Interview with Infantree

Infantree, an indie rock group from Southern California, just released their second studio album, Hero's Dose, to great reception and praise. Not only are these four guys the nicest crew around, their sound together is just so entrancing, with poetic lyrics, beautiful harmonies, and excellent musicianship by all members. The band has since then toured with Neil Young & Crazy Horse, and will continue promote their new album at shows in Los Angeles the rest of this year.

(From left) Donald, Matt, Jordan, and Alex of Infantree at Outside Lands

We were lucky enough to kick back with the band after their awesome set at Outside Lands, where we chatted about their new album, embarassing moments, how they got their name, and more! Read below to see what these four killer musicians had to say, and while you're at it, listen to the soothing sounds and lovely harmonies in one of my favorite Infantree tunes, "Forgive Me First." Also, click "read more"  to see Infantree on Conan performing "Fibber"!

Infantree - "Forgive Me First"
 
Your second album was just put out a couple months ago, how do you feel the reception has been so far?

Alex: Pretty awesome, definitely better than the first one!

Donald: That’s all you can hope for.

Alex: We’ve been getting a kick out of it, for sure.

Matt: Yeah, we’ve been getting a lot more college radio play.



Do you approach festival playing any differently than small, intimate settings?

Alex: Oh heck yeah, definitely. We secretly hate the sound at festivals [laughs]. It’s never as full as a small room, because the sound just goes, there’s no walls. A lot of times, especially because festivals are fewer and far between, we’re not used to that sound once we get there, so we kind of have to acclimate as we go. We don’t have a sound guy, so we just kind of do it. But it’s been fun. The main thing is that if people are there or not. And luckily, at festivals, people show up, or at least that’s been happening now.

Donald: Yeah, and it’s tougher when you have the first slot. So the fact that as many people showed up today was great.

Jordan: I feel like I try to keep the beat simpler at festivals, cause the little things kind of get lost. It’s just a different sound.

New Music Wrap-Up: November

November by the numbers:

New songs added to my library: 332

Most listened to track:  Mikky Ekko-"Pull Me Down"

Best albums added:

Crystal Castles - III



P.O.S. - We Don't Even Live Here



The Staves - Dead and Born and Grown



Stuck In My Head All Month:  Rihanna-"Diamond Remix feat. Kanye West"

Best Remix: Eva Simmons-"Renegade (James Egbert Remix)"

Catchiest Danish Song Added: Shaka Loveless-"Tomgang"

MØ

If You Like: Purity Ring, Twin Shadow, Grimes

Take Purity Ring's vocal-chopping, add some lush, bright synths, and some fat horn stabs and you've got MØ. The Danish singer is the latest songstress to earn comparison to Grimes, and pretty much every other Scandinavian synth-lover too. But her track "Pilgrim" is awfully catchy, and harder hitting than most. It sounds expansive, loungey, and like a lot of fun. Check it out!

MØ-"Pilgrim"

Koldpik

For the past few months I have been in Denmark, the wonderfully small Scandinavian country that exports some great sad, cold, sparse music (see Broken Twin). But the Danes know how to party too. That's where Koldpik comes in. The young Moombahton DJ has been hitting the Copenhagen scene hard with his mixes of Moomba, disco, and all-around funky beats. Check out his latest Nu Moombah mix and keep an eye out for him at a party near you. 

Koldpik on SoundCloud

Kenna - "Long Gone"

If You Like: Kele, Theophilus London, School of Seven Bells

While you may not have heard of Kenna, he was actually nominated for a Grammy in 2009 before falling out of the news for a few years. He has been featured in quite a few projects, yet has eluded the mainstream. Until now. His latest single, "Long Gone," brings to mind Kele Okereke's solo album and Theophilus London's classy swag. The video, a black and white self-proclaimed Alfred Hitchcock-like film, reinforces the song's somber, yet meditative tone. Check out the video below and let yourself get sucked in.