Strange Birds – Strange Birds EP

March 4th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in acoustic, alternative, folk  |  3 comments

Aidin Sadeghi and Bret Leinen compose the two-man duo that is Strange Birds. The majority of their work sounds distinctly like the exhibited by Coldplay in their songs “Parachutes”, “We Never Change”, and in particular, “Easy to Please”. At the same time, however, Strange Birds obviously don’t have Chris Martin’s distinct voice leading the show. Indeed, there are a number of elements that set them apart, including clean and round acoustic guitar that strums to a clean and upbeat, jazzy cadence.

Rosie and Me – Bird and Whale

February 15th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in acoustic, female vocalists, folk  |  4 comments

I will declare it right now: the best folk band to have contacted me these past 2 months is without a doubt, Rosie and Me. Singer, Rosanne Machado, accurately describes the group as “unpretentious and simple”. Both ‘Come Back’ and ‘Bonfires’ are acoustic wonders that sound and feel as natural as the change of the seasons and as spontaneous as Snooki from the Jersey Shore. These positive, warm melodies are almost enough to fight the cold winter this year and keep you refreshed during the summer.

Bahamas – Pink Strat

February 3rd, 2010  |  by hannahsimon  |  published in acoustic, folk-rock  |  1 comment

I couldn’t help but smile the first time I heard Bahamas LP Pink Strat. Though it was a rainy day in San Francisco, as I listened to the dreamy tunes of Afie Jurvanen, I was transported to summer bliss. You see, Jurvanen is a Toronto musician who doesn’t let the cold Canadian winters into his songs. He’s spent the last few years playing piano and guitar with popular Canadian bands like Feist, Jason Collett, Howie Beck, and Hayden. Bahamas marks his step into a summery, solo-artist spotlight.

Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More

January 21st, 2010  |  by Jess Alatorre  |  published in acoustic, bluegrass, folk  |  1 comment

I recently read a blog about why we travel and somehow this band has reminded me of that article. The science blog says that travel allows our brain to be more creative, as we open ourselves to a constant stream of surprises. Even once we go back home, and even though everything might be the same, everything is different because our framework has changed. Mumford and Sons does this for me- I feel the confusion that comes from surprise, and it leaves the possibility for newness in discovery.

Warpaint – Exquisite Corpse

December 21st, 2009  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in acoustic, female vocalists, shoegaze

Warpaint are a band whose name is being increasingly dropped around the internet, and upon my first listen through their EP, I decided that it needed to be dropped some more. So here goes: Warpaint are a Los Angeles based psychedelic/shoegaze band formed in 2007, who have notable press from the late Heath Ledger, Billy Zane, and also from John Frusciante under their belts. In fact, it is John Frusciante who produced their debut release Exquisite Corpse for Manimal Vinyl earlier this year.

The Title Sequence – Lovers (Exclusive)

December 15th, 2009  |  by Jess Alatorre  |  published in acoustic, electronica, folk, indie rock  |  3 comments

Here’s an instant hook: if you like Kings of Convenience, you’re bound to be sold on The Title Sequence. The debut single, Lovers is now available and boy does it bode well for what’s to come. Friends since childhood, David Bailey and Nick Crofts, formerly known as the sound of bailey, have switched their name to the title sequence. Together, these two lads are making beautiful music.

Saintseneca – Saintseneca

November 27th, 2009  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in acoustic, folk, freak-folk

Saintseneca is an indie folk band from the Columbus, Ohio music scene. They put out their first album at the beginning of 2009, and a new four track, the self-titled Saintseneca EP, on September 1st. They play fast paced banjo/guitar folk music with handclaps and twee vocals, with stomping singalong chorusses and simple vocal melodies to match. According to their Myspace, they’ll play anywhere that ‘it echoes, and there’s a good floor to stomp on.’

James Yuill – Turning Down Water For Air

November 23rd, 2009  |  by Jess Alatorre  |  published in acoustic, folktronica, indie pop  |  2 comments

This is a one-man attempt at electronica, and he’s nailed it. James Yuill has been on my playlist for months, but, as a sign that he’s not a one-week wonder for me, I’ve taken my time to listen, become accustomed to, and grow to love the sounds of folk and electronica
melting into one.