Imagine Dragons

Fuse a little pop with some rock, electronic, and alternative sounds — that's all it takes to Imagine Dragons. I know, right? mind boggling.

To get the full experience take a listen to some tunes by the group out of Las Vegas.

The band released their latest EP Continued Silence this past Valentines Day. Since then the band has received increasing visibility after their single "It's Time" was used in the trailer for "The Perks of Being a Wallflower".

Most recently, the boys are back in the studio working on their upcoming full length entitled Night Visions due out September 4th.

Metric

Metric is an Canadian indie rock band that formed in Toronto in 1998. Needless to say they have been around the block and back again. Today marks the release of their fifth studio album entitled "Synthetica".

My thoughts? Leader singer Emily Haines continues to write the most intimately metaphorical lyrics that are perfectly placed upon beautiful piano parts. While seemingly flawless in their raw form these songs are all the more addicting in their electronic alternative state that the band sculpts them into.

Watch the music video for the single "Youth Without Youth":

Get More: Metric, Youth Without Youth, Music, More Music Videos

 Also, check out the band's Mahogany Session including songs off their new album:



  

Now, Now

Now, Now is undoubtedly my new favorite band; an indie rock/alternative trio out of Minneapolis, MN made up of singer, guitarist, keyboardist Cacie Dalager (25), drummer Bradley Hale (25), and guitarist, singer Jess Abbott (20).

Now, Now @ the DAAC in Grand Rapids, MI April 07, 2012                      photo © Hélène Dryden

The band was formed after Dalager and Hale met in highschool marching band. Originally known as Now, Now Every Children but has since shortened their name in an attempt to embrace change over time.

Abbott moved from her home state of Maine to Minnesota in the summer of 2009 to join Dalager and Hale. From the sound of things, she seems to have complimented them flawlessly.

Last year, the group signed to Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla's newly formed Trans Records out of Seattle. Just this past March, the band released their latest album Threads which I have not stopped listening to since getting my hands on it less than a week ago.

Dalager's soft vocals and vulnerable lyrics are perfectly placed on top of droning synths, playful keys, complete with textured drum beats and guitar riffs.

I could go on forever, but as I find so often the music speaks for itself...

The band stopped by Michigan State University recently to play a set at 89fm The Impact, the student-run radio station. Check out their in-studio performance of "Separate Rooms":



Watch the official music video for "Dead Oaks":



Also, check out the band's live performance of "Thread" on the 89.3 The Current:

HIGHLIGHTED ARTIST: From Indian Lakes

This past Monday I awoke to find a few strange men sleeping on my Coops living room couch. Turns out they were a group of musicians from California. Their tour manager is long time friends with one of my roommates and they needed a place to crash for a few nights while playing some shows nearby.

This talented group of young men go by From Indian Lakes, hailing from Yosemite Valley, California. Their style could be described as alternative rock full of refreshingly distinctive lyrics and creative change ups.

Besides being incredibly talented and good looking these guys are well-rounded, friendly, and compassionate individuals and I think that is reflected in the music they produce. Take a listen and decide for yourself:



A big thank you to lead singer Joey Vannucchi who took a minute to answer some questions I had for the group:

Q: How did a group of friendly, good looking, talented young gentlemen such as yourselves get together?

A: thank you! I started tracking some demos in the mountains and i needed musicians for shows eventually when it turned into a band situation. I grew up with Justin and Rick and we all played in different bands together so it worked out well. Chris was in a band we did a tour with and when we needed someone he was an obvious choice. Kyle is from Nashville and he came on for this tour.

Q: I love the simplicity of your band name — how did you go about choosing it?

A: originally I had titled the project songs from Indian lakes, but that's much too long for a band name. It's where I was recording songs at the beginning.

Q: How would you describe your genre/style of your music?

A: we are a rock band at heart I think. Sometimes a very quiet one, sometimes louder. Organic as possible.

Q: As I know, you guys are in full-on tour mode: What is your favorite thing about touring?

A: I love playing live. It's my favorite thing to do. Playing to different people every night and having a different experience with each crowd.

Least favorite thing?
A: It can be very unhealthy. When you are taking what you can get and trying not to spend money your food choices can really catch up with you.

Q: What do you want fans to get out of your music?

A: something real and organic. I believe in music as art and I hope ours can stir some emotion in people.

Q: What do you get out of your music?

A: I think it is a way to stay sane for me. I tend to be slightly introverted and awkward. I need some way to get it all out just like anyone else I think.

Kimbra

Kimbra Johnson is an incredibly talented singer/songwriter out of New Zealand. Her sound is loosely classified as jazzy multi-generational pop with a modern touch that is unlike any other artist I've heard; her lyrics are dangerously vulnerable making them unavoidably personable; her voice is strong, captivating, and highly versitile. What else can I say about this girl?

At the tender age of 12, the kiwi performed the national anthem before 27,000 people at the Auckland vs Waikato NPC rugby final. If that doesn't give you an idea of just how poised and talented this girl is maybe a listen to some of her tunes will.

Recently, Kimbra's vocals in Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" have been highly noted and don't get me wrong, that song is brilliant but there's just something about her originals that caught my ear a while back and continue to hold it...

Kimbra's debut album Vows was released this past fall in both New Zealand and Australia and is set to release in the US on May 22nd. If you like what you hear go get it!

To this day "Two Way Street" remains my favorite Kimbra song, and the Sing Song session my favorite version of it — the video shows a bit of her spunk too:



"Settle Down" at Sing Song Studios: