I hear you screaming out to the light

Young the Giant brought down a sold out house at the Riviera Theater on Thursday (with opener Walk the Moon), courtesy of MTVU.

Today's progressive indie rock outfit is a 4-piece from D.C. with an attitude and an especially attuned sense of musical style. U.S. Royalty carefully crafts each song as a purely unique and original inspiration, and their renowned production team headed by Gus Oberg (The Strokes, Albert Hammond Jr., Bloc Party) made sure the final product of their debut LP released last January, MIRRORS, fully conveys that passion and dedication. Sliding up and down the scale from Blues-y psychedelia to perfectly harmonized indie folk, these boys pour enough heart and energy into these tracks to fuel any mood throughout your day. Check these smooth ones:

Equestrian by usroyalty

Monte Carlo by usroyalty

It's a bloody hill and a broken wall

Australia has been pumping out a steady stream of incredibly talented new groups lately, and this is another one that epitomizes the movement. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Fleet Foxes, Local Natives, and Mumford & Sons, but with their own completely unique and brilliant twist, Sydney-based Boy & Bear are definitely the next big thing in indie folk. When one of my closest friends introduced me to a song of theirs on youtube last year, I was impressed but unconvinced that they would find their own niche in the scene. With a wonderful knack for catchy harmonies, driving rhythms, and impressive instrumental combinations, they have done exactly that. Throw in some beautifully crafted lyrics, and this 5-piece's debut LP Moonfire (released in August) is bound to take off in no time. The whole album honestly deserves your undivided attention, but start off with these two tracks:

Boy & Bear- Feeding Line by MMMusic

(This second one has an excellent longer intro that was shortened for your listening convenience, not by my choice.)

Boy & Bear - Milk 'N' Sticks by Music As Usual

You know it's all in your head

In case you haven't been on turntable.fm much lately, Generationals released a new LP last March, Actor-Caster, that has gradually become a huge indie favorite. Slightly less lo-fi than their debut of 2009, the album demonstrates that these New Orleans kids have developed their style while maintaining their unique sound. The old school beach rock vibe is definitely still prevalent, but the hooks are more sophisticated and the instrumentation is more... well, it's just more. Each new track has its own flavor, and they experimented with different rhythms and production styles to create something truly interesting and remarkable. The entire songlist warrants a listen from beginning to end (except maybe "Yours Forever"; that track is really annoying and out of place with the rest of the album), and I had a very difficult time choosing which two to give you, but start with these and then promise me you will check out the rest.

Generationals - I Promise by Sound Thinking

Generationals - Black and White by Sound Thinking

It's such a miracle how life comes back around again

Today's emerging act, Kisses, falls into the "music you probably missed" category, since their LP Heart of the Nightlife came out back in Autumn 2010, but this charming L.A.-based duo definitely deserves your attention. Their dreamy, sun-drenched lo-fi rock is slightly reminiscent of the style pioneered by the Whitest Boy Alive, but with a very unique pop tinge to it. Despite the album title, I would recommend enjoying these Kisses while relaxing poolside with a mojito on a warm summer day. Hopefully this will distract you from the impending snowstorm around the corner this weekend:

Midnight Lover by Kisses

(By the way, if you dig that track you can download it for free courtesy of the band by clicking the little arrow on the right side of the bar there.)

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.

Are you still afraid to drown?

Local Natives came to Chicago a few weeks ago, and did not disappoint (as ever). But the best part was that they were merely the opening band...

The National brought down the house, with pretty much unanimous crowd participation. Of course all this is to be expected from two of the most notable and accesible bands to represent the indie genre.

Today I want to introduce you to Motopony, an unassuming but quickly rising act from Seattle. Balancing neatly between hard-driven progressive rock and enchanting acoustic indie, this five-piece group does their Pacific Northwestern roots proud on their debut eponymous album released last May.
Hear for yourself:

Motopony - Seer by Song of the Day

Can you feel the leeches bite?

Although these guys hardly need any press in their native UK or even in Europe for that matter, Bombay Bicycle Club has hardly received the attention they deserve Stateside. After their catchy and promising debut album I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose in 2009, their popularity erupted from London outwards, and they followed it up with 2010's soothing Flaws, a collection of acoustic tracks including a couple of lovely cover songs. But neither of these two notable albums foretold the release of their newest LP A Different Kind Of Fix this August, a truly brilliant masterpiece of indie rock. While tightening up some of the more raucous elements of their first album, they adeptly blended the best aspects of all their previous work, and there is not a single track that I would not STRONGLY recommend. The heavier rock songs are still beautifully coordinated, and the more melodic slow pieces are every bit as inspired and  charming. I have not enjoyed a full album this much since Foals' marvelous Total Life Forever last year (still one of my favorites), so chalk another one up for the post-Britpop indie team. I honestly could not decide which tracks to share, but since these two were selected by the band themselves as their singles, I figured they are a good place to start (but afterwards you really must listen to the whole album, no joke):

Bombay Bicycle Club "Shuffle" (radio edit) by GrillMarketing

Bombay Bicycle Club - Lights Out, Words Gone by The Sifting Pan

I'm not your fortune teller

Phantogram made a much-anticipated appearance at Metro last week, and besides knocking out the crowd with an intensely powerful show, they included in the show set the entirety of their new EP...

...which dropped today! These guys have accumulated quite a following in the past year or so with their debut LP Eyelid Movies, released in 2009 but only recently receiving the attention it deserves. Hailing from rural Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, the duo of Joshua Carter and Sarah Barthel have been collaborating on songwriting and composing for a number of years and have really hammered out a beautifully smooth operation. Their blend of electric guitar, keyboard, and heavy beats is reminiscent of the indie "psych pop" of the xx or Beach House, but with a more prominent hit-you-in-the-face style that alludes to Sleigh Bells but with much more creativity and tact. They trade off on lead vocals regularly and harmonize on different tracks, which keeps the sound interesting and showcases both of their talents as singers and musicians. These guys will continue to build popularity for the danceability and accessibility of their sound, as evidenced in the presence of their new single "Don't Move" all over the internet lately. In case you haven't heard it yet, check it out along with "Turning into Stone," one of my other favorites on the new EP:

Phantogram - Don't Move by vibetothis

Phantogram - Turning into Stone by austin-zuffi

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.

We’re quite not a raging winter

Gardens & Villa rocked the Empty Bottle last Friday, exceeding my expectations for such a young band. Known for always playing live (even in studio), these guys have a natural talent for getting the crowd moving and they will definitely continue to gain notoriety, so catch them while they are still playing small venues.

As a Los Angeles expatriate, I generally don't have much taste for the glitzy glam rock that seems to emanate from Southern California, but occasionally there is a unique group that breaks that mold and deserves some attention. Fool's Gold is one such band, and their sound is definitely unique enough to qualify. The blend of Caribbean/Afrobeats and indie dance riffs provides a solid rhythmic framework for Luke Top's crooning vocals, and the combination is simultaneously catchy and deep enough to fill a stadium (or your best circumaural headphones). After their self-titled debut LP release in 2009, which employed mainly Hebrew lyrics, they tightened up their sound and moved on to a more accessible style and primarily English vocalization (with just an occasional verse or two in a Hebrew) for this August's release of their stellar sophomore album, Leave No Trace. I dare you not to tap your toes and nod your head to these:

Fool's Gold - Street Clothes by iamsoundrecords

Fool's Gold - Wild Window by iamsoundrecords

Wearing masks and beating war drums won't equip us for these jungles

Fleet Foxes played two sold out shows at the Chicago Theater this weekend, and naturally they didn't disappoint. It was hands down one of the best performances I have ever seen; everyone should experience their incredible talent at some point in their lives. Why not catch them on this tour?

Today's emerging act is based in Grand Rapids, although they originally began working together in (surprise, surprise!) Chicago. Stepdad is a creative and energetic synthpop outfit that seems to have a strange obsession with wild animal themes, in both lyrics and attire. Characterized by catchy electronic beats and bouncing falsettos, Stepdad's sound is more than enough evidence that these guys just want to have fun--and make some infectious indie pop while doing it. They first released their Ordinaire EP on their bandcamp site last April, but it received so much attention that they were signed by Quite Scientific records and rereleased the EP last month with two additional (and excellent) bonus tracks. While some of the songs on the EP are just a little too pleasant and poppy, there are enough standouts to make it worth following these guys. Give these two highlights a listen:

Jungles by stepdadmusic

My Leather, My Fur, My Nails by stepdadmusic

They happen to be playing in Chicago on October 14, opening for Rubblebucket at the Double Door, so get your tickets NOW and start bouncing.

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

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.

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.

Stay on track

San Francisco-based Vetiver's summer album The Errant Charm, released this past June, follows in much the same style of their 2009 indie-breakthrough album Tight Knit, but demonstrates that frontman Andy Cabic is exploring new limits for both his vocal range and song depth. After the band's origins in the freak folk movement alongside close associate Devendra Banhart, they moved toward a gentler, more accessible style that is best enjoyed floating gently through your open windows on a sleep summer day. Where Tight Knit seemed almost too gentle, Cabic has explored a slightly more experimental style on this new album while still maintaining the accessible and dreamy "charm" that has made his sound popular among the indie scene. Enjoy these:

Vetiver - Can't You Tell by subpop

Vetiver - Wonder Why by subpop

They are coming through Chicago on September 8, playing at Lincoln Hall with Fruit Bats and Breathe Owl Breathe. 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

A Brave New World

Having recently moved across the country from Los Angeles to Chicago for graduate school and finding myself supplied with an uncustomary amount of free time, I decided to begin sharing one of my greatest passions with the world and create an amateur music blog of sorts. Music is one of the greatest uniting products of humankind, as it reaches across lingual, cultural, geographical, political, and generational gaps. Music makes us feel better, feel worse, feel excited, feel angry, feel alive. I, like many of you, spend a significant portion of my life exploring and discovering excellent new music, much of which never makes it off the ground for lack of recognition. This trifling attempt to remedy the situation is my small contribution to the beautifully uplifting universe of music.

For my first recommendation, I find it appropriate to pass on an up-and-coming band that is starting to make a big splash in the world of "indietronica" this summer alongside leading acts à la Yeasayer, Animal Collective, etc. Hooray for Earth is a four-man group originally from Boston, masterminded by singer and producer Noel Heroux. They often collaborate with the Zambri sisters in New York City, with wonderfully harmonious results. After a commendable effort on the MOMO EP in June 2010, they released the marvelous full-length True Loves this past June 2011. Check out these two tracks:

Hooray for Earth - True Loves by memphisindustries

Hooray For Earth - No Love by luzguz07

They are coming through Chicago on October 21, playing with Cymbals Eat Guitars at Lincoln Hall. Get your tickets NOW.