Electronica

The Echoing Green
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Label - Indie

Simply put, I’m completely hooked on Echoing Green. I was introduced to this Albuquerque based Elecronica duo via ‘Seaside’, a particularly chill and representative track off The Winter of Our Discontent (2004 BEC Records). I found there to be a pleasant consistency in their music. Each track is blended with creative lyrics, soulful vox and well orchestrated instrumentals; characteristics that if present and consistent make the difference between good and great music. Just dive into ‘Flame’ (Antique Toy Mix) from Sanctuary (2008 A Different Drum) and my personal fav and what’s put me on the road to perpetual fandon, ‘Yesterday’s Taking Over’ off Supernova (2007 The Echoing Green). The video is definitely worth a glance. Make a point and subscribe to their podcast and catch the filming of ‘Cutting Hearts’ and their ‘Til Tuesday remake of Voices Carry..very cool!

Gunslingers Anonymous
KARMA (2008)
South Jersey, NJ

‘Karma’, GSA’s latest album, and track-for-track my favorite and most played band on my iPod, is simply pure genius. I’ve been a huge fan of this South Jersey duo since introduced to their music over a year ago now. I recall visiting their myspace page and launching a hilarious GSA promo video and realizing, I could party with these guys! Then the music, ahhh that was the clincher. I immediately dove into ‘This Type of Behavior’, to date my all time fav GSA track. The chill piano intro is deceiving…then bang straight into this rad synth number. Very, very cool. A close second is ‘The Distance Between Infatuation and Love is Closer Than We Had Thought (Boy, Did I have You)…Whew, yea that’s the track name and an incredible cut that spotlights Michael and Shane’s vox and instrumental talents. The lyrics are really Rounding out an incredibly solid album is ‘Save The World’ which GSA personally shared with Fierce.com before releasing to the general public. Pay particular attention to the fade throughout between ballad and hard hitting synth and guitar on this track, not to mention the incredible piano ending. Check out the video promo for ‘Karma’ at Fierce.com and show some love and download the album here.

Millionaires
Los Angeles, CA
Label - Unsigned

Melissa Marie, Allison Wonderland and Danigore make up the wicked fierce LA trio Millionaires. I’m a sucker for all female bands to begin and Millionaires is no exception. Add raw but well orchestrated Club tracks and equally hard driving lyrics (just check out ‘Hoe Down’ and ‘Talk Shit’ if you don’t believe me) and its no wonder they have a pretty substantial fan base. Personally I liked ‘I Like Money’ but got hooked on these chicks on ‘Alcohol’. Check out their video here at Fierce.com.

Venue
Los Angeles, CA
Label - Brilliante

LA based Venue is straight-up Electronica, finely drizzled with incredible visual FX lending to a very unique and pleasant sound. I spent some serious time on these cats myspace page and was immediately hooked after listening to ‘Magnetic South (Prairie Cartel/Venue Remix)’…about a hundred times. I would die to see this performed live and get the full visual experience. Not to be overlooked are other nicely orchestrated cuts ‘Sattva’ and the smoothe Jungle/Church sounds in ‘Stylus’. Very cool and a must have for any Elecronica fan. Get their 2005 album ‘One Without a Second’ over at iTunes.

Late Night Alumni
Salt Lake City, UT
San Francisco, CA
Label - Quiet City Recordings

OK, tonight is definitely Martini’s and Late Night Alumni a funky lounge quartet hailing from Salt Lake City and San Fran. Oh I am glad I stumbled upon these cats. The smokey, rainy-day melodies of ‘I Knew You When’ had me hooked from the first note. I’m listening to ‘Seemingly Sleepy’ a equally chill but more upbeat cut. Reminds me of more than a few stays at the Hudson Hotel in NYC. What a find! I would travel great distances to catch these guys live for sure. Most certainly check out their album ‘Empty Streets’ available on iTunes