Category: emerging artists

Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and emerging talent this past month that you might want to check out…so much great music, so little time!

A Fragile Tomorrow “Tripping Over Nothing”

This slick indie band opens with “Man With A Bottle,” a Goo Goo Dolls styled standard. But I was really impressed with the Rickenbacker jangle on “Peaceful Days” and the descending harmonies in the chorus on “Something To Say” recalling The Rembrandts. The soothing rock ballad “Tupelo Song” is a favorite here with a wonderful guitar break and gorgeous 3-part harmony. “Dear Abbey White” is an unconventional surprise, with loud guitar riffs and low key vocals. The album shines best when it concentrates on mid-tempo pop like “I Never Said Enough” and “Captured.” The heavier blues oriented rock songs (“Thirteen”, “Hey Mother”) are okay, but didn’t stick in my head like the earlier songs. The band needs more consistency, but the talent is definitely there.
MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon | Itunes

Graham Czach “Lucid”

Graham Czach is a creative and accomplished musician, composer, upright/electric bassist, vocalist and guitarist. “Lucid” is Graham’s debut album where he combines influences from being raised in a household where Led Zeppelin and the Beatles were playing constantly, to being educated and trained as a classical and jazz musician. If you’re tired of John Mayers antics and want to hear a man with more talent, give this a shot. The classical composition is evident on the awesome “Abide” and the string filled “True Love.” Fans of baroque pop and Eric Matthews will flip over this artist.
MySpace | Amazon | Free Download of “Gather Round”

J.D. Reager “The Repechage”

A buddy of The Bulletproof Vests, J.D. Reager is also from Memphis and has his own label to boot (http://www.makeshiftmusic.com/).  His debut is sporadic, but the dense production is effective on “Wading In.” Fans of Adam Merrin (The 88) will enjoy the smooth multi-tracked vocal ballad “Knoxville Song.” Sure some of the songs overindulge in production techniques, but a few gems are to be found here like the piano lead “Ballad of Max and Grace” and the quirky “For Now” brings to mind Sugarplastic a little bit. This is an artist worth exploring and the album is FREE online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download at Bandcamp

The Maybenauts “Big Bang” EP

Fans of Girl in A Coma or Veruca Salt may love this band, a female lead glam outfit full of energy. The EP consists of 5 hard rock songs and lead singer Leilani Frey gives it her all. The songs are short, sweet and full of great harmonies as well. Their debut single “My Head Is A Bomb” was co-produced by Jane Wiedlin, the rhythm guitarist of The Go-Gos. So what is with the Panda on the album cover? What’s up with the token male here, guitarist Vee Sonnets dressed like a Panda at shows? Does he eat bamboo too?
MySpace | CD Baby | Listen at Maybenauts.com

Jac & Jill “s/t”

These girls are plenty talented when it comes to modern pop. Jaclyn Quatela and Jill Winter are New York artists with a strong music background, influenced by Motown R&B, hip hop, and rock & roll, but they don’t pretend to be anyone else. The autobiographical “Listen” is catchy as hell and unique to them. The cool “Mm’ Mm’ Good” starts with a solid structure and a fast-paced chorus. The single “Can’t Stop” is already getting lots of well deserved airplay. Fans of Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani and Beyonce should be paying attention to this duo now.
MySpace | Looney Tunes

Since we’ve been on a beach theme this week…

Expo “She Sells Seashells”

Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and unsigned talent this past month that you might want to check out…

Poison Control Center “Sad Sour Future”

Upbeat indie pop by way of a lo-fi Weezer style with dissonant rhythms and cooing teen harmonies. A little like a junior version of Guided by Voices. The albums massive 17 track list is hit or miss, but you’ve got enough stand-outs to make it worth your time. I’ve posted the video  for “Being Gone” a week ago, but other tunes not to miss are: “Calling Card”,”Two Mountains” and “Friends in the Band.”
MySpace | Amazon | Listen to “Being Gone”

Galapaghost “Neptunes” EP

Galapaghost is the conception of singer/songwriter Casey Chandler. Being from Woodstock, he’s been making music since 14 and recently has released an EP of breezy folk tunes. “Aloner” is an effective opener, that recalls the Beach Boys and The Shins. The simple guitar and ukulele tunes work best here, and it loses some stream when he breaks out a synth for the title track. Listen to the gentle “Human Unkind” and “Don’t Go & Break My Heart.”
MySpace | Amazon

Annie Stevenson “2010” EP

Glasgow Scotland band that has a rotten name, but an interesting sound, equal parts of Blur, The Happy Mondays and The Clash. “Country Killer” is the most melodic tune of the bunch, with a steady beat and melodic chorus that builds very nicely. “TV Took My Soul” is a bit of punk pop with excellent buzzing guitar riffs.  “I’m The One You Hold” has a nice composition, but production is a bit rough. This is a band worth exploring and the EP is free online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download of “2010” EP

Shakedown at The Majestic EP

Shakedown at the Majestic features Chris Vermillion on guitar and lead vocals, Stephen Frandsen on bass and vocals, and Taylor Nimtz on drums and also providing vocals. We get catchy, danceable, stick-in-your head songs courtsey of this energetic unsigned Brooklyn band. The harmonies and minor chord shifts on “Bria” are sweet and compare well to Weezer, with gorgeous three part harmonies. The songwriting is strong on “Please, Lucia!” with it’s Beatles meets do-wop style that compares well with Teenage Fanclub. I was very impressed!
MySpace | Facebook  | YouTube video of “Please Lucia!”

Bodyface “Bias”

The combination of Jared Kerr, Joe Brennan and Dan Marsh bring you a heavy rock band that tries hard to channel Superdrag, but sounds closer to Extreme in spots. Either way “Get Away” is the album highlight, with a combination of  heavy riffs and solid vocals. The intense “Kill Her” and “I Love You Vampire” also have it’s moments, and the power ballad “Future No Hope” with it’s soft/hard vocal contrasts will impress you for sure.
MySpace | Album release TBA

Aaron Fox & the Reliables started as a collaboration between Aaron Fox, guitarist and singer/songwriter, and guitarist Mike Burns. Influences here are REM, Wilco, Crowded House, and Tom Petty and the album takes off with the jangle pop of “Over Again” similar to the Gin Blossoms. “False Alarm” continues the catchy standard rock vibe and “Get Down” sounds closer to those nineties indie college bands I loved back in the day. The production and musicianship are both first class here. A real gem buried in the middle of the album is the bouncy “Too Tired For Sleep,”  with a great chorus and strong guitar solo during the break. Unfortunately Fox’s vocals aren’t that distinguished and the remaining songs don’t have the hooks required to hold my attention, much less repeat listens. The Midwestern roots stylings dominate the albums second half, and a few songs drag on over five minutes. This band has a lot of potential, so I think some classic rock enthusiasts will be more forgiving than I am. A noteworthy debut.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon