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: