Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
We open in 1987 with Prince on top of the world then go from there with our weekly contributor Kat Bass letting us know what's good in the world of indie music for this week, along with some joints you might have slept on.
"The Drop with Danno" on GFN 광주영어방송 98.7FM in Gwangju & 93.7FM in Yeosu, Korea. An eclectic radio curation of all things musical spanning the spectrum every week. Broadcasting 8-10pm KST nightly.
U.T.R 4/18/2022
Part 1
Prince – Kiss
Motorique - Mount Doom
Joe T. Johnson – Twist
Velar Prana – No Need to Hide
Golden Vessel feat emerson leif & mallrat – pockets full of rocks
BEACHPEOPLE – tonight
Facts
Prince – Kiss
- Today marks an interesting day in music history, but for those that do not know about Prince’s prolific talents as a songwriter, it might be surprising.
- On this date in 1987, we had Prince dominating the top of the charts in the US, with Kiss and The Bangles hit Manic Monday being #1 & #2 respectively on the Hot 100. Of course, Prince wrote both songs.
- The Bangles were part of the Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles when their song "Hero Takes A Fall" got the attention of Prince, who would later name his record company "Paisley Park." He had recorded "Manic Monday" with a group he assembled called Apollonia 6, but their version was never released - a listen to the demo shows why. The Bangles' version, with a lilting lead vocal from Susanna Hoffs, takes the lascivious edge off the song, which is about a woman who is late for work because she was doing lots of lovemaking the night before. It's the first hit for the group, who land a #1 later in the year with "Walk Like An Egyptian."
Motorique - Mount Doom
- This is a band from Denmark that’s been around for a good while now, with their debut poppin in 2016.
- This tune is off their sophomore LP Borderline, which actually just dropped a couple weeks ago but is just now catching notice.
Joe T. Johnson – Twist
- Very understated artist right here just making their way. This is a lovely reverb-laden bit of melodic garage rock produced by Lewis Bradshaw and mastered by Pete Maher, the latter of whom has worked with Patti Smith, Jack White and The Rolling Stones amongst others.
- Keep an eye out for Joe T. Johnson outta Bristol.
Velar Prana – No Need to Hide
- Another artist just making a path right here, one that used to DJ heavily during his school days.
- True name Clemens Gumpoldsberger, they’ll be releasing their debut album Happenings this summer, so keep an eye out.
Golden Vessel feat emerson leif & mallrat – pockets full of rocks
- Speaking of artists to keep a keen eye on is Golden Vessel. The artist is coming out with their latest LP everythingeverywhereeverything, due out in June.
- Golden Vessel says that the tune started just as a bit done with mallrat that just expanded into something very full that was never initially intended.
- Big up to Jez Ryan down at Mammal Sounds in Australia once again! Do check the label’s full roster. Fantastic stuff.
BEACHPEOPLE – tonight
- Not sure about bio info, but despite the plural moniker, this is a single person and solo music project.
- This actually dropped in early February, but has steadily caught fire until now, with almost a million streams on spotify alone, so big doings here.
- Also, this is a single person with a plural nickname, so that’s automatic entry into our Under The Radar Hall of Greats with The Spanks and other such indie luminaries.
Part 2
Vansire - Night Vision
Alfie Templemen - Colour Me Blue
Fiji Blue - Feel Something
Dude Low - Sulla Luna
Last Dinosaurs - Look Back
Raffaella - BLONDE
Facts
Vansire - Night Vision
04.14.22
Night Vision is Vansire's fourth single of this year alone! This is a collaboration with amazing indie vocalist, Barrie. The two man band gave us a short, yet chill summer tune to cruise in this year. Now, I haven't heard any updates on new albums, but it seems a bit suspicious with all the new singles….
Alfie Templemen - Colour Me Blue
04.13.22
We're back yet again with another Alfie Templemen track, but from the new EP, Colour Me Blue. this is the title track of the 4song EP, soon to be part of the artists newest debut album "Mellow Moon". It is said to be available on May 27th, so keep an eye out.
Fiji Blue - Feel Something
04.07.22
This is the bittersweet message, asking if the partner in the relationship feels something, meaning love or whatnot, anymore. Is it something their imagining, or is there something wrong? Just so many questions! Again, 8'm triggered.
Dude Low - Sulla Luna
After a series of successful singles, including Sulla Luna, French indie-pop artist Dude Low released their highly anticipated album, "Ego Trip", in April! Dude Low found their way to the album by expressing their thoughts on topics such as money, modern society, and vices.
Last Dinosaurs - Look Back
03.25.22
Released a few weeks back, I thought I'd share the sound of Last Dinosaurs for the ones who don't know. Brisbane-based indie rock trio Last Dinosaurs have released their breezy single, “Look Back.” The new song and their other 2022 single, “Collect Call,” mark a return for the band, who last released music in 2020. With a tour on the horizon, including an appearance at Lollapalooza in Chicago, the band is ready to make 2022 their year.
Raffaella - BLONDE
03.23.22
Released a few weeks ago, I totally missed out on sharing this sweet single with everyone. Co-produced by Hippo Campus’ Jake Luppen, BLONDE is a representation of Raffaella's blonde past and near future. Sonically matching the nostalgia of a blonde upbringing, comparing the innocent freedom they've felt as a kid to their adult life.
Part 3
Will Joseph Cook - Kisses
Ricky Montgomery - Settle Down
SUHO - Hurdle
Hovvdy - Town
MisterWives - Dreams
Kwak Pureunhaneul - Blame Me
Facts
Will Joseph Cook - Kisses
04.07.22
Will Joseph Cook shares their “heart-on-sleeve” new single Kisses, taken from their forthcoming album "Every Single Thing", out on June 10 of this year. The song is an undeniable, joyful, sun-soaked track, capturing the dizzying feeling of being hopelessly in love.
Ricky Montgomery - Settle Down
Settle Down is an original song by American singer-songwriter, Ricky Montgomery. It was released alongside their sophomore EP, "It’s 2016 Somewhere". A central theme of this track is a story about Ricky’s complicated long-distance relationship with one of their ex-girlfriends who wouldn’t be convinced of moving across the country to live with Ricky.
SUHO - Hurdle
04.04.22
Hurdle is the third single from South Korean artist SUHO's latest released album, "Grey Suit". This groovy tune is about how time is like a hurdle against love. You run and run, but it seems you're in the same place. Time just sis not on your side.
Hovvdy - Town
04.05.22
Following up on last month’s ‘Everything’, the duo’s Charlie Martin explains: “There was catharsis in almost every layer – I remember crying recording the mellotron flutes. I’m not sure why, but with ‘Town’ I wanted the instrumental to do the heavy lifting, leaning less on storytelling." How emotionally exhausting it can be to make music.
MisterWives - Dreams
03.31.22
This song may have sounded familiar as it is a cover song of the classic "Dreams" by The Cranberries. The American indie band apparently sings this cover occasionally on tour. Until new music is released, they've decided to create an official cover for their listeners. Very dreamy, it fills me with hope!
Kwak Pureunhaneul - Blame Me
Today we got a nice Indie Folk song to sooth the untamed soul. With Purenhaneul's soft voice, she describes how the blame their significant other had on her was unfair, and that it wasn't her, but the other one who was indeed the blame.
Part 4
Kate Bollinger - Lady in the Darkest Hour
Low Hanging Fruits - On Edge
Hatchie - Lights On
Camp Cope - Jealous
Sunwoojunga - Burst It All
SURL - Around (한바퀴)
Facts
Kate Bollinger - Lady in the Darkest Hour
Kate Bollinger has signed to Ghostly International and releases a 6 track EP, "Look at it in the Light" On April 22. Growing up has become a motif in her work, but she’s never sidestepped the concept in quite this way. Here, self-assured and surrounded by vivid production, she leans back in the grass, letting expectations breeze by, reminding herself she’ll tend to things in good time. You can definitely hear it.
Low Hanging Fruits - On Edge
04.14.22
On Edge is the second track to Low Hanging Fruits' second EP, "Today From Past Days". It's a South Korean mixed sex band of three friends. They started the band in desire to bring synth to life. They have started their journey in 2021 summer, releasing their first EP "I Just Wanna Be Better" in May 2021. So far listening to them, I feel their sound is soothing and fun.
Hatchie - Lights On
In January, Harriette Pilbeam AKA Hatchie announced her sophomore album, "Giving The World Away", would be coming out on April 22. “Lights On" was one of the first songs written for this album, hence setting Hatchie on a path of writing more honestly and personally. The more old 2000 indie pop style gives me major nostalgia.
Camp Cope - Jealous
Shifting away from the gnawing, emo-inflected power-pop of their first two albums, the Melbourne trio ask: Can softness be as invigorating as fury? The band released their newest album "Running With Hurricanes" a bit before April. Jealous is the 7th track to the twangy soft indie album.
Sunwoojunga - Burst It All
04.01.22
Released a few weeks back, Burst It All is 선우정아's first single of 2022. 선우정아, for those aren't aware, is a South Korean Musician and record producer who has worked with countless top artists in South Korea. Burst It All is about expressing the entirety of what's inside you as an explosion. Showing yourself as fireworks.
SURL - Around (한바퀴)
04.11.22
Around is an inspiration from when you're tired from walking around all day, you get home and look back on what you've done then. This is the perfect song to end our session today. I hope everyone can take some time to look back while listening to this song.