Maverick Smith’s “We Make Fire, They Make Smoke” lands not with a thud, but with the distinct, satisfying crackle of something catching alight. It’s a title that carries the grit of the Ohio Valley in its consonants, a resolute statement from a band – Paige Bosic on commanding vocals and rhythm guitar, Sean Boynes sculpting soundscapes on guitar, Jim Courtney’s intricate drumming, Charlie Kovach’s...

The Sydney-based band Sundryver blends nostalgia and modernity in a whirlwind of sound and sentiment, placing their unique signature on the indie rock scene. With a sound that combines the grunge-infused alternative of early Foo Fighters and the melodic rock of Arctic Monkeys with the aggressive intensity of Deftones, the young Sydney band Sundryver has taken flight, as if driven by the creative muses themselves. Their...