Throw Them Some Love

In the fall, the Columbia grads that make up Vampire Weekend, were unknown, playing at hole-in-the-wall venues for chump change, and just hitting the indie scene. Today, less than a year later, they have gone from just those dorm room boys, to claiming the # 1 Album download on iTunes, to playing on: MTV, Saturday Night Live, Central Park. You name it, they've done it. One of the quickest, and most successful indie start ups in recent years. Now, a small group out of Seattle, Washington, Throw Me The Statue is beginning to walk a familiar path. In less than a few months since their album was released, they have gone from "just another band," to being featured in TV commercials (Rhapsody), having their new video released on MTV, and opening for Cake. While their success, so far, is nothing like that of Vampire Weekend's, it's important we note their phenomenal beginning and wish them luck for the future. If you don't know them, check them out. You'll fall in love. I did.

MySpace
"Lolita" Video

Throw Me The Statue - Lolita
Throw Me The Statue - About To Walk

Band of the Week: Seabear

So, there's Sea Wolf, an acoustic pop rock band that surfaced a year back (their songs were used in TV shows such as Friday Night Lights and became popular among indie bloggers), and then there's Seabear. Seabear, a mellow pop group from Reykjavik, Iceland, has managed to go under the radar of most Indie fans so far. Seabear, a lot like Arcade Fire, incorporate many instruments, and sample a wide array of sounds (bird chirps, nature sounds, etc.) They're currently in the studio working on a follow up album to their debut, The Ghost That Carried Us Away. Seabear, sounds like a more experimental Iron and Wine, or like a folk influenced The Boy Least Likely Too. I hope you enjoy. Check out their MySpace as well.

MySpace

Seabear - Singing Arc

Seabear - I Sing I Swim

The Rise Of Electro-Pop: From MGMT to Crystal Castles

When MGMT was buzzing in the fall last year, my iTunes play count triggered 30 + counts of "Kids" their techno-electro-poppy-addictive-dance song. This spring, a new band has repeated measures w/ my iTunes. Crystal Castles, much like MGMT, has created a perfect mesh of Techno-Pop-Rave-Dance-Experimental music. I don't consider myself a Techno fan whatsoever, definitely not a Rave connoisseur, and I dabble in the Pop genre from time to time, but Crystal Castles' sound is simply to refreshing to ignore. As they begin their US Tour, I strongly suggest you check them out, you never know you may find yourself at a concert soon... At least I know I will.

Crystal Castles - Untrust Us
Crystal Castles - Vanished

Princeton: Not The School, Rather The Band

Princeton

As a college student in the Los Angeles area, my opportunites for exploring the indie scene are endless. I recently (this past semester) discovered an amazing local pop, Vampire Weekendesque band in the local Eagle Rock area. Ironically, they opened for Vampire Weekend at a small Hollywood venue called The Echo. Their energy, pop, and diverse Arcade Fire type arrangements, are addicting and contagious. Oh, and did I mention they're young. The reason you haven't heard of them, is because they're just getting started. The band is composed of two brothers and a long time friend. Instead of attempting to further describe their music using words, I find it more worth while for you to figure out if Princeton is for you:

Princeton - The Indifference Curve

Welcome!

My Musical Philosophy:

Kanye West. Vampire Weekend. Ratatat. Ra Ra Riot. Discovery. This list incorporates a Top 40 Hip Hop artist (Kanye), an obscure Indie Pop band (Ra Ra Riot), Electronic music (Ratatat), and Crunk (Discovery). So, where's the correlation? Why are they listed together? There is none at first glance. If Kanye and Ra Ra Riot were to hold a concert together, you'd have high school students bobbing their heads and throwing their hands in the air to the thumping bass, while free spirited moms tap their feet to the rhythmic sensations of Ra Ra. Doesn't really mesh well, does it? Kanye and Ra Ra Riot aren't friends, hell do they even know each other? So why are they listed together. Is there any relation? There is at least one, and that is the term: Avant-Garde. Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English, to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics. All of the musicians above possess a refreshing, unique, aesthetic quality. They all break the boundaries and limitations that have been established by the media, your favorite radio station, and MTV. Ra Ra Riot = Symphony Orchestra + 80's Synth's + Modern Pop. Kanye West = Soulful samples + 90 BPM + Lyrics that challenge and engage the audience. There is no formulaic, generic, confined sound. Their sounds are evolving and challenge the audience. Here at "You Wish You Were Avant-Garde" the aim is to provide readers with a sense of artistic freedom. To introduce readers to bands, artists, and musicians that challenge the classical conventions of music. I hope you enjoy. Welcome.

Ra Ra Riot - Run My Mouth Off