Impact 89FM

WDBM-FM 88.9 East Lansing, MI

Student Radio at Michigan State University

indie rock

Yellow Red Sparks – Happiness Comes In A Box

Yellow Red Sparks – Happiness Comes In A Box

California’s sunny disposition seems to erupt with acoustic acts (Blind Pilot, anyone?), but Yellow Red Sparks is rising in the ranks quickly. With a laid-back, peaceful nature to the sound, it’s easy to slip into a mindful state while listening. It’s a simple setup: acoustic guitar, stand-up bass, minimal drum kit, but it’s all the band needs as they croon their way into your heart. Check out a live performance of their song “Happiness Comes In a Box” off their 2013 debut album Yellow Red Sparks below. Read More…

This Town Needs Guns – Left Aligned

This Town Needs Guns – Left Aligned

Oxford, England’s This Town Needs Guns (now going by the moniker TTNG), are the perfect blend of math and indie rock. Though initially kind of a shock to the system, the pacing and instrumentation of the band’s include off-time and technical drums, extremely complicated and “noodle-y” guitar riffs, and soft-spoken, airy vocals. After a slew of lineup changes, the band have emerged as a three-piece (the reasons to be impressed should be piling up by now) and released the album 13.0.0.0.0 early this year. Check out the track “Left Aligned” off that album below. Read More…

Modest Mouse – Spitting Venom

Modest Mouse – Spitting Venom

After a musical career lasting two decades, Modest Mouse has become a household name in indie rock. As the Seattle-based band progressed through their six albums and six EPs, their sound has been refined to a point of contention. They’ve managed, however, to keep their trademark sound: simple, yet progressive instrumentation, delicate song structures, and off-kilter vocals. Check out a song that got little attention “Spitting Venom” off their 2009 album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank below. Read More…

Bettie Serveert – Shake-Her

Bettie Serveert – Shake-Her

Why does it seem that Dutch indie bands always find the coolest ways to different? Amsterdam’s Bettie Serveert bridge the gap between indie rock and progressive rock. Like a mix between Muse, The Blue Van, and Metric, the band make the kind of garage rock that would blow the freakin’ doors off. The distorted, guitar-based songs are constantly at odds with each other, creating a rather dynamic feel to their tenth album. Check out the opener “Shake-Her” off their 2013 release Oh, Mayhem! below. Read More…

Rare Monk – Death By Proxy

Rare Monk – Death By Proxy

Rare Monk are a melting pot of indie rock. Combining all different types of rock including, but not limited to soul, garage, indie, folk, and electronic. Like a broken down, raw version of Atlas Genius, the Portland-based five-piece have only been in the scene for a couple years. Often getting into fits of experimental, psychedelic rage, Rare Monk could be described as a mix between Surfer Blood and The Killers. Check out the song “Death By Proxy” off their 2013 album Sleep/Attack below. Read More…

Infantree – Original Sin

Infantree – Original Sin

The third and newest album Hero’s Dose from the San Fernando Valley indie rock band Infantree have been climbing the ranks of the music scene for the last five years. Combining elements of rock, indie rock, and folk, Infantree provide relaxed, yet upbeat sounds to brighten your day. Simple, yet creative beats carry the album while floating guitar lines connect the dots between Fleet Foxes-esque vocal harmonies. Check out the song “Original Sin” off their 2012 album Hero’s Dose below. Read More…

Young Man – In A Sense

Young Man – In A Sense

As of three weeks ago, there’s a new juggernaut in the indie rock scene. Young Man hails from Chicago by way of Minnesota and provides a smooth-sounding, percussion-based take on contemporary indie rock. With their debut album being released on March 27th, these up-and-comers are just starting out, but it sounds like they already have the suave know-how and passive energy of indie veterans. Check out the music video for their first single “In A Sense” off their 2013 debut album Beyond Was All Around Me below. Read More…

Legs Like Tree Trunks – Anchorage

Legs Like Tree Trunks – Anchorage

Born in 2011, Legs Like Tree Trunks are flying straight out of Pizzaburgh, Pennsylvania. The mathy, folky, indie, rocky music is a subtle segue into a complicated world. Mathy overtones hang like icicles, eventually falling and smashing onto the indie rock porch LLTT have made a base from. Accessibility is key and there is plenty here. Fun, upbeat, and full of pizazz, Legs Like Tree Trunks are sure to leave a mark on the music industry in the years to come. Check out their most accessible song “Anchorage” off their 2012 EP Future Reference below. Read More…

Bound Stems – Passing Bell

Bound Stems – Passing Bell

It’s hard to describe the sound of Chicago’s Bound Stems. They give an interesting perspective on noise/indie/pop rock that can only be compared to the likes of Modest Mouse or Franz Ferdinand. Though they broke up in 2008, there are four EPs and two albums out there that are definitely worth checking out. New bands formed from the ashes of Bound Stems include Like Pioneers and Sleepy Kitty. If you’re as confused as I am by this description, check out their song “Passing Bell” off their 2008 album The Family Afloat below. Read More…

Benjy Ferree – In the Countryside

Benjy Ferree – In the Countryside

Washington, D.C-based Benjy Ferree plays an eclectic form of rock that changes from song to song on and album to album. Switching from straight-laced indie rock to back-country folk to simple-structured rock, he’ll always keep you guessing. When on a rock kick, he almost sounds like a Jack White impersonator with a Neutral Milk Hotel cover band playing behind him. Check out the odd video for his track “In the Countryside” off his debut album Leaving the Nest below. Read More…

1 2 3  Scroll to top