San Francisco-based solo project by Melina Duterte, Jay Som. After a six-year hiatus, she releases her new album “BELONG.” If you listen to this work, you’ll immediately understand, but let me state it clearly: This is undoubtedly one of the greatest indie rock works representing the 2020s and beyond. During the hiatus, she pursued her […]
Interview
Gaming Meets Music: crushed’s ‘no scope’ Album Interview
crushed, formed through songs played on late-night radio. Bre and Shaun, who work long-distance between LA and Portland, draw tremendous inspiration from video games like ‘METAL GEAR SOLID’ and ‘Silent Hill,’ incorporating this into their music production. Particularly, they deeply empathize with the character Sniper Wolf, and the song “oneshot,” which sublimates the inspiration gained […]
KIKI: ‘Death of a Daisy’ Signals Electro-Pop’s Future
When I listened to the third album ‘Death of a Daisy & Birth of an Oyster’ by Bangkok’s indie pop band KIKI, I was convinced that their music would unfold the future of electro-pop now that Daft Punk is no more! The expansion of dance beats and the fusion with experimental electronic sounds, skillfully weaving […]
Caroline’s Jasper Llewellyn Talks ‘caroline 2’ Creation
The eight-piece indie rock band caroline from London, England. Their second album ‘caroline 2’, released in May 2025, has garnered worldwide attention following their debut album ‘caroline’, and is already an undeniable masterpiece that secures its place among the year’s best albums. It’s such an incredible album that I worry words might cheapen it, but […]
Thai Band KIKI: From Somkiat to French Electro-Influenced Trio
Thai band KIKI has confirmed their Japan tour in September 2022. They have already been featured on 88rising radio overseas, and have performed at Thailand’s largest music festivals including Big Mountain Music Festival and Maho Rasop Festival, showing high expectations for the band. While Thai funk popularized by Khruangbin comes to mind when thinking of […]
SCHØØL Interview: Skate Culture Meets Shoegaze Sound⚡️
SCHØØL is a four-piece alternative rock band formed in Paris, France in 2023. The band is led by Francis Mallari, who is also a member of the Paris-based post-punk band Rendez-Vous. The members are Erica Ashleson (Bass), Jack Moase (Guitar), and Alex Battez (Drums). Their debut album “I Think My Life Has Been OK,” released […]
Modern Nature: Jack Cooper Discusses New Album ‘The Heat Warps
Beach House, Father John Misty, and Fleet Foxes are among the artists on London’s prestigious indie label “Bella Union.” Today, we bring you an interview with Modern Nature, an alternative band signed to the same label. Centered around frontman Jack Cooper, Modern Nature originally operated as a band with a fluid member lineup, similar to […]
Pool Kids Talk ‘Easier Said Than Done’ & DIY Spirit
Promoting messages like “anyone can do what Pool Kids does,” “anyone can start a band,” “anyone can make an album,” and “everyone has the right to chase their dreams,” Pool Kids gives confidence to live kids through their independent activities. They are a four-piece alternative band from Tallahassee, Florida, who already have a history of […]
SILENT POETS | 7 Years of Silence, Now Speaking Out with ‘HOPE’
Silence can sometimes become more eloquent poetry than anything else. Michiharu Shimoda started his career under the name SILENT POETS with wordless instrumentals. SILENT POETS, whose name became even more widely known through providing music for the game ‘DEATH STRANDING’, has completed their first album in 7 years, ‘HOPE’. During these 7 years, the world […]
Hazel English Interview: Real Life & Japan Tour 2025
Singer-songwriter Hazel English from Sydney, Australia. Since making her Japanese debut with the release of the compilation EP “Just Give In / Never Going Home” in 2017, she realized her first Japan tour in March 2018, and released her long-awaited debut album “Wake UP!” in 2020. Last year in 2024, she released her new EP […]