Jennifer Tefft & The Strange Cover The Lumineers

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When the latest single from Jennifer Tefft & The Strange first starts, you'd hardly guess that it's a cover of a Lumineers song. Tefft's version of "Salt and the Sea" is much more rock based than the original folk-pop song. It shares the same dark and moody quality, but this is definitely not a note for note cover. When I saw it performed last month at Crystal Ballroom, I had no idea it was a cover song until Tefft mentioned it was, and I was surprised to find out it was originally by The Lumineers. Tefft's vocals are exceptional on this one, and only add more to the haunting quality of the song. Tefft's version of "Salt and the Sea" sounds more like Heart meets Siouxsie and the Banshees than The Lumineers.

Jennifer Tefft says of her latest single:

“We wanted to try our hand at a reinterpretation of someone else's work. We've been playing this song live for a few months and it always gets a great response. Recording it allowed us to really dig into the song and get creative with the arrangement and parts.” 

You can listen to Jennifer Tefft & The Strange's cover of "Salt and the Sea" below. It is currently available via Bandcamp. For more on Jennifer Tefft, check out the artist's website.

On Repeat...

Holiday Ghosts - "Slipstream"

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The latest single from Holiday Ghosts hearkens back to when pop music was weird. "Slipstream" will remind you of classic early alternative artists like Talking Heads, The Modern Lovers, and Violent Femmes, but it also has the 90's slacker vibe of Pavement and Beck. It turns into a crazily fun and just offbeat enough indie rock/pop song. You can watch the video for "Slipstream" below. West Bay Playroom , the new album from Holiday Ghosts, will be released February 15 on PNKSLM Recordings. The album was recorded in band member Sam Stacpoole's childhood home, specifically his old playroom. You can pre-order the album here . For more on Holiday Ghosts, check out their Facebook .
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Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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Midnight Peg - "Thirstland"

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Photo by Cecil Sykes Midnight Peg are an Edmonton, AB based band that are referred to as "madhouse punk." Their latest single, "Thirstland," is a just barely under control two minute burst of punk. You have guitar riffs that will make you think of At the Drive In, and somewhat spoken and yelled vocals which create a feeling of chaos throughout. This is a loud and angry track that is completely in your face. But, unlike most tracks this loud and punk based, "Thirstland" still keeps a sense of art in their music. Midnight Peg feel like a higher class of loud, angry punk rock. This one is great, with just enough of an emo undercurrent to make the song kind of melodic and almost palatable to a mainstream audience. You can listen to "Thirstland" below. Skinning is due out in October on Thousand Island Records. For more on Midnight Peg, check out the artist's website .
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