Nation of Language & Beach Fossils: Brooklyn’s Indie Scene Is Set

December 27, 2023 by

If you’re looking for fresh Indie and Alternative tracks to stream come the new year, look no further than Brooklyn’s own Nation of Language and Beach Fossils, making their mark in the industry since the early 2010s.

Nation of Language/ photo by Shervin Lainez / courtesy of Shore Fire Media

Nation of Language/ photo by Shervin Lainez / courtesy of Shore Fire Media

Nation of Language is an indie pop band that formed in Brooklyn in 2016. The group is currently made up of Ian Richard Devaney (lead vocals, guitar, synthesizer, percussion), Aidan Noell (synthesizer, backing vocals), and Alex MacKay (bass guitar). The group came to be in what is described as Devaney “fooling around on the keyboard,” which led to their first single in 2016 entitled “What Does the Normal Man Feel?”

From there, they released a handful of singles before releasing their debut album, Introduction, Presence in 2020. Now with a discography spanning over five years, their latest project is the single , Spare Me the Decision, off their 2023 album Strange Disciple.  Listening to tracks by the group transports you to a whole new world, Devaney’s distinct voice synonymous to the late, great David Bowie.

Beach-Fossils-by-Christopher-Petrus courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR

Beach Fossils/ photo by Christopher Petrus /courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR

Turning attention to another indie band with a rock tone is Beach Fossils. First formed in 2009 in Brooklyn, the band is currently signed to Bayonet Records. Members Dustin Payseur (vocals, guitar), Jack Doyle Smith (bass), Tommy Davidson (guitar), and Anton Hochheim (drums), can be described as best known for their lo-fi, atmospheric sound, and nostalgic lyrics.

Having initially come up during the underground indie scene of the 2010s, Beach Fossils released their debut self-titled album. To date, they have released three studio albums, their latest being Bunny, released earlier this summer. While listening to Bunny, one can’t help but feel reminiscent and lackadaisical, a perfect set of tunes for a summer drive, or cozy night in, under the festive lights.

While both groups come part of the same genre, their clear-cut sounds set them worlds apart for very different, but all around enjoyable listening experiences.