Praise For Wallflower.com | Indie Music Blog

It has been a whirlwind couple of years for Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard of The Swell Season. After staring in the little indie movie that could Once, The Swell Season has been touring constantly and even went on to win an Oscar for its song "Falling Slowly." Their new album Strict Joy came out on Oct. 27 and I'm in love. I had the great pleasure of seeing them in Philadelphia and to be honest, their live show well exceeds the quality of any of their recordings. If you have the chance, I highly recommend seeing them in concert. The track below is "The Rain" and I have not been able to stop listening to it. Enjoy.

"The Rain" off of Strict Joy

THE SKINNY: A group of musicians with an array of influences ranging from Bach to Ben Folds look to make intricate and catchy pop music.

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The members The Kilns from Buena Park, Calif. began their journey as a group when they met in the choir of their private college and later worked together to compose the soundtrack to an independently produced musical. They developed not only a tight friendship, but a desire to form a band based on their musical inspirations. The Kilns influences vary from classical baroque to Queen to Ben Folds. Their musical sensibility and inspirations are easily heard in each of their songs.

Lead singer, pianist and guitarist Jason Harris admits that as a band the music is more important to them than the lyrics. The lyrics are created last in their songwriting process. The Kilns look to build textured, intricate melodies that display their skills as musicians and the lyrics help by complimenting what they have already created. Despite their focus on the music as opposed to the lyrics, The Kilns still focus on creating pop music that can be sung and appreciated by audiences in a live setting. When listening to the songs up on the band's MySpace you can tell that this is a band made of talented, professionally trained musicians. And despite only being in their early stages of existence, they show great promise and possibility of creating impressive pop pieces for audiences to enjoy.

The Kilns recorded a four-song EP this past spring that exemplifies who they are as a group. These songs are currently up on the groups MySpace. They are working hard to create even more songs to enter the studio record a full-length album in the near future.

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MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/thekilnsband
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/The_Kilns
FOR FANS OF: Ben Folds, Ben Folds Five, Queen

Alyssa's Fall Tracks
1. "Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car" - Iron and Wine
2. "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" - Death Cab for Cutie
3. "Never Meant" - American Football
4. "Those To Come" - The Shins
5. "Science Vs. Romance" - Rilo Kiley

Most of these songs have a feeling of fall to me for nostalgic reasons. I remember hearing the first track from Iron and Wine's Shepherd's Dog for the first time two Octobers ago at a party. I remember my high school best friend and I singing "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" to each other randomly on the phone the fall after Plans came out. I won't bore you with more details but basically, these tracks are my "fall tracks" because of the images of this season they bring back whenever I listen to them.

Iron and Wine
"Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car" off of The Shepherd's Dog

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Joey's Fall Tracks
1. "Re: Stacks" - Bon Iver
2. "Sweet Talk" - Dear and the Headlights
3. "Choose The One Who Loves You More" - Copeland
4. "Monechetti" - Further Seems Forever
5. "Hometown Reward" - Procession Came Opposite

These aren't about Fall - just remind me of it, for one reason or another. It's probably because I picture them all wearing coats while they play. Or maybe I just love these songs year 'round and it happens to be autumn now so I'm mislead. Or maybe I'm a robot.

Copeland
"Choose The One Who Loves You More" off of In Motion


Procession Came Opposite
"Hometown Reward" off of Pillars

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Nicole's Fall Tracks
1. "Sowing Season" - Brand New
2. "Sodom, South Georgia" - Iron and Wine
3. "Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect" - The Decemberists
4. "Shoulders" - Jacob Golden
5. "Love Love Love" - The Mountain Goats

As much as I hate for summer to fade, I always look forward to the first day of Fall. For me, it's a season of change and reflection. A season not only for colder, crisper air but for longer, quieter drives and muffled, evening conversations with close friends. The songs I chose are those that have accompanied me in such moments, whether they be from now or seasons past.

Iron and Wine
"Sodom, South Georgia" off of Our Endless Numbered Days

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Andrew's Fall Tracks
1. "Broom People" - The Mountain Goats
2. "A Glance Backwards and Forwards" - Slingshot Dakota
3. "An Experiment" - Mates of State
4. "Revealing Too Much" - The Honorary Title
5. "Planetary" - Rainer Maria

For one reason or another, when I picture myself listening to music during the fall season I can't help but think back to my first semester of college and the artists I loved back then. Maybe it's because I spent more time outside listening to music my freshman year, who knows. All of these songs remind me of that point of my life, either because I don't listen to them as often these days or because that's when I started listening to them.

The Mountain Goats
"Broom People" off of The Sunset Tree

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Chelsea's Fall Tracks
1. "23" - Jimmy Eat World
2. "We Looked Like Giants" - Death Cab for Cutie
3. "Cannonball" - Damien Rice
4. "Innocent Vigilant Ordinary" - The Appleseed Cast
5. "Fix You Up" - Tegan and Sara

I look forward to fall each year because it is without a doubt my favorite season. The crisp, cool air just does something to make the world seem alive despite the fact that most things in nature are slowly dying. For me, this season has always been accompanied somewhat somber, thoughtful music that makes me nostalgic of important times, people and moments in my life. The song "23" by Jimmy Eat World reminds me of the fall of my freshman year of college. I was starting a new stage in my life and the album Futures meant a lot to me during that time. It remains to this day one of my favorite songs, on one of my favorite albums.

Jimmy Eat World
"23" off of Futures


The Appleseed Cast
"Innocent Vigilant Ordinary" off of Two Conversations

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Keenan's Fall Tracks
1. "I Want Wind To Blow" - The Microphones
2. "Welcome Home, Son" - Radical Face
3. "Never Meant" - American Football
4. "This Year" - The Mountain Goats
5. "Bikes and Bridges" - Defiance, Ohio

Aside from the lyrics or the musical aspects of a song that may remind you of a particular time of the year, I find that when I first discover / listen to a song, it tends to freeze itself into that particular period in time. When any of the aforementioned tracks come onto shuffle, I almost immediately find myself conjuring up memories of where I was or what I was doing when I was first introduced to said song.

The Microphones
"I Want Wind to Blow" off of The Glow Part II


Radical Face
"Welcome Home, Son" off of Ghost

Linda Basso is no stranger to the music scene. Coming from a musical family and a performance background, she has now embarked upon a solo endeavor to showcase her flair for singing and songwriting. Basso's jazz and blues ballads highlight her edgy yet fluid voice, along with soothing horn accompaniments and lively background vocals. If you're looking to enjoy a classy night, check out her music at http://www.myspace.com/lindabasso.

- Nicole Prahin

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Hailing from Anaheim, Calif., Argyle Smile began as an outlet for Jared Parsons musical aspirations. After the addition of friend Dana Chambers, Parsons began to recruit musicians with similar influences that would help carry out his musical vision. Listing Andrew Bird, Simon and Garfunkel and Acrade Fire as just a few of their many musical influences, Argyle Smile combines elements of various genres allowing their appeal to reach vast audiences. Parons and Chambers beautiful harmonizations are complemented by the rich textures built by the music featuring instruments such as the ukulele and glockenspiel. Argyle Smile has a somewhat familiar and comforting sound that they have taken and made into their own. Argyle Smile's debut EP entitled Tipsy Turvy is available for purchase on CD Baby.

- Chelsea Falato

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The Woodlands is a pop duo consisting of Samuel and Hannah Robertson, a husband and wife from Portland, Ore. After their wedding and several travel excursions across Europe and Central America, the duo came back to the states inspired and determined to make music together. They compare themselves to artists like Gregory and the Hawk, Feist and Elliott Smith. These are likely influences because they all use soft vocals and simple, melodic instrumentation. They recorded and produced their self-titled 2009 release themselves, which can be purchased now on iTunes and CDBaby.

- Alyssa Roibal

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Shaw is the electronic/experimental one-man project of California native Shaw Waters. Although often very atmospheric and pad-heavy at times, Shaw's tracks can appeal to those who may not even consider themselves fans of electronic or experimental music. He manages to incorporate some pretty brilliant lyrics, executed through the use of some brilliant melodies. His next (and first, from what I believe) EP, Pretending We're Not Animals is all finished up and ready to go in the very near future. If you contact him before hand, however, he's send-spacing the album in advance to those who might be curious about his music. You can make that happen by contacting him via shawmakesmusic@gmail.com

- Keenan Gaynor

THE SKINNY: An Oscar-nominated actor makes an attempt to cross over into the music world and seems to have a chance of succeeding.

SITE: http://www.deadmansbones.net/
MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/deadmansbones

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Over the years many actors have attempted to cross over into the music industry and in most cases, these attempts fall short. (Eddie Murphy's “Party all the Time” anyone?) However, occasionally audiences are pleasantly surprised with the outcome such as Zooey Deschanel collaborating with M. Ward to create She & Him. So when it was announced that Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling (widely known for his role as Noah in the ultimate chick-flick The Notebook) would be releasing an album, fans and critics alike were not exactly sure what to expect.

Dead Man’s Bones is the collaboration of Gosling and close friend Zach Shields. Their debut album Never Let a Lack of Talent Get You Down is being released this month on their own label Werewolf Heart. What Dead Man’s Bones brings to the music scene is not what one would expect from the actor who uttered the line “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird” making girls across the nation instantly fall in love with him.

Gosling and Shields initially bonded over their love of ghosts, monsters and zombies which is evident with the creepy tone of the few songs that have been released to the public so far. Every song on the album focuses on death and scary creatures that both members are fascinated. The sinister overtones are only enhanced by the use of the children’s choir from the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. A video circulated the internet months back featuring a track of the album entitled “In the Room Where You Sleep” that gave a taste of what was to come from this act. It was sparse, creepy and featured the choir of children dressed in Halloween costumes as Gosling lamented over a simple piano tune with basic drum beats played by Shields. The second song available to listen to on NPR.com “My Body’s a Zombie for You” continues to be eerie, yet somehow catchy and fun.

The process in which Dead Man’s Bones created their debut album was simply striving to keep the sound straightforward and pure. There are no electric guitars, they did not use click-tracks and they played all the instruments featured on the album (whether or not they could actually play these instruments.) They wanted to keep the album very low-fi and seemed to have achieved that desire as heard on few songs that have been made available. The most surprising and unexpected element of Dead Man’s Bones' sound is Gosling’s vocals. His voice has an old quality and is reminiscent of a 50s crooner, deep and warm similar to that of Roy Orbison. His vocal style, complimented by those of a children’s choir makes for an interesting and different sound not heard in any artists today.

Gosling and Shield’s may not be the most talented when it comes to playing, singing or writing songs, but that is not the point of their music. They wanted to create something pure that demonstrated what they enjoy. If the first two songs released are any indication, Dead Man’s Bones' debut record Never Let a Lack of Talent Get You Down celebrating all things that go bump in the night is sure to be enjoyed by audiences and critics. Gosling is one actor who won’t be mercilessly ridiculed for his decision to cross over to the world of music.

"In the Room Where You Sleep" off of
Never Let a Lack of Talent Get You Down

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FOR FANS OF: Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, The White Stripes

THE SKINNY: An extremely hardworking Pennsylvania band proving that you don't need a label to make an impact on the music scene.

MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/farewellflight
PURCHASE: Sound.Color.Motion. Available on iTunes

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The term “the hardest working band in the music industry” is one that has been thrown around over the years to describe artists of all genres and experience levels. This can without a doubt be used to describe Farewell Flight from Harrisburg, PA.

During the past four years, Farewell Flight has played nearly 500 shows on 21 national tours. No easy feat for a band that despite playing countless showcases has yet to be signed to a label. However, not having an official label has not put a damper on these four talented musicians becoming a full-time band and developing leagues of loyal fans throughout the country.

The band released their first full-length record Sound.Color.Motion. last year with great praise from many independent music sites. Recorded in Nashville, TN. with producer Mitch Dane, Sound.Color.Motion. exemplifies the range and talent of this band. From the alt-folk sound of "America Will Break Your Heart" to the piano-pop tune "Begin Again," Farewell Flight has all the bases covered with the ability to appeal to diverse audiences. "Phones" is perhaps the ideal track on the album for new listeners to truly get a sense of what Farewell Flight is capable of. This song shows lead singer Luke Foley's vocal skills are well above those of many bands today. Sound.Color.Motion. is without a doubt a solid, enjoyable, beautiful album. But what might be even more impressive is that unlike some groups, Farewell Flights has a live show that matches, if not exceeds the quality of their recordings.

Despite their drive and talent, being a full-time, unsigned band has its drawbacks. Farewell Flight recently found themselves in a predicament when it came to recording their follow up album tentatively titled The Ocean Black. Simply put, they didn’t have enough money. The band decided to take to their MySpace to ask their loyal fan base to donate whatever they could to ensure that they were able to make this album happen. Farewell Flight is a band that truly understands the importance of loyalty and they have worked so hard for so long for their fans. They don't have a label controlling their every move so they base their decisions and thrive on the support of fans throughout the country. Asking for donations cannot be easy for any band, but Farewell Flight did reach out and as a result of the love and wallets of their dedicated fans, they are now back on track to record their second full-length.

Farewell Flight is the kind of band that one cannot help but pull for. With a constant influx of mediocre music streaming through the airwaves, Farewell Flight is like a breath of much needed fresh air.

"Phones" off of Sound.Color.Motion:


"Begin Again" off of Sound.Color.Motion:


"The Usual Vernacular" off of Sound.Color.Motion:

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FAVORITE TRACK: Phones; The Usual Vernacular
FOR FANS OF: Death Cab for Cutie; Elliot Smith; As Tall As Lions

THE SKINNY: Passionate jazz vocalist debuts first full-length effort.

WEBSITE: http://www.sarahtolar.com
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/sarahtolar
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/sarahtolar
PURCHASE: Amazon

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Each day musicians, actors, singers and artists from all reaches of the world move to New York City in hopes of making it big in a place that breeds and thrives on creativity. Sarah Tolar is one of those individuals with ambitious dreams who has taken a chance to pursue the hope of becoming an original artist despite the odds.

Tolar earned her Master's degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas taking her knowledge of the art form to a level most do not. However, an advanced degree and awards were not enough for Tolar who could not deny her desire for songwriting.

Tolar recorded her first full-length effort Big Blue Moon in New York with producer David Cook. The album displays the knowledge and skills of what Tolar knows best with a folk-country flair. "Big Blue Moon" does seem to lack personality that would make the album truly her own. However, it remains comforting and warm with a familiar feel. This album is reminiscent of music one looks to listen to on a rainy Sunday afternoon, curled up with a glass of wine. The album features musicians who have played with known acts including Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall and Jennifer Hudson; an impressive group to support a blossoming songwriter. "Along for the Ride" and "Don't Call Me Baby" have an old school vibe displaying the rasp and personality in Tolar's voice. While "Gettin' Back to Me Again" is a soulful ballad in the vein of Norah Jones.

Tolar's first effort is truly respectable, but there is room for growth to truly find who she is as an artist. There is no doubt that Tolar has a respect and deep passion for jazz as well as talent as singer, but now is the time to take her love and turn it into something of her own to truly define herself.

"Don't Call Me Baby" off of Big Blue Moon:


"Gettin' Back To Me Again" off of Big Blue Moon:

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FOR FANS OF: Norah Jones, Carole King, Idina Menzel

THE SKINNY: With their boy/girl harmonies and catchy beats, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have successfully brought back simplistic, romantic pop music.

WEBSITE:
http://www.thepainsofbeingpureatheart.com/
MYSPACE:
http://www.myspace.com/thepainsofbeingpureatheart

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These days most people accept the idea that pop music is a genre filled with over-processed mediocre dance music played on Top 50 radio stations in constant rotation. Honestly, how many times must one listen to “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga each day? Mass audiences forget that there is actually good, quality pop music made by truly talented artists, you just may have to look a little harder to find it.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is an up-and-coming indie noise-pop band hailing from Brooklyn that have brought back the simple, catchy sound made famous by bands of the 80's such as The Cure. Their self-titled full-length debut released in February is hard to not love at first listen. Their music invokes the feelings of a warm, sunny summer day spent outside with your best friends. Every song on the album is truly pure, romantic pop.

Breaking the mold of many indie artists from Brooklyn these days, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart remind listeners that you do not need four-part harmonies, a string section, horns and ambient noise to convey talent. The song “A Teenager in Love” is quite possibly the best example on the album showing off their delightfully simple melodies layered with catchy drum beats. While “Come Saturday” and “Young Adult Friction” are wonderfully upbeat tunes that will make listeners feel they have stepped into a John Hughes movie where Molly Ringwald is either your best friend or the girl of your dreams.

After releasing their first EP in March of 2007, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart started to gain the attention of fans and critics alike. The song "Young Adult Friction" was used on the Urban Outfitters' website and soon there after they were appearing on Carson Daly's late-night talk show. They had audiences hooked during their first appearance at SXSW in 2008 with their geeky, sweet charm and refreshing sound. Like all indie bands, The Pains of Being Pure of Heart have been joining the festival circuit in the U.S. and abroad continuing to build their following and critical notoriety. It's been a slow climb, but embarking on a cross country tour this fall is sure to propel this band even further in to the forefront of the indie-pop scene.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart entered the music scene at a tough time when bands from Brooklyn are a dime-a-dozen. What sets this band apart however, is the fact that they maintain a sense of simplicity without becoming monotonous or repetitive like many of their Brooklyn bred counterparts. The noise pop group is sure to continue their rise in popularity but if they have true staying power will remain to be seen. One can hope that a pop band with such talent won't fall by the wayside as so many bands do.

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"Come Saturday" off of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart


"Young Adult Friction" off of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

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FAVORITE TRACK: "Come Saturday"
FOR FANS OF: The Cure, The Smiths, My Bloody Valentine

WEBSITE: http://www.imogenheap.com/
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/imogenheap
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/imogenheap

Imogen Heap recently released the track list for her highly anticipated follow-up to 2005's "Speak for Yourself." Her third full length album entitled "Ellipse" has been in production for quite some time having an original release date of May 2008. Heap completed writing and recording the album this spring and an August date has been set for the new release which will feature thirteen new tracks by the beloved electro-pop sweetheart. Heap has kept fans up-to-date with the recording process of "Ellipse" through her official video blog. She also encouraged her fans to become involved in the process holding a contest to help with the album's artwork.

Heap is well known for her side project, Frou Frou, which provided the song "Let Go" to the "Garden State" soundtrack. Her song "Hide and Seek" from her 2005 release became popular after being used in an episode of the once popular television series “The OC” securing Heap both critical and public acclaim.

"Ellipse" Track List:
1. First Train Home
2. Wait It Out
3. Earth
4. Little Bird
5. Swoon
6. Tidal
7. Between Sheets
8. 2 - 1
9. Bad Body Double
10. Aha!
11. The Fire
12. Canvas
13. Half Life