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Portugal. The Man

Portugal first caught my eye (or ear) with their video for their single "People Say". The slightly sixties feel of the bluesy intro to the song immediately had me entranced, and lines in the chorus such as "May have lost a million men, but we got a million more" and "We may make it through the war, if we make it through the night" had me and my eight year old brother singing along by the second refrain. Portugal is dynamic, catchy, and individual. They are more than a simple breath of fresh air to us indie fans that have begun to notice a pattern. They break barriers and even do a little protesting along the way (The sarcastic "I'm a president's son, I don't need no soul." obviously targetting the younger President George Bush). Lyrically, vocalist/guitarist John Gourley is an absolute genious. Portugal. The Man reaches an almost psychadelic level of reverb and dynamic while still retaining an indie base. In my opinion, one of the best outfits out there.

Songs to Hear:
"People Say" of 'The Satanic Satanist'
"AKA M80 The Wolf" of 'Waiter: "You Vultures!"'

The Hush Sound

The Hush Sound is much like Lydia in the way they harmonize between male and female vocals. Both play a lead role at times, and it works for these guys. Their album "So Sudden." has been a staple on my iTunes for the last month or so, and I still am amazed every time through. They combine indie and folk tracks into a single album to create something that keeps you on your feet. The album keeps you entertained by switching from calm ("Weeping Willow") to upbeat ("Hourglass") at the drop of a hat. Some songs leave you wanting to cry, while some make you want to dance. The Hush Sound comes across as dynamic and entirely original on their debut album.

City and Colour

Dallas Green is City and Colour. This Canadian folk-singer hails from St. Catharines, Ontario but plays a rather American brand of music. His songs are chalked full of the sounds of Americana, American Folk, even country. Dallas combines these styles to create his own brand of folk that has skyrocketed him into the charts, even sending his first full length album Sometimes well past the threshold of a gold standing. Mr. Green has a quite tortured arsenal hidden within his pen, writing songs about funerals ("Body in a Box"), God ("I Don't Need to Know", "Faithless", and "Confessions"), and many other subjects one thinks about when spending a late night alone and awake. When this lyrical matter is coupled with folk-country lead guitar and the soulful voice of a man that feels every word, something truly amazing is created. On his most recent album Bring Me Your Love, Dallas employs friends to play mandolin, lap steel, organ, keys and even floor stomping to create a final product that is sure to make you feel something.

www.purevolume.com/cityandcolour
www.myspace.com/cityandcolour

Make Sure to hear:
"Casey's Song" (Sometimes)
"What Makes a Man?" (Bring Me Your Love)

Phillip Gregory

I grew up in a house next door to Phillip Gregory in Kent, Wa. He kept me up all hours of the night practicing with his band Bionic Systems Go until I was about eight. I slept so well those two years following his departure from the band. But this in no way meant that he was not making music any longer. No, Phill was working on a solo record. Two Ears to Hear You came out after my family moved to Camas, Wa in 2006, but I was involved the whole way through. My stepfather Jason produced it, and though it took a few years to finish, Ears was an album worth waiting for. The album is a diverse work of art that has both hints of Lennon/McCartney ("A First For Man"), and Phill's own style that has been developed over the years. Lyrically, Moos shines as a poet and a songwriter reminiscent to those of the seveties, yet entirely rooted in the future. Phillip draws from his past, present, and future; telling stories that give everyone just a little insight into the mind of this quiet guy that lived in his mother's basement next door until I was ten years old. Phillip is now in a band called Carousel. They play shows fairly frequently, even playing with Phillip's idol, and his son's namesake, rusty willabee about a year ago.

Make Sure to Hear:
"Noose and Heart" (Two Ears to Hear You)
"A First For Man" (Two Ears to Hear You)

Lydia

Harmony is Lydia's thing. They hail from Gilbert, Arizona and boast both male and female vocalists. This six-piece indie band knows who they are musically, and with each track they build upon their style. Vocalists Leighton Antelman and Mindy White's voices mesh perfectly on the band's record "Illuminate". The band has truly reached new heights on this release, utilizing keys, guitar, and voices in what may be the best dual-vocalled indie band to date. Leighton occasionally resembles a British-sounding Craig Owens (Chiodos/Isles & Glaciers) and Mindy a more high-ranged Hayley Williams (Paramore). The feel of this group's music is somewhat indescribable. It's calming yet thought provoking, inspiring yet down. Personally, I believe that Lydia is a band to not analyze, but simply enjoy.

Check them out:
www.myspace.com/lydia
www.purevolume.com/lydia

Places to Hear Me

So I figured I'd give you a few places to hear my music. I play a folkier brand of solo acoustic music and have released several albums and EPs over the last few years. My music is really just what's on my mind at the moment.



Please have a go at it and let me know what you think. I appreciate all feedback.



myspace.com/jackdevoremusic

purevolume.com/jackdevore