Fresh off performing in Austin at this year’s SXSW festival – David Pollack is currently touring the northeast and Canada, promoting his brand new EP – What Do I Do – available here.

Full disclosure, folks, I personally met this New York City-based artist when we attended college together. Hypetree was barely more than a glimmer in our eyes and a few lines of code that Alex had roughly cranked out just to see if his idea of ‘hot or not for music’ could even work. At the time David was playing with a band called Bridges. I was introduced to him after they played at our school’s modest Relay for Life benefit event. Bridges took the “stage” (it was really more of a platform) and blasted through their set like it was their fucking job. They may have looked like your average student band but these kids weren’t average – they were tight.

And being a musician is David Pollack’s job. He’s the kind of artist that you know is going to find success in music, regardless of how hard the market or how broke the industry might be. Because he will never, ever, EVER stop working.

As an avid fan of independent music and a writer for this blog, I’ve interacted with a lot of musicians – each one brimming with enthusiasm for their craft and relentless in their quest to make the world sing (or dance or mosh or whatever). But David Pollack is still one of the most persistent artists I’ve ever met. I feel like if David ever woke up on a remote island where no one spoke english or had ever heard of rock music, he’d still figure out a way to get together a 3 piece band and put on an amazing rock show right there on the beach.

If you’re in the NYC and/or Brooklyn area I strongly encourage you to check out one of David Pollack’s shows. If you’re not, have a listen to his new EP – What Do I Do? - and let us know what you think in the comments. 

Rooftop Runners bring the emotive and versatile strengths of indie and blend them seamlessly with the animalistic and trance-inducing qualities of electronica. All at once you feel pumped, energized, even ravenous while seemingly focused and fixated. Rooftop Runners makes music that makes you feel, both in your heart and your gut. Imagine Young Empires met Django Django and you’d have an idea of what that means.

Rooftop Runners released their debut EP, “We Are Here”, last April and are finishing up their debut album. Here’s a taste from that critically acclaimed EP, “Energize”. Get with these Canadian hot shots from Berlin and check out Rooftop Runners.

Changing Modes is the pop punk from the 90s that many of us grew up on, with an indie twist that keeps them contemporary and catchy. If you take Au Revoir Simone, Minor Threat, and The Offspring, you might be able to imagine their sound, but really Changing Modes is not a group that you can just pin down to a few influences. Once you think you have them pegged, they’ll come at you with some merengue, or some soft rock, which is obviously followed by hardcore, because fuck you. Changing Modes is pop and punk, not pop punk, always evolving as they twist and turn through the weeds of genres and labels.

Changing Modes has been around for a while now and is five records deep following their latest release, “In Flight” (2012). If you need a swift kick in the ass to get you out of your own personal funk, then Changing Modes might be just what the doctor ordered. Here’s the song that did it for me, but don’t stop here because you’ll never really get these guys until you sample all they have to offer. Check out “Moles” by Changing Modes.

T*Merk is a cerebral rapper. His lyrics are vivid and creative, his flow is solid, and his beats range from passionate, to sexy, to grimey. I can’t stress T*Merk’s lyrical prowess; he is a poet through and through. He can paint images in your mind with his rap; no easy feat for even a full fledged poet, much less for a musician who already targets a whole other sense. Mastery of two senses is incredible, and T*Merk has that mastery. And, as an added bonus, T*Merk tips his cap to his elders and clearly draws from the best of their music. Cerebral enough to paint pictures with his lyrics and learn from the best of the best? That’s T*Merk.

T*Merk has three albums, “My Brother & Mii” (April 2010), “Gone in December” (Dec 2010), “Animal House” (April 2011), and “Cruel Winter” (Dec 2012), out now and a plethora of tracks floating around the net. I have to say, I haven’t heard deeper, more thoughtful, or more vivid lyrics than in “The Cage” in a long time so be sure to check out “Animal House”; it’s a really solid album and a promising statement of purpose for things to come. Here is my personal favorite T*Merk song, “Judas” off of “Cruel Winter”, for you guys to enjoy. Be sure to check out T*Merk and start your weekend off right!

High Pop have a sound reminiscent of the good old days of hardcore punk and mixed it with some of the poppier avant garde out there. What came out was a stew of intriguing and surprising indie punk. Most indie punk you hear these days leans closer to the polar ends of the spectrum, be it shoulder to shoulder with pop punk or hardcore, most indie punk bands just can’t seem to find that middle ground. High Pop has. Imagine the attitude and production of the old Minor Threat and Black Flag mixed in with the sounds of The Pixies and The Creaky Boards (minus all the douchebaggery) and you start to get a picture of what High Pop is about. Throw in some punk, some indie, and just enough weird and you got yourself a winning combination in my book.

High Pop have two EPs, “Hippie Speed Ball” (Sept 2011) and “Bong Rips” (Jan 2011), and one album, “Hip Hip Hooray” (Aug 2012), out now. If you don’t want to feel depressed on a cold and rainy day, but you don’t want to be jumping for joy like a total badass either, these guys are that perfect middle ground of relaxation. If it’s raining near you, here’s “Crawl”, off of “Hip Hip Hooray”, for your listening pleasure. Don’t be afraid, get you some High Pop.

Active Bird Community ride the line between fuzz rock and indie rock like mad geniuses. With catchy hooks, emotive vocals, and thundering break downs this indie band has mastered the art of taking and breaking hearts. With shades of Silversun Pickups, Interpol, and Bad Veins, Active Bird Community has exactly what you’re looking for in strong indie rock outfit.

Active Bird Community certainly have been, well, active. They have two EPs, “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here” (Aug 2012) and “Ready to Go” (June 2012), two albums, “Magnum Opus” (May 2012) and “Imaginary Talent Show” (July 2011), and two singles, “This Time” and “Kelly”. That’s a lot of music to choose from, so allow me to provide some assistance. Get in the mood for some indie rock, pop in “Stormville” off of “Ready to Go”, sit back, and enjoy. Oh, and while you do that, download “Magnum Opus”, it’s a great album. Check out Active Bird Community, it’s more than worth the time.

Beard of Wolves take the melodic hooks that are so popular and pervading in indie rock and slam it together with the intense vocals and slamming riffs that characterize metal with just a dash of fuzz rock for good measure. Hearing these guys brought images of The Darkness, Every Time I Die, Queens of the Stone Age, and Muse to mind. Bead of Wolves use melodic hooks and ambient synths that can hang with the big hitters in the indie scene with a dark side of heavy drops and explosive turns that would bring a smile to even the hardest metalhead’s face.

Beard of Wolves is working on releasing their first EP, having only formed this past September, but they do have two singles out for anyone unfortunate enough to not live in the UK right now. Check out “Wet Mouth” and “My Father Drives the Death Star” if you’re in the mood for some head-banging goodness with the added indie flair. You won’t be disappointed. And if you are lucky enough to live in the UK, Beard of Wolves is currently on tour, starting today in London before heading north. Need convincing to get your ass out of your seat? Fine, have a listen to my personal favorite, “My Father Drives the Death Star”. Check them out if you know what’s good for you.

Krystale brings her emotive and soulful voice and backs it up with jazzy beats and samples. Krystale is perfect for anyone who really appreciates truly talented singing but still likes a more modern slant to their music. Her samples may be jazzy, but she supplements them with an electronic influence that brings them screaming into the modern age, blending the best of the good old days with the infectious grooves of today’s dance scene. Krystale makes the kind of music you want to hear at a club or in your living room with sounds that range from pumping dance to relaxing soul.

Krystale has two EPs out now, “Reboot” (2011) and “The Good Fight” (2012), and is gearing up for her debut full length album later this year. She just released her latest single “Machine” last month and it’s a doozy, so check that out as soon as you can. Meanwhile, while you load that link, check out “Caught Up” off of “The Good Fight”! This soulful Montrealer cannot be missed, so give Krystale a listen.

I never thought I’d say this, but I think I may have found the band that can pick up The Strokes’ mantle and run with it. Let’s be honest, The Strokes might as well be the godfathers of today’s indie scene, if only by bringing it into the spotlight. Surpassing them would take some real talent, and The Rachels have it. They bring the gritty, emotive rock that was the hallmark of The Strokes and add their own vibe to it. There is some Joy Division and Superchunk in their sound, and when it all comes together you can hear just why The Rachels could be the next big thing in the indie scene. Their only downside? I can only find four songs by them! It is hard to write a review on an artist when you only have a few tracks to go on, but the songs were just so amazing I couldn’t help myself. Hopefully The Rachels will keep up the good work and put out more brilliant tracks that push the envelope that much further without forgetting where they came from.

From what I can tell The Rachels don’t have any EPs or albums to speak of yet, but all four of their songs are on YouTube for your listening pleasure. Do yourself a favor and check them out, because they really are incredible. Here’s just one of their fantastic tracks to pull you in: “Once Mine”. Click, listen, and fall in love with this diamond in the rough.

Kiwi sounds like what I would think The Wailers would sound like if they merged with P-Funk under the supervision of Steel Pulse. These guys take heavy amounts of jazz and reggae and smash them together, and what you get is some brilliant new music.  With a thumping horn section, tight rhythm section, groovy melody, and gripping vocals you would think Kiwi would be too heavy for a reggae band, but no, their music floats and rests lightly on your senses. They do everything a good reggae band should: lift you up and chill you out.

Well enough gilding the lily; here’s Kiwi with “Change”. Listen, love it, love them. Now that you’ve presumably fallen head over heels for Kiwi, they need your help! Kiwi are trying to fund a tour for their new album, “On The Move”, of the northeast. Give these guys a hand; go to their Kickstarter page and donate whatever you can to their cause. They have some pretty awesome rewards for donating, so do what you can before time runs out! You have seven days! Help Kiwi out and give the world the gift of sweet, new reggae.

Kiwi Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kiwirootsmusic/kiwi-roots-soul-music-on-the-move

Hanzelle take the best attributes of dance and pop and mix them smooth electronic ambiance. You get a driven and groovy rhythm section, interesting and moving beats, and delicate vocals that are tied together with ambient tones and swells. Hanzelle take a cue from Grimes, Radiohead, and Chromeo to create songs that you can dance to as well as chill you out.

Hanzelle released their debut album, “Bio-Electric Flower Pot”, in 2009 and since then have dropped a self-titled EP (2011) and two singles, “Body Rock/Ghost” (2011) and “I Know” (2012). Check out this unlikely electro-pop sensation because, who knows, maybe Tennessee will become the next electro-pop Mecca this side of the Atlantic. Here is “I Know” to give you a glimpse of what the future may hold.

I can hear very clearly at least five different sounds coming through when I listen to SOUNDDRUG. I hear the melodic diversity of The Rapture, the eerie ambiance of Tomahawk, the instrumentation of Racer X, the composition of Coheed & Cambria, and the expansive, adventurous attitude of The Liquid Tension Experiment. And before anyone can say otherwise, yes you can hear an attitude; if you don’t think so listen to Slipknot and Coldplay back to back and tell me you can’t. What is even more compelling, however, is that even though all these influences are so very clear, at least to me, SOUNDDRUG incorporates them into a sound that is nothing like any one of their parts. SOUNDDRUG is the glorious Frankenstein that emerged out of the progressive, avant-garde primordial stew; perfect for anyone who appreciates musicality, or just likes to get weird.

SOUNDDRUG just released their first EP, “NOPARTS”, last month; along with their debut music video for the title track “NOPARTS”. It’s high time you got your prog on, so why not try on some SOUNDDRUG and get eccentric at the same time. Here is their music video for “NOPARTS” for you to check out, but be warned, this video is so wonderfully strange that you might not want to watch it at work.

Monks of Mellonwah are a brand of hard rock I haven’t heard in some time. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, these guys are like if 3 Doors Down decided to have a baby with Filter and let Soilwork be the godfather. Their jumps from emotive, bluesy verse to hard hitting, heavy riffed chorus is reminiscent of the early 2000s and perfect for anyone who longs for that lost era in hard rock. Still, their ability to absorb modern indie influences and bust out killer guitar solos make them an interesting band for any music aficionado to pick up.

Monks of Mellonwah have two EPs out now, “Stars are Out” (2010) and “Neurogenesis” (2012), and are currently working on their debut album as we speak. It should be a great one because they have producer Keith Olsen (Ozzy Ozborne, Fleetwood Mac, Santana) behind the glass. These guys just wrapped up their west coast half of their national tour, and they start their east coast half today! Here’s their single “Neurogenesis” to get you out the door, now get moving and see this new hard rock band, Monks of Mellonwah!

Electric Guest have created a fascinating mix of jazz, lounge, rock, and dance music that is infectious at its worst and enthralling at its best. It’s almost impossible to stop listening to this band as evidenced by their hit single “This Head I Hold” that has over two million views on Youtube. This band has some shades of Fitz and the Tantrums, but honestly, I haven’t heard anything like this before. Their ability to relax you completely and make your hips shake simultaneously is a new sensation for me, and I wager this band will create new sensations in anyone who listens.

Electric Guest released their debut album “Mondo” this past April and have just released a new single, “Holiday”, in October. You need to get this new indie music in your life, so here’s their hit single “This Head I Hold” to make you a believer and as Electric Guest front-man Asa Taccone would say:

“If you listen carefully you won’t feel so low”

Toño sat me behind a drumset for the first time when I was five; perhaps too young to have done any good even if my mom got some cute pictures out of it. That didn’t change the fact, however, that whenever my family would visit Lima, Peru (where my mom is from, and where my uncles live), I would hear him tearing up his hodgepodge of a drumkit. This was a man so passionate about music that in an apartment smaller than an East Village closet, he built his own mini studio to house his stereo system, his record collect, his guitars, keys, and a drumset built from any random pieces of equipment he could come across. He even built his own double peddle out of bicycle parts and a stand apart high-hat control to supplement his second hand high-hat stand if he needed to. I can’t help but think that hearing him play drums all those years left an imprint and when I was 13 I finally sat behind his rickety set of second hand and homemade equipment and awkwardly drummed out “Like a Stone” by Audioslave with his help.

Toño was a man who played classic and prog rock almost exclusively. He built his skills by practicing Yes, Rush, King Crimson, and Dream Theater; a man who revered The Beatles so much that he refused to play their songs because, as he put it, he could not do them justice. He couldn’t read music and played everything by ear. He even had his own unique way of writing out what he heard that was unlike any tablature I’ve ever seen. He taught me the basics and encouraged me in my passion for music. Toño wasn’t a snob either; he loved hearing whatever it was my brother and I brought to his attention. He listened to bands like System of a Down and Korn when I was an angsty teen and revered bands like that, but he didn’t listen to placate me, he did it because he was so passionate about music that he would take in everything and look for the good in it. He happily and enthusiastically taught me how to play “Blue Monday” by Orgy, not because he loved the song, but because me playing music made him happy. One year I asked him to teach me “Aerials” by System of a Down, at the time a song he had never heard. The next morning I woke up to him blasting it from his studio, playing it perfectly as if he had been practicing all night. This man built my musical foundation, not by forcing good music on me, but by encouraging me to play what I wanted and to always step my game up, to never stop challenging myself. Thanks to him I grew an appreciation for all music and learned to listen for the good, not to pick out the bad. This was a man who I loved, admired, and respected.

You may have noticed by now that I keep referring to Toño in the past tense. That is because a month ago yesterday he passed away from an extremely aggressive cancer. The world is a quieter place without this man; a man of limitless kindness and compassion, a man who always had a smile on his face and a joke on his lips, and man so loved that the entire staff of over 150 people in the department store where he worked stood outside and honored him and his family as he passed for the last time. I miss my Tio Toño, but I know now that he’s with his past idols, playing for them and with them in that big band in the sky. Maybe George and John will convince him to play a few with them too, he’s certainly earned it.

Like all musicians, Toño left behind a few raw and unfinished recordings. It’s not the same quality you’re used to hearing on Seeds, but I’ve linked one below, so if you like you can take the time and listen. This one’s for you, Tio Toño.

Atlas B. Salvesen is a Sydney based artist, but he was born in raised the heart of folk country: Iowa. You really can hear both regions in his music. His lyrical style and guitar playing is straight out of the folk artist playbook, but what makes Salvesen exemplary in my mind is that he includes pianos and synth to liven up his sound and he sings in a very distinctive adult rock style. If you don’t know what that is, think Coldplay or Dave Matthews. Honestly I think Salvesen most resembles Travis, but a bit more relaxed. Salvesen’s music is the type that you play on a cloudy day while you lie in bed. It pulls at your heart strings ever so gently and lulls you into a comfortable relaxation.

Atlas B. Salvesen just released his debut EP “Smoke Signals” last week and it really is a great listen, so check it out. Here’s a single from “Smoke Signals”, “Fruit Juice”, in case you don’t believe me. I was really pleased with this fateful discovery, so have a listen and discover Atlas B. Salvesen for yourself.

Shaka Ponk is a dance rock outfit from France that is killing it overseas. These guys played festivals all over France this summer, playing for close to a million people and their fall tours have sold out. They’ve already launched their invasion of England and are looking to cross the Atlantic. These guys sound like they belong on a FIFA soundtrack; really energetic and catchy. But don’t be fooled by Shaka Ponk’s dancey shades, they can hit hard rock as good as anyone. If you like dance rock that is heavy on the rock, then Shaka Ponk is perfect for you.

Shaka Ponk have three albums out: “Loco Con Da Frenchy Talkin” (2006), “Bad Porn Movie Trax” (2009), and “The Geeks and the Jerkin’ Socks” (June 2011). They are currently gearing up for their first English tour starting December 3^rd, where they will be opening for Skunk Anansie. If you live across, put on your best party dress and steel toed boots and get out to see these guys. Here is their latest single “My Name is Stain” to get you in the dancing mood, now get to steppin’.

Reba Hasko creates poetry, she creates music, she creates ensembles of sound that pull you into a world of images and shapes, of colors and feeling. Sometimes you listen to her music and you feel like you can reach out and touch it, almost taste it. Reba Hasko follows in very much the same vein as Grimes and Lykke Li, creating and producing all her own music, and just like her contemporaries, her music toes a fantastical line between the mechanical and the emotional. Using synths and effects masterfully, she mixes the artificial with her naturally brilliant voice to create music that is not only imbued with energy, but laced with sedative, so as to make you feel excited but relaxed all at once.

Reba Hasko has one studio album called “Seeds From the Twisted Pear” and one live album called “Live at Studio 43”. She is currently working on her third album, which is coming soon. Get a feel for this one-woman-band with “Here’s How” off of “Seeds From the Twisted Pear”. Keep an eye out for this avant-garde artist because she is really special.

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This past Saturday I was introduced to a world that I had always sort of known was there but never actually knew a thing about until now. And I’ve been missing out.

John Fathom

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J. Hacha de Zola, the guitarist from The Audiobodies (current the reigning champions of Seeds Rank as of this writing) and professional Jersey City music & art evangelist, brought the Hypetree team deep into the heart of the cultural scene that pulses between the warehouses, studios, galleries, bars, and music venues of beautiful Jersey City, NJ to bring together a vibrant community that’s united under one mission: inspiration. What we saw and heard was nothing short of brilliant.

John Ruddy

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Our day started at the 22nd Annual Jersey City Studio Artists Studio Tour, where we had the honor of meeting the artists responsible for some of the gorgeousness you see on this page, including John Fathom, John Ruddy, Mark Finne, Alicia Ruth, Vera Vixeness, and Cris Nyne. 

We were lucky enough to get the chance to sit and chat with some of the artists & musicians we met in Jersey City at the 660 Grand Rock Soup Studio. WATCH in Part 2 (Coming Soon).

Alicia Ruth

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There was a moment, as I was admiring Vera Vixeness’s fabulous collection of vintage clothes & accessories, when Trevor – our creative director – and I suddenly looked up and locked our gazes: “What the FUCK am I hearing?” I needed to know who was responsible for the music that literally stopped me in my tracks. It turned out to be an artist who was actually in attendance at Rock Soup that night – Reba Hasko (more on her HERE). She had been slipped into the mix that artist Chris Nyne was spinning behind the DJ booth. We were also enjoying a front row spot in the crowd when Nyne joined Cecilia Celeste onstage to deliver some spoken word poetry to complement their song.

Vera Vixenness

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What we saw and heard that night completely upended everything I had known and come to expect from a music scene, especially one in this tri-state area (looking at you, Williamsburg). The four acts were so strong, so unique, and so distinct from one another and yet the love in the room was undeniably universal and unabashed. No pretense, no faux-aloofness, no one-upmanship, and no fucking $10 cover. Just pure creative energy. It was like watching lightning strike in the same place over and over again.

Mark Finne

(I wish you could view his paintings like I did – with 3D glasses)

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Look out for Seeds’ upcoming coverage of these musical gems we found shining out of the Jersey City Music scene:

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Debra Devi

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Winner Takes All with the one and only JuneStar MrBlackman

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Cecilia Celeste

and

Kiwi

(sweet, sweet Kiwi…)

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Altogether it was by far the best showcases of musical talent and originality I’ve seen all year – with 4 different musical acts blowing my mind in markedly different but equally awesome ways.

A BIG thank you to J. and The Audiobodies as well as John Fathom for bringing us into this whole new world. Check back soon for more.

Oh..

And a quick thank you to the guy that handed me this sticker. I don’t know what it means and I’m scared of what I’ll find if I Google ‘sexinthemouth’

Major Powers and The Lo-Fi Symphony have brought back the big vocals, symphonic musicianship, lengthy tunes, and face-melting solos that made rock opera so great. Major Powers and The Lo-Fi Symphony call their brand of rock opera “Adventure Rock”. Orchestral piano, multi-octave singing, hard rock guitars and all, Major Powers and The Lo-Fi Symphony have taken a page straight out of Freddie’s book and are leaping into the 21^st century with it. This new age Queen takes everything that made that band great and updated it for the times. Seriously, if you have any love for Queen, check out Major Powers and The Lo-Fi Symphony immediately.

Major Powers and The Lo-FI Symphony released their debut album, “We Became Monsters”, this past March. I can’t stress enough how great this band is. They are more than just a Queen sound-a-like, they could be our generation’s Queen, they are Major Powers and The Lo-Fi Symphony, and they need to be heard. I’ll make it easy for you; here’s “We’re All Going to Die!”, now get to listening.

I was greeted by Railbird, a six piece electro prog indie group that surprised me with their complex, almost awkward, yet relaxing and innovative sound. There is little more I can say about this band that would really do them justice. They are steeped in the sound of the avant-garde; never playing the expected or anticipated without tearing you away from an enjoyable vantage. Railbird is really what experimental indie should be about: a break from traditional songwriting, using awkward time signatures, sounds, and effects that is still accessible and enjoyable.

Railbird released their debut album, “No One”, March 2011 and dropped a new single, “Jump Ship”, in June. Maybe you are here out of coincidence, like I was Sunday night, so here is “Strange” off “No One” for your listening pleasure. Take the time and enjoy this happy coincidence.

City Brat is the future for electro indie pop. The Go! Team is still going strong, having just finished touring for the summer, but their popularity is painfully limited to the UK. El Guincho, on the other hand, has been inactive for almost three years now. City Brat is more than ready to step into that vacuum, and his brand of electro indie pop is certainly strong enough to do so. Taking the best of both sides of electro indie pop, City Brat blends the rock attitude of The Go! Team with the experimental philosophy of El Guincho. The result is catchy indie rock with a heavy African and Latin influence blended together through the power of synth and effects.

City Brat just released his debut EP “Strange Summer” last month. He has another EP planned for February/March, and a full length album planned for next summer, so keep an eye out! He just dropped his first music video yesterday, so check out “Savage Friends” by City Brat and get on the electro indie pop bandwagon!

Generator Ohm takes all the complexity and musical sophistication of progressive music and mixes it with the catchy melodies and hooks of indie rock. Complete with versatile drums that bust out beats covering everything from punk to reggae to prog and a one of the funkiest basses I’ve heard this side of Parliament Funkadelic, Generator Ohm has all the tools to make complex, intriguing, and catchy tunes. Try mixing Mr. Bungle, Hum, and Soundgarden and what you get is Generator Ohm in a nutshell. Catchy and complex, Generator Ohm is how Brooklyn, the indie music Mecca, does prog rock.

Generator Ohm’s debut album, “Upon the Me Om I”, dropped just this summer. This full length, 11 track beauty hits all the prog hot spots and smells so sweetly of indie influence. Finally a prog rock band that appeals to more than the eclectic and the eccentric. Try out “Lemming Shuffle” off of “Upon the Me Om I” and get start shutting up those music snobs.

 “Hurry Up” is four tracks of indie rock goodness that cover the spectrum in indie rock. You get the dancey, energetic, and uplifting, the experimental, and the tormented and angsty sides of indie rock all rolled into four songs. My only problem with this EP is that it’s too short, but I suppose if it were as long as I’d hoped it would be it would be Cosmonaut’s debut album, not EP. This New Jersey indie outfit is set to take the scene by storm if they can continue producing music like that on “Hurry Up”.

“Hurry Up” came out just yesterday, so get to listening for those all important bragging rights of “I liked them when…” To get you moving here’s Cosmonaut’s single “Your Knife (My Side)” for your listening pleasure. If that sounds familiar, it might be because of this hypetree ad! Now get your ass in gear and check out “Hurry Up” by Cosmonaut.

The Autonomics, to me, are Portland manifest in band form. These guys assault your senses, taking you from a dancey bliss to a headbanging, body slamming frenzy. Taking indie rock, pop punk, and dance rock and tying them up into a pretty package The Autonomics create a sound that is not only catchy, but full of raw punk energy. If you mix The Strokes and The Ramones you’d have a pretty good idea of The Autonomics, but this kind of indie punk has to be heard to really be appreciated.

The Autonomics have two EPs out now: “Bang it Out” (Dec 2011) and “Hot Doom” (June 2011). Here’s The Autonomics’ single “YeahSlowLikeThat” to wet your pallet. Get your taste for Portland and get to listening to The Autonomics!