Fashionista

"How to Dress Well" is the brainchild of Tom Krell. He makes haunting, lo-fi R&B inspired music that is hard to describe. He hails from Minneapolis, but moved to Cologne, Germany where he collaborated with the musician cokc dokc. He has released several EPs and in October 2010, Krell released his first full-length album, "Love Remains". His latest, "Love Remains" was released in 2012. His voice reminds me a little of James Blake. It's a high-pitched falsetto and much of his music is very rhythmic and danceable.

Aster, the Star

Aster Aweke was born in Ethiopia and began her musical career in her late teens. She has a beautiful yet powerful voice. And much of her musical is lively and danceable. To me, she sounds more Middle-Eastern than African. But that's just me. Aweke became disillusioned with the Ethiopian government and moved to the United States in 1981. She now lives in Washing D.C. but frequently tours the world. She has several cds.

Journey. No, not that Journey.

This year's Grammy for best original soundtrack went to, of all thing, a video game. It's called Journey and definitely sounds like a different kind of game. I heard an interview with the composer, Austin Wintory, who explained the game has no violence, no battles, no gunfights, no winners or losers--it's actually loosely based on the writings of the philosopher Joseph Campbell. It's a game of discovery. It sounds like a game I could see encouraging my kids to play. And while I haven't heard the entire soundtrack, what I have heard I was very impressed with. Give it a listen and judge for yourself.

Speck-tacular

Speck Mountain is a Brooklyn-based group that makes dreamy, space rock. The group is made up of Karl Briedrick on guitars, Marie-Claire Balabanian on vocals and bass, and multi-instrumentalist Kate Walsh. The group came together in 2005 and have released 3 albums. Their sound is quiet, slow paced and features lush, pretty vocals.

Terre Firma

New York-based Terre Thaemlitz started out as a DJ while he was studying rt at Cooper Union. He's worked with the likes of Bill Laswell and the Golden Palominos. His music is experimental ambient and incorporates house, funk, jazz, and a number of other genres. There's nothing quite like it so it's hard to compare it to anything. Thaemlitz has a large body of music out there and there are plenty of youtube videos to explore as well.

Monster Mash

Of Monsters and Men arrived on the scene after winning a battle of the bands contest in their native Iceland in 12010. Since then they've just torn up the world of music. Just like other bands fro their country like Sigur Ros and Mum, they have a distinctly Icelandic sound. However, Monsters have a more poppy/catchy feel than the dreamier Icelandic groups. They've been compared to Arcade Fire, which I can't really see.  The lead singer does remind me a little of Bjork. I recently looked up their tour schedule and noticed just about every one of their shows is sold out. Give them a listen and you'll see why.

Zwan Song

I don't know how I missed this band. Following the break up of the "Smashing Pumpkins", which I wasn't familiar with, the lead singer and guitarist formed Zwan. Interesting name and interesting band. The band put out a couple albums and went on tour. I've read that the the founder, Billy Corgan was in a bar in Cincinnati when a bullet flew the window and just missed him. He then decided this was not the life for him. The group lasted for just over a year. I've only posted live videos of the group because I think they must have have ben awesome to hear live. Enjoy! (I read somewhere that they were getting back together.)