If you’re keeping track at home, I haven’t posted here in over two years. Sad but true. Thanks for stopping by!

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Band and The Beat

Band & The Beat is the new project of husband and wife duo Tracy Shedd and James Tritten. Using only analog synthesizers and an analog drum machine, they have created quite the infectious dream-pop sound.

Dig on the warbly synths and lo-fi vocals of their first single “Buoy” below. Hopefully there will be many more songs from these guys in the future. Enjoy.

Band & The Beat – Buoy (2015)

Be sure to catch Band & The Beat on tour in a city near you:

Oct 14 . Durham NC . The Pinkhook . w/ Jphono1, Schooner (solo)
Oct 17 . Raleigh NC . Slim’s . w/ Jason Herring & The Mystery Plan
Oct 18 . Chapel Hill NC . Local 506 . w/ Nuns (Oklahoma)
Oct 19 . Knoxville TN . Pilot Light . w/ Bark (mems. of Tim Lee 3)
Oct 20 . Nashville TN . The Basement – 8:00pm – New Faces Nite
Oct 20 . Nashville TN . The 5 Spot – 10:00pm – $2 Tuesday
Oct 21 . Nashville TN . The Basement East – New Faces Nite
Oct 22 . Athens GA . Flicker
Oct 23 . Charlotte NC . Petra’s . w/ Jason Herring & The Mystery Plan
Nov 1 . Durham NC . Duke Coffeehouse . w/ Free Pizza (Boston MA)
Nov 7 . Chapel Hill NC . The Cave . w/ Tim Lee 3

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Cafe Lanai

I can’t get enough of Vancouver electro-pop duo Cafe Lanai. The tropical sounds, hushed vocals and throbbing beat of their first single, “Lanai” (below), is quite intoxicating and I find myself listening to it over and over again.

Cafe Lanai’s debut EP, Paradise, is out June 3oth on Hybridity Music. It’s the perfect soundtrack for your cruise around town. Make sure the volume is up and your windows are down.

Cafe Lanai – Lanai from Paradise EP (2015)