Blind Pilot

Blind Pilot is a folk indie duo from Portland, OR. Their brand of music is poppy and catchy, but has dark undertones compliments of appropriately used accordians and trumpets. The songs are thoughtful and well written, and very, very accessible.

For fans of Blitzen Trapper Calexico

Listen:
One Red Thread
Two Towns From Me

Acquire:
Blind Pilot on Amazon

Sunset Rubdown

Sunset Rubdown is from Montreal, Canada. They have ties to Wolf Parade (as Spencer Krug is the principal songwriter), Pony Up!, Frog Eyes, and more. Their brand of music is pretty much straight up indie rock blending layered vocals and multi-instrument arrangements. Orchestral and melodic, but also dark, brooding and, in parts, dreamy.

For fans of Wolf Parade, Modest Mouse, Handsome Furs.

Listen:
You Go On Ahead
Idiot Heart

Acquire:
Sunset Rubdown on Amazon

Thorns of Life

Thorns of life is a band that features Blake Schwarzenbach (Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil), Aaron Cometbus (Pinhead Gunpowder, Crimpshrine) and Daniela Sea (the L Word and random punk bands). The songs sound very Jawbreaker-ey, and the lyrics are textbook Blake. In my opinion, this is something every Jawbreaker fan will love. At the very least, it's great to hear Blake making music again.


Thorns Of Life @ 924 Gilman St. Jan 31, 09.
http://www.mediafire.com/?juyym4utqg3

The Henry Clay People

The Henry Clay People

The Henry Clay People are a band from California, the LA area to be more specific. They play an more modern style of mid 90s alt rock. They're like the cool kids born to the Replacments, Soul Asylum and Cracker. That is if the Replacments, Soul Asylum and Cracker could actually mate and produce human offspring. And, those human offspring played these songs.

Try:
Something in the Water
Working Part Time

Buy:
Working Part Time (Emusic)
For Cheap or For Free (direct from label)

How Dare You

How Dare You are a rock band from Orlando, FL. They play a nostalgic brand of melodic postcore indie. As much as I hate the "emo" label, their sound is most easily lumped into this category. Their music reminds me of a lot of early 2000 bands, most specifically, Hot Water Music. While they are reminiscent of the Draft, Lawrence Arms, and HWM, they're not derivative. They have defnitely found their own niche in this genre and with their debut album, "Comfort Road", they have established themselves as a band to watch out for in the next coming years.

Try:
Beacon St.
Week of Heart Attacks

Buy:

Tokyo Police Club


TPC is a Canadian indie rock band that teeters on the edge between mathy indie and dancey indie. Their songs are upbeat, fun and well structured. They are extremely catchy without being homogenous or watered down. In fact, the songs are subtly complex without forcing the listener to get too involved.

For fans of: Wolf Parade, We Are Scientists, Foals

Try:
A Lesson in Crime

Buy:
Tokyo Police Club on Amazon

Bound Stems

Bound Stems

Bound Stems are a band from Chicago, Illinois who play pretty standard indie rock. While I say standard, I don't mean that their music is standard, they just fall into the genre comfortably. They don't try to incorporate any Alt-Folk or Experimental Noise rock. Nothing like that. They play fun, melodic indie rock and it's refreshing.

For Fans of Shout Out Louds, French Kicks, Death Cab, etc.

Try
Happens to Us All Otherwise
Passing Bell

Buy

Greg Laswell

photo by AutumnDeWilde

In keeping with the singer songwriter theme for this week, I'm posting about an artist which I've compared to the previous two posts. Greg Laswell is a singer/songwriter from San Diego, Ca. His songs are very catchy and accessible, and have been featured in all your favorite TV Shows. His songs typically feature piano, acoustic guitar and ultra-hooky choruses. Learn more about his successful licensing career and failed celebrity relationship here.

Try
How The Day Sounds
Sing Theresa

Buy
Greg Laswell on Amazon

Ryan Ferguson

Ryan Ferguson is a singer/songwriter from the San Diego, CA area. He's mostly known for being in the wildy amazing indie rock band, No Knife. His solo stuff is more mainstream and predictable, but still very interesting and sincere. For fans of No Knife, Dominic Castillo, Greg Laswell and Satisfaction. His latest release, Only Trying to Help is available from Better Looking Records, and they have a couple of free MP3s as well.

Try:
Suddenly
Windshield

Buy:
Ryan Ferguson on Amazon

Dominic Castillo & The Rock Savants

Dominic Castillo & The Rock Savants are a band from Portland, Oregon who play a stripped down and raw, but intricate and thoughtful, style of rock. Catchy riffs and articulate arrangements abound! For fans of Satisfaction, Greg Laswell and Ryan Ferguson; among others.

Try:
I'm Not Listening
29

Buy:

The Sea and Cake

The Sea and Cake are a band which originates from Chicago, IL; featuring members Sam Prekop , Archer Prewitt, John McEntire and Eric Claridge. They play indie rock with a heavy jazz influence. Their songs are dynamic and interesting, and have mainstream appeal without the usual mainstream predictability.

For fans of Tortoise, Fujiya and Miyagi, Stereolab, Pinback.

Internets
Myspace

Try
On a Letter
Car Alarm

Buy

The Photo Atlas

The Photo Atlas is a band from Denver, CO that plays angular, technical dance rock. They take rock cues from bands such as At The Drive In and Cursive, while their beats and tempo make them super danceable and are reminiscent of Bloc Party, Moving Units, and the like...

Try
Electric Shock
Red Orange Yellow

Buy

Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot is a band from Syracuse, NY. They play an intricate, upbeat, dancey type of indie rock. With a blend of strings and contemporary dance rock, they stand apart from the typical.

For fans of Bloc Party, Arcade Fire, Los Campesinos, Vampire Weekend.

Try
Everest
Dying is Fine

Buy

Ravens & Chimes

Ravens & Chimes is a band from Brooklyn signed to Better Looking Records. They're a great indie rock band that mix dark, melancholy melodies with sharp and orchestral instrumentation. Their songs tend to lean toward the dynamic, with multiple tempo changes and volume control. Full of crescendo, their songs rise and fall like a sonic ocean.

For fans of Rogue Wave, Arcade Fire, Okkervil River, Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos.

Links
myspace
interwebs

Try
This is Where We Are
General Lafayette! You Are Not Alone

Buy

The Still Voice

The Still Voice is a band from Orlando, FL. Their songs are thoughtful and technical, melodic and chaotic. They blend aggressive, mathy attacks with soft and soulful moments. Passionate female vocals are layered over off time beats and dancey rhythms, creating interesting dynamics.

For fans of Mock Orange, Counterfit, No Knife, Thursday, etc.

Try
Tired Walls
China Glass

Links
Myspace
Interwebs

Throw Me the Statue

Throw Me the Statue is a band from Seattle, Washington that plays ultra catchy indie pop. They've been featured on Pitchfork, NPR and in a Rhapsody commercial.

For fans of Shout Out Louds, Rogue Wave, Cloud Cult and Belle and Sebastian.

Try
Lolita
About to Walk

Buy
emusic

Blitzen Trapper

Blitzen Trapper is a experimental folk group from Portland, Oregon. Last years Wild Mountain Nation album garnered them substantial critical acclaim and their latest release Furr (Sub Pop) received a two page feature in Rolling Stone.

With the resurgence in folk and alt-country music, Blitzen Trapper is sure to do pretty well. At times the vocals sound Bob Dylanish and the music is most comparable to Fleet Foxes, MMJ and Horse Feathers.

Try
Furr
Black River Killer

Buy
Sub Pop Minimart

Summerbirds in the Cellar

Photo by Skylar Reeves

Summerbirds in the Cellar are a band from Orlando, FL. They've been popular in Florida for a few years but recently have gotten more national exposure. This year they opened for R.E.M. at sxsw and a leg of the Faint tour.

They play a dreamy and layered brand of music, with technical and dancey percussion. If you don't believe me, check out this quote from Rolling Stone: "The layer-upon-layer-upon-layer rock of Summerbirds in the Cellar's ethereal vocals, blasting guitar, marching drums, and serene synth lines is enough to make me scream, cry, and bellow into the night, thanking God, Jah, Allah, and Yahweh for the opportunity to bear witness."
- Rolling Stone

Try
Strange Answers
Wicked World (Move Softly)

Buy

Aushua

Aushua is a band from Orange, CA. They play a sincere and nostalgic brand of pop/rock. It's super accessible without being homogenous, or watered down. They're gaining a lot of popularity in the Orange County and Los Angeles area. They will probably be huge in no time.

They're kind of hard to lock down any comparisons to. There are hints of 80's english and irish rock, early U2 and Echo and the Bunnymen definitely come to mind, especially on their track Soldier Boy. Perhaps a dash of Love and Rockets... perhaps.

Try
No Harm Done
Stained Glass Blues

Buy
emusic
Amazon

The Veils

The Veils are a London based band, fronted by lead singer/songwriter Finn Andrews. - I didn't write that, that's straight from their wiki page. What I will write about them is that they create a lush, dreamy soundscape both musically and vocally. At times they're reminiscent of Ours.

They're mellow, melodic and melancholy. Alliteration quota fulfilled.

Try
Vicious Traditions
Lavinia

Buy
emusic