"For You" is a very good surprise. A folk jewel that takes us into a suspended moment, where we find ourselves completely lost in our thoughts, absorbed by the piano which is usually not the first instrument we think of when listening to indie-folk. The choruses are super catchy and we find ourselves singing easily with Sean Martin West.

The artist went through the Berklee College of Music and it shows. Nothing is left to chance in this song. The small piano notes are distilled in the right place, like a bridge linking two banks of a flowing river.

We discovered this track, lying in the grass, by the river, the wind in our hair, and closing our eyes, we realized how much life could be made up of simple pleasures. This song, light as a ritornello, bewitched us with its quality of production and its simple but incredibly effective writing. Even though the lyrics of the song may seem a little naive and silly to you at first glance, they nevertheless demonstrate that simplicity is always more impactful than things that are too elaborate or complicated.

We feel in the music of Sean Martin West a great desire for freedom. A freedom of movement, creation and inspiration, which is felt all the more since his creative process began during the lockdowns.

Also, we had a little crush on the music video. Simple, but terribly effective! Keep it simple, keep it simple, and the world will turn out better.

Reach out to Sean Martin West

Izabelle Norén, wonderful Swedish artist better known as IZHAV, is back on IMC with a spellbinding new single with an authentic sound.

"Rosemary" is a song that has accompanied her for almost 10 years, and the track is available today to the delight of her fans.

Recounting a moment of hesitation between two important stages of her life, "Rosemary" is a little gem that seduces from the first seconds with its perfect vocal harmonies. About the genesis of this little masterpiece, IZHAV says:

"A few years back, I spent years as a hitch-hiking street musician all over the world for 5 years. Right before moving back to Sweden I was in this two-sided void, hanging in the air in between two completely different worlds. This song represents that time. A time of trust, while floating in the air."

Indeed, very airy, straddling indie-folk and singer-songwriter, this new single is a wonderful new chapter in IZHAV's discography, which you absolutely must discover if you are a fan of authenticity and beautiful music.

With musical influences gleaned from all over the world, IZHAV once again delights us with her talent for immersive writing.

Reach out to IZHAV

You probably already know Vintz Desert if you follow IMC because he is an essential artist in our eyes. An incredible artist who we have seen grow and flourish with his music. Among more than 2000 artists that we have made you discover, he is undeniably in the top 20 of the most sensitive artists and this is felt in each of his tracks.

His new single "Made of Glass", released this week, is proof of an achievement, and shows all the vulnerabilities of Vintz Desert through a writing of incomparable emotion. A bit like our friend Stephen LaVine, and like many of us if you think about it, Vintz Desert asks himself a lot of questions, and we find them in this song, as he explains to us:

"It talks about the constant confusion and questions I have towards my being; questioning if I truly deserve to be happy if I believe the things that I tell myself."

Questions that form the chorus of this song which evolves in a magnificent chill-folk universe where the piano occupies an important place. A touching chorus, where questions arise: "What if I am broken? / What if I am made of glass? / Would I still be worth it? Would I still deserve to laugh?"

Vintz Desert said he was inspired by Novo Amor and we feel this atmosphere both tormented and calm, through the piano which carries all the weight of the questions on its shoulders, and the vocal harmonies which easily trigger shivers down your spine.

Like good wine, Vintz Desert has improved over the years and gives us in "Made of Glass" a hyper professional performance, without any flaws, and the care brought to the production (which he does himself), as the gradual addition of discreet percussion and trumpet in the final climb leads us to believe that the artist now has everything to impose himself on the indie scene.

With "Made of Glass", final track of the EP of the same title, he probably signs the most beautiful masterpiece of his discography.

Reach out to Vintz Desert

Have you already clicked on the player above to start the music? Perfect! You already hear these few notes of banjo and guitar that immerse you in a warm and welcoming folk atmosphere. And of course you recognize the unique voice of our international Luna Keller, one of the first members of the IMC Family.

Here she is again for her 15th feature on IMC (it's worth celebrating!) with a new single full of smiles, good humor, and light, inspired by a good friend who travels Europe in her van with her cat.

With a good smell of freedom and asphalt, the song is a real refrain that will colonize your brain and won't want to leave it for a few days. We had already heard this song during her many live streams on Twitch, and this studio version is pure joy to listen to!

A real joyful folk anthem that tells the story of a real person, but which will speak to anyone who needs escape and the great outdoors.

As usual, Luna treats us with a nice banjo, and drums and shakers that she had to play by herself, which she is not used to doing. Indeed, Dwhani Zapps' arm was broken at the time of recording and Luna had to play more instruments than usual. Then once recovered, Dhwani added some piano notes and recorded bass and drums with Rishi S.Vloe. And of course, his dad Roger Keller brought all his magic to his home studio in Tenerife. The last step, mixing and mastering, was once again done by the amazing Dominic Romano, another well-known friend of IMC. As Luna says, "just like the song is about traveling, the recording visited several countries to be completed too".

Yes, Luna definitely knows how to surround herself with great people to create this unique atmosphere of communion between human beings, and it shows through every line of the song. And the euphoric effect of the chorus is very powerful on this song! You have been warned, you will sing along for hours...

Reach out to Luna Keller

I'm not going to lie to you, Taylor T is a bearded guy with long hair who I have a lot of affection for. He is a wonderful human being with heightened sensitivity. Yes, a touching and moving sensitivity that one rarely sees in a man, and which is found in his songs, each one more bewitching than the other.

I know the Covid period has had a devastating effect on many of us. And I think it was a difficult period for Taylor T, who is a great traveler in perpetual search of wide open spaces and fresh air. I can imagine how difficult the two years of isolation that we experienced could have been for him. It is therefore with pleasure that in 2022, we were able to follow his travels on his Instagram, seeing him travel the four corners of the world in sumptuous landscapes, leaving music aside for a while. Seeing a sensitive man find his freedom and be so happy in fantastic landscapes was enjoyable. So I wasn't worried about him, but it was obvious he needed a break.

Back from his explorations of the world, Taylor T returns today, after long months of musical silence, with a new single called... drum roll... "Endless Skies". Obviously.

Symbol of a rediscovered freedom, the song is of breathtaking precision in the writing. The melody is absolutely delightful from the first guitar notes, and Taylor's still very distinctive and recognizable voice is once again the central instrument of his music. The concept of falling in love with a voice may seem crazy, but since I discovered Taylor 3 years ago, this voice sends me powerful emotions with every line.

Very inspired by his travels, the song draws on new resources as we had rarely seen in his music before: piano, bass, drums, and even choirs which remind us a little of the South African influence of fellow IMC Family member Luke Beling. Usually very acoustic and quite melancholy, Taylor T's music seems to be enriched with new elements, a very positive dynamic and an unprecedented light until now.

As he explains, the song invites you to enjoy life:

"It's a late spring/summer feel good indie folk track written about falling in love with life and creating beautiful memories and enjoying the time as it passes by."

"Endless Skies" will keep you company during your walks outside, or in all the moments when you need to escape. A new chapter in the career of the English artist, a bit like a rebirth. We appreciate and we can't wait to discover the following chapters.

Reach out to Taylor T

On April 15, 2021, an Englishman named Dom Malin landed on IMC with his single "Drama", far from imagining that this first appearance would lead him at high speed to the IMC Family.

Two years later, Dom Malin has evolved and grown. Overgrown? No, of course. But it was a nod to his duo with fellow IMC Family member Luna Keller, who also introduced him to the joys of streaming on Twitch and building a loyal and supportive community. And they were able to share a tour recently between Germany and Switzerland. IMC fans have become Dom Malin fans and every week we receive DMs asking us "when's his next single?". Yeah, there are a few that are generating an eager anticipation among our fans, and we think that's kind of a good thing.

What a long way to go in two years! But we did well to bet on this pretty soul. If we go back two years, we remember that the first thing that seduced us at Dom Malin was this ability to create incredible and unforgettable melodies. Those melodies that keep running through your mind for hours after listening to the song. And this godsend has continued to grow over time.

As soon as you hear Dom sing the first notes of his new single "The Sea", the melody envelops you comfortably and won't let go. Like a reassuring cocoon, "The Sea" takes you instantly and transports you to the seafront.

This new song takes up the essential ingredients of a good Dom Malin song: the gimmicks we like to sing in the shower (Na na na baby come on), the delicate piano, the peaceful atmosphere and always this touching vocal performance.

The writing is always very immersive and all you have to do is close your eyes to let yourself be taken on a journey. A journey often made up of questions and doubts. Do we always have to say everything? Or do we have to keep certain secrets until we get stuck? That's the whole point of the song, as Dom explains:

"It's about finding the courage to say something earlier and not letting it escalate to the point where you get caught out. The colloquial verses talk about the simplicity of conversation while the chorus asks the question if you had another shot would you do it differently?"

Super catchy, "The Sea" (the title will certainly please Thomas LaVine, the world's number 1 water fan) is yet another string to Dom Malin's already solid bow. His discography acquires here a new masterpiece. Once again. Na na na baby come on!

Reach out to Dom Malin

Reading that first line, you may still be a little disturbed by the beautiful intense blue eyes staring at you. If it can reassure you, we were bewitched by Joonas just at the sight of those photos, and even before listening to his song! There is indeed a lot going on in this look. A vulnerability, a fragility, and an emotional intensity that shines through as soon as you immerse yourself in this azure blue. And that is confirmed by listening to the song.

"Live a Little (Gold)" is his latest single, released on April 7th. Quite far from his generally more pop repertoire, this song intelligently mixes pop sounds with a few touches of folk from its acoustic side.

Vocally, you might think of great sensitive singers like Ed Sheeran or Shawn Mendes, but with a bit more power, and ease in the high notes. And besides, it's in the chorus that a high and powerful note stuck with us with our mouths wide open. What vocal ease! It is almost disconcerting! But wait for the bridge if you like high notes.

It is often said on IMC that Scandinavian artists have an innate gift for creating very powerful emotional songs, and this is confirmed once again with Joonas, who was born in Norway but now based in London.

Regarding the songwriting, it's very clean and worked down to the smallest detail to be able to enter your brain with a perfectly mastered art of metaphor. Easy to remember, the lyrics are also very relatable, and are surprisingly mature. If you happen to wander off in thought while others are having fun, you've come to the right place, as Joonas explains:

"It's a song for when you are young and free, but awake at night, overthinking; a song for when think you love partying, but then you sneak away to smoke a cigarette on the roof. It's a song for when you are heartbroken but you can't fully understand why. Intimate, folky, dreamy and painful, but most of all honest - something I've never really been before".

And that's good! Because honesty is precisely what shines through in his most sincere interpretation, alternating restraint and power in a perfect balance of juggling.

No bad pun on its title, this song is truly gold. And Joonas is one of the artists we are most proud to have discovered this year on IMC. What a terrific artist!

Reach out to Joonas

In July 2021, we were among the first to introduce you to the young Australian Declan Ryan, then 15 years old with "Where the Sea Ends". Now 17, Declan released a 4-track EP last Friday, "Blasted, Fleeting Time," which includes "A Balloon."

A rather surprising EP, which deviates a little from the indie-folk influences hitherto very present in its music, to open up to almost cinematic sounds with strings. While keeping the acoustic guitar as a common thread, Declan Ryan has moved up a gear, with more mature writing than ever, and vocal ease that wasn't there two years ago.

Very inspired by the Christopher Robin movie, this song is a bit like a surprise cone. The deeper you dig, the more delicate and subtle little things you find. Gone is the young teenager who didn't dare, and the flower is now well-bloomed.

Entirely self-produced, this artistic little gem is a perfect opener for an EP that will surprise you, both with its originality and its unusual soundscapes. A special mention for "Light Will Leave" and its absolutely fabulous orchestration, worthy of great adventure films.

Reach out to Declan Ryan

If you're going through a tough time right now, you probably need motivation, light, sunshine, and encouragement. That's all you'll find in Specific Coast's new single, who's getting here his fourth feature on IMC. Yes, the doors of the IMC Family are very very close!

But that's not surprising. Because over the months and years, Matt has accompanied our readers, and not only on IMC. If you've watched the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia, you've heard his music many times before, without necessarily realizing it. It's a series that we watched recently, and each time, the pleasure of hearing a song from Matt was greater.

Specific Coast is more used to evolving in a very melancholy musical universe, sometimes sad and full of fog. But this time, with "All In", it's different. The sun clears the fog and the song is definitely geared toward better times. And if you have someone to help you through the difficulties, even better.

As Matt explains, the song is "about acknowledging that life isn't always easy while letting your partner know that you can weather the storm together".

Much more folk and upbeat than his previous releases, "All In" exudes a lightness that will brighten up his discography. Acoustic guitar, piano, bass, frenzied drums, sumptuous vocal harmonies, all the ingredients of an indie-folk anthem are there! Surprisingly, the song leaves us with a feeling of fullness and positivism that goes beyond a few minutes. Very playful, this track could make your day!

Reach out to Specific Coast

We wrapped up last week in Canada with the release of Genesis Ritchot's acoustic album. We kick off this week in Canada to celebrate the release of Braden Lam's "Strange Paradise" EP, which features a little gem dubbed "Second Wind." Yes, Canada inspires us right now, and we don't mind!

Braden comes from Halifax (Nova Scotia). Nothing to do with the song from Rhineland that we covered last November, though. He has already toured around the world, and after the release of this EP, he will be back on the road, and will notably be in Europe at The Great Escape festival in England and on tour with Pillow Fite.

If you like very elaborate folk sounds, with a dash of folk-rock, and lots of emotion in a final ascent to the goosebumps, you'll love "Second Wind".

The song has a special place in the EP, which, in several chapters, tells a story and a logical continuation. As the artist said, the EP "explores an independent redemption story that traces the early blush of infatuation to the hard-won moment of acceptance that it's over". And "Second Wind" is where the relationship kicks in, with the artist repeating "I'm ready, I'm ready" in an epic finale that will send shivers down your spine.

Initially a simple acoustic ballad, the song turns into a ball of energy, with a full-band, a transformation that testifies to the excitement of the character for a budding adventure.

A real jewel in the writing, with a very strong and unique vocal identity, a beautiful emotional sensitivity, which will make you want to discover the rest of the story by listening to the EP in its entirety.

Reach out to Braden Lam

If you have been following our adventures, in recent months, you have already been told that Canadian singer-songwriter Genesis Ritchot was preparing an acoustic album. A long-standing project that we talked about together in an interview in our "Indie Hour" podcast in February. Today is a big day for Genesis because this new album is finally born, and it's called "Twenty-two Strings"! And as his partner prepares to give birth to their first child in the next few hours, this week could be unforgettable for him!

An acoustic project that has always been close to his heart, as he told us in this interview:

"I'm really proud of this project. Because when I first started recording and producing music, my first goal was to record an acoustic album. But then, when I discovered how to put more instruments, I kind of forgot about my initial goal And now that I have 3 albums, I thought it would be nice to take my favorite songs from each of them and make a full acoustic album with strings on it".

You understood the original idea! Have fun recreating his favorite songs differently. A way to give them a second life. An idea that had been around for years but didn't take that long to come to life, as he explains:

"The whole album has been recorded in one day. I did 9 songs in one day. Acoustic guitar and vocals at the same time, live versions in my studio, and then sent the tracks to Richard Curran, who arranged all the strings. And he did his part in a really good time too, in about 2 or 3 months, and everything was wrapped up. I'm really happy to finally show this project to the fans!"

And that day has finally arrived! With a wonderful introduction that gives goosebumps, this album opens gently and sets the masterful scene in which the songs will come to life, almost delicately placed in a jewel case. Some had already been released as singles, such as "Robin", "Kitchen Sink", "What's Left of You" and "Broken Princess", but the album has its share of good surprises in store, in particular with essential tracks such as "Aisle Four", "Why Can't You Dive In", or "Dino Song".

The whole is very coherent, the order of the songs is perfectly chosen and allows us to travel through the discography of the artist who has always had a preference for acoustic sounds. And this passion is felt in each of the tracks. You will hardly find artists more passionate than him, whether in vocal interpretation or in the composition of melodies. Her warm and very comfortable voice in any key goes wonderfully well with the strings.

Our member of the IMC Family hits very hard with this little gem of only 27 minutes (yes sir, for an album, it's a bit short), and leaves us with an impression of fullness and absolute relaxation, with the pleasure of to have rediscovered his best songs in the form of a magical epic.

Of course, we regret the absence of a few key singles like "She Could've Been Mine" and "If You Cared", but it is true that we have to make a choice, and these are always difficult decisions to make for the artists.

Reach out to Genesis Ritchot

Some of you, who have been following us for several years, may think that we are on purpose to introduce you today to the vocal twin of Travis, better known as The Satellite Station. It is true that the resemblance is quite striking! But we have to tell you a secret: we love this kind of warm voice that is able to put a smile on your face even in the most difficult times. Reliable Child is one of those artists who make you feel better in seconds, especially with his new song "Little Conversations" released today.

Mike Berginc, aka Reliable Child, comes from Pittsburgh (PA), just like our friend Kahone Concept. And he already bought a hat at one of his shows. We often tell you that this indie music world is really tiny, in the end! From the Beatles to Blink-182, the wide variety of influences give Reliable Child that unique and recognizable sound. Mike's music speaks for itself. We feel the passion for the music that transpires in each line, each verse, and each chorus, whether through the choice of instruments or the attention paid to the production, which is calibrated to the millimeter.

No room for chance, we understand that everything is carefully studied to make the experience of the listener comfortable and above all unforgettable. Because what makes a good song? A melody that will linger in your head for hours, days, and weeks, and that you will miss when you stop listening to it for a while. Yes, we sincerely believe that "Little Conversations" is a real ray of sunshine and a timeless little gem that you will be able to enjoy listening to again, even in a few years.

As the artist said, the song "is an upbeat tune about talk therapy ... so to speak! Together we can sing along about throwing away the chains of responsibility for a fun moment". Want to talk? Feel free to reach out to this artist and all the other independent artists we feature. They have one big advantage: they're accessible, and they'll never run out of stories to tell you.

Reach out to Reliable Child

After seducing us with "Delta" last September, Tyler Edwards returns to IMC with "Between Your Arms", a pretty indie-folk ballad dotted with magnificent piano notes and beautiful vocal harmonies. In this new single, Tyler finds comfort in someone's arms, in the middle of the night, after the bar lights have gone out.

Revealed to his fans on Patreon (link below) a week before its release, the song released a week ago got off to a good start with already nearly 3,000 streams on Spotify. As Tyler himself says, it's the best start for one of his songs.

And we quickly understand why. It's very easy to find yourself in this song, very relatable, where comfort is the key word, and where the nocturnal atmosphere envelops you like welcoming cotton.

The vocal performance is warm, sincere, without artifice, and blends perfectly with the very colorful and immersive writing of Tyler Edwards.

Our crush of last fall is confirmed: we will have to count on Tyler as being a safe bet for IMC.

Reach out to Tyler Edwards

We are big piano fans, let's face it. So when a small masterpiece like "How" opens with a few piano notes, before bewitching us with vocals from an angel and a frantic rhythm, we can only bow.

"How" is the new single from Cooper Wolken, a multi-instrumentalist who grew up in rural Massachusetts in the middle of nature. And we feel this influence, when we hear the fast piano notes flowing like a river in the background. The artist has succeeded in the daring bet of making the piano the common thread of this lovely ballad.

It's divinely well written, with lots of nature references, and can help you if you feel your relationship is coming to an end, as the artist explains:

"The song bounces between being broken up with and doing the leaving, between the end of a relationship and the falling in."

The vocals, sometimes high-pitched, are mastered to perfection, and are imbued with melancholy, which contrasts with the melody which develops slowly like a flower blooming in spring.

"How" can be summed up as a somewhat unreal experience, as if time had stood still for just over three minutes. A mixture of poetry and melancholy delicately placed on a bed of reverie.

Reach out to Cooper Wolken

Since the beginning of the year, IMC has drawn a lot of inspiration from the Nordic countries. And we are always delighted to return to discover new artists. It is true that indie folk solo artists are quite common, but there are rarely bands in this genre. Days of August are three friends (Frank, Espen, and Mathias), and their sound is very close to Thomas LaVine and those other artists who reach perfection with disconcerting ease.

Because yes, the sound of Days of August is absolutely fabulous. Almost mystical, it allows you to travel by simply closing your eyes. Their new single "Postcards", released last Friday, is a clever mix of acoustic guitar, banjo, and strings that create a universe that is both nostalgic and melancholic. The song evokes a relationship that could have been more than just a friendship, as the band explains:

"It talks about a relationship that could have been but did not. The point of view is a guy who lost a female friend without a fair farewell or sense of what happened. Now he`s wondering about what it could have been. He's not angry, just nostalgic, hopeful, and maybe a bit sad".

With magnificent vocal harmonies, the band literally transports us elsewhere, with sounds borrowed from melancholy and "too bad". The song is the first single and also the title track from their upcoming album, set to be released in September. We can't wait to hear the rest!

Reach out to Days Of August