Andy Fenstermaker is a music lover, writer, marketing professional, and entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to sharing his passion for music with others. He is the founder of FensePost, a renowned music blog that has been sharing the latest and greatest in indie music since 2006. Andy has always been fascinated by the power of music to connect people, and he started FensePost with the aim of sharing his love of music with others. Andy developed a passion for music at a young age. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Andy grew up surrounded by a vibrant music scene that left an indelible mark on him. He attended Washington State University, where he studied Communication and Business. He holds a BA in Communication and a Masters in Business Administration. After graduating, Andy started writing about music and created FensePost as the outlet. The blog has a strong focus on indie music, but also covers a range of other genres including folk, indie pop, psychedelic, garage rock, and experimental. Andy and the blog relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in 2020.
Always one to champion the latest fuzzed-out pop group, I cannot help but talk up Je Suis Animal. Their songs boast the heavy guitar distortion and pointed percussion so rampant in some of today’s greatest artists, with a soft and smooth vocal styling not typically found in groups such as this. And that’s what makes them special. Read More »Je Suis Animal: Fortune Map [Video]
In Invitation Air, The Ginger Envelope‘s follow-up to Edible Orchids, the band displays an impressive progression in songwriting and instrumental capabilities. Cohesive is its nature; this album goes very well alongside their earlier work. But from the opening track, “Turn Into Tempests”, it’s readily apparent that a change has occurred, one that finds The Ginger Envelope giant leaps ahead in their ability to wow the listener.
Read More »The Ginger Envelope: Invitation Air [Album Review] 
It’s astonishing how earnest and endearing a lone man with a guitar can be. On occasion, such an artist comes along that can move people based on this minimalism. Tom Brosseau has the capabilities to do so, and his latest LP, Posthumous Success proves it. Opening tune “Favourite Colour Blue” includes a rambling guitar and folk-worthy howls. Read More »Tom Brosseau: Posthumous Success [Album Review]
First Songs is the solo work of songwriter Boris Skalsky, who fronts Dead Heart Bloom. Here one will find a stripped-down folk side of Skalsky as opposed to something a bit heavier. Piano and acoustic guitar replaces rock guitars and drums. Read More »Boris Skalsky: First Songs [Album Review]
Destruction has never been so catchy, as proven by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band in their video for “Cheer For Fate”. The song, as noted in my review of their self titled Dead Oceans LP, the song originated from the group’s debut, Weepy EP. Read More »Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band: Cheer For Fate [Video]
Allt Är Musik is somewhat of a rarity in that Andreas Sjögren, the primary force behind Allt Är Musik, sings in his native tongue. The typical Swedish artist tends to sing in English. On Skapelseberättelsen, Allt Är Musik creates lo-fi pop tunes that blend acoustic guitars with drone-ridden synths, the combination of which is quite peaceful. Read More »Allt Är Musik: Skapelseberättelsen [Album Review]
As we move through time, our bodies mature. In most cases, so do the capabilities our minds possess; we are able to piece together more and more complex puzzles, complete more difficult challenges and tasks that we or others require, and reach, hoping to accomplish, all those goals that once seemed so unfathomably far away. Within our minds, we are capable of progressing. Ideally, such a concept should also relate to music: the instrument holder advances in their ability to perform as well as construct. While this is not always the case, it is with Marshmallow Sunset, the sophomore release by Cock And Swan via their personal DIY label Dandelion Gold. Read More »Cock And Swan: Mashmallow Sunset
It’s instrumental. It’s experimental. And, unfortunately, it is no more.
I am, of course, talking about Nameless Numbers. I caught their first show at the Retro Fit Gallery (another has been) in Moscow, ID a mere three months after formation. The hypnotic keyboardist, the Garfunkel-haired guitar improvisation artist, the wacky but talented drummer, and the bass/banjo multi-instrumentalist have sadly parted ways. But with death comes birth. Grant (drums) has joined The Last Melting Man while the remaining trio are banding together for a new, currently unnamed project. Read More »Nameless Numbers: Feature Band
You rarely hear the words avant-garde associated with pop music. Yet the eclectic and sometimes ear-wrenching sub-genre can be found in all corners of music, but perhaps most notably in jazz through classic artists like Ornette Coleman. In some ways avant-garde is simply a pretentious way of saying experimental. But the definition of the term is merely a push of the boundaries away from the norm. That, then, brings up the question what is the norm?
Read More »Bear In Heaven: Red Bloom Of The Boom [Album Review]
As I’ve noted countless times in my reviews, I am a firm believer that the sweetest and best of indie-pop from around the world comes from Sweden. While The Legends kicked off this phase, my attention was not focused on that country until I discovered label mates Acid House Kings. With the success of their cherished Sing Along With The Acid House Kings (2005, Labrador) comes the smash hit single “Do What You Wanna Do” in a Single/EP of the same name, this time on the Florida label TwentySeven Records with four exclusive tracks–one of which is exclusive to the US release of the single.
Read More »Acid House Kings: Do What You Wanna Do [Album Review]
