International Indie Music: my favorite February 2023 releases
Enjoy my favorite picks released in February 2023, in chronological order!
"INDEPENDENT DISCOVERY" - Sounds On The Couch - Australia (released on February 1st)
Australian based indie music community, Sounds On The Couch is excited to announce the release of its first digital compilation album, 'Independent Discovery (Volume 1)'. The album features a diverse range of emerging and established independent artists from across the globe, showcasing a vibrant and eclectic mix of genres, including indie rock, indie-pop, singer-songwriter, R&B, and more. "We are thrilled to be releasing this compilation, which represents some of the best of the independent and emerging music scene," said founder, Karen Harding. "We've spent the past few years building this incredible community of artists and this album is representative of the amazing talent and creativity throughout the community and the independent scene. We truly can't wait for the world to hear it." The album includes tracks from a variety of artists, including the likes of divine&acajou, Elisha Andres, ENNA, Jason Justly, Kaiyah Mercedes, Madi Leeds, Matthew McMahon, Minhy, Ollie Twohill, Patrick McArdle, Riley Cooper and Tillerman Pete. Sounds On The Couch began in April 2020 by founder and independent singer-songwriter, Karen Harding, as a way for artists to connect with audiences when Covid-19 was limiting the ability for musicians to play live shows. Since this time, the platform has evolved into a community of independent artists, moving towards a common goal, and provides publicity through an online magazine, playlists and YouTube channel, as well as providing periodic workshops and resources to support independent and emerging artists.
Instagram: @soundsonthecouch
"ALL I KNOW" - Lucas Fournier - Montreal, Canada (released on February 3rd)
Only 19 years old with a world of ambition, Lucas Fournier has one goal: to spend his life making music that excites him, pushes boundaries, and connects with like-minded music lovers. Currently in his third year studying music at McGill University, the music that Fournier makes in his home studio is drastically different to what he studies. With a soft spot for the classic lush indie folk aesthetic of Novo Amor and early Bon Iver, but perhaps an equal influence from the genre-bending discography of Radiohead, and the outside-the-box production of Tony Berg on albums like Phoebe Bridgers’ Punisher, Fournier refuses to confine himself to a genre, and instead will go wherever a song takes him. "all i know" is a romantic but heartbreaking singer-songwriter ballad about feeling undeserving of love, and struggling to live in the moment. It describes a constant feeling of worrying about the future that stops you from being able to appreciate all the amazing things that life has to offer in the present. Fun fact: the verse and chorus are in two different keys! I made this choice to give the romantic, waltzy style a sense of uneasiness from the key change.
Instagram: @lucas__fournier
"LORRAINE" - Mariano Mallia - Delaware, Usa (released on February 3rd)
After recovering from a four-year battle with vocal paresis, a type of vocal paralysis that severely effects a persons’ ability to sing and speak, Delaware singer/songwriter Mariano Mallia shares with us his newest single "Lorraine", which is the second single off of his new project. In this article, the singer brings us into his world of music and the injury that almost cost him his career. The single "Lorraine" is an emotional tale with lush guitars, soothing falsetto melodies, and a message that will leave listeners reflecting. Mariano says he believes that this song will convey different messages to different people, and that everyone will find their own meaning in the song. However, when asked about his inspiration, Mallia described, "I think at one point or another, we’ve all found ourselves in the shoes of Lorraine. We’ve found ourselves letting our past and the mistakes we’ve made define our self-worth. The song "Lorraine" is a reminder that your past doesn’t define who you are or the person that you are going to become. This song speaks to the value of human life, our capacity to make amends with the past, and our propensity to grow from whatever situation is holding us down in order to find the beauty and purpose in our life".
Instagram: @marianomallia
"JUST A DAY" - Connor Morrison - San Francisco, Usa (released on February 3rd)
San Francisco Bay Area piano rocker, Connor Morrison, is jamming into 2023 with his new single, "Just a Day"; the second off his new EP due in 2023. Connor spent the last five years as half of the folk rock duo, The Meanderings, touring the United States and releasing three full-length albums before kicking off his solo chapter with his single, The Duchess, in late 2022. Just a Day is about finding strength to push through when the desire to rise and be something greater that we are is confronted by the reality check of everyday life. The weight of wishing that we could be better, but the discipline to be grateful for who we are and what we already have. "I wrote Just a Day during a period of my life where I was truly unhappy with who I was and where I was. I lived in a desert, literally and figuratively, and it felt as though I would never break out,” Connor explains, “I felt like I could see some of my childhood dreams and ambitions fading into the day-to-day that would draw me to abandon them. My ‘maybes’ were becoming ‘nevers.’ I needed a rock song to pull me out, and Just a Day is what did it".
Instagram: @connormorrisonmusic
"CAN I JUST BE WEAK" - Allie Crummy - Des Moines, Iowa (released on February 3rd)
Allie Crummy is a singer/songwriter in Des Moines, Iowa. She is a deep thinker, whose songs reflect the tension between what she believes to be true about God, contrasted with what she sees happening in the world, delivered through vocals that are brimming with emotion. She best describes her musical style as roots/indie-folk, drawing on influences from blues to bluegrass to classical. In three years of releasing music, she has released two studio albums, two EPs (one self-produced), and earned over 300,000 streams on Spotify. "Can I Just Be Weak" is an indie-rock song that is a stylistic deviation from my other releases. I wrote it after my dad died and many other things were caving in on me in my life. I felt like people wanted me to be a certain way -- they wanted me to be strong, to show them I was okay, to bounce back to "normal" -- but really, I just needed to be weak. I needed time to feel what I was feeling. It's not a song about turning to vices or numbing your sorrow, it's a song about being fully human -- embracing your limitations, and letting yourself feel unpleasant emotions -- at least for a little while!"
Instagram: @alliecrummymusic
"SUNBURNT" - Btchcraft - Tempe, Usa (released on February 7th)
Btchcraft is singer songwriter Julz LaMantia’s indie/shoe gaze pop project and alter ego. Julz defines btchcraft as "the practice of having the audacity to do whatever the hell you are compelled to, creatively or otherwise". Though btchcraft is a fairly new project, her debut singles “sunburnt” and “likes it rough” released in February 2023, Julz has been writing songs since she was a kid (some millennial scene kids may remember her fronting early 00s pop/punk band Clouds Take Shape) and her pop sensibility and sonic range is certainly showcased in this release. "Sunburnt" feels like a song you already know. It has a nostalgic dream-like tone and a cinematic build congruent with its imagery-heavy lyrical expression. “Don’t pick up hitchhikers Kathleen”, singer/songwriter Julz LaMantia sings the opening line in a way that both sweetly warns and invites you to be thrown into a heartbreaking California themed love story. Bass synth and keys join the bouncey acoustic guitar in the second verse, organically building momentum. By the time the second chorus hits with the drums btchcraft is showing full indie/ rock band capabilities. "California, didn’t I tell ya? I’ll always love ya" are lyrics meant to be belted in your car with the windows down driving down the pacific coast highway. Though truthfully, you’ll find yourself singing it in the car, shower or pretty much anywhere for days after one listen. The main hook "I’m doing okay but I’m sunburnt" is so undeniably catchy it will be appropriately seared into your psyche like a sunburn.
Instagram: @btchcraftmusic
"SONGS FROM OFF THE ROW" - Megan Leigh - Frederick, Usa (released on February 8th)
Known for her angelic voice, perfectly blended harmonies and engaging rhythms, singer songwriter Megan Leigh from Western Maryland has been performing to audiences in the Washington DC area and all over the country. Refusing to be limited by genre, Megan Leigh adds her own distinctive sound to a broad range of musical styles, from rock and indie to oldies and soulful blues. While she is just beginning to jump into the music scene as an artist and find her voice, it’s clear that one element will always stay with this up-and-coming artist: the ability to cut through the noise and help you remember that music has always been about how it makes you feel. With new original projects in the works, listeners can look forward to compelling upcoming releases from Megan Leigh that push the boundaries of vocalization to create her own striking sonic landscape. "Songs from Off The Row" is titled for the studio where the songs were recorded in April of 2021: Off The Row Recording Studio in Franklin, TN. All of the songs were produced by PT Houston and team, and all photos were taken by Erin McCaffrey (who helps to manage the studio)".
Instagram: @meganleighmusic
"JULIA" - Green Knuckle Material - New Jersey, Usa (video released on February 13th)
Green Knuckle Material is an indie pop band composed of Dan Kee aka YDK (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), D-String (bass), The Cuban Missile (lead guitar) and Tony Baja (drums). They were the 2019 Stone Pony Rock to the Top Champions and have covered dozens of gigs during summers. Coming up from the basement cracks of New Jersey, GKM is a hard hitting four piece with catchy hooks, energetic grooves, and sexy guitar riffs. These boys are a staple of the Jersey Shore, and they’re excited to share what they have in store for new music in 2023. I think "indie pop" is pretty limiting for this eccentric band that has the ability to melt pop, hip-hop, rock and dozens of other musical genres and influences in an unique sound. The band shares: "Produced/Mix/Mastered by Kyle Black (Paramore, State Champs, Pierce the Veil) the "Julia" is about the temptations we all face in relationships, but we like leaving interpretation up to our listeners. We’re really excited about this project and how it kicks off a very important year for us. We’ve got a lot of good things coming and can’t wait to share them. Our dream is to play for as long as we can, for as many people as we can, and just having fun along the way".
Instagram: @gkmband
"COMFY" - Cristina Ferucci - New Jersey, Usa (released on February 24th)
Cristina is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter hailing from North Jersey. With a background in jazz and musical theatre, she has honed her craft over the past 10 years, becoming a masterful storyteller through her songs. No stranger to collaboration, Cristina was the front woman of a rock band in college, but more recently has been exploring her individuality as an artist in her solo projects. Influenced by magical symbolism and old souls alike, Cristina's music is both nostalgic and contemporary. Her soulful voice and emotive lyrics transport listeners to a different world, one where the past and present coexist in harmony. Cristina shares: "Comfy is an ode to that person, place or thing that makes you feel completely at peace. Whether it be your room, someone you love, maybe even in your dreams, your "happy place" so to speak. Based on a true story, I wrote this song after falling asleep at my own housewarming party.. Quite literally went to my room and tucked myself in. I may have been a bit tipsy i will admit, BUT I felt so comfortable in my new space, with all my favorite people around, it just felt right".
Instagram: @cristinaferucci
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