Ellie Goulding

After special ordering her album Bright Lights from the UK in 2010 it was quite clear that I had become addicted to Ellie Goulding's music. The first thing that caught my attention was her voice: light and delicate but still holding a course quality around the edges; it was unlike any voice I'd heard before. Even more unique is the amount of control she has over it. The second thing? her lyrics: intricately metaphorical while remaining personable and honest. Third thing, she is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter. Plus, the girl is gorgeous.

From an acoustic folk background Ellie eventually found herself in the electronic pop genre after connecting and collaborating with electronic producers such as Starsmith who went on to help produce her debut album Lights that came out in the UK in March of 2010. After the release of her album Lights in the US in 2011, Ellie continued to tour in support of an album that was a year old back in the UK and her older fans had to await the release of her second studio album. Well, soon the wait will be over. Goulding just announced the October 9th release of her follow-up entitled Halcyon.

 

I've always appreciated the intimate quality of her stripped down acoustic sets. It's what got my attention to begin with and what continues to hold it.

Here are a few examples:

My favorite Ellie song performed mic-less:

"You can fall if you want to It's just a matter of how far. You've treasured your home town but you've forgotten where you are"

Dirty Projectors

This indie rock band produced their first album all the way back in 2003 and since that time has shuffled through a total of 23 different members at different times; needless to say Dirty Projectors has been through many changes over the years but what remains the same is the consistency of their talent and creativity.

The band just released their 8th studio album Swing Lo Magellan yesterday!!

Listen below to the first single off the album "Gun Has No Trigger":



Also, check out the band's 2012 Record Store Day release  — a tune called "You Against The Larger World".


A little over 5 years ago, the band did A Take Away Show for LaBlogotheque. I love this video because it really displays that talent and creativity I was talking about earlier:

Dry The River

Dry the River is a folk rock band hailing from London. Their music is characteristic of typical folk fashion, with contemplative lyrics and slower tempo tunes only completed by high energy rock breakdowns. I dare you to keep from dancing...

DtR just released their debut album Shallow Beds in the US on April 17th. Be sure to listen to a few tracks below!


    

Bon Iver

By far one of my favorite bands, Bon Iver never ceases to amaze me. The band's most recent self-titled album captivates me now in the same way it did at first listen.
Because of this, and this gloomy day in East Lansing, a Bon Iver post just feels right.

Sometimes I feel just like the kid in this video...