Those Sweet Reviews

On hearing The Sanctity Of Crows music, you are immediately hit with an impression of a brilliant mind behind these sonic textures and wonderfully interwoven styles within each piece, instrumental or with vocal additions. Especially when it comes to his concept albums, and this particular concept album “Time” where the song “In The Moment” is drawn from-there is definitely a fierce intellect driving these musical explorations and concept works of sonic art. “In The Moment” is a shorter work on this album-(though not the shortest-the track with this distinction is “Just a Minute”(which is literally just a minute long), then there’s “Another Three Minutes of your Life you won’t get back” (mentioned here because the title is so cool, the number 3 is within it, and it goes for around 3 minutes…but I don’t mind that 3 minutes of my life gets to be spent listening to this track…))-compared to some rather epically long yet enjoyable tracks which, in the fine tradition of prog rock this is to be expected-especially on an album dealing with the concept of time…we need to explore all avenues and time elements here…at four minutes “In The Moment” is a moment of mystical clarity…my first thought on the title and the song itself that this song is touching on the here and now…this is the only time you can REALLY be. The past has come and gone, the future is yet to be…but right now you are here-living life fully and completely in this moment. As we begin with a wave of sounds which gradually enter the musical space, a burst of guitars here, a glorious hint of keys there, double bass drums smattering about all subtly shifting and moving within the spaces of the music. The ear always has something intriguing to hear within this “moment” and just like that…it ends in a flurry of echo and reverb…”In The Moment” is an extraordinary piece which does not exist as background music to be played while mindlessly glazing windows or going through a physical work out… this is fantastic ambient instrumental music to listen to- which becomes a part of your environment…drifting like clouds and becoming an immersive listening experience rather than background noise. You are indeed “in the moment” in every sense. A great philosophy and an excellent example of how ambient instrumental music ought to be. This is an experience. As is most of the music that The Sanctity Of Crows brings forth from his music explorations, both as a solo artist and as a collaborator with the incredible artists mentioned above or future collaborative efforts. Much gratitude to you, Ian for showing us all that music can be a gift which unites rather than divides. Your music, like most around our community is inspiring and with you being a part of our community is very much appreciated.

It begins with what you believe is going to be a beautiful, haunting yet epic ballad with an equally powerful vocal. In Crowsilver’s lead vocalist Sonia Hutchinson, we certainly get a vocalist of magnificent talent yet here we are also gifted with an absolutely spellbinding performance from a full band with superb guitars subtle, sublime bass guitar line and sometimes soothing, other times very powerful drums each supporting and taking the lead in an exemplary display of musicianship and sheer sonic power. “Lord of Dreams” is quite noteworthy in its musical structure-there’s a surprise hidden straight in plain sight after each swirl of vocal beauty-the guitars bring powerfully sonic bursts, the drums and bass add immense depth to the musicianship and support. The band Crowsilver arrives and deliver a knockout powerful performance- brilliant. The dynamic shifts and twists and turns consistently draw you in back to that swirling dervish like vocal and then back out to the heavy and solid guitar and drums. Great songwriting and an all round display of creativity and talent which again leaves you with feelings of great pride and gratitude to belong on this same planet with such exceptional people and artists as each member here of the brilliantly all round talents in Crowsilver are.

RedPrint brings us a very visceral, hauntingly catchy and emotionally engaging experience with this 6-minute epic journey. “Inner Court” definitely doesn’t feel like it is that long of a song (and in the world of music-especially prog-there are some enormously lengthy and challenging songs out there (enjoyable but quite an experience you need the time to fully listen and experience)) With an introductory lone acoustic guitar which sets up the haunting melodic motif straight away without you realising until later in the piece-the drums, bass and electric guitars join in on a riff which is so musically tight it gives an almost claustrophobic feeling-matching the lyrical themes incredibly well (vocals are sublime here too-again reinforcing the melodic structure of this insistent riff-as we are taken on a lyrical voyage into the inner-self, walking the tightrope of sanity and insanity…yet there is a feeling of resilience there too) …and once the electric violin joins on the theme which stalks all the way throughout this piece, now you find that “Inner Court” has immediately reeled you in…or you find yourself locked within this song…this a brilliantly structured, tight yet very loose grip on that very catchy melody. As we “wander empty halls, every door is fate…walls have wicked laughs…” dark imagery yet familiar “walls are closing in…” the resilience shows on “my battle cry”…”open my eyes to the world shining bright on me…” once the “tiny shred of hope” appears-the music and vocals seem take on the “executioner” in an inner battle for freedom…the most captivating part of this song is the feeling that the rhythm section, guitars, bass and drums speed up and swirl around the haunting motif from the electric violin and the lead guitar offer the protagonist a virtual musical battering ram…even as we close the piece in a slow cadence we feel the inner (and outer) battle has been won. We are free from that place we were in at the beginning. I’ll reiterate here that this is my feelings on the piece- but there is definitely a feeling of hope and resilience offered to those struggling with inner battles every day…there is a silver lining even within the worst moments. There IS a rose to be found in the compost…the rose here is this song and the message that it conveys brilliantly-both musically, and lyrically is a message of inner strength, resilience and yes hope…(to sound oddly like I’m quoting the original Star Wars…) The band around the vocalist here are those friendships you find in the worst moments who you know are there to help you through whatever struggles you’re going to face. This piece is an experience that uplifts and demonstrates exactly that which gives us strength is within and without ourselves. In the worst of times there is an inner resolve which is strengthened by the friendships and the inner and outer armour we forge. Huge thanks to these legends of our community (and in all sincerity there are many of those around our indie scene) RedPrint for gifting us with not only this magnificent piece of music- but for also being a part of an indie community which appreciates one another and highlights the strengths of each other. Your contributions to this indie scene helps make all of our voices as strong as the voice of the rising tides.

Always ready to support my long time friend, local legend and fellow study mate Mark Halliwell in any way I can. While listening to this unique sidestep from the usually prog inspired displays of his virtuosity (which is indeed also very inspiring) -the stunning track “Shining Starr” was a pleasant surprise. There’s usually a quite progressive musical edge to his music, however this one really hit home as a great piece of songwriting that captures a uniquely 80s yet distinct melodies that will be caught in my mind for a while yet. A very catchy and well crafted song which only furthers the awe at the range of styles you can cover. Although it’s always a delight to hear a million notes-here it only takes a few to show how incredibly talented you are. A valuable lesson learned here in song craft. Absolutely love this piece, Mark. This track is a wonderful reminder that yours is a gift worth celebrating. A kind encouraging word or celebrating the achievements of another is always going to benefit our scene positively. Each artist who has gifted our community and planet with their music and have profoundly moved another always can be a major positive force in our community, and seeing artists offer the support and encouragement toward one another’s gifts certainly helps make belonging here so much better. “Shining Starr” is yet another glorious example of your unique voice. There’s been a surge of amazingly inspiring, and real human made music from all around our scene lately (although this piece is from early October 2025 it seems the music since this dropped has been steadily rising to the quality music we hear on this and the current music on offer today) and that is certainly a valid reason to feel fortunate and indeed proud to be a part of a very supportive and caring group of human beings who also happen to be extremely talented and immensely creative artists. It’s brilliant to belong to a scene that highlights one another’s musical gifts and strengths as well as their human qualities. A global community that genuinely encourages, inspires, and uplifts each other to greater heights. This song is brilliant, my friend. Your music inspires and uplifts. Your support and encouragement of others likewise does the same, Mark. For that I thank you.

Collaborative efforts are always a personal favourite-as these show us our indie community as it IS and CAN BE in one song-everything that is good and inspiring about our community contained within a microcosm. This collaboration between stellar indie artist Nadine De Macedo (here playing the catchy riff along with the rhythm guitars, the synth, the programming, arrangements and producing “Civil Obedience”) and The Karlos Kollective (of whom I believe were inspired by Nadine’s original instrumental and wrote the lyrics, contributing vocals and the lead guitar work) is a wonderful representation of how the combination of Nadine’s and The Karlos Kollective’s musical and lyrical mastery over a vast range of styles and genres of music can bring us an exceptional piece of music with exemplary lyrical themes. The thematic structure of this piece shifts the perspective from a negative viewpoint of our current situation to a more uplifting, positive and refreshing point of view. A wildly energetic and engaging rock song with a powerful message- I do like those harmonies in the vocals here-fantastic note choices and the vocal inflections from both the lead and harmony voices are very pleasing to the ear. Guitar riffs that entwine themselves into your mind and the instrumentation helps drive the message home. “Civil Obedience” is a brilliant and visceral experience and yet another example and reason to be grateful we have artists such as Nadine and The Karlos Kollective in our community. An outstanding collaborative effort. As with every artist here and around our indie scene-after listening through “Civil Obedience”- if you enjoy the music you’re hearing-do yourself a huge favour and have a listen through the artist’s entire musical output-with Nadine you’ll definitely be rather impressed at the sheer range of styles covered, and you may find a heck of a lot of collaborations as well. Everyone involved in our community-as long as there is no harm being caused to another-truly deserves to be celebrated and recognised as the wonderful artists they are and shown the appreciation that their being here is something we as a community are all proud of.

Our marvellous indie community is certainly filled with a vast array of talented artists and musical genius. There’s an amazing amount of highly skilled and gifted artists in amongst a vastly flourishing and abundant garden of amazing music. It’s an honour to be on the same planet and inspiring to be a part of this indie music scene with so many artists who create these works of beauty almost daily. In this second edition of a weekly review series, what better time to highlight times when indie artists from our scene combine to create a stunning work of art? The artists chosen to highlight this week are both very much gifted and intelligent musicians individually- when combined these gifts are given a chance to illustrate the benefits of sharing these wonderful talents together: an example of that unique sense of belonging to a community that shares in each other's achievements and highlights their strengths-that is truly magnificent. A song that comes to mind bearing these qualities inherent to the indie community while also bringing attention to the strengths of each of the musicians involved is the magnificent “Head Full of Demons” by Whiskey Club with Stolen From The Sky. Complimenting and making use of taste and leaving space for each artist to shine, particularly throughout the trading of solos which certainly makes the listener’s jaw drop in genuine amazement and the jazz infused backdrop has really given the guitar work of Adam another quality to add to the mixture of musical brilliance he brings to his heavier styled solo work in Stolen from the Sky. It’s a real joy to hear the virtuosic guitar licks within the solo section weave around the piano. And speaking of genius and the piano, this is yet another piece of music John from Whiskey Club where the piano is almost dancing in a dazzling display of musical brilliance. The Trading of Fours between the two in this solo section is a genuine treat. As important as the instrumental beauty is within this is the great songwriting skills underpinning it all. And this is a great SONG to enjoy. John’s voice is also in fine form here and tells a great story (as all good songs do). The sound design is subtle but sublime. Great chordal work in the guitars and piano by Adam and John really do give this song a lift. Indeed, this collaboration between two wonderful artists and musicians of our scene is one excellent example of the harmony that can occur when artists from our community get together and have genuine fun collaborating- both complimenting and highlighting the others strengths. A lesson within a song there for us all.

Truly fascinating and something to be very grateful for when you’re introduced to a new artist or reminded of a familiar one through the initiatives of Sweet Beets and Driven as well as through listening all around our indie scene. To give all the indie artists from around our community the recognition, celebration and an opportunity to be heard and appreciated is something that everyone here is ultimately worthy of. Today we’re celebrating an artist of whom has just recently passed into these ears and has genuinely inspired myself personally, and I’m certain a lot of us all feel this same sentiment toward the brilliant JR Band and their very intriguing, intelligent and inventive song “Predilection” (interestingly with its title based on a conversation about the writings of Carlos Castañeda (author of “The Teachings of Don Juan”)) When it comes to the instrumentation of this track and the band itself-we have a brilliant combination of guitars, double bass, organ, mandolin, violin, and banjo bringing us a beautiful blend of Americana, folk music, bluegrass and country to enjoy. The songwriting is outstanding, bringing phenomenal storytelling into their music which-along with the wonderful blend of instruments and musical styles - gives us a sense of ease; as we hear astonishingly astute lyrical themes and well crafted melodies to suit the brilliant storytelling woven elegantly in this piece of music. All the elements which helps this musical backdrop covey the sense of grounding and “Predilection” which the character Don Juan is referring to as a physical place to ground, restore and direct you to reconnect you to your purpose. Here the JR Band displays that theirs (like most of us in our music scene) is a musical purpose to follow. An inspiring and engaging piece of music from genuine artists and human beings. As always with our indie music scene, there is often a surprise and a gem to be found. We can travel the world to try to find it and suddenly realise these gems have been there all along and all around us. The indie community may be vast-yet discoveries such as The JR Band reveal there’s a lot to be grateful for-listening to and discovering musical gems such as those found all around our entire indie community-brings us closer together.

Upon first hearing the magnificent music of Christine Corau (her album “Three Scarlet Words” was, and is astounding) the awe at the enormous depth of incredibly talented artists of which we’re fortunate enough to be among us from all our global indie scene was further enriched. There was an inkling with Christine’s music that indeed we’ve gained yet another spectacular artist to enjoy from our global indie music community. So when learning there was this particular collaboration between Christine Corau and Jonathan Pearson on its way to our speakers-there was a lot of anticipation that we may have more music coming to again astonish us. On release of “Ghost” this assumption left us with no doubt or disappointment. A collaboration between artists is often a reflection of how our global community can be and generally is- the support and encouragement of one another’s gifts which is evident within our indie music scene is all contained within one collaborative piece of music. This is why a collaboration is a meaningful and profound experience to hear. The music we all create individually is equally important and every unique voice and story is valid and does matter. This collaborative approach to music works very well to convey exactly what being involved in our global community is like. Within “Ghost”, we initially hear a lone acoustic guitar figure being played with ghostly yet very powerful and insistent chordal structure as sublime electric guitar figures and riffs seemingly haunt this piece as they pass through this like a mirage, a hint of synthesiser also adds to this atmosphere. Musically this paints a stunning aural and visual impression. Add to this the effects added and the hauntingly brilliant vocals and vocal harmonies…each intoning of the word echo is followed like a ghost walking behind that very vocal line…the choice of notes during the harmony lines throughout are quite stunning. Those moments we hear a vocal line just out of reach to hear what’s said further gives the themes of this piece weight. Here we have a piece of music in which the protagonist of the song is letting us know “there’s a ghost in this house” and “it feels so cold here” yet as the song develops (from the spoken lines “All I can hear are the echoes of where you used to be, everything else has disappeared, just a ghost remains…” then one more run through the thematic “There’s a ghost in this house”) the lyrics seem to morph to the ghost’s perspective as “I Don’t Belong Here… Is it possible to break the ties that trapped my soul here?” as we are led towards an ending which is also another element which catches the ear- as this ending leaves us in suspense…it’s a closing cadence that leaves us on edge… A wonderful piece of music, captivating sound design and incredible lyrics- a collaborative effort which will haunt you in a good way.

It’s an honour to be able to give Rob Landers along with his self composed, performed and recorded piece “Love Too Strong” the acknowledgment and celebration it utterly deserves. Listening to this particular piece once again with the additional knowledge that Rob had performed each instrumental part here (apart from an outstanding lead guitar part added by Kris Ruston) on this barnstorming song with rockabilly elements and a wonderful blend of exemplary instrumental and vocal skills further demonstrates the immense talents Rob has in music. There’s a lot of well-thought-out instrumental unison fills along with excellent “Stops and Chops”, a great vocal range sitting nicely there, and the aforementioned lead guitar on display here-the songwriting in this song alone shows all the hallmarks of an artist who knows what he’s doing, dynamics hitting at the right moments-the high notes in the vocals right there as the instrumental backdrop follows the shape dynamically and melodically giving particular lyrics (sounds like a potential lover coming on too strong…) further weight, along with the length he holds onto certain words vocally-this is a strong display of musicality. Love those times when the music and vocals combine in the fills. Especially towards the ending. Lyrically, a lot of juxtaposition occurs which melodically is reflected in the hesitant urgency of guitars, drums and vocals-from the line “Me, myself and I…” the music gets more urgent as it comes to an astonishing close (with a unison “Lah de lah de lah, dah doo dup. dah doo dup” full stop). A magnificent piece of songwriting and a performance to match. Listening further through Rob’s catalog, it comes as a delicious surprise that “Love Too Strong” is a marvellous rockabilly song, the more you listen through Rob’s music you find this is one side of his musical fingerprint- there’s a whole range of styles covered throughout the music you’ll hear. This is an artist who can create a range of captivating musical experiences and utterly deserves this recognition. On a personal level (and I hope you don’t mind me saying this, Rob-or the guys from The Sun Watts…), seeing a conversation between Rob Landers and The Sun Watts on a recent Select Boost post (Wednesday, April 22, 2026) was honestly one of the most uplifting and inspiring conversations to see there-this was a meaningful reflection and another reminder that reinforced just how the qualities such as kindness, support and encouragement inherent throughout our music scene are our indie community as it most often IS-that in itself was a very heartwarming moment to witness. A conversation about the love of music, encouraging one another and sharing artists to listen to; that was enlightening, people and artists standing alongside one another-no one lagging behind no one leading-having a conversation about that which unites us all-our combined love of music.

The indie scene has been celebrating the phenomenal Yatesy and the exceptional blend of styles which is reminiscent of the best of 80s and 90s music which has culminated in this latest release “A New Life On A New Planet” over the last day and a bit and I couldn’t think of a more apt choice for the featured song of the day than this. This song is an outstanding example of all the elements which makes Yatesy the much admired artist he is. That stunning swirl of multiple guitar and synth layers that seem to whirl around the vocals in this track definitely gives an otherworldly “new life on a new planet” effect-something which is the mark of a songwriter who is exceptional at his craft is the sound design (which yes is a lot to do with the production)- here, though it seems the instrumental backdrop written here by Yatesy is intentional as that sonic whirlpool of guitars and synths are certainly a huge part in conveying the theme of the title. All within just under 3 minutes we have here a song which leaves you wishing that you could remain in this new soundscape for a while longer. The vocal shape and melody along with the lyrics are uniquely Yatesy…as he’s “singing a sad song” the music sounds soothing and beautiful…this sonic world is a place where you can “forget what’s going on in your head” as the protagonist keeps “singing a sad song” but also reassuring the listener that this place is a place to go whether feeling low or whatever real world emotion you’re experiencing to step back take a breath and enjoy a patch of sunshine. This is essentially the feeling that music has given myself over a lifetime, and I’m certain that the exact same feeling that music is a place to go to runs through the minds of musicians, music lovers and artists all around the world. This is a sterling piece of songwriting by Yatesy which will resonate with a lot of us. Even if the lyrics might convey a wistful sadness-the music is a brilliant healer and a great “other” world which give us all freedom to be-to allow ourselves to stand in a patch of sunshine for a moment. So yes, I am late to the party here- but definitely had to thank Yatesy here and show him that indeed-his music and being here is utterly appreciated and is to be celebrated. Thank you for this brilliant reminder of why music matters so much.

Familiar territory here with the awesome RedPrint -a more recent track however- and indeed another reason I’m so very thankful to have been introduced to all these artists throughout our indie community-these guys are awesome. From first listen through their 2023 E.P “The Plan” I knew that for myself personally that our indie community are so very fortunate that we have bands such as the Netherlands own RedPrint involved in this scene. There are always going to be brilliant artists to discover and enjoy-that is the most wondrous thing about being a part of all that’s around us. Now “I Think It’s Called Dave” has probably struck me as a fantastic example of all that’s brilliant about RedPrint. A highly evocative yet an elusive lyric (well maybe…) sung with such elegance and power, music weaving and ducking around practically dancing-this track spells fun all the way throughout…and you “never want stop this feeling”- although perhaps this track may well be one of the shorter song’s of this band’s oeuvre-they indeed love to play and that’s exactly what we need to hear-we don’t want that music to stop. This track is an earworm and I for one “Never wanna stop that feeling…” as I’m sure most of us don’t. A band that does have fun yet also contained within are songs with themes with a lot of depth, introspection and deep meaning. A massive thank you to RedPrint for gifting our world with your art and music. And when it comes to this particular song-a great sense of fun.

There’s something special when you discover a band and it just clicks instantly. That’s exactly what happened to me with LUDIOSIS. I’ve been listening to their tracks through playlists, and honestly… every single song hits. But Coming Into Land deserves a moment. I was talking about them with Windigo Drifter, those music conversations we love, and he said something that nailed it perfectly. They give him a Foo Fighters vibe,It’s that combination of quality songwriting, powerful guitar riffs, melodic compositions with weight, those heavy grooves that pull you in, and guitar solos that actually say something. No filler, just real music. And I couldn’t agree more! And here’s what makes it even more impressive, this is a solo artist based in the UK. One person behind all that sound. Everything feels intentional, catchy, and made to stay with you. He describes his music as something built around strong riffs, powerful vocals, and songs that connect with people who want more, and honestly, you can feel that. Also, if you’re listening to the Pop Rocks playlist, Popping and Rocking, you’ll find another gem there, She’s No Angel. And yes, it’s just as good. No misses here. This is what I love about this community, artists sharing artists, discovering each other, being fans of each other. That exchange is gold. Go check LUDIOSIS. Seriously.

Already found “Leena (We Got Time)” a standout amidst so many standout songs on Creep Diet’s album “Big Mistake” but upon learning of the backstory of this piece has given this track an extra depth of wow to just how brilliantly structured and written this piece is. This song along with the knowledge of the background shows an added dimension to “Leena (We Got Time) and the addition of these very human qualities which the songwriter here ought to be proud of. The music is stark, raw and honest- a brilliant display of honesty, understanding and carrying the punk rock ethos throughout. Considering the subject, and the essence of this song-the protagonist of this piece has shown the kind of friend and person you are- and this is a genuine gift. They understand that their friend is suffering (even if this friend may not realise this…) but instead of chastising him or making your friend ashamed of their actions-within this song there is a gentle reminder to a friend that the songwriter KNOWS this person is still there deep down and is offering support by letting them know that there is someone there ready to help them sort this out. This is being a quality friend and human being right there. Was always a huge fan of this track- but now I can hear in those 2 minutes and 13 seconds of powerful punk rock that appears on this brilliant album the expression of a friend offering support to another without judgment or any shaming, letting your friend know there’s a problem which can be fixed-the punk attitude is there still sonically pummelling a positive message home. What a work of excellence and proof of the good people we have around our community. Including Creep Diet. Celebrating a truly legendary song, an incredible album, fantastic all round artist and an amazing human being here.

When “Mind Riots” bursts out of the speakers from My New Sound Addiction- it really hits… My New Sound Addiction may have been around our community for a seemingly fair while now-indeed so grateful that here is another group of indie artists who have welcomed and been there supporting us all since back when…the guitar tone of this strikes me as something so very powerful and very much in line with the searing, burning lead vocal with themes of riots, mind riots…in every aspect-wow. Those drums, so solid…a guitar riff which could carve a neat tattoo into your skin. The vocals stirring. One mighty punch and another short but packed with so much power and again that guitar tone…an Epic in the space and length of time as a short film. Excellence in every step. More brilliance from artists within our indie community who, along with their immense talents, offer other indie artists alongside them the incredible support and encouragement of which is so appreciated-these are traits inherent throughout our community-and gives us all reason to be immensely inspired by indie legends such as My New Sound Addiction and the supportive, encouraging and equally talented artists and groups from all around our global music scene.

“Timeless Reason”-what an apt title to describe exactly why this indie duo utterly deserves to be celebrated. A very meaningful song with plenty of layers to hear within which showcases all the exceptional songwriting skills that R-an-D have acquired over their lives. The underlying theme which runs throughout this piece is that endings are not always endings. Endings are also new beginnings and evolutions. During autumn (or fall depending on where you live) and winter leaves and flowers may fall and return to the earth seemingly hidden, yet we also know that during springtime those leaves and flowers begin to come out of hiding and our planet is renewed, fresh and abundant with life. This song expresses this sentiment so much better than mere words here-as Ryan and Diana have lived this experience and have come to the realisation that their art and their music has been what brought them together and that through music there can still remain that mutual connection in which they can co-exist. “Timeless Reason” is a beautiful piece of music which develops this theme both lyrically and musically so very well-an excellent showcase of both Ryan and Diana’s individual skills and an example that when these two talents are combined-pure beauty is often the result. The vocals from Diana convey a lyrical conversation had between the two with a level of tenderness and understanding which as a vocal melody reflects this brilliantly. The musical structure of this piece is built exquisitely- beginning with a single voice on the first two words “Hey Girl” with a hint of keyboard synth line underneath subtly giving an exquisite backdrop which as the song develops paints quite an elegantly beautiful and atmospheric melodic tonal picture. The drums seem to arrive in with a wonderfully gentle tone-not bombastic drumming, but more of an equally tender and strong balance here. There’s also the bass guitar line of which needs mentioning-this is a beautifully crafted and well thought out bass line, smooth and flowing. Also worth mentioning once again is the songwriting skills on display-Diana’s vocals are harmonised on exactly the right phrases punctuating the lyrics with most meaning with a harmonious and full tone-musically and production wise this adds so much more weight to the lyrics which hold the most depth. Together here, both Ryan and Diana have crafted such a work of beauty and grace- as well as showing their deep understanding of the connection that is between one another is still there in the music. Not an ending. An evolution and a realisation. So grateful that these two have created this stunning piece of music, and that they both continue to be part of our indie community together as R-an-D and Db Productions is a testament to just how amazing they both are.

“You May Know” is a fantastic example of Fenix Falling’s musical style, and this profoundly unique and moving message to his real life partner (of which I must mention-the title of this track is astounding word play-merging the Japanese feminine name “Yumeno” into “You May Know” is genius and also quite beautiful). From the beginning of “You May Know” you can see we have an artist with very well-developed, well crafted and quite intelligent songwriting skills-there is a haunting repetition of the words “Fall to Pieces” and an unsettling piano motif-both musical and lyrical devices recurring throughout this song-drifting in and out, which adds to the urgency and haunting themes within this piece and also leads into a sense of hope and a feeling that there is strength and comfort within this. Nick’s lyrical themes also show his devotion and an offering of hope to his “Dream Girl”(the literal translation of Yumeno…)- the lyrics are a standout “Take my hand, come with me-Please believe you could be my dream girl”…those consistent repetitions of the line “Fall To Pieces” and the repeat of the piano motif may add an urgency and a feeling things may crumble…YET-underpinning this you see an inner strength and resolve from the protagonist of this song as along with the “Fall to Pieces” line there is the lyric; “You may know-I’m not running…” Melodically this one has quite an impact-there is a brilliantly executed vocal melody which follows that inner resolve especially when Nick lands on the line “I’m not running”…the melody in the vocal is strong just like the lyrics suggest an inner strength. The piano motif is quite captivating as well as being slightly unsettling. It’s a great balance. The guitar drifts in and out, punctuating the essential moments of the song. Solid strong rhythm section holding it together which adds weight to the fragility of a line like “Fall to Pieces” which is a wonderful example of how to use musical design effectively- Fenix Falling’s Dream Girl may “Fall To Pieces” but that supportive rhythm section suggests that Nick will be there to catch those pieces and put them all back together. Indeed, what we have here is a well crafted piece of music and another example of the brilliance that is all around our indie community. Fenix Falling shows us what our indie community is capable of. And therein lies the beauty of this artist. As said at the beginning of this-Felix Falling shows so much support towards others in our global indie scene, this song is proof of both his musical talents and what Fenix Falling brings to our indie community.

I’ve consistently been impressed, in genuine awe of and have deep gratitude for the musical inspiration and more importantly (for myself at least) the friendships and introductions to so many people and groups this pair of genuine friends and dang awesome musicians (with a background that stems to the great producer George Martin and A.I.R studios)… I don’t think I’ll ever let that golden nugget of essential information go. In all honesty, I wouldn’t know half as many artists from our wonderful indie community or have had as much support from the indie scene if it wasn’t for Distance from Zero, and for that alone I am truly honoured and thankful. I’m reviewing this piece just as I’ve noticed these legends have very recently (today, in fact-Friday April 17, 2026) their latest single “The Fear Of Missing Out” on their journey toward releasing their full album “Flow State”(due this year 2026) “I Believe in You” is an earlier track of theirs which brings their post punk sensibilities to the forefront. This piece contains all the elements which helps make Distance From Zero the unique, powerful and meaningful band they are. A showcase for Donna-Marie’s vocals (of which are delivered in a haunting tone during the verses then shine as SJ joins in the chorus- a chorus as full and incredibly intense with Donna Marie harmonising along with herself and SJ with some amazingly high notes) The Music supporting these stellar vocals are equally impressive and very much revealing their incredible songwriting skills and musical abilities. The dynamic shifts from verse to chorus shows there is very intelligent choices made in their songwriting. The choruses are big and full-with that choir of voices and guitars, bass, synths and drums working in tandem to bring the choruses to the front and center. Verses are delicate, subtle, bringing the meaning behind the music into focus just as much. Light/shade just like the best of songs and songwriters make use of. Lyrics are essential to their music-with their lyrics they excel. This earlier (well, December 2024…) piece is definitely up there as a great representation of Distance From Zero. In saying that, I cannot wait to listen to their latest single and the album awaiting us. There are so many tracks from DFZ’s catalog which are amazingly well crafted post punk anthems. They have often said what they mean and mean exactly what they say. SJ and Donna-Marie, I thank you for this masterpiece and so much more. As Distance From Zero have stated in the past (and many others in the indie community would agree with this sentiment)-Competing with one another, we are weak. Together we are stronger. What a brilliant statement to sum up our community as it can be. I’ll add if I may that a united Indie Community will be like the rising tides. We may be waves individually, but together we are truly all one powerful body of water. With a voice as powerful as those rising tides.

Here we are presented with the outstanding second track from the utterly brilliant indie collaborative project SoundStone-featuring the combined musical might of members from the legendary Dashing Skull Club, indie singing superstar and man of many indie projects Joe Booe, and the genius keyboard skills of Whiskey Club-all produced brilliantly by John Wayne Spacey of DSCLabs Productions (who also plays guitar here in this project as well as the always legendary Dashing Skull Club)- now here we have some immensely talented names from our community of which; when together, you definitely know you’re in for a musical feast for the ears. “Screaming In Colors” is another brilliant sonic painting in glorious technicolor from these immensely talented musicians. Something which helps make us all so very proud to be part of our indie music scene alongside artists of this calibre. The vocals from Joe Booe really step up here: there are notes hit which are astonishingly high, and his entire vocal range is very well represented in this track. It’s quite a showcase and shows just why Joe is such a highly regarded artist in our community. The musical backdrop is equally a stunning tapestry of interwoven parts from each talented musician of whom all are firing on all cylinders. As the production skills of John Wayne Spacey highlights-every single instrument has a chance to shine; there are musical surprises to hear every time you listen to this track-the brilliant elegance along with all those different tonal colours from Whiskey Club’s keyboards, those guitars from Larz and Aaron (John Wayne Spacey) burst from staccato to legato figures brilliantly, the rhythm section is equally dynamic and the drums and bass have a perfect blend of rhythmic complexity and simple clarity. All of this is an exquisite blend of creativity, talent, skill and as collaborative efforts tend to often do- shows within the music all the traits inherent throughout our community and human beings in general-that by supporting and encouraging one another’s gifts and good qualities can help make this environment we exist in a much better experience for all. Bravo to SoundStone again for this brilliant piece of music-your individual talents are reflected brightly when combined like this. Music and artists such as SoundStone and most equally sublime artists we’re fortunate to have around us in our community can also help give us the inspiration that we’re also capable of attaining our own musical works of art. So much thanks to SoundStone for this track “Screaming In Colors” and for this collaboration which brings us all a lot of inspiration and shows us how our community genuinely IS and can be.

One reason to celebrate our global indie community as it is are the friendships gained along the way-artists who you already admire for their outstanding music and high quality musicianship yet who can also inspire you with their genuine and sincere support of others in our community. I’m not sure how many artists SJ and Donna Marie have shown their support towards (I’m pretty sure it’s countless)…however I do know that Distance From Zero were some of the first to show myself personally the huge range of supportive groups in our community (including introducing Sweet Beets and Driven to this very fortunate upside down under fella) and have been a marvellous supporter of my own music; Immensely grateful to have gained a much valued friendship with these great champions of all things indie-and that’s something they have shown others around our community a LOT. When it comes to “Say Something”- this track is a stand-out for Donna Marie’s harmony vocals alone (she’s hitting some very high notes there)- the theme of the lyrics in “Say Something”-as well as the structure of the lyrics themselves convey this message brilliantly (this is a feature of most of the music from DFZ- eloquent, well crafted and stunningly executed lyrics) are supported brilliantly by the tonal quality and timbre from the instrumental backdrop-those seething synths, sneering bass and guitars and an all round sonic assault encapsulates the frustration towards the mainstream media-wanting the truth from these outlets, to say something…a song with a meaning that packs a serious wallop. As always from this post-punk duo-they say what they mean and mean what they say with their music. There’s a plethora of similar examples from Distance From Zero’s catalog of music which will definitely help gain the knowledge here is another indie artist that helps make our indie community the immensely gifted, supportive and encouraging music environment we can all be proud of.

Another lyrical and musical genius arises from an indie community which is abundant with musical and lyrical brilliance-something for us all to be so proud of…this time it’s the illustrious Phil Cook & the Fall Dogs with “Irrelevance Dance”- a super catchy tune with a beginning that stuns you-a vocal effect that rises in oddity yet a wonderful feature of this track…and we’re there in a land of a thousand dancing dancers dancing with a flurry and slight irrelevance (actually there’s nothing irrelevant (except maybe the theme of the lyrics)) about the actual musicianship and songwriting on display here-this is one fine example of catchy songwriting that will have your toes a tapping and your head bopping along to a spectacular combination of David Bowie mixed with Surf Rock, Rockabilly…or it could be referred to if you want to be true and correct as the inimitable music of PHIL COOK & THE FALL DOGS. Wonderful music and a fantastic piece of writing. Phil stuns us all when he reviews any song in his poetic voice and his guitar work, music and lyrics with the brilliant Fall Dogs are-as always-nothing less than spectacular.

There are so many examples of this indie artist’s brilliance-however I find myself continually looking toward “Tomorrow” as one fantastic side of this indie legend I’m personally drawn to and immensely enjoy the listen (though as said- Regifter has quite a catalog of wonderful songs that are quite consistently outstanding music to enjoy that I could have chosen any here) Tomorrow has all the hallmarks of Regifter’s extraordinary talents-in excellent songwriting skills, in developing catchy riffs and musical structures which will hook you in, a groove immensely deep and hypnotic (as the cover art of this piece conveys quite well…) definitely a work of art that gets you singing and moving is to be expected when a Regifter song happens to come through your speakers. Tomorrow and other aural sights and delights written and performed by Regifter are each the work of a musical tour guide taking you on a journey and allowing you to enjoy and experience every single moment of that journey. Yet another reminder of the huge depth of talent we’re so very fortunate to be able to draw from. A reminder that we’re sharing this earth and a music community filled with exemplary artists and supportive kindhearted human beings. The fact is that those alongside us of whom we’re sharing this beautiful planet with is the real miracle-something to be genuinely grateful for and always very proud to belong to.

“Breathe” by indie legends Tension Splash was personally my first introduction to these musicians epic (and I MEAN epic…)songwriting and musical skills. Tension Splash have been artists who are very supportive of others in this community while their own musical talents are extraordinary. A trait often found in our indie scene and one to be grateful we have in our community. “Breathe” is definitely a brilliant example of Tension Splash’s musical and songwriting skills - tribal drumming around those toms from the drummer adds to the swirling sonic whirlpool-drawing you in along with a hurricane of exquisite guitar riffs and a brilliant vocal performance that together retains all the elements which help make this band a standout. What a song to introduce Tension Splash with. Here we have a brilliant indie band with a lot of heart. Reading their background gives a huge amount of empathy and understanding toward Tension Splash-so very glad and grateful that Tension Splash continued on after something as difficult as losing a friend-by continuing on I’m hoping it brings them comfort to know that this is one of the best ways to keep the memory of those lost alive-by playing the music you created together, your friends are no longer lost-they are still there with you in the music. Sincere condolences are with you, guys- but also so much gratitude that you continued on. By doing this you’ve given your friend a great honour and all of us in the indie scene something to be immensely proud of. You’re true legends in every way. Utterly deserving of being celebrated and recognised as the amazing indie artists you are.

Hollow Words music is quite a spectacular mix of industrial metal, rock and new wave-actually probably best described as Cristoph’s own unique style. A solo project-this is the setting where I first heard Hollow Words-evolving from an earlier metal band…this now indie legend and his music is one to be heard, proud of, recognised and celebrated as the amazing artist along with the distinctive and outstanding music he brings. With collaborations with artists such as The Sanctity Of Crows, Histheory and To Die In Beauty in Hollow Words catalog, the brilliance continues to shine on spectacularly (always something which shows our indie scene as it is and can be- supportive of and encouraging one another’s gifts-all within a collaborative effort and a microcosm of our indie scene in one) “The Coal Train (The Sinister Daily #1)” from Hollow Words' album “The Sinister Daily” is a force of industrial power and a sonic boom describing living in a city with all signs of urban industrial decay, in a house by a coal train-hearing the continuous echoes of the train resonating “beep beep” at all hours-believing he’d never live here but here he is…there’s a brilliant twist towards the end as he realises he belongs to this place and in fact sees the beauty in amidst the concrete and can handle the “beep, beep” of the coal train. This is his home. The music reflects this entire song perfectly, sound design as industrial as the city he’s living in with that coal train-the lyrics similarly recurring the beep beep of that train. This is quite a journey to experience.

I’ll definitely admit here-it did seem when Ludiosis appeared in our scene, this guy definitely did come into land-seemingly out of nowhere-yet arriving fully formed as a brilliantly talented artist with an astonishing range of musical styles within his musical armoury. An artist who appreciates and cares about music as most around our community does-this is an example of why most of us play music in the first place-for the love of music. They say if you love what you do, you’ve found the key to happiness. Success may seem like the goal if you want to gain happiness, but if you are happy doing what you do, you’ve already achieved that “success”- it’s the happiness you have when you’ve fully gone through that creative process and journey to arrive at the point where a piece of music of your own is created. So my first introduction to Ludiosis music was when the track “Fire” appeared on a driven playlist-ahh cool. This was a grungy slow burner. I really enjoyed that track. Now we have “Coming In to Land” and here is a whole new level of awesome. Great guitar tones on this song. Just the right amount of metallic distortion and those stop start rhythmic excursions, the short double kick bursts and snare hits from the drums as the rhythm guitars follow are definitely moments of wow. As well as these flourishes, there’s a definite sense of power pop sensibility in those sublime guitar arpeggios and vocal melodies utilised here. It’s an exquisite balance. We have a metallic insistence and urgency in the rhythms while underpinning this is great songwriting skills and a luscious melodic shape to the music. This song definitely comes in to land. We have found a songwriter who has already arrived-and another reason to be proud to belong to our community.

Catchy, brilliant-what a groove and riff!- and a warning of the future we’re currently living now; yet delivered and punctuated with delicate and beautiful vocal harmonies, instrumental bliss, and music that can only be created with the beauty and the wondrous essence that being human brings. Once all the instruments are stripped away towards the coda we are left awe-struck with the angelic yet ultimately humanistic and stark vocal harmonies that are lush, delicate and plain inspiring. There’s a warning hidden within this beauty, but it’s also the beauty of being a HUMAN BEING with all the flaws and natural wonder that comes with it that is also on display here, rather than an out-and-out warning. This song is elementally beautiful and outstanding with an outstanding message. As artists within our musical sphere, Stefski & Hutch have delivered yet another work of genius that stands out as something to make us all proud to be part of this creative indie music community.

More musical brilliance from epic German indie mainstays The Creeping Candies comes from their December 5, 2025 album release “Celebration” (remastered from 2024) which was indeed a celebration year as this marked the 40th anniversary of The Creeping Candies being a part of our global indie music community (formed in 1985, opening with their outstanding debut album “Flesh”). This particular track, “Another Floor” from their “Celebration” album displays all the elements of this band from Germany’s underground which reinforces how exceptional The Creeping Candies are. There’s much of the proto punk like energy of the late fifties, early 660sGerman “Exis” movement along with the combined elements of Post Punk Rock, 60s Garage Band (think the Velvet Underground or perhaps Shocking Blue) and blues/country…this song is a quick burst of energy, yet it’s packed full of musical surprises and songwriting brilliance. This is a band from our community to celebrate (most are…) for their incredible longevity through bad times and good-and always a band that’ll be etched as part of our worldwide indie fabric that extends far and wide. Luminous, brilliant and explosive stuff.

Another track that introduced me personally to this instrumental composer of immense talent and a lasting friendship that encapsulates exactly why being a part of this community has consistently been a source of joy, encouragement, support and genuine humour that warms the heart. My first introduction to The Sanctity of Crows was a brilliantly produced film clip on YouTube which accompanied this particular song…and I’m so glad I happened to be introduced to one of the indie scene’s greats. So happy to see this legend collaborating with artists and getting his amazing music out there-inspiring us all with his outstanding talents (he’s even done a “no guitars, keys only” experimental album)-this guy is fearless, and it’s an honour for our global scene to have artists such as this in our community. As well as being the highly talented one man powerhouse of an artist-The Sanctity Of Crows is also a fantastically supportive warm and kindhearted human being-regularly doing his own “Stoned The Crows!” Multi-Platform playlists supporting others in the community and entertaining us all with his awesome sense of humour. “For Those Departed” (off his first album “Amidst the Gloom”) may be a short and very intriguing, brilliant piece of music-however it also holds a very special place in my own heart as the track that introduced me to an indie legend. Even if I did make a slight Freudian slip-but a very good one-I accidentally (it ended up ringing quite true in my eyes) put TSoC in the same league as a Mr Paul McCartney when I did a typo when referring to The Sanctity Of Crows second album(“Flowers Of The New Dawn”) as “Flowers In The Dirt”-A McCartney Solo album…but hey, didn’t Paul make one of the first “independent” albums with “McCartney” and elements of “RAM”? So technically I was right…a music legend releases an independent album or two…an indie legend releases his second independent album…well I stand by that assessment…😉😉😉

Here is another artist from our community I’ve had the pleasure of recently been introduced to- my goodness what a great burst of artistic fire, energy and talent we have with each successive track from JazzMinero. And of course I had to use the word fire there for this latest track with an impeccably apt title…this Song is definitely “on fire” and we’re off on another sonic journey at warp speed. JazzMinero is definitely an artist whose music explodes out of those speakers, and you’re left with a quite astonished look on your face yet with a very satisfying feeling that yes…our indie community always has a surprise in store and a gem or two or three to find in every corner of our globe each day. Bang. This one hits you. Gazing in glorious wonder, spellbound.

Ahh! Collaborations- something that always give us perfect time to reflect on the marvellous and wonderful sharing of one another’s gifts, communicating through music-the universal language shared, which now-even while there is the non-human dystopia that some certain technology has brought upon us-the ability to (as humans) communicate our human musical ideas, our real human emotions and share them across the globe with another musician and create a work of art such as this-this is a case where the technology we have now can really work well. Humans communicating and creating from one part of the world to another part of our earth-that is special. This track, featuring Nadine de Macedo and Crowsilver’s Sonia Hutchinson is a truly unique and inspiring combination of musical and vocal excellence that is genuinely a pleasure to hear. It’s quite a short piece but contains a lot of elements which makes it worthwhile. Piano introduction and throughout which weaves a brilliant tapestry for the vocals to elegantly glide. I believe indeed the secret of the future spoken of in the title gives a certain amount of hope-not the dystopian future which is threatening and lurking (quite real and quite sad really-why deny that you as a human being with emotions you can express, but say you haven’t the creativity to express these feelings you have is to deny yourself the opportunity you already have…) Unless you have a disability which makes using an instrument quite difficult (at the moment that’s a hurdle I’ve personally been striving to overcome, I still may have released tracks with voice and a light guitar (and a lot of previous releases re-released…however very determined through therapy to regain the strength to record fully (definitely a major goal)or manage this problem at the least-must reiterate that this is not a sob story nor blowing a trumpet either-why blow a trumpet about this?)) If you are human with feelings you most definitely have the capacity and capability to express your feelings and emotions without having to rely on something express what’s inside. Not sure if a machine (unless it’s the Paranoid Android of the novel (and movie) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) can convey emotions quite like a human can. That may be controversial for me and I may have unintentionally opened a whole can of worms here to say this, but I do believe in humanity and people having a voice from which they can express the full range of emotions they experience in their unique and quite miraculous lives with. That’s the beauty of being human. The hope and the wonderful alternative secret to living in this future presented with this song, using technology yet still retaining the human emotions and spirit that only a human can convey through the medium of art and sound. Making use of this extraordinary technology we have to communicate these wonderfully human ideas and human emotions with one another across the world, and for artists to collaborate and convey these thoughts and life experiences through music and art created from the initial emotion through to this finished work of art, indeed-this is a future that is a lot brighter to look toward. Personally I’d like to thank Nadia and Sonia for creating this work of art-this wonderful collaboration. For it is worthy of being recognised as the brilliant piece of music it is. The lyric that you held your head up high is so very much apt-definitely this is a song for both artists involved to hold their head up high and be proud that this work of musical art is out there. A collaboration will always bring out the best in one another. This track does just that for Nadine and Sonia.

We open this piece with a blast of stunning musical virtuosity firing on all cylinders (and from each part of this outstanding collaboration-always something which will reflect in one song the encouragement and supporting one another’s gifts (all the hallmarks inherent in our community)-a microcosm of our indie community as it is and can be)) Most of these monolithic talents from our indie community need no introduction here- but the virtuosic guitar work from Steve Klatt, the supreme and astonishing vocal range of Joe Booe and the solid drumming from the legendary Alane J (who has an outstanding vocal range and brilliant multi instrumental skills in her own right to add to that brilliant drumming) announces this trio itself as “Runaround” opens up with a barrage of brilliance. This recent offering to pop up on the indie community’s radar definitely brings us the expected (and sometimes unexpected-which is even better) roller coaster ride through musical peaks and valleys from these three and somehow fits all this progressive indie rock music into 3 minutes (both good numbers there, but also 😮 on how many wow moments are packed into ONLY 3 minutes-that’s a feat in itself for the genre…) Indeed we have here yet another reminder of how deep the talent pool goes in our huge indie community-there are artists from all around our community who make us all proud. This is a great representation from just three indie legends out of a multitude of indie legends. “Runaround” is a stunning piece of musical excellence bringing us genuine awe and inspiration while also showing those in our indie scene the potential we’re each capable of attaining.

There are moments while listening through the incredible music that is being created daily by some of the most talented artists on the planet when all of a sudden your jaw genuinely hits the metaphorical floor. The indie community is consistently one that tends to do just that-including this wonderful piece of music, with the simplicity and almost mystical beauty that occurs when combining only two instruments (on this occasion-guitar and voice…and yes at the close there is a percussive tone of a bell to give it a definitive full stop)- “Mystical Angel”. Fusing the extraordinary gifts that Deedra Patrick’s voice can convey as well as the exemplary guitar and musical qualities that the -hitherto unknown to myself-the multi-instrumentalist and versatile Torgeot (It’s a certainty these ears are going to be listening to more of this artist) Looking through Togeot’s catalog I see there are tracks from early 2020 through 2023 and this latest superb offering. Upon first listen to the wondrous example of a great musical pairing that is Deedra’s and Torgeot’s “Mystical Angel”, the aforementioned jaw definitely did drop to that floor. After Deedra hits an ethereal and stunning vocal height towards the peak of this track which had already stunned the ears with a delicate, yet powerful instrumental backdrop from Torgeot’s guitar work-well you could say after picking up my jaw I sat in stunned yet satisfied silence. A piece of musical beauty that really does give reason to be amazed and grateful to be a part of this inspiring indie scene. The beautiful musical collaboration that results from the simple pairing of two incredibly talented artists-guitar and voice…is definitely something to stop whatever you’re doing and listen. An incredible song that balances the Sublime and the Emotional. A masterpiece of songwriting with a story that is (much like life) both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Deedra’s song is about losing someone you love but feeling their presence as a Guardian Angel, still there protecting and guiding you. Your loved ones never truly disappear when they pass-they are still there whenever you think of them. When you’re reminded of the good moments shared with your loved one. In a song they loved or that which they enjoyed doing in life. This song is a powerful reminder that love doesn’t truly pass. Love, emotions and shared life experiences live on in our collective memory. A wonderful message to offer hope. Much gratitude to Deedra and Torgeot for your inspiration and towards ALL who make this indie community the ultimate place to be. Myles💜🙏❤️ Myles O’Flaherty Music

Another artist I've recently had the good fortune to be introduced to through the indie grapevine is Rob Harrowven Music- an indie artist who gives early Pink Floyd vibes along with his own unique artistic signature. Obviously Miss Pablo 🐈‍⬛ 🙌 💜 has had some influence on the song chosen here, as we find ourselves introduced to Rob's cat Nibler, from his latest album release "Moving On" First impressions is the quirky rhythmic design bubbling and moving this track along with slightly video game like synth work skimming the surface. Match that with the distortion on the guitar and all of these elements together brilliantly paints a great sonic image of a cheeky little cat named Nibler. After hearing both "Bangles" and "Song For Nibler" it's quite impressive how Rob manage to capture his pets singing on these tracks- it's kind of like an avant-garde tone poem, yet it is still very musical, original and authentic. Listening through "Song For Nibler" in my mind there is an immediate picture which forms in the mind that Nibler is one very cheeky cat and there's also clues throughout this quirky yet charming song that Rob has a wonderful friend in his pet Nibler. The purr at the end is quite brilliantly done- a musical flourish and a wonderful song has passed through your ears. “Song For Nibler” is certainly a charming and endearing song. Fantastic work from an artist who ultimately gives the impression of a genuine, very creative artist who puts so much of himself in the music.

Indie legend The Belle Vue Zoo goes straight to your soul with this slice of pure funk and (I know I’ve already mentioned this word, but I’ll say it again with emphasis as dynamic as this song) Soul styled groover which has all the hallmarks of an Insta-Classic written all over it. With a funky acoustic guitar strumming a syncopated groove, solid drum part strutting about, a beautiful weaving bass sound and a vocal which take you wandering through the streets of the protagonist of this song’s youth with a harmonious call and response like vocal part bringing echoes of Stax and Motown…you’re reeled right in. The instant this song worked its magic into these ears there was a feeling this was a track which deserves recognition. Here it is. Almost wistful and somber lyrical themes juxtapose with the unmistakable groove of this piece, a mini epic and a brilliant piece of songwriting. Something to be expected from this brilliant artist.

-Dashing Skull Club, Kathleen Turner Overdrive, E:W:L, Creep Diet, DEMENTERS- Possibly one of the most heartwarming moments during 2025-even though illness was a factor in this guy not being there, however with the miracle of modern technology (one of the good things that this rising tech boom has brought us) there was a chance to be there through a live stream with the inaugural Punk In The Corn festival, held in Iowa with the initial spark (and put together brilliantly by) from the legendary Tim from E:W:L with a little help from a huge mass of friends and supportive indie legends…with proceeds going towards both Veterans Mental Health and Children’s Mental Health charities this was not only a major boost for the moral of our indie community but had a lot of heart and meaning behind it. This was definitely a master stroke toward uniting a global indie scene. Hats off to all involved. There were a few extra songs donated towards this event including this mega collab (always a brilliant reflection of the indie scene as it CAN BE and genuinely IS) between not 2, not 3 or 4 but FIVE different indie artists working towards a great cause. We have Lizzie (Vocals) from Kathleen Turner Overdrive… Tuna Ferrari (Vocals), Larz Von Crowley and John Wayne Spacey-guitars (also producing through DSCLabs Productions) from Dashing Skull Club… Dustin from E:W:L on vocals… Scott From Creep Diet (and Dashing Skull Club (and more…) on bass and vocals…and Vic from Spock and importantly here the DEMENTERS on drums-man that’s one supergroup already. Each are adding their musical expertise to the Bad Religion classic (and what a song and title to choose to sum up our scene) “Against The Grain”…structurally and production wise this has Lizzie singing nearly all the way through, but each vocalist gets a verse and joins in overlapping one another on the choruses until the finale where there’s the entire group joining in on the final chorus (with members of the Aussie Indie band Kathleen Turner Overdrive providing the “Oi Oi Oi” gang style “Against the Grain” vocal chant at the end.) This is one powerful piece of music just over 2 minutes…it’s epic, it’s community, it’s everything that makes our indie community AWESOME. Punk In The Corn 2025 had its anthem right there. So did a global community.

A genuine genius-in my mind as well as a lot who have read or heard this brilliant man’s work both as an indie artist in his own right, as a supporter of others in our community or in general conversation with this indie legend (some conversations-I swear this man will solve the mysteries of the universe) and definitely not forgetting the intellect or the utmost respect had for the brilliant Whiskers either-the kindness and equally brilliant mind of Whiskers is undeniable-and we have yet another couple from our indie community of whom have become wonderful friends and through a particular collaboration in 2025 (which included the legendary Dashing Skull Club) another lasting and meaningful friendship has been gained from our independent music community and Driven in particular… I could have chosen a number of tracks from Whiskey Club (aliases have been used to protect their secret identity…no one will guess mine…(my middle name is “O’Flaherty” apparently)) however both myself and Miss Pablo 🐈‍⬛🙌💜 could not resist this cute little track composed from a cat's perspective. With a brilliantly crafted and well-chosen triplet riff on the piano at the end of particular phrases- a musical flourish which is an interesting addition to the sound design;quite cat-like. This is really a masterpiece of a song-it wasn’t until around the middle point of the first listen the realisation that the protagonist of this song was a cat dawned on me-with lyrical lines like “I don’t mean to trip you up in any way”, “I’m really just asking you don’t close that door, leaving me on the wrong side like I was before”…and the ohhh! Moment- it’s right there in the chorus refrain and the title… “I know that you love me, I suppose that I love you back-but where your world’s in colour I see just white or black” What a perceptive and insightful way to write about this cat’s thoughts and wishes-both musically and especially lyrically this is an endearing song and one I’ve been wanting to review for this reason alone (it’s been a seemingly long while until this has finally come to pass-even if I’ve known of Whiskey Club since 2024; and this track was released very early 2024…it’s taken this guy until the 6th April 2026 to write about this…) Either way a huge thanks to Whiskey Club for another exquisite piece which has brought a lot of joy and is a sentimental favourite.

A new artist to my mind’s ear from around our indie musical landscape…however with this song and listening through his catalog, Jason Montero has most definitely left a lasting impression-here is another example of what our scene is consistently capable of producing-and an artist I’m immensely pleased to have been given the opportunity to hear through our Driven Community. After glancing through Jason’s back catalog and noticing with a keen Beatles fan eye there was a Paul McCartney composed Beatles cover right there from Jason (“The Fool on The Hill” and at first glance at the title of this track- “From The Things I’ve Said” I had the impression we have a McCartney fan in our midst-assuming this was based on the Paul McCartney composed “Things We Said Today” from The Beatles album “Hard Day’s Night” (which-on listening instantly found this assumption was wrong-this indeed is one incredibly written original piece)) However what we have here is an incredibly unique and high quality original piece with an uptempo feel giving a sense of urgency to this composition. A track which consistently returns to the sixteenth note hi hat introduction and shows a very well crafted song. I’ve now been quite fortunate to have had the chance to have heard quite a good sample of Jason Montero’s music- and we can indeed say our indie community is in good hands. There is always someone with real human experience and incredible talent to be able to play and write songs as fantastic as this. Jason Montero has expressed his real human emotion here in “From The Things I’ve Said” and we have yet another track from the vast depth of talent available in our indie community to inspire us all.

Collaborations are forever going to be the ultimate representation of our indie community as it definitely IS and certainly CAN BE- the union of artists (sometimes uniting from across the world) to create these collaborative works of musical beauty and art is always going to be a marvellous reflection of an indie scene which celebrates and highlights one another’s gifts and talents, which genuinely and honestly supports and encourages each other. This piece with the production team that is Db Productions (also legendary indie artists R-an-D) being the Main Artist with the immensely amazing band Windigo Drifter as the featured artists along with lyricist/composer Chad Burcaw writing “One Day” and finally on this collaboration Diana Lombana (R-an-D) is working on the engineering. A full, comprehensive and very different collaboration yet remaining a masterpiece of collaborative genius. Absolutely love the grit filled quality and textures within this song (which was definitely unexpected, but immensely satisfying-when I think of Windigo Drifter there’s almost a progressive rock tinge and a fair bit of shimmer to their music, with Ryan and Diana’s music there’s an elegance and artistry to their work)- this is definitely a work which stands out in its own right as a wonderful work of sonic art and the result of indie artists utterly collaborating in every sense-bringing out something unique and truly special. An awesome piece which is staggeringly jaw dropping. Stunning guitars from Windigo Drifter, shifting through acoustics to electric guitar-when that solo hits …you can definitely feel it. A virtuosic effort from each collaborator. A Fantastic journey in a short space of time.

The Fraz Band are true legends of our indie community- and one of the kindest acts that I’ve seen is their generosity in quietly donating all profits from merchandising to a children’s charity-this- this is a fully rocking punk band with a lot of heart- an indie band ultimately deserving of recognition (there are a lot of brilliant human beings and indie artists from all around our worldwide music scene truly worthy of being given due credit and who are definitely worth celebrating for their positive contributions towards the good of us all. Those who help us realise that being involved in our global music community and on this planet is something to celebrate, be very proud of and truly grateful for) For this particular song, we have a classic among many classics from The Fraz Band-there is a huge pool to draw from here-in the way above excellent “I Apologise” to round off this reflection of an indie community that is forever giving. Another rip-roaring track that also is one I find myself humming or singing out loud…”I Apologise” has all the hallmarks which make The Fraz Band a valued part of our community-the punk edge, the stellar guitar riffs, solid drums, bass lines and a vocal that is both unique and also familiar (I guess it’s because this band is one of many from our indie scene who I’m consistently listening to for the love of their music). “I Apologise” is another outta this world statement which makes you want to launch into a pogo dance(I may have to add some springs to my red (goes fast) wheelie walker here to pogo along…) and indeed feel that being alive and sharing our planet with all these amazingly talented independent artists and human beings…well we’re all very, very fortunate.

Often find myself very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to find out about so many fantastic artists from all around our globe through being involved as an artist myself with all the wonderful indie groups who give support and help you to discover others in our community you may not have heard of- and extra glad to have been introduced to this song “My Likes” in particular and the band “PuZL”…this track and indeed this band has had me captivated on first listen. An almost instant 90s indie feel like Ween or Cake or any indie band to surface during this period with a sense of the slightly odd yet very much humorous not taking themselves too seriously yet displaying a lot of seriously astounding creative and musical talents-hits you when this very catchy list of PuZL’s likes set to music envelops from those speakers and, find yourself drawn into this world where liking cats and kite and bikes, cool summer nights, little things that crawl (but not spiders…)…they like number 7(…and 13…and 21…) oh and sentences that run…who knew a list of likes could be so fun (couldn’t help it- that rhyming scheme is so darn catchy)- this is a brilliant and fun offering from artists I’m glad to have been given that opportunity to enjoy. Again who woulda thought a list of likes could be soooo much fun.

There are moments while reflecting on the indie artists and the incredible depth of talent we’re so fortunate to share our global community with and to even be here sharing the same planet as the artists within genuinely boggles the mind in the best possible way. This is a music scene to be proud to belong to. The opportunity to be able to celebrate these artists who have inspired us, some very familiar and some we’re yet to discover but through these reminders from Sweet Beets-IMD, the Driven community and from each corner of our global scene-we realise there is so much brilliance to be found all around us. We’re celebrating Christine Corau here with her track “Just Passing Through”- a song which opens up with rhythmic stick clicks and beautiful tonal colours from the drum set, an elegant and propulsive bass guitar line to enhance those rhythms which weave pop and crackle, giving the song a slight urgency as the exquisite sonic textures from the guitars and instrumentation gives Christine a wonderful backdrop to unleash her extraordinary vocal and musical talent. What an introduction to her music this was! Often while listening through this track it has seemed to have given me subtle hints of Kate Bush there- but as with most indie artists and artists in general there is a uniquely human and a definitive voice which conveys an individual’s own lived experience-the influences may be there bubbling in the background however this is the wonder of finding an artist from within our vast depth of immense talent out of our community who has the ability to be their own person-their own distinctive musical fingerprint. Glad to be able to celebrate Christine and this track here-and honestly so very grateful that we’re so fortunate to be given the chance to at least once during those 24 hours ahead of us to show our fellow artists and human beings that we appreciate what one another brings to our community and celebrate that which we already have. Myles💜🙏❤️and Miss Pablo🐈‍⬛🙌💜 Myles O’Flaherty Music

There’s sometimes fleeting, sometimes moments we’d love to enjoy for longer as we observe our surroundings and find that indeed we are pretty lucky to be here on this wondrous planet-a moment when we’re reminded that being here is quite a profound experience. When a piece of stunning musical beauty appears in our periphery such as this piece from true indie gems in JoDan Music, there is a part of our day when we can stop and allow ourselves to enjoy the surrounding sunshine. Here we’re driven to the “Wishing Well” by JoDan Music- and what a wonderful reflection of the magnificence and marvellous musical gifts available all around our global music scene there is with this incredible work of sonic art. We’re invited to make a wish with the always ultra impressive musicality (and with quite the musical upbringing and pedigree…) of Dan Wilburn weaving intricate guitar flourishes around his partner Jo Wilburn’s evocative and exemplary voice combining to convey a captivating sonic story. This song musically has a swagger- a very confident head held high journey up to a wishing well to make that wish. We know that Granter of Wishes spoken of in the choruses will be persuaded by those gentle (with solid force) guitar prods to make Jo’s wish come true. While listening through JoDan Music’s entire oeuvre we get two different views of the musical landscape-with Jo’s songs taking the mellower (while retaining a lot of strength-some “Oklahoma Red Dirt Grit”…), through to classic rock with a tinge of Southern Country Rock while Dan displays his immense skills in the harder edged hard rock (plus I’m hearing slight echoes of vocal stream of consciousness lyrical rhyming schemes)- when they get together on a track such as “Wishing Well”…that’s where this duo’s combined individual talents are a formidable force. An exquisite piece and certainly yet another reason our indie community is brimful of astounding talent and one to be proud to be involved in.

Grunge Tree are a heck of a band from our indie scene who I’ve recently come to really appreciate (again so very grateful to have been introduced to these legends through Sweet Beets and the wider indie community) - these guys are another outstanding example of the vast range of styles and talents our indie community has within it- Grunge Tree almost embody all the styles they find fun to play-forming in 2007 and truly inspiring us all. This track-“Elvis Went To Woodstock” is a wonderful odyssey back to the age of Aquarius and 1969 with plenty of references to the festival held between August 15 to 18 on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York (95 kms (or 60 miles) southwest from the town of Woodstock…) which was the pinnacle of the hippy movement with some of the greatest artists of the time (and-in my view-of all time…) performing in the mud and rain for 3 days of peace… Grunge Tree uses the intriguing songwriting and storytelling possibility that Elvis may have gone to the Woodstock Arts and Music Fair and which makes for an incredibly entertaining song with a powerful and hypnotic groove along with the perfect amount of good humour, marvellous storytelling and exceptional musicianship that keeps you guessing and definitely enthralled. An awesome and entertaining work from an indie band who keeps on giving to our global community. The Elvis of this piece travels incognito to the festival then passes out just before Jimi Hendrix plays the end of the festival with the Band of Gypsys, and after he parties a little too hard with some of the stars there including Richie Havens, John Sebastian, the Grateful Dead and Joe Cocker to name a few that are mentioned during this track… Yes Elvis may have gone to Woodstock- he WAS known to later work with Richard Nixon as a “special agent” for the illegal narcotics' bureau…targeting such undesirables as The Beatles apparently…so maybe he went undercover-or perhaps this was just a festival Elvis would have dug witnessing or even performing at? We may never know. But it’s an awesome song by Grunge Tree that tends to be a bit of an ear worm-it’s one I find myself humming and singing often.

So grateful we have such a rich and plentiful supply of unique and musically gifted artists who ultimately give us all reason to feel that we belong to something truly magnificent- daily reminders that ours is one extraordinary community. The Feral Housecats certainly fit all of the above, although I’d probably also have to say these guys are definitely a unique breed of indie artist-genuinely entertaining quite humorous yet with very clever compositional skills. This track has been a favourite on first listen (and obviously these fellows don’t really have U2 on their list of favourites) so I was genuinely glad to see its return on the Feral Housecats latest album “Go Feral Yourself”. This updated version packs a punch- a faster tempo gives this well crafted song an extra edge- a song which sees us thrown nostalgically back in time to a moment in a record store with your girlfriend and while in a world of your own thumbing through albums to decide which to purchase, you have your concentration disturbed with a tap on the shoulder from your girlfriend as she is holding up a record with your least favourite band on it…well the title of this song is exactly what you’d say ”I love you…but I hate U2!” which may be taken by your girlfriend as an odd thing to say but when she looks at the artist on the cover…ooooh! Great turn of phrase and a brilliantly written piece of music. Love this version. Definitely do yourself a favour and check out The Feral Housecats’ catalog-these are an excellent example of the amount of indie artists who give all involved in this indie community plenty of reason to be proud.

We come to very familiar but incredibly awesome territory here with the pairing and collaboration of two indie true legends-Dashing Skull Club’s brilliantly written and performed paean to another legendary figure in Whiskey Club on the massively musical and epically fantastic journey (at just under 3 minutes this is a journey filled to the brim with musical and lyrical delights) We have Genius napkins being retrieved while Whiskey Club’s piano winds beautifully around the Zappa like musical backdrop supplied by Dashing Skull Club and vocalist Tuna Ferrari reminds us all that we may all live forever…knowing we did everything…(it’s actually “you” he’s singing about, but we can imagine…and it sounded cool to write-just as that lyric sheet (or napkin…who knows? Only the shadow does…or the Phantom) is cooly crumpled up at the end) and speaking of which-the sound design and quality of the production was certainly inspired and kudos to John Wayne Spacey of DSCLabs Productions (Also guitarist of Dashing Skull Club) for one finely produced piece of music for the indie community to fully appreciate. Excellent musicianship from all involved and one epic piece. An Insta-classic. (Not talking about Instagram here…this is even better than instant coffee…the real deal like that coffee brewed fresh at the finest coffee place you can find in America (that’d be one world-class coffee from legendary Dashing Skull Club drummer/coffee shop legend/barista Yeti Lee’s own The Spot Coffee and Finery)

Another piece of indie brilliance from one of our community’s much admired artists-the incomparable Ska indie genius of Redial Destination hits you here with a song which pretty much sums up the feelings of our global indie “Tribe”… If you’re an indie artist you definitely feel we’re all part of one glorious tribe of people-like a second family-when you hear this marvelously written and compelling tune that will, along with getting you grooving, certainly give you a whole lotta pride and joy to be involved in this fantastic indie community. When it comes to incredible musicianship, fantastic songwriting and fantastic lyrics-Redial Destination always delivers. There’s everything in this song which features all the hallmarks of this indie legend’s style-catchy guitar throughout and a great groove to this song-however what matters most with this track is that the music IS the message. It is certain to garner a lot of feelings of being fortunate to belong to this scene.

Tension Splash have long been a personal favourite from our indie community for the sheer quality of their music- and in “Takin’ it Back” this rocking band of grungy riffs have us wandering through Paganini territory with fiddle of the finest calibre (we could say the devil was at play here maybe? Like apparently with Paganini…or a near 27-year-old soon to be blues virtuoso Robert Johnson at some crossroads…) this song certainly has the toes a tappin’ and the music bubbles and grooves its way into your heart, and you cannot get it outta your mind on hearing it. They’ve definitely Takin’ us back through time and space with this toe tapper and full marks for originality here. We see a much different and mellower side flourishing (yet still retaining a lotta devilish quality befitting of indie rock legends) here to a band which excels technically and musically. In “Takin’ it Back” and listening all throughout Tension Splash’s catalog, you’ll find we have another stellar piece of the amazingly huge and diverse indie music pie to celebrate and enjoy. Purely legendary and always inspiring.

This track from long time indie legends and faves The Flying Beets has a powerful and meaningful message we can all relate to and upon its release has been such an inspiring and uplifting track to hear coming out through these speakers. “There’s Someone Who Will Love What You Do” (always nice to even write these words let alone hear it sung) also displays outstanding songwriting and structure-with an emphasis on a strong melodic hook and chorus that is guaranteed to uplift and encourage everyone to get writing their own works of art. I’ve always admired the musicianship of this band-awesome lead vocals (there’s an awesome lift in each chorus) with amazing Beatles like harmonies-fluid and always solid yet melodic bass lines-the bass during each consecutive verse with those deep down slides really do hit ya in the gut with its brilliance along with solid drums-those melodic inspired Tom runs during the same verse sections are another standout feature. The guitar is as always amazing throughout - a brilliant power trio with vocals that’ll always be inspired no matter what’s being sung-however it’s the lyrics of this that really make this a standout Flying Beets song (hell, this would be a standout track in any band's armory.) This is sublime and a beautiful work.

True Indie Royalty here-Punk rock legends Kathleen Turner Overdrive are yet another band from our indie community already brimful of sheer talent and musical brilliance which consistently amazes (That’s what keeps us all consistently in awe-there’s certainly plenty of depth to the amount of astounding artists we’ve heard and are yet to discover...) KTO are definitely up there in the inspiring artists echelon- it’s quite humbling yet also inspiring to even be on the same continent as these guys. I could have chosen any number of songs from their monolithic catalog of awesomeness- however decided to stick with an oldie (not really that old-the single came out in 2024…) and the opening track from their 2025 album “A Safe Space For Cryptids”. “I Want To Believe” has most of the stylistic hallmarks that makes these fantastic indie rockers so spectacular- a lyric which is at once quite humorous yet also makes you think-musically and instrumentally there’s a catchy melodic and brilliant guitar riff that sucks you in and a solid rhythm section supporting and framing an outstanding vocal performance which all together hits ya in the guts quite impressively. There’s a lot of tongue in cheek lyrical lines throughout…delving through all those conspiracies and… “Watch Out!!! Mothman he’s coming for you!” this is a helluva catchy piece, and it’s one of those songs from our community which will get ya grooving, pogoing around the house (now there’s an odd image for this head… I’m gonna have to get some kinda modifications done to my already fast (it’s red) wheelie walker-some suspension on those wheels so I can pogo, maybe?) The catchy melodic hooks and vocal chorus will definitely get you singing along to this catchy, epically rocking song from an awesome band to come out of our incredibly deep pool of exceptionally brilliant artists- a fine song from the epically outstanding Kathleen Turner Overdrive.

Spock are truly legendary in this particular upside down under lad’s eyes and for the indie community as a whole, these punk rockers are definitely legendary figures. Always feel a sense of gratitude when I think of all the amazing artists I’ve found out about or discovered through being pointed in an artist's direction by others in our scene-either by indie Facebook groups or artists I’ve come to know in our community. There is an astonishing array of brilliant music all around our global indie music community and our planet as a whole and the camaraderie which exists-hey have you heard these guys? Check this band out-that is something which is deeply profound and moving about our community and the artists within it…this is certainly not denying there are people within our community who do not display these traits or show kindness and support towards one another, we can be grateful for these people too(I’ll also reiterate-as long as there is no actual physical harm being committed)- for their actions do help shine a spotlight on just how many artists in our community there are willing to show kindness and support one another-all these good traits which exist in our scene are highlighted. We are talking here about a band called Spock who are artists ultimately worthy of the recognition and being celebrated- and this song “Tony Hawk Ate My Skateboard” has been one track of many within Spock’s repertoire which has seemingly ALWAYS been running through my mind- a wonderfully catchy piece of punk rock which always delights no matter how many times it’s heard. The imagery in the lyrics are rather absurd to imagine yet definitely add good humor and display all round brilliant songwriting skills as it’s so damn catchy, and you do wonder what you would say if a guy like Tony Hawk decided to walk up and eat your skateboard (you’d definitely have “nothing left to say…” as the lyrics come to that conclusion) - this may be a lost in translation thing here (I am upside down as they say…) but for myself personally-this is what draws me to this song and keeps me listening through it. Brilliant guitars, solid and epic drums and an awesome vocal with a lyric which has me imagining a skateboarding superstar casually eating your skateboard in front of you, you’re left rather speechless and in a bit of a mind fog… Did that just happen? Evidence of another extraordinarily gifted songwriting group of mega talented musicians with a punk ethos…and evidence that our indie community full of differing styles and genres contains a helluva lot of gifted human beings we can be grateful to share this planet with.

Almost each and every day, an artist, song or in this extraordinary case a collaboration from our indie community brings us something genuinely special-it’s a music community that gives so much to each involved and brings a sense of belonging to something truly meaningful. To those around our globe, artists or people who appreciate brilliantly composed music in general-music can be our greatest healer, gives us connection and allows us human beings the means to express our unique life experiences through the medium of sound. A collaboration between artists of our global indie scene will always be a brilliant reflection of our worldwide indie music community exactly as it is- a music scene to be proud of- the sharing of immense talent one another possesses, the encouragement, support and genuine acknowledgment of one another’s achievements that IS our indie community is all there; contained within a collaborative project. So when I first heard that true indie royalty from our scene with legendary artists Whiskey Club, members of Dashing Skull Club, DSCLabs Productions AND Joe Booe all uniting for the first time on this incredible track-“Broken In Pieces”-and that an indie supergroup with a collaborative project entitled SoundStone were forming…well these ears certainly picked up legendary vibes…with the artists involved here-this was going to be something quite spectacular. Not only is there an opportunity to hear these immensely talented artists release always inspiring music of their own to enjoy…that we’re also going to experience how these incredibly gifted artists work together-another brilliant collaboration to showcase the depth of talent our scene is fortunate to have… “Broken in Pieces”- the only thing that was in pieces here was my mind…it was absolutely blown away by the sheer brilliance that shimmered and glistened from each and every note-the exquisite guitar interplay off the other worldly virtuosic keyboard displays and the immensely powerful vocal gymnastics…all the way throughout this piece I was definitely reminded of J.S. Bach and the interplay between the instruments and voice conveyed the counterpoint and polyphonic sound that Bach was renowned for-this first effort is definitely a masterpiece of well crafted music and one amazing introduction to this indie collaborative progressive rock project. This is a brilliant reflection of just exactly why our indie community is so spectacular. I’ll bring myself back to the baroque era here and say “Bravo”(although I’m pretty sure that exclamation may have been later in the timeline…)

A brilliant collaboration between two very well respected and exceptionally talented artists from our indie community rounds off this playlist perfectly. This recently released collaboration “The Devil Rides A Harley Now” has a very luscious sounding recording-the elegant and quite wonderfully played and beautifully composed and crafted acoustic guitars and vocal lines from Brian Meulen sound crystal clear, rich and full… the exquisite vocals from Joe Booe placed perfectly in the mix and both of their vocal talents get to shine and be heard as they ought to yet never overtaking-blending well with those guitars that excel. This is an outstanding piece of music (the opening line “he was young and broke with a Gibson dream” from Brian gives me Robert Johnson vibes… Great lyrical storytelling again here) the guitars slide, the acoustics sounding so full and hypnotically weaving around the vocal duet between Joe and Brian then an electric guitar joins along with drums, bass, a wonderful organ part along with a light orchestral string section…this is a fantastically epic and well written piece of music. Hats off to Brian and Joe for a brilliant collaboration. Personally I believe collaborations such as this are a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the indie community as it truly is and the scene we know and love it as…a collaboration is a reflection of how our indie scene is and can be in one piece of music- our global music community is indeed an incredibly supportive place to be a part of with kindness shown towards one another, encouragement of those within our community’s gifts and strengths, inspiring one other and most of all the sharing of our talents amongst each other are all exactly what makes being involved in the indie community so special. A collaboration is a great example of this- however it’s also not too dissimilar to individual artists within our scene whose music inspires us and the support and encouragement towards one another can be seen with and around these artists too- all of this together gives us all inspiration, encouragement and a sense of belonging to something truly meaningful and deeply profound.

The two-chord vamp at the start of “Promise” will leave you wondering where it’s going if you are fortunate to be discovering the latest masterpiece from ‘Crash World’ for the first time. If you are a musician and you’ve grabbed an instrument already, you might be wondering if this will resolve to C major or E minor or somewhere else, and like any listener, you will be captivated by the undoubtedly haunting, almost chilling, sensation that it delivers. If you’ve looked at the artwork already, that bunch of flowers will make you think of a funeral, maybe, but a broken marriage more likely. You are not expecting a happy fast-food kinda song here. This one is going to be a serious song. Then when those lyrics start with “There’s a halo in the trash can. Some feathers on the floor”, I hope you will stop what you are doing, remove distractions, and listen deep. For sure, you can just let the beautiful melody, soulful voices, and world-class musicianship wash over you, but you’ll get so much more if this has your undivided attention over many listens. So much more. There’s pain expressed in those lyrics; and in their performance too. Listen to that groan over “I specialise in failure”; it is just devastating, as is the whole story when you follow it through. The idea of broken promises is so powerful, and it reveals the truth that someone who is controlled by their vices, often through mental illness, may be so painfully aware that they are dragging down more than their own lives. They are dragging down the people they love the most too, and this hurts more than anything because they feel powerless to do anything about it. Deep down, they may know that their promises to change are going to be broken even as they make them. Like I said, it’s a serious song this one, and it tells its story in the most extraordinary language, and with equally extraordinary music too… If you are listening closely, you may notice a subtle harmonic shift over “got the best of me” - a kind of pivot chord, if you like. It leads to a gentle crescendo over “is it worth it” that has the feel of a pre-chorus. Something interesting has happened with the harmonies here… the two-chord vamp has been reversed, the melody has climbed and you anticipate something special. Then - boom; a perfectly timed block chord progression underpinned by a bass that you can reach out and touch surprises both in its intensity and in the Phrygian feel it projects before you land in the chorus… Oh my word, that chorus. Everything seems to go that bit brighter over the word “Promise”. We are squarely in G major now and it feels uplifting. It feels to me like the moment you make a promise and for a while you really do believe it. It’s the only happy part of the song. Are they shifting the mood of the music to match the internal emotions of the song’s protagonist? This is astonishing songwriting and orchestration; even the beautiful vocal harmonies here are just so light and airy. It all ties up. Then as the harsh realities of the broken promises are anticipated we go through a pop-like progression that seems to want to land back on the major key but quickly establishes the original two-chord vamp. A subtle sparkling fill from the cymbals and a masterful Phrygian feeling acoustic guitar solo lead us back to the feel of the introduction and ready for a second journey. We have been taken on a powerful musical and emotional ride. A second round of this amazing structure, with yet more lyrical brilliance (how about “Dust upon the bible, proof of just how far I’ve strayed”?), is no less absorbing than the first but leads to a magnificent crescendo for the outro that builds, almost explosively, into that final ‘resolution’. Musically we might be confirming that major key tonic but the last vocal note lands on the five and it feels so desperate to get back. It doesn’t. There is a musical tension here and a note of deep anguish in the voice - it’s unsettling, it’s brilliant. It’s Crash World, and it was always going to be good; but it’s more than that - it’s important.

Man, there are sooo many songs by this musical genius and a great example of the very heart of our indie community- I’m so glad that I got a chance to give my honest and very humbled opinion (humbled because this song has been one of those releases from our indie community that regularly blow me away with the sheer beauty of the songwriting and elements which befits an artist of the caliber of Whiskey Club and pretty much most of our community in all honesty…) This recent release from our good friend Whiskey Club “Feels Like Home” has been a track I’ve been waiting to comment on since first hearing it (yup it’s quite late in the evening to quote Paul Simon for no other reason than it’s the name of a song-a brilliant one at that, the groove from Steve Gadd? Four sticks anyone?) which happens to coincide with reality here in the land of upside down under. This track is definitely worthy of being recognized by our global indie community for the vocal performance alone…it is a vocal which give you goosebumps with the raw emotions on display and there’s an exceptional moment when Whiskey Club hits that wonderful closing note(I believe we arrive home right there…) The performance of the keys on this particular piece is -as always with this maestro of the keyboard -something to make you feel proud to be sharing this planet and belong to a community brimful of talent with an extraordinary depth that includes legendary artists such as Whiskey Club. The lyrics are again reason to listen through this track as we find ourselves finally hitting that note, that melody, the key that feels like home. We have arrived. Another exquisite piece to add to an indie community that is consistently bringing us brilliance from all around. So very grateful for the opportunity to write about a track that has added another layer to that extraordinary experience which each artist from our indie community brings- a sense of gratitude to all of us who belong to this community and the gift of our life experiences shared through sound to all around our globe. Much appreciated Myles💜🙏❤️and Miss Pablo🐈‍⬛🙌💜 Myles O’Flaherty Music

It begins with what sounds like exactly what John Lennon was asking for when he asked George Martin for his voice to sound like Buddhist Monks chanting from the top of the Himalayas on the revolutionary musical piece “Tomorrow Never Knows”- the monumental closing track (but first to be recorded) off The Beatles “Revolver” Album…only this time it seems (and only seems-this actually does go forwards) to be a quick reversed meditative chant and off we are launched into the awesome weird, and wacky world of the legendary Dashing Skull Club with the brilliant “Queen Pixie”- a song which highlights the talents of each part of this wondrous musical concoction from Owensboro, Kentucky- particularly the versatile vocal style and brilliant lyricism of lead vocalist Tuna Ferrari, which is at quite a height with stunning turns of phrase and vocal gymnastics. Tuna sets himself free and bursts out with a torrent of lyrics which begin with “I heard a stranger say Taco… Karate… Pretend that you know…” and rises to “Kwa Kwee Kwa Kwoo, my eyes are blue-I French my fries to no surprise”-Perhaps my personal favorite moments here from Tuna’s lyrics occurs after one too many “your mama…” put downs in the verses- it may seem innocuous at first, but it’s freaking hilarious (kind of like a vocal throwing up of the hands) however-the line “Something, Something… Mama” is added in seemingly just because- and it works so dang well. It does “French my Fries” and also IS a hilarious surprise. Definitely worth mentioning here is the incredible musicianship which the entire band possesses (there are a few moments there where I swear I can hear the low rumblings of Tibetan throat singing hidden in the backing vocals). The guitars from Larz Von Crowley and John Wayne Spacey reign beautifully throughout, weaving around the curving bass lines and the entire glorious rhythm section including the outstanding Yeti Lee giving his all on the drums. Special mention to the incredible sound design throughout by DSC guitarist/producer extraordinaire(DSCLabs Productions) John Wayne Spacey-as this piece really does show that each individual part of Dashing Skull Club works together in a perfect harmony unique to these legends. Dashing Skull Club together are one outstanding combination and this particular piece contains a spectacular picture of a band who have really hit their stride. Music has the ability to profoundly and deeply inspire us all, and artists such as those in our community and all those who create the works of pure beauty and art that reflect what it is to be human utterly deserves to be celebrated. Much gratitude to all within our indie music community for being the artists and people you are and for inspiring us all to create, to share our unique story and to belong to a community we can all be proud to be a part of. Myles❤️🙏💜and Miss Pablo🐈‍⬛🙌💜 💜Myles O’Flaherty Music❤️

On first listen to this track there’s the immediate impact of the wondrous sound of what I perceive as a joyful and celebratory listen through Denis’ musical heritage, you can feel that heart getting warmer and instantly feel like singing along as we’re taken through Paul Simon/ Simon and Garfunkel territory with expertly written lyrical references all the way through-Beginning with the title, we’re off on a unique voyage as Denis’ lyrical nods to the music of Paul Simon that have graced his life-you can envision the Steve Gadd four drumstick laden grooves mentioned lyrically by title of the song where this groove is featured (“Late in the Evening”) through to the insincere giraffes, honest monkeys and all the traits of the animals that reside at Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Zoo”, Denis also takes us to an island along the way where “I am a Rock”(“and a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries”), “Cecilia” is there too. As well as all these lyrical references to Paul Simon’s rich catalog (Paul Simon’s lyrics are quite erudite-there’s a lot of poetry to his guitar work too-you can certainly hear similar gifts on display through Denis’ catalog too-Like Paul Simon-Mostly Blue has immense talent) Sonically, this song is a veritable feast-The sounds of zydeco music wafts through from New Orleans, along with quite tasty guitar work all the way throughout-there’s fabulous backing harmonies on this as well-the timbres of both lead and harmony vocals suit perfectly-there’s a few close harmony moments very reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel-this track is upbeat, a feel good and a wonderful ride throughout Mostly Blue’s quite charming ode to a great musical influence in Paul Simon who has provided the soundtrack to many and given most a reason to smile. You can hear in this song through Mostly Blue’s clear and prescient voice that Paul Simon has been there for him, providing the solace and comfort that music has always brought us all. This one fantastic reminder of the power of music. I’d highly recommend listening through Denis’ whole oeuvre-within you’ll find a musician and artist with a gift of storytelling that will certainly move and inspire you. As part of this magnificent indie community, listening to Mostly Blue is guaranteed to make you feel proud and very much inspired to be involved in this scene-as stated at the beginning-each of us has a fascinating story to tell and a gift to tell it through the medium of music and sound. As indie artists, we all have the means and capacity to tell our story. Every individual within our fabulous indie music community has a story that is a valid, compelling and a meaningful one to tell. Your story is certainly much appreciated and valued. Listening to Mostly Blue is a great reminder and inspiration to all of us that our gifts to create music and tell our stories is something to be very thankful for. Myles💜🙏❤️ Myles O’Flaherty Music

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 💥Tension Splash💥 in support of their 2025 EP titled blue preemptively released "Scared - singe edit". Establishing the mood with a rich onslaught of interwoven guitars, each part rhythmically and harmonically complementing the next, the song lays down a foundation that’s both cohesive and captivating. The stage is set for introspective, and emotionally resonant vocals that feel both hopeful and dark—ominous yet comforting. As the vocal harmonies layer in, they elevate the atmosphere even further, pulling the listener deeper into the soundscape. And before you know it, the track—running just over four and a half minutes—has taken you on a brief but powerful journey. An amazing release! Thank you Tension Splash for coloring our world that special shade of KICK ASS!