Gotye

http://gotye.com/

So, here's the thing about Gotye. He wasn't an instant love of mine. You've seen it time and time again where I listen to a band and fall into instant love and have to drop everything to come to BTNLT to write about them. That was not the case with Gotye. I heard Gotye, and yes, I rather liked "Somebody That I Used To Know," HOWEVER, upon listening to the rest of his album, I couldn't decide if I liked HIM or just that one song. That's why it has been longer than anticipated because I couldn't pinpoint what it was about Gotye. Maybe it wasn't an instant love, but for some reason I just couldn't stop thinking about his album.

So after five days of this odd fascination I have come up with this conclusion. While every other post on this blog was an instant love, this one was much more than that. I didn't fall into the sudden frenzy of like but rather it got under my skin. Gotye has done what so many bands try to do, which is not just make you buy their album, but intrigue you. Sure, I can love you, and I can love your band and buy all your music, but there is something to be said about a band that can make me completely enthralled by them. So much so that even when I wasn't sure how I felt about the music, I couldn't help but NEED to listen to it.

Now, of course, I can tell you that I simply adore Gotye. Hailing from Australia, Gotye has managed to make music that is completely indescribable by any genre label that I can think of. Really the only way I can think of describing him is by comparing him to mixtures of other people, and even than it's a stretch. (But in case you were wondering, I like to think of his sound as Sting and M83's lovechild.)

That being said, it isn't often you find music that is a class of its own, especially in this day and age where so much of it sounds the same. (Not that I'm knocking that. Why fix what ain't broke, right?)

I would like to go out on a limb here and say that Gotye is gonna be the start of a new radio era. He has already sold out the majority of his shows in the US, so obviously he has already acquired a strong fan base. I, for one, just wish he would be coming to Texas, because I would be there so quick.

Anyway, Gotye is the sort of musical act that you won't fall in love with by reading about because there aren't words to properly convey to you what Gotye is. Gotye is.... well.... Gotye. So I would highly suggest you stop right now, and listen to him. Yeah? (You can listen to his whole album HERE)

Go Download: I feel like saying "Somebody That I Used To Know" would be a cop out since it's the single, but definitely that one and "Eyes Open" from his album Making Mirrors.

Tanner Patrick

http://www.youtube.com/user/TannerPatrick

There are a few things you should probably know about Tanner Patrick before I get into the meat of this post.
1) He was another Siri suggestion.
2) He is the most adorable thing to happen since puppies. Yes. Puppies. And if you don't believe me, just look at the picture below. He was Toon Link for Halloween. Your argument is invalid.

3) He is the only person that has made a version of "Pumped Up Kicks" that I thoroughly enjoy. (That's right. I don't even enjoy the original.)

That being said, I have high expectations for anything Siri may suggest to me, mainly because she has such awesome taste in music, so I mean, Mr. Patrick had a lot to live up to. (Especially since I've been known to prowl Youtube for cover singers and I don't mean to brag, but I've found some EXCELLENT singers via Youtube. So yeah, stiff competition.)

However, Tanner Patrick has one of the sweetest voices I have ever heard. It oozes with sincerity and if we're being honest, I've listened to his cover of "Stereo Hearts" like 10 times today.

He also plays all his own instruments. So far I've seen the acoustic guitar, the keyboard and the drums.

And, on top of all that, he doesn't just stick to one genre for the songs he covers, which is refreshing to see. I love to see artists tackle different song types and make them their own.

I actual think this boy may be able to do no wrong, and I am EAGERLY anticipating his own original work, because if he can do this with songs that already exist, I can only imagine what he can do with his own music.

Go Download: He currently doesn't have anything for download but go like his Facebook to be informed as soon as his single drops.

Carter Banks

http://www.facebook.com/carterbanksmusic

Suggested to me by the lovely Siri, Carter Banks is sugary sweet, absolutely adorable pop music that is sorely missing from my iPod.

Hailing from McKinney, TX, this singer/songwriter sounds like a pleasant mix of The Ready Set and Never Shout Never. In fact, I actually think he does The Ready Set and Never Shout Never better than they do.

With songs perfect for the tween girl with a crush, or for lying out by the pool in the summer (or I guess pretending you're out by the pool since it's November and I don't think anyone will be swimming anytime soon), Carter Banks will always have a market to play to, because honestly, who doesn't love a feel good pop song every once and a while?

(Also, I can totally overlook the fact that he goes to Tech even though it is rather unfortunate timing that I'd find him the week of the Tech game. \m/)

Go Download: His single "Like At First Sight" on iTunes But you should also check out his song "Honestly Amazed By You" because Siri likes it a lot :)

SPEAK

http://www.facebook.com/#!/hearSPEAKhere

One of my friends (The male half of Moonlight Social) suggested I give this Austin based band a listen. He actually went as far as to say that he thinks they'll be rather popular within a year. And I mean, at first I was like, that's kind of a tall order dontcha think? Lemme give them a listen first. So I hopped on over to their Facebook, and to say that I was a little shocked at the voice that came out of Troupe Gammage would be a gross understatement. I don't know what I was expecting per say, but that strong voice was not it. One blog described them as indie electro-pop and if we absolutely have to classify them, that is what I'd dub them as. Their beats are infectious in the same way that popular hits on the radio are today, but it sounds nothing like what we have been force fed by MTV. Margaret Moser of The Austin Chronicle mentioned that there is a new sound evolving here in Austin, and I believe that SPEAK is at the forefront of that movement. So do I think these boys will be famous within the year? I don't wanna jinx them or anything, but let's just say if I hear them in the near future on the radio, I wouldn't be shocked at all.

Go Download: My personal favorite is "Wars" . After you fall in love with that, buy their album on iTunes

Siri and Tavy

http://www.youtube.com/siriandtavy

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.

Go Download: They only have one song up for download, it's a cover on http://www.purevolume.com/siriandtavy but I really like "Somethin' About You"

Wynter Gordon

http://www.wyntergordon.com/

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 )