by Sarah T. Ip

 

Last year’s Rolling Stone top picks included vintage soulstress Amy Winehouse, Brit pop sensation Mika and emo rockers The Academy Is.  Chicago rockers Kill Hannah, singer Aqualung and reggae crooner Stephen Marley (son of the legendary Bob Marley) also graced music hotlists for 2007.

2008 heralds a new breed of beat makers and groove shakers.  What’s happenin’ in the world of indie, alternative and soul?  Read on for the lowdown of up-and-coming musicians ready to occupy your stereo space in 2008.

Vampire Weekend consists of four Columbia students who experimented with African beats, ‘80s tunes, reggae ton and nostalgic memories of Cape Cod and Manhattan to become an online hit before the release of their first album.  Their brazen offhandedness is reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys, their rakish Brit counterparts.  Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut album is strongly driven by organs and drums, and the band is clever enough to channel these elements into a feel-good, peppy mood.  With titles like “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” and “Mansard Roof,” Vampire Weekend embraces ethnic music and architectural jargon.  They are nerds with a big vocabulary, and it seems to be working in their favor. 

Janelle Monae’s music blends soul and alternative rock in a futuristic sci-fi cyberspace mash.  Originally from Kansas City, Monae relocated to the A-T-L to pursue a career in music after a disappointing turn at Broadway.  Her first single “Lettin’ Go” became a cult hit with fans.  “Violet Stars Happy Hunting” entertains with whacky lyrics (“I’m an alien from outer space/I’m a cyber girl without a face, a heart or a mind”).  Her debut album Metropolis (2007) is an account of her travels to the future and is divided into four separate parts, or “suites.”  She’s also been featured on the Outkast-produced Idlewild movie soundtrack and the music video for "Morris Brown," with Big Boi and Scar.  No wonder she’s been dubbed the female Andre 3000. 

Liam Finn is a multi-instrumentalist, one-man act from New Zealand who sings his own harmony on his debut, I'll Be Lightning (2007).  The 24-year-old’s style emulates folk rock singers Elliott Smith and Conor Oberst.  The son of Neil Finn of Crowded House, the younger Finn woos listeners with his intelligent lyrics and soothing voice.  He’s a fan of organic experimentalism, blending and distorting melodies from guitars, keyboards and electronics to display a new hybrid creation that is at once delicate and fierce.  "Second Chance" is worth a listen for its taut, even pacing, which winds a long yarn around your pulsating heart, climaxing into trippy frenetic drumming and looping pedals.  The lyrics go: “Honestly I don’t remember who you are/Memory has never been the best for a second chance.”  His new album, In Spaceland 4-30-07, was released in 2008.

Black Kids are an as-yet unsigned group of five from Jacksonville, Florida that meld indie rock and 1980s pop to create their Arcade Fire-esque sound.  Lead singer Reggie Youngblood explains that the Black Kids chose a subversive name for its memorable factor.  (Two of the five members are actually black.)  The Black Kids have played sold-out shows in response to Internet buzz.  Their sound gravitates more toward classic pop than your average indie rock band with catchy choruses, an infusion of R&B and harmonies from both the guys and gals in the group.  The song “I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” was inspired by a time that Youngblood thought he had it goin’ on with a girl on the dance floor, only to see her leave with her “flat-footed boyfriend.”

St. Vincent is Annie Clark, the 25-year-old veteran guitarist for The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjian Steven’s touring band.  She’s also a musical virtuoso in her own right: she sings and plays guitar, bass, piano, synthesizer and does programming.  Her full-length debut album Marry me (2007) is a symphony of pop, blues, jazz, folk and new American music.  Its classical yet modern texture conjures images of flappers.  Listen to the synth-laden “Paris is Burning” for a throwback to 1920s Parisian cafes.  St. Vincent has been likened to Jeff Buckley, Bjork and Kate Bush.  Her beautiful lilting voice complements her wide-ranging guitar skills. 

Girl in a Coma is an alternative rock band from San Antonio, Texas, comprised of Nina Diaz (voice/guitar), Jenn Alva (bass) and Phanie Diaz (drums).  Together, they deliver a sound and technique unlike any other.  The band's name, Girl in a Coma, originates from the Smiths song "Girlfriend in a Coma.”  Their album, Both Before I’m Gone (2007), spans from up-tempo tracks like “Clumsy Sky” and “Say” to “Road to Home,” a slow ballad that pays homage to years of touring on the road.  Girl in a Coma cites as influences Billie Holiday, Bjork, Radiohead, Sleater Kinney and a smattering of rock, grunge and country, in true Texas fashion.  Singer Diaz’ voice resembles Jim Morrissey and Kurt Cobain with its escalating vocals.  The band has also played on the Vans Warped Tour.  They were signed on the spot to Joan Jett’s label, Blackheart Records.

Indie rock singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen plucks tunes that are imaginative and offbeat.  The 23-year-old released her first full-length album, We Brave Bee Stings and All (2008).  In the track “Beat (Health, Life, and Fire),” she sings deliciously: "Oh, no, how can you stand it? When I run, when I run like a bandit?/I wear him like a habit/In the linen of my jacket.”  Nguyen’s jarring, oddball tone offer an honest side of her that is sure to be a breakthrough among Cat Power and Beth Orton fans.  Although the brooding nature of her music revolves around life epiphanies and feelings of guilt, her voice is whispery and joyful.  You can check out her tunes at thaomusic.com.   

Dead Confederate’s music starts off as a slow, trippy guise that explodes into gushes of slow-mo dynamite.  Some of its members were culled through high school friendship.  The Athens, Georgia-based fivesome handle progression as if it was meant to cascade off of their fingers into soaring harmonics or a drizzle of clunking calamity.  “Goner” is an excellent example of their moody crescendos.  As for influences, the band is similar to the stylistics of R.E.M.  Can you handle the intensity?  If this interests you, check out their EP, Dead Confederate (2008).