NYC band Ice Balloons are consistently dubbed as a super group. To an extent that may be true but the group are first and foremost friends who have come together to create art with absolute freedom and room to explore. Consisting of Sean Kennerly of Samiam, TV On The Radio’s Kyp Malone, Sean Powell of Fuckemos, Midnight Masses’ Giselle Reiber, B.A. Miale, Rob Bryn of Wild Yaks and Dan Scinta, their music is a collage of riotous punk, New York no wave, garage rock and noise all rolled up into one event of a listen. To call it energetic would be an understatement and in terms of their stage show, well let’s just say that it is probably one of the liveliest performances one could see…ever! Wilder than wild, the ‘common fly’ charges about on stage singing vocals and at some point in the show there may even be sparks popping and flying about on his body.
Moody and dreamy; to fully appreciate the music of Wy is to be open to the true act of feeling. Their sound, a deeply lush and moving touch of indie and pop, is presented with honesty and sheer passion.
Comprised of singer Ebba Ågren and Michel Gustafsson, the Malmö-based couple made their debut with the beautiful single ‘In Bloom’.
Somewhere in between bursting indie pop and raw, pumping garage punk is where Canada's Mise en Scene sit, finely sewing all sounds flawlessly together. Hailing from Winnipeg, the group was established by members Stefanie Blondal Johnson and Jodi Dunlop, who originally came together through their love of visual arts and of course music itself. The result was a gorgeous sound, accessible to the masses yet true to their roots.
Singer and musician Rodes Rollins is quickly becoming the it girl. Loved by some of the most influential publications around the world, she is being heralded as a modern day wordsmith whose natural talent for storytelling is at the forefront of her music. Sonically she weaves between hazy alternative and sun-drenched pop, all wrapped with a bluesy sway. Her vocals float with a seductive bliss. To a degree spellbinding, there is a distinct magic that emits from every stretch of her artistry, and she delivers it with sheer grace.
Milan Ring reflects an uncanny intelligence, beauty and musical and creative power almost seemingly given to her from spiritual force from up above. Based in Sydney, not only is she a highly known for her stellar vocal ability but as a guitarist (who is also endorsed by Gibson) and producer, her talents are up to par with industry heavyweights. But unlike many, Milan Ring also plays by her own rules, not only operating as a business woman running her multi-medium company MXMAY but also through challenging the ideas and perceptions of femininity, gender roles and more.
Modern techno music as we know it may have been pioneered by The Belleville Three in Detroit, however the foundation that Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May helped to build eventually spread around the world inspiring young producers in Germany, the UK and more, eventually reaching as far as Tel Aviv. Whilst Israel may not be the first country one may think of in terms of the genre, there are DJs and producers creating the music and adding their identity, spreading the sound to international territory. One of those producers are NELA. The Israeli-born artist is fostering a rich and astounding sound bursting with musicality. Already a fixture as a performer in her native Tel Aviv, the now Berlin-based act is establishing herself as a force in the electronic scene pumping out top-notch records and rocking the dance floor as a DJ.
The music of Kraków Loves Adana stems from a place of truth, depth and life. Comprised of Deniz Cicek and Robert Heitmann, the Hamburg-based pair who met in 2006, have gone on to create a solid discography of emotive and ultimately moving indie records that are as core and touching as they come.
Stella Chronopoulou is an artist in every sense of the word. Known by her moniker Σtella, she operates between the mediums of music and visual arts, and even her sonic platform extends to singing, songwriting, producing and playing guitar. Her sound is a glistening array of pop, utterly dreamy and lavish. Having been continually praised by the media for the past few years now, Σtella's second solo LP 'Works For You' is another perfect hitting of the target and further growth of someone who creates from the heart and soul.
Musically the country of Sweden is on fire at this particular moment in time, and it feels like there is no putting out the blaze anytime soon. With countless acts continuing to emerge from various cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and more, leaving huge marks in the pop and electronic arena, the Scandi invasion is in full effect with Swedes in particular leading the charge. Hannie is the next Swedish artist ready to take the pop world by storm. With an incredible voice and the Nordic beauty to coincide, she has already began to rack up a strong following in the UK and US, and this is only the beginning.
On the surface it's more than easy to fall for Julietta. The New Yorker instantly captures attention with her drop dead gorgeous, model-like features. However, when she sings, you instantly begin to understand that she is more than just good looks, but possesses a voice that is incredibly powerful and fierce, that definitely cuts through any noise currently in music.
