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.

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Furr
Black River Killer

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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

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Strange Answers
Wicked World (Move Softly)

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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.

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No Harm Done
Stained Glass Blues

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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.

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Vicious Traditions
Lavinia

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emusic

Astronautalis

Photo copyright © Annie Ray, AnnieRay.net.

Astronautalis is technically a "rapper", but that's really selling him short. While his freestyles are awe inspiring, Astronautalis' style, in my opinion, is more what I'd call shoegaze or indie rap. Some of the tracks off Mighty Ocean and Nine Dark Theater remind of Modest Mouse, with spoken lyrics. Not all the songs are "rap", he makes successful attempts at singing, or using melody in his unique singing style.

On his new album Pomegranate, his experiments with instrumentation and singing have blossomed. Full of layered horns and organs, interesting imagery through creative lyrics, and great production, this third album will hopefully propel him into the semi-stardom he deserves.

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The Wondersmith and His Sons
Trouble Hunters

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Emusic
Eyeball Records

Foals

Foals are a band from the Oxford England, signed to Sup Pop. They play a dancy, mathy style of indie rock. The guitar work is technical, the drums are super dancy and they even have horns for f*cks' sake! Highly Recommended.

For fans of Minus the Bear, Bloc Party, Mystery Jets, and Moving Units.

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Cassius
Balloons

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Emusic
Sub Pop Minimart

Satisfaction

Satisfaction is a band from my hometown of Costa Mesa, CA featuring Mike Rosas of Headfirst and Smile. They play a nostalgic kind of rock, bordering on seventies pop, with the modern sensibilities and hooks of Mike's previous band, Smile. The vocals are great and the production is solid.

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So We'll Just Take the Night
Feel So Stupid

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Both EPs are available on their myspace page here.