News

This is a big year not only for music, anniversaries, but also Indie Vision Music in general. Yes, my friends, this year is the 20th Anniversary of the website/store/label and everything IVM means to me. I thought of a few different things I could do for the anniversary but due to time constraints and well, this pandemic which has completely changed EVERYTHING about our daily lives, I decided to keep it simple. I have put together this little write up on what I consider to be 20 of my favorite albums of that monumental year in music history.… Continued →

Continuing with the (former) IVM band news is a sweet little drum cover of “Broken Youth” (Homeplate) by Paul Hyde of the band Grandpa Loves Rhinos. Check out the drum cover below this post. Grandpa Loves Rhinos “Searching in the Sarchasm” and Homeplate “Derby City” EP available now from your digital network of choice and on CD.… Continued →

The pop-punk duo known as “Homeplate” are returning after just a few months from the release of their incredible debut EP, “Derby City”, to record MORE NEW MUSIC. That’s right friends, the guys will reconvene in the studio soon to lay down some new tracks for another EP. If you enjoyed “Derby City” as much as I did, you’re in for a real treat. No word yet on whether a label will pick these guys up and release future tunes but stay tuned. For now, pick up Derby City EP on CD from IVM or your favorite digital network.… Continued →

A classic Tooth & Nail pop-punk band, Hangnail, that everyone will claim is an underrated band who definitely should have been “bigger” (whatever that means) in their time is seeing a most triumphant return to the music realm. With hands held high in applause, we welcome these posi-pop-punk gentlemen back and we welcome their brand of uplifting, spiritual punk rock with our arms wide open (cheesy Creed pun, sorry). You can pick up or stream “Christmas Hymns” on your favorite Digital Network, December 4th, through long time label home, Tooth & Nail Records.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Awaken – The Veil
• CHPTRS – When You Came Along
• CLOUDLAND – Lights
• Faintheart – Growing Pains (EP)
• Kevin Max – Revisiting This Planet
• The Lasting Hope – Lead Me
• Mike Mains & The Branches – Briggs (Cinematic Version)
• No Lost Cause – Hope For The Hopeless (2020 Version)
• The Reversalist – Falling Embers
• VERIDIA – Crushed Velvet
• Weathered – Everything All at Once

Pop & CCM

• 21:03 – Never Let Me Down
• Bien – Megaphone
• Cristabelle Braden – My Story Now (Lo-Fi Remix)
• Daulton Hopkins – I Melt With You
• DC Talk – Trying to Find A Life
• Feikje Douwina – This Time (EP)
• Gabriel Conte – Belong
• Jacob Hilton – A Voice Shouting (Féz Remix)
• Jessica Love – Stronger
• JJ Weeks Band – JJ Weeks Band
• John Michael Howell, Ashylnn Rose – You Will Love Again
• Jordan St.

… Continued →

British Christian reggae artist Ben Okafor was born in Nigeria. Experiencing life as a victim of the Nigerian civil war, and even serving temporarily as a child soldier, Okafor was able to relocate to England in the late 70s where he began a career as a reggae artist. His early works were even produced by Bob Lamb (UB40). Musically, Ben’s music has always had an interesting mix of influences from traditional roots reggae (Ben’s clean guitar playing is noted throughout his lengthy discography) to lovers rock (AKA pop-reggae), but also including folk and world elements–all of which are impacted by his diverse cultural and geographical background.… Continued →

Listen: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Lyrics:… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• 12 Stones – Smoke and Mirrors Volume 1 (EP)
• Amongst Wolves – Golden (Remix)
• Cory Shane – Pyramid Scheme
• Crushing the Deceiver – At The End Of The Tunnel
• Fallstar – SSRI Feel Better Already
• Fight The Fade – What’s Left (Acoustic)
• The Fold – Young & Free
• Love and Death – Down
• Revelation Attic – Agony
• The Rocket Summer – Bee Sides: Select Rarities 2015-2020
• Talkie – to be alone
• Then It Ends – Despised (Acoustic)

Pop & CCM

• Andrea Hamilton – Time Under Tension (EP)
• Camryn Leigh Smith – Tightrope
• Freddie Fardon – Under Your Wings
• Grace Graber – Real
• Harolddd – Hoodie Weather
• Jessie Early – The Fire Never Dies (EP)
• Jon Webster – Rendezvous
• Judah & the Lion – Spirit
• MacKenzie Phillips – Deeper
• Marie Bashiru – Joyride
• Matthew West – Gobble Gobble
• Neoni – OUTLAW
• Punch Parade – Stay In
• Smalltown Poets – In Real Life (Live)
• Spencer Kane – Smoke
• Terrian – Light It Up
• Whosah – Heaven Here

Electronic 

• God’s Warrior – River Flows In You (God’s Warrior Remix)
• God’s Warrior – Tears

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Alisa Turner – Row
• Allison Clarke – Live Oak (EP)
• Jamie Barnes – Ex-Voto
• Jessie Dipper – Sirens
• More Than Rubies – The Bravest Thing
• Ordinary Time – Hard Times
• Tracy Nitschke – Ghost Town

Hip Hop & R&B

• Aluis – Faith Without Sight 2
• Angie Rose – Meet Me (Heaven On Earth)
• Anthone Ray – FACADE
• Arrow – All That (feat.

… Continued →

A new group coming straight out of the North Pole called The Myrrhderers are here to spread some Christmas cheer and celebrate the holiday like only a punk rock band could. This super special group are releasing their debut Christmas only EP titled “The Myrrhderers Sleigh Christmas” on November 20th. You can download “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” right here via their bandcamp page. The band will follow this up with “The Myrrhderers Sleigh Some More” on December 11th. I have the EP and it absolutely rules.… Continued →

Fallstar are back and with a new song in tow. Check out the track “SSRI Feel Better Already” below this post and give it a solid listen. The song will appear on the new album “Sunbreather”, out February 2021 through Facedown Records. I was an on/off Fallstar fan in the past probably due to my tastes at the time but this new song completely changes my entire outlook on the band and their job as musicians. This is solid and I mean that in the most sincere way.… Continued →

I’m not sure how most IVM readers feel about new wave and synth-driven music. It’s extremely nostalgic for me, having grown up in the 80s. The 1980s also comprised the decade where contemporary Christian music came into its own as a marketable industry. While you could argue the merits of that, or against them, it’s a simple fact. But where there is ‘progress’ or marketability (read: money), there will also always be an undercurrent–an independent protest against the mainstream. Marc Plainguet–and his alter egos Gadget and Crazed Bunnyz–were spearheading lo-fi and experimental synth-driven music in the underground tape-trading scene.… Continued →

Charlotte, NC wordsmith Andy Squyres has released a lyric video for his must-hear track “Dead Horse”. This track is rife with lament and worship all the same and is a great example of why I’ve clung deeply to Squyres’ songs this year. His lyrics avoid clichés on both extremes – this is far from CCM, but it does not wallow in self-pity. Other suggested tracks to check out include “The Pestle and the Mortar”, “Unanswered Prayers”, “Cherry Blossoms”, and “Before You God”.   … Continued →

Unbeknownst to me, apart from a Facebook post, I’ve been writing for IVM for four years now. That’s long enough to get a college degree, or a Master’s. And in some ways, that time feels like a drop in the bucket. In other ways, it has been stressful, tense, uncertain, even insurmountable at times. But in the midst of that, there have been pockets of joy, wonder, and passion. I got to tour with American Arson. I’ve had reviews shared by Facedown Records. I’ve covered bands that got big; elsewhere, I helped put a few artists on the map.… Continued →

Trulah has released an incredibly relevant, captivating song. Pairing jazz and soul with sentiments about the world’s blindness to unfolding spiritual realities, “Sing of the Times” is at once comforting and convicting. The track borrows themes from apocalyptic literature (wars and rumors of wars, the great apostasy), placing the audience in the middle of this uncomfortable reality: many are asleep, and narrow is the path to life. We have a responsibility to keep the faith and plead with the faithless. Of course, it’s an entrancing track in terms of overall sound as well – making this a very unique song, one that demands to be heard for its urgent message.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• 2 Minute Minor – Stand for Something or Fall for Anything (EP)
• Chaotic Resemblance – Unto the Lamb
• Collision of Innocence – Sorrows End
• Dawnbreaker – Vanquished Horrible Night
• Diamonds to Dust – Corpus Christi
• The Midnight Wedding – Set Me Free
• Northern Flame – Sanctification of the World
• Talkie – look at me
• Weathered – In This World

Pop & CCM

• About A Mile – Godless America
• After Grace – Forever Home
• The Brilliance – Hurricane
• Common Courier – At the Table
• The Complete Fiction – Things Are Looking Up
• Future Of Forestry – We Can’t Breathe
• Gabriel Conte – Los Angeles
• GALLERY – Beacon (Radio Edit)
• The Gray Havens – Forever / / Autumn Sessions
• Greg Attwells – So Crazy
• Jamie Grace – Normal
• JJ Heller – Impossible
• Joel Vaughn – It’s Okay
• Mary Ives – Is There Anybody Out There
• Tom Read – Dead Things to Life (Live)
• Tyler Batts – Falling In
• Xandria Cross – Marionette
• Wake Low – Wake Low

Electronic

• Edu Linares – Is Now
• God’s Warrior – Honor Jesus
• Jeremy James Whitaker – I’m a Mess (Buryme James Whitaker Remix)
• JSteph – I’m Sorry (Sam Bowman Remix)
• Man Cub – In A Dream (Remixes)
• Neon Beach – Countdown
• Roberto Rosso – Freedom (Radio Mix)

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Allie Crummy – Balance
• The Arcadian Wild – Fall: War
• Becca Jordan – Autumn Gold
• Madison Cunningham – Wednesday (EP)
• Thomas Austin – Someday

Hip Hop & R&B

• Aha Gazelle – 180 (Chopped NOT Slopped)
• Ahchwan – Trapped-N-Truth
• Aklesso – Popular
• Alphein – Hold On
• Andrew Puckett – Fight
• Avila – Love Lust
• Beleaf – My Father’s Business
• BigGucciDame – Memories to the Future
• B-Shock – Rise and Shine EP
• B-Shock – Sing Thru It All
• Caleb Gordon – elev8
• Christ Is King – Real Slow
• Christ Jr – One Way
• Chxsen – Highs & Lows
• Collinthekid – Hvnly Glow
• CS LIT – CD-R
• Darrell Dominic – Polarized
• Datin – Who Do You Believe?

… Continued →

for King & Country have just released their Christmas album titled “A Drummer Boy Christmas” featuring a bunch of songs that are classics redone in their style as well as some originals. Click here for their youtube channel to watch a series of lyric videos for the album which serve as a film of sorts. Click below for their tour dates to finish out the year as well as a music video.… Continued →

Love and Death have just dropped the biggest tease ever which builds upon years of anticipation for new music. Check it out below. Date is 11.13.2020. What does it mean? Rob J. and I have the answer (we think) to this mystery but we can’t share just yet. (Please excuse the 7 year old pic).… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• 09 x Matty Mullins – Masquerade
• Aaron Ray – In My Blood
• Barry Blair – Down in the Lowlands
• Gable Price and Friends – You Are My Country
• Last Year’s Model – Rondé Vous
• Living Scars – Without Me
• My Epic – Lower Still
• Nine Lashes – Follow
• Odds of an Afterthought – The Truth Will Set You Free but First It Will Piss You Off
• Paradise Now – Lockdown Mixtape (EP)
• The Protest – Greater
• Shelbi – Rocket Science (EP)

Pop & CCM

• Amy Grant – Unguarded (Re-Release)
• Andrew Marcus – No Reason to Say Goodbye
• Alisa Turner – Run for Your Life
• Ben Fuller – Town Called Grace
• Ben Laine – 12
• Caitie Hurst – At All Times (EP)
• Chris Howland – Dreamworld
• Coby James – Homesick (EP)
• David Dunn – Perspectives (Deluxe)
• DOE – DOE (EP)
• Ernstly Etienne – Jericho 
• Frankie Orella – While My Guitar Gently Weeps | Help!

… Continued →

Not like they ever disappeared but new music on The Echoing Green front has been sort of quiet for past couple years. The Echoing Green emerged from the silence to drop a collection of of songs from 2002 to 2018 called “Violent Whispers: Songs & Stories From The Echoing Green”. This collection of songs is available right here on Vinyl (Limited to 500 copies). They are using funds generated from the sale of this album to fund a future release of NEW music. These are some of my favorite Echoing Green songs.… Continued →

Long time husband and wife indie-folk duo known as Jenny & Tyler have just completed work on their 5th album. You can support on Patreon right here and grab the songs from there. You can find some more behind the scenes videos and clips via their facebook page here.… Continued →

One of my favorite indie singer/songwriters, Arthur Alligood, returns with a kickstarter campaign to fund his upcoming new full length record. He is working with a couple Toad The Wet Sprocket members (as well as other guest musicians) on this album and it’ll be produced by Mikal Blue who has worked with groups/artists like Five For Fighting, One Republic, Jason Mraz, and Colbie Caillat among others. This highly anticipated new album needs support from fans and new fans alike. Arthur is a talented songwriter and I know this will be his biggest and best album to date.… Continued →

Head over to the Tooth & Nail Merch Site right now and order yourself a copy of “No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical” on VINYL! There is a limited number of copies left. This was carefully and thoughtfully put together by UnoriginalVinyl for T&N and on behalf of the band who also worked together on this Vinyl pressing. Go check it out here.… Continued →

The Classic Crime are returning after last year’s sleeper hit, “Patterns in the Static”, to record and release yet another full length record, their 7th. You can check out their Kickstarter campaign right here and contribute to get the goods or wait until it reaches digital markets in late 2021 or early 2022. How many Classic Crime fans do we have here?… Continued →

When Seventh Angel’s debut album The Torment came out, I was an instant fan. I was a huge thrash fan in my teenage years, and their unique take on it–lots of acoustic interludes, and darker chord progressions–appealed to me. A couple of years later, the band followed up with Lament for the Weary. I must admit that at first I didn’t get it. It was much slower than any thrash I’d ever heard, and I hadn’t discovered doom yet as a genre, so I didn’t have a frame of reference for slower tunes.… Continued →

As The Oh Hellos conclude their four-EP, multi-year release cycle, I take some time to reflect on what this might mean for the future of music and how bands can be more strategic with their promotion and build more excitement using a multi-release approach. … Continued →

We’re over 500 years past the Reformation and Reformation Day is traditionally celebrated on October 31st. With that in mind, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this historic event and how it has altered the Church – and world – as well as look at some songs that tie into the themes of the five solas. Like this segment? Want more like it? Let us know!  … Continued →

Hello Luna have returned with a brand new song, “Wait So Long”, which you can check out below. This female-fronted band is laced with hints of bands like Paramore or even Flyleaf – this is unadulterated rock with tight grooves and a fair bit of technicality as well.  … Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Cyborg Future & Emery – The Road We Find Ourselves Upon
• Deane Walden – Stupid Cupid
• Earth Groans – Waste (EP)
• Faintheart – Say to Me
• Fireflight – Who We Are: The Head And The Heart
• HANDSXFEET – Grace
• Hard Look – Breathing in the Wrath
• Ignite the Fire – Unstoppable
• Nate Parrish – Bullets and Blades
• Paradise Now – Monsters
• WeAreGeneration – Nightmare
• Weathered – Chasing Me
• Words – My Body’s a Zombie for You

Pop & CCM

• Adrienne Acosta – Keep Holding On
• Cade Thompson – Almost Dawn
• Caleb Crino – Basics
• Connor Caughlan – Skeletons (Live Version)
• Cory Asbury – Dear God (Acoustic)
• Courtnie Ramirez – Chase Me Down
• Chris Bray – More Like You
• DLLN – Imma Winner
• Ernstly Etienne – Quarantine
• Evvie McKinney – Look No Further (EP)
• Gabriel Conte – Wrong With Me
• The Gray Havens – This My Soul / / Autumn Sessions
• I AM THEY – Faithful God
• Jason Gray – Order, Disorder, Reorder
• John Jin Han – Young Folks
• Natalie Layne – Tell Them I’m Brave
• Riley Clemmons – Healing

Electronic

• Fishburn – Known All Along
• JackSayFree – King of Nations (2k20 Edit)
• ØM-53 – Rain Down

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – Live at the Tennessee Theatre
• Paul Demer – Singing at a Restaurant
• Taylor Armstrong – Taylor Armstrong
• Teressa Mahoney – Maybe

Hip Hop & R&B

• Akil Hamilton – Best Part
• Andrew Puckett – Right Time
• Andy Mineo – Jackson Pollock (TikTok Remix)
• Anh Thai x Paul the Messenger – Overwhelm
• Arrow – On God (feat.

… Continued →

When it comes to black metal, true fans will generally argue that the more raw, the better. And the more underground too. And there’s not much more rare, raw, and underground than Flaskavsae. The band was spearheaded by the mysterious “E” and most of their releases were in limited runs of a few hundred copies. I happened across the band when I was running a distro about 15 years ago specializing in underground metal, hardcore and indie rock (among other things). Their sound, though bleak, brings in bits of atmospheric layers, and at times, downright noisy textures.… Continued →

Last week a message in a bottle washed up in my inbox containing a treasure map. Okay, actually it was Indiegogo campaign. But let’s roll with the treasure map thing because the message was about everyone’s favorite nautical rock band, Rusty Shipp. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Noah, how can I get on this treasure too?” Well I’m glad you asked. The band is in the process of crowdfunding their second full-length album, which like their last EP Liquid Exorcist will be a concept album.… Continued →