There is nothing I depend on more than good, quality music. I find myself constantly hungry to find new artists to listen to, though sometimes it can be quite difficult and time consuming to forage around for a couple of new tunes. When I do find these new gems, however, you may find me listening to them on repeat – and I’m sure you would too when that happens to you. So, to shorten some of your search for music this month, I have gathered an array of my favorite songs for February. They are (and in no particular order) a collection of relatively new independent artists who range from indie-rock to electronic and pop. Put these in the background of whatever you are doing and enjoy!
1. Purity Ring
Megan James (vocals) and Corrin Roddick (instrumentals) are an electronic music duo who formed to create Purity Ring in 2010. They have both originated from Edmonton and are about to release their second album, Another Eternity, on February 27. Keep a look-out for them because they are stopping at Calgary on June 2nd for their 2015 World Tour!
2. Kishi Bashi
Kishi Bashi is a self-recorded and self-produced project by Kaoru Ishibashi. Kaoru is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter born in Seattle and raised in Virginia. After studying classical music and becoming a renowned violinist, he has since recorded and toured with various other artists including Regina Spektor and the Athens.
3. Vallis Alps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSwCr112PsA
Vallis Alps are a duo who are known for their dreamy, mesmerizing tunes. David, from Seattle, and Parissa, from Canberra, Australia together produce electronic music.
4. St. Vincent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pirgE5ei8-c
Anne Erin, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Originally from Oklahoma, Anne has since won Best Alternative Album in the Grammy Awards and Female Artist of the Year in PLUG Independent Music Awards. Her music is noted for her wide array of instruments and complex arrangements.
5. Freedom Fry
An indie-pop band from Los Angeles, Freedom Fry is a group composed of Parisian-born Marie Seyrat and American Bruce Driscoll. They have first started in 2011 and are continuing to release singles, with Shaky Ground being the most recent one.
6. Bombay Bicycle Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esCaQdrx9l4
Bombay Bicycle Club are an English indie-rock band consisting of Jack Steadman (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jamie MacColl (guitar), Suren de Saram (drums) and Ed Nash (bass). The group has experimented with various genres including including folk, electronica, world music, and indie rock. Though this is a remix, you can find the original song here.
7. Blood Orange
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXBJ-DnbAdg
Under the pseudonym Blood Orange, Devonté Hynes is a singer/songwriter who is known to experiment with his music styles. Hynes’ music style ranges from alternative to electronic Indie Pop.
8. Sylvan Esso
Singer Amelia Meath (of Mountain Man) and producer Nick Sanborn (of Megafaun) formed in 2013 and collaborated to produce an electropop duo.
9. Belgian Fog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4esI3y1v6I
Robert Dale from Seattle creates a solo-production of Belgian Fog. His track, “Loveless Way” was released February of 2014 and is loved for its juxtaposition of melancholy lyrics and happy tune. The song melts into addictive 80s beats and synths reminiscent of an electro-pop style.
10. Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend is an American rock band from New York City who formed in 2006 and has since gained large popularity. The group describe their sound as “Upper West Soweto”; mixing preppy, well-read indie rock with joyful, Afro-pop-inspired melodies and rhythms. [source]
