Claimed by Isabelle MT.

Some music is about the poetic nature of its lyrics, while other music is about the intricacies of the instrumentals, and then some music is just about having a good time. Chromeo is filled with heavy 80’s style synthesizers, catchy lyrics, and an overall throwback style set to make you, at the very least, tap your feet.

The duo of P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) on keys and synth and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) on guitar and lead vocals are childhood friends from Montreal, Canada. They jokingly describe themselves as “the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture.”

Song Standouts
- Bonafied Lovin
- Fancy Footwork
- Needy Girl

Official
Myspace

Claimed & Written by Samantha B.

It’s been a long time since I’ve connected with live music the way I did recently at The Civil Wars’ show. You may already know The Civil Wars from their song “Poison & Wine” being featured on Grey’s Anatomy — but if you don’t know them yet, you soon will. The Civil Wars are the power-duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White. The artistic intimacy between these two artists is shown through their songs and their musicality is an amazing experience to see live.

Between the amazing vocals and complete emotional experience that The Civil Wars provide, it is hard to pick out their best songs. I personally enjoy “Tip of my Tongue”, “Poison & Wine” and their cover of “Dance Me to the End of Love”.

The Civil Wars are currently heading back to the studio to finalize their first full length album which should hopefully be out this summer. In the meantime you can purchase their EP Poison & Wine on iTunes. You can also download their “Live at Eddie’s Attic” album for free (and legally) at http://www.noisetrade.com/thecivilwars

Myspace

Claimed & Written by Christen

Chris Pureka is a breath of fresh air in an age of fleeting success and temporary notions. She is an artist of substance, armed with a sharp eye for oft-missed details and an emotional intelligence that can switch from withering to compelling with a subtle inflection. On her third release, How I Learned To See In The Dark set to hit via Sad Rabbit Music /ADA on April 13, Pureka expands on her distinct and beautiful melodies exploring broader musical soundscapes all the while maintaining the stunning vocals and distinct guitar work she is known for.

With her 2004 debut LP, Driving North, Pureka started a career as a touring troubadour and began building an impressive fan base from the ground up: a cult following that started in her native New England and steadily grew to a national level. Fans and critics alike were drawn to the signature voice that somehow makes heartbreak sound desirable and her acute attention to lyrical detail, while others lauded her aptitude for crafting guitar parts that speak for themselves. The Boston Globe raved that “[she] is such a gifted guitar player and singer that you have to listen to each song twice, once for her guitar playing and again for her passionate lyrics about love, loss and hope.” With her 2006 follow-up, Dryland, Pureka further expanded on the emotional topography she charted earlier in her career by continuing to tour extensively playing 200+ shows a year and gathering supporters city by city, show by show and fan by fan. This year Chris will take touring to the next level by adding a full backing band to her incredible live show.

While maintaining the unique alchemy of longing, loss and hope this virtuoso sets to music, there is a sonic adventurism on How I Learned to See in the Dark that marks a new stage in Pureka’s musical evolution. This is aided by Pureka’s choice of co-producer and longtime friend, Merrill Garbus (4Ad’s tUnE-YaRds). In addition to enjoying the comfort that comes with working with someone you’ve known since middle school, Garbus brought to the table her signature quirky recording techniques and alternative instrumentation, helping Pureka shift her sound into as-yet uncharted territory. This record boasts a newfound edginess, coupled with a more abstract sound and a musical depth and complexity that shines through each track, all the while maintaining the space and creative instrumentation Pureka is known for.

Standout track, “Landlocked”, showcases Pureka’s technical prowess with the finger-picking style that won her so many accolades on Dryland while “Broken Clock” is the rhythm driven, heavy hitter bound to be on your next break up mix. “Wrecking Ball” mixes a playful quirkiness in production with an underlying paced anger, laced with twangs of percussive guitar. Album closer, “August 28th” is the deep breath following the emotional tumult that precedes it – a return to quiet contemplation for the writer and the listener: “I think the whole world needs a shoeshine/I think we’re all living proof.”

It has taken years for Chris Pureka to arrive here, and each step has been as purposeful, as precise, and as unwavering as the music she makes.

Official
Myspace

HOW I LEARNED TO SEE IN THE DARK – U.S TOUR DATES

Wednesday-7-Apr-Portland, Me @ One Longfellow Square
Friday-9-Apr-Boston, MA @ The Middle East
Saturday-10-Apr- Northampton, MA @ The Iron Horse
Monday-12-Apr-NYC-@ The Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Tuesday-13-Apr-Philadelphia, Pa @ Johnny Brenda’s
Wednesday-14-Apr-Pittsburgh, Pa @ Club Café
Thursday-15-Apr-Washington, DC @ IOTA
Saturday-17-Apr-Chapel Hill, NC @The Local 506
Sunday-18-Apr-Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
Tuesday-20-Apr-Atlanta, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
Wednesday-21-Apr-Nashville, TN @ The Basement
Thursday-22-Apr-Lexington, KY @ Natasha’s
Friday-23-Apr- Indianapolis, IN @ Radio Radio
Monday-26-April-Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
Tuesday 27 April-Chicago, IL @ Martyr’s
Thursday-29-Apr- Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
Saturday -1 -May – Minneapolis, MN @ Bryant Lake Bowl
Sunday – 2 May – Madison, WI @ High Noon
Tuesday -3 -May Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
Monday-10-May-Bellingham, WA @ The Wild Buffalo
Wednesday-12-May-Seattle, WA @ The Tractor Tavern
Friday-14-May-Portland OR @ Mississippi Studios
Saturday-15-May-Eugene, OR @ The Willamette Valley Music Festival
Wednesday-19-May-San Francisco, CA @ Slims
Thursday-20-May-Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst

Claimed & Written by Samantha B.

Finally, Seattle can give us more than rain! Since discovering Hey Marseilles, the seven member folk/pop band has been on heavy rotation on my iPod. Having seven band members proves to be a strength for these guys as it brings an eclectic range of instrumentation and styles to each track.

Strong vocals from lead singer Matt Bishop is a solid base for the band and is only accentuated by his six other band mates. The accordion in “To Travels & Trunks” makes me feel like I’m at a French cafe enjoying good eats and good tunes. Clapping also becomes a cool backup instrument on “Rio”.

Matt, Nick, Philip, Patrick, Sam, Jacob and Colin have recently started branching out from the Seattle music circuit and just finished a run at the SXSW music festival in Austin, TX. There is no doubt that Hey Marseilles will catch the attention of many and grow a solid following.

Song Standouts
- To Travels & Trunks
- Rio
- Hold the Morning

Myspace
Twitter

Claimed by J. Ua

Coming from New York City, The Postelles are bringing back catchy 50’s rock ‘n roll but with a modern spin. Their upbeat tempo and cheerful disposition have been catching ears and taking over headphones. The lead vocals get pitch perfect support from the band, while instrumentals and production are flawless. Tapping into music’s memoirs, these young guys are showing the world how they do old school. The four friends from high school began attracting significant attention by playing shows in New York, Paris, and London.

The rock quartet recently released a new 4-track EP ‘White Night’ (Astralwerks / Capitol) on March 2nd, 2010.

Song Standouts
- Looking Glass
- Can’t Stand Still
- 123 Stop

Official
Myspace

Claimed & Written by Samantha B.

Nashville singer-songwriter Tyler James got to Music City by way of the midwest, and boy does he fit right in. James really blew the doors off with his debut LP, It Took the Fire. This album is soulful and takes you on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish with a great mix of vocals, piano and horns.

It Took The Fire is an album of well thought out lyrical pieces that gives us a story with each track. It’s hard not to feel good just after listening to the first track, “All I Got”.

James sings, “you don’t need a soapbox to be heard”…he will definitely be heard. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for this one!

Song Standouts
-Soapbox Shakedown
-Sweet Relief
-Stay Humble

Official
Myspace

Claimed by Julie S.

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.

Song Standouts
- Monster
- Triceratops
- Caution

Claimed by J. Ua

Blue Roses’ Laura Groves has a delicate presence. With heavy pounds on the piano or strong plucks of the guitar, her soft voice carries the weight of the words she sings and the fragile emotions she emits in each song. This musician from Yorkshire, England released her debut album, Blue Roses, in 2009 on XL Recordings.

Song Standouts
- I Am Leaving
- Greatest Thoughts
- Can’t Sleep

Claimed by Tara

Ben Rector has a certain appeal that isn’t found in most contemporary music. The type of style that can’t be defined by a one word genre title. He recently moved to Nashville Tennessee to pursue a career in music as a singer/songwriter. His life’s story isn’t easy to come by when searching the reaches of the internet, but it seems most of his information can be found in the music. A post college musician moving on to the next step of his career. Although his music is undeniably professional, Ben remains unsigned. Maybe that’s the defining sparkle of this story; that a musician can successfully create and share his music through his own efforts. His latest album, Into the Morning, contains a consecutive string of solid songs ready for the world.

Song Standouts
- The Beat
- White Dress
- When A Heart Breaks

Official Site
Myspace

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

Grade: B+

Claimed by Joanne S.

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

Claimed by J. Ua

Known for his lean acoustic sound and finger-picking blues style, Fink’s pop consciousness has set his music apart. His recording career began with Ninja Tune, the London-based independent record label, which released his debut album Fresh Produce in 2001. In 2006, he released Biscuits For Breakfast, which had a wider appeal and gained a significant audience. In May of 2009, the fourth full-length album, Sort of Revolution, was released and features collaborations with John Legend.

Song Standouts
- Sort Of Revolution
- Walking In The Sun
- See It All
- This Is The Thing

If strong delivery, solid storytelling, and technically timeless instrumentals actually counted in determining mainstream Hip Hop anymore, this oddly named group would reign. Tanya Morgan is a hip-hop group consisting of MCs Donwill and Ilyas out of Cincinnati, Ohio, and MC/producer Von Pea from Brooklyn, New York. Their latest album Brooklynati was released in May of 2009. Reminiscent of Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, TM has found that old school flavor without sounding redundant.

Song Standouts
- Plan B
- She’s Gone (aka Without You)
- Never 2ndary

Claimed by Neil R.

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

Matt Morris is an American singer-songwriter and the son of country music star Gary Morris. His songs have been recorded by artists including Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, and Christina Aguilera. In 2003, Morris recorded and released an independent album titled, UnSpoken. Morris is currently signed as a recording artist to Tennman Records. His debut album on Tennman, When Everything Breaks Open, was released on January 12th, 2010.

Song Standouts
- Money
- Live Forever
- Don’t You Dare
- Bloodline

Claimed by J. Ua

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