Young Rebellion

Last summer Canadian indie pop trio, Young Empires, helped me out with my Internet marketing skills. This month the Internet darlings are back with a remix for "Rain of Gold." This is where I'd usually say they have an exciting new album on the way out on an exciting new label, but to tell you the truth, these guys still aren't signed... and I think that's how they like it.

One look at their MySpace reveals that this is a band made for the Internet age. High quality music videos adorn the site with newsletter sign-ups that lead to "MP3 bundles."

There's a lot to see and hear from Young Empires -- from the dark 808 State grooves in "Glory of the Night," to the dance-punk "Against the Wall" and the popular "Rain of Gold," today's featured track (below) remixed by Brooklyn's French Horn Rebellion, who recently played Toledo.

French Horn Rebellion vs Database - Beaches and Friends (Hey Champ Remix) by French Horn Rebellion

Although it may seem as if Young Empires is in a perpetual Demo mode, an LP is highly anticipated by both Entertainment Weekly and NME so look for it -- along with a possible interview with yours truly -- soon. Also, someone give these guys a deal. Kitsune?

Young Empires - Rain of Gold (French Horn Rebellion Remix) by French Horn Rebellion

U.S.E.

In the summer or fall of 2005 United State of Electronica (better known as U.S.E.) rolled into Cleveland's Beachland Tavern. They sort of took over the place -- with their opener of choice, Seattle's The Sleepers, and a merch table sponsored by KEXP, a Seattle mecca of indie rock.

I had been bumpin this album for a few months in my iPod. Songs included "It Is On!", "Emerald City" and "Open Your Eyes" -- they were punk, indie but retro, glam but genuine, indie with a sound that booms to stadiums. Cathy, a collecrive tightly knit with a neon-tinged yarn. Adorable -- the two guitarist, the two broads, the robot crooner and the beat man -- playing to a huge beat that doesn't indulge in drum machines and plays a mean snare/high-hat combo. Cosmic. A Daft Punk lovechild? All band members hyped in a hype-drug induced anthemic sex pots while clean R&B guitars take things to epic heights -- all resulting in one party them one right after another.

Well, they seem to be back in the news -- some six years later -- with the recently released "Dance With Me," a joint-shaking, over-the-top epic anthem for a generation perhaps we have yet to see. I'm talking about in the future where robot crooners broadcast to masses of rainbow-clad aliens across the universe.

Make-Out Music is VERY excited for LP2.