Tagged: synth pop

[Tape Label Spotlight] Buddha Tapes

buddha tapes

I don’t think we’ve ever featured a cassette-only indie label here on what’s protocol? before but, there’s always a first for everything right?

Introducing Buddha Tapes, referenced before when we’ve featured artists Psittacines and Hectic Zeniths in the past, this little tape label is based out of Virginia doing some very special things. With a few releases under their belts, they’ve finally got another one to be proud of.

Wax Monsters are a dynamic synth-pop duo coming out of Ohio with a brand new self-titled full length album that recently dropped. Each track has got a different mood and tone keeping you fully aware of all of the tempo shifts. Available on gorgeous (and limited!) blue cassette, stream the release below and grab your tape here.

And be sure to keep Buddha Tapes on your radar and check out the rest of their releases here.

[Music Video] If It Doesn’t Rain – Sally Shapiro

Nothing beats hearing from Johan from Sally Shapiro shortly after we featured them a little while back on the blog.

Above is the new video for their track, “If It Doesn’t Rain,” which according to Johan is the group’s favorite video so far. I’m all about the retro visuals alongside their classic synth-pop sound.

Be sure to grab their latest album, Somewhere Else, via Paper Bag Records.

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Even the best love leaves you open.

kisses

I believe I was first struck by LA duo, Kisses, back in 2011 when I first heard their single, “People Can Do The Most Amazing of Things.” A simple yet steady beat, futile lyrical content, and those droning vocals that just work so well with the group’s sound.

It only made sense to do a little personal research and revisiting when I heard them on my shuffle over the weekend. I love this slightly matured sound – there’s more electronic elements than their typical synth-pop. “The Hardest Part” is purely catchy with its snappy percussion and heavy 80′s synths. It’s an all around great track to get you psyched for new material. With an upcoming release slated for May 14th (via Cascine), I can’t wait to hear the rest of the track listing.

Check out their first single from the forthcoming album, Kids in L.A., below and be sure to listen to more of their music here.

Also be sure to check out this lovely teaser vid they dropped awhile back.

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[Meet] Sally Shapiro

sally shapiro

Listening and looking at Sally Shapiro is like doing two different things at once.

Let’s break things down, get to the nitty gritty. Sally Shapiro is a duo from Sweden which consists of a Sally Shapiro and a Johan Agebjörn on the synths. Heavily influenced by 80′s italo-disco (which I applaude), the two have been putting out glittery music together for years although the wonderful female vocalist still prefers to play under the anonymous moniker, Sally Shapiro. What I think attracts many people to this woman is her obvious shyness to the industry, it almost works in her favor. Not thrilled with being on a stage somewhere and certainly not on anyone else’s timeline is actually more appealing in my mind.

Listen to their preview stream of the duo’s latest album, Somewhere Else, which you can grab your own copy of here.

Looking for a little more reading material? I really liked this recent interview eMusic had  with the duo.

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[Music Video] Discovery – Empire of the Sun

empire of the sun

Empire of the Sun are epically making their reappearance known. Back with new music just waiting to be unleashed in June, we’re left with this teaser short of a video that can only elicit more excitement from fans.

I’ve hugely been into the Australian duo ever since I heard their catchy electronica anthems and caught a bit of their show at Coachella back in 2011. Beyond their crazy stage outfits, they really can light up an audience with the amount of energy packed into each track.

Count down your days until June and stay posted for all the latest news here, catch the video below.

Archaeologists have uncovered interglacial cave paintings deep within a rock shelter in Mexico’s Guerrero Peninsula. The paintings date between 4,200 and 8,000 years ago, making them the most important finding of the millennia. The site was previously believed to be the birthplace of La Llorona, or “The Weeping Woman.”

“This must have been a place of memory,” said Ramon Fortunato, an archaeologist at the University of Monterrey, of the site. “The people of this region may have kept it secret, in order to harness its power.”

Inhabitants from the area are thought to be directly related to the “Empire of the Sun,” responsible for protecting the Earth from catastrophe for generations.

Update: Further research has concluded that the cave is the meeting point of the leylines of synchronicity. The find has been praised by heads of state and notable scientists, and a meeting of world leaders has been called in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Save one dance for me.

Philadelphia’s own Lockets have certainly released a gem of a debut back in July. Camera Shy is full of lush and dreamy synth pop, female vocals that balance on the ethereal side, and wonderful instrumentation.

Being such a solid debut, Camera Shy, can only serve as a launching pad for this group. With their eclectic and confident sound, I’m excited to see the progression and direction they decide to take next. Listen below and be sure to grab your limited vinyl that’s now available here.

In Dreams – Another Green World

Now, this album will surely be the cure to your summer-nostalgia needs.

Another Green World is the moniker for Memphis-based electronic musician, Alec West. Released this past week, In Dreams, is a 10-track album full of searing synth-pop, guitar loops dripping with reverb, and a thick, hazy fog that brings out the deeply embedded lo-fi sound.

Sit back, stream the album below, and enjoy.

Meet: Soft Lighting

Soft Lighting is the producing alias of Bryan Cox, a synth-pop/chillwave musician hailing from Kansas City. Cox is set to release his first album on the new Synthemesc record label that was started by Teeel.

Their upcoming album, Slow Motion Silhouettes, will be released on March 1st and has a bit of a cinematic feel to it. I’ve given it a few listens now (while it’s streaming on the Soft Lighting Soundcloud page) and I’ve enjoyed each and every listen. I can hear influences from Washed Out in the vocals and the instrumental production reminds me very much of the best films of the 80′s. It seems as if each song would fit in perfectly as the soundtrack to any teenage love scene that took place during that era.

A few of the tracks in particular had what I like to call “Grotto Music” quality. In my circle, the grotto is a cave on hole 9 of the mini-golf course next to the beach house we spend our summers at. It’s private and it’s sexy. The question, “Would you like to see the grotto?” has never been answered with a “no.” So picture warm weather, a sea breeze, an awesome cave, and being extremely sexy and then you get what “Grotto Music” is all about.

Anyway, the whole album is good for the Grotto, but these two streaming below are Grotto greatness. Enjoy them and then circle March 1st on your calendar as Slow Motion Silhouettes should be on your soundtrack for the Spring.

BONUS: Soft Lighting also has this sweet 80s-esque video for the song “Up All Night.” Yeah, I’m a sucker for nostalgia, but who cares? This stuff is awesome.

Soft Lighting – Up All Night from Soft Lighting on Vimeo.

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