A voice is speaking from the marrow of our bones

Take the deep, rhythmic electro-pop indie that is so trendy right now and throw in some soaring 80's glam rock to imagine something almost as magical and moving as Brooklyn's duo Warm Ghost. Their multi-instrumentality and mastery of sound design shines through every track on their debut album, Narrows, released in September. While often grouped with the chillwave movement (think Washed Out, Toro y Moi) or the broader dream pop revival (e.g. Beach House, The xx), these guys are really pioneering their own genre and defying any solid classification.The slow songs are profound and inspired, the fast songs catchy and danceable; it was so hard to choose which songs to give you, I had to pick my top two for listening:

Warm Ghost - Inside and Out by Sound Thinking


Warm Ghost - GTWS by Craze

AND this video, because it was too good to not share. If you are sensitive to artsy nudity, you might want to skip this one.



If you dig what you hear, they are offering a few tracks for FREE right on Amazon. I gotcha hook up HERE.

What is it that you've done to make the grade?

The Belgian-via-Australia artist Wally De Backer (Alias: Gotye) has already made quite a splash in his home countries, but he has really only now started attracting attention in the U.S. with his incredible video for "Somebody That I Used To Know," featuring the lovely New Zealander Kimbra. How his previous two albums slid by unnoticed is a mystery to me, but his newest LP release Making Mirrors is perhaps one of the most interesting and refreshing albums of 2011, despite its late U.S. release date of December 6. Defying generic classifications, Gotye blends sounds of alternative rock, experimental indie, and even a little bit of soul for his new album, and each individual track deserves a listen. Here are two to get you started:



Save Me by Gotye

He will be playing at Park West in Chicago on April 3, so get your tickets NOW before they sell out.

The red glow of a star on fire

Hooray for Earth rocked Lincoln Hall last weekend, despite some serious sound check issues and what seemed an awful lot like a blown amp. Regrettably, the Zambri sisters were not along for the tour, but the boys still pulled off a bit of their signature harmonization with the expected infectiously catchy beats.

When adrift in a sea of mediocre indie rock bands, it is always refreshing to find one that can truly be identified as unique. Brooklyn-based Milagres have confidently taken up this flag of uniqueness on last month's LP Glowing Mouth, with a sound that coveys much more confidence and awareness than would be expected of such a constantly developing act. When asked about their sound, they merely replied, "Milagres is Milagres." With pleasantly lucid vocals in a time of trendy lo-fidelity, this interesting sophomore album truly defines "Milagres" within the emerging music scene. After a moderately notable first LP, they have capitalized upon the best aspects of their music, namely the pop-inspired tempos and captivating synth/instrumental arrangements, and created a collection of tracks that present something identifiably new in the genre. Check it out:

Here To Stay by Milagres by rippleent

Glowing Mouth ( Radio Edit) by Milagres

They happen to be playing in town this Thursday, November 3 at Beat Kitchen, so get your tickets NOW.

One way or the other, we all fight something

Hipster artists NewVillager performed here in Chicago on Friday, and put on an interesting show to say the least. They only brought a small portion of the visual artwork to adorn the stage and backdrop, but the decorations included a costumed roadie rising up in the middle of the set and dancing around the room, to the audience's delight (and confusion). Their harmonization and instrumentation were not quite as smooth and polished as on the album, but the young band shows signs of promising production in the future.

Typhoon, the emerging band of the day, hails from Portland, Oregon and has been performing together since 2005. Known for their complicated instrumental arrangements and experimental combinations of styles, they have received some attention from the indie community but not as much as their carefully and adeptly constructed sound warrants. With thirteen individual members, it is incredible that so many instruments and influences can produce such harmonious indie-folk, and frontman Kyle Morton's sincere and beguiling vocals and introspective lyrics tie it all together in a way that demonstrates the abilities of this upbeat ensemble. After a quiet and gradual rise to notability, their second LP Hunger and Thirst shows the quality of work of which this band is capable, and the release of their EP A New Kind of House this past March anticipates the continuation of their unique and powerful style. Give these tracks a listen, and pay particular attention to the lyrics.

Typhoon - White Liars by Sound Thinking

Typhoon - CPR/Claws Pt. 2 by inhouseradio

See eye to eye with the same face

As expected, Washed Out was excellent at the Riviera Theater last night. Even without a proper sound check, Ernest Greene's ensemble adeptly played a selection of their more upbeat songs, drawn from both of his albums and some unrecorded material, and the dance-ability of their pioneering glo-fi style became even more apparent with a real drum set and guitars.

And naturally, the Aussie dance-rockers Cut Copy brought down the packed house, sounding every bit as catchy and brilliant as we have come to expect. They played an excellent balance of new and old songs, effectively promoting their wonderful summer release but not leaving out anyone's favorites from their previous albums. They will be on the road a while longer, so catch them coming through your town while they are still stateside.

Today's emerging act is another group of young and talented Chicagoans, born and raised. The four-piece YAWN started in high school and has been playing its unique brand of synthrock for the last couple years, first releasing an eponymous EP in July 2010 (which is still available for FREE on their website) in order to get their name out, and building up to the release of their full LP Open Season a couple weeks ago on August 30. At first listen, they could easily be Animal Collective's little brother; but apart from lead singer Adam Gil's synthesized vocals remarkably emulating Avey Tare's, YAWN is entirely their own creation, and the similarities quickly become superficial in light of the varied samples and driving beats that characterize their accessible sound. Psychedelic in the best possible way, the deep layers of each track beckon one to listen more closely every time, and the members combine electronic elements to create a sound much more mature than their years. Pump it:

YAWN - Magician by Sound Thinking

YAWN - Indigo by Sound Thinking

They also happen to be playing here in their hometown on September 30 at Metro, opening for Mates of State along with Suckers. Get your tickets NOW.

Time to light the fires

Brooklyn/San Francisco-based duo NewVillager are truly artists, in every sense of the word. Apart from their beautiful R&B/Afro-inspired synthpop and remarkably profound poetically-inspired lyrics, they are also avid visual artists, as evidenced by their "integrative concert" held in LA leading up the release of their debut eponymous LP last month. You can get a taste for some of their visuals in any of their music videos, but especially in the epic imagery for the song "Lighthouse," which features ten eccentric characters meant to represent each of the ten tracks, creating a self-styled "mythology" with the new album.

The infectious rhythms and seamless vocalization on NewVillager deserve all the attention this band is beginning to receive and more, especially as a completely unique style amongst a crowd of sound-alike hipster pop bands. The experimental combinations of chants and staccatos makes it both interesting and accessible, and this album could very well become one of the best-ranked new releases of the year. Try these tracks first, but you really must listen to the whole album since each has such a distinct story to tell, musically, lyrically, and artistically.

NewVillager - Say the Code by ObscureSound

NewVillager - Lighthouse by iamsoundrecords

They are currently taking their stimulating concerts on the road and will be coming through Chicago NEXT FRIDAY, September 23 at the Empty Bottle with Bachelorette and Tiny Fireflies. You won't want to miss this artistic smorgasbord, so get your tickets NOW.

Let me sink, you're hell to swim

Being a recent California expatriate myself, I generally roll my eyes at bands that sing nostalgic songs about the Golden State and its shores, but I decided to give these guys a chance and I recommend you do the same.

Dirty Gold is a three-piece "beach-wave" group of San Diego boys who just graduated high school this past June. After forming during the fall of their senior year, they signed with indie label Autumn Tone Records (home of Fleet Floxes' J. Tillman) and released the lovely ROAR EP this April. Clearly inspired by 60s beach pop, Dirty Gold takes the warm and sunny sounds of Afro-beats and xylophones and creates an inspired and charming sound that would have Brian Wilson smiling and tapping his toes. Another perfect album to play in these dwindling days of summer, the small offering of laid-back tracks promises great work from these new beach boys. Grab your wayfarers and relax:

California Sunrise - Dirty Gold by mimoore

Dirty Gold - Sea Hare by lamusicafresca

A shock in the arms and a death in the gutters

Chicago-based indie folk group Maps & Atlases first formed while all four members were attending Columbia College downtown, and after a couple years of experimenting with different sounds achieved widespread indie attention at various festivals including SXSW with the release of their first EP Tree, Swallows, Houses in 2006. After touring the U.S. extensively for a couple more years, they finally settled down and released their first full LP Perch Patchwork last June 2010, and the album clearly demonstrates their increased focus on sound and style. Sometimes classified as math rock, the album's catchy hooks and intricate rhythmic patterns defy any definitive genre-branding and lead singer Dave Davison's nasal cooing and illustrative (if not somewhat fantastical) lyrics tie together its uniqueness. Some tracks seem a bit scattered, but the overall sound of the album promises even greater things for this homegrown Midwest act. Try it out:

Maps & Atlases - Living Decorations by Fat Cat Records

Maps & Atlases "Solid Ground" by Barsuk Records

Maps & Atlases happens to be playing in Chicago at the A.V. Fest THIS SUNDAY outside the Hideout, so R.S.V.P. NOW and check out the other up-and-coming acts supporting charity.

Sound is the color I know

After experimenting with a variety of traditional European folk styles and experiencing unexpected popularity amongst the indie music community since its formation in 2006, Santa Fe-based group Beirut headed by the hipster music sweetheart Zach Condon have produced their third and most confident album, The Rip Tide, released yesterday. While Beirut's previous albums were indisputably interesting and fun to listen to for their variety of instrumental combinations and foreign sounds, Condon finally seems to have settled on a style to call his own. His pleasant and full-hearted vocals sing out gorgeously (but not too much so, as perhaps on earlier projects) over a folk-pop blend of catchy and, as reviewers have variously branded it, "agreeable" tracks. Although containing only 9 songs, The Rip Tide accurately and elegantly makes a statement of the band's unique styles without some of the abstract instrumental interludes that may have turned off listeners on his previous albums. It still maintains the heart of Condon's composition, often trading in guitars for ukeleles and horns, but appeals to a wider and less European audience, with excellent results. Check out these examples, then look up "A Candle's Fire" and "Port of Call," respectively the opening and closing tracks of the album.

Santa Fe - The Rip Tide by PompeiiRecordingco

Beirut - East Harlem by artsandcraftsmx

Beirut will be playing in Chicago at the Congress Theater on September 26 with Laetitia Sadier, so get your tickets NOW.

Like lightning striking ground

One of my good friends introduced me to the marvelous synthpop of the Boston-based duo Magic Man when their album was released online last year, but since then they have not received nearly as much attention as their unique style and promising sound deserve. The project that became their debut album was begun while working together in the French countryside, then mastered in American dorm rooms after their return with surprisingly polished production quality. Self-classified as "glo-fi"(in the style of the aforementioned Washed Out), Magic Man blends heavy electronic beats with experimental synthesizers to create an engulfing and enthralling mix of lo-fi tunes. Some of the slower songs fade slowly in and out of focus in instrumental waves, while the more upbeat tracks captivate the senses with catchy beats and illustrative lyrics. The mystery behind their musical layers is only superseded by the mystery behind how this group is still unsigned by a record label. Hear for yourself:

Magic Man - Daughter by coolthanks.net

Magic Man - Like Sailors by coolthanks.net

In an effort to spread their album, you can even download it for free here. They have also made themselves available to play private or public East Coast shows, so if you happen to live over there and are interested you can contact them on their Facebook page or at this email address.

How the leaves hang over the street

A young emerging act from Santa Barbara, Gardens & Villa introduced themselves into the summer indie rock scene with the release of their two most popular tracks, "Black Hills" and "Orange Blossom," followed by the release of their full eponymous LP this fourth of July. The album makes a somewhat successful attempt to fit in with current trends, but only a handful of songs really stand out. The two tracks listed above establish the band's sound as something promising and unique, especially with their stated oath to "always play all parts live," a bold move amongst an increasingly synthesized indie scene. Upbeat and layered, the style of each track changes with a chameleon-like effect that has not earned rave reviews from the tough critics of the internet music world. Nonetheless, based on their standout songs they are still an emerging act to follow, so hit up their popular tracks and then check out these two that also promise big things:

Gardens & Villa - Thorn Castles by Sound Thinking

Gardens & Villa - Neon Dove by pilwo

They are also playing in Chicago at the Empty Bottle on October 7 along with Youth Lagoon, so get your tickets NOW.

It's the distance

Many of you may already know of Columbia, South Carolina's Chazwick Bundick for his remixes of popular indie dance songs, but Toro Y Moi is becoming much more than just another indie DJ. His first album Causers of This, released January 2010 with generally positive reviews, played like a collection of well-crafted beats with thick layers of vocal dissonance on top, in the style of Baths or Animal Collective's Avey Tare. His latest album however, Underneath the Pine, provides a much more accessible and musically pleasant experience, tapping into the chillwave movement alongside his personal friend Ernest Greene of Washed Out. The album, released this past Fenraury 2011, makes allusions to a sort of smooth-listening disco, similar to the popular synthpop of Erlend Øyé's The Whitest Boy Alive but with its own unique brand of funk. The style of his new work is always notoriously difficult to predict, but one can only hope he continues to tap into this sound on his future albums. Check these out:

Toro Y Moi "New Beat" by Carpark Records

Go With You - Toro Y Moi | Pacific Festival: OC 2011 Sampler by FILTER Magazine

He is releasing a new EP titled Freaking Out on September 13, so make sure to get it from his website. He is also playing in Chicago at Lincoln Hall on September 24, so get your tickets NOW.

Your heart, concrete

As mentioned previously, Memory Tapes played here in Chicago last night, and the show was excellent. Frontman Dayve Hawk trades in keyboards and synthesizers for electric guitars in his live shows, and the result is a refreshingly organic combination of synthrock and indie dance. That show concluded his current U.S. tour, but make sure to catch him next time he is out on the road.

Today's emerging artist, White Denim, has been producing experimental garage rock out of Austin, Texas since 2006, but with the release of their latest album D this past May, they have truly come into their element. Leaving behind the lo-fi jam band sound of their previous albums, they added a fourth member and focused their talent in the studio for a much more polished and accessible result. Drawing on classic rock roots (something between Deep Purple and Jethro Tull), each track on this new album is unique but coherent in the progressive and slightly psychedelic style of the band's new resolve. Give it a try:

White Denim - Drug by ProspectPark

White Denim - Anvil Everything by explodinginsound

Heaven is waiting

It has been a beautiful past couple weeks here on the shores of Lake Michigan, perfect for the great new sounds of this summer.

Memory Tapes is the brainchild of New Jersey-based Dayve Hawk, former frontman of the now defunct Philadelphia group Hail Social, and he has made great strides in the uniqueness of his sound on this new project. Generally classified as "chillwave" (think Cults or Washed Out), Memory Tapes combines styles from nu-gaze and synthpop to create a wonderfully fresh sound. His 2009 album Seek Magic received attention from the blog community for songs like "Bicycle" and "Green Knight," but his new LP Player Piano released last month reaches new heights in creativity and accessibility. Check out these excellent selections:


08. Sunhits - Memory Tapes by Republic of Music

Memory Tapes - Worries by EmergencyBroadcastSongs

Memory Tapes is playing at the Empty Bottle in Chicago TOMORROW with The Field Auxiliary and The Ultrasounds. There are still tickets available, so get them NOW.