To begin this week’s review of rising artists, we have Miniature Tigers, an indie-rock band from Brooklyn. In preparation for the release of their ‘Cruel Runnings’ LP, set to be released next Tuesday, June 17th – the band on the rise, Miniature Tigers, kicks off their summer tour tonight in New York City. The band performed the Shake Shack 10th Anniversary Party at Madison Square Park last night, and will continue on the road through all of July and August with tour dates ranging from the East to West coasts with festival dates scattered throughout. 

Miniature Tigers, consisting of Charlie Brand, Rick Schaier, Algernon Quashie and Brandon Lee, formed back in 2006. Since their first national tour in October 2008, the quartet has toured alongside Ben Folds and Fun. Combining the sounds of alternative and indie rock with synthpop and electro – the band has a unique and eclectic sound that pleases the music palletes of many.

Watch the music video for their single “Swimming Pool Blues” below. Be sure to grab the LP ‘Cruel Runnings’ from Miniature Tigers out Tuesday on YEBO Music, and for more information and a full list of tour dates, be sure to visit www.miniaturetigers.com.

Next up, we have a little electro-funk for you. A month back, we did a feature piece on Aubergine Machine, the electronic duo from Florida who is making their moves onto the scene this summer. New from the duo is their hot single “Hostage”, which has a very electronica and downtempo sound with a mix of indie-pop. Listen to the track below, where you can also hear a remix of the single.

“For “Hostage”, we went back to the future and used our favorite 90’s trip-hop and neo-soul influences to produce a fresh, deep, ultramodern song,” the duo explained of their funky track. “We really enjoyed working on this one because it felt very natural to leave a little space to make it a little bit dark.”

The producer of the dynamic duo, Ian Carey, is known for his many multi-platinum records and MTV Video Music Award. He has toured and performed all around the globe with world-renowned artists including Basement Jaxx, Avicii, Diplo, Swedish House Mafia, Empire of the Sun, Faithless – among many others. Carey has teamed up with singer and vocalist Shanti Ellis in collaboration to create their new experimental project, Aubergine Machine.
For those who are fans of Flume, Little Dragon, Lorde and Massive Attack – you are sure to love what Aubergine Machine has coming for listeners and fans. The sound is what I like to call “chill electro” with a mix of “electro-funk” – perfect for your beach and summer playlsits. If you’re liking what you’re hearing, be sure to also check out their music video for “Call it Fate, Call it Karma” below, which is a cover of the single released by The Strokes. Be on the lookout for more to come from the electronica duo Aubergine Machine. 

Moving on to something more dance floor and housey, let us introduce you to Dusky. If you are fan of electronic music, you are sure to have already heard of this talented duo. Consisting of the London-based producers Alfie Granger-Howell and Nick Harriman, Dusky has released some of the smoothest electronic hits in the past few months. With “Careless” under  their belt, along with a number of festival and show performances, the duo is quickly on the rise to the top of the electro food chain.

The duo has just recently laucnhed their 17 Steps record label and is kicking off their The Next Step world tour tonight in New York City at Webster Hall with over 30 tour dates following, running through the early fall. Dusky is sure to “focus on their unique, hybrid take on house and techno, exemplified by their forthcoming single “Love Taking Over”.” Be prepared for four hour sets in all of these cities.

Take a listen to Dusky’s debut track on their new 17 Steps label, “Love Taking Over”, below. Also be sure to grab their ‘Love Taking Over’ EP set to be released on July 14th. For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit www.duskymusic.com.

Finally we have another summer tour kick off. HOLYCHILD is about to embark on their tour with a performance tonight at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, with new tour dates and festival performances in Brooklyn, DC and Toronto for NXNE. The band will also appear at the Firefly Music Festival in Delaware before hitting the road for shows throughout the months of June and July, touring alongside Fitz and The Tantrums.

The indie band is touring in support of their debut EP ‘Mindspeak’. HOLYCHILD has been featured by NYLON and BlackBook Mag with the New York Observer calling them “fun,” “thoughtful,” and “a musical experience that’s equal parts art, pop, and female empowerment.”

Take a listen to HOLYCHILD’s ‘Mindspeak’ EP and check out the full list of tour dates below. For more information on HOLYCHILD, be sure to visit www.holychildmusic.com.

June 13 – Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY

June 14 – Surf Lodge – Montauk, NY

June 16 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

June 19 – NXNE – Toronto, CanadaJ

June 21 – Firefly Festival – Dover, DE

June 23 – Roseland Theater – Portland, OR

June 25 – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, Canada

June 27 – Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA

June 29 – The Wilma Theater – Missoula, MT

June 30 – Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT

July 01 – Ogden Theater – Denver, CO

July 02 – Ogden Theater – Denver, CO

July 04 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI

July 05 – Stage AE – Outdoors – Pittsburgh, PA

July 06 – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Canada