Lisa Hannigan

Many of you probably have heard Lisa Hannigan's angelic voice from Damien Rice. She was his back-up singer, but now she forked her independence by premiering her long awaited first solo album "Sea Sew." Her voice is naturally alluring and you can hear and see the passion in her talent through her emotionally filled performances. I always strive to find artists out there who are unique and distinct from others, and Lisa finds the balance between combining her delicate vocals with sort of an eerie flow which is different. I do have to admit that you have to been in a twisted sappy-mellow mood to listen to her melancholy indie-folk, but I'm positive all of us can be in that mood from time to time.

Ra Ra RIOT.

Instrumental constructed indie chamber-pop is Ra Ra Riot's expertise. Their vision of easy listening artistic music is inventive and different than a lot of artists out there. You could sort of compare them to a toned down Arcade Fire, yet their styles are completely different. The way they twist their mellow flow with the cello and violin is eccentric. Their most recent album, 'The Rumb Line' is delightful. They are one of those feel-good bands that you can listen to while you carrying on through-out your day. Listen to 'Too Too Fast' and 'St. Peter's Day Festival' they may not be their front-runner songs on their album but they are bouncy lyrical charms that definitely will work as mood enhancers.

adorably animated!

The Morning Benders

Eclectic inspired sounds of the 60s, The Morning Benders are truly a treat. The Beatles and The Kinks are influential in sculpting these guys into the musical masterminds they are today. Their witty style and catchy rhythm makes their indie pop-rock entertaining. Their constant uptempo sound and sweet vocals and back-up 'ooos and awws' are addictive. Also the fact that they are so gosh darn cute, especially front man Chris Chu, is an addition to the package! They make making music look effortless and simple. Listen to their lastest album, 'Talking Through Tin Cans' and you won't be disappointed. So if you find yourself stuck in the 60s rock era, their short upbeat tracks will satisfy your craving!

hmmmmm... sound similar to the early Beatles.....



"Waiting for War"


"Boarded Doors"

the THERMALS

Music with a purpose. The Thermals bust out alternative-indie music with a pop-punkish demeanor. They clearly want to be heard loud and clear and all of their music is based are issues that attribute to their lives and pretty much everyones lives nowadays like government, religion, love, and dysfunction. Yes, another band that you have to have an acquired taste for but whats independent music without diversity!? Their album 'The Body, The Blood, The Machine' is full of songs that reevaluate our existence, it's cool hah! Their power cords fused with lyrical shouts functionally bring about their identity.

Page France

Page France eloquently manifests poetry into music. They make memorable folk-pop melodies that put you at ease. Yes, this is the type of music you want to fall asleep to and dream. They are talented at combining acoustic guitar with chamber effects, and their male and female entwined vocals are sweet and alluring to your ears. It's the kind of music that makes you appreciate life despite all the shitty situations we have all been in. Their albums 'Hello, Dear Wind' and 'Come, I'm A Lion' are both warm and inviting. If you seriously want to escape reality for little while, I promise you Page France can be very therapeutic...

LISTEN!

Port O'Brien

Port O'Brien's folk-pop fits no norm. Ok, yea I understand their music is an acquired taste but lets not deny their creative sense that you can learn to appreciate. Their anthem-ish songs kinda remind me of a drunken sing-a-long that you can't help but join. They wrote their album, All We Could Do Was Sing, while living on a fishing boat hence songs like 'Stuck on a Boat' and 'Fisherman's Son.' Their album is lively and stimulating yet you can feel the somber loneliness that is expected from the sea setting where their creative juices flowed. The highlight of their album, 'Close the Lid', is epically done from a simple melody that builds-up to anthem that anyone can live by. Listen to them once, then again, and again.... I promise you'll get it!

The anthem of my life! Take a listen...

Cajun DANCE Party!

Since I'm already in the cutsey indie band mood here is another one for ya, Cajun Dance Party! When their first single was released each band member were merely minors! Age ain't nothing but a number, and Cajun Dance Party proves that by their inventive workmanship and high energy. They keep the momentum hyped with wild enthusiasm. Their album, The Colourful Life, brings smart pop to the table. Make sure to listen to Buttercups, No Joanna, and Colourful Life. Poppy guitar chords, precocious yet keen vocals, and memorable jumpy beats are what sculpt this ridiculously adorable band into true musicians.

mumm-RA

Even though these indie-rockers called it quits, Mumm-Ra's music is still alive and kickin! Their music is all about being young and alive. Their music is never overworked or boring, and strings you along with catchy hooks. They may not be the most innovative bands around, but they mastered being simplistic and throwing out poppy beats with bubbly vocals. There are just one of them cutsey indie bands that you can't help but smile too.

Neutral Milk Hotel

A band that broke-up years ago, and is not nearly as known or appreciated as they should. Neutral Milk Hotel, is one of the most unique and classic indie-folk bands from the 90s. Their acoustic driven music is strangely appealing, and there is not doubt that there is passion and experience behind each song. If you are a fan at all of folk inspired music it is mandatory to listen to their last album from 98, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. It is brilliantly unusual and incomparable to any other artist out there because of their use of a wide range of odd instruments. Easily one of my favorite songs of all time is 'In the Aeroplane Over the Sea'. The mastermind behind that song and the band, Jeff Mangum, explains that the Dairy of Anne Frank inspired him to eloquently put together that masterpiece. Neutral Milk Hotel music seems to involve more than just listening with your ears...

the DUKE spirit

Inspired by grunge of the late 80s and 90s like Sonic Youth and The Pixies, The Duke Spirit, gives you a taste of modern rock-n-roll and blues. They are stylish and give off the right amount of indie-garage pizazz. Liela, the band's lead vocalist, has a smooth and sultry voice that you can sort of compare to Grace Slick from Jefferson Airplane. Their new album, Neptune, puts out a beautiful collection of songs that range from serene to intense while remaining intimate and wholesome. I am obsessed with their song Sovereign, it feels as it should be the anthem of anyone who has experience unrequited love. Listen to The Step and the Walk and Lassoo I'm sure these as well as all of their songs will work its seductive charm on you!

Listen, you'll fall in LOVE...

Manchester Orchestra

Do you confine in wolves at night? Well you should, Manchester Orchestra is eccentricity at its core. Their ability to entangle spiritual lyrics with strong guitar chords and variations between piano and organ ambiance is thrilling. I saw them at Coachella months back and they were amazing. I have even heard them compared to a functional mix of brand new and Ben Gibbards' melancholy tone. Some of their songs are soft and intimate while others are smart and home bound. Their album, I'm like a Virgin Losing a Child, is pure genius.. Wolves at Night, The Neighborhood is Bleeding, and I Can Barely Breath all make me tick. They just released an EP for their upcoming album coming out next year and their remake of Wolves at Night is brilliant. They are a MUST have for your daily car playlist. Their music will make you bust out with a drum solo on your stirring wheel in no time hah!

MGMT!!!!

Yea, yea, yea a tad mainstream, but come on is it just me or did that happen over night! Even though I have the habit of getting over artists who have slipped on over to the dark side (mainstream) MGMT is the shit! I'm sure ya all heard Kids, Electric Feel, and Time to Pretend on major radio stations like (cough cough kroq) but hey I'm glad they are discovered because their work is way to legit to stay underground. Straight up, these fools make magic with their electric stimulated beats and effects. Their artistic lyrics are what makes them unique and different than any other artists out there. I'm sure with their talent, they will be around for awhile so come one, let them electric feel you up ; )

I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, and fuck with the stars.

watch their videos, trippy as hell! SERIOUSLY.

The Tellers..

Acoustic Indie at its best. Their album, Hands Full of Ink, is just one of the albums that you never get tired of, even after listening to it a thousand times!! It is also one of those albums that you don't have to skimp through the okay songs to get to your favs because every song is just a simplistically sweet as the next. I listened to Want You Back at least 300 and a half times. Every damn song is catchy as hell and you'll be singing along before you even know the words hah! Their mellow voices combined with intricate strums will definitely give you the fix you need...

cha cha cha check em out!



creative as hell, right?!?

the SUBMARINES...

The Submarines, yes another female and male duo. See, I told you the indie combo of guy-o-gal is totally IN! Driving home from a shitty day at work I turn on Indie 103.1 I heard "You, Me, & The Bourgeoisie" and BAM I was instantly hooked. Their melody and lyrics are very bright and remain strictly enforcing smiles and positivity. Your bound to hear a mixture of soothing melancholy chimes and a whimsical yet somewhat seductive singing that is soothing. Yes, I bet your like shit this girl uses the weirdest adjectives and comparisons but you kinda have to when your trying to describe the way music may sound. I missed out yet again at Detour this year because they preformed there as well as Matt Costa. Anyways just listen to them and enjoy, it perfect morning music you can listen to driving to school or whatnot. Enjoy!

el, Coconut RECORDS

Coconut Records is our beloved Rushmore prince, Jason Schwartzman, love child. Yes, the multi-talented actor can act, sing, and make music! I have been following Coconut Records for a little over a year now and he most definitely is slowly but surely being discovered. His definite pop rock is cheery and pure fun. His happy go-lucky cheesy effects make his music lovable. He deserves an A+ on his imaginative side project that is not just an attempt but a SUCCESS. Listen, listen, listen to coconut records you might just find a few surprising duets thrown in there by Zooey Deshchanel and Kirsten Dunst. Make sure to especially check out Nighttiming, Back to You, West Coast, and Easy Girl!!

Blood Red Shoes

Yes, another duo. I swear female/male duo is coming back but from its sonny and cher days and kickin its way through indie labels left and right. Blood Red Shoes, are very different sounding and encompass the perfect combination of spunk, punk, and disco house. They lyrics are strong, honest, and powerful at times while juggling between power solos. While listening to their album, Box of Secrets, it's no secret that their songs will call for a moderate head bang here and there so prepare yourself hah!

THE KILLS

"...My little tornado, My little hurricano, Last day of magic where were you?" Guy and Gal duo! I am in love with The Kills latest album, Midnight Boom. For some reason their music is sort of sexy, raw, haha yes and I will use the adjective 'savage'. Watch their music video Last Day of Magic and tell me they don't look bad ass! Don't be surprised or alarmed to find your self crotch thrusting along to their intoxicating electronic rock beats. I would say that their music is fuck worthy, excuse my language, yes I said it haha fuck worthy! Listen to Getting Down and Sour Cherry haha and yes they sound just as sexual as their song titles.



"Last Day of Magic" psshhhh wanna mess!

yes, Matt Costa

Matt Costa, Pro skateboarder turned singer/song writer from Huntington Beach. A true piece of work, but in a good way. He is fine as hell and truly talented. His voice is memorizing, and I would kill to have him sing me to sleep. His soft voice could carry any lullaby. Unfortunately I missed out on his performance at Detour in LA a few weekends ago, and I am positive he made many onlookers melt. His folk inspired music is soulful and real. He carries himself in a artist suave manner and shit I ain't gona lie, I'm most definitely sold. You must check his stuff out, seriously your Pitiful if haven't yet haha! Astair, Cigarette Eyes, and Sunshine are my personal faves.





Mr. Pitiful


Cigarette Eyes

The Little Ones

The Little Ones's single is Ordinary Song, but they are anything but ordinary. They bust out upbeat mellow tunes. Every song from their Morning Tide, and Sing Song could fit in perfectly with one of those epic movie scenes where moments are sparked. Their lyrics are smart and poetic. Listen to Cha Cha Cha it is just one of those classic feel good songs that is instantaneously uplifting.

Those Dancing Days

papapaPOP! It's weird, is it possible for a group of best friends to wake up one day and say "Lets make music." If it all was that simple! Those Dancing Days is a cute group who look like they honestly just want to have fun with their music. Their catchy pop beats are contagious and are sure to make any gal smile. They make making music look effortless, fun, and even simplistic. They make me wish I could grab a few gal pals, and a video camera, and sing and dance around in a open field. So check them out they are cute, hip, and surely a reminder of what girl power is all about.









run run!

Sunny Day Sets Fire

Sunny Day Sets Fire are pure fun, honestly! Psychedelic, Indie-pop that is sort of imaginative, creative, and yeah even dreamy in some ways. Listen to Wilderness and I swear you'll feel like your on a paper plane flying up through the clouds looking and the world below you. HAHA I know your saying wtf is this girl smoking, but truly they are that imaginative and adventurous that they will make you think crazy thoughts you'll swear you just took a rip from a happy stick. Listen to the CSS Remix of Wilderness you get that electronic haunting vibe!






Just check em out, you'll never want to face reality again...

Every me and Every you..

Wow, okay my first blog post. I thought I'd start out my first post with the title from the infamous placebo song that anyone can recognize. Honestly my life isn't that interesting and I'm not here to share my most inner thoughts, feelings, emotions yadaa yadaaa blah. But, I am here to share something I feel is my forte. Music. Well to be precise music that lay along the lines as being labeled Indie, Folk, Pop, Ambient, and a hint of Electro here and there. When people think of indie music the first thing that may come to their mind are popish or mellow tra-lah-las that hum along to an acoustic guitar, well lets not be stereotypical here. In actuality "indie" music is music that forks their independence from mainstream record labels. Most "indie" artists write, record, and produce their own music which is quite refreshing when compared to artists under major record labels. I'm not bashing mainstream music at all but I do enjoy and appreciate indie music very much and I though this could be, hah I don't know maybe a hobby for me? Well with a lil push and moral support from a friend (hah bon!) out comes my attempt at a music blog.

I promise to be real, a not try to attempt using some hip lingo to describe certain artists hah.

Everyone has their own taste, so respect mine, and vice versa.

and this is for all you guys who ask me whats good and who to listen to and whatnot.

okay........ lets do this!