What I learned from KZSU

My first year of DJing and record reviewing at KZSU has taught me a few things. Here are some of the musical the highlights:


1) Sufjan Stevens' dark disciple has arrived.

His name is DM Stith. His album "Curtain Speech" is a mix between the flurrying, layered symphonies of Sufjan Stevens (they share the same label & apparently Sufjan contributed to the album) and the unobtrusive, intimate softness of Bon Iver. The EP combines mostly guitar & strings with electronics, choir, quirky percussion and pennywhistles (you’ll know it when you hear it).

DM Stith - "Abraham's Song (Firebird)"

2) Perfectionists make indie music.

Aren't indie chaps supposed to be footloose, in touch with their emotions, impulsive? Leave the perfectionism to the symphony (or the halls of Stanford University) is what I always say.

These three brothers from Alberta proved me wrong. Aptly described as “ambient yet driving,” Faunts makes exacting electronic/indie/shoegaze music a la School of Seven Bells and M83.

Faunts - "Feel.Love.Thinking.Of"