Big Light is an Indie Rock band from San Francisco, California. Forming in 2007, the band has seen its share of lineup changes, but that hasn’t held them back. With their members in place, Big Light quickly grew within the San Francisco music scene. They began headlining The Independent and soon supporting acts at the legendary Fillmore. In a short time they’ve shared bills with Spoon, Broken Social Scene, and Dead Confederate.
Big Light released their first full-length LP Animals In Bloom earlier this month.
Coming out of LA, Local Natives released their debut album, Gorilla Manor, this month. The indie rock group started building hype in 2009 with their early album release in the UK and a nine show event at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.
Each track seamlessly leads into the next, making the album an easy listen front to back. The up tempo beats aren’t too intense and somewhat melodic, spotlighting the perfect three-part harmonies. The youthful rock of Wild News and Sun Hands are energetic and fun while songs like Who Knows Who Cares and Cubism Dream brings the album back to a lighter pop sound.
This album has no soft spots…
Song Standouts
- Wild News
- Sun Hands
- Camera Talk
Lightspeed Champion, or Devonté Hynes, is a British composer, songwriter and producer from Essex, England and signed to Domino Records. If his style isn’t interesting enough, his music is outstanding. He released his debut album, Falling Off The Lavender Bridge, in 2008 and his latest follow-up, Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You, was released earlier this month.
Song Standouts
- Faculty Of Fears
- Galaxy of the Lost
- Tell Me What It’s Worth
Owen Pallett is a composer, violinist, and singer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The band, formerly known as “Final Fantasy”, is essentially a solo project, although Leon Taheny is also credited as drummer and engineer.
The name Final Fantasy was a tribute to the video game series. The name Final Fantasy was retired with the latest release of his album Heartland.
Song Standouts
- Lewis Takes Action
- Midnight Directives
- Red Sun No. 5
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Luke Top adopted music at an early age.
Signed by Slow Death Records, his debut album, Friends, was self-recorded in a backyard bungalow. The music has an easygoing style that flows without stutter. Although typically a solo artist, he has been a part of a number of musical collaborations which include Cass Mccombs, The Papercuts, Foreign Born, and co-founding of the L.A. based Afro-Hebrew dance band Fool’s Gold.
Song Standouts
- Friends
- Plainest Draught
- Lord, Save Me from This Valley
Little Joy is a musical project formed by Los Hermanos singer Rodrigo Amarante and The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti. The Brazilian/American band formed in 2007 when they met Binki Shapiro and began recording a demo in Los Angeles. They named the band after a lounge not far from their house. Released by Rough Trade Records on November 4, 2008, the self-titled album began building acclaim from many of the reputable music publications.
Song Standouts:
- No One’s Better Sake
- Brand New Start
- How To Hang A Warhol
Growing up in Colorado, this singer/songwriter found a band and a label in early 2000’s, and left producing music alone in the past. She now has released her seventh studio album, July Flame. The progression is obvious, Laura is continuously creating her best music.
Song Standouts
- Summer Is The Champion
- July Flame
- I Can See Your Tracks
Dead Man’s Bones are a band with a sound typically heard late in the month of October. The music is almost a contemporary resurrection of the classic Halloween song, Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett, but covered by Arcade Fire and reworked to include a children’s choir. It may be hard to imagine such a creation, but don’t get fustrated.
We also thought it best not to say this, but it’s your right to know everything about the bands we support. Dead Man’s Bones is Ryan Gosling’s project. Yes, that’s the guy from The Notebook.
Song Standouts
- Pa Pa Power
- My Body’s a Zombie For You
- Queue In The Room Where You Sleep
This four piece from London, England consists of lead vocals Kristian Leontiou, Adam Falkner on drums, lead guitar Pete Rinaldi, and Jamie Sefton bass and horns. The band was formed as a break for creative freedom from the constraints of Leontiou’s past mainstream pop experience in the music industry.
Song Standouts
- All Balloons
- Givin Up
- Astronauts
Coming out of Los Angeles, vocalist/guitarist Solon Bixler from 30 Seconds to Mars, drummer Davey Latter, and vocalist/keyboardist Rachel Stolte make up the Indie/Alternative group Great Northern. Their debut album “Trading Twilight For Daylight”, was recorded at the “Donner & Blitzen” studio and produced by Mathias Schneeberger in 2007. Their follow-up album, Remind Me Where The Light Is was released April of ‘09.
Each album demands a bit of patience. A quick listen wouldn’t do the music justice and would definitley leave the listener unfulfilled. Each album holds a few gems making the listen well worth the time. Bixler and Stolte’s voices comlpiment each other and are beautifully showcased in song’s like 33, where the lyrics dance and tangle right to the edge of the album.
Some say practice makes perfect and as we know practice takes time. As Tall As Lions have been playing together since high school, working towards perfection. Starting in 2002 and pushing towards their common goal, this is the year they take a giant leap. Finishing up a personal tour and joining up with musical powerhouse MUTEMATH in late September, As Tall As Lions are ready to spread their idea of perfection.
Their latest album, You Can’t Take It With You, was released August 18, 2009.
Song Standouts
- Circles
- Love, Love, Love (Love, Love)
- You Can’t Take It With You
Posing as a Japanese duo, this British group is definitely worth featuring. Their melodic tones and lack of vocal effort make for some seriously interesting music. Forming in Brighton sometime in 2000, they later were signed to Full Time Hobby Records in the United Kingdom where they remain today. With a heavy 90’s electronic influence, the vocals are hushed, catchy and although repetitive, surprisingly not annoying. Their latest album, Lightbulbs, contains some of their best work.
Song Standouts
-Ankle Injuries
-Knickerbocker
-Collarbone
Matt Pelham, Roger Dabbs, Don Sergio and Parrish Yaw make up the American Indie Rock band from Tennessee named The Features. Despite making amazing music since 2004, the band just hasn’t quite been able to make it in the American music scene. They have found success overseas in big music areas like the UK, but are ready to make waves in the states. In the same month, the band released their latest album and were signed by the brand new Kings of Leon controlled label founded by Bug Music CEO John Rudolph. Touring with these recent music gods might just be the break they’ve been waiting for.
Their latest album, Some Kind of Salvation, released in late July, is a great record front to back. Pelham’s nasal vocals deliver catchy hooks while backed by powerful rock instrumentals. Their songs, short yet precise, are somewhat unusual for alternative rock. Make sure to keep an eye on these soon to be well known musicians.
Signed to independent record label XL, the London-based trio, Golden Silvers were formed in 2007. The band consists of Ben Moorhouse on bass, Alexis Nunez on drums, and Gwylim Gold as lead vocals and keyboardist. They releases their debut album True Romance on April 20, 2009. The band truly began to set sail in 2008 when they won Glastonbury’s prestigious New Talent competition.
Song Standouts
-Another Universe
-Magic Touch
-True No 9 Blues (True Romance)
Say Hi, formerly Say Hi to Your Mom, was formed by Eric Elbogen in 2002. The brooklynite makes up most of the elements of this Indie, lo-fi rock group. His friends play on tour for support as a band, but he occasionally performs alone. Six albums later and Elbogen is still producing his music on a mac at home.
Each album cover has a consistent style, the same can be said for the music. Composed of interestingly clever lyrics and catchy hooks, the records are sure to leave an impression. Their latest, Oohs & Aahs, is an easy album to listen to and enjoy. Its kind of like a book written in big text and short chapters.
Song Standouts
-Lets Talk About Spaceships
-November was White, December was Grey
-Sweet Sweet Heartkiller
Portugal, The Man are now working from their own imprint label called Approaching AIRballoons through indie label Equal Vision Records. The American band from Wasilla, Alaska are doing what it takes to keep their promise of releasing an album every year since 2006. Their latest creation, The Satanic Satanist, dropped July 21, 2009.
The album takes off with a bang. The first track, People Say, is an absolute smash. Halfway through the Oasis style guitar intro, you can tell this song has true potential. Between the powerful verses, catchy hook, and harmonious chorus sung by the band, this song is what Independent Alternative music is all about. A perfect transition flows into the second track, Work All Day, which certainly keeps the albums momentum, set off from the start. The album could be noted as the bands best yet.
Song Standouts:
-People Say
-Guns and Dogs
-Work All Day
