Junip - "Line of Fire"

Despite the feel-goody sound of Junip's "Line of Fire" (the sneak preview from the forthcoming spring 2013 album), Jose Gonzalez' vocals command impressive, melancholy control of the band's sound. In a recent interview with Pitchfork, Jose discussed the dynamic: "I let the music set the tone of the lyrics and, this time, I allowed myself to write more about relationships and emotions, in a girly way almost. [laughs] But it's not always personal; it's about making the music emotional or big."

 Their music video doesn't disappoint in this regard and we hope to see more of the same on their recently announced North American tour.

What would you do,

if it all came back to you?

Each crest and each wave,

bright as lightning.

Alberta Cross - "Magnolia"

It's been three years since Alberta Cross' debut album Broken Side of Time.  What followed was writing, recording, and touring around the globe, playing festivals alongside big names like Neil Young and Mumford.  A few days ago they released the below track, an encouraging preview from what will be a mid-July Songs of Patience full length release.

NYTimes described the band most aptly, "...a British take on Southern rock…the seismic guitars and high vocals look to My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon and Crazy Horse…but Alberta Cross sets aside those American bands’ redemptive undercurrents of blues and gospel; instead it plunges into the very English despair of bands like Pink Floyd." 

Alberta Cross - "Magnolia"

Alberta is still a fairly unknown band, we have a hunch that'll be changing in a few months.

Angus Stone - "Broken Brights"

After years of touring together, the singer/ songwriter brother-sister duo Angus & Julia Stone recently separated and are each launching their own own solo projects.  "Broken Brights" is a strong start for Angus Stone's first single.

Angus Stone - "Broken Brights"

From Angus-

"These writings from the record are of great shift for me in the story telling of these past four years of traveling. Playing this record live is going to be quite a euphoric walk for me. I'm ready at the end of the year to get a rucksack together with a few well needed treasures and a bunch of new and old friends and get to taking off down the road throwing our hats to the wind."

The Cave Singers - No Witch

Similar to many of their Pacific Northwest peers, The Cave Singers perpetuate the beauty of the indie folk rock scene.  The band's third LP, released last month, is no exception as No Witch is being considered their best yet.

The Cave Singers - "Clever Creatures"

Look at that sky man, he on the ceiling, yeah, sky's above

The Cave Singers - "Swim Club"

Catch them at SXSW next week and anywhere else along their upcoming tour.

Scattered Trees

The more unknown a talented band is the better the odds are they get our attention.  Chicago's Scattered Trees fits that mold with no full-length albums out and a following that's just beginning to catch fire. 

In early April their first album, Sympathy, will be unveiled via Roll Call Records/EMI, while shows scheduled at SXSW in two a half weeks will likely further fan the flames about ths talented folk rock meets indie pop act.  "Four Days Straight," "Instant Karma," and "Love and Leave" are all from late last year and will likely each find their way onto the band's upcoming tracklist.

Scattered Trees - "Four Days Straight"

Drawing comparisons to a modern-day ELO, I also hear an up-tempo Wilco meets Radiohead.  Find out more about the crew at their homepage.

Scattered Trees - "Love and Leave"

Scattered Trees - "Instant Karma" (John Lennon cover)

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The Decemberists - "Down by the Water"

We have a title and we have a release date.  The King is Dead - January 2010.

Now get the first released single, for free from their website.