jessie murphy in the woods eight belles Jessie Murphy in the Woods is simply cool. We couldn't make up our minds on our favorite tracks. They are memorable ("Tour de Force", "Pretty Machine"), fun ("God Save Owen Wilson") and sometimes whimsical ("Eight Belles") and it's one of those albums that will be in heavy rotation for awhile. "Tour de Force" topped our February picks for 2010 with its sick drum beats, flute and crazy lyrics, "...catch me on the corner, catch me at the gym, catch me making out with the Doublemint twins." Eight Belles is the band's debut and Jessie Murphy's vocals bear a likeness to Leslie Feist, which is a plus in our book. Jessie Murphy's delivery is gentle and sometimes hauntingly beautiful. All three members are hot New York City public school music teachers. Catch them at The Knitting Factory on April 10.
The Band Jessie Murphy - Lead Vocals Marcia Wood - Vocals, Flute, Clarinet, Keyboards Amy Wood - Vocals, Horn, Percussion
FREE ENERGY announced a national tour to support their debut album Stuck on Nothing. If you dig the throwback sounds of the seventies, you will find satisfaction in the this pop-rock quintet from Philly. Produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, one would hardly imagine the collaboration. The band's title track is almost a teen anthem, "We're breaking out this time, making out with the wind, and I'm so disconnected, I'm never gonna check back in." Touring with Foreign Born this Spring, you can catch a glimpse of the band on Late Show with David Letterman on March 17th.
Fans of arena rock, pop-rock, classic rock, nerd rock
Jessie Murphy in the Woods is an artist to watch for 2010. Led by the dreamy vocals of Jessie Murphy, she is joined with Marcia Wood and Amy Ball. All three women are New York City teachers by day and jammin' performers at night. The band will be at the Knitting Factory on February 6th. With tracks titled "God Save Owen Wilson," how can you not be intrigued?
Jessie Murphy in the Woods
Speak
Another band we are watching close in 2010, Speak is our indie favorite this month. Hailing from Austin, Texas, the band will be playing this year's SXSW in March. Synth meets indie rock is always a great combination and anything we can bop around in the car and rock out to is even better! We are looking forward to tour announcements and hearing much more about them this year.
HELL YES! Play, Rewind, Repeat. April Smith and the Great Picture Show is a phenomenal band evoking sounds of cabaret, jazz, swing and pop. Smith's voice is crisp and sweet in the vein of Gwen Stefani or Ingrid Michaelson. The band will be performing at SXSW this year and is sure to be a fan favorite. Do not miss them! Their album Songs for A Sinking Ship due out February 23rd was funded with over $13000 in donations from the band's fans which is clearly a testament to their growing audience.
Is it us or is Amanda Seyfriend growing up too fast? The 24-year-old actress now singer recently contributed a song called "Little House" for her latest film with Channing Tatum based on the Nicholas Sparks book, Dear John.
Track Listing Joshua Radin & Schuyler Fisk "Paperweight" The Swell Season "The Moon" 311 "Amber" The Donkeys "Excelsior Lady" Wailing Souls "Things & Time" Amanda Seyfried "Little House" Fink "This Is The Thing" Rosi Golan "Think Of Me" Rachel Yamagata & Dan Wilson "You Take My Troubles Away" Deborah Lurie "Dear John Theme"
