ArtistRoster — White Hinterland, Justin Vernon, The Ambience Affair, Brusque Twins, Class Actress, The Morning Benders, Seven Saturdays, Surfer Blood Alpaca Remix, The xx Nosaj Thing remix

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Hey people,

I can't believe how much great music has come out this early in the year. I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be a break-out year for indie music. We've got seven tracks for your listening pleasure plus two bonus remixes by Allen Blickle of Baroness and Nosaj Thing. The xx track Nosaj Thing covered is extra good.

A few people have requested a list of the bands I thought stood out in 2009. I'll get that together for next week's issue.

enjoy – Ryan

Icarus by White Hinterland

DOWNLOAD | HERE

Kairos is the new album from Casey Dienel aka White Hinterland. This album is a departure from Casey's former folk style. She introduces a darker side to the world with the opening track Icarus. I can only speculate that the rest of the album is just as good as the opener. You may recognize the band name from several Timberlake/Russell covers they performed last year. Kairos is due out on March 9 via Dead Oceans. The label is offering Icarus as a free download. Get it before it's too late.

Song for a Lover of Long Ago by Justin Vernon (pre-Bon Iver)

You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't love Bon Iver. Unless of course you're talking to someone whose never heard of him. Well before Justin Vernon became Bon Iver, he recorded and released Hazelton, a 100 copy vinyl release he sold to a local Eau Claire, Wisconsin record store. As you may have noticed, I've never recommended a Bon Iver track on the site. I wasn't sold on him until I stumbled across this track. It's really good, long, but good.

Devil In The Detail by The Ambience Affair

The Ambience Affair PREORDER | HERE

Available on January 23 via The Road Records. They're from Ireland, which some how makes them cooler. As a lame American, I've learned to deal with it.

Diptych by Brusque Twins

Brusque Twins DOWNLOAD | HERE

Brusque Twins are unsigned for now, but here's what 88 Days has to say about them. "Encompassing all that Nite Jewel stand for with added deepness stolen from the world of disco but with a beautiful undertone of ambient." They are from Montreal and are expected to be signed soon, at least that's what my crystal ball says.

Careful What You Say by Class Actress

DOWNLOAD | HERE

Elizabeth Harper of Class Actress was recently picked up on Terrible Records, run by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear. Elizabeth, along with producers Scott Rosenthal and Mark Richardson have a brand new album due out March 9. Heavily influenced by Madonna and early electronic music, it's a departure from her previous work. She just couldn't get the sound she was looking for until she met Mark. She had to settle for guitar and keys. Not anymore.

Promises by The Morning Benders

The Morning Benders PREORDER | HERE

While we're on a Chris Taylor kick, he also produced the soon-to-be-released The Morning Benders album, out March 9 via Rough Trade. You can download the digital album today.

Secret Things by Seven Saturdays

Seven Saturdays BUY |

I realize that Seven Saturdays may be a stretch for some of you. Put your headphones on and do some work while you listen to it. You'll like it. A video for Shallow's End exists on the web, but I wouldn't recommend watching it at work. You have been warned.

Swim (Alpaca remix) by Surfer Blood

DOWNLOAD | HERE

This week's Bonus Track. Make sure you listen at a decent volume or you'll miss the awesomeness.

Islands (Nosaj Thing remix) by The xx

DOWNLOAD | HERE

This week's Bonus Track. I like this version of Islands more than the original.

Nosaj Thing puts on a unique live show with visual arts playing as much a part as the music. A sampling of his work can be seen in the video below.

Have a great week everyone.

Follow Us on Twitter, MySpace and Facebook \| Forward to a Friend \| Flickr \| YouTube
Hey people, I can't believe how much great music has come out this early in the year. I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be a break-out year for indie music. We've got seven tracks for your listening pleasure plus two bonus remixes by Allen Blickle of Baroness and Nosaj Thing. The xx track Nosaj Thing covered is extra good. A few people have requested a list of the bands I thought stood out in 2009. I'll get that together for next week's issue. enjoy – Ryan
Icarus by White Hinterland DOWNLOAD \| HERE Kairos is the new album from Casey Dienel aka White Hinterland. This album is a departure from Casey's former folk style. She introduces a darker side to the world with the opening track Icarus. I can only speculate that the rest of the album is just as good as the opener. You may recognize the band name from several Timberlake/Russell covers they performed last year. Kairos is due out on March 9 via Dead Oceans. The label is offering Icarus as a free download. Get it before it's too late.

Song for a Lover of Long Ago by Justin Vernon (pre-Bon Iver) You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't love Bon Iver. Unless of course you're talking to someone whose never heard of him. Well before Justin Vernon became Bon Iver, he recorded and released Hazelton, a 100 copy vinyl release he sold to a local Eau Claire, Wisconsin record store. As you may have noticed, I've never recommended a Bon Iver track on the site. I wasn't sold on him until I stumbled across this track. It's really good, long, but good.

Devil In The Detail by The Ambience Affair PREORDER \| HERE Available on January 23 via The Road Records. They're from Ireland, which some how makes them cooler. As a lame American, I've learned to deal with it.

Diptych by Brusque Twins DOWNLOAD \| HERE Brusque Twins are unsigned for now, but here's what 88 Days has to say about them. "Encompassing all that Nite Jewel stand for with added deepness stolen from the world of disco but with a beautiful undertone of ambient." They are from Montreal and are expected to be signed soon, at least that's what my crystal ball says.
Careful What You Say by Class Actress DOWNLOAD \| HERE Elizabeth Harper of Class Actress was recently picked up on Terrible Records, run by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear. Elizabeth, along with producers Scott Rosenthal and Mark Richardson have a brand new album due out March 9. Heavily influenced by Madonna and early electronic music, it's a departure from her previous work. She just couldn't get the sound she was looking for until she met Mark. She had to settle for guitar and keys. Not anymore.

Promises by The Morning Benders PREORDER \| HERE While we're on a Chris Taylor kick, he also produced the soon-to-be-released The Morning Benders album, out March 9 via Rough Trade. You can download the digital album today.

Secret Things by Seven Saturdays BUY \| I realize that Seven Saturdays may be a stretch for some of you. Put your headphones on and do some work while you listen to it. You'll like it. A video for Shallow's End exists on the web, but I wouldn't recommend watching it at work. You have been warned.
Swim (Alpaca remix) by Surfer Blood DOWNLOAD \| HERE This week's Bonus Track. Make sure you listen at a decent volume or you'll miss the awesomeness.

Islands (Nosaj Thing remix) by The xx DOWNLOAD \| HERE This week's Bonus Track. I like this version of Islands more than the original. Nosaj Thing puts on a unique live show with visual arts playing as much a part as the music. A sampling of his work can be seen in the video below. Have a great week everyone.