January 16th, 2014 
Tarynn Law 
Hello! I’m Tarynn Law, and this is a weekly column I’ll be writing that spotlights some up and coming indie pop/alternative/hipster/hype/buzz bands/you-get-the-idea groups that you should be checking out before they become massive. I mean, we all want to be that person that says “I knew them way back when,” don’t we? I thought so.
Here we go!
Ásgeir is one talented guy. He’s an Icelandic singer/songwriter that has only released his debut album Dyrd í dauðathogn in his native land, but that album has managed to become the biggest and fastest selling debut album by an Icelandic artist, outselling his labelmate Bjork and a little band called Sigur Ros. Pretty impressive for a guy who’s only 21 years old, no? He’ll be releasing an English version of that album, In the Silence, on January 27th. He combines uplifting piano parts with his unique melancholy voice that much like the Icelandic scenery, will take your breath away with its beauty. He creates a serene sense of wonder in all three of the tracks he’s released so far that’s perfect for those chilly winter months. Oh and he does an amazing cover of “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus that you have to listen to. Just take my word for it. It’s on his SoundCloud.
Wild Cub are an odd bunch. Their debut album Youth clocks in at almost an hour, and every single song is different than the one before it which can either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you ask (I lean more towards the former, myself). Lead single “Thunder Clatter” has topped the SIRIUS XM Alt Nation Alt 18 charts for four consecutive weeks so it’s pretty clear that people are digging their off-kilter style of electro-pop. It’s the kind of 80’s reminiscent sound that will make you want to groove no matter what you’re doing – waiting at the bus stop, getting groceries, doing laundry, anything really! You shouldn’t dismiss Wild Cub as just a one-hit-indie-wonder, though, as the rest of the album has some gems in it as well. Both “Straight No Turns” and “Wild Light” see the band doing what they do best – creating synth-filled, sugary sweet songs that could be the soundtrack to your next night out. Although it’s been out in the UK for quite some time, Youth will finally be seeing a release in the states on January 21st through Mom + Pop, and you can grab your copy here. They’ll be heading out on tour with Hands as support for much of the spring, including quite a few festival dates, and you can find all of those shows listed at their Facebook.
Not only are sisterly Swedish duo Say Lou Lou gorgeous, they’re also incredibly talented. That combination alone makes them a dream-pop powerhouse that fans of another sisterly duo, Tegan and Sara, will adore. Tons of indie/pop blogs have put “Better in the Dark” at the top of their “Singles of 2013” list and with good reason; its incredibly infectious chorus will get stuck in your head for days on end and could easily find its way shooting towards the top of the mainstream pop charts. Much like Ásgeir they’re skilled at covering songs that aren’t particularly in their genre, as they’ve done an incredible cover of Australian band Tame Impala’s “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” that’s simply arresting. They’ve got a run of European tour dates in March which you can take a look at here, and you can also follow them on Twitter.
Sam Smith has some serious soul. He’s been winning over audiences and critics alike across the pond, first with his contribution to Disclosure’s hit song “Latch” and then with his solo tracks. He croons away over the top of some slick production work that showcases his outstanding and silky smooth voice. When “Nirvana” was originally sent out, it came attached with a note to listen to it “naked, with the windows down,” so that’s kind of what you’re getting into here – something to listen to at a later hour, maybe with a special someone perhaps? Smith has not only topped the BBC’s Sound of 2014 poll, he also was crowned the BRITs Critics Choice Award winner, so you could say he’s a pretty big deal over there. Oh, and have I mentioned he’s done all this without even releasing an EP? His debut album In the Lonely Hour is due out on May 26th, and it’s one of my most anticipated releases of the new year. He’s got a few sold out dates in the states coming up soon, but I’m sure we’ll see more of him later on in the year. You can keep tabs on him through his Facebook and Twitter, and listen to more of his much (including some great remixes) over at his SoundCloud, all accurately named samsmithworld. It’s Sam Smith’s world, and we’re all just living in it.
That’s all for this week! I’ll be back next Thursday, and until then you can follow me on Twitter and let me know who you’ve been listening to lately!
- White Girl Dance Corner featuring Waters, RAC, Mother, and Wild Ones - March 27, 2014
- White Girl Dance Corner featuring Broods, Eliza and the Bear, Clean Bandit, and Tei Shi - February 20, 2014
- Watch Bruno Major Perform Acoustic Rendition of “The First Thing You See” - February 11, 2014
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