2014 is infront of us and one of the festival we’re looking forward is no other than St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival on January 2014. Here’s our introduction mixtape for the festival which consist some line ups with songs we like the most. Hope to see you guys there!

Track listing:

Jamie xx – Far Nearer
James Blake – Retrograde
Daughter – Smother
Haim – Falling
Frightened Rabbit – The Loneliness and the Scream
Jagwar Ma – Man I Need
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – FFunny FFriends
Savages – Flying to Berlin
Chvrches – Lies (Tourist Remix)
Kurt Vile – Never Run Away
Youth Lagoon – Cannons
Mount Kimbie – You Took Your Time (feat. King Krule)

1. The Strypes

The Ireland-based band consist of Ross Farrelly (lead vocals/harmonica), Josh McClorey (lead guitar/vocals), Pete O’Hanlon (bass guitar/harmonica) and Evan Walsh (drums). After a year they formed the band, their career started emerging in April 2012 when they released their first EP, “Young, Gifted & Blue” (contains of blues cover work like Bo Didley’s “You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover”), and the EP went to number 1 in theiTunes Blues Chart just a day after it’s released. On March 28th 2013, the band released their debut single “ Blue Collar Jane “. So far, the responses to their debut has been radically positive. Dave Grohl, Sir Elton John and Miles Kane are some of the big names who have turned into the Strypes’ listener. Seriously, do you think you have any reason to make you don’t like this band? N to the O.

2. Swim Deep

Swim Deep are an indie-rock band from Birmingham who were formed in 2011. The Birmingham boys are Austin Williams, Tom ‘Higgy’ Higgins, Zachary Robinson and Cavan McCarthy. In 2012, Swim Deep signed with Chess Club and released their debut single, ‘King City’. And in the end of 2012, the band went to Brussels to work with Charlie Hugall for their debut album, ‘Where the Heaven Are We’. Charlie Hugall is a British producer who has worked with Florence Welch, the Maccabees, Kaiser Chiefs, and many more. Swim Deep step in the year as the ones to watch, NME also put them on their ‘Best New Bands in 2013’ list. Just like how they describe the music, Swim Deep are more ‘Roll’ than ‘Rock’

3. HAIM

Americans must be obsessing over their pop culture, but this band, Haim (rhymes as “time”), lead into the music revolution in 2013. Haim consist of three sisters, Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim. The band have released two EPs, Forever and iTunes Festival : London 2012, three singles, Forever, Dont Save Me, and Failing, and one incredible debut album Days Are Gone. The band put some hip/hop, RnB, pop, and even folk (it’s pretty much seen as the girls are a huge fan of the Strokes and Danielle is a fan of Usher). Eventhough the iconic singer, Mick Jagger, said “Haim? Never heard of them” the sisters will be pretty much known soon since they were one of the lineups for SXSW. So far, they have accomplished in being nominated fopr MTV’s Brand New For 2013 and topped the BBC Sound Of 2013 (which they defeated great bands like Savages).

4. Palma Violets

If someone asked you a question about what bands that you should look out in 2013, the answer must be Palma Violets. Palma Violets, the band who graced to be on the front cover of “NME” has stolen the spot as one of the most exciting names in the industry. Palma Violets consist of bassist/vocalist Chilli Jesson, guitarist/vocalist Sam Fryer, keyboardist Peter Mayhew and drummer Will Doyle. “Best Of Friends” which is the band’s first ever single, get to be voted by NME as song of the year of 2012. Zane Lowe also listed the band’s track on his “Hottest Record in The World”. Palma Violets’ debut album “180” which also worked by Pulp’s Steve Mackey. And it peaked at number 11 on UK’s music chart.

5. Jagwar Ma

Hailing from down under, Jagwar Ma, got to be listed as NME’s Most Lookout Names in 2013. The duo who consist of Jono Ma and Gabriel Winterfield are bringing back brings the baggy music to the 2000s era. According to their Facebook page, Jagwar Ma got their influences in making music by Aphex Twin, Phil Spector,and Martin Hannett. In the early 2013, the duo were chosen to be one of the line-up for Big Day Out 2013’s side show. The duo are now with the label Future Classic ( which also has worked with Tensnake, Classix, Flight Facilities, and many more). Jagwar Ma’s debut album, Howlin, has given a prove that Sydney is a gold mine for a good music.

6. Peace

A quartet from Birmingham, Peace, came to the rescue a guitar-driven music in the UK! The band consists of brothers Harry (vocals, guitar) and Samuel Koisser (bass), Douglas Castle (guitar) and Dominic Boyce (drums). The band also made their debut performance for Glastonbury 2013. Their debut album, In Love, was produced by Jim Abbiss, the producer of Arctic Monkeys’s “Whatever People Say I Am….” And contained re-recorded version of 3 of their hits such as “Wraith”, “California Daze”, and of course, “Follow Baby”. Guardian and NME have listed them as “band to watch” and “purveyor of 2012’s catchiest song”. BBC have listed them in the “Sound of 2013” list.

7. Chvrches

The scottish electro-pop trio which were formed in 2011 consists of Lauren Mayberry (lead vocals, additional synthesizers and samplers), Iain Cook (synthesizers, guitar, bass, vocals), and Martin Doherty (synthesizers, samplers,vocals). The appearance of Chvrces surely is a fresh air of Glasgow’s music scene, and they set a high bar for some kick-ass accomplishments. The album The Bones of What You Believe contains of experimental sounds that will float you to the spaces. Stormed out from Glasgow music club to a bona-fide music festival, Chvrches are seriously in the game. The hype recognition which is reached in a quite short term doesn’t give a reason to the band as one of the one-hit wonders. It’s clear that Lauren, Iain, and Martin are ready to blast with another infectious tunes of Chvrches.

8. Lorde

This young girl named Lorde has a special something going on. At the age of sixteen she has bombed the music chart and make her way to the top. The New Zealander kitty has been talked about by well-known musicians for her abbility in writing songs. Her debut album, Pure Heroine, made herself a truly heroine. The album has a major variation of music, from darkwave to synth pop. To validate that she’s been making some real deal, her name is ready to battle with the other musicians as she gets nominated in Grammy Awards 2014. Yes, you heard that, the kitty is ready to roar her music. Louder.

9. MS MR

The New Yorker MS MR ( (Lizzie Plapinger and Max Hershenow) has made their own path for their music. The chillwave/glitch-pop/gloom rock tunes from MS MR will be easily received by Florence + The Machine’s fan or Lana Del Rey’s. The duo have released their E.P titled “Candy Bar Creep Show” on September 14 2012. And it was released via Tumblr. The ep consists of four tracks, they are “Bones”, “Hurricane”, “Dark Doo Woop”, and “Ash Tree Lane”. Their debut single “Hurricane” get good critics from the reviewers and complimented that the song has the enchanting vintage sound. The duo’s debut album, Secondhand Rapture, climbed to number for Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart.

10. Parquet Courts

From the Big Apple comes a big talent, Parquet Courts. The band consist of Andrew Savage (guitar, vocals),Austin Brown (guitar,vocals), Max Savage (drums) and Sean Yeaton (bass). Parquet Courts originally released a full lenght album, Light Up Gold, in 2012. However, they re-released the album in 2013 with a larger label. It’s pretty clear that Parquet Courts represent the underdog culture, by seeing the band’s statement and their roots, they want to show the world the unseen space, the ugliness and the awkwardness that the world has avoided. Maybe Parquet Courts sound very typical for their very underground statement, but as we see deeper, this band is genuine.

You know what is the typical of new bands? They claim their music as an experimental work. That might be some excuse so they could get away from bad critics. But for Chvrches, making an experimental music has run through their veins. The scottish electro-pop trio which were formed in 2011 consists of Lauren Mayberry (lead vocals, additional synthesizers and samplers), Iain Cook (synthesizers, guitar, bass, vocals), and Martin Doherty (synthesizers, samplers,vocals). The appearance of Chvrces surely is a fresh air of Glasgow’s music scene, and they set a high bar for some kick-ass accomplishments.

Before Chvrches were formed, Iain and and Martin already know each other as they also went to the same school. On the night of Aereogramme’s (Iain’s previous band), Iain and Martin sat down in the hotel and started question the path of their music, the idea of creating musics that people want to hear popped out, and it straightly brought them to Laura, since Iain was working on her Blue Sky Archives EP and Martin had been listening some of Laura’s music. And after asking Lauren about the idea, they started forming the band. Then, Chvrches happened.

In May 2012, Chvrches released their first song, ‘Lies’, via a music blog called Neon Gold. The song itself gained the band’s traction so quickly, even The Guardian featured them on New Bands of the Day. Three months after they premiered ‘Lies’, the band launched ‘The Mother We Share’. The song is their official debut single which is hailed by the Guardian and Pitchfork. On September 30th 2013, Chvrches released their debut album ‘the Bones of What You Believe’. The album rapidly strikes the music chart and well-received by music critics. Larry Fitzmaurice of Pitchfork wrote “She can sound cutting, aching, triumphant, fragile, and weightless, sometimes all at once; on “Lies”, she soars above the chorus’ mountainous build, and her vocal surge rescues the murky techno of “Science/Visions”… ”. The band’s musical influences are from Prince to Shoegaze’s Cocteaue Twins, you can even find a dip of new wave music on their album. To top their track record, Chvrches won Inaugural Grulke Prize (for Developing Non-US Act) at South by Southwest.The trio also have marked a remarkable live performance slot at various music festivals like Reading Festival to Summersonic. In 2014, the band will also make their South-East Asian debut at St.Jerome’s Laneway Festival Singapore.

Stormed out from Glasgow music club to a bona-fide music festival, Chvrches are seriously in the game. The hype recognition which is reached in a quite short term doesn’t give a reason to the band as one of the one-hit wonders. It’s clear that Lauren, Iain, and Martin are ready to blast with another infectious tunes of Chvrches. “We’re not really in the business of writing chirpy pop songs” – Lauren Mayberry

As the line-up for Laneway Festival Australia was published two days earlier (24/09), the Singapore’s installment finally reveals their line-up today. Last year, the festival had Tame Impala, Kimbra, and Divine Fits as one of the line-up. For this year, there will be :

The annual music festival will return to the 2013’s festival site, The Meadow Gardens by The Bay, and for the first time ever, this year’s Laneway are presenting not just one, but three Singapore artists; Gema, The Observatory and Vandetta. Also in this coming January will also be the first time they setting up three stages aside from the two stages you are already familiar with, a third stage will be added for us to present the entire line-up in this 12-hour festival, turning The Meadow into a festival in the truest sense of the word.

“We have always wanted to showcase local talents since we started here in 2009. This year, with the addition of a third stage, we finally had the room to actually do it. These three acts I picked personally are all truly worthy of their position in this incredible group of artists. Festival-goers are in for such a treat,”  -Danny Rogers, one of the founders of Laneway Festival.

The tickets will go on sale on October 1^st 2013 via SISTIC and Event Clique.

Yup. It’s the time of the year again. Summer is finally here, and the cheery-yet-laidback holiday feel is back creeping on us. True to the tradition, we’ve picked out 13 summer anthems that fit the criteria to be the soundtracks of the most anticipated holiday of the season. Whether you’re sunbathing in the beach or just simply sipping on your lemonade at home, these tunes will make everything feel much more fun and jolly.

1. Trains – Wampire

With its lazy and breezy tune, Trains quickly puts you in a true summer mood. Its retro-funk feel will compel you to just relax, to lie down on the warm sand of the beach, and put your shades on as you bask in the heavenly sunlight.

2. 3am Spiritual – Smith Westerns

Craving for a peek of the new Smith Westerns album, Soft Will? This track might give you an idea or two of what the band have to offer. 3am Spiritual has some kind of a John Lennon-inspired melancholy goodness to it, completed with a touch of emotional guitar solo that will make you feel like you’re being thrown into a time machine and get sent back to the 1960s—which, is a cool decade, by the way. This is the song you’d want to be on play as you surf the waves of the Indian Ocean, or when you’re speeding down the highway that leads to your summer destination.

3. Alive – Empire of the Sun

The chorus of this song sounds pretty self-explanatory; “Loving every minute ‘cause you make me feel so alive,” sings Luke Steele. It’s a dancing ecstasy that sends tingles to every fiber of your body, making it hard for you to not break into a move. The shimmery synths make listening to the whole track feels like a trip to Neptune in the middle of summer; escaping from the hot, unforgivable heat, to the chilly and freezing planet. It’s been said many times that the mind is a powerful thing, and Alive will probably help you tone down the high temperature and cope with the heat wave that is to come during the season.

4. White Noise – Disclosure (feat Aluna George)

The sharp staccato synth melody, combined with the sugary sweet, almost-childlike voice of Aluna Francis (of Aluna George), is definitely the recipe for this catchy and dancy track. There’s probably nothing cooler than to have this song playing in a hip beach party you’re attending.

5. Demon Dance – Surfer Blood

Demon Dance is the second single off the new Surfer Blood album, Phytons. Judging from the sound of this song, it seems that Surfer Blood have managed to maintain their signature indie-meets-grunge roots. It’s packed with gritty pop vocals and hooky, Weezer-ish guitar, but the light melody makes the song a perfect company as you do your summer activities–maybe even get you to sing (or shout) along to a few lines from it.

6. Diane Young – Vampire Weekend

Aside from the funky bass and clattering drums, the surf guitar from Rostam Batmanglij also makes this somewhat abstract song something immensely fun to listen to. If this doesn’t immediately put you in a summery, groovy party mood, we’re not sure what would.

7. She Changes the Weather – Swim Deep

Mighty guitar squalls? Check. Frontman Austin Williams cooing like a Romeo? Check. This could be the soundtrack for your beautiful summer love.

8. Guns – CHVRCHES

Hauled as the band’s “best track to date” by many, Gun has an electro-pop sound and simple bass. It doesn’t sound too flashy or boisterous, which makes it a perfect summer festival sing-along.

9. The National – Sea of Love

Sea of Love (from which the band’s new album—“Trouble Will Find Me”– had taken its title from) is a tender, vigorous rock song that charms its way to your heart at the first listen. It could also be the perfect song for a slow, humid day.

10. Jessica – Major Lazer (feat Ezra Koenig)

It’s a low-paced ska-tinged jam that triggers a modicum of head nodding. The first thing that crosses your mind once you hear the intro would be an image of  an exotic tropical island with white sand and palm trees on the sides. Add Ezra Koenig’s vocal, and you’ve got yourself an engrossing song to hum to as you take a walk to the beach.

11. No Shelter – Blouse

No Shelter feels like a valley girl-acid trip, coated in some post-punk feel and a flavor of west coast America. The Portland band surely succeeded to deliver all the hazy goodness in this song.

12. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke (feat T.I. and Pharrell)

When you ignore its racy content, the track is a bubbly bit of disco-shuffling R&B, with the (almost) right balance of smooth and soulful.

13. Get Lucky – Daft Punk

Okay. Some of you are probably shaking your head right now, saying that this one should be on the top of the list. The rest would probably argue that the hype has murdered this song for you that you can’t even listen to it anymore. But still, you can’t deny that the song sounds so, so good. Get Lucky is a formidable old-school disco jam. It’s intoxicating with the combination of minor chords and regular disco-type “up” beats throughout the song. A number of critics have even called it a track that represents “all that’s right in electronic music.” All in all, it’s a fun song that fits the happy mood of summer, a tune that easily gets one to sway their way to the dance floor.

 (Shafira Desliara/Photo: Karpe Diem)