Under the Radar

Tim Forslund, who does an Indie Rock radio show on a local public radio station (“The B-Sides” on KRCB), turned me on to some great new music recently. Here I give a quick rundown on some of the more obscure and interesting artists he recommends. All of these bands have Myspace sites where we can listen for free. Hooray, Myspace!

Sloan –Indie-rock from Canada.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sloan

Gothic Archies – Probably the most unique and interesting sound of the bands Tim told me about. The band is led by Stephen Merritt, of The Magnetic Fields, who writes songs he calls “bubblegum goth”. Unlike anything else you’ll ever hear.
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gothicarchies

Pernice Brothers – Highly-touted band out of Mass.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/pernicebrothers

The Spinto Band – A Delaware-based Indie Rock band that recently toured with Arctic Monkeys. They sound similar to Pavement, e.g. nonchalant vocals a la Steven Malkmus.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thespintoband

Apples in Stereo – Up and coming Denver Indie pop band that has been generating a lot of buzz lately.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theapplesinstereo

Shout Out Louds – This Swedish band is not as obscure as some of the others, they are signed to Capitol, but they are new to me. Their pop sound and jangly guitars are catchy as hell.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shoutoutlouds

The Capes –British Indie pop rock.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thecapes

The Elected – Indie-pop band formed by Blake Sennett of Rilo Kiley.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theelected

The Good Life – This Omaha, NE band on the Saddle Creek label is led by songwriter Tim Kasher. They have an Indie-Pop sound reminiscent of The Shins. They most recently contributed the track “New Year's Retribution” to the Lagniappe: A Saddle Creek Benefit for Hurricane Katrina Relief album.
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thegoodlife

Chris Koza – A singer-songwriter out of Minneapolis. He has a pleasant, quirky sound. MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chriskozaband

The Comas – An Indie Rock band out of North Carolina, recently signed to Vagrant Records. They have an eclectic sound, going from fuzzy guitars to strings and back again.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thecomas

Josh Rouse – Good stuff from this Indie troubadour, living in Spain via Tennessee.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/joshrouse

The Blank Tapes – Surfer reggae from SoCal. Kind of like a cross between Sublime and Jack Johnson. Fun stuff.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theblanktapes

General Elektriks – Electronica by Berkeley-based French national RV Salters.
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/generalelektriks

Josh Ritter – Talented singer-songwriter from Idaho.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/joshritter

The Lovely Feathers – Another entertaining Canadian band. Man, there’s a lot of good music coming out of Canada.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thelovelyfeathers

Ambulance LTD – This band is from Brooklyn, NY, but they could easily be from England. They have a laid-back, Britpop sound not unlike Coldplay or Travis.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ambulanceltd

Maritime – Indie pop band. They are currently signed to the Flameshovel label.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maritimesongs

Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s – Indianapolis, Indiana Indie pop (that’s a lot of Indies). Addition of cello and trumpet give them an interesting sound.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/margotandthenuclearsoandsos

Phoenix – French band known for it’s Electronica, is venturing into more mainstream rock with excellent results.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wearephoenix

The Push Stars – Boston-based band, formerly on Capitol. They left Capitol for a small label (33rd Street). They have a nice, hooky rock sound.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thepushstars

Bears – Unsigned band out of Cleveland. They have a nice pop sound with acoustic and electric guitars, nice vocal harmonies and pleasant choruses.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bearspop

Sam Roberts – Talented Canadian singer-songwriter.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/samrobertsband

The Submarines – The L.A. based songwriting team of married couple John Dragonetti (aka Jack Drag) and Blake Hazard.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thesubmarinesmusic

And some of the more well-known artists he suggests which everyone should know about:

The Decemberists – Great songs. One of my current faves.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thedecemberists

M. Ward – Old-timey, modern, blues, folk, rock. His sound is incomparable.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mward

Old 97’s – Alt-country favorites.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theold97s

Grant-Lee Phillips – Great singer-songwriter.
MySpace: http://myspace.com/grantleephillips

Ben Kweller – Excellent songs from Kweller.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/benkweller

Yo La Tengo – Put out one of the better records of 2006, I Am Not Afraid of You And I Will Beat Your Ass.
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/yolatengo