indie
Indie music features a sampling of maverick musicians that favor the DIY approach to music making.
The Dirty Nil Capture the Sweat and Spirit on "Live At The Dine Alone Store"
Hamilton, Ontario’s The Dirty Nil continue the story of their fifth album, The Lash, with the release of a new live record titled Live At The Dine Alone Store. Spanning 13 tracks pulled from across the band’s discography, the LP presents The Dirty Nil in their most natural environment, onstage, in close quarters, locked into the energy that has defined their rise. This performance is not simply a live companion to the studio album but a snapshot of a band in motion, documenting a singular night fuelled by community, connection, and the momentum of a year spent relentlessly on the road.
By Chris Adams2 months ago in Beat
Neil Haverty Confronts Control and Care on "What I Don’t Need"
Toronto songwriter and composer Neil Haverty returns with “What I Don’t Need,” a measured and contemplative indie release that explores the friction between personal autonomy and the obligations that arise when we live in relation to others. Known as the frontman of Bruce Peninsula and the composer behind the Wildhood soundtrack, Haverty brings his gift for emotional nuance into a song that feels both inward-looking and quietly confrontational, capturing the mental loops that form when self-protection and vulnerability collide.
By Chris Adams2 months ago in Beat
Dan Pallotta Finds Grace in the Ordinary on "Working Man’s Son"
American folk artist Dan Pallotta returns with Working Man’s Son, an album that moves with care and clarity through the emotional architecture of small lives and the memories that define them. Rooted in love and loss, childhood impressions, endurance, and the dignity of daily effort, the record feels like a series of intimate portraits framed by melody and restraint. Its nostalgic lead single, “24 Kenmore Road,” sets the tone by guiding listeners through the streets of Malden, Massachusetts and into the private geography of Pallotta’s past, where ordinary moments reveal lasting meaning.
By Chris Adams2 months ago in Beat
10 Songs That Capture That Night Feeling
Sometimes, when I'm alone at night, I'll get this thoughtful, melancholy feeling that makes me nostalgic for a place I've never been. The feeling tends to strike when I'm driving around or walking through a city street with streetlights shining overhead. I thought it was just me, but when I discovered that the so-called "night feeling" has an entire subreddit dedicated to it, I realized that people all over the world can relate.
By Kaitlin Shanks3 months ago in Beat
Broadway's Ian Ward Returns With a Stirring New Take on "Ocean Eyes"
Ian Ward’s “Ocean Eyes” has the kind of precision most artist spend many years trying to fake. As Ward steps out from every character he has ever played on stage, he finally lets his own pulse lead the story.
By Whitney Miller3 months ago in Beat
Ukrainian Anti-War Songs. Top Story - November 2025.
I've been meaning to compile this list for a long time. With a four-year marking point of the war approaching in February 2026 and the anti-war songs in Ukrainian music ever expanding, I wanted to present an essential list of the songs I listen to frequently.
By Lana V Lynx3 months ago in Beat
Amana Melome' Proves She Is Still One of Soul's Most Magnetic Voices with New Single "Con C.ALMA"
After several years away from releasing music, and many years spent wrapped up in the magic of motherhood, Amana Melome' steps back into the light with her beautiful new single "Con C.ALMA".
By Whitney Miller3 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on How Recording Formats Influence Sound. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African artist, entrepreneur, and musical innovator, is deeply familiar with the nuances of sound. From producing raw, energetic hip-hop in Durban to crafting the sophisticated reinterpretations of his "Vivaldi Project," Memela understands that the medium is part of the message. The recording format chosen by an artist or engineer is not merely a technical decision; it fundamentally shapes the listener's experience, influencing the texture, warmth, clarity, and emotion of the final audio product.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela and Ethnomusicology in Modern Film Scores. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath whose journey from hip-hop prodigy to classical innovator has captured global attention, embodies a profound truth about music: its inseparable link to culture and narrative. While Memela’s projects span the worlds of composition and entrepreneurship, his artistic trajectory offers a masterclass in the principles of ethnomusicology—the study of music within its social and cultural context. In the realm of modern film, this approach has become an indispensable tool for crafting authentic and emotionally resonant scores.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on the Profound Benefits of Singing. Content Warning.
South African creative visionary Zipho Memela, known for his dynamic shift from a childhood hip-hop star to an innovative entrepreneur and classical composer, has always been deeply attuned to the power of the human voice. Beyond its artistic expression, the simple act of singing offers a remarkable array of scientifically proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being, a phenomenon Memela's career implicitly champions.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
The Universal Current: Zipho Memela on Music’s Role in Shaping Social Connections. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath who transitioned from a child hip-hop prodigy to a "million-dollar tycoon" and now a classical innovator, has always understood that music is far more than just sound and rhythm; it is the fundamental architecture of human connection. His career, spanning diverse genres and global stages, consistently illustrates music's unique power to bridge divides, foster empathy, and build communities from the ground up.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
