Artist Index

On Get Yr Blood Sucked Out, husband and wife team Viva Voce continue the journey they started with their debut, The Heat Can Melt Your Brain, refining their spacey-groove-over-strong-bass-riff style.  Throw in some ethereal duets by the pair and a solid, rhythmic foundation and this energetic record comes together with coherence and rock-infused grace. artist link

This 26-year old singer/songwriter has been professionally writing and performing her jazz-influenced folk-pop music for over ten years.  On Modern Romance, she offers up some refreshing new originals as well as deftly tackling covers such as Duke Ellington’s ‘Mood Indigo’ and the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s ‘Modern Romance.’ artist link

In 2000, Matt Ward reclaimed his M. Ward nickname from childhood and released his debut disc, which highlighted his guitar prowess and introspective voice. Post-War, Ward’s newest release, stays faithful to this style while adding a full-time backing band for the first time, making for a record that is both mature and surprisingly intimate. artist link

El Niño y el Sol is the result of a collaboration between Martin Perna (Ocote Soul Sounds) and Adrian Quesada, both founding members of two of the world's most successful afro/latin/funk big bands, Antibalas and Grupo Fantasma, and both longtime fans of each other’s work. The album is defined by beautiful instrumental music, a cohesive integration of each of their unique styles. artist link

At times merging house, funk, jazz and jungle influences, Sylvia Gordon and Deantoni Parks have made a record that defies classification, yet turns its raw and sometimes desperate elements into a sound that is both fun and anthemic.  Gordon’s vocals flow powerfully over the changing genres, creating appealing consistence to this eclectic album. artist link

This Japanese band brings their characteristic texture-driven sound back in force on Citrus, adding in rich, catchy, melodies and bilingual lyrics. The album showcases singer Yuki’s mesmerizing voice and the band’s innovative songwriting skills, resulting in a powerful, sweeping album clearly indicating their arrival into the pop music scene. artist link

Perhaps it is no surprise that the sparse and reflective songs on To The Races were composed almost entirely in the back of Eric Bachmann’s van, which also served as his abode for most of the summer of 2005.  Bachmann’s warm vocals, complemented by Miranda Brown’s winding harmonies lend a soothing and meditative feel to this release. artist link

The Trials of Van Occupanther, Midlake’s sophomore release, is an exploration of heartbreak and longing, characterized as much by warm harmonies and acoustic piano as dance beats and vintage synth sounds. Produced with a palpable spacey, antiqued perspective, the album seems to nostalgically lament the inability to return to earlier days. artist link

Two of hip hop’s most influential figures, Aceyalone and RJD2, came together to produce the ambitious and intricate Magnificent City earlier this year.  Now the album is getting its own instrumental release, highlighting the complex beats and textures that helped make the album so appealing. artist link

Lyrically evocative and musically exhilarating, this Canadian painter-cum-songwriter has crafted an engaging new record.  The tracks are not defined by any one genre – at times grunge seamlessly gives way to dance-punk – and the album overall creates an exhilarating, experimental pop sound. artist link

Can sixties-era pop, psychedelia, acoustic folk and rap peacefully coexist on one record?  Philadelphia-based Dr. Dog offers their Takers and Leavers EP as delightful proof that they can, indeed. With sweet songwriting and happy melodies, Dr. Dog’s playfulness becomes the driving force behind this release. artist link

This guitarist, originally hailing from San Francisco, has been known recently as a member of his band The Little Willies, but Heaven Is Creepy serves as a welcome reminder that his solo career is still very much alive and vibrant. Though both Martha Wainwright and Norah Jones make cameo vocal appearances, most of the tracks are instrumental, and highlight Campilongo’s distinctive and ambitious jazz-rock-country fusion. artist link

The stripped-down, lean production style of O’Connor’s third full-length album is the theme that brings the album together sonically and emotionally. Influenced by a tumultuous year prior to the release of Over the Mountain…, O’Connor delivers these songs with a combination of earnestness and urgency. artist link

On this, his solo debut album, Cale Parks skillfully layers loops, beats and melodies over and through each other, creating a polished electronic sound that continues seamlessly throughout the length of the album. artist link

After almost ten years of releasing solo EPs and albums, Damien Jurado has taken on a full band for the first time, adapting his style but retaining his gentle, reflective sound.  Melding beautiful harmonies with full backing instrumentation and blunt, emotional lyrics, Jurado has created a powerful release. artist link

Each track on this release is defined by the croon in Nicole Atkins' voice, delivered over layered backing vocals, piano, and strings. Her lyrical folk-pop sound recently earned her a deal with Columbia Records, and this EP is a precursor to a much-anticipated full-length album due in 2007. artist link