The Murder Barn

I definitely needed a fiesty voice and intensely impassioned songs to wake me up during this drab and rainy week. Thanks to London’s six-piece The Murder Barn for giving me the spark I need to get to the weekend. Wait for the songs to pick up; they get pretty dark and awesome. [soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/1917971″ params=”show_comments=false&auto_play=false&show_playcount=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″… Continue reading The Murder Barn

Sweetlife Festival 2012 – The Recap

The Sweetlife Festival was a memorable day of great music and great grilled cheese. And, when it comes down to it, aren’t those two things what life is really all about? I’m going to break this recap down into two parts, first reviewing the performances at the Treehouse Stage, and then talking about the headliners… Continue reading Sweetlife Festival 2012 – The Recap

Akudama returns from hiatus; preps release of new self-titled EP

We’ve had many favorites come through Knox Road over the years, taking enormous pride (even if it’s not ours to take) in seeing great results. So when Akudama, a highly-championed KR band, went on hiatus last year, it stuck a fork in our hearts. The band had other projects (most notably Penguin Prison and Snowmine),… Continue reading Akudama returns from hiatus; preps release of new self-titled EP

[Hype Hype Hooray] How Much Influence Does Indie Music Really Have?

Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. This week I got my TIME magazine, as usual,… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] How Much Influence Does Indie Music Really Have?

Beware and Be Grateful and be happy because Maps & Atlases’ new album is extraordinary

The latest record from Maps & Atlases, Beware and Be Grateful, opens with just the tiniest sample of sound that seems like it could be taken from an episode of Twin Peaks, then fades directly into a song that has the bones of at least three other songs wrapped up in it. This amalgam of… Continue reading Beware and Be Grateful and be happy because Maps & Atlases’ new album is extraordinary

Notable Album Release: The Spring Standards – yellow//gold

The Spring Standards have always been a band deserving of more attention. With guy-girl folksy troupes gaining popularity (The Civil Wars, The Head and The Heart, etc.), The Spring Standards are worthy of some recognition. What’s nice is that The Spring Standards aren’t afraid of their poppier side, which we see on “Here We Go,”… Continue reading Notable Album Release: The Spring Standards – yellow//gold

[MP3] Arc in Round: “Hallowed”

What’s with this thematic time of the year thing being totally off with artists’ releases? A couple days ago we got some new tracks from Wintermitts, and now we’re getting a helluva dark song from Arc in Round called “Hallowed.” This would have been a perfect release on, say, October 31. But noooo, indie musicians… Continue reading [MP3] Arc in Round: “Hallowed”

Wintermitts’ Océans is in my head and heart

You tricky Wintermitts! Leaving us cold all winter to finally appease us near summer time. Better late than never, though. Wintermitts’ most recent album, Océans, technically dropped in late February, but they recently were able to send the songs our way for review. The bilingual Vancouver sextet thrives on orchestral pop and intense melodies, which should… Continue reading Wintermitts’ Océans is in my head and heart