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Indie Bands to Watch Right Now

Indie Bands to Watch Right Now

Public Opinion
May 23, 2024

A Note from Jack

What do you get when you cross Michael Jordan and Jerry Garcia? One Thursday morning a few weeks back we walked into Malcolm Todd’s East Village apartment with a dozen bagels. His entire band was asleep in various places throughout the living room. It was very rock and roll. The guys had been up late the night before watching When Harry Met Sally, one of the all time great New York City movies. We were there to talk about all the exciting things going on with the band and to eat bagels.

I met Malcolm many months earlier when we filmed one of the most viral Track Star episodes we’ve ever done. I recognized right away that he had the quiet and casual confidence of a star, and this was before I’d heard any of his music. His music is loose and fun and funky. It’s rock and r&b and soul. We got him to come by the office to record an episode of Track Star Presents just a few days before his first national tour - a first for his entire band - a tour that went on to sell out across the country. Malcolm’s playing a bunch of festivals this summer, including the main stage at Gov Ball in a couple weeks. Hanging on his bedroom wall are posters of Michael Jordan and Jerry Garcia, some combination of whom he aspires to be like. I think he’s on his way, but check out his episode of Track Star Presents and let us know what you think.

– Jack

Track Star Presents: Malcolm Todd

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Indie Bands to Watch Right Now

By Joey Meyer

Peach Pit – They have been blazing their path on the indie rock scene since their debut EP 'Sweet FA' in 2016. Neil Smith (lead singer/rhythm guitar) writes honest songs about his real life, and Chris Vanderkooy is a phenomenally talented and technically gifted guitarist. The rest of the band are equally skillful musicians, and recent addition Dougal Bain McLean plays over 10 instruments. Their music has shades of rock, pop, country, folk, and even metal.

Parcels – If there’s one band that takes its inspiration from the funky, soulful music of the 60s and 70s, it is Parcels. This five-member band went to high school together in Australia, but they currently reside in Berlin. Their live studio sessions are unparalleled. The band delivers groovy basslines and harmonizing that will leave your ears thanking you. I considered their space-less song titles to be a smart, creative idea until learning it was just due to the spacebar on Patrick Hetherington’s keyboard being broken.

Royel Otis – Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic make up Royel Otis, an indie band with catchy guitar licks and Otis’ relentlessly mesmerizing voice. The Australian duo have been making music since 2019 but blew up recently from their cover of Sophie-Ellis Bextor’s ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ on triple j’s Like a Version. They’ve gained comparisons to Tame Impala, MGMT, and other pop-centric indie stars. Their debut studio album ‘Pratts & Pain’ released last month and puts their surf/psychedelic/pop masterfulness on full display.

FUR – The band you didn’t know you needed. Their 60’s influences are prevalent in both their music and fashion; lead singer ‘Murray’ looks like he was plucked out of a Beatles music video. His voice is the most attractive part of the whole mix, followed by his captivating guitar playing and magnificent songwriting. Their hit single ‘If You Know That I’m Lonely’ has gained over 40 million views on YouTube and helped build their following.

Jungle – They should be the most talked about band of 2024. They are so much more than a band. Watch any one of their music videos and be prepared to have chills. They formed in 2013 through producers Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland who grew up as neighbors in London. Listening to their earlier music, you wonder how it could get better…then they added Lydia Kitto and her impeccable voice to the equation. The band performs with an incredible group of dancers and choreographers that are a show in and of themselves.