How Long the Night Was(Or Smaller bands that are worth checking out)

There are way more bands that aren’t well known then there are huge established acts. Today’s blog focuses on a few of the ones I think you should be checking out. Just to clarify, some of these are older, some newer, but in the end it doesn’t matter because they’re all good. Enjoy, and discover!

Atlas Sound
If you’re into the band Deerhunter, you might enjoy the other band that Bradford Cox creates music for on a regular basis. It’s a bit more spacey and floaty, but Cox knows how to develop an idea and turn it into something tangible and pure. They have a few albums, but for my money there’s nothing better than the Laetitia Sadier sung “Quick Canal” off of the album “Logos.” It’s a gentle track that shows how Atlas Sound is a different beast and mindset from the Deerhunter moniker

BadBadNotGood
Though I’ve still only listened to their most recent record “III,” this Canadian trio is a really act that i wish more people knew of. They still have time though. It’s only been a few years that they have even been a band, and already collaborators of bigger names than their own are popping up. Frank Ocean, Ghostface Killah and others have joined them, and that’s a good sign. While those names are hip hop oriented, the music reminds me of a funk, hip hop infused type of jazz that you don’t see too often.

Converge
While not for the faint of heart, Converge have been one of the most original and influential bands in the hardcore punk/metal scene for two decades now. One of the most electric bands I’ve ever seen live, each album shows a depth, and thoughtfulness in both lyrics and musicality that to be blunt, is lacking in modern heavier music. Their landmark 2001 album “Jane Doe” remains one of the best metal albums of the aughts, and I don’t see Converge slowing down anytime soon. Thank god, we need more bands like Salem Massachusetts own Converge.

Crosses
Chino Moreno is best known as the singer of the Deftones, but his multiple side projects are worth a listen too. Crosses is the newest one, and it’s a merge of a more modern rock feel and electronic. This is the more singy interpretation of Moreno’s voice than we’re used to seeing in the Deftones, but he’s always had a really interesting vocal range and this is his baby more or less so it’s a gorgeous mix of all the things you expect from him. “Thholyghst” is likely my favorite track of theirs, and it’s soaring vocals and epic guitars make it a great song to experience if you have a day to look at the world from a beautiful point.

Dax Riggs
By this point Riggs should’ve gotten the recognition he deserves, but  he keeps on making amazing swamp fueled southern Gothic rock. From his work under the names Agents of Oblivion, and Deadboy & the Elephantman, he’s brought multiple records to us, and he’s still a wonderful example of music that sounds exactly like the area he’s spent a significant amount of his life(Louisiana).

Hurray for the Riff Raff
A newer attraction from Louisiana, Hurray for the Riff Raff is the style of down home banjo driven country you don’t get to much these days. It’s a perfect sound for an early morning on the porch, and the relaxed nature of many of the tracks on “Small Town Heroes” harken back to a simpler time where things came harder, but many less distractions filled the air. You may have seen this band among many best of year end lists, and there’s a good reason for it. See You Wednesday!