Live Review: The Ocean Blue @ Union Stage — 9/5/21

Posted on 09/09/2021 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged dreampop, Pennsylvania, The Ocean Blue, Union Stage.

The Ocean Blue perform at Union Stage on Sept. 5, 2021. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

In a very well-received show at Union Stage recently, The Ocean Blue, the dreampop quartet originating from Hershey, Pennsylvania, favored their sophomore album Cerulean, choosing to showcase five of its songs.

In introducing one of those songs — “When Life Was Easy” — frontman David Schelzel reflected on how some songs take on a new meaning for the writers as they get older.

Preview: The Ocean Blue @ Union Stage, 9/5/21

Posted on 09/01/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged dreampop, Pennsylvania, The Ocean Blue, Union Stage.

The Ocean Blue (Photo by Darin Back)

The Ocean Blue, the much admired dream pop act from Hershey, Pennsylvania, was always one of those American bands that sounded more like an English act. The band continued that streak with their newest album, Kings and Queens / Knaves and Thieves, released in 2019.

The band resumes touring their fan-favorite early material alongside their consistently terrific new songs in a show at Union Stage on Sunday, Sept. 5.

Live Review: Japanese Breakfast @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 7/21/21

Posted on 07/23/2021 by David LaMason in Live Review and tagged Dead Oceans, dreampop, Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner, The Fillmore Silver Spring.

JBrekkieFillmore5 — ***Japanese Breakfast rocks a sold-out crowd at The Fillmore Silver Spring on July 21, 2021. (Photo by David LaMason)***

If most of 2020 (and, let’s face it, most of 2021) was a pressure tank waiting to explode, then the packed house at The Fillmore Silver Spring was the symbolic release Wednesday night as Japanese Breakfast performed to an audience eager for live music. And they certainly got that rush of excitement when, straight off a New York Times bestseller, “Crying in H Mart,” and an acclaimed new album, Jubilee, Michelle Zauner, the creative force behind Japanese Breakfast, kicked off her US Tour with the first stop at The Fillmore.

Song of the Day: “lmk (if you wanna see me)” by Modernlove

Posted on 06/10/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged dreampop, Dublin, Ireland, Modernlove, Song of the Day.

Modernlove (Photo by Marc Shelley)

modernlove. are still figuring it out and that’s okay. Like their name suggests, the Irish four-piece explores the complexities of the modern lives of twenty-somethings. Even though their lives are still complicated, Barry, Cian, Danny and Graham of Drogheda have already nailed their sound; they deliver polished, indie-pop with a glossy ’90s sheen and intricate details.

Recently, the band announced their debut EP “monochrome blue” and shared the new single. “lmk (if you wanna see me)” along with a music video.

Song of the Day: “September Song, pt. ii” by Lightning Bug

Posted on 05/04/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Brooklyn, dreampop, Lightning Bug, New York City, Song of the Day.

Lightning Bug (Photo by Ingmar Chen)

Lightning Bug’s upcoming album A Color of the Sky is an album of many firsts: the band’s first album with their new label home, Fat Possum, the band’s first time recording together as a live band.

Recently, Lightning Bug released “September Song, pt. ii,” the second single from the album.

Song of the Day: “Burn Through the Atmosphere” by Nightjacket

Posted on 04/23/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged California, dreampop, Los Angeles, Song of the Day.

Nightjacket (Photo by Britt Wilen)

Lonely Archer Records and Los Angeles-based dream-pop quintet Nightjacket are pleased to present “Burn Through the Atmosphere,” the latest track to be lifted from the Friday, May 21 release of the band’s forthcoming EP, Following the Curves.

Song of the Day: “Why Only You” by HAERTS

Posted on 04/08/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged dreampop, Haerts, New York City, Song of the Day.

HAERTS (Photo by B.Asch)

German-born, New York-based duo HAERTS (Nini Fabi and Benny Gebert) open up another chapter from their upcoming third album Dream Nation (out May 21st via Anti-Fragile Records).

One could detect the usual comparisons to Fleetwood Mac or First Aid Kid in the fourth song “Why Only You” while making way for additional influences such as Portishead and Lamb.

Song of the Day: “You” by Keep Shelly in Athens featuring Georgia Hurd

Posted on 02/05/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged Athens, downtempo, dreampop, Georgia Hurd, Greece, Keep Shelly in Athens, Song of the Day.

Georgia Hurd (Photo courtesy Force Field PR)

Greek dreampop artist Keep Shelly In Athens launches a new era for the project, which will feature primary member / producer RPR collaborating with different guest vocalists from around the world. The first single in this new series is “You” featuring LA-based vocalist Georgia Hurd.

Song of the Day: “Never Know” by Sports

Posted on 12/08/2020 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged dreampop, Oklahoma, Song of the Day, Sports.

Sports (Photo by Max Alo)

Dream-pop duo Sports (Cale Chronister + Christian Theriot) share a new single, “Never Know,” from their forthcoming project, Get A Good Look Pt. 1 (due Feb. 12) along with a music video.

Song of the Day: “Break Down” by Julian Harper

Posted on 12/04/2020 by Parklifer in Local Spotlight, Preview and tagged DC, dreampop, Julian Harper, Song of the Day.

Julian Harper (Photo courtesy 4AM)

Raised on show tunes and pop, 16-year-old DC native Julian Harper is on the move to release his first single, “Break Down,” off his debut EP, Oversaturated, available Friday, Dec. 4.
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