Faye Blais

When someone melodically declares, “I wanna show you the inside, so won’t you come in,” you listen. This is the captivating and honest nature of Faye Blais, the Canadian singer/songwriter who has been seen swooning crowds from around campfires in Northern Ontario to the stages of Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand for more than ten years. Self-taught from an early age, Blais released her long-awaited debut “First Tooth” in 2005. The independent album, recorded at Hamilton’s Crossfade Studios, characteristically resounds with upbeat odes to the greater things in life and gentle reflections upon her cross-country adventures. She sounds like a mix of Regina Spektor and Canada’s own Feist. This Sudbury, Ontario native and world traveler lead the trio Faye & The Slacks around Taiwan in 2007-08, garnering much attention overseas, and being tagged as “one of Taichung’s most energizing new bands.” Upon arriving in Australia in early 2008, Faye teamed up with pianist/producer Brad Viterale (aka Mr. Bardley) to complete her second full-length release “Two Pieces.” Quoted as “a collection of deep, soulful songs that paint an elaborate masterpiece of life's ups and downs,” this new album takes listeners on a musical journey that shines through in Faye”s honest, true-to-heart nature. Faye, completed both Australia and New Zealand tours over this past year, included performances at Woodford Folk Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival, astounding crowds with her constant flow of fresh tunes and unique sounds.She is set to perform throughout Australia over the coming months before heading home to tour Canada in August.

@ Ontario, Canada

♫ Indie, Folk, Pop
♥ Something's Changed (mp3)
▸ Myspace
▸ Official Website

Al Lewis & Sarah Howells

Acoustic folk pop duo Al Lewis and Sarah Howells caught my eye not too long ago. I’ve always been a sucker for folky pop duo’s especially when at least of them is female, after listening to one of their songs on Myspace I knew that Al and Sarah were not going to be the first exception to that ‘liking folky pop duos’ rule. Al en Sarah met through either fate or coincidence, on the tube one night, traveling home from separate acoustic shows. Having both only recently moved to London, they decided to keep in touch. Jam sessions turned to writing sessions which resulted in a number of London shows together and the Skin & Bones EP released last month. Skin & Bones features five acoustic gems that because of their simplicity in melodies and blended voices do really let you feel it through to your bones just like their EP is called. Tracks as Skins & Bones and Sinking Boat show you that this duo is one to look out for!

@ London, UK
♫ Acoustic, Folk, Pop
♥ Sinking Boat (mp3)
▸ Myspace

LMTY Shorts: Tegan and Sara, The School, Imogen Heap

Tegan and Sara's new album will be called "Sainthood" and will be released October 27th. It will contain 13-15 tracks. Visit their official website to watch a video about it.

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UK indie pop favorite The School is about to release their next single 'And Suddenly' The are releasing it on a split single. The single will not be on the album so make sure you buy a copy! You can order it over at Rough Trade, Norman Records and Slumberland Records.

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Watch the stunning video for Ellipse album track Canvas exclusively at MSN Music and check back at Imogen Heaps official website on Tuesday July 21st to find out how to download the video for free!

Chloe Hall

It had been a while since the last time that I was looking at Myspace for new music until I found the Australian singer-songwriter Chloe Hall last week with some random browsing.
Chloe Hall is an engaging, intriguing and charismatic performer, but it’s the simple, undeniable quality of her songs that will make you want to listen to her songs non-stop. Tragedy is met with grace, loneliness is met with a wry humour – the sun never entirely leaves Chloe’s moody autumnal sky. From her early days as a teenage-troubadour on Australia’s folk-circuit, through years of touring both in Australia and, more recently, North America, Chloe has blossomed into an exciting international artist. Her new album “Outside“, due for release in 2009, reveals the fulfillment of Chloe’s development into the serious recording artist she has always been threatening to become. Chloe is currently on a mission to get 10.000 listeners to her new album and I was more than happy to help her to reach that goal. If you want to be part of it too, read more about it here and start listening to the fully streamable new album Outside.

@ Australia
♫ Acoustic, Folk, Indie
♥ Shipwreck (mp3)
▸ Myspace
▸ Official Website
+ Free Album Stream

LMTY Shorts:A Fine Frenzy, Seabear, Chantal Kreviazuk

A Fine Frenzy's first single of her new upcoming second album "Bomb in a Birdcage" : Blow Away is out to buy everywhere!

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Seabear have been really busy in the studio last months and their second album is almost finished. It will be released in January 2010. Finally! And then we will start again... well to play in all the wonderful cities around our globe. More news about that later.

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Chantal Kreviazuk new album called “Plain Jane” will be out on September 22. Read more about it here.

Boat Beam

Beam Boat are Josephine, Alisha and Aurora. One Australian, one American and one Spanish. No joke. They use the guitarstrings, viola, cello and piano to create music that sounds like The Cinematic Orchestra and The Divine Comedy. Their voices sing songs such like Fiona Apple or Tori Amos but also as writers who sing like Sylvia Plath or Süskind if Patrick were dedicated to it. Boat Beam was inspired by the great music of Johann Johannson, The Dresden Dolls and PJ Harvey. Their songs are inspired by their experiences. Their music sounds like books, movies, and traveling; in short a life. Josephine came to Madrid in 2006 after passing through the world and having played in several bands in her country (Terapin and Sparkadia). She met Alisha in Spain, which had violated its service combos classical, jazz and rock. And together, they gave with Aurora, a cellist who had stepped up tables Madrid half. Boards were able to square the circle with only three vertices. Call it a miracle. Call it destiny. Call it Boat Beam. The fact is that since they joined their talent and effort, they generated quite a buzz on the underground scene in Madrid. Rumors were started of a group that filled the halls with their touching repertoire. Very positive reviews made others want to experience the thrill of discovering something great. Now it's no longer a rumor, it is no longer underground. Boat Beam now have released their first album "Puzzle Shapes" and the whole world will be able to verify the truth of all the rumors. There are three girls in Madrid that play pop classics, current and timeless. Those three girls are Boat Beam.

@ Madrid, Spain
♫ Indie, Pop
♥ The Rain Pauly (mp3)
▸ Myspace

Let Me Tell You: Kate Walsh's Light & Dark

The build-up to the release of Kate’s new album continues to pick up pace. We can now reveal the new album will be released 31st August and will come in two formats – CD and Download. The album will contain 12 brand new recordings whilst the iTunes version will contain a bonus track. The full track listing is:

1. As He Pleases
2. Trying (listen)
3. June Last Year
4. Greatest Love
5. Light & Dark (listen)
6. Seafarer
7. Be Mine
8. 1000 Bees
9. On The Stage
10. I Cling On For Dear Life
11. Old Man
12. Gather My Strength
13. On & On (iTunes only)

The album will be preceded by the first single ‘June Last Year’ (24th August – Download only). But, as a teaser of what’s to come, Kate has made a limited run of 500 7” singles featuring the title track from the album ‘Light & Dark’ and ‘Trying’ - this song features Turin Brakes. The 7” single is available to purchase from today and on top of the vinyl, you’ll automatically be sent high quality mp3s of the two songs + a bonus track - ‘Sitting Pretty’. Click here to order... The album will be available to pre-order shortly from iTunes and Amazon.