TEAM*

This group is the closest thing to Vampire Weekend that I've ever come across (other than Vampire Weekend themselves).  Overall they have a slightly more poppy sound, and a slightly less Caribbean flavour, but the use of vocals is very similar.  Here is a representative song.  And here's another one.  The vocals work really well with the backing instrumentation.  They have all their music on their bandcamp page.

Hollow Coves

This duo is from Brisbane.  They have a subdued, folky rock sound which I really like.  One of the guys sounds hard-core Australian, but the other sounds American.  I think the closest similarity I have heard is Angus and Julia Stone (incidentally also from Australia).  Check out this song, which seems to be one of their more popular ones.  It's actually my least favourite...I much prefer the other ones you can hear on their bandcamp.  I really like the guys' voices, and the subtle instrumentation which gradually builds during their songs.  "Heatwave" is my personal favourite.  I highly recommend checking out the group if you enjoy chill indie rock.

Luray

I came across this band (named after a town in the mountains of Virginia) on noisetrade...they were offering a collection of live songs which really captured my attention.  The live versions were unpolished, but the simplicity and beauty of the melodies and harmonies was really compelling.  Here is a video of one of their live songs.  You can listen to the studio version of their songs on their bandcamp.  I really like the girl's voice, and the banjo and other backing instrumentation works so well.  Check them out.

Jordan Ruiz

This guy is a genius.  I came across his music on noisetrade a few months ago, and it didn't take very many listens before I was a huge fan.  He has a nice mellow, understated guitar style and voice, with a lot of range of volume and fullness of sound thanks to well arranged backing instrumentation.  His lyrics are super solid too.  This song is the first one I heard.  You can still download a lot of his stuff for free on his noisetrade page.  If you like chill but uplifting music, check him out.

The Collection

This band has a lot of similarities to Mason Jar music, and the Oh Hellos...their style is very similar, and their approach to making music (a loose collective of a large number of musicians, with folky instrumentation and honest lyrics).  Here's one of their simple, stripped-down songs which I enjoy.  The song that originally caught my attention is this one.  The lyrics are intense.  I also really like the way the song builds.  Apparently the group is on tour with the Oh Hellos at the moment; most of their upcoming dates are on the west coast.  I highly recommend checking out their music.  Here is the band's website; they also have a bandcamp and a noisetrade site.

Twin Forks

This group is an interesting combination of musicians from other bands.  The lead singer is Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional, and one of the backup singers is Suzie Zeldin of the Narrative.  Check out this song as an example of their style (note the music doesn't start until about 1:20 into the video).  I would consider it folky pop music.  You can download some of their stuff on noisetrade right now, if you like it!

Mandolin Orange

This is another group I came across on noisetrade recently.  It's a guy-girl folk/bluegrass duo from North Carolina.  Normally I don't go in for old-school bluegrass, but this couple has nailed the genre.  The technicality and flow of the music they produce is really incredible.  The dude plays the guitar, but it almost sounds like a banjo with his style of picking.  The girl plays the violin.  Check out this video as an example of their skill.  I like the lyrical style, too; the lyrics are smart but understated, and complement the instruments well.  The harmonies are very clean and well-executed.  It looks like they are currently on tour in NC, GA, and TN...I have a feeling they are amazing live.

Jon Samuel

Ever heard of the Halifax, Nova Scotia band "Wintersleep"?  Neither had I until just now.  But one of the band's members, Jon Samuel, the keyboard and guitar player, recently released a solo album.  A couple of the songs were included on a record label mixtape put up on noisetrade, and in my opinion they were the stand-out songs on the mix.  I was intrigued enough that I read on at the bottom of the noisetrade page and saw that they were offering the entire album for free!  It's spectacularly good.  I really enjoy the fusion of genres.  You can stream four songs from the album on Jon's website.  If you want proof that he is skilled live, check out this video.  I really like his sound; a nice mix of acoustic guitar work and backing instrumentation, and he has a unique voice.  I highly recommend the album.

Ellie Holcomb

Some of you may have heard of Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, a Christian folk-rock group from (I believe) Nashville.  Well, Drew's wife Ellie has been making music recently too; it's in much the same genre, and I sometimes enjoy it.  Here is the link to her noisetrade page, where you can download a five-song collection.  It's a little bit on the poppy side for my general taste, but she has a really nice voice, and the melodies and backing instrumentation are quite well done.

Stargroves

I apologise for the heinous lack of posting...I have had no free time.  But today I give you "Stargroves".  I came across the group on noisetrade about a month ago.  I know some of you will hate their musical style, but here's an example of their stuff.  I admit it's extremely poppy.  If you're not in the right mood it could even be nauseating.  But I think there is a time and a place for this type of music.  I came across a cover of Fireproof by the National which is pretty good (although the video is weird, and lasts for ages even though the song is over in like three minutes).  You should check out the band; you could recently download a 6-song collection on noisetrade.

Third Eye Blind

I know a lot of people know 3EB from the 90s, but I've been recently getting blown away afresh by their music.  For example: this song.  Pure genius.  It's everything I miss about 90s alternative rock.  The melody is so compelling, with the perfect amount of guitar distortion and drum riffs.  I get chills listening to it.  If you somehow don't know Third Eye Blind, or you've forgotten how unbelievable they are, do yourself a favour and go and listen to all of their albums.

Island Wren

I apologise for my infrequent posting.  No free time these days.  This evening I give to you: Island Wren.  I had never heard of this group before they popped up on noisetrade a few weeks ago, but I was instantly enthralled.  Listen to their EP here on noisetrade.  Their music is genius indie-folk rock, with very prominent banjo and violin parts.  Here is a video of them performing one of their more poppy songs live; it's quite good.  The band seems really young and a bit nerdy, and slightly unpolished, but the sheer amount of talent is hard to ignore.  I hope they go a long way.  You can listen to all their music (and download it) on their bandcamp.

Parlor Hawk

Sorry for the long wait, people...I got married at the end of last month, then spent two weeks on a honeymoon in Europe.  I know you have all been eagerly awaiting my next post, so without further ado I give you: Parlor Hawk.  Here's a music video for one of their good songs.  The band has a cool alternative rock style, although it's quieter and not super rocky.  The lead singer has an interesting voice.  They have a bandcamp site...I recommend listening to their self-titled album from September of last year.  They have an older album on there too, but I haven't listened to it yet.

filial

I came across this band on noisetrade about a month ago.  I've been able to discover almost nothing about the group, other than their singularly empty website.  However their music really appealed to me; the strongest resemblance I hear is with the National (although the songs are more purposeful).  The lead singer's voice is very deep, which also reminds me of the National.  The percussion is really intricate, and good.  I recommend checking them out.  Here is their noisetrade site (at least for now).

Bear's Den

This song.  It's unbelievable, with the perfect balance of plucking banjos and driving rock beat.  I was immediately sold on this English band when I heard this song.  I love the simplicity of it.  While their other music is much less beat-driven and more contemplative/slow, the atmosphere is still similar.  Right now the band has two EPs out, and they are just wrapping up a US tour (playing in Chicago tonight).  I think they will go a long way, though, and they should have no trouble standing out from the many other "bear"-related bands out there at the moment.  Here's another of their really good songs.

Half Moon Run

This Canadian band is blowing my mind; they are one of the most talented and exciting new groups I've come across in the last year.  I've actually been listening to their songs on and off for a couple of months, but for some reason the music only just now clicked and suddenly took over my life.  I heard about them via the California band Brolly, who gave a list of bands they are listening to during an interview.  This song is representative of their style.  There are a lot of similarities with other bands I like; most notably alt-J (with the vocals particularly, and the rhythms and variety of instruments, and also the dynamics - a lot of the songs build to a cool climax), and Portage (the bluesy vocals and the few slightly more jazzy songs).  Here is my favourite of their songs.  Apparently the group has been around for a couple of years; it's sad that I'm just now discovering them.  Do yourself a favour and listen to their one album "Dark Eyes"; you can actually listen to the whole thing on their bandcamp.

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

I've heard a few songs by this band over the past year or so; every time I hear them I'm reminded to check them out in more detail.  They are kind of an alternative-folk fusion group.  Some of their music is a bit country and has too much of a twang for me, but some of their songs are really good.  Check out this one.  Pretty solid.  They are similar to a lot of other bands coming out of Nashville these days, but I really like the style.  I admit they're a bit poppy and sound a bit mainstream, but I still think their bold style and catchy melodies are really good.  Here's another song that's pretty good.  They have a lot of good songs, you should check them out if you like these songs.

Bronze Radio Return

I think I came across this band on noisetrade.  I really liked the style of at least their newer music; check out this song.  Their music is rocky, with a bit of a funky feel.  Actually some of their earlier music is a lot funkier, maybe too much for my taste.  Here's another of their recent (i.e., good) songs.  The band may consist of a bunch of dudebros, but their music is still good; I would recommend checking them out if you like alternative rock with a bit of a funky flair.

SOJA

This is another excursion from my normal music taste; but check out this song.  This group (it's actually an acronym which stands for Soldiers Of Jah Army) has been around for quite a long time.  They are very much in the same vein as Rebelution, and also have similarities to Slightly Stoopid and Matisyahu.  Some of their songs are not particularly compelling, but many of them have really cool harmonies and nice percussion, as well as backing instrumentation.  They have quite a number of albums.  It's true that they are a bunch of potheads, but they have a handful of good songs.

White Lies

I honestly can't remember how I came across this band.  It's not my normal style of music; I guess it's britpop, with a strong 80s influence.  Check out this video; the song is pretty representative of their style.  They remind me of a mix between the Killers (particularly the guy's voice) and the Bravery.  The beats are classic and the melodies are pretty catchy.  Their songs are worth checking out.

Kye Kye

I came across this band on a best-of 2013 playlist.  They are a Christian group, but there is a lot of talent.  The musical style is electronic, almost dream wave.  The lead singer is a girl, and her voice sounds exactly like the girl from Daughter.  Check out this song as an example of their work; I really like the layered instrumentation and the crisp percussion.  So far they only have one album out, but they are releasing a second one in a matter of a week or two.  Here is my favourite of their songs.  Their sound is excellent; I'm really looking forward to their new album.

Trent Dabbs

This was another recent noisetrade find.  Trent Dabbs is a singer-songwriter from the South...his music is definitely influenced by country, but it's more palatable than country, with stronger alternative and pop influences.  He has collaborated with an impressive number of well-known artists, and has released eight albums since 2005.  Here's a song that's pretty representative of his work (although on the depressing end of the spectrum).  And another one.  His style of music is definitely up my alley; it's the perfect mix of acoustic intricacy and broad rock music.  If you like the sound, listen to some of his albums.

Amason

I came across this group in a noisetrade mixtape by one of the guys from Jars of Clay...it was supposed to be a collection of his favourite songs from 2013.  I haven't been able to find more than a couple of songs from the group, but thought them still worthy of a post.  This was the song I first heard.  It's catchy, and very interesting musically.  I like the steady, simple background beat.  The chord progressions are not too spectacular, but the melody line is pretty unpredictable and cool.  I think the band is Scandinavian, but I could be wrong about that.  The alternating guy/girl vocals give it a very retro feel.  I will be watching to see if they come out with any new music this year.

Prince of Spain

Sorry it's been a while since I posted anything.  I came across this group on noisetrade recently.  I would classify the music as somewhat folky rock, with prominent guitars and tuneful melodies.  The percussion is also pretty strong and driving; in some ways they remind me of a more melodic and alternative-friendly version of the Lumineers.  You can listen to their one album ("His Magesty", which came out in October) on their bandcamp site.  If you're just going to listen to one song from the album, check out "Rising Sun".  You can see the music video for this song on their noisetrade page.  It's a powerful song, there's no denying it...the simplicity of the guitar work makes it quite intense.  If you like this song, I suggest checking out the band.