Indie

L’Avventura: Your Star Was Shining

Formed in 2005, L'Avventura is a San-Francisco based band made up of Jeff Davis (vocals, guitar), Fergus Griffin (guitar, vocals), Aldo Silver (bass guitar, vocals), Stevie Utstein (cello, keyboards, vocals), Art McConnell(Drums), Shaina Evoniuk (violin, vocals), and Helen Aki (guitar, vocals). This 7-piece crew create a unique pop rock, alternative indie sound with emphasis on good songwriting and classic structures. Drawing influences from a diverse group of musicians like T-Rex, Bob Dylan, and even Belle and Sebastian; the band's sound takes the shape of different genres. Despite this diversity, their sound is still worth grabbing and listening to.

The Wrecking Room:The Wrecking Room EP

For times when you want to cuddle back up in bed on a rainy, gloomy day; you can count on The Wrecking Room to help add to the beautiful mood. The Wrecking Room is a 7-piece crew from Sydney, Australia. This self-titled short EP was released on BandCamp last October 2011 and comes with 4 simple folk acoustic tracks fit for a laid-back day. Combining some melodic singing with skillfully played guitars; the album explodes with passion, rich arrangements and stories about life.

The Suits: The Suits EP

Don’t you just love feel-good music? The Suits’ self-entitled EP offers superb pieces that are ripe for your distinct musical palette. Formed in 2011 at Fordham University, The Suits is a New York based band composed of Mike Sanz (producer/drum machine), Ian Grotto (bass/instrumentalist), Eric Grossman (lead guitar/instrumentalist), and Eddie Gore (lead singer/keyboardist). Their music can be described as a fusion of indie, rock, alternative, jazz, and hip hop compositions. Released last April 22, 2012, their new EP serves seven tasteful tracks that are fresh from the oven.

Aidan Knight: Versicolour

Aidan Knight's music is like listening to a mash-up of Coldplay and Damien Rice. For a long while, the singer/songwriter has been contributing his skills to various bands, playing anything from bass to hardcore drums. For Versicolour though, he showcases a more laid-back acoustic indie folk side that is both soothing and melancholic. Accompanied with soft guitars and an equally emotional voice, the tracks are perfect for lazy afternoons, heartbreaks or just quiet moments where you feel like reminiscing about the many things in your life.

Chromatic Flights: Sunset Bell

Kyle Wyss' musical treat Chromatic Flights proves that it has a lot to offer. This solo project's 2009 release entitled Sunset Bell crafts six tasteful tracks that's too tempting to resist. The album opens up with two gems: Passagrille (an interplay of keys and grand harmonies) and Sunset Bell (an electronically-heavy track with an amazing texture). There's no denying in Wyss musical talent. He perfectly blended complex instrumentations, molding them into a unison of pure musical bliss.

Mayon: So High/So Low

Listening to Mayon makes you want to grab a hammock, lie down and gently fall asleep to its beautiful folk sound. Unfortunately, there's hardly anything about the singer online. It's almost as if the only thing that represents her is her BandCamp page and that's it. Nevertheless, one listen to, So High/So Low, and all your stress seems to go away. Instantly you're transported to some vintage 60s/70s, hippie folk commune where you're invited to simply enjoy the sound.

The Year Million: The Year Million

When it comes to alternative rock, the genre is often littered with bands that all sound the same. However, occasionally there are bands who up-the-anti and deviate from the usual mix to bring their own brand of sound; The Year Million seems poised to do this. This Boston-based band is made up of Scott House (vocals), Jason Calieri (guitar), John Salogiannis (bass), Rob Wu (drums), and Bjørn-Atle Reme (synth). Together, they play their own flavor of indie alternative rock. Creating subtle and enjoyable melodies that garner comparison to bands like Queens of the Stone Age.

Jeff Carl: EP

In Jeff Carl’s latest EP, the NY based singer/songwriter is in his honest, fun, live-in-the-moment attitude. Released last August 16, 2011 under Q Productions , this latest musical effort features five acoustic pop songs that are ready to hit the radio waves. Intro track I’ll Be Gone Tomorrrow is packed with just the right dose of sunshine to lift the gloomy days ahead. Jeff’s radio-polished vocals is a treat to the ears.

KIDS: Summer Frights EP

Assuming that most readers here are music lovers, then at some point you must have started, dabbled or thought about starting your own band. Some make it, a few start and soon after lose interest, while others actually become good at what they do and stick around a bit. Summer Frights from KIDS is one band that has stuck around. All of the members are under 20 and even though there's still room for growth; there's already plenty potential brewing from their pot. The album contains fresh and unpretentious original tracks along with one very lovely cover of the Ronettes track, Be My Baby.