Portland continues to provide us with delightfully alternative music, and Merwulf is a great example. They are a minimalist post-punk and indie trio of bass guitar, keys, and drums. That makes their music feel quite angular and aggressive because of their instruments of choice. Fans say they have a 70’s New York vibe to them because the vintage keys, distorted bass, and slapt...

Desert rock breaks out from Algeria and takes on wider, modern electronic influences.

Now on their fourth studio album, Imarhan has used ‘Essam’ as a way to expand their sound palette. Their first three albums explored Tuareg and desert rock. Whilst Imarhan covered the vast expanse of that subgenre...

Finnish folk built around sumptuous vocal arrangements and the delicate kantele.

Time flies when you are having fun, and with over 20 years of performing together, Finnish folk quartet Kardemimmit celebrate it with a live release. This collection features seven songs capt...

Whilst I adore Bandcamp. Whilst I hope that the various recent sales, firstly to Epic Games in 2022, and then from Epic Games to Songtradr in 2023, do not impact its more consumer-friendly approach, it is rare that acquisitions do not end up changing, or enshittifying a product for all involved. Many musicians, labels, and listeners were concerned. They clearly still are, as ...

‘Inuit Legend’ is the title of Beatrice Deer’s forthcoming, newly announced album. The indie rock musician based in Montreal is Inuit herself. Half-Inuk and half-Mohawk, she brings to life elements of traditional Inuit stories through a mixture of indie rock and modern folk, with throat singing making appearances, too. Beatrice won the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award and has s...