Fresh Track: The Kemps “Summer of Sam”
Local purveyors of fuzz and general good feelings, The Kemps, dropped a trio of new tracks this week via Soundcloud. The songs are still in the early stages of production. The vocals could be brought a little more to the forefront for my taste, but the band is off to a solid start. The rough takes provide listeners with an accurate portrayal of The Kemps’ live performance: high energy, heavy distortion and reverb, and enough attitude to constitute a significant kick in the pants.
Below, you will find a stream and download for the song “Summer of Sam.” Here, we find The Kemps in traditional garage rock mode, with a rollicking back beat that touches on surf pop without plunging full-on into the waves. The “Ooohs” that serve as the backdrop to the chorus are irresistible. The Kemps ran into some lousy luck last month when a break-in at Trevor Wathen’s Hex Haus Recording Studio resulted in the loss of the band’s forthcoming album. The three songs released this week are the first look at the band’s attempt to rebuild their album from scratch.
Connect with The Kemps viaFacebook
Upcoming Live Shows:
April 10: The Bishop Bar – Bloomington, IN
April 14: Indy’s Jukebox – Indianapolis, IN
April 21: GloryHole RSD Showcase – Indianapolis, IN
April 28: Kalamazoo College – Kalamazoo, MI
Written by Rob Peoni
Video: Youth Lagoon “Cannons” (Live at Radio Radio)
Last night, when the rest of the country was busy watching the insufferable John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats cruise to their eighth national championship, a few lucky Indianapolis residents filled Radio Radio to hear Youth Lagoon and Porcelain Raft. The concert was one of the spring’s finest. I was particularly impressed with the sound quality of Porcelain Raft’s set – no small feat for an artist who relies heavily on vocal and synth loops, reinforcing my belief that Radio Radio offers the best acoustic experience that Indy has to offer.
Boise, Idaho native Trevor Powers followed up by treating the crowd to a set that delivered upon the raw emotion and energetic restraint of his debut LP, The Year of Hibernation. Fortunately for any absent fans, Indianapolis video guru Daniel Arthur was on hand to document. Below you will find Arthur’s video of “Cannons”, a personal favorite and a version that raised the temperature of the jam-packed venue. Enjoy.
Connect with Youth Lagoon via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 
Record Store Day: Must-Have Indy Releases
Pure joy began to develop on the drive in to work this morning. I was quickly approaching the day that helps to justify all the money that I have spent on records over the past year. A day where we unite with others who share smaller pockets, but own shelves that hold our many trophies of musical bliss. A day dedicated to the stacks we have made and our dedication to its growth. This Saturday marks Record Store Day 2012. A brilliant concept created by record store employee, Chris Brown, to pay homage to the art of purchasing music. Brown proves the importance of a simple man with a huge idea. These are the stories that I love and a cause that I will proudly support.
As a proud supporter for all music that comes in a sleeve I have decided to share with you some of my favorite local pressings that I have purchased in the last year. These records were all purchased locally, whether at shows or through the channel of my favorite record stores. I encourage the reader to support these artists and buy a copy for your own collection. Everyone needs an appetizer before the big meal.
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Written by Brett McGrath