“If You Do”, Trace Mountains

This way: If You Do

Trace Mountains is the musical project of American indie rock musician Dave Benton. Benton was formerly the lead singer of lo-fi band LVL UP. n 2016, Benton released a collection of songs titled Buttery Sprouts & Other Songs, his first release under the moniker Trace Mountains. Benton released his first full-length album as Trace Mountains in 2018 titled A Partner to Lean On. In 2020, Benton released his second album as Trace Mountains titled Lost in the Country. Benton released his third full-length album as Trace Mountains, House of Confusion, on October 22, 2021.

[Spotify] If You Do

“Lot's Wife”, Why Bonnie

This way: Lot's Wife

Why Bonnie is an American indie rock band from Austin, Texas.

Why Bonnie started as the musical project of musician Blair Howerton. However, the project expanded into a four piece for their first release, an EP in 2018 titled In Water. The EP was dedicated to Howerton’s brother Bristol.[3] The band released their second EP the same year titled Nightgown. In February 2020, the band released their first single for their new label Fat Possum Records, “Voice Box”. Their third EP, sharing the name of the aforementioned single, was released in April 2020. 90 In November, the groups debut album, was released in August 2022.

[Spotify] Lot's Wife

“Liquid Days, Pt. 1”, Philip Glass

This way: Liquid Days, Pt. 1

Songs from Liquid Days is a collection of songs composed by composer Philip Glass with lyrics by Paul Simon, Suzanne Vega, David Byrne and Laurie Anderson. Glass began the project scoring lyrics by Byrne and then thought to collaborate with additional songwriters.

On the project, Glass said:

The words come first. From these I fashioned a set of six songs which, together, form a cycle of themes ranging from reflections on nature to classic romantic settings. After the music was written, I — along with producer Kurt Munkacsi and conductor Michael Riesman — began the long and difficult process of 'casting' singers for the individual songs. We felt that the interpretation a singer brings to a song is an immense contribution to its character — contributing their own personality to the work perhaps more than any other performer.

The recording features performances by Bernard Fowler, the Kronos Quartet, Janice Pendarvis, Douglas Perry, The Roches, Linda Ronstadt, and the Philip Glass Ensemble, directed by Michael Riesman. The recording was released in 1986 by CBS Records. The song "Lightning" was performed by the Philip Glass Ensemble on Saturday Night Live, March 22, 1986.

 

This track: Liquid Days (Glass, David Byrne; The Roches, vocals)  from 1986.

[Spotify] Liquid Days, Pt. 1

“Statues”, Amy Macdonald

This way: Statues

Amy Macdonald (born 25 August 1987) is a Scottish singer-songwriter. In 2007, she released her debut studio album, This Is the Life, which respectively produced the singles "Mr. Rock & Roll" and "This Is the Life"; the latter charting at number one in six countries, while reaching the top 10 in another 11 countries. The album reached number one in four European countries – the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland – and sold three million copies worldwide. Moderate success in the American music market followed in 2008. Macdonald has sold over 12 million records worldwide. 

Macdonald's second studio album, A Curious Thing, was released in 2010.[3] Its lead single "Don't Tell Me That It's Over" peaked at number 45 on the UK Singles Chart, and reached the Top 10 in several mainland European countries. In 2010, she collaborated with Ray Davies on his album, See My Friends; she sang with him on a cover of The Kinks' 60s hit "Dead End Street". Her third studio album, Life in a Beautiful Light, was released in 2012 and supplied three singles: "Slow It Down", "Pride" and "4th of July".

In 2017, Macdonald released her fourth studio album, Under Stars, which entered at number two on the Scottish and UK Album Charts. It also peaked within the top 10 of the album charts in Germany and New Zealand. In 2020, she released her fifth studio album, The Human Demands.

[Spotify] Statues

“Not Too Deep”, Pop.1280

This way: Not Too Deep

Pop. 1280 is a self-styled cyberpunk/industrial rock band from Brooklyn, New York City. Their name is derived from Jim Thompson’s novel of the same name. The band started in 2008 when Chris Bug moved to New York after a two-year post-high-school graduation sojourn in China, convinced by his long-time friend Ivan Lip. Settled in Greenpoint the duo, with Bug at vocals and Lip at guitar, decided to recruit members who didn’t already play an instrument. So John Skultrane and Andrew Smith eventually joined as bass player and drummer. Lip started writing music along with Bug and the resulting sound was initially pegged as downer punk. 

[Spotify] Not Too Deep

“I Kiss the Flowers in Bloom”, Close Lobsters

This way: I Kiss the Flowers in Bloom

A treasure trove of great songs here. Close Lobsters are a Scottish indie pop rock band. Close Lobsters first came to wider prominence with the track "Firestation Towers" on the NME's C86 compilation. They signed to Fire Records and released their debut single "Going To Heaven To See If It Rains" in October 1986. They released a second single "Never Seen Before" in April 1987 which strengthened their reputation as one of the leading emerging indie bands. They went on to release two albums: Foxheads Stalk This Land was released in 1987 and Headache Rhetoric in 1989. Rolling Stone's review of "Foxheads Stalk This Land" called it "first-rate guitar pop from a top-shelf band. Close Lobsters could have been just another jangle group, but they have a lot more going for them than just chiming Rickenbackers."

Their popularity on United States college radio stations led to an invitation to the New York Music Seminar in 1989, which in turn led to an extensive American tour. They toured extensively in the UK, Germany, United States and Canada. The band eventually took an extended break.

[Spotify] I Kiss the Flowers in Bloom

“That's the Way I Like It”, Lily Konigsberg

This way: That's the Way I Like It

Konigsberg has been writing songs all her life. Born and raised in brooklyn, she started playing solo sets around nyc clubs as a teenager, before linking up with bard classmates ryser and ivry-block to form palberta. “They’re the reason that i’m such a confident performer,” konigsberg says about her palberta bandmates. “We learned to perform together, and now i’m genuinely not scared when i go onstage. They’re my sisters, and they inspire me to just do me.” Despite this being her namesake project, konigsberg’s biggest influences remain her friends and collaborators, and the project generally has the feeling of a collective effort. “I just love all of my friends, and i’m really happy that some of them are part of the record. Charlie, hugo, nina, paco, andrea, matt, nate. They inspire me a lot.” 

[Spotify] That's the Way I Like It

“Cattle and Cane”, The Go-Betweens

This way: Cattle and Cane

The Go-Betweens were an Australian indie rock band formed in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1977. The band was co-founded and led by singer-songwriters and guitarists Robert Forster and Grant McLennan, who were its only constant members throughout its existence. Drummer Lindy Morrison joined the band in 1980, and its lineup would later expand to include bass guitarist Robert Vickers and multi-instrumentalist Amanda Brown. Vickers was replaced by John Willsteed in 1987, and the quintet lineup remained in place until the band split two years later. Forster and McLennan reformed the band in 2000 with a new lineup that did not include any previous personnel aside from them. McLennan died on 6 May 2006 of a heart attack and the Go-Betweens disbanded again. In 2010, a toll bridge in their native Brisbane was renamed the Go Between Bridge after them.

 

In 1988, "Streets of Your Town", the first single from 16 Lovers Lane, entered the Top 100 on both the Kent Music Report chart in Australia and the UK Singles Chart in the United Kingdom. The follow-up single "Was There Anything I Could Do?" was a No. 16 hit on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States. In May 2001, "Cattle and Cane", from 1983's Before Hollywood, was selected by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. In 2008, 16 Lovers Lane was highlighted on Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) TV's The Great Australian Albums series. 

[Spotify] Cattle and Cane

“Ghosts and Lovers”, Marissa Nadler

This way: Ghosts and Lovers

Marissa Nadler (born April 5, 1981) is an American musician and fine artist. Active since 2000, she is currently signed to Sacred Bones Records and Bella Union, and released her ninth full-length studio album, The Path of the Clouds, in October 202.  As a singer-songwriter, her music has been characterized as blending "traditional folk, Gothic Americana, and dreamy pop into an original musical framework". Her music "is rooted in old-school country and folk but brings in elements of experimental and black metal". Sometimes the term "dream folk" has been invoked to describe her work. 

[Spotify] Ghosts and Lovers

“Pigeons”, Bill Callahan

This way: Pigeons

Bill Callahan (born June 3, 1966] is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who has also recorded and performed under the band name Smog. Callahan began working in the lo-fi genre, with home-made tape-albums recorded on four-track tape recorders. Later he began releasing albums with the label Drag City, to which he remains signed today. His work, in addition to lo-fi music, has encompassed apocalyptic folk and gothic country. 

[Spotify] Pigeon

“Enter the Angel”, John Foxx

This way: Enter the Angel

John Foxx is an English singer, musician, artist, photographer, graphic designer, writer, teacher and lecturer. He was the original lead singer of the new wave band Ultravox, before leaving to embark on a solo career in 1980 with the album Metamatic.

Primarily associated with electronic synthesizer music, he has also pursued a parallel career in graphic design and education. Andy Kellman of AllMusic described Foxx as an influential cult figure whose "detached, jolting vocal style inspired mainstream and underground artists across the decades." 

This from 1985 - In Mysterious Ways LP. 

[Spotify] Enter the Angel

“Expert in a Dying Field”, The Beths

This way: Expert in a Dying Field

The Beths are a New Zealand indie pop band, originally from Auckland. Formed in 2014, the band consists of Elizabeth Stokes (vocals, rhythm guitar), Jonathan Pearce (lead guitar, vocals), Benjamin Sinclair (bass, vocals), and Tristan Deck (drums). 

Elizabeth Stokes and Jonathan Pearce originally met in high school, and they met both Benjamin Sinclair and Ivan Luketina-Johnston when all four attended classes at the University of Auckland, studying jazz. Prior to The Beths, Luketina-Johnston was performing swing under the moniker of Sal Valentine. Stokes, Pearce and Sinclair were all a part of his backing band, The Babyshakes, for various tenures.

The Beths were formed in late 2014, and released their first single "Idea/Intent" via SoundCloud in July 2015. In March 2016, the band independently released their debut EP, Warm Blood. The EP spawned a single, "Whatever," which was released with an accompanying music video in May 2016.

[Spotify] Expert in a Dying Field

“Annette's Got the Hits”, Redd Kross

This way: Annette's Got the Hits

Redd Kross is an American alternative rock/punk rock band from Hawthorne, California, who had their roots in 1978 in a punk rock band called the Tourists, which was started by brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald while Steve was still in middle school. With the addition of friends Greg Hetson and John Stielow on drums, the band's first gig was opening for Black Flag. The band has since released seven albums and three EPs. 

[Spotify] Annette's Got the Hits

“Waiting in Line”, Kiwi Jr.

This way: Waiting in Line

Kiwi Jr. is a Canadian indie rock band based in Toronto, Ontario. The band consists of Jeremy Gaudet (vocals), Mike Walker (bass), Brohan Moore (drums), and Brian Murphy (guitar). 

[Spotify] Waiting in Line

“Baby Let's play God”, Big Boys

This way: Baby Let's play God

Big Boys were an American pioneering punk rock band who are credited with having helped to create and introduce skate punk as a new style of music, which became popular in the 1980s. They also were famous for bringing elements of funk into their hardcore punk style. Based in Austin, Texas, United States, the band members were Randy "Biscuit" Turner on vocals, Tim Kerr on guitar and Chris Gates on bass. The key members of the band were childhood friends for a decade before the band was started. Over the years the group played with five drummers in all; Steve Collier, Greg Murray, Fred Schultz, Rey Washam and Kevin Tubb who played only one show (the band's first) because Collier was sick.

The hardcore punk style, a development from the earlier punk sound, arose spontaneously in various cities, but in Austin it was represented by MDC, Big Boys, The Huns, The Skunks and The Dicks. The bands often played together; Big Boys and The Dicks jointly released a split single and an LP, Live At Raul's.

Big Boys shows were legendary, frequently involving food fights, with "Biscuit" frequently sporting a pink ballerina's tutu and pink cowboy boots. Invitations would be made to the audience to come up and sing along, which often occurred. At the end of early shows, the band was famous for yelling, "OK y'all, go start your own band." 

[Spotify] Baby Let's play God

“Dot Dash”, Wire

This way: Dot Dash

It doesnt get much better than this. Wire are an English rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman (vocals, guitar), Graham Lewis (bass, vocals), Bruce Gilbert (guitar) and Robert Grey (drums). So much great music.

Wire's debut album Pink Flag (1977) – "perhaps the most original debut album to come out of the first wave of British punk", according to AllMusic – contains songs that are diverse in mood and style, but most use a minimalist punk approach combined with unorthodox structures. "Field Day for the Sundays", for example, is only 28 seconds long. This is a single from 1978.  

[Spotify] Dot Dash

“Heir to Woe”, Holy Locust

This way: Heir to Woe

Fever Dream is the first album release by Holy Locust under their current, and most likely permanent line up. Recorded by Salt Studios in early 2018 operating on Naarm land (Melbourne Australia) where sovereignty was never ceded. 

Jeff Sevier - Accordion, vocals

Kate Elko - Cello, vocals

Noah James - Fiddle, vocals, flat footing on track 8

Aydin Sabala - Banjo, vocals, stomp box

Summer Newman - Guitar, vocals

Artwork by Fiona Bearclaw.

[Spotify] Heir to Woe

“Souvent parfois”, UTO

This way: Souvent parfois

Darkness comes and the synths and machines are switched ON. UTO the two-headed beast lies down for the night while the other animals, outside in the garden, look in, their eyes shining through the expanse of glass that runs the length of Emile’s grandma’s home. Call it “Pop it’s not” if you like but whatever musical genre box you want to put it in, it won’t be tamed. 

[Spotify] Souvent parfois

“God Save the Queen”, Sex Pistols

This way: God Save the Queen

"God Save the Queen" is a song by the English punk rock band the Sex Pistols. It was released as the band's second single and was later included on their only studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols. The song was released during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

The record's lyrics, as well as the cover, were controversial at the time; both the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Independent Broadcasting Authority refused to play the song, including a total ban of its airing by the BBC.The original title for the song was "No Future", with the lyrics themselves being a general expression of the band's view of the monarchy or any individual or establishment commanding general obligation.

The song reached No. 1 on the NME charts in the United Kingdom, and made it to No. 2 on the official UK Singles Chart as used by the BBC. This led to accusations by some that the charts had been "fixed" to prevent the song from reaching No. 1.

Spotify: God Save the Queen

PS: That is why I am your king! DENNIS: Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. ARTHUR: Be quiet! DENNIS: Well, but you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you! ARTHUR: Shut up! DENNIS: I mean, if I went ’round saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away! ARTHUR: Shut up, will you. Shut up! DENNIS: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system. ARTHUR: Shut up! DENNIS: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help! I’m being repressed! ARTHUR: Bloody peasant! DENNIS: Oh, what a give-away. Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That’s what I’m on about. Did you see him repressing me? You saw it, didn’t you?

“Tunnel Road”, Nitpickers

This way: Tunnel Road

This is a certain band, but details are murky.   

[Spotify] Tunnel Road

“Devil Do”, Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs

This way: Devil Do

Golightly formed a duo in the mid-2000s, recording and touring extensively with her longtime bandmate Lawyer Dave. As Holly Golightly and The Brokeoffs, they released five albums and one EP between 2007 and 2012. Their first album, You Can't Buy A Gun When You're Crying, is a reference to comedian Lord Carrett's joke "I learned a lot from my second marriage... I learned they won't sell you a handgun if you're crying..." Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs were winners of the ninth annual Independent Music Awards for the best Americana album, Dirt Don't Hurt. In 2003, she sang with The White Stripes on the track "It's True That We Love One Another" on their fourth album, Elephant. Time Out New York described her as an "English garage rock doyenne." In 2012, they released Sunday Run Me Over, their first album recorded entirely at their home in rural Georgia.  

[Spotify] Devil Do

“The Beer”, Kimya Dawson

This way: The Beer

This really is one of the all time great songs. Kimya Dawson (born November 17, 1972) is an American folk singer-songwriter, best known as one half of the anti-folk duo the Moldy Peaches. Dawson's work with the Moldy Peaches earned them a cult following and critical acclaim, with their 2001 song "Anyone Else But You" landing a spot in multiple acclaimed indie film soundtracks. "Anyone Else But You" as performed by Michael Cera and Elliot Page charted on the Billboard Hot 100 after its prominent inclusion in the 2007 film Juno, the soundtrack of which includes several songs by Dawson and her associated musical acts. The song remains Dawson's highest charting single to date. In addition to her work with the Moldy Peaches, Dawson has released seven solo studio albums and collaborated with various other artists from a diverse range of genres, including Aesop Rock, They Might Be Giants, The Mountain Goats, and Third Eye Blind.  

[Spotify] The Beer

“Nothing to Hide”, Yo La Tengo

This way: Nothing to Hide

Yo La Tengo (YLT; Spanish for "I have it") is an American indie rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan (guitars, piano, vocals), Georgia Hubley (drums, piano, vocals), and James McNew (bass, vocals). In 2015, original guitarist Dave Schramm rejoined the band and appears on their fourteenth album, Stuff Like That There. Despite achieving limited mainstream success, Yo La Tengo has been called "the quintessential critics' band" and maintains a strong cult following. Though they mostly play original material, the band performs a wide repertoire of cover songs both in live performance and on record. 

[Spotify] Nothing to Hide

“Training Montage”, The Mountain Goats

This way: Training Montage

If you're a Mountain Goats fan who's missed the white-knuckle intensity of his earlier work, "Training Montage" — the first single from Bleed Out, provides a bliss-inducingly anthemic payoff. Bleed Out will be yet another concept album, but its theme lends itself to a bit more intensity: "I got this idea to write a bunch of songs where they were all uptempo mini-action movies," Darnielle writes in a press statement. "Plots, characters, heists, hostages, questionable capers, getaway cars, all that stuff. Gas pedal glued to the floor. Eventually, as you might guess I wanted at least one song where the tempo relaxed a little and that's the title track but otherwise, buckle up." 

[Spotify] Training Montage

“Tenderness on the Block”, Warren Zevon

This way: Tenderness on the Block

Warren Zevon is one of my all time favorites. I discovered him when I was in high school and used to hang out at the record store reading the backs of record jackets in search of the divine. Ultimately I ran him for Student Body President of Camelback High School in 1977. He did not win but we had hella fun making posters and creating some kind of confusion. This tune written by Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon.

[Spotify] Tenderness on the Block

“Two Smart Cookies”, Eleventh Dream Day

This way: Two Smart Cookies

Eleventh Dream Day (EDD) is an American alternative rock band from Chicago. The band was founded by guitarists Rick Rizzo and Janet Beveridge Bean, who met at a place fondly known as 1069. This was a house/practice space/hang out in Louisville where at the time, Beveridge Bean was practicing with the band she was in with Tara Key and Tim Harris: the Zoo Directors. After moving to Chicago, Bean and Rizzo joined with guitarist Baird Figi and bassist Doug McCombs; Bean soon switched over to drums. Their first self-titled EP in 1987 introduced the hallmarks of EDD's sound: Neil Young-inspired electric guitar workouts mixed with punk energy.

The band's full-length follow-up, Prairie School Freakout (1988), won critical praise and the attention of major labels. The band then signed with Atlantic Records. Follow-ups Beet (1989) and Lived to Tell (1991) won more strong reviews but did not sell many copies; Figi left during the Lived to Tell tour and was replaced by Matthew "Wink" O'Bannon. 

[Spotify] Two Smart Cookies