Soundclouds of the Underground: Heatwave Edition
ABOVE: JACUZZI BOYS.
These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.
We are in the thick of a sticky summer and you may find yourself asking, “How do I survive the sweaty circumstances of this outlandishly hot season?” Well, when a problem comes our way the answer is always music, and this one is no exception—whether you’re feeling dazed and confused as you wander the heat-stricken streets, or have come to appreciate the summer for the magical time it can be, we have some tracks for you! Check them out below.
Jacuzzi Boys: “Double Vision”
Who: Based out of forever sun-kissed Miami, the Jacuzzi Boys (Gabriel Alcala, Diego Monasterios, and Danny Gonzalez) are a band that revels in its messy youthfulness, from which comes fuzzy, fun pop-rock that’s a bit rough around the edges in the best of ways.
The Song: “You gotta take it apart,” vocalist/guitarist Alcala coolly coos on the steady rock song with psychedelic accents. A perfectly trippy soundtrack for aimlessly wandering through the desert Jim Morrison-style, The Jacuzzi Boys give elements of quirky pop without losing their garage-rock panache.
Current Project: The Corey Adams-directed video for “Double Vision” was released yesterday—keep up with the band otherwise via their website.
Stylo G: “Ready”
Who: Born and bred in Jamaica and currently stationed in the UK (his father was the late legend Poison Chang), Stylo G’s dancehall bangers are already making waves across the pond. With his recent signing to 3beat/Universal, you can bet some stateside recognition is on its way.
The Song: Sometimes it gets so hot that you need to rip off your clothes, slap on a swimsuit and dutty wine until your head falls off (these are just cold, hard facts). “Ready” provides the perfect musical backdrop for this sort of heat-driven debauchery. The always-awesome Dre Skull‘s production is grand in its minimalism, and Stylo’s smooth vocal takes the song to ultra-danceable heights.
Current Project: Get into Stylo G’s latest releases, interviews, and more via his website.
Ghost Beach: “Moon Over Japan”
Who: Josh Ocean and Eric Mendelsohn make up this indie-pop outfit, whose song “Miracle” you might have heard in an online spot for American Airlines. The band’s blissful sound is a power-pop eargasm, full of blossoming synths, big drums, falsetto yelps, and everything else a proper pop fan could ask for.
The Song: Fans of M83 and Passion Pit will fall head over heels for this emotional pop gem—crank it up while you’re strolling the beach with your summer sweetheart, and we guarantee the unbearable weather will be the last thing on your mind.
Current Project: Find out more about Ghost Beach, who just posted an animated video for the abovementioned cut by logging into their website.
Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.
