Oliver Bouchard

Music

SONG PICK: Me Not You - Imagine That

“Imagine That” is the new song by New York duo Me Not You, written under the impression of yet another school shooting. Even without knowing this, the track is a deeply moving piece that lets ambient electronics clash with heavy guitar rock. But after reading the band’s statement, it

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PHOTOS: Negative Gemini live at Elsewhere Rooftop (Northside Festival)

It is hard to think of a better place for a Negative Gemini show than the new rooftop at Bushwick’s mega-venue Elsewhere: her glistening synth pop cries for a summer night before a city skyline backdrop. The wind blew puffs from the fog machine over the stage, giving the

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SONG PICK: Lucy Mason - Out Of The Blue

“Out Of The Blue” is a grand song full of nostalgia and melancholia, but also understanding and hope: nothing lasts forever and friends that have been once important to you can vanish into the blue. London-via-Sydney singer/songwriter Lucy Mason gives some background about “Out Of The Blue”: Over the

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VIDEO: Substance Abuse - Bridges

It is hard to escape the allure of this song by L.A. duo Substance Abuse with or without visuals. It is “a track that was jazzy, positive, and upbeat but with a message that the modern audiences could relate to,” reminiscent of times that – in hindsight – somehow seem to

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SONG PICK: Drinker - Follow

“If I Can make you follow, I think we might find our way.” The new song “Follow” by NYC/LA duo Drinker unfolds somewhere between dream and reality, as singer Aaron Mendelsohn explains: Reattaching to the modern world after a hiatus in my mind, I return to find myself lost,

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SONG PICK: Silk Cinema - No More

London duo Silk Cinema likes to let their music speak for itself. “No More” is their latest release, a soulful piece of synth pop about making a tough decision to end something that just does not go right. It is a song that could be in place in a swanky

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VIDEO: Frankiie - Dream Reader

Try to read this dream! Vancouver four-piece Frankiie shows you an example for an hyper-realistic that does not make sense, but maybe it does – who knows? In the bigger picture, dreams play a role in where Frankiie is today, as a band as one member explains: I was struggling to

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SONG PICK: Emika - Close (Video)

With her 2011 self-titled debut album, Berlin-based singer/producer Emika was one of the early inspirations that eventually led to running this blog. Since then, Emika has released three more albums, including a symphony which she composed and recorded with the Prague Symphonic orchestra. Now she is back on the

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SONG PICK: Nana Adjoa - Three (Video)

The miracle of life is the topic of the new song “Three” by Amsterdam-based singer/songwriter Nana Adjoa, from a literally microscopic perspective. The three in question are herself and her two siblings and she muses about how a bond between them and humans in general comes to be. “Three”

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NEW MUSIC: Pale Green Things - The Beast In The Hearts Of Men (Album announcement)

Jack Traynor aka Pale Green Things does – on paper – indie folk music. And yes, there is the acoustic guitar front and center as well as violins and vocal harmonies. But there are lots of other elements that stretch the definition. When you listen to Jack’s debut album “The Beast

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SONG PICK: JØUR - American Nightmare

“What if I can’t wake up from this American Dream?” For JØUR, singer/songwriter from Minnesota, the life she is supposed to strive for turns out be a trap. But as the music builds from a chilling pop track to a big finale, it becomes clear that we all

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SONG PICK: Hockeysmith - Holy War

When Hockeysmith from Cornwall, England appeared first in 2014 I could not have been more excited about their edgy mix of electronic and guitars. But then it became quiet about them until the they released a couple more tracks two years later, just to soon disappear again. Now, after Georgie

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SONG PICK: Uon - Who Loves You Now (Video)

You never want to be on the receiving end of this question: “Who Loves You Now?”. Anna Sharifi, singer in the Berlin-based synth-pop duo Uon makes it unmistakably clear, with deadpan vocals how serious the situation is. Add an intriguing electronic production, with a mix of dance beats and bits

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NEW SONG: strangers on the internet - Missed Connection (released today)

The new song “Missed Connection” by the New York duo strangers on the internet is a big sweeping piece of pop with a synth line that fills the last corner of your mind. How does this sound live? If you are in NYC you can find out next Friday at

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NEW MUSIC: Eliza Shaddad - My Body (Video)

Here is a gorgeous new song “My Body” by UK-based singer/songwriter Eliza Shaddad. The video is directed by Joe McCrae and feels like a glimpse in somebody’s mind where images flicker through the brain in a state of half-consciousness. Eliza’s full-length “Future” is expected for later this

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SONG PICK: UV - Defender

UV is the stage name of Marina Elderton’s musical project. Her day job is not far way from that: she’s an acclaimed composer based in London and has created award-winning film scores. Marina’s debut track as UV, “Defender” is a haunting, solitary piece, held together by a

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NEW MUSIC: Actrese - Nasty Game

London musician Actrese operates outside of current musical trends. Her minimal electronics and weird melodies remind me rather of the German New Wave of the 80s, updated for the technologies of the late 2010s. According to herself, her music is “Moody, Honest, Engaging.” And: “I do not like to state

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SONG PICK: Paige Bea - Your Echo

London-based singer/songwriter Paige Bea has some advice for those stuck in an unsatisfying relationship: if your partner does not appreciate you anymore, get out! It happened to Paige herself and she partially blames our hyperconnected world for it: You’re connected to so many people you forget the ones

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SONG PICK: Voiid - Not For You

Angry, noisy punk often feels dated in a world where everybody has access to so many more musical tools than just shredding guitars. But when done well, a punk song can carry you away with high energy levels and make you feel empowered. “Not For You” by the Australian quartet

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SONG PICK: Free Love - Synchronicity

Free Love is the new name of the duo of Suzanne Rodden and Lewis Cook, who make disco-inspired music in Glasgow, Scotland. Their latest song “Synchronicity” is a dance song that makes you want to drop the shackles of day-to-day life and swirl through the night. Listen to “Synchronicity” on

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SONG PICK: Annabel Allum - Em(ily)

Here’s to the best friends who help us through difficult times. In case of U.K. singer/songwriter Annabel Allum this is Emily, who tells her “to keep it real”. As a thank you, Annabel named a song after her on the new EP “Sorry I’m Not Perceptible”

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SONG PICK: 88 Palms - Hollywood Son (EP release)

A sunset ride in a convertible along a palm tree-lined beach, that comes easily to mind when listening to the music of 88 Palms, the NYC-based duo of Morgan Wiley and Ria Bouttier. “Hollywood Son” is one of five super-chill tracks with a tropical, funky disco vibe on their debut

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SONG PICK: Ryvoli - Roots

Jenn Whiteman and Samantha Howard met far from their homes in Paris, started making music together and named their band Ryvoli after the Rue de Rivoli, the street that lines the Louvre and Jardin de la Tuileries. “Roots”, their second single starts as an intimate folk song with vocal harmonies,

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SONG PICK: Lhasa Petik - Fading

You might be inclined to lean back, close your eyes and dream of a sunset at the beach when “Fading” starts, but not for long: Canadian singer/songwriter Lhasa Petik has many more tricks in her bag. While the acoustic guitar holds the track together and gives it an intimate

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NEW MUSIC: Elle Exxe - Queen (Video)

The video for “Queen” by Scottish singer/songwriter Elle Exxe speaks very much for itself as a celebration of women. Elle Exxe gives some background: I’m so proud of the ‘Queen’ video, I can’t watch it without crying tears of happiness. The song came out of a moment