Heave Media

Takin' You Back

TYB brings you some of the best and unknown instrumental indie acts around.

I like instrumental indie-rock. A few bands come to mind when someone mentions instrumental rock. Tortoise takes full advantage of having two drummers at their live shows (at least at the one I saw), Godspeed You Black Emporer have mastered the epic twenty minute song that keeps your attention and Don Caballero is just absolutely amazing (and I do not throw that term around). Here is some good instrumental music you may not have heard before.

From Monument to Masses – From the Mountains to the Prairies – The trio that is From Monument to Masses could be your next favorite band. Well-crafted tunes laced with political samples make for an emotional ride. This song is taken from 2003’s excellent Impossible Leap in One-Hundred Simple Steps. While it may derivative of Don Cab’s sound, it doesn’t change the fact that my toe is still tapping. At times the samples sometimes remind me of The Books.

Ghosts and Vodka – Cowboys and Sailors – They were extremely short-lived, but Ghosts and Vodka are hands down my favorite post Cap’n Jazz off-shoot. Surprisingly, this is a non-Kinsella affair. Sam Zurick and Victor Villarreal are the two Cap’n Jazz/Owls members present. Pick up the compilation Addicts and Drunks which (I believe) compiles the entire band’s released material.

Things Falling Apart – The Vessel – This instrumental band formed in Dekalb, Illinois in 2005. This song is the first track of their first album As Above-So Below. Incorporating unconventional instruments including violin and glockenspiel, this band has got to be fans of Godspeed You Black Emperor. Check out their Myspace page for more info.

STREAM: From Monument to Masses – From the Mountains to the Prairies

STREAM: Ghosts and Vodka – Cowboys and Sailors

STREAM: Things Falling Apart – The Vessel

Posted by Greg Herald on Feb 13, 2008 @ 12:00 am