The Best Bands You’ve Never Heard Of

Well, apparently Dustin is setting the blog-off topics on weekends. Today’s topic is great music that most people haven’t heard. Dustin thought that this would be a no-brainer for me, what with being a musician and whatnot. Embarrassingly enough, however, I don’t have a whole lot of secretly awesome bands to share. I’ve had such a hectic year, I haven’t made the effort to get out there and find new music. 

Ok, fine, I admit it, I’m getting old and lame.

I’m grateful to Dustin for challenging me like this, because I needed a kick in the pants to find some new stuff to listen to.

Here are some of my favorite bands that I don’t think that the kids these days are on to yet:

Stars: I first found this band while working at our college radio station. I like them because their songs are catchy without being trite. They have a real indie rock sound with some electronica thrown in for shits and giggles. Their songs have a really dreamy feel. “Elevator Love Letter” just might be one of my favorite songs of all time. I’m not sure if they qualify as never being heard, seeing as how they opened for Death Cab for Cutie a couple of years ago. But I think that they’re awesome. 

She and Him: My sister played a few of their songs for me when I was in Vermont and I was instantly hooked. I must admit to having a major girl crush on Zooey Deschanel. Who wouldn’t? The girl is adorable. And she can sing. Their album is sweet without being diabetes inducingly saccharine. Zooey’s voice has a real old-timey feel to it. In short, I love them.

Brandi Carlile: I guess that everyone has heard of her (or at least heard her), seeing as how her songs were in a car commercial this year. But, nobody’s buying cars anymore. So, clearly people weren’t paying too much attention. Regardless, the girl has some pipes on her. Her voice can be clear and sweet, but will also lower into a graspy growl when she digs in. I’ve got all of her songs on my iPhone and I listen to her way more often than I probably should.

The Cautions: If Elvis Costello had a love affair with the Cars, it would a) be totally disgusting and b) probably produce a love child that sounded an awful lot like the Cautions. The band broke up a ways back, but lead singer Eric Barao is still producing kick ass music. Coincidentally, he’s teamed up with Boston rocker Pete Sutton to take on a bunch of Elvis Costello songs. Definitely worth checking out

That’s pretty much all my germ-addled brain can handle right now. Happy listening!