Castle Project ~ Oh Castle Where Art Thou?

Hands down my favorite band out there.....where ever they are. Their new song "The Crash Was So Unkind" is so moving I usually have to listen to it alone so no one sees me tearing up. Their sophomore album The Crash Was So Unkind has been rumoured to be released for the past two years and it still is nowhere to be seen...Ostiguy what's the freakin' deal man? The only shred of it's existence I have found out there in the world is this hauntingly beautiful (just like the track itself) music video. It's antique styling and seamless intercutting between vintage hospital footage and the shots of lead singer Ryan Ostiguy's singing is masterful. The timeless story of life lost and created compliments the track beautifully. Here is the amazing music video for Castle Project's track "The Crash Was So Unkind"....enjoy!



You can find more music, videos and info on Castle Project here:

http://www.castleproject.ca
http://www.myspace.com/castleproject:

The White Birch ~ Too Good To Stay Home

This Norwegian trio has made quite a name for themselves in their native land, securing 'Video of the Year' award at the Norwegian MTV Video Awards in 2006 and are slowly spreading such accolades across the globe. Lead singer Ola Flottum's voice has a beautiful unrefined quality that blends perfectly with their well crafted sound. Like many bands out of the Scandanavian part of the world, their lyrics are in english but even if they weren't I feel the emotion would come across just the same as does in a Sigur Ros track. My first experience with their music was when I saw the absolutely amazing video for 'Seer Believer' off their latest album 'Come Up For Air' and I must admit I was floored. I found myself instantly searching to find out anything I could about this band and any music I could find, quickly becoming a huge fan. Unfortunatly they don't seem to tour too far from their homeland as of yet but we can only hope the US release of the new album will prompt a trek to this side of the world. Here is the video for 'Seer Believer'.....enjoy!

THE WHITE BIRCH ~ SEER BELIEVER



For more music and info on The White Birch go here:

http://www.thewhitebirch.no
http://www.myspace.com/thewhitebirch

Bend Sinister ~ A Menace To Bad Music

This band I had heard about for awhile before I actually heard their music and I wanted to kick myself for taking so long. Bend Sinister has one of those few and far between sounds where all aspects just work perfectly, think half Magic Numbers (the guy half) and half Zeppelin...I know, weird but like I said it works. With a heavy tour schedule across Canada ahead of them I think Bend Sinister, with their infectious melodies and catchy indie pop 70's retro rock sound, will gather quite the following before they return home. The following is an absolutely fantastic video for the track 'Time Breaks Down' off their debut self titled EP due out this fall....enjoy!

BEND SINISTER ~ TIME BREAKS DOWN



For more music and info on Bend Sinister go here:

http://www.myspace.com/bendsinistervancouver

Somme ~ Historical Wars, Great Music and Jason Voorhees...How Can You Not Love These Guys?

Named after the location of one of the bloodiest battles in human history, Somme's music is just as haunting. Their instrumental sound would have made a fitting backdrop to the epic WW1 trench battle that claimed over 1 million casualties in northern France, and I mean that as a compliment. As Somme's music builds throughout with songs like 'Massless', they can be compared to such brilliant groups as Godspeed! You Black Emperor, Slint and Mogwai. Coming out of Crystal Lake, Illinois (ch ch ch ha ha ha....sorry) this 4 piece experimental group is slowly making a name for themselves with amazing reviews of their live show and debut EP 'Weight'. Somme is currently recording their first yet to be named full length album due for release in 2008. With no real video as of yet I found this live footage of them in Chicago. The camera work isn't exactly groundbreaking but the sound is pretty decent for what you usually get from camcorders in the crowd......enjoy!

SOMME ~ LIVE @ SUBTERRANEAN CHICAGO



For more music and info on Somme go here:

http://www.myspace.com/battleofthesomme

The Duke Spirit ~ Crossing The Pond And Getting Their Feet Wet

Here is another band I found on MySpace that I was so excited about after hearing countless loads of musical crap. I thought to myself "finally, MySpace can actually be good for something". The Duke Spirit's sound is an interesting grungy brit rock hybrid that has been compared to such bands as The Pixies and Nick Cave. Formed in Cheltenham England by a bunch of studying artists (I know, artists who play indie rock...who'da thought?) in early 2000, they signed to an independent label that went bust, released some singles and EP's all the while touring heavily before securing a deal with Loog Records/Polydor. There they released their first full length album "Cuts Across The Land" in 2005 which had it's North American release the following year. Here is a video for their title track 'Cuts Across The Land'.....enjoy!

THE DUKE SPIRIT ~ CUTS ACROSS THE LAND



For more music and info on The Duke Spirit go here:

http://www.dukespirit.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedukespirit

The Dollyrots ~ Poppy Punks That Don't Suck....Imagine That?

The Dollyrots are a punk band trio from LA fronted by Kelly Ogden, who incidentally was named on Blender Magazine's list 'The Hottest Women Of Rock'.....i'm juts sayin'. Their high energy poppy sound is actually good for this punk band. Usually when I hear pop and punk used together I have visions of Simple Plan and instantly want to knock someone out, not in The Dollyrots case though. After signing with Blackheart Records they released their sophomore album 'Because I'm Awesome' and really started to make some noise in the LA music scene. With constant touring and two quality albums under their belt, I believe they are band to keep your eye on. Here is a video for their title track from 'Because I'm Awesome'.....enjoy!

THE DOLLYROTS ~ BECAUSE I'M AWESOME



For more music and info on The Dollyrots go here:

http://www.dollyrots.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedollyrots

Existereo ~ Shifting Shapes Of Hip Hop

Straight out of LA, Existereo (aka Courtney Gibson) doesn't look like your average hip hop MC. With his head to toe tattoo's and SoCal punk style he seems more likely to play with Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen (Rancid for the idiots). When I first heard his track 'No Class/ft Mickey Avalon' I had to check him out and was pleasantly surprised to see such a non stereotype producing such great hip hop. Existereo grew up in Los Angeles' graffitti scene where he met other like minded bombers and formed the underground hip hop collective 'The Shapeshifters' which I had been privy to before, but it wasn't until I heard Existereo's solo efforts that I really took notice. With over a decade of ruling the underground scene with Shapeshifters, Existereo just may carve his own landscape in hip hop as he truly is a talent to keep an eye on. Here is a video for Existereo's track 'Alone'.....enjoy!

EXISTEREO ~ ALONE



For more music and info on Existereo go here:

http://www.existereo.com/
http://www.myspace.com/existereo

Boy In Static ~ Beantown's Boy With Electronic Toys

Boy In Static (aka Alexander Chen) is a 25 year old musician/visual artist from Boston. After being signed to Notwist's record label Alien Transistor he released his bedut album 'Newborn' gaining critical acclaim. His latest album 'Violet' picks right up where 'Newborn' left off stating it "became an album about the morning after Newborn's night". His shoegazey electronic sound coupled with soft thoughtful lyrics makes Boy In Static a regular in my playlsits when I am working or just trying to take my mind off things. Chen has recently been gaining success as an interactive visual and sound artist with shows in New York, Milan and Barcelona. One of his notable pieces is one where he generated music from footage of Philadelphia commuters earning him an award from the Guardian. The following is a video for 'Where It Ends' from the album 'Violet'....enjoy!

BOY IN STATIC ~ WHERE IT ENDS



For more music and info on Boy In Static go here:

http://www.boyinstatic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/boyinstatic

Skratch Bastid ~ Fatherless Name Because People Will Start To Call HIM Daddy

The only thing I knew about Skratch Bastid before this was that he contributed on the Main Offenders album 'Depth Perception' which I talked about in a previous post, but after I saw his performances at this years Scribble Jam International DJ Battles (which he won) I had to find out more. Skratch Bastid has an array of awards and titles such as: 2007 Scribble Jam DJ Battle Champ, 2003-2004 Scribble Jam DJ Battle Champ, 2006 - present Montreal Underground DJ Battle Champ and has opened for the likes of Nas, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mix Master Mike to name a few. He is the current DJ for Buck 65's live act and has recently released a mixtape with Buck 65 titled "Cretin Hip Hop Vol. 1" which is available at his live show and his website. He is currently a regular club DJ in Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. Check out these amazing videos of Skratch Bastid competeing in 2007 Scribble Jam International DJ Battle....enjoy!

SKRATCH BASTID ~ 2007 SCRIBBLE JAM DJ BATTLE CHAMPION!!!





You can find more music and info on Skratch Bastid here:

http://www.skratchbastid.com/
http://www.myspace.com/skratchbastid

Silversun Pickups ~ Shining Through The Indie Rock Heap

Few indie rock bands these days can say they have what some call "staying power" and this Los Angeles quartet is one of them. With such catchy songs like 'Little Lover's So Polite' and 'Lazy Eye' they remind me of The Rentals with their indie pop sound. With mounting success including an opening spot for the Kaiser Chiefs this fall and a brilliant debut full length album 'Carnavas', Silversun Pickups are movin' on up faster than Sherman Helmsley. Check out this video for 'Lazy Eye' from 'Carnavas'.....enjoy!

SILVERSUN PICKUPS ~ LAZY EYE



For more music and info on Silversun Pickups check out:

http://www.silversunpickups.com/
http://www.myspace.com/silversunpickups

Main Offenders ~ Hip Hop Truth When We Need It Most

The Main Offenders are yet another Vancouver based group I happen to love. Aspire, Katch23 and ill-literate's debut album 'Depth Perception' is a refreshing diamond in the rough, where lyrics about personal esteem issues, girlfriend trouble and political angst replace the norm of pimped out cars, booty ho's and bling. Their politically charged track 'Heavens Sake' is so chock full of every social issue that you can think of you have to listen a couple of times just to wrap your head around it all. With seamless flows about Bush to Iraq to McDonalds to retirement pensions you can't help with being impressed with the conscience of these three young MC's. With beats from Engineer, Wunderkut, DJ Moves, Scratch Bastid and a special guest appearance by the one and only Wordsworth, I highly recommend any hip hop fan no matter how die hard grab their own copy of 'Depth Perception'. The following is a video for their first single 'Slum Of The City'.....enjoy!

MAIN OFFENDERS ~ SLUM OF THE CITY



For more info on Main Offenders go here:

http://www.myspace.com/mainoffenderscrew

Unusable Signal ~ Soothing Sounds For Your Hectic Life

Out of the tree's of Vancouver and into the potato fields of Idaho, Unusable Signal is a solo project by Shawn Levesque. His beautiful electronic intrumentals are soothing to your ears while you're working, driving or just sitting looking to unwind. Don't get it confused for some sort of ambient rainforest mood therapy, although you could easily substitute it as such, it's so much more. His debut CD "The Alphabatized List" is an arrangement of 5 beautifully crafted tracks that will certainly calm your nerves after your most hectic day. Here is the video for his first single "Miso Katsu"....enjoy!

UNUSABLE SIGNAL ~ MISO KATSU



You can find more info on Unusable Signal here:

http://www.unusablesignal.ca
http://www.myspace.com/unusable

Sleepwalkers ~ Sleeping Under The Radar

Labeled on her website as one of her favorite bands on MySpace by the one and only Bjork, Sleepwalkers is aptly named as they have no label, no album and have never played a live show....yet. One of 3 side projects by Castle Project bassist Steven Fairweather (one being his self titled effort and the other called 'peace and quiet') and teamed with cousin Phil Misquitta, Sleepwalkers airy indie sounds are so beautifully driven with accoustic guitars and whisper like vocals you can't help but just sit and listen intently to every song. I think it is only a matter of time before we see and hear more from Sleepwalkers. Here is a self produced music video for their track "Beautiful Uncertainty'.....enjoy!

SLEEPWALKERS ~ BEAUTIFUL UNCERTAINTY





For more music, video and info on Sleepwalkers go to:

http://www.myspace.com/nothing

Santogold ~ One Of Brooklyn's Finest

I came across this band on myspace one day after hearing 800 bands of pure crap and it actually took me a few listens to believe what my ears were telling me, "This is some good shit". Reminiscent of M.I.A. with her reggae infused synthy hip hop sounds, Santogold (aka Santi White) from Brooklyn gets my head moving like a bobblehead on a lowriders dashboard. Her standout track to me from what I've heard so far with it's new wave indie style is 'LES Artistes'. Santogold has worked with the likes of M.I.A., Diplo, Freq Nasty, Bad Brains drummer Chuck Treese and Spank Rock. As of yet there is no album but when it drops you know I will give a right thorough review. In the meantime, here is a video (thanks to comeonmelissa) of Santogold live playing 'LES Artistes'....enjoy!



You can hear more from Santogold here:

http://www.myspace.com/santogold

Castle Project ~ Quite Possibly The Best Band You've Never Heard Of

Every once in a while you come across a great sound that makes you wonder "How come these guys aren't huge? Why have I never heard of them before?" Well Castle Project is just one of those bands. Their debut album 'Diaries Of a Broken Heart' is a heartfelt outpouring of lead singer Ryan Ostiguy's real life failed marriage. From the opening track 'Celebrate the End' right to the end track 'What It Takes' Ostiguy lays it out for all to see...or for that matter hear. Such truthful emotion behind his music, in my opinion, ranks this as one of the best heartbreak albums of all time. With two more albums ready for release, we can only sit and wait to hear what other greatness Castle Project has in store for us. Here is a video for the single 'Apologies' from their debut album 'Diaries Of a Broken Heart'....enjoy!

CASTLE PROJECT ~ APOLOGIES


You can find more music, videos and info on Castle Project here:

http://www.castleproject.ca
http://www.myspace.com/castleproject