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Indie Rocks My Socks
I have always been a fan of rap music. Talib and Hi-Tek’s Train of Thought blessed my Ford Escort speakers for years in high school. I could recite Twista’s verses in Slow Jams with equivalent speed. A hip-hop head is what I think they call it. But then I went to college, and a whole new genre said, “Hello sir, would you like to be my friend.” And I told that genre, “No thanks, I think I would rather listen to my Dr. Dre and Common on repeat.” Yet, somehow, in a heavenly way, that genre kept poking me with guitar strings, reminding me I was stereotyping it as skinny panted, wrist cutting music. I tried to fight back. “I am a basketball player!” I pleaded. “I will not listen to music without a looped beat. No!” Surely enough though, songs snuck into my library, softly nudging me, whispering, “I’m not that bad… You like me. Don’t you?” I did. Holy Winnebago, I did.
I finally came out of the closet. One can only deny an urge for Elliott Smith so long. Indie tuneage has now become an obsession of mine, aided by the likes of music blogs, itunes, and most importantly, a community of individuals who share a passion for awesomeness. So, in hopes of continuing the theme of freshman introduction and expectation articles, I would like to lead the way to prophet quality information on a musical style that is growing faster than your parents’ child-free sex life. Whether you are a Brooklyn hipster and know a megaton about this genre already, or are from Podunk Capital where Main Street Theatre was recently burned down for screening Bruno, I have got some girly man voices that want to kiss your tympanums. Vaasuup!
Here’s how we’ll do it: I’ll give you a band name and a song that I believe represents them the best. Or the one I like the most. Probably the latter. Then, if you like it, for those who have parents that pay the whole 53 thousand for tuition, you can buy the songs off the internet. The rest of you can get the music when you get to campus, from me, Alex, via Mojo, a FREE and SEXY way to trade music. Holler.
Here is the starter package. Think of it as the handcuffs for an s&m curious couple.
Voxtrot: “Start of Something” – Wake up music. Are you in love? Want to jump and scream? I do! Be happy, people. Conner Faught will call you gay. I say if that is what it takes to like these guys, hand me a penis.
Vampire Weekend: “Oxford Comma” – Every song this band does is good, and catchy, and poppy, and fun, and will make you say, fuck class, I’m tanning.
Of Montreal: “Disconnect the Dots” – Feeling funky? Want to get weird and invent a homoerotic dance? Dress up like animals and come up with their mating calls? Coocachoobie!
The Thrills: “Don’t Steal Our Sun” – Pop country. Does that exist? Yes. If whisky and wheatgrass were a drink it would be called The Thrills.
Shout Out Louds: “Please Please Please” – Arcade Fire Fans, this is for you. If that means nothing to you, Please, Please, Please, listen to this song.
Okkervil River: “Black” – Probably the most mainstream sounding of the bunch, good songwriting, great range of tempo. The emotion you wish you could express. ahhhh, but at the same time, ohhhh.
M. Ward: “Undertaker” – From Portland, therefore I rep him. Man has a diverse style, so don’t count him out if you aren’t feeling this track.
Kings of Convenience: “I’d Rather Dance With You“ – Need to study? This mellow voice will smooth your session into an enjoyable experience. Like going to the dentist stoned.
Jens Lekman: “Someone to Share My Life With” – The musical equivalent of Seth Winterroth playing basketball. Kind of awkward, yet supremely enjoyable.
Stars: “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” – Melodies that will make you smile, words that have never felt so genuine.
Belle and Sebastian: “There’s Too Much Love” – Consistently stupendous. The Tim Duncan. Try and find a bad track. I dare you, fool.
Animal Collective: “Fireworks” – My new favorite. Don’t really have any advice about this band. Will you grow to like them with me? Word.
Elliott Smith: “Pitselah and Clementine” – My favorite musician of all time. The MJ of all that is sad. One of the most musically gifted individuals of our generation- but like many artistic geniuses, mentally unstable. Chief stabbed himself in the heart. Depressing, amazing.
I have a growing list to share and new music is my crack, so, you know, can we feed each other’s addictions? Or can I help you develop one?
More posts by Alex »
Alex Mitchell
Alex Mitchell, know to most as A Mitch, is a transfer student from Portland, OR. He is a psychology and film studies major who hopes one day to write somewhere in the entertainment industry. A Mitch has a black belt in wit, which combined with his unconventional writing style gives readers a break from the linguistic complexities of college curriculum and a chance to reacquaint themselves with everyday life, in a jovial manner. As the social advice columnist, A Mitch attempts to glue the drama of college together by guiding the lost and amusing the rest.
14 Comments
2009-08-18
22:03:17
Alex-
this is a solid list. nice article. some possible additions:
Rilo Kiley: "More Adventurous" - Jenny Lewis (the lead singer) also does all the background vocals for The Postal Service
Sufjan Stevens: "Casimir Pulaski Day" - Sufjan Stevens reps the Midwest like John Faranda reps CMC
Rogue Wave: "California" - CMCers are guaranteed to like any song whose first line is "screw California"
Colin Hay: "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin"
2009-08-18
22:26:27
matt pond PA: "Halloween" - the chillest yet so amazing lyrically music that won't put you to sleep
The Format: "On Your Porch" -- a delightful poppier indie band goes for a smoother, crooning almost ballad
Death Cab for Cutie: "Styrofoam Plates" -- a great angry indie song. and death cab is kind of an essential for the chill indie scene, if a bit overplayed on mainstream radio at times....
some newer songs by newer bands--
Ra Ra Riot "Dying is Fine" -- currently touring with Death Cab and Cold War Kids (or at least they were) this song is epically catchy
She and Him "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" -- Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward make the best duo ever imaginable
speaking of Zooey Deschanel, the entire soundtrack of (500) Days of Summer is spectacular
and anything by Regina Spektor is amazing. "Eet" and "Folding Chair" off her newest album, and "Samson" and "Better" off her previous album are favorites...
2009-08-18
22:55:16
"on your porch" is my favorite song of all time.
2009-08-20
18:19:23
yes. plus i have an epic porch. double the awesomeness.
2009-08-19
10:54:39
If you like indie stuff and rap, you might check out Santogold. She's fucking terrific. Her song Unstoppable (with Lil Wayne and Drake) is absolutely amazing and was the darling of the indie blogs over the winter.
2009-08-22
08:27:19
Great article! My main addition to your list is Bon Iver. Fantastically melancholy indie folk, the first album of which was written and recorded mostly by a guy cooped up all winter, on his own, with mononucleosis, in a cabin in the woods of Wisconsin, after having just broken up with both his girlfriend AND his band. And it sounds exactly like it should, given the circumstances. Seriously I'm in love with this band and have a totally straight man-crush on the guy, Justin Vernon, at the moment. There's only one full album now, "For Emma, Forever Ago", but also a four-song EP. Collectively they are definitely my favourite album of the year so far.
Anyway, sample songs: "Blood Bank", "Skinny Love", and "For Emma".
Also, as a bonus, go here http://www.jagjaguwar.com/onesheet.php?cat=JAG156 for a free download of a great single from the upcoming Volcano Choir album, which is a Justin Vernon side project with a really different sound but that looks really promising.
Oh and one more recommendation would be Blitzen Trapper. Not gonna do a mini-write up, but they're a sort of indie/country/folk amalgam and my favourite song of theirs is "Furr".
2009-08-22
10:53:56
You are on point sir,
I have been obsessed with Bon Iver for like 2 weeks. I should have put him in the article but I wrote it before I knew of the greatness. I don't have the EP yet, however I will soon. "re: stacks" makes me want to cry. Blitzen Trapper is awesome, my favorite is "wild mountain nation" off wild mountain nation. Sounds like the grateful dead. Superb.
2009-08-22
11:16:01
I stopped listening to music after Pitchfork told me it was merely a "solid but uninspired effort."
2009-08-22
20:05:17
Loved the article Alex. And to continue the spreading of good music around, a few tracks I think are worthy of a listen:
Noah and the Whale - "Five Years Time" feel-good song, brighter than most of their other stuff.
Iron & Wine - "Boy With a Coin" consistently good chill-out music.
Born Ruffians - "Hummingbird" and "Barnacle Goose" awesome Canadian band, pretty versatile sound.
Sufjan Stevens - "Chicago" I know he was already mentioned, but this song is so good.
AND
Mason Jennings - "Living in the Moment" Straight outta Minnesota.
2009-08-25
17:56:22
[...] Thursday night’s debauchery to Sunday morning’s talkshows, from craigslist safety to indie rock, from what you ate yesterday to what to want to eat tomorrow. What’s important to CMCers? [...]
2009-08-27
22:23:15
love and listen to all of the bands listed in the article and in the comments, with the exception of Bon Iver and Mason Jennings- I will definitely give their stuff a listen.
saw ra ra riot when they opened for andrew bird at the greek this summer, they have a very interesting sound. does andrew bird still count as indie rock now? he's reasonably well known...as i understand it being labelled indie rock technically has to do with the type of label the artist is with, but i always take indie to mean obscure, essentially.
am currently obsessed with NEKO CASE, who i also saw live this summer. she is amazing. i love her solo work but she also does some pretty cool things with The New Pornographers. listen to her music, it is nothing short of transporting!
- Jennifer, Class of 2012
2009-10-18
22:20:52
Thumbs up on Jens Lekman. But if I may say so, a starter package should definitely have Fleet Foxes, Blitzen Trapper, Hey Marseilles (all repping the northwest as am I), Grizzly Bear, My Morning Jacket, and Wilco. Bon Iver has already been mentioned, but I agree; saw them in LA a couple weeks ago- a wonderful show. If anyone's reading and needs more recommendations- Noah and the Whale, St. Vincent, Le Loup, The Antlers, Built to Spill (old favorite), Elvis Perkins, Fool's Gold, and Mayer Hawthorne (not necessarily of the indie genre) are some I have been listening to lately. That was a lot- sorry!
2009-10-20
11:10:05
Dang Grace,
I feel you, and trust me, if this were a longer list, all of those would be included. Saw Blitzen Trapper at the glass house two weeks ago and Fleet Foxes' "he doesn't know why" has been on my awesome que the last month.
Thanks for the recommendations though, I haven't heard o some of these - Looking forward to slowing my computer more.
2009-12-26
17:40:51
Bon Iver reppin' Wisconsin!