Alex’s Picks

Chris Garneau – No, that’s not an angel you’re listening to, it’s Brooklyn based musician Chris Garneau. Chris uses a combination of Baroque Pop and circus music (I know right?) to create a an absolutely unique and inspiring sound. Sounds like: Patrick Watson

Listen to Chris Garneau: No More Pirates

Bombay Bicycle Club – These guys threw around a couple decent sounding EPs over the last few years, up until the release of their LP I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about them. Sure enough this album proves them as artists to watch out for. Sounds Like: The Macabees

Listen to Bombay Bicycle Club: Always Like This

Jay Electronica – Mr. Electronica takes samples from movie scores and turns them into hip hop tracks. The dude is a master of the sample and incredibly creative. Best of all, the album is free. I’m a huge fan of supporting this form of business model, so if you enjoy his stuff support him by going to see him live when he’s in your area. Sounds like: older Nas

Listen to Jay Electronica: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)

Tor / Sufjan Stevens – Keeping up with the free album tip, I present you with Tor. We all know Sufjan Stevens but no one expected his melodies to transfer over to hip hop so incredibly. Tor takes well known Hip Hop acapellas and places them over Sufjan Stevens Loops to create something magical, similar to deep fried oreos. Get the album here.

Listen to Tor / Sufjan Stevens: Star of Wonder/None Shall Pass (feat. Aesop Rock)

Frontier Ruckus – Two words: musical saw. There really isn’t much not to like about, Michigan based band, Frontier Ruckus. Finally a group of artists to fill the void in my heart from lack of banjos. Frontier Ruckus you complete me, in a Tom Cruise Jerry Maguire sort of way. Additionally, I have a huge crush on, harmony singer, Anna Burch. Sounds like: Calexico on steroids

Listen to Frontier Ruckus: Dark Autumn Hour

Chris’s Picks

Buildings Breeding – These guys and girl have been around for quite a while (3 LPs and an EP) but continue to remain under the radar. Their sound ranges from summer sweet to ultra dark, but they still manage to transition between the two beautifully. Definitely one of my new favorites.

Listen to Buildings Breeding: Rushing Red

Jeremy Jay – This Album (Slow Dance) just goes for days man. This may sound a bit cliche, but ole’ JJ is the new Smiths… At least if you are searching for a similar sound with a fresh spin.

Listen to Jeremy Jay: Where Could We Go Tonight

Foreign Born – Foreign Born is relatively new to me, but they grow on me like ivy. 1st listen they sleep, 2nd listen they creep, and third listen they leap. They have such a full sound; what great instrumentalist they are. I would watch out for any band that comes out of Secretly Canadian Actually.

Listen to Foreign Born: Blood Oranges

Cymbals Eat Guitars – Trust me, believe the hype, cause this album (Why Are There Mountains?) flipped my world upside down. CEG ride the fence that separates sanity and chaos like a bucking bronco. They are that pet tiger that you think you have under control until it rips your fucking face off. Great lyrics, great composition, shredding guitar riffs, build ups, break downs, uhhh uhhh uhhh ohhh!!!… just made a boo boo in my pants.

Listen to Cymbals Eat Guitars: Wind Phoenix

Real Estate – Fake Blues [7-inch]

Really? New Jersey? Really? This band has a spectacular low-fi vibe without being punky and dated and obnoxious. Gritty and soothing at the same time. Watch out for these doods cause they are on the up and up.

Listen to Real Estate: Fake Blues

The Privates – From Nashville, TN this group sounds as though The Strokes and Tokyo Police Club had a love child.  Their new album “Motion” just dropped in April.  Listen to tracks “Motion” and “Atrium”

Elizabeth and the Catapult - Local favorites from Brooklyn, I dare you to listen to “Race You” without dancing along.  Impossible!  Other tracks you might like “Momma’s Boy”.  See this band at the Housing Works bookstore on June 24th.

Elizabeth and the Catapult: Race You

Zee Avi – Signed to Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label, this songstress and ukulele player from Malaysia has an old school vibe that will make you think of summertime.   “Bitter Heart”  is a great track.

Zee Avi: Bitter Heart

The Weakerthans –   Hailing from Canada, The Weakerthans have a sound similar to Ted Leo or Death Cab For Cutie.  Listen to tracks “Night Windows” and “Aside”.  See them at the Bowery Ballroom on September 18th, eh?

The Weakerthans: Night Windows

Metric – Originally from NYC this band has relocated to Canada.  Lead singer Emily Haines and guitarist James Shaw also play with Broken Social Scene and Haines has been a guest on several tracks with another Canadian band, Stars.  Listen to “Help I’m Alive”.  They rocked out Terminal 5 last night.

Metric: Help I’m Alive

“Despite your potential first inclinations, this electro-dance outfit doesn’t appear to be The Postal Service reincarnated. Rather, it’s sounds more like these guys unabashedly donned their top-siders and sweaters in the club, rubbing shoulders with Jamie Foxx”

The LP drops officially on July 7th, but for now you can sample a few tracks below:

White Rabbits

It’s frightening how far the White Rabbits have come since their last album. Out of the Big Apple by way of the Mid West, the White Rabbits are sure to get you moving with their new track “Percussion Gun.” Catch them this year at All Points West music festival.

Listen to: “Percussion Gun” & “Rudie Fails”

Handsome Furs

Husband and wife duo Dan Boeckner (of Wolf Parade) and Alexei Perry are the Handsome Furs. With an electro-rock vibe and tasty melodies, this group is making hometown Montreal proud. In March they released their sophomore album Face Control, which was inspired by their Eastern European tour.

Listen to: “Legal Tender” & “I’m Confused”

Silversun Pickups

Recently releasing their 2009 album, Swoon, the Silversun Pickups do it again. Lead singer Brian Aubert’s distinct voice goes hand in hand with the loud guitars creating a true alt-rock sound.

Listen to: “Panic Switch” & “Theres No Secrets This Year”

Gringo Star

Atlanta boys Gringo Star know rock and roll. With their gritty/psychedelic rock sound Gringo Star was the talk of the town at last years CMJ music fest. All four members play a wide variety of instruments and trade off periodically throughout their live sets.

Listen to: “All Ya’ll” & “I Will Not Follow”

Lykke Li

Lykke Li Zachrisson aka Lykke Li is a Swedish pop artist who has gained a lot of popularity for her unique vocals and catchy rhythms. In summer of 2008 she released her first LP titled Youth Novels, which was produced and co-written with Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John.

do bem™ – Suco de Laranja 100% fruta (MPC de torradas) from do bem on Vimeo.

1. Phoenix
French indie/alternative group incorporating the 80’s electro-synth sounds they were raised on. Phoenix has been around for about 10 years and has recently gained a lot of recognition for their latest release, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
Listen to: “Lisztomania” & “1901”
www.myspace.com/wearephoenix
www.wearephoenix.com

2. Friendly Fires
Out of Jolly Ol’ England, this dance/pop group utilizes electronic rhythms and disco pulses to create a fun indie pop sound. They released a self-titled debut album in 2008 on XL Recordings that has been the backbone for their extensive tour around the world.
Listen to: “Skeleton Boy” & “Jump In The Pool”
www.myspace.com/friendlyfires
www.wearefriendlyfires.com

3. Au Revoir Simone
Female trio from Brooklyn, NY has created a unique sound using refurbished drum machines, xylophones, and layers of synthesizers. Categorized as electro/alternative folk, their latest release, Still Night, Still Night displays just that. The addition of beautiful vocals and harmonies makes this group one to check out.
Listen to: “Knight Of Wands” & “Shadows”
www.myspace.com/aurevoirsimone
www.aurevoirsimone.com

4. Faded Paper Figures
Representing SoCal, Faded Paper Figures’ provides listeners with a sound reminiscent of The Postal Service. Dynamo, displays aesthetic vocals and witty pop beats proving to be a solid album through and through.
Listen to: “North By North” & “Metropolis”
www.myspace.com/fadedpaperfigures
www.fadedpaperfigures.com

5. Röyksopp
Infectious electronic rhythms combined with the vocals of a myriad of guest artists are what Röyksopp’s album, Junior, is all about. Recently releasing their third album, this Norwegian duo knows how to make you move.
Listen to: “Happy Up Here” & “The Girl And The Robot”
www.myspace.com/royksopp
www.royksopp.com