My three-and-a-half-year old never tries anything new. He'll only watch Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol, and most times, it's the same episodes. Similarly, food is always the same: chicken fingers and french fries or pizza. He likes to play with the same cars and trucks, and listens to the same songs all day long. I, on the other hand, prefer new things. I'm also not a toddler but that's besides the point. Discovering new acts and music, and getting excited about them is one of my favorite past times. Today, I'm shining the spotlight on two acts that should get your ears talking.
Cape Town's Diamond Thug give off a real outer worldly vibe, and I'm not even sure what that means. Their music, a killer blend of rock, pop, electro, and aery, can move you and excite you and perhaps even - dare I say it - inspire you.
Thus far, the unsigned band has released four singles and a three-track acoustic EP. Their single "What I Think I Know" garnered some buzz, and a full-length album is coming in 2016. In the meantime, get to know Chantel Van T, Danilo Queiros, Adrian Culhane and Ted Buxton. The band sat down for a chat and performed a track at Converse Rubber Tracks Boston.
For those of you unfamiliar, this recording studio (there are others in other cities), provides top-notch equipment for bands across the globe to make music. The sound is perfection. The facility itself is nuts. A-Sides' Boston correspondent JJ Adrian was there to capture Diamond Thug's magic. Watch the performance below and the interview (both filmed by JJ Adrian) here.
"Slow Down"
Like Diamond Thug, there's an ethereal feel in Frida Sundemo's music. The Swedish eventual pop star has been getting considerable airplay lately on television. Her "Keep An Eye On Me" was featured on Greys Anatomy, and just last week her song "You" was heard on the Halloween episode of Scream Queens, a new series by Ryan Murphy and starring Emma Roberts and Yoplait champion Jamie Lee Curtis.
But there's more to Sundemo than television placements. Her debut EP Indigo highlights her delicate, almost pillow-soft vocals matched with some deeply felt lyrics. Oh, and there's also a clear electro-pop thing going on as well. As we await another EP, the singer/songwriter can next be seen in the film adaptation of John Niven's novel Kill Your Friends. A-Sides recently chatted with her about just about everything. Read the Q&A with the talent here.
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve" based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week (no matter when they were released -- think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and dug a bunch, song posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls and, most importantly: what my toddler is currently enjoying thoroughly with an assist from my infant.
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman: Jon Chattman's music series features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change. Artists featured on the series include Imagine Dragons, Melissa Etheridge, Air Supply, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, fun, Bleachers, Charli XCX, Marina and the Diamonds and Bastille.
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