Joanna Newsom

Joanna Newsom was born on January 18th, 1982. She is an American harpist, pianist, and singer-songwriter from Nevada City, CA. She plays indie folk music. Joanna Newsom has 3 albums, 1 EP's and a single single.

Steel Train

Steel Train is an indie rock band from New Jersey. They have been active since 2002. Members include Jack Antonoff, Evan Winkier, Dan Silbert, Jon Shiffman, Justin Huey. They can be described as indie/ folk rock. Steel Train has 3 albums and 3 EP's out.

Tegan and Sara

Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Kiersten Quin are identical twins, born on September 19, 1980. Both twins play guitar, key board and write songs. The sister that writes the song typically sings it. The band was 6 albums out since 1999, most recently Sainthood in 2009. Their music can be described as Indie pop/rock and new wave

Sub Pop Records

Sub Pop Records was founded Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington in 1986. It gained fame when it signed on Nirvana and other bands from the Seattle scene. They have signed on to them bands including Fleet Foxes, The Postal Service, Flight of the Concords, No Age, and The Shins.

The Apples in Stereo

The Apples in Stereo are associated with The Elephant Six Collective, who are a group of bands who include Neutral Milk Hotel and of Montreal. The Apples in Stereo formed in 1991. The band consists of Robert Schneider, John Hill, and Eric Allen. They have 7 albums out. The band is compared to the work of The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

The Decembrists

The Decembrists were formed in 2000 when Colin Meloy, the lead singer, moved to Portland,OR. The band consists of him, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen. They currently have 5 studio albums, 5 ep's, and 7 singles. The Decembrists are noted for the unique instruments, such as the accordion and upright bass.

Cursive

Cursive was formed in 1995 by Tim Kasher, Matt Maginn, Steve Pedersen, and Clint Schnase. They are signed on to Saddle Creek Records. They have 6 albums, 6 EP's, and 8 singles. Cusive broke up in 1998 but came back together again the next year, in 1999.

Placebo

Placebo was formed in London in 1994, and includes Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdan, and Steve Forrest. They have 6 albums, 6 EP's, and 29 singles. Some of the songs the are known for are Nancy Boy, Pure Morning, and Every You Every Me.

XL recordings

XL recordings is an independent record label, which was started in 1989. Founders were Tim Palmer, Richard Russell, and Nick Halkes. Some of the artists that are signed on to them are Vampire Weekend, the Prodigy, The White Stripes, Radiohead, and Basement Jaxx. They are said to be one of the most commercially successful and infulential independent record labels in the world.

Iron and Wine

Samuel Beam (born July 26, 1974), known better as his stage name, Iron and Wine, has released 5 albums and several EP's and singles. His first album, the Creek Drank the Cradle, came out in 2002. His next one, Our Endless Numbered Days was released in 2004. After that came The Shepherd's Dog, in 2007. In 2009, he released a live album, Norfolk, and a studio recorded one, Around the Well

-

Vampire Weekend

Vampire weekend was formed in New York, in 2006 and is signed on to XL recordings. Members include Erza Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson, and Chris Baio. Vampire weekend currently has 2 albums out, one being self-titled, Vampire Weekend, and Contra. Their first albulm came out in 2008, while the latter was released on January 11, 2010.

What is indie music?

Most people have trouble understanding what indie music actually is. And for good reason. Today, there are many forms of things being "indie", such as indie art, indie films, and such. Indie music just means independent music, describing independence from a major commerical record labels.

Neutral Milk Hotel

Neutral Milk Hotel was formed in the early 90's. Jeff Magum, who is the singer/guitarist, and songwritter of the band, is most noted for his experimental sound and obsure lyrics. Even though they broke up long ago and only realeased 2 albulms, their most noteworthy album is "In The Aeroplane Over the Sea" being praised for it's deep, folk songs. Most, if not all, of the reviews have given this album a perfect or near perfect score.

2010 Releases

Vampie Weekend - Contra

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening

The Black Keys- Brothers

The Tallest Man on Earth - Wild Hunt

MGMT - Congratulations

Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me

Midlake - Courage of Others

New Artists

Great Lake Swimmiers

The Duke and the King

Sun Kil Moon

Concerts

Joanna Newsom - Saturday, August 7th, 8:00 pm (Aladdin Theater; Portland, OR)

New Pornographers - Friday, July 16th, 8:00 pm (Crystal Ballroom; Portland, OR)

She and Him/Band of Horses - Sunday, May 30th, 5:00 pm (Les Schawb Amphitheatre; Bend, OR)

Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes has been around since 1995. The band consists of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott. Notible songs coming from Bright Eyes are Bowl of Oranges, The Bottom of Everything, The First Day of My Life, and Amy With the White Coat. Bright Eyes music style is Indie Folk with some Atl. Country.

Favorite Indie Artists

Here is a list of favorite indie artists:

Bright Eyes

Iron and Wine

Neutral Milk Hotel

of Montreal

Sayvinyl

Vampire Weekend