Fiction Family

Fiction Family is a new sideproject of Jon Foreman, lead singer of Switchfoot. Earlier this year he released 4 solo-EP's and a record. And this new project has already been in the works for 12 years. I don't know about you, but I'm excited to hear the album!

Fiction Family is Sean Watkins and Jon Foreman and we've been working on a record together for the last three years. "Officially, we met backstage at a music festival in downtown San Diego called Street Scene. Nickel Creek and Switchfoot were playing one after another. Anyhow, the record started as simple plan to co-write a song, which then then turned into a plan to make a EP, which was so fun we decided to make it a 5 song EP, which led to the idea of making it 7 songs. As soon as money entered the equation, it was all over folks. Anyway, it's coming out January 20th and we're very excited. It's really icing on the cake that this record is even being released properly. ATO none the less. Ideal, really. Most of the time while making this record, we were thinking that we'd probably end up just giving it away online and perhaps play a few shows. Just that sounded fun and fulfilling enough for the work we were putting into it. Thankfully ATO stepped in and agreed to release it which gave us motivation and a timeline for having it all finalized, turned in and done. The old adage that "you never finish a record, you just stop working on it" holds true. Whereas, we could have had endless fun adding and changing this record, it was nice to put it in the can and move toward getting out to you fine folks.

@ Cardiff, USA
♫ Indie, Acoustic, Folk, Pop
♥ When She's Near (mp3)
▸ Myspace
▸ Official Website

Alva Leigh

One might assume that it must be pretty intimidating for a musician to hail from the state of Mississippi, a land made famous by the likes of B. B. King, Elvis Presley, and Muddy Waters; however, Alva Leigh, a musician whose home is in Gulfport, shows no sign of insecurity in her roots. Singing engaging songs drawn from the milieu of the American South, she is a voice for a significant yet oft-forgotten culture. When she opens her mouth to sing, her voice becomes dark and worldly, her vowels long and begging, her melodies moody, and sitting behind a piano, she is electric. The candid, dusty anecdotes within each song seem to suggest a Deep South from the time of Faulkner, of black coffee, worn church pews, and faded summer dresses, all steeped in earthy, sacred imagery. It is possesses that which so much music lacks: an organic honesty. With her charm and disarming youthfulness, Alva Leigh has managed to capture the hearts of countless audiences.

@ Nashville, USA
♫ Indie, Alternative, Folk
♥ Hurricane (mp3)
♥ The Road (mp3)
▸ Myspace
▸ Official Website

Thunder Power

When first listening to Thunder Power, there’s something familiar that you can’t quite pinpoint – or shake off. Their music draws you in with an earnestness that makes a dreary day a little less dreary. It swells from sweet to somber, from biting to just plain raucous, lofting in the realms of murky, folk-laden ballads and chamber pop soirees. Basically, Thunder Power never ceases to keep your toes tapping. This Omaha sextet features Kacynna Tompsett’s “old soul” vocals, backed by five longtime friends (Matt Hutton, Will Simons, Ian Simons, Jason Koba and Alex Boardman) who’ve been playing music together in various projects for the past decade. With multiple songwriters and the occasional instrument swap, the band is able to draw from a wide range of talents and influences and collectively craft their music. Sit them all down and you’ll likely laugh at all the jokes and good-natured insults flying about. Thunder Power has shared the stage with acts such as Tilly and the Wall, The Good Life, The Thermals, Scout Niblett, Pontiak, Eagle Seagull. “Love Yourself,” the group’s debut EP, brings together five animated tracks that radiate a youthful energy reminiscent of a time when pop music was pure. Through lyrics that range from bitter to bittersweet, Kacynna Tompsett’s smoky vocals reject the idea that succumbing to everyday societal pressures is the only way to make it in a world where sheen outshines substance.

@ Omaha, USA
♫ Indie, Pop, Folk
♥ Take A Hike (mp3)
♥ Your Pantry (mp3)
▸ Myspace

Rachel Goodrich

Hailing from Miami Beach, FL, 24 Year Old Rachel Goodrich has been playing music and writing songs since age 12. She explores a variety of sounds,playing everything from the guitar to the ukulele, piano, kazoo, banjo, and autoharp. Creating this unique and exciting style, Rachel draws on some of her influences which include Joni Mitchell, The Grateful Dead, Tiny Tim, Dr. Seuss, The Lovin' Spoonful, Bob Dylan & The Band, and so many more. With an eclectic live show featuring a growing collection of band members and toys, Rachel has carved out her own genre she calls "shake-a-billy." Catch her on tour and make sure to download her debut album "Tinker Toys " available on itunes and other online stores October 29th, 2008.

@ Miami, USA
♫ Acoustic, Folk, Pop, Alternative
♥ The Black Hole (mp3)
♥ Light Bulb (mp3)
▸ Myspace
▸ Official Website

The Honey Trees

The first time I stumbled on The Honey Trees, was when I visited Wesley Jensen's page. Their profile photo literally did if for me! I'm happy it did, because I immediately fell in love with their songs. And they got me even more after I found out that Becky Filip was the lead singer of the band, what a voice! Becky Filip used to be one of my friends, when I used MySpace two years ago. (Now I mostly use it to contact the artists, listen to their songs) And I was even more amazed by the fact that Becky Filip, and automatically The Honey Trees, has quite a following on hyves (a dutch network site like MySpace). So with any luck they'll be visiting us soon!

The Honey Trees are an indie band from Sacramento, California fronted by Becky Filip. The band also includes Jacob Wick and Jason Massey. They currently recorded their EP, “Wake The Earth” during the summer and is expected to be released shortly. "Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and encouraging, you are all so wonderful, and we are so grateful to you and your kind words. Love!"

@ Sacramento, USA
♫ Indie, Acoustic, Pop
♥ Orchard (mp3)
♥ Edelweiss (mp3)
▸ Myspace

The Rescues

Sometimes the first 30 seconds of a song say enough for me, with The Rescues that certainly was the case. I instantly loved their sound, songs and lyrcis, and I am sure more of you will love their perfect blend of voices too! So don't hesitate and start listening!
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. No band in recent history illustrates that notion better than LA newcomers, The Rescues. Comprised of three successful and critically acclaimed solo singer-songwriters in their own right - Adrianne, Kyler England and Gabriel Mann - The Rescues have more than 15 albums, dozens of songwriting awards, and thousands of miles on the road between them. The Rescues have awakened a dormant L.A. tradition of the best of the music scene joining together to make something greater than themselves. Some have called The Rescues an “Indie Supergroup,” but they’re just three friends singing honest, real, and seamlessly-crafted pop songs, in three-part harmony. Yet the making of this band was a long time coming. Enter a friend and fan of all three with a vision and an upcoming wedding. Said fan hired the three to perform a concert at his reception, and The Rescues were born. Since the January release of their debut EP, The Rescues have played to sold-out crowds on tour in the southeast and in their home base of Los Angeles. The Rescues’ full length album, “Crazy Ever After,” is released today!

@ Los Angeles, USA
♫ Indie, Pop, Rock
♥ Crazy Ever After (mp3)
♥ My Heart With You (mp3)
▸ Myspace
▸ Official Website

Meaghan Smith

Here's another singer for you, perfect for late evenings and when you're having a retro moment/want to go back to the 20's, 3o's etc.
Meaghan Smith has always been a singer. Her mum was a piano teacher and her dad played bass in different bands. She grew up in London, Ontario, Canada. "When I was a teenager I started playing guitar, but my carefree childhood confidence quickly turned to stage fright. I opted to go to school for animation in pursuit of my drawing, but I couldn’t fight the urge to sing my songs. Eventually I worked up the courage to put on secret concerts for a few friends in the stairwells of the animation building. Someone encouraged me to use the school’s recording studio to make a demo CD. That’s when my love affair with the microphone began. Soon it came time to make an album. I had written a bunch of new songs, I just needed to find someone to produce them. I spent two months in Toronto bringing The Cricket’s Orchestra to life. I am greatly moved by the music of the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s — times when things were pure and simple — so I wanted the music to recall those eras. We used Mellotron samples in place of a modern band because we loved the quirky, vintage vibe they brought to the songs, and topped it all off with some turntable scratches. The result is an ideal blend of old and new." The Cricket’s Orchestra is now available at her website and iTunes.

@ Halifax, Canada
♫ Indie, Folk, Pop
♥ 5 More Minutes (mp3)
♥ I Know (mp3)
▸ Myspace
▸ Official Website