Can't Stop Won't Stop

The term "indie" is a nick name coming from the word, independent. Being an Independent, “indie” artist simply means without a major record label, no boss. Typically that means the artists don’t have anyone telling them how to sound, so their music can often times be unique, different, etc. Over the years though, with that "different" tone that we find common in indie artists, the actual word "indie has become more than just a description of the independence, but more of a style of music. With that, people are surprised to hear different sounds than the typical folksy, maybe rock music. But, indie can very well mean hip hop. These artists are just as indie as the others, they just may like dancing and "bringing the funky"  just a bit more.

A Provo, Utah native group called “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” is an unsigned hip hop group that has made a name for themselves with their exciting and unique rap and singing styles. The group consists of three members, two singers(or rappers), and a DJ. They are young, but definitely on their way to making it big.

I had the opportunity to hear and see them perform at Sammy’s. (http://ericarphoto.blogspot.com/2010/11/photos-from-cant-stop-wont-stop-show-in.html)  They had the entire place jumping up and down. It was clear they knew what they were doing. The group moved around-and off the stage as they sang and rapped catchy songs that the audience tried to sing along to. Their music is fun and easy to dance to.

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop describes themselves, and their music, “  [we are] straight up party music for straight up party people. Word to ya momz.” Their band influences are Aesop Rock, Breakestra, J5, The Beastie Boys, SiD, Wu-Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, Doomtree. Maybe that will give you an idea of what they are like. If you like any of those artists, or just even like hiphop, check them out on Facebook or Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cswsmusic. You won’t be able to keep yourself from dancing at least a little bit-"the funk" will come.

Iron & Wine

I recently have come to Love Iron & Wine. Iron & Wine is the stage name for a  Samuel Beam (born July 26, 1974), an American singer-songwriter.  His whispered vocals and beautiful guitar make the perfect match for a “homespun indie folk” artist. His style of music is truly beautiful. The Iron & Wine station on Pandora is one of my favorites. Music for those who love pretty soft music to listen to while their thoughts are free to explore or focus.

Beam was raised in South Carolina, Beam received his bachelors degree in art from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and later his Master of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University Film School. As an interesting fact, The name Iron & Wine is taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film in school.

Since 2002 Beam has been creating albums, EP’s, singles, and even a few download only’s - all beautiful music.

Iron & Wine is truly unique-and I think it is evident he wants that. He looks as if he were a hitchhiker traveling in different countries. He has a giants beard and most photos of him he looks rather peculiar. None the less, it is intriguing and honestly, when you make music like he does, It doesn’t really matter what you look like.

Find out more about Iron & Wine at his website: http://www.ironandwine.com/

The Cute Girl

Skyler Stonestreet. My first impression was just a cute, almost too pop-singer trying to be unique with her image. But after listening to more than just “Heartbreak”, I’ve discovered Skyler’s music is quite intriguing. Her lyrics are honest and the way she sings is so innocent. Her songs are crafted like personal stories, some happy some sad, all whimsical vocals and punchy guitar and piano parts.

She comes from Santa Barbara, an unsigned artist who it still on her way to making it big in the indie/pop music business. She seems young and naïve in her image and as an artists, but in a beautiful way. She sings of heartbreak, of having fun, or being young and in love. Her music is similar to Regina Spektor, Kate Nash, Ingrid Michelson and Mindy Gledhill.

She has only a few youtube videos up and when you search her, you simply get her myspace and youtube fan page: http://www.myspace.com/skylerstonestreet . She  keeps her fans up to date with quirky and fun updates. She recently wrote a song for the charity Bring Me Hope based on an excerpt from a volunteer, You can check out their website and a preview of her song here: http://bringmehope.org/sounddelivery.html

If you like those artists mentioned earlier you will love Skyler Stonestreet, it only took a few songs for me to love and appreciate her music. She has a modern edge to her indie/pop/acoustic music, and although you may not have heard of her before, I wouldn’t doubt that she becomes very popular in the next few years.

Just Pause, and Listen

I first heard of the band Bon Iver from a friend who is very passionate about music.  He told me of this man, Justin Vernon, who, after an apparent terrible break up, went to a cabin for a time and simply made music, although that wasn't his original intent. He used all his own equipment for the instruments and recording, and would have to do the actual recordings at unusual hours of the night-when there weren’t cars racing by. I could hear complete sincerity in his voice. In such a simple song I felt so much emotion and passion from what he was doing. He may not have had the most beautifully smooth or necessarily mainstream-talented voice, but the words he carefully chose were incredible. A mixture of honest words, simple guitar and drums, and the incredible melody’s, the music Bon Iver creates is so beautiful I can’t help to pause what I’m doing and simply listen.

The Band Bon Iver was founded in 2007 by American indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band further consists of Michael Noyce, Sean Carey, and Matthew McCaughan. Vernon independently released Bon Iver's debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago in July 2007, the album that he worked on in the cabin. That album is the only true album that Bon Iver has made-yet, but along with that they have produced an EP, Blood Bank, which was produced early in the year of 2009, and numerous singles-one where he is a featured artists among stars like Kayne West and Jay-Z.

Since that first time hearing Bon Iver-“Skinny Love” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrMmr1oMPGA&feature=related ), I have had an odd craving to hear more. I am still discovering the band, but I am loving it. Each song has a level of emotion and truth that is so hard to find in music these days. To me, good music doesn’t have to be a pretty voice that can belt a high note, or a catchy tune I can dance to. Music is something that can make me feel. It is art. And Bon Iver is so beautiful in that it can render up emotions in me I didn’t necessarily know were there. They deserve to be known not only in the indie rock world, but among anyone who enjoys pausing and simply listening.

Quirky and Sweet-The Perfect Blend

I first heard Mindy Gledhill, as I’m sure many Latter-Day Saint music lovers did, when she came out with her album Sum of All Grace. I remember my family would listen to her every Sunday, sometimes even all day, just her, on repeat. She was one of the few artists that we could actually do it with. We fell in love with her light and honest voice in which she carried the music as if on a cloud with her sweetly airy voice. The songs were unique, yet still so sacred and beautiful. She was a family favorite. I remember I didn’t think it could get much better than a new Sunday album. Until I found out she produced more than just Christian music.

My mother came home excited about the new CD she just purchased, Feather In The Wind, and immediately played it throughout the house. It was so different to hear Mindy singing fun pop/indie music, yet she still had the same beauty and innocence in her voice that I loved. 

I had a chance to hear her when she came to perform at Sammy’s Grand Opening.(http://ericarphoto.blogspot.com/2010/10/sammys-grand-opening-mindy-gledhill.html) She was so great! So quirky, so friendly and so full of spunk and happiness. It was great to watch someone really love what they do. Not only that but her second album, Anchor, was even better. Her unique yet beautiful songs were a perfect blend. She describes herself as an “Indie singer songwriter that will leave you floating like a scoop of vanilla cream in a strawberry soda”, and I couldn’t agree more.

Something that amazes me even more is the woman herself. Mindy is a self released artists, strong in her religion, and also a mother and a wife. It was clear she had a good head on her shoulders when she kept her family a big part of her live performance in Rexburg. She would recall fun memories, talk about her love for them and even more, sing about them.

Mindy Gledhill is becoming popular in the greater Utah/Idaho region but I’m sure if indie music lovers from around the world listened, they would fall in love. Her personality and image is quirky and sweet, and her music is easy and fun. Similar artists are Skylar Stonestreet, Ingrid Michelson, Priscilla Ahn, Regina Spektor, and Ingrid Michelson.Find out more about Mindy Gledhill on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mindy-Gledhill/23178133045?v=wall#!/pages/Mindy-Gledhill/23178133045

My Lullaby

For over two years there was particular song I listened to almost every night. The song became almost a lullaby to rock me to sleep. Unfortunately my lullaby came from a burned CD given to me, so I never knew the name or artist. The song is beautiful. The voice is innocent and young sounding. The words are clear and simple-yet profound and so touching. I loved more than anything to just listen to the song while drifting into unconsciousness. After months and months of wondering where this song came from, I just came to the realization that I would never know the true origin.

 About a year ago I heard about an artist by the name of Sufjan Stevens. There was much talk about the beauty of his music so I decided to check him out. The sound was so familiar-suddenly, it hit me. The song I had loved for years was not going to remain unknown-It had a name, and an artist: Casimir Pulaski Day, by Sufjan Stevens.

Sufjan Stevens born 1975 is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music, beginning with 2000 release A Sun Came, on the Asthmatic Kitty label, http://asthmatickitty.com/  which he formed with his stepfather. Since then Stevens has been producing music and catching the attention of listeners. Many people might consider Stevens a folksy artist, as my first impression of him was, but since 2000- Stevens has released albums of varying styles, from the electronica of Enjoy Your Rabbit and the folk of Seven Swans to the symphonic instrumentation of Illinois and then Stevens even produced Christmas-themed Songs for Christmas.

Stevens is considered part of the folk revival in indie pop, but looking at his work, it is evident that his influences are very broad. He uses variety of instruments, often playing many of them himself on the same track, and writes music in various time signatures. His music is becoming more known to more than just the folk scene. With his recent album, The Age of ADZ, his unique style and independent lifestyle has proven Sufjan Stevens one of the great artists in the indie world. His unique ability to capture hearts I’m sure will only progress as he continues making music that can be a lullaby for people like me.

Les Sages: "The Wise"

This is no ordinary five person band. What makes this group so interesting? Well first off, they are a signed, touring band performing on a small Rexburg stage. But if you look closely you might see an odd resemblance between the members. That's right, they're all siblings.

Les Sages, (pronounced “Lay-Sahj”) french for "the wise", is the name of this ambient indie rock band. http://lessages.com/. Band members Chris, Joe, Peter, Andrew and Clara Larson come from Seattle. They stretch from ages 28 to 16. All of the boys have served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and have or are currently attending Brigham Young University. Each of the blond haired band members take turns playing, strumming and singing.  Their music consists of the piano, tambourine, bongo drums, two guitars, and of course lead and back up vocals.

As I sit listening on the retro couch in this small Sammy's arena, their music brings thoughts of travel whether alone or with friends, the type of music I would like to listen to on the road. There is a constant bongo drum beat along with the occasional tambourine. They play a variety of songs, slower songs that have clear lyrics that are easy to relate to, and then faster more exciting songs, to keep things interesting.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show and would suggest them to fans who enjoy music that is soothing yet packs a punch like Brand New or the slower jams from taking Back Sunday and Death Cab for Cutie.

This concert that Les Sages is performing in is being held to benefit the Pakistani flood victims. Along with Les Sages, Sammy's featured another artist, Sarah Grether. Many people showed up to enjoy the music and then donate and support to this cause.