Brooklyn's Fletcher C. Johnson is technically one man and a band all at the same time; Fletcher C. Johnson is both the name of a trio and the lead singer of said trio. In their/his newest music video for “Messin’ Up My Mind,” cardboard aliens plus ticked off beehived back up singers make for a hilariously DIY experience. This mega catchy retro-tinged rock single was originally released in April as the A-side of the band's 7". If you aren’t listening for the infectious tunes, be sure to watch for the healthy dose of absurd, pizza-throwing humor -- not surprising at all from a band that describes their sound as, "A guy making trumpet noises with his mouth.” - Corinne Bagish
Ambient and slightly androgynous, the duo Belle Mare released their dreamy debut EP “The Boat of the Fragile Mind” earlier this spring. The EP resonates with somber tones and almost whale-like howls, unraveling soft acoustic guitar, simple piano melodies, and occasional subtle drones. The title track features the quivering vocals of Amelia Bushell, one half of the Belle Mare duo with guitarist Thomas Servidone, painting a dreamscape portrait of longing. Charade (streaming below) gently develops an unexpected blue melody that can lull you into the deepest of sleeps - I've heard of people dreaming of sleeping, in NYC. The duo met at an open mic night in Brooklyn and recorded the album in Servidone’s apartment, but notwithstanding the DIY approach, the record is full of character and the sound mature. With their mix of rich surrealism and an almost gothic aura, these song sounds as if played through an antique phonograph inside a parlor room... located in the deepest of our subconscious. While “The Boat” could easily draw comparisons to other dream-poppers Beach House, Belle Mare’s subtleties and extreme sparsness create a stronger emotional drive and more nostalgic appeal. - Devon Antonetti
