Nikki Leskinen
Mornings
The other day I saw a Noisey article titled, “Indie Rock Isn’t Dead”, and it made me think about the state of music that we termed “Indie”. The article talks about how music buffs have been lamenting that the era that brought about such powerhouses like The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and The Shins is not producing the sounds that we have grown to love. Even I for awhile suffered from an extreme anxiety about the state of this station: “Where do we go from here?” ; “What sound does the KSLGNATION expect?”; “Is this sound viable?”
The key word here is comfort. The sounds we have associated for so long with Indie music has a sound we have come to expect, something familiar, something comfortable. If you ever have been in a long-term relationship, you realize that comfort can be wonderful but also…(drumroll)..stagnating.
The truth is though we crave the comfortable, it makes for a stagnant sound. It’s not original. It’s not bold. It becomes irrelevant to modernity.
Sarah MacDonald of Noisey writes, “Indie now is trying to make a space for everyone but, even more important, the producers of this music want to ensure that their audience can take part in that representation.” (Hint: THAT MEANS YOU!!!)
You, Yes You! Your participation in this station means that the sounds you like stay. How can you participate? Go vote on the songs you here by clicking the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" on this website . Keep submitting your songs to KSLG.com or to my email. Finally, keep an open mind about the sounds you are hearing. It can be hard because we get so “comfortable” with certain sounds, but as Ms. MacDonald has pointed out:
“Indie isn’t dead. It’s evolving”.
Nikki
PD/MD
Contact Me:
nikki@kslg.com
www.facebook.com/DjNikkaySlikk
www.twitter.com/kslgfm
Favorite Tracks
"Here In Spirit"
Jim James
When I first heard this song, I knew I recognized the voice. Turns out this the frontman/guitarist/producer of a little indie band called My Morning Jacket is branching out into his own solo work. I absolutely love it!
"Cocoon"
Milky Chance
Our favorite German electro-duo has a song out that Time magazine calls,"Somewhere between the folksy rock of Vampire Weekend and the haunting electropop of Beach House,” and that it’s, “low-key alt-rock that appeals to indie listeners and mainstream pop fans.” Perfect crossover appeal!
"Drunk Drivers/ Killer Whales (Single Version)"
Car Seat Headrest
Will Toledo's ode to post-party melancholia and emotion stirred from the activist documentary "Blackfish". If your mind has ever wandered in a drunken stupor to random stream-of-consciousness, add this one to your playlist.