And if you want to keep discovering new indie songs every week, don’t forget to follow the playlist! It is updated every Friday (and sometimes on other days too!). Here’s what’s new today:

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Midday energy boost

Best place to listen

On the road, At home

Does this song haunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

Sometimes you only need a few seconds to understand that a song deserves your attention. “Lie To Me”, the latest single from Seattle band Marsalis, does exactly that. Dennis Zender’s voice arrives almost immediately and sets the tone. Strong, confident, and impossible to ignore.

Marsalis formed in West Seattle in 2016 and is built around three musicians: lead singer and guitarist Dennis Zender, bassist Adam Bishop and keyboardist Theresa Cadondon. On stage the band performs with additional musicians, including a drummer and a second guitarist.

One thing we appreciated right away with “Lie To Me” is the way the band allows the song to grow naturally. The track runs a little over four minutes and actually takes time to introduce itself. There is a real introduction, verses that settle in, and a chorus that arrives when the moment feels right. That may sound simple, but it is becoming rare today. Many modern productions jump to the hook as quickly as possible in order to secure a stream. Marsalis clearly chose another path.

The melody quickly sticks in your head, but the structure of the song deserves just as much credit. The bridge is a perfect example. It is often the most delicate part of a song, yet here it works beautifully. Vocal harmonies appear, the electric guitar steps forward, and the section builds patiently before leading into the final chorus.

Lyrically, “Lie To Me” deals with a difficult emotional situation. The band describes the song as an "exploration of the moment when someone tries to give a relationship another chance while slowly realizing that the situation may already be unhealthy. Feelings, attraction and shared history can blur the reality of what is happening".

One line stands above the rest, and it is also our favorite in the entire song: “but the sugar seems sweeter than the pain”.

That sentence alone says a lot. It describes how easy it is to hold on to the good moments while quietly overlooking the damage happening at the same time.

Musically, the band shows impressive control. Theresa Cadondon’s keys add beautiful colors to the arrangement while Adam Bishop’s bass playing keeps everything moving with good fluidity. His work becomes especially noticeable near the end of the track as the arrangement briefly strips down. The bass supports the guitar before Zender returns with that final line once again: “but the sugar seems sweeter than the pain”. The song closes on that thought in a way that feels completely natural.

Despite the difficult theme, the overall atmosphere of the track remains energetic and uplifting. The melody stays with you long after the first listen, and the production reveals small details when heard through a good pair of headphones.

They will soon bring that energy back to the stage. On March 21 the band will perform at The Crocodile in Seattle, one of the city’s best known venues. Grab your tickets! If you know the history of that place, you know it hosted many important names over the years, including Nirvana long before the band became world famous.

Marsalis already played there in 2017 on the same night as Flagship. Funny detail for us at Indie Music Center: we still have the Flagship CD sitting on our editorial shelf among the albums artists have sent us over the years, after we featured them in 2018. The music world can feel very small sometimes!

This upcoming concert will take place in the venue’s largest room, something that rarely happens for a local independent band. The show will also be all ages, which has become increasingly complicated to organize in Seattle due to local regulations and the disappearance of smaller venues.

Meanwhile “Lie To Me” continues to circulate online and has now passed the 60,000 stream mark. The track has also been featured on our "New Indie Music" playlist for the past four weeks, where it quickly became one of the songs receiving the strongest organic support from listeners.

Marsalis remind us that sometimes the simplest things remain the most effective: a strong melody, musicians who clearly understand each other, and a song that takes the time to say what it needs to say.

Marsalis's take on "Lie To Me"

It’s hard to find the balance between giving a relationship a chance and accepting abuse, isn't it? There are a lot of variables but the emotions/attraction/history can muddy the water. You can see people that put up with a lot and try to stay connected to people when it’s obvious the situation is unhealthy... We can get caught up in the good "feels" when they happen and then not give enough weight to the bad ones that are dragging us down. Are we being honest with ourselves about these relationships? Should we re-examine?

A bit more about Marsalis

Marsalis released their self-titled debut EP in 2016. The record quickly found its audience in the Pacific Northwest and was later voted Pacific Northwest Album of the Year by readers of Northwest Music Scene.

In 2018 the band followed with a second EP, “The Assault On Silence.” The project brought Dennis Zender, Adam Bishop, Theresa Cadondon and Philthy together around a set of songs that pushed the band’s sound a little further.

Since then Marsalis have played a number of well-known venues on the West Coast, including The Roxy in Vancouver, The Crocodile in Seattle and Whisky-A-Go-Go in Hollywood. Several of their songs have also received radio airplay across the region, with a few stations even picking them up as far away as Boston.

In early 2018 the West Seattle Herald described Marsalis as a band “on the cusp of fame.”

Reach out to Marsalis

Lyrics

Lie to Me… Lie to Me
Words are meaningless
Cheap and free
Lie to Me
 
All your stories seem to contradict each other, baby
Your excuses seem to fall like the rain
And it seems I’m being taken to the cleaners
But the sugar seems sweeter than the pain
 
Oh,
 
Lie to Me… Lie to Me
Words are meaningless
Cheap and free
Lie to Me
 
You rent a space within my heart you’ve never paid for, baby
An open tab on all my insecurities
I spill my guts and you inflict on me a fever
But the sugar, it seems sweeter than the pain… oh yea
 
Lie to Me… Lie to Me
Words are meaningless
Cheap and free
 
Lie to Me… Lie to Me
I feel so pitiful
Full of my insecurities
 
You capture the worst of me
You push me away
When you lie to me baby, yea
When you like to me baby, yea
When you lie to me, lie to me, lie to me
When you lie
 
Lie to me… Lie to me, yea, oh yea
Words are meaningless, yea
Cheap and free, and free, and free
 
Lie to me… Lie to me, oh yea
I feel so pitiful… oh so pitiful
In my insecurities, yea
 
But, the sugar seems sweeter than the pain

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Picture by Scott Butner

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this album

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Midday energy boost

Best place to listen

On the road, or at home

Does this album haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

Let’s go not far from our friend Kahone Concept, into the streets of Philadelphia, to discover Trainwreck Boyfriend, a band of six friends: 4 guys and 2 girls. Vocally, the band is carried by Greta et Kristin’s voice. Yes, an alt-rock band fronted by girls! It’s quite rare, and it’s a detail we loved from the first seconds of listening to their debut album, simply titled Trainwreck Boyfriend.

As soon as you hear wonderful female vocals on “Freak Show,” the opening track, you get pulled back into a very nostalgic place. We immediately thought about a blessed era, when we were listening to bands like Hooverphonic, The Cardigans, and even The Corrs. Those unforgettable melodies that stay in your head, strong and well-built, pushed forward by female voices. That’s exactly what you’ll find on this album, and it’s honestly impressive how solid it feels from start to finish. There’s also one obvious thing that connects everything: you can hear the pleasure the band had while putting it together. You can feel it in the details, and you can feel it in the choices they made all along the way.

You get sounds we really love on tracks like “Apartment Life,” which mixes piano, strings, and electric guitar in a way that just works. It’s the kind of balance that only Moby used to pull off so well. Sometimes the electric guitar takes a bit more space, like on “Checkmate.” Sometimes it’s the synths that take the lead, like on “Love, Emily.” Nothing feels forced. It’s just natural, and it keeps the album moving.
Trainwreck Boyfriend also explores a lot of different territories. “Feels Like Summer” almost makes you think about reggae rhythms, while “Invisible” reminds you that yes, you’re still listening to a real alt-rock band, and a talented one. The band mentions The Cure, The Pixies, and The Smiths as influences, and it makes sense. You can hear that rock DNA, but with a soft heart behind it. And most importantly, the songs carry messages that mean something.

All through the album, you go through chapters of the human experience: the highs, the lows, the wounds, the vulnerable moments. And it’s done with lyrics that are written and controlled perfectly. Greta even told us she has a bit of a perfectionist side when it comes to writing:

“Writing thoughtful lyrics is very important to me. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get that right”.

She also gave us more context about how the songs are born. Most of the time, it’s Billy who starts things by throwing around a dozen riffs to the others every week. Then Greta tries to go through that whole mess and find a vocal melody on top of it, using nonsense words at first. And when it finally sounds right, it becomes real lyrics. Lyrics that will get rewritten again and again until everything feels perfect, and until it matches what they wanted to say.

That perfectionist side is everywhere on the album. You hear it in the vocals (there are absolutely no wrong notes), in the melodies, and in the production, which is clean down to the smallest details. The record was produced by Kyle Pulley at Headroom Studios, and the result is almost too clean for an indie band, in the best way. It’s exactly what makes you want more, because it sounds good instantly, and it stays good after many listens.

And since this is the band’s only album so far, you basically have two options. Either you play it on repeat. Or you take out your old Cardigans CDs and blow the dust off. But whatever you do, you’ll get a really enjoyable musical trip, where the listener is respected every second, because this album is clearly made for them. A great example of altruism from a new band with a chemistry that feels special.

A bit more about Trainwreck Boyfriend

We’re based in Philadelphia, and we’re Trainwreck Boyfriend: a female-fronted band serving up raw indie rock with riffs, melodies, and thoughtful lyrics that prove life’s a mess… but it sounds great. Our sound draws influence from The Beths, Momma, Veruca Salt, and timeless bands like The Smiths, The Cure, and The Pixies. We aim for the right balance between polish and grit, writing songs that hit with honesty and emotion, like a soundtrack for life’s imperfections. Each track feels relatable to us, capturing moments of tension, heartbreak, and hope in a way that stays grounded and still feels fresh. We’re excited about our self-titled album, and we’re looking forward to a coast-to-coast tour.

Reach out to Trainwreck Boyfriend

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

On the road, At home

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

Superstition doesn’t seem to matter much to Raze Michael. Thirteen songs made it onto his new album, released on October 10, and he didn’t think twice about it. Some would have stopped at twelve, just in case. Not him. He went all in, and we truly think it paid off. Right from the first seconds of “freckled n flushed”, featuring OGB, you know it’s going to be something special. The mix of strings, voices, and soft beats feels smooth and honest. It doesn’t try to impress you. But it just sounds good, like it came straight from the heart! You can really feel it.

Then it keeps going naturally. One song after another, different moods, different colors, but it all feels connected. Fans of indie pop will have a great time with huge bangers like “neptune” and “rockn roll it”, both full of energy and catchy in all the right ways. But the rest of the album goes into a more RnB atmosphere, warm and rich, with a bunch of collaborations that each bring their own flavor. Every guest fits perfectly, no one feels out of place.

What makes this album being brilliant is the feeling behind it. It’s bright, it's full of life, even when the lyrics talk about breakups or things that didn’t go as planned. Raze Michael turns old wounds into something beautiful. The way he talks about love, loss, and finding peace again makes you feel like he’s sitting next to you, telling his story. There’s nothing fancy in the way he says it. But you'll find plain truth here, the kind that takes you because it’s real.

He doesn’t hide behind effects or metaphors. The production is clean but not sterile, and the songs breathe. You can feel that the people behind this project actually care about what they’re making. Every little sound, every layer has its place, and that attention makes a big difference.

The album also has some nice surprises. “things you wouldn’t say”, featuring rapper Shaudie Man, stands out right away. It’s playful and bold, mixing indie pop and rap in a way that just works. To be honest, this is the first time we’ve ever featured a track with rap on Indie Music Center. It’s not something we usually do, but this one was impossible to ignore. The quality is there, and it fits the spirit of what we do: discovering artists who make music that feels honest.

Another gem is “where you go”. It has that nostalgic side of a song you’ve known forever, even if you just heard it. And there's a reason for that. It sat for years on a hard drive before finally finding its place on this record, and you can tell it means something to him. It feels like closing a loop, or like finishing a sentence that was left hanging for a bit too long.

The whole thing runs a bit over forty minutes, but dang, it goes by fast! Each song adds something, and before you know it, you’ve listened to the entire album without skipping a track. That doesn’t happen often. When it’s over, you just want to hit play again. Oh no, not really because you missed something, but because it feels good to stay in that world a bit longer.

In the end, “i can’t wait to know you, always” is an album about love, in all the ways it changes us. The kind that lifts you, breaks you, and teaches you something new every time. Raze Michael doesn’t preach, but shares what he’s learned and brilliantly and smartly because there’s no bitterness, no regrets, just growth and clarity.

This album is out of our usual comfort zone but we felt comfortable while reviewing it! It’s simply good music made by someone who’s got something to say. And says it with honesty.

Reach out to Rize Michael

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If you enjoyed this album, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this album

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

On the road, Out in nature

Does this albumhaunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

What first caught our attention with Mark Stephen Pelfrey was how naturally he fits into the IMC universe. As you know, here we take the time to enjoy music, far from social media and from environments filled with algorithms. And this guy who grew up in South Carolina takes the time to make music that takes its time. And that’s something we love.

He has just released his album Lake Isabelle, and we can tell you it’s a gem like we haven’t heard since the 2000s, and what a joy. From the start, with the first track Long Lake, we understand in just four minutes where Mark Stephen Pelfrey wants to take us: on a memorable musical walk where the one-minute intro offers beautiful rhythm variations before revealing this warm voice, perfectly controlled and balanced, creating from the first seconds a comfortable feeling that stays through the whole album.

Each song lets us dig a little deeper into the artist’s influences, and from Lake Isabelle, the second track and title of the album, we move into more cinematic tones, even with discreet brass in the background, later brought forward and joined by a harmonica and an incredible electric guitar.

In just over 40 minutes, you will feel like you have travelled through wide open lands, through this musical journey filled with an impressive number of instruments, magical and inspiring landscapes, and above all, the undeniable writing talent of the artist.

Slow down the pace with Hollow, shared with artist Calinoda, then speed it up again with Known as Sadness, which, despite what its title suggests, is a real indie folk banger with choirs and a lively banjo. Let yourself be carried by the soulful vocal performance of Skipping Stones, while Long Drive takes you into a moving story that might bring a few tears.

Like autumn leaves marking a time of change with their bright colors, Colorado Springs is a small interlude without vocals, only with a beautiful acoustic guitar. A bit like a delicate pause before the adventure starts again with Wild Stranger, a folk rock gem that shows a perfect meeting between acoustic and electric guitars.

The energy becomes soft again and the light more gentle to end the album with Breaking All The Time, which, through its lyrics, perfectly reflects the main idea of this album: Take your time. And for those who want a bit more, an acoustic bonus track closes the listening experience nicely and shows that even with a simple studio take and no mixing, Mark Stephen Pelfrey’s vocal performance is incredibly impressive.
To sum up, we can say that it’s rare to hear such craftsmanship on a folk-oriented album, with a touch of folk rock and a little bit of soul music. Whether it’s the production, which highlights each instrument without mixing them all together, or the writing, touching and emotional, this album has everything you expect from an autumn companion: warmth, a link with nature, emotion, and above all, authenticity. The mix of styles and energies works well, sometimes with more dynamic tracks, sometimes calmer ones, without losing its unity. Mark Stephen Pelfrey is a real favorite for us and a musician like you don’t find often anymore.

By the way, while we were doing some research for this article, we noticed that our friend Susanne (@susbidi) had already featured this genius four years ago, and that he is followed by... Luna Keller, who happens to be our favorite podcast host and reviewer. Yes, we often tell you, the indie music world is both very large and very small at the same time, and everyone knows each other. But that’s fine with us. Because the day mainstream radios start looking into our wonderful artists, their magic will be gone.

On our side, we’ll be following this aritst's career closely because, in our humble opinion, he’s not done surprising us!

Mark Stephen Pelfrey's take on the album

I wrote, recorded, produced, mastered and designed this album independently. I take a lot of pride being indie, and I'd love to have my work featured on your site. The following is the story behind the album: it's themes are echoed throughout the 11 tracks. The tone, the mood, the vibes, the ebbs and flows of it all are very intentional

Reach out to Mark Stephen Pelfrey

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If you enjoyed this album, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Rainy day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

At home

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

For the past few months, we have seen a musical shift for our dear artist Laura Lucas, the talented Canadian now based in Australia. In addition to her folk sounds, she is now experimenting successfully with electric guitars, which are shaping her musical evolution, as shown in her new single “Woman.”

With a very catchy chorus that will not leave your head for hours, the artist sends us a clear message: she is now fully in control of her life, her desires, and her feelings, and no one will ever change that:

“Like a lot of people, I grew up internalising a patriarchal script about sex and relationships that really does not set women up for fulfilling connections,” Laura shares. “There was a point in my early twenties when I started to interrogate that script, and this song is a product of that questioning”.

Her long-awaited debut album “There’s a Place I Go” will arrive on November 14 via Nettwerk, and will include the excellent “Did the Mountain Change You.”

“Woman” is truly an open letter to those who still believe they can impose their vision and desires on women, and we can only salute the strength of this accomplished artist.

A real pleasure to listen to, as always, and another jewel in her already rich discography of masterpieces.

A bit more about Laura Lucas

Laura Lucas didn’t exactly "choose" music. It just kind of showed up, unpacked its bags, and made itself at home. Growing up in Canada with parents who always had music playing, she picked up a guitar at 10 and never really looked back. Songwriting quickly became her way to deal with the chaos of life. A quiet space where she could put her feelings, even if no one else ever heard the result. Then came 2019. Laura arrived in Melbourne for an exchange trip and something shifted. Suddenly, all those songs that used to stay hidden started asking to be shared. She jumped into the local scene, met some amazing people, and finally started letting the world in on what had been going on behind the scenes. Since then, she’s released two EPs, "Light The Candle, Hold The Mirror" and "The Dreamer", worked with artists like Lawson Hull and Rod Coote, and opened for legends like Harrison Storm and LANKS. Laura has a rare gift for writing songs that feel like they were ripped straight out of a diary you didn’t know you needed to read. Keep an eye on her. Something tells us she’s just getting started.

Reach out to Laura Lucas

Lyrics

Spent too much time
Kissing people I don’t wanna kiss
Too many lies
Lived their lives out on my lips
I don’t know why
I don’t know a gut feeling when I see one
When he’s inside
Don’t feel like a woman but I’ll be one

They say I should want this, want this, want this
Don’t know what I want is, want is, want is
I think I want this, want this, want this
Just not like this, like this, like this

What’s mine is yours
But what’s yours is never gonna be mine
And I know for sure
This isn’t what it’s supposed to feel like
I’ve been here before
And I know that shame is just a white lie

And it says I should want this, want this, want this
Don’t know what I want is, want is, want is
I think I want this, want this, want this
Just not like this, like this, like this

Just be a good girl, just be inviting
A little rough but always abiding
Love what you got, but keep it in hiding
Hiding, hiding

They say I should want this, want this, want this
Don’t know what I want is, want is, want is

They say I should want this, want this, want this
Don’t know what I want is, want is, want is
I think I want this, want this, want this
Just not like this, like this, like this

Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh

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If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Rainy day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

At home, Before bedtime

Does this song haunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

Some articles are easier to write than others. Sometimes everything falls into place. Life drops a series of hints, and you just know this song came at the right time. When that happens, it usually means it will land with the same force in other people’s lives. And that is exactly why it needs to be shared.

"goodbye" is the new collaboration between Luna Keller and Dom Malin, following Overgrown and Shoulder. It also announces a full EP coming in September, and it is safe to say that tears will be shed. This first single already managed to do that. How is that possible? Am I too sensitive? Or is this song simply too good? I would argue for the second option.

The writing of these two combined always hits hard, with lines like “Found an anchor in your eyes” or the imagery of “Slow motion as you turn / Sunset makes my eyes burn.” Yes, goodbye is a breakup song, but at the same time it feels like a declaration of love, or maybe a last grasp of attachment to a love that is slipping away. Either way, the song is alive, powerful, and some of that strength comes from the fact that Luna herself was going through a breakup while writing it.

There are small unexpected noises left in the recording on purpose. It is a live take, raw and honest, and you can hear it. That choice only heightens the emotion, making every word and every line even stronger.

I will not introduce these two artists in detail once again, because they are already in the IMC top five of most-featured artists. They are also among those who deserve recognition the most. Together, they have a strength they still underestimate. Each time they put pen to paper, something remarkable comes out. That is for the music review part.

But why did I say this song came at the right time for me? Because I have been working on a project for nine years now. During this decade I went through difficult times. I had a troubled childhood, a complicated teenagehood, and after becoming a father last November, I finally stepped into adulthood. The teenager hiding inside had to break his shell.

I decided to use my past as fuel to finally launch something coherent and aligned with my vision. Something that can help others move forward. If I made it through, they can too. The difference is that they will have a supportive hand to lean on, which I never really had. Or maybe I did, in a way. Because indie artists like Luna or Dom were always there, with the right songs at the right moments. And I will never forget that. The world is changing fast, but becoming a father has shifted everything for me and helped me focus on what really matters. In my daughter’s eyes, I saw myself grow up. In that instant, I became an adult. Now it is my turn to help others do the same.

This does not mean I will stop writing here. That would be a lie. I know I will be back. I simply need a break to give space to this project that means so much to me. There are lost children out there who need help in the real world. So I am stepping away for a while. And if I leave you with a song called goodbye, which stands as the most beautiful song ever shared on IMC after 1800 pages of content I have written, it feels like a chapter closing. The next one already looks bright and promising. Especially with songs like this as the soundtrack. Take care of yourselves.

Luna Keller's take on "goodbye"

It's interesting how songs can change their meaning to us over time, when we wrote goodbye it was about missing our partners on tour. But when we recorded it I had just gone through a break up and I got to channel all the emotion from that heartache into my vocals, it was really cathartic. And now that we release the song it feels like the closing of a chapter, a collection of memories and moments shared while making this EP.

Reach out to Luna Keller

Reach out to Dom Malin

Lyrics

Wouldn’t take a moment back
Silhouettes and train tracks
Songs and faces and bright lights
Found an anchor in your eyes

Time comes slow and goes fast
Running on this winding path
I don’t care if I arrive
As long as you are in my life

Now we say goodbye
Now we say goodbye

I know tomorrow
I don’t wanna feel this hollow
Hate that our time is borrowed
I just wanna know
This time you won’t go
I just wanna feel your body
Tired of saying that I’m sorry
Living echo of our story
Darling please don’t go
I just want a home

Slow motion as you turn
Sunset makes my eyes burn
And every second from now on
Is a countdown till I’m home

Now we say goodbye
Now we say goodbye

I know tomorrow
I don’t wanna feel this hollow
Hate that our time is borrowed
I just wanna know
This time you won’t go
I just wanna feel your body
Tired of saying that I’m sorry
Living echo of our story
Darling please don’t go
I just want a home

Now we say goodbye

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If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Rainy day

Best time to listen

Late-night immersion

Best place to listen

At home

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

This song brings back memories of the bands that made us drift away in the late 90s and early 2000s, like The Cardigans or Hooverphonic. A light voice that can still carry strong emotions even without great power. And musically, that’s something special.

Kim Dekker, from Switzerland, has that gift, and she does it all on her own. Playing with contrasts, she moves within a folk-pop world similar to Allison Leah and delivers in this new single a sharp mix of nostalgia, bitterness, and emotional attachment that leaves us wondering one thing: how far can our mind take us in our addiction to someone else? And how do we break free?

Simple yet very well produced, this little catchy tune will grab your attention and stay in your head for hours.

A perfect one to keep on repeat all summer and beyond.

Kim's take on "You Again"

I wrote and recorded You Again during a five-day songwriting retreat in a remote cabin in Entlebuch, Luzern. It was part of a mountain session with my friends and collaborators Mattia Ferrari on drums and Giuliano Sulzberger on production and guitar. On the surface, the song feels light and easy to move to, almost carefree. But behind that is a story about finding yourself drawn back into something that isn’t good for you, just because it’s familiar and comfortable. I wanted to show that mix of knowing it’s not right, yet still going back, and to wrap it in a sound that makes you want to listen again.

A bit more about Kim Dekker

Kim Dekker is a Swiss-Dutch singer-songwriter from Lucerne, Switzerland. She carries an adventurous spirit, summed up in her motto: “I’ve never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that.” Her music keeps things clear and uncluttered, yet she adds small touches that make each song feel personal. Her voice is close and natural, supported by gentle instrumentation that leaves room for the listener to connect with the moment. Each release feels like an open door to step inside, take a breath, and spend time with your own thoughts. In a time when much of the music around us can feel heavy, her indie-folk pop brings a lighter touch and a sense of calm, making her a name worth keeping in mind.

Reach out to Kim Dekker

Lyrics

On the left side of my bed he's there again
He brings my coffee, we don't talk before we drink
And he keeps saying that the two of us are friends
I say I love you and the door slams in my face

I know how this ends
We never change

But I keep coming back to you again
You again
You again
You again

I keep wondering if you're fate or just a choice
You're so familiar but I don't know you at all
Can I find in you what I've been looking for
Or do you fill the thing I'm trying to avoid

I know how this ends
We never change

But I keep coming back to you again
You again
You again
You again

I keep coming back to you again
I know the end
It's you again
You again

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Rainy day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

At home, Out in nature

Does this song haunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

Meet Julia Campbell today on IMC. The LA-based singer-songwriter, originally from Pennsylvania, returns after two and a half years of silence with a deeply moving new single, "Ohio Song".

Her upcoming EP "Sick of Staying" is on the way, and this first taste blends indie-folk songwriting with a subtle pop edge. "Ohio Song" sticks with you for hours after listening thanks to its instantly catchy melody. It's soft, fresh, and bright, even though the theme leans more towards melancholy.

Her vocal performance is absolutely stunning, intimate and close, as if she were singing right into your ear. You find yourself holding on to the story she tells, a love story that doesn’t quite end the way you expected. An upbeat breakup song? Yes, and why not?

Production-wise, there are countless little details waiting to be discovered with a good pair of headphones. It’s a real piece of craftsmanship, no doubt about it.

And when every box is ticked, that’s when we feel lucky to share a gem like this one with you. It’s already made itself comfortable in our playlists, and chances are it’ll do the same in yours. Julia Campbell is definitely a name to remember, and we’re pretty sure you’ll be seeing more of her on IMC soon. We can’t wait for the EP to arrive.

Julia's take on "Ohio Song"

I'm super excited to share with you my first release in 2.5yrs. This feels like a new era for my music!

A bit more about Julia Campbell

Julia Campbell grew up in Pennsylvania and now calls Los Angeles home. Music has always been her way of making sense of the world. She started young, singing along to Avril Lavigne from the backseat, listening to her dad’s Monkees tapes with the windows down, or sitting with her mom while they picked apart Joni Mitchell’s lyrics together.

At 14, she picked up a guitar for the first time and taught herself to play. Ten years later, she’s still writing songs, now tucked inside a home studio she built out of a walk-in closet. Over time, she’s also been learning how to produce her own music, step by step. Julia’s sound has been shaped by artists like Lorde, Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine, Clairo, and Adrienne Lenker. But her songs tell her own stories, often filled with quiet details and honest questions.

Before settling in LA, she spent six months teaching English in China, then drove across the country alone to start a new chapter. Since arriving, she’s spent many nights at concerts, often solo, soaking in the city’s music scene and slowly finding her place in it. She’s now started performing her own songs at local showcases. Her writing feels personal, sometimes raw, and often unexpectedly catchy. The kind of songs that stay with you and say just enough to feel like they were written for you too.

Reach out to Julia Campbell

Lyrics

Whenever I’m driving down the highway
and see an Ohio license plate
I think about how you were the best part of what i always thought was
probably the most boring state

Do you remember our friends’ wedding?
when you had finally cut your hair
after I’d told you to for months and you said that you never would
you looked so good, it wasn’t fair

you couldn’t look at me
and I couldn’t look away

Damn we were a train wreck waiting to happen
Everybody saw us go off the tracks and
You still couldn’t say it
guess it’s easier just staying

But we were like a car crash in slow motion
I could feel the airbags breaking us open
there’s no use in praying
when there’s nothing worth saving

and at the end, you just said nothing
Maybe I should’ve walked away
Instead I got way too drunk & called your bluff
wish I never gave a fuck
Say you miss me
Say you hate me
Say something

But you wouldn’t speak to me
Cause you knew it wouldn’t change a thing

Damn we were a train wreck waiting to happen
Everybody saw us go off the tracks and
You still couldn’t say it
guess it’s easier just staying

But we were like a car crash in slow motion
I could feel the airbags breaking us open
there’s no use in praying
when there’s nothing worth saving

And I never even told you half the shit that I thought
I let so much slide and took it, all for what?
you left me with nothing in the name of god
just like I thought

Cause damn we were a train wreck waiting to happen
Everybody saw us go off the tracks and
You still couldn’t say it
Guess it’s easier just staying

Cause we were like a car crash in slow motion
I could feel the airbags breaking us open
there’s no use in praying
when there’s nothing worth saving

And i got sick of staying

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Midday energy boost

Best place to listen

At home, Out in nature

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

Taylor Latham is quickly becoming a trusted favorite at IMC. After warming our hearts in the middle of winter with "Sunkissed", he's back to fill our summer with love and good vibes. If you feel like shouting your love from the rooftops, this song might just help you do it.

It tells the story of a passionate love, strong enough to make you want to travel the world with someone and see everything through their eyes. This new single adds another gem to Taylor Latham’s growing discography.

The South West UK artist once again wins us over with a melody that slowly gets stuck in your head and a simple production. If you listen closely, you might even find it quite minimalistic, but it works so well that you’ll want to play it again and again.

Taylor Latham's take on this song

"Golden is my lifelong dream in a song. To fall in love and explore the globe with someone who makes the good better and the bad manageable. A dream inspired by my parent’s heritage (SA & UK), love for each other and stories from their honeymoon adventuring around the world.

With a warmth throughout and an honesty I write with that only comes from the depth of true inspiration 'Golden' is a roadmap to part of what I want to achieve in my lifetime".

A bit more about Taylor

I'm a singer-songwriter from the coast of North Devon in the South West of the UK. As well as loving making music, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending time outdoors and I feel these hobbies and experiences are woven throughout a lot of my writing. In the last couple of years, my solo performances have taken me to festivals such as Boardmasters and Goldcoast Oceanfest as well as gigs with SW1 and Sofar Sounds.

Reach out to Taylor Latham

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this EP

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

At home, Out in nature

Does this EP haunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

We’ve come across a lot of records trying to sound personal. But this one doesn’t try. It is.

Eli Lev spent years recording the voices of his relatives. Not to make a concept album, not for clout, and not for clicks. But only to keep their memories alive. At some point, those stories found their way into his music. That’s how the 5-track EP "Past Lives", out October 8th, was born.

Before we even get to the music, it’s worth knowing where Eli Lev comes from (not just geographically, but musically and personally). He grew up in a house filled with the sounds of Simon and Garfunkel and John Denver, for example. He played in a pop rock band in high school, then wrote goofy songs during his travels. But the real turning point came on a solo trip to Sayulita, Mexico, when he camped alone on a quiet beach with just his guitar. At some point, surrounded by wind, trees, and waves, he felt like the elements themselves were singing along. That’s when something inside him said "if this makes you happy, keep doing it. It will help people". And so he did. He’s been making music independently ever since!

This EP is the second chapter of a trilogy, and is not only a few samples thrown in randomly to add some emotional weight. These voices are part of the fabric of the record! His Bubbe Sarah, born in 1892, speaks about growing up in Poland. Uncle Ben talks about life in the American South. Aunt Evelyn shows up too, with stories that feel almost too insane to be real. But they are. And once you hear them, the songs really hit you differently! They carry something deeper, more grounded, and definitely more honest.

We’ve heard plenty of tracks that use a voicemail as an intro or drop in a quote from a grandparent. It’s usually touching for a few seconds. But here, it goes much further. Eli didn’t use his family as decoration. He built the whole thing around them, and the result is a record that feels like it’s holding something sacred. You don’t just listen. You are literally witnessing something.

The release schedule fits the spirit of the album. One song every three weeks. Just enough time to sit with each track, to actually let it grow on you. And when the full record drops on October 8, it’ll already feel like you’ve lived with it for a while. Like it’s been part of your own history. By the way, Eli will celebrate the release with a special hometown concert on October 3 in Kensington, Maryland, before heading out for a Northeast tour.

And then there’s the music itself. Because yes, the concept is strong. Yes, the voices of his ancestors make it unforgettable. But if the songs weren’t good, none of this would land. Thankfully, they are more than good. The melodies are instantly memorable without ever feeling predictable. The kind of tunes you find yourself humming without realizing. Songs that stick because they’re well written, not because they were engineered to go viral. They were wonderfully mastered by Scott Hull and his talent shows.

Take “Echo”, the first single. The only one available so far, while we wait for the rest of the EP to roll out. It opens with Bubbe Sarah and a soft guitar line, before slowly unfolding into a two-part structure. Around 2:30, the drums kick in, giving the track a whole new pulse. There’s electric guitar, a gorgeous violin bridge, and a final chorus with backing vocals that bring everything together. It’s simple, yes, but it works. And it surprises you in all the right ways.

“Where We Come From” leans more into folk territory and you'll be able to discover it on July 16th. There’s a gentle build, and then (just before the three-minute mark) it lifts. Vocals open up, holding nothing back, and suddenly the track turns into an indie-folk anthem. It ends on a quote from Uncle Ben, closing the loop beautifully.

Right in the middle of the EP, “My Wish Was You” strips everything down. No sampled voices here. But only Eli, his guitar, and one of the most stunning love songs we've heard in a long time. His vocal range climbs sky-high without ever sounding forced, and the closeness of the delivery makes it feel like he’s singing just for you. It’s tender, a little sad, and quietly devastating in the best way. To be discovered on August 6th.

“Who I Was” brings the piano to the front. It starts softly, but like many tracks on this EP, it builds. Around 2:42, the intensity grows as Eli lists everything this character once was. It turns into a tribute. Not only to one person, but to all the lives that shaped him. It’s emotional without being heavy, and the final climax gave us goosebumps. Available on August 27th.

Then comes “Our Friends”, the closing track. There’s something so precise about the way the acoustic guitar and violin dance together here. The vocals are perfectly delivered, never too much, always right on point. And then that final moment, where we hear a quiet exchange between Eli’s father and his grandmother. Her joy, her pride, her voice... it’s the kind of ending that stays with you long after the music stops.

The entire EP is beautifully structured. The stereo work is smart but never flashy. The quotes are placed exactly where they need to be. The songs breathe, and none of them feel rushed, and we really appreciate to take the time to listen to them, exactly like the artist took the time to make them. In a world of short attention spans, this record takes its time, and it definitely makes you want to do the same.

Come October 8, we can’t wait for everyone to hear the full picture. Because "Past Lives" will not be another album you stream. It will be one you sit with. Again and again.

And if you want more, we'll have to wait for a bit, as the third chapter of the trilogy, called "Future Myths", will be released later.

Reach out to Eli Lev

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Midday energy boost

Best place to listen

Out in nature

Does this song haunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

Lucie Glang, a young German artist who joined the IMC Family last month with her fifth feature on IMC, is already back with a new single. Last month, she invited us to dive into the water with "Underwater Skies". This time, she’s asking us to jump into the river. It seems like Lucie shares a strong connection with water, just like Thomas LaVine, who has named many of his songs with aquatic references over the years.

For this track, Lucie teamed up with producer Dominic Romano, a familiar name at IMC as he regularly works with some of our favorite artists. His signature style is instantly recognizable, with every instrument finding its place and nothing getting buried in the mix. Lucie and Dominic had already worked together on the beautiful song "Friends", which we had the pleasure of featuring too.

"Jump In The River" invites you to get behind the wheel, drive with no real destination, no money in your pocket, and just enjoy whatever life brings your way. A true celebration of simplicity that fits perfectly with IMC’s philosophy: we try to stay away from screens as much as we can, and only come back to find the best songs for you to enjoy offline.

Joyful and full of light, this track offers a contrast to the melancholic mood Lucie has often explored since 2021. According to her, it’s "the happiest song I've ever written". And she really shines in this new mood that brings a big smile to your face.

Another gem added to Lucie Glang’s already rich collection of standout songs. With its super catchy melody, this one really stands out, even if it’s a little short. But no matter what, we never get tired of her incredible voice. After 3 listens, this song will be one of your favorites. After 5, it becomes an obsession.

Lucie Glang's take on "Jump in the River"

I wrote it to escape our loud and fast world and remember the freedom and peace I felt living in my campervan with my dog, going surfing and waking up to the sound of birds, not cars.

A bit more about Lucie Glang

Lucie Glang combines folk-pop with Nordic influences and offers honest and introspective lyrics. Born in a small town in western Germany, she spent several years in different countries, finding music to be a constant home and a way to stay present in a fast, loud, and electronic world. Initially created due to pandemic restrictions, Lucie's songs come from a lot of online collaborations, intimate bedroom recordings, and professional studio sessions spanning Iceland, Denmark, and America, inspired by bands like First Aid Kit, Simon and Garfunkel, and Fleet Foxes. After several festival slots and support shows, she returned in 2024 with a tour through Germany and Scandinavia to release her debut EP.

Reach out to Lucie Glang

Lyrics

Oh let’s get a dog
And sleeping bags
And move into your car
And we’ll watch the sunrise
Sleep at beaches
Chewing marram grass
In the evening drive into
The sunset
The sky is full of stars
We’ll go skinny dipping
Salty water 
Dripping down me
Just
 
Take me on 
And then take me away
Take me on 
And then take me away
 
Oh let’s jump in the river
Oh let’s swim 'til we shiver
Take me on 
And then take me away
Oh let’s lie in the woods
Starre into pine trees
Read books of better times
And it takes me away
 
And the highest mountains,
Deepest river,
A freely running dog
And the sunburn after
staying in the
water all these hours
coffee in the morning
In the evening
A two dollar red wine
And we’re drunk on being away
From all the noise
And simply smile
 
Take me on 
And then take me away
Take me on 
And then take me away
 
Oh let’s jump in the river
Oh let’s swim 'til we shiver
Take me on 
And then take me away
Oh let’s lie in the woods
Starre into pine trees
Read books of better times
And it takes me away

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

Out in nature

Does this song haunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

We’ve known about the project &Tilly (pronounced “andtilly”) for a few years now, as their songs have already been featured in Luna Keller’s podcast Why Doesn't Everyone Know These Songs, which we proudly host.
This musical duo is made up of multi-instrumentalist V and poet-singer Tilly. What’s funny is how they describe themselves as two introverts who somehow crossed paths. And here at Indie Music Center, we’ve noticed something over time. Some of the most moving and unforgettable songs we’ve featured often come from the most introverted artists. Just think of The Satellite Station, Ben Greenberg, Specific Coast, to name just a few. Well, same here. Two introverts, one masterpiece.
Their new single At a Cost stands out for its minimalist atmosphere, even though it mixes a wide range of instruments: guitar, piano, banjo, pads, and even brass. But none of that would matter without Tilly’s voice. It’s fragile, always walking a tightrope, as if it could fall at any second. But it never does. And that vocal tone, so striking and unique, fits perfectly with the whole soundscape they create around it. Having a voice with such identity, something you recognize instantly, is a real gift for any artist.
The music video adds even more depth with its beautiful colors, shadows playing under the trees, and clever use of light. All of this highlights the contrast that makes this song so powerful. Because yes, behind the poetic, bright, and almost joyful surface, there’s something else. A love story falling apart. And we, the listeners, witness its very last day, helpless. So if you were ready to drop this into your springtime playlist full of blooming flowers, think again. This one belongs in your heartbreak collection!
On the production side, every choice feels right. The percussion that kicks in during the final chorus brings exactly what we’ve been waiting for since the beginning: that shiver down the spine. Then comes the ending. Tilly’s voice, even more exposed, almost entirely on its own, delivers the most powerful line of the song: “It’s the last day we have together / don’t be sad, nothing lasts forever”. Dang. What a slap!
Probably the most beautiful breakup song we’ve ever featured on IMC. One that leaves you with a small smile and makes you want to say, quietly to yourself, “Well… that’s life”.

&Tilly's take on "At a Cost"

Road trips and broken hearts. At a Cost is about that last day before the other one moves out — the crushing, silent tears of an ending that couldn’t be prevented, the trying to make it lighter for the other person’s sake. And the parallel of traveling to new countries without a map, without directions… it might end up a catastrophe, and there’ll definitely be some homesickness, but ultimately, it’s an adventure. A new life, at the cost of the old one that was no longer sustainable. At a Cost is an indie folk song that’s as perfect for sad or brokenhearted playlists as it is for road trip ones, and as light as it is mellow.

A bit more about &Tilly

We're &Tilly, an under-the-radar, international, genre-bending project that started with... an end. As two introverted individuals, we're nothing, just one or the other; we got connected through our own personal ends to create something more than ourselves. Over time, we also connected with various amazing artists all over the world, giving our music incredible new dimensions. The link, the base of it all would be the unique voice and the mellow style of the singer and songwriter, Tilly. In the &Tilly world, profound lyrics, powerful melodies, and haunting soundscapes take center stage. Through music, you can strongly feel the beauty of an inner sadness, the depth of an unanswered question, and a lot that feels heavy and unsolvable. Genre-wise, it's also not too easy – the &Tilly project blends alternative dream pop with folk, singer-songwriter, country, and even synthpop and electronic vibes. Each song is different from the other, taking you on a unique journey while making it hard to clearly class the music.

Reach out to &Tilly

Lyrics

It’s the last day we have together
Don’t be sad or take it bad
Let’s talk about the weather
We don’t have much to say now
And the past keeps calling on
I may not call – won’t know how
For a while

It’s the last conversation, I guess
I’m still glad for every single caress
We can celebrate a new night
Or wait hidden in the twilight
There’s nothing left to smile
About

We’re on the road again, there’s no map
Coordinates are lost
Run away and hide, or face the gap
Life will come at a cost
At a cost

At a cost

The dream we dreamt is gone now…

We’re on the road again, there’s no map
Coordinates are lost
Run away and hide, or face the gap
(Face the gap)
Life will come at a cost
Oh, at a cost

On the road again, there’s no map
Coordinates are lost
Run away and hide, or face the gap
Either way, love comes at a cost
At a cost

It’s the last day we have together
Don’t be sad, nothing lasts forever

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this EP

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

At home, Out in nature

Does this EP haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

Let me officially introduce you to Plàsi. Yes, officially, because we've already featured him many times in our Spotify playlists, but never actually wrote about him until now. And yet, there’s a lot to say about this talented artist.

First of all, he draws inspiration from a wide range of influences, being... Greek-Swedish. And he lives... in the Netherlands. Still following? Alright, let’s continue this little European tour, because we’re here to talk about his new EP titled Camino, released on June 13 via our friends at Nettwerk. Yes, Camino is a Spanish word that means "path", and you’ll get that very quickly when you hear the opening track.

The 5-track EP starts with Father’s Eyes, a song about a toxic father-son relationship. The kind of relationship I’ve always had with my parents. So naturally, the topic hit close to home. And it's true that the slowest part of life is rebuilding yourself and walking that path. Warm and hopeful, it’s the perfect opener for an EP of this depth.

After the beautiful, peaceful, and bright "Waiting for Signs", which offers a glimpse of hope and makes you feel like life is still ahead of you rather than behind, the adventure continues with "Efiga", sung in Greek as a nod to his roots. It tells the story of a relationship that ended and the feeling of regret that slowly takes over. In his previous EP, it was his Swedish side that took the spotlight. Fair is fair.

The hypnotic “Heights” shows how a song that starts off gently can slowly evolve, gaining depth without ever breaking the mood. The production on this one is truly brilliant and this little gem of a song softly leads us to the final track, “Camino,” whose subtle Hispanic vibe wraps up the EP in a beautiful and coherent way.

From the attention given to the production with co-producer Hannes Hasselberg to the delicate writing shaped with co-writer Linus Hasselberg, Plàsi poured a lot of intimacy and hope into this personal "path" of rebuilding. The project was crafted between his first studio in Stockholm and his new space in Amsterdam. A borderless work, stripped of unnecessary frills, driven by its originality, wide cultural influences, and the depth of its themes from the very first track.

Plàsi says this EP also helped him grow on a personal level: “I feel like I’m myself even more, because I wrote and recorded this EP in my own environment. I was at home in my new city, and I was creating music. There’s nothing better”.

A pure success to recommend not only to indie-folk fans, of course, but also to anyone into world music, as the mix of influences here is genuinely stunning. And if you're a bit lost actually, it will help you to focus on your passion, just like Plàsi did to get better!

A bit more about Plàsi

Plàsi is a Greco-Swedish artist who writes calm, thoughtful songs with simple acoustic arrangements and honest lyrics. Since 2015, he has slowly built an audience through releases like Now & Then (2016), People (2018), Mystery (2019), and Foreign Sea (2022), reaching over 100 million streams along the way. He has played shows with artists like José González, Hollow Coves, Axel Flóvent, and Henry Jamison.

Reach out to Plàsi

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

Out in nature

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

Alright, I have to admit it. These two really got me this time. They actually made me eat my words. In my last article, I ended by saying that if we had to wait another five years for a new collaboration, so be it. And boom. Another one shows up right after, like a direct reply to the previous track.

Last time, we were talking about phlox, the flower that grows near Thomas LaVine. And now, in response, we get a song about a flower found in the German landscapes of Luna Keller. That’s clever. And creative. But honestly, with these two in the same room, nothing surprises me anymore.

Once again, we’re hit by the production quality coming out of that garden shed turned recording studio. Seriously, those lawnmowers must have gone to mixing school, and the screwdrivers and hammers are clearly mastering experts. It’s wild. And just like before, the song is full of subtle little details you’ll only catch with your best headphones on and the volume up.

But the real moment comes with the final climax. That goosebump moment only happens when two voices blend this perfectly. At this point, we’re seriously wondering why these two haven’t started a side project yet. We could listen to their vocal harmonies forever.

There’s always something magical when Thomas or Luna are involved. And that’s what we love about the artists in the IMC Family. There’s something honest, human and real in everything they do. You can feel it in every line of every song. And it’s doing wonders for our ears.

We wouldn’t mind another one, by the way. Any chance you recorded something else in that little cabin?

Their take on "White Lily"

"Getting to write this song with not just one of my favourite songwriters, but also a dear friend feels really special to me. These wild white lilies have been a comforting symbol on my journey for a long time (I even have them tattooed), now there's finally song for them. Thomas has always been so good at creating a scene and feeling in his songs, while I often tend to go more into storytelling. It was magical to see him work with this idea and bringing that space I've visited so often to life in this song". - Luna Keller

"With White Lily, we had a little more of a “goal” now that the first song felt completed. It feels like a sister song, or next chapter to ”Phlox”. I think Luna and I had found a bit of a groove on this one and it really felt like we flowed from one idea to the next. The song itself came together naturally and pretty easily. One of us would sing something, or hum a melody and the other would just build right on top of that until we got what you hear in the song now. Luna is just a really good songwriter, so it felt like she and I were speaking the same language, even when the gears would shift, we were just locked. I love this song, I hope anyone who hears it does too". - Thomas LaVine

Reach out to Thomas LaVine

Reach out to Luna Keller

Lyrics

Be my white lily
something i can run to
through the gray and through the blue
through everything to come

All my growing pains
shadows we cast yesterday
going forward anyway
what else can i do

Can you show me
where i'm going?
cause i've been lonely
trying to get to you

oh my white lily
it's been a while since we could speak
been holding to this broken piece
counting down the days

By mid-afternoon
twice i've come to visit you
showed you scars and showed you wounds
you never made me wait

Can you show me
where i'm going?
cause i've been lonely
trying to get to you
trying to get to you
trying to get to you
trying to get to you

Can you show me?

-------------------------

If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.