I drank too much coffee and ate too many doughnuts this morning (not a common occurrence for me), which has resulted in an intense caffeine/sugar buzz. I find myself too restless to focus on my current novel... so, in need of an outlet to project my excessive energy into, I find myself compiling some more of the independent music that has stood out to me this year!
Enjoy!
Beirut
Album: The Rip Tide, released August, 2011
The first album released by Beirut in 2006 was the solo project of Zachary Condon, native of Sante Fe, New Mexico. Thereafter, he proceeded to form a band which has varied over time from six to ten members. The music is described as Balkan Folk. When I began delving into the world of independent music, this was the first indie band I listened to whose use of brass instruments blatantly stood out to me. (When he was a teenager, Zach played in a jazz band and his instrument of choice was a trumpet.) Since then, I have been more aware of the common usage of brass instruments by many indie bands, such as Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes. I have acquired a taste for the sound.
Ghostpoet
Album: Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam, released February, 2011
Obaro Ejimiwe, aka Ghostpoet, is a singer songwriter from the U.K. Ghostpoet (as well as his most recent album title) is a very fitting name... his rambling, lethargic baritone is rather ghostly... and poetic. His unique sound has been described as "drowsy anxiety." I, for one, am hooked on his brazen British accent, which is impossible to ignore.
Is Tropical
Album: Native To, released October, 2011
This trio from London, England infuses dance music with rock. They are notorious for performing with veiled faces.
The Naked And Famous
Ghostpoet
Album: Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam, released February, 2011
Obaro Ejimiwe, aka Ghostpoet, is a singer songwriter from the U.K. Ghostpoet (as well as his most recent album title) is a very fitting name... his rambling, lethargic baritone is rather ghostly... and poetic. His unique sound has been described as "drowsy anxiety." I, for one, am hooked on his brazen British accent, which is impossible to ignore.
Is Tropical
Album: Native To, released October, 2011
This trio from London, England infuses dance music with rock. They are notorious for performing with veiled faces.
The Naked And Famous
Album: Passive Me, Aggressive You, released March, 2011
This indie rock band calls Auckland, New Zealand home. I first heard them while listening to WSUM, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s licensed student radio station. The track Young Blood was played, and the radio host described their sound as "similar to Arcade Fire." Enough said!!
Generationals
Album: Actor-Caster, released April, 2011
Louisiana seems to be the source of an overwhelming amount of talented indie bands in the U.S.! This New Orleans based indie rock/pop duo (made up of Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer) offers a vibe that simply makes me happy! The track Ten-Twenty-Ten made it onto Paste magazine's best songs of 2011 list, and I couldn't agree more!
Crystal Fighters
Album: Star of Love: Deluxe Edition, released August, 2011
(Star of Love was originally launched in October of 2010. The 2011 deluxe edition includes six bonus tracks.)
This band from London was referred to me by my niece, Halette. (I just want to take a moment to say thanks to Halette for being my partner in crime as a fellow indie music junkie, and for getting my foot wet by introducing me to the world of indie and continuing to recommend great music!) I feel that Star of Love offers somewhat of a range in sound:
Plage is more on the folky side than the next two tracks. (By the way, a plage is "a sandy beach at a seaside resort".)
In The Summer is less folk and more electronic.
I Love London screams electro dance hall and strobe lights!
To listen to my Best Indie Music Of 2011 Playlist, click here: http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/2011+Indie+Best+Of/52460159
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