Indie Music Scene

February 04,2015

Anyone out there ever listen to Indie music stations? I'm so sick of turning on the usual, normal local radio stations. It's all the same (even the classic rock stations). Bla, Bla, Bla (I can relate to Iggy Pop's words). Lately I've been exploring some Indie streaming stations on the internet (e.g. Jango) that play a ton of music I don't recognize. So refreshing. Man there are a lot of good artists out there that never get played on mainstream radio.

Bill Maher said in one his recent shows on HBO that, when he turns on the radio in his car these days, he just wants to drive his car into a cement wall. I can so relate. There's so much over-produced, factory assembly line crap being pumped out. The art has been severely watered down. The following YouTube clip with Bill Maher and Aloe Blacc (Real Time With Bill Maher - HBO) is what I'm referring to above. Excellent interview:

I've been hearing a lot about Portland, Oregon's music scene lately. I think I'm going to try and visit Portland more often. It looks very interesting. Portland is another beautiful west coast city. I normally just drive through Portland on my way to California. But I think it's time I get to know this place.

I also follow news about emerging artists on The Maroon Cafe. I follow this on facebook.

Here are some of my favorite Indie artists that I've picked up on over the last couple of years:

• Bon Iver - Beach Baby


• Dum Dum Girls - Coming Down


• Band of Horses - The Funeral


• Tame Impalla - Half Full Glass Of Wine


• Best Coast - Fear Of My Identity


• Crocodiles - Sleep Forever


• Jon Swift - Living in the Unknown


• The XX - Sunset


• Beck - The Golden Age


• The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Anemone


• Dean and Britta - Hear the wind blow


• The Black Angels - Telephone


• Jets Overhead - I Should Be Born


• The Raveonettes - I Wanna Be Adored


• The Raconteurs - Steady,as she goes


• Zola Jesus - Night


• Luscious Jackson - Naked Eye


• Ray LaMontagne - Trouble


• M. Ward - For Beginners


• Iron and Wine - The Sea And The Rhythm


• Billy Bragg and Wilco - All you Fascists


• Spoon - Out go the lights


• Jack Johnson - Wasting Time


• Alpine - Villages


• The New Amsterdams- Drinking In The Afternoon


• Joshua James- Commodore


• The Cave Singers - Cold Eye


• Nada Surf - Jules and Jim


• City and Colour - Against the Grain


• .. and many, many, many more.

I guess that's why I keep searching off the beaten path for something new. Please find ways to support "independent" music when ever you can.