There wasn’t a dry eye in the indie pop house last week as Bay Area underground icons Seablite announced their farewell show. Active since 2017, Seablite specialised in nineties inspired shoegaze and baggy fusions, shot through with unmistakable California cool. When they fully hit their stride across 2023’s epic Lemon Lights, they hit upon shimmeringContinue reading “Farewell, Seablite…”
Tag Archives: Dandy Boy Records
The Goods – April Fools
Returning with a gently uplifting yet melancholic sigh as we wave goodbye to summer, Oakland based Rob Good (Ryli) announces his band The Goods’ full length debut Don’t Spoil The Fun with shimmering lead track April Fools. A bittersweet paean to the complexities of human connection, Good explains the song thus: “It’s about being tuggedContinue reading “The Goods – April Fools”
heavymetalkids.uk is Bay Area bound…
I was totally blown away this week by the announcement of a stunning Dandy Boy Records showcase to welcome me on what will be my first visit to the Bay Area. Yes, after following the scene for some five years and covering it here for the last two and a bit, my wife Julia andContinue reading “heavymetalkids.uk is Bay Area bound…”
Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal
It’s no secret that this blog fell hard for Bay Area duo Whitney’s Playland’s 2023 debut Sunset Sea Breeze. Loaded with charm, melody and garage indie riffing, the album captured hearts from the very first listen. With Inna Showalter (Magic Fig, Blades of Joy, Modern Charms) and George Tarlson (Grandma’s Boyfriend) now joined by EvanContinue reading “Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal”
Rhymies – I Dream Watching
Fresh out on the relentlessly dependable Oakland based Dandy Boy Records comes this solo debut from Seablite’s Lauren Matsui. Trading in that group’s multi-layered dreamgaze in favour of melody drenched electronics, Rhymies’ inaugural EP I Dream Watching is a giddy synth-pop triumph. From the pulsating urgency of the title track’s soaring chorus through to TheContinue reading “Rhymies – I Dream Watching”
above me – s/t
The Oakland based DIY label Dandy Boy Records has long been my go to for the deepest of Bay Area underground cuts, and so it continues with this release from former Blue Ocean man Rick Altieri’s new solo project above me. Expanding on his former band’s experimental shoegaze soundscapes, above me’s self-titled debut incorporates drumContinue reading “above me – s/t”
Ryann Gonsalves: A sense of Bay Area belonging…
Bay Area artist Ryann Gonsalves has been omnipresent on the underground independent scene this year as frontperson and key member of the bands Torrey and Aluminum. The full-hearted melodic gift that flows through both of these projects can also be explored in its starkest form across Ryann’s enchanting DIY solo album Ouch!, recently released viaContinue reading “Ryann Gonsalves: A sense of Bay Area belonging…”
Yea-Ming and The Rumours – Ruby
Jangle popping in determined defiance of projected perfection and the inescapable pressure it evokes, Yea-Ming and The Rumours’ new single Ruby is a soaring, soothing delight. Building on the spirited indie country of her 2022 album So, Bird…, Oakland based Yea-Ming Chen has further refined her winning formula with a flourishing pop polish that rendersContinue reading “Yea-Ming and The Rumours – Ruby”
Ryann Gonsalves – Ouch!
Homespun harmonies and huge-hearted melodies take centre stage on this full length debut from Torrey frontperson Ryann Gonsalves, released via Oakland based label Dandy Boy Records. Steeped in truth and self-reflection, Ouch! is a warmly infectious and highly rewarding listen. Using the sparsest of arrangements to conjure deeply affecting moments of real beauty, Gonsalves’ empoweringContinue reading “Ryann Gonsalves – Ouch!”
The 1981 – Move On
I was first drawn toward Oakland indie rockers The 1981 when I saw the hype building for last years Polaroids EP. I was hooked by the beautifully retro artwork before I’d even heard a note, and the fact they were part of the wonderful Dandy Boy Records sealed the deal. Fast forward a year andContinue reading “The 1981 – Move On”
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