Yo howdy! Arthur here, back with another episode of Off Air with Arthur. I’m 4 days late with this so I apologize, although it’s not like you were waiting for this in the first place, so chill. Let’s get into some totally radical new music from off the beaten path starting with…
Jonti
This guy is what I like to call a “semi-weird beard.” His music is just left-of-center enough to be weird, but he doesn’t go full-blown weirdo on you and keeps things pretty funky and straightforward-ish. He sounds like a splash of The Beach Boys and electronica with a sprinkle of soul. Jonti is an Australian singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has been releasing music on Stones Throw Records (my favorite label) since 2011. He has been on a bit of a hiatus until his recently released single “Rain“. I definitely recommend giving his album Twirlygig a thorough listen.
Nick Hakim
Holy moly man, this is one of the best new voices I have come across recently. Hakim is a total throwback to the golden era of soul singers, with just enough rock sensibility to give him a bit of an edge. His music is challenging, emotional, and oh so beautiful. His first proper album Green Twins is a wonderful collection of alt-soul songs from another dimension.
Why?
Yes I know, former Oakland based indie-darlings Why? have been on the podcast before. Yes, I’m including a different song. Yes, it’s the best song ever. Why? is one of my favorite bands of all-time, and this was a really slow week for new music that I actually liked, so I am taking the opportunity to play a gem off of their 2008 album Alopecia. I have been obsessed with Why? since the days when the band was just one guy, Yoni Wolf (full-blown weird beard btw), producing nerd-core hip-hop a full 15 years before that even became a thing. Nowadays, Why? is a full on indie rock force in the underground scene with 7 albums under their belt. Only two of them are good in my opinion (Elephant Eyelash and Alopecia), but those 2 are so good I’m willing to forget the other 5 travesties.
Make sure you tweet me your recommendations for new music @couldbearthur.
Toodaloo!