The San Francisco based music project, Split Screens has released a free download and bonus track from their LP, Before The Storm! The track is entitled, Black Pines and we're super excited to premiere it!

Inspired by a childhood spent in New York's remote Catskill Mountains, 'Black Pines' is the brand new single from Split Screens and it's a track that offers the kind of woozy Summer retreat that instantly captivates. Front man Jesse Cafiero's radiant vocal guides the track through three minutes of weighty pop music, shaped by a West Coast glow that is palpably invigorating. Impressive in scope and assured in delivery, 'Black Pines' is a further step forward from a songwriter who continues to grow and flourish with each release.

Take a listen and don't forget to mark your calendars for Split Screen's Tuesday residency at Amnesia in September!

Lips-a 3 piece rock band based out of Toronto, they’re a Self proclaimed "terrorist glam rock" band...and I couldn't agree more. Last year they released a track called "Painkiller" with a crazy music video, which uses clips from a short film called "Girl In the Rubber Mask"; written and directed by Franck Blaess. The song is a straight ahead rocker with serious 90s vibes, steady drums rock along in line with the driving bass line as the guitar sprinkles in some tasty treats throughout the verse. Overall the song captures a great vibe, with good harmonies over the chorus, and a singer who doesn’t lack in keeping things interesting. These guys appear to be new on the scene; however, they headlined Lee's Palace last week, if you missed that, you can see them on 08/03 @ Horseshoe Tavern. - Kris Gies

In a musical era where there exists a plethora of easily likeable indie pop bands with an extensive collection of catchy, hook-laden songs, London’s Ivory Hours is a genuine standout. The most surprising thing about this band is that they are somehow still unsigned. However, they’ve benefitted by receiving professional production help from seasoned veterans João Carvalho (mastering) and Dan Brodbeck (producing) on their recent full-length Morning Light. Ivory Hours is a rather young band exhibiting the confidence of experienced musicians through bright, poppy guitar and vocal melodies. Lead single “Warpaint” is chock-full of delicate staccato guitar and tempo changes that mask the lovesick lyrics with lively hooks. Ivory Hours is both figuratively and literally making noise in Canadian indie rock, and are a can’t-miss act at the upcoming Turtle Music Festival on August 1st in Parry Sound. Could be worth the trip, me thinks. - Chris PJ D

This one’s just plain fun y’all. Opposite Day is a staple of the Austin scene that plays some of the most technical and pure fun music in Austin, a combo you don’t often get. This vid is their new track “AI IOU,” and it’s a series of shots that cut between the band doing their hard-playing, wild-beat thing and then a buncha robot shots that feel very MST3K. That’s a pretty good touchstone in terms of era as well, as this track feels quite outta the 90s though all beefed up with some heavier, mathrockier shit, and the idea of a wilder, more indie Barenaked Ladies that plays faster and punkier isn’t far off. It's fun too to get great tracks that aren't really about love or social issues or something pretty, but instead just about a cool ass concept that the musicians like; in this case a mufucking robot made from parts of other robots! Check the lyrics: "I am rememebering what happened to the parts that make me/I am a conscious agent assembled from other machines." That's the good scifi shit. Tune your robot ears and focus your android eyes on this thing below, and let the AI tell you all about its weird ol' self!

This 4 piece blues rock group hails from Burlington/Hamilton, Pete Van Dyk & The Second Hand Band are known for throwing down a nice boogie indie rock combo around town. They have just released a new self-titled album (engineered and mixed by bass player JD Norwood) with a music video for the lead single "Talk of the Town". This track has a bluesy banger of a verse that settles into a laid-back stoner groove chorus "Bad Scene" from this record is pure story-telling blues delight with the swaying rhythm being held down smoothly by JD and drummer Scott Carruthers. Pete leads the group with his howlin' vocals and sweet rhythm guitar. Meanwhle his younger brother (Shr)Ed.is lighting his Strat on fire shredding the blues away...literally. These guys play @Homegrown Hamilton 07/31 -Kris Gies