This band is yet another that I found upon their following me on Twitter, and I was prepared for the typical pop rock band that they seemed like. When I hit the play button on their music player, you can imagine my shock when the first song that started playing proclaimed “I hope he breaks your heart” which I feel is different from the usual love songs we find in the genre. Catchy beats and a clean voice carry the music and makes for a good lazy day out by the pool soundtrack.
This next band is a self proclaimed Funk/Pop/Rock group from Phoenix. Their music is the type of music I would pop in while going on a summer day drive with friends, or while I’m getting ready in the morning and I’m dancing around in my underwear. They make incredibly fun music, and we all know that that’s never a bad thing. They just released a new single, "American Kids" on iTunes, and you can check it out below. It's an ode to youth and I find it quite refreshing. (I also love the lyrics "Here's to the friends who got it figured out, at least the pretend. Here's to the rest of us singin' 'What's my age again?'") Also, their website allows you to listen to their song "April Jean". Give em a listen. They'll brighten up your day.
Admittedly I don’t usually listen to hip hop. I try, I do. I keep my mind open, but I tend to lend myself more towards the different variations of rock. That being said, Culture Sol is a hip hop group I can actually see myself blasting as I’m driving around downtown. Their hooks are infectious and I found myself bobbing my head along with the beat. Unfortunately, as they are from Atlanta, I probably won’t be able to see them soon as I’m a broke college kid that lives over 1,000 miles away. Since I don’t know much about hip hop, the best way for you to understand Culture Sol would be for you to give them a listen for yourself. Trust me. It’ll be worth the time.
Go Download: You can download “Hey Ho! (We Get It Crackin)” from their website for free.
Another band seriously underestimated by the music fans in the United States. The Canadian rock band is a four piece group that is actually quite well known in Canada, making appearances at the Much! Music awards and pretty much never leaving Canada. You can finally get their albums Fix Me and Masterpiece Theatre on iTunes, but it took way to long for them to get there. Anyway, I digress. Their sound is ever evolving with their second album sounding nothing like their first and I'm quite sure their third, due out November 29, will sound nothing like the others. With Josh Ramsay's soaring vocals and personal lyrics (Their song "Lover Dearest" is from a letter he had to write while in rehab to his heroin addiction and "Skin and Bones", "Feeling Small" and "Alibis" are about his fight with bulimia) the band has a way of creating music that is accessible to everyone. I'm excited for them, because they're going to be a part of their first US tour supporting Simple Plan, Forever the Sickest Kids and The Cab. Watch out for these guys. I've had my eye on them for over a year now, and they have been blowing my mind every day since.
Go Download: While I want to tell you to download everything of their's, check out "Masterpiece Theatre III". It has parts of every song on the album, as well as songs from their first put together. And it's wonderful.
[You should also check out the video below, because I really like to watch it]
British acoustic folk singer Ed Sheeran isn't exactly unknown in the UK. However, virtually no one knows about him here. Which is sad, because he's WONDERFUL. Armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar, this gifted ginger blows minds with his voice and lyrics. His most known song, "The A Team" is used in many collaborations with rap artists, which creates a beautiful marriage of the two genres. It's also a very meaningful song, written about a girl in a homeless shelter he played a benefit show for and how she got there. I don't know why he hasn't dropped here in the US yet. He was a part of the iTunes Festival this year, but I still have to turn to torrents to get all his music. Which is wrong. I would love to be able to pay for his magnificence.
Go Download: You can get his cover of "Wayfaring Stranger" and "U.N.I" by signing up for his email list on his website :)
One Step Away is a pop rock band based out of Boston, MA, which is sad for me because it is entirely too far especially for how much I enjoy this band. This band has been featured in Alternative Press, played on stages such as Universal Studios Hollywood and recorded an album with producers Dan Malsch and Alec Henninger (whom have worked with bands such as Framing Hanley and Forever the Sickest Kids). I guess what I’m trying to prove with that is that these guys are getting their work done, and deserve to be recognized. I think what catches my attention most with them is that lead singer Adam Carrington’s voice is VERY reminiscent of Bedlight for Blue Eyes’ Daniel Rinaldi. However, it should be noted that they are two different bands and while it was the voice that pulled me in, it is the lyrics and overall tone of the band that kept me sitting at my laptop needing more.
Go Download: "Need You" off their album For The Broken.
Siri and Tavy is a sister acoustic pop act based out of Houston. How did I find this band, you ask? WELL, I'm actually friends with Siri, and I'm actually pretty sure she didn't want me to promo them here cuz this blog is for school, but I can't be tamed and I'm doing it anyway because I think she is a part of a band that needs love too. Very chill and laid back, they make for a good escape from the loud guitars, rockin bass and pounding drums. With three original songs up on their purevolume and a bunch of covers on their youtube channel, I'm surprised more people haven't contacted them. Though, I can imagine it's only a matter of time :) The best of luck to them in this music industry, because I firmly believe it could use more people grouned like them.
Comprised of one member, Tripp Rowe, The Autumn Advance is an acoustic pop act from North Carolina. I actually was introduced to Tripp’s music via one of my friends who invited me to a stickam chat with him, and I was intrigued, so I gave him a listen. He isn’t your usual acoustic pop act in which the music is happy and about love, four of the five songs from his Love and Time Travel has an EXPLICIT warning. I actually find the juxtaposition of the F bombs and acoustic guitar quite wonderful. It lends itself to a more truthful sound which I, personally, can relate to more than that of the sugary sweet pop songs that could practically give you cavities. He holds nothing back in his lyrics, and it is like getting your anger out through his words while being mellowed out by his playing. I highly suggest giving him a listen, as well as checking out his stickam chats on Wednesdays at 9:30 pm ET.
Go Download: “Watch That Girl” off of Love and Time Travel on iTunes.
Another band who isn't TOO particularly unknown, but because of ACL and my insane love for them, I thought I'd introduce you guys to The Head and the Heart. I found this band by accident at SXSW when I had gone to the lounge room to catch a nap. They were soundchecking and I fell in love just by a few minutes of a soundchecked song. I saw them twice during SXSW, then again at Bonnaroo, and I'm seeing them for a fourth time this Sunday at ACL. This band embodies the idea of spirited performance. They give it everything they have and you can practically see the energy thrumming through them as they perform. I love their album, which they had originally released on their own dime until it they were signed and it was rereleased by Sub Pop Records. Their music is riddled with keyboard, violin and gorgeous harmonies provided by the three singers Josiah, Jonathan and Charity. They've made an appearance on Conan and they're coming up quick. Pitchfork wasn't particularly a fan, and honestly, I don't think you can appreciate their album if you haven't seen them live first, because words can't even describe the performance they put on. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE their album. It's one of my favorites. However, I think seeing them live definitely gives you an appreciation for them.
Go Download: "Rivers and Roads" off their self titled album.
Now, I don’t know about you guys, but I have quickly become a fan of this Electronic/Metal thing that seems to be the craze lately. That being said, Caramel Carmela started following me on Twitter, and generally I like to check out everyone that follows me on Twitter so I know whether or not to follow back. Thus, my introduction to their music happened. I would say they are reminiscent of I See Stars, but older. Their screaming is just a little more hardcore and their electric is just a little more electronic, which makes for a stunning contrast. It makes you want to bob your head and dance while beating someone in the face. They’ve released their debut album on iTunes and they’ve been a part of Warped Tour, so I find it safe to say that these boys are going to soon find themselves in the spotlight.
Go Download: “Dear Em,I.L.Y”. from iTunes. (Note that you can download "Hammertime & Helicopters", "Penguins" and "Capax Infiniti" for free from their Facebook)
While, not a band, a really cool concept that needs to be recognized. It's a mash-up album of Wu-Tang Clan and Fugazi (Wugazi. Get it?) and is up for completely free download on their website. It's slightly genius and it blows my mind that anyone could come up with something like this. The group, Doomtree, is a hip-hop collective who work to create alternative-inspired rap and hip-hop. Where one might not think the culmination of rap's Wu-Tang Clan with the punk's Fugazi would fail, it creates a wonderful marriage. I can't even imagine the amount of work that had to go into this to make it work, but my hat is off to you, Doomtree. When I read the concept, I thought Frank Iero might have gone crazy tweeting the link, but I was proven wrong. And never has eating crow been better.
Go Download: The whole album, 13 Chambers. I mean, why not? It's free. (Sleep Rules Everything Around Me is my favorite though)
I am at a loss for how to classify Walk the Moon. They, however, classify themselves as an indie/visual/lyrical band and that... I can see that. With an affinity for body paint, driving guitars and group vocals, one cannot help but dance to Walk the Moon. Their performances draw you in and get your blood pumping to the same beat as they bounce around the stage. I unfortunately missed them when they played SXSW, but I got the chance to see and meet them at Bonnaroo. (In case you were wondering, they're really freaking sweet.) Point being. They played SXSW, Bonnaroo, and got to rock out on the main stage at Lollapalooza. So I guess what I'm trying to impress upon you is that these boys are worth the listen. They sure as hell are worth seeing live, because I love them live even more than I love them on their album, I Want, I Want. Check them out as they support Fitz and the Tantrums on their fall tour. You won't be sorry. They're just four boys from Cincinatti, who have my heart fully, and completely.
Go Download: "Anna Sun" from the album I Want, I Want.
Wynter Gordon might not be as little known as the majority of my promotions, seeming as she already has her own Wikipedia page and what not, but that doesn't mean that she is getting the recognition that she deserves. She has been writing songs for artists such as Mary J. Blige, Flo Rida and Jennifer Lopez for years now, but it wasn't until recently that she has taken her turn at singing. I had the opportunity to see her live and her voice is stellar live, and watching her evoked images of vintage Gaga. Her dance beats paired with her strong vocals gives me hope for the direction of pop music, especially if she is at the front of this new pop.
Go Download: "Still Getting Younger" from her With the Music I Die EP (Also check out her wicked awesome cover of Katy Perry's ET: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xejE2xi_eyI )
A nice six piece that has a magical sound that is based here in Austin, TX, I actually came across Little Lo because the drummer was in one of my biology classes and he had invited me out to one of their shows. Now these kids know how to put on a show. The raw passion comes through in their music, and oozes from every fiber of their being while they are up there. They also play more instruments than I think I’ve ever seen any other band play in my life. So, in fewer words, Little Lo is gonna go places. So I’d start getting to know them now if I were you. I’m unsure of how to classify their music, as it has one of the most unique sounds on my iPod, but I can say that if you are a fan of The Head and The Heart, you’ll probably appreciate Little Lo.
Based out of Springfield, MO, I discovered The Endless Summer after lead singer Nick Bacon tweeted me about how I could get their song for free in exchange for a tweet. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I like free, so I was completely down for a free song. Upon getting the song, you could say it was kind of like love at first listen. They're a catchy pop rock band that has a unique sound provided by Nick's voice. They currently have a three song EP on iTunes called Fairweather, and it is completely worth the $3. I have high hopes for these boys, because they are quite good, and I will be very excited for them when I finally hear one of their songs on the radio.
Go Download: I'm about 98% sure "Long Way Down" is still a free download on their facebook as long as you tweet first. But don't quote me.
I like music that makes me feel like I should be in a saloon. I'm not really sure why. But generally, I'm a fan. That being said, the Austin based band Fast Luke and the Lead Heavy do just that. With sounds that rock like J Roddy Walston and The Business, albeit more guitar driven rather than keyboard driven, Fast Luke and the Lead Heavy would not be out of place in bars and outdoor festivals across the nation. Listening to them, I'm transported to a saloon with a haze from all the cigarette smoke and couples slow dancing to the two step tempo of their song entitled "Coyote Moon". It's shocking to me to find that this band hasn't been in existance for long, less than five months to b exact, and they're already making music that sounds like this. Their facebook claims that there will be more to come, and for all my saloon dreams, I hope they're right.
Go Download: Currently you can't download anything by them, but I suggest checking out "Coyote Moon"
