DEEP DIVE OF THE MONTH

Drop everything and go deep on this month’s best kept secret!

April 2024: Believe Everything They’re Saying: Canadian Artist TALK Is Worth The Chatter.

Every once in a while, The Great White North exports an artist that puts the American alt rock scene right on their heels. And this month’s deep dive might be the most exciting Canadian artist to hit the scene since, well, Arcade Fire. Without even mentioning what Arcade Fire has been up to, here’s our pick for the Next Big Thing from The Upstairs Neighbors: TALK is every bit worth the hype. He’s an artist who can make every track he touches sound like the best deep cut from the Garden State soundtrack.

His debut single Run Away To Mars was released back in 2021, and has since garnered over 10 million views on YouTube, along with a slew of critical accolades. If you still haven’t heard this soaring mid-tempo anthem, drop what you’re doing and check it out- or rather, take it in- right now. It’s the kind of piercing, soulful, from the heart confession that every indie songwriter attempts, but rarely gets quite this right.

His cover of The Fray’s How To Save A Life accomplishes a minor miracle- taking a song that has been commoditized and outplayed for years, and making it sound like a breath of fresh air. If you’re looking for something a little bit rowdier, check out his brand new track called Afraid of the Dark, with a chorus that was virtually made for arenas.

It’s pretty obvious that TALK is destined for bigger and better things. Last summer, he hit the road with Milky Chance and Young The Giant, closing his sets with a badass rendition of School of Rock (Teacher’s Pet)- yes, the theme song from the classic Jack Black movie. But his body of work is still relatively light, so here’s your chance to say you were a fan since the very beginning. Give these key tracks a listen and spread the word.

Key tracks: Run Away To Mars, Hollywood, Afraid of the Dark

March 2024: Sydney's Indie Rock Heroes Middle Kids Are Overdue For A Seat At The Big Table.

March 2024:  Hailing from Sidney, Australia, indie three-piece Middle Kids dropped their first full-length LP, the exceptional Lost Friends, in 2018.  Back in the day, you may have caught their set at Austin City Limits, or maybe you saw them opening for Cold War Kids- regardless, do yourself a favor and check out their 2017 single Edge of Town.  Lead singer Hannah Joy (how's that for a rock star name?) brings an ethereal soulfulness to will instantly bring some of your favorite '90s songstresses to mind. Think Tanya Donnelly or Tori Amos, with just a tad more girl-next-door relatability.  

Their second LP, Today We’re the Greatest, may not have charted in the States, but earned them a few critical comparisons to Fleetwood Mac, and was nominated for the Australian Album of the Year at the 2021 J Awards. If you’re looking for a musical gateway drug for this band, check out that album’s deep cut “I Don’t Care,” which was co-written by Chvrches member Martin Doherty. It’s the kind of nuanced, compelling songwriting that most bands don’t achieve until half a dozen records into their career.

As of 2024, Middle Kids has yet to completely win over the American audience, but they’re steadily touring. They spent last year on the road with Jimmy Eat World and Manchester Orchestra, they’ll be back in the States for a run of club gigs this summer. Here’s hoping this underrated and dynamic threesome finally score that seat at the grown-up table.

KEY TRACKS:  Edge of Town, Mistake, Your Love

February 2024:  The Los Angeles based electro-rock act KITTEN, led by the inimitable Chloe Chaidez, has made waves as a tour opener for such bands as No Doubt, Paramore and Garbage.  Their full-length self-titled LP was criminally underappreciated back in 2014.  Their 2018 sophomore album Personal Hotspots is also worth repeat listens- it’s the type of sexually-charged laptop rock that you might imagine Madonna listening to, if she was still 21 years of as of this writing.

They’re the type of band that seems like it was born positioned for stardom- clawing for it, if you will. Even after a few lineup changes, Kitten still drops singles and EPs on a semi-regular basis, and Chaidez's live shows more electrifying than ever.

And if it seems like Kitten has been on the bubble for well over a decade, you’re not wrong. Their hypnotic power-ballad G# sounds like a cross between Mazzy Star and early Radiohead. If it sounds familiar, it’s probably because the tune turned up on a few influential playlists during the dawn of Spotify.

While the band still hasn’t quite roared into mainstream appreciation, you can easily hear the giant crossover potential- especially if somebody were to pair the right Kitten tune with say, a sex scene on Euphoria or White Lotus. Here’s hoping some enterprising soundtrack producer takes that chance, because this is a band that truly deserves all nine of its lives.

Key tracks:  G#, Like A Stranger, Apples & Cigarettes

January 2024:  If Deal Casino sounds familiar, it might be because this pop-rock foursome named themselves after a well-known New Jersey beach club.  Their first EP, Cocaine Love, was characterized by a mix of Weezer-ish angst and nostalgia.  Their second EP Runaways drew some online comparisons to Coldplay and Kings of Leon.  With a strong underground following and about ten steady years on the East Coast scene, Deal Casino earned its reputation as an addictive live act.  They once played Asbury Park’s famed punk rock nightclub The Saint for an impressive 12-week residency, even made waves at the first edition of Sea Hear Now festival.

Deal Casino called it quits in 2020, to the dismay of a fanbase that continues to grow and spread the word. Frontman Joe Parella continues to release music independently and has racked up an impressive Spotify listenership. But a proper deep drive into Deal Casino’s recorded output might just introduce you to your new favorite New Jersey band: They sit somewhere between Bleachers, My Chemical Romance and Gaslight Anthem- all of that Garden State pathos, with just as much lovability.

Key tracks: Purple, Human Cannonball, Flying Cars

December 2023:  Composited by way of Lafayette, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ROYAL TEETH hit the ground running back in 2010.  Back then, you may have heard the infectious single Wild- a song virtually destined for a classic indie coming-of-age movie.  But dig a little deeper, and you'll find that singer Nora Patterson is capable of some genuine badass vocal theatrics.  Their first album Glow is a masterful grand slam, right out of the dugout.

The band’s most recent full-length album Hard Luck dropped in 2019, and somehow, still hasn’t caught the attention of the mainstream, even as the band continues to play key festivals. But they’re overdue for a breakout. With a steady presence on the touring circuit, it's a good bet that Royal Teeth could be next year's Chvrches or Of Monsters and Men.

KEY TRACKS:  Kids Conspire, Mais La