Lots of you collegiettes™ loved our first installment of under-the-radar bands, so we brought you another list for your musical enjoyment! We know it’s easy to put your iPod on shuffle and feel like you’ve heard all of your songs a million times, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path artists so you’ll have new tunes to listen to this season.
She and Him
We all love Zooey Deschanel in “New Girl” and the holiday classic “Elf,” but her musical collaboration with Mark Ward proves she’s as good at singing as she is at acting. For an introduction to their indie folk sound, check out “In the Sun” – it’s fun and upbeat, and Zooey’s dancing in the video may be the cutest thing you ever see on YouTube. Plus, She and Him just released a holiday album (you may have heard it in Starbucks or Urban Outfitters), which makes a great gift for your super-cool friend.
Grouplove
This suggestion comes from HC reader Noelle Searles, a freshman at Marquette University. The alternative group played at Lollapalooza this year and just released their first full-length studio album, Never Trust a Happy Song. According to Noelle, Grouplove is a band that “you think you have heard, but it is still new,” so if you’re into alternative music, this could be your new jam! Check out their first single, “Colours” for a taste of their sound.
Jenny and Johnny
Another indie duo, Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice produced their first studio album together in 2010 and are also dating in real life – their appearance as a couple in the “Gossip Girl” Season Five premiere wasn’t just an act! You may have heard of Jenny Lewis from her time as lead singer of the alternative group Rilo Kiley or from her solo career, but the Jenny and Johnny albums have a distinct sound that’s different from her other works. To find out what that sound is, check out “Big Wave” off their debut album, I’m Having Fun Now.
The Like
The Like is an alternative pop band with four female members. Their music, like the ladies’ fashion sense, has a distinctly retro feel but is also in touch with modern audiences. They’ve already released three EP’s and two studio albums, so if you haven’t heard of them yet, you’ve got a lot of music to sample! One of their most popular songs, “He’s Not a Boy,” is super catchy and transforms the woes of unrequited love into a tongue-in-cheek poem.
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The Answering Machine
The Answering Machine was an English band that released two studio albums before they announced they were disbanding this May. But their tracks are still great to play at parties, and who doesn’t love guys with cute British accents? Their single “Obviously Cold” is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and it’s as fun driving with the windows down as it is at a house party.
Best Coast
This L.A.-based surf rock band was formed in 2009, but they got their big break when Drew Barrymore directed their music video for “Our Deal,” which features Miranda Cosgrove and Chloe Moretz. If you love Wavves and Cut Copy, you’ll love Best Coast’s relaxed sound. Start out with the mellow “When I’m With You” and then check out their popular single “Boyfriend”.
Architecture in Helsinki
If you’re into straight-up pop music, you’ll love this group. They have great beats that are just the right amount of electronic, and their lyrics are memorable and often silly. Like Cut Copy, they’re from Australia, so they have awesome accents, too! The band’s members each play multiple instruments, so don’t be surprised to hear things like a tuba or a clarinet in addition to standard band instruments like bass and drums. For your introduction, try “It’s 5!”– it will be stuck in your head for the rest of the hour, but you’ll like it.
Phantom Planet
They sang the O.C. theme song, “California,” which means this band was stuck in our head for four years in middle and high school. Then, their song “Do the Panic” was featured in the “Gossip Girl” season two episode when our favorite Upper East Siders studied for the SAT, and is also featured in the trailer for the recent Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen film “50/50.” If you want something a little deeper than the Plain White T’s but aren’t into music with an indie feel, Phantom Planet is a great fit for you.
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The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour is a Danish pop band whom you may recognize from their performance on “Gossip Girl” or their feature on the “September Issue” soundtrack. Their songs have also been used in commercials for the Apple iPod touch and Heineken beer. They’ve opened for Amy Winehouse and Katy Perry at sold-out shows, so if you haven’t heard of them yet, you certainly will soon! Their first single, “The Sun Ain’t Shining No More,” will give you an idea of what the rest of their music is like.
Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor is one of the most talented women of our time, so if you’re not familiar with her work, you’re really missing out! She’s released five studio albums, with a sixth scheduled to be released in 2012. Her anti-folk, alternative style has evolved with every album release, so your opinion will be different depending on which album you listen to first. You may have heard her in the soundtracks from “500 Days of Summer” and “The Chronicles of Narnia” and not realized it was her, but if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat!
A good starting point is “Fidelity,” which was the first single from her third album, “Begin to Hope.” Besides being a memorable song, Regina makes this song even more unique by wearing the coolest spectator pumps ever in this video. Once you’re familiar with her style, “Dance Anthem of the 80’s” will get you up and moving, and darker tracks like “Laughing with” will inspire you to think about philosophical issues.
If you have any bands you’d like us to feature, submit a few sentences on our “Be in HC” page to be considered for the next installment!