Jun/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Chris Merritt, Katie Todd
Welcome to our “Chicago Rocks” tribute! Although Chris Merritt is from the D.C. area, he was our very first guest on Chicago Rocks. He rocks out on the piano in a similar fashion to Ben Folds & Randy Newman. His lyric-writing is unique and impeccable, and we are looking forward to seeing more from him. He always has something to listen to our see at his site: http://www.chrismerrittmusic.com, including a really cool animated music video for his song, “the Cult of Karl”.
Katie Todd is a wonderful artist from Chicago – but she travels all over to perform. She recently won a songwriting contest that the band Train put on at ourstage.com. Pretty exciting stuff! Katie also plays the piano, and she’s got a great unique voice which compliments her writing. There are so many places to check this girl out, but you can start by heading over to http://www.katietodd.com and signing up for her newsletter!
May/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Daniel Ellsworth & the Great Lakes, The Hush Now
Daniel Ellsworth has a cool style with many different genres as influences. Some songs on the Self-Titled album are more poppy, some have more of a jazz sound, and some still are more folksy. The piano is amazing – My favorite song is “Electric in Love” – We hope you guys will enjoy Daniel Ellsworth & the Great Lakes from Nashville.
http://www.danielellsworthmusic.com
The Hush Now is a great rock group from Boston. The album they have out now is called “Constellations” and has a sound reminiscent of The Cure, especially on the song “Hoping and Waiting”. We love this 5 piece – let us know if you do too!
http://www.myspace.com/thehushnow
May/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Dear and the Headlights, Ari Hest
Dear and the Headlights has a great rock sound. They are from Phoenix, Arizona and are reminiscent of Modest Mouse, The Killers, and Bright Eyes. Their second album is out now – Drunk Like Bible Times – so pick it up now!
http://www.myspace.com/dearandtheheadlights
http://dearandtheheadlights.com/
Ari Hest is an amazing singer-songwriter from Brooklyn. He has a lot of great tunes, and the most amazing thing about him is the ‘52′ project that he created in which he recorded and put up a song a week for an entire year. We are looking out for more from this guy – check out his album ‘Twelve Mondays.”
http://www.myspace.com/arihest
May/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Horse Feathers, Winston Audio
First up, we have the bluegrass/folk of Horse Feathers. They are from Portland, Oregon and are defining a style all their own. It’s pretty firmly planted where it stands – the strings are amazing, the melodies are pretty and haunting. It makes me think of a peaceful drive through the countryside. Their latest album is called “Thistled Spring” so check it out now!
http://www.horsefeatherstheband.com
http://www.myspace.com/horsefeathersmusic
Winston Audio is a cool, funky, blues group with gritty vocals and a lot of soul. Their album is called “The Red Rhythm” and is available for purchase now, which we highly recommend. They are a 5-piece from Atlanta, Georgia. Their sound has a lot of different influence to it, but they describe it as grunge/visual/hyphy. Listen & judge for yourself!
http://www.myspace.com/winstonaudio
May/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Dress Rehearsal
“Thao” is a wonderful indie pop group with big beats & whimsical string arrangements. Their album is called “Know Better Learn Faster” and is available now. They are originally from Virginia but have since moved to the West Coast. Thao’s got a very organic voice – she never tries to hard, and it just sounds effortless. It is also very distinctive. Check it out:
http://www.myspace.com/thaomusic
Dress Rehearsal is the brainchild of Kevin Graham from Ontario, Canada. The album they have out now is called “Greens & Honey” and each track is fantastic! It reminds me of Elliott Smith, or The Smashing Pumpkins if they did more acoustic stuff. Take a listen, and you might be blown away!
http://www.myspace.com/dresssrehearsal
Apr/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Flying Machines, The Ruse
First up this week we have Flying Machines from NYC, who sound like a cross between The Darkness, Queen, and Hall & Oates. Their song “On A Whim” has been featured in a promo for the show Psych. They are a powerpop foursome with a great knack for hooks, and we are excited to hear more from them!
http://www.flyingmachinesmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/flyingmachines
The Ruse is a great group right out of LA. They are also a foursome, and have a rockin’ edge to their stuff – much like U2 or Bon Jovi. They have had songs on numerous television shows including “The Hills” and were performers on HBO’s Entourage in an episode. Their fourth studio album is out now, “Love Sex Confusion”, and we love their sound; hopefully you will to!
Apr/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Steve Moakler, El Pino & the Volunteers
On My Indie Life, we keep the great music comin’! This week, we have Steve Moakler – a pop rock guitar guy with a mainstream sound and knack for writing that can make you melt. Got a similar vibe to Matt Wertz & Dave Barnes. Plus a bit of an edge like Gavin DeGraw. A few of his songs can be heard on shows like “Private Practice” and “MTV’s Real World”.
http://www.myspace.com/stevemoakler
El Pino & The Volunteers are a great indie pop outfit from Rotterdam, Netherlands. We actually found these guys on a fluke – and we are so glad we did! They are rockin’, so definitely give a listen.
http://www.elpinoandthevolunteers.com
Check them out on Myspace!
Apr/102
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Fun., The Dimes
Welcome back to MaybeHip.com! Check out this wonderful episode of My Indie Life to hear what Rob and Lexi have to say about these two groups.
Fun. is a cool collaboration of Nate Ruess (formerly of The Format), Jack Antonoff (from Steel Train), and Andrew Dost (ex-Anathallo member). They’ve got a 70s-esque vibe happening in their music, with a modern orchestral-pop twist. If you appreciate great musicians putting their heads together, you will love this. Truly magical!
The Dimes have a baroque pop sound mixed with a bit of alt country and bluegrass. Their album out now is called “The King Can Drink the Harbour Dry” and is essentially a cliff notes on Early History set to music. Beautiful and sweeping.
http://www.myspace.com/thedimes
Mar/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: Loomis & the Lust, Dark Captain Light Captain
Check out the show, My Indie Life, every Tuesday at MaybeHip.com!
Loomis & the Lust is a rockin’ band from Santa Barbara, CA. They have a cool 80s sound mixed with the modern rock of today. It’s a perfect blend that just makes you get up and dance – which is what these people did during SXSW on the streets!
http://www.myspace.com/loomisandthelust
Today we’ve got two completely different but amazing groups. Loomis & the Lust is fun, upbeat, and poppy while the second group, Dark Captain Light Captain, is dark & brooding. There are some great, haunting harmonies from this London group. This is the perfect mood music for those times when you want to lock yourself in your room and listen to music all day.
http://www.myspace.com/darkcaptain
Mar/100
Indie Music Weekly Picks: The Little Heroes, Allison Weiss
Two more wonderful artists for you fine internet folks at home. If you haven’t seen Episode 17 of My Indie Life, what are you waiting for?
The first band they covered was The Little Heroes, who are blowin’ up with songs on hit shows like “The Hills”. They have a cool rockin’ sound that reminds me of a cross between Jimmy Eat World and the Fray, and their second album “Thank You” is out now!
http://www.myspace.com/thelittleheroes
http://www.wednesdayrecords.com
Allison Weiss is unique, quirky, & reminds me a lot of strong female writers who have come before her: Rachael Yamagata, Leona Naess, Cat Power, Neko Case, Joni Mitchell, Ani Difranco…I could go on and on. She has the chops, guitar-talent, and upbeat fun attitude to really take her places.
http://www.myspace.com/AllisonWeiss
