Crown Lands are a 2 piece rock duo from Oshawa. They have some definite White Stripe influences with their bluesy guitar riffs and dirty vocals but they separate themselves with their individual styles. The drummer rips and sings at the same time while the guitar player also rocks a moog bass pedal with his foot so he keeps it groovy while shredding. Here's their video for "Mantra". Keep your ears open for more from Crown Lands. - Kris Gies

Bestman has released the first single and title track from their upcoming EP. The EP, "Big Sky", will be released self-released on August 5th. Bestman is fronted by Brian Clouthier who wrote and recorded all of the tracks on this new EP.

Some artists are able to create music that provides the perfect accompaniment to life as we imagine it in our most hopeful moments - which in turns actually helps us live a better existence. NYC bands Beach Moon, Peach Moon and Parrot Dream (pictured) play elegant dream pop that's just as good of a companion on the commute to work as it is during a night spent alone with our thoughts. Beach Moon, Peach Moon’s lo-fi shoegaze is filled with warm, melancholic guitars and softly lush, self-reflective vocals, and often juxtaposes melancholic instrumentation to optimistic lyrics, like in opening track 'Philosophy at 23/at 24' (streaming). Slightly more upbeat, the dream pop of Parrot Dream is centered around Christina Appel's vocals and her lyrics, which heavily rely on metaphors to construct poignant and distinct imagery. Both bands will be playing at the Silent Barn on August 3rd. - John Honan

Restorations have a manner of creating multifaceted songs that dig their heels in a personal manner and then branch outward. The group has self-released a new single “See/Sea,” produced by Jonathan Low. The songs continue in that literary, resounding lyrical tradition, booming into Americana-flavored rockin' anthems. Restorations plan to continue on releasing in this manner for the near future so make sure to pay it forward. Catch them live at The Foundry on Thursday, August 18 for the Red Bull Sound Select showcase with Thrills and Mumblr!

Bummed that summer is slowly dwindling down before our eyes?  Join the club. Luckily there's bands like Boston's own Aüva, whose dreamy surf-pop sound reminds us that we still can make the most of August. Their latest video for "Better," the bands first ever video, positions the band's two vocalists, tongue-in-cheek, as a pair of exes. The male vocalist is despondent, smashing bottles and wallowing in self-pity. The female one on the other hand has moved on, and started anew with another male suitor. It's a funny, cute take on that whole "Mr. Brightside" catergory of songs, and it reflects the lightness of the track's nature well — which jams by the way. Aüva are releasing a new LP in a few days, and you can check them out live when they play O"Brien's on 8/13.

We discovered Aüva through our submissions page. If your a band that's looking to get checked out, you can send us some tunes here. - Henry Solotaroff-Webber