The latest single from veteran New England singer-songwriter Bow Thayer’s upcoming album “The Book of Moss” layers twangy banjo and slide guitar over a funky groove and distant Eastern-sounding drones, with Biblical lyrics about the unifying spiritual power of music. Also consider playing Bow Thayer’s previous single, “Ogallala!”  FCC: Clean RIYL: Leo Kottke and Mike […]

BTV trio Father Figuer’s music sounds like it could be emanating from a distant star system. Built around ostinatos and ghostly vocals, all drenched in fuzz and reverb, their slowly-burning songs build to gloriously cascading climaxes. Track Picks: 2, 3, 5 FCC: Clean RIYL: Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star, Deerhunter, Explosions In the Sky 

Former Full Walrus bandleader Noah Kesey’s latest single is a shining slice of lo-fi indie-pop, with low-key reflective lyrics delivered over a backdrop of crunchy guitars and a drum track that sounds like a ‘90s video game (in a good way!) FCC: Clean RIYL: Deerhunter, Real Estate, Remi Russin, Lily Seabird, Hippo Campus

The latest single from BTV outfit Father Figuer is a gorgeous slice of spacey minimalism. Distant, echoey vocals cascade over a gentle intro, which builds into a hard-grooving bridge and a wall of wailing guitar for an outro. FCC: Clean RIYL: Cocteau Twins, Deerhunter, Clever Girls, Modest Mouse

Vermont singer-songwriter Andriana Chobot takes a dance-pop turn on the triumphant lead single from her upcoming album. Her dynamic vocals are surrounded by a woozy blend of synths and saxophones, atop a complex bassline and a thumping dembow beat. FCC: Clean RIYL: Mitski, Maggie Rogers, Francesca Blanchard

The lead single from VT folk-rocker Bow Thayer’s upcoming album “The Book of Moss” is a tribute to the resilience of North America’s native water protectors. This subject matter is given a positive, celebratory setting amongst twanging plucked strings, steel guitar, and a funky rhythm section. FCC: Clean RIYL: Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon, Iron […]

Burlington trio Father Figuer bring more of their slow-burning, dynamic-building sound on their latest single. FCC: Clean RIYL: Big Thief, Lily Seabird, Horse Jumper of Love, Modest Mouse

The first single released by The Young Love Scene since relocating from BTV to the West Coast, “Psychology” alternates between chaotic, shouted verses and catchy pop-punk choruses, with lyrics anyone who grew up neurodivergent can relate to. FCC: Clean RIYL: Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters

Rootsy, soulful UVM group Rose McCann Band (fka Nullhegan) continue to expand their sound on this three-track EP. There’s more of the horn-heavy dance music you’d expect on the excellent opener “Please Yourself,” while the other tracks dip into reverb-drenched guitar balladry and twangy folk-pop. Ben Collins’ guitar licks and Emma Downie’s powerful vocals are […]

The debut full-length from New England trio Signal Pine (featuring recent UVM grads) is a bright, shiny collection of indie-folk-rock with pristine singing and playing. Their complex vocal harmony arrangements are a particularly outstanding element of their guitar-and-piano driven pop tunes. Track Picks: 1, 3, 7  FCC: 5 (email local@wruv.org for clean version) RIYL:  Couchsleepers, […]

On her debut album, Lily Seabird reveals herself as one of Burlington’s best current singer-songwriters. Her detailed and emotionally grabbing lyrics and distinct twangy voice stand out over a backdrop of creative, fuzzy alt-rock sounds. Track Picks: 1, 3, 4 FCC: 6 RIYL: Breeders, Wilco, Big Thief, Courtney Barnett, Dinosaur Jr.

Burlington’s Eric George is best known as a folk musician, but on this latest release he takes a dive into garage rock. Seven tracks of rapid-fire blues-based loudness over good-time grooves are squeezed into less than 15 minutes. Just in time for Spooky Season, George’s lyrics this time around focus on ghosts and ghost stories […]

Grungy Brattleboro duo Guy Ferrari have expanded into a Burlington-based quartet for their sophomore EP. This release alternates between thrashing punky numbers and slow-burning, dynamic grooves, all topped off with devilish riffs and Nina Cates’ charmingly disarming vocals.  Track Picks: 2, 3 FCC: Clean RIYL: Pixies, The Breeders, Modest Mouse, Father Figuer

Burlington twee-pop veterans The Smittens return with a pandemic love anthem written to soundtrack Burlington City Arts’ Bubblegum Pop exhibition. This ebullient new single (with melancholy subtext) is accompanied by three rare B-sides pulled from across the Smittens’ nearly twenty years of recorded output.  Track Picks: 1, 3 FCC: Clean RIYL: The Magnetic Fields, The […]

Burlington-based singer-songwriter Guthrie Galileo’s latest EP is a collection of gorgeously arranged, produced and performed alt-pop and R&B. His vocals are packed with genuine emotion but not overwrought, often overlaid in gorgeous harmonies and perfectly matching the varied electronic and acoustic instrumental backing.  Track Picks: 1, 4 FCC: Clean RIYL: The Weeknd, Toro y Moi, […]

Burlingtonian singer-songwriter Francesca Blanchard’s latest single might be her best yet. Over a shimmering nu-disco groove, Francesca both sings (in English) and recites (in French) lyrics which evoke looking forward, taking chances, and the awe-inspiring power of nature. FCC: Clean RIYL: Maggie Rogers, Phoebe Bridgers, Christine and the Queens

Veteran VT musician Peg Tassey taps into the spirit of the late ‘60s psychedelic proto-punk explosion with her latest single “Queen of Flowers.” With crushing fuzzy guitar, thudding drums, and Tassey’s commanding vocals, the song sounds as powerful and awe-inspiring as the nature-goddess character the lyrics describe. FCC: Clean  RIYL: The Murlocs, The Stooges, Blue […]

The first EP from indie duo Lavenderlux, a remotely-made collaboration between Butlington’s Amelia Wilcox and Washington state’s Joshua Human, has twangy tunes for both upbeat and somber moods. Lyrically, the record is themed around the idea of moving forward out of stagnant but comfortable places in life.  Track Picks: 3, 4, 5 FCC: 2 RIYL: […]

Burlington singer-songwriter (and former WRUV DJ) Ivamae delivers an echoey blend of indie-rock and jazz-pop wrapped around the swinging drumbeats of local legend Urian Hackney. This unique sound provides the perfect backdrop for her soul-inflected vocals.  Track Picks: 1, 3, 4 FCC: 8 RIYL: Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, St. Vincent, Weyes Blood