Calvin Harris generates music with a great mix of electronic, funk, and disco. For some reason I feel like I’m missing some major artists in this genre. Does anyone know any other bands that sound similar? This particular song is the kind that I can really get into something like studying. It helps me focus for some reason. ATB has a similar effect.

2. Port-Royal – HVA (Failed Revolutions)

The quiet progression of this music with the effects reminds me of DNTEL/pre Postal Service. It’s relaxing, yet with a bit of unknown thanks to the effects, which keep it interesting.

3. People Under the Stairs – Trippin’ At The Disco

This song is a fun one. I am still on my quest to find the best disco/funk/hiphop/rock band that just make you want to dance. I haven’t quite found IT yet. I’ll let you know though…

2. Matias Aguayo – Rollerskate

This ones reminds me of the Sanford and Son theme song. After hearing this one I had to go back and listen to the theme song and it made me smile!

3. Honey Claws – Lightning Killeye

This song sounds a lot like MGMT to me. I really enjoy it.

1. The Black Hollies – Gloomy Monday Morning

2. Bad Veins – Gold and Warm

3. Total Babe – Bearbones

“I know, I’m as dorky as it gets. I get so much brain, it don’t even make sense!”

2. Toro Y Moi – Blessa

Chaz Bundick has been creating music influenced by Daft Punk and Animal Collective in Columbia, SC since 2001. He’s due to release two albums in 2010 which I may very well be interested in. One is “a dreamy, indie electronic affair” and the other is “a jumpy, garage-influenced indie pop effort that nodded to Saturday Looks Good to Me and Guided by Voices” according to allmusic.com.

3. Solander – Looking for Gold

Solander is an indie folk band from Sweden who slowly and softly engage you in a melodic symphony of strings in “Looking for Gold.”

1. Jookabox – You Cried Me

I like the fast paced folkish strumming and howling.

2. Kings of Convenience – Mrs. Cold

This is a laid back song that I really needed today after a couple of mishaps.

3. Jesus Christ (The Indie Band) – Is This Really What You Want

First of all, I love the name of the band. Second, the dialog is classic. It makes me smile. Is that bad? And then it’s sad.

1. Munk – Back Down (Cut Copy Jackmaster Remix)

You may have already heard of Munk who were big in Europe and New York for providing the soundtrack for fashion shows, gallery openings, and underground dance parties in the 2000s. Since then, they have pumped out a lot of music. I’m looking forward to listening to a bit more of them. In fact, I think I’ll do that now.

2. Black Star – Definition

The name of this group is actually just the artists that contributed to the album Black Star Mos Def, Black Star, Talib Kweli. They tried to pull the hip hop community back together after the feuds between Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. I remember Talib was a small blip on my radar when Vanderbilt booked him for a show. All of the members have been more successful as solo artists.

3. Thao Nguyen – Know Better Learn Faster

How much Thao is too much Thao? I don’t know. I’ve gotten the album “We Brave Bee Stings and All” and it’s really good. I suggest you check it out as well.

1. Thao Nguyen – Bag of Hammers

This song is upbeat indie pop/rock with a “matter of fact” sound. Thao has been writing and playing music since she was 12 in her mother’s laundromat and it shows. I really should listen to the whole CD.

2. Nutrition On Tape – Fire Dog Wax Apple

I like this song because Nutrition on Tape manages to keep a common flow despite using many various electronic sounds.

3. VolcanoChoir – Island, IS

This band reminds me of Coldplay. Parachutes with a slightly more electronic feel. The fabric of the song is maintained by the constant electronic sounds. This relaxes me since I know that the song will most likely stay within these confines.

1. Unicorn Dream Attack – Jamie

This is an interesting 8 bit cover of Weezer’s Jamie. I still have an old tape of Ben, Blake, Wayne, Chris, and me singing and playing the song in Wayne’s old church. I heard it not too long ago and it took me back to my high school days.

2. The Slew – It’s All Over

The Slew is a combination of Kid Koala (Eric San), Dynomite D (Dylan Frombach), and some former Wolfmother members (Chris Ross and Myles Heskett). Kid Koala and Dynomite D were commissioned to create the soundtrack for a documentary that will no longer be made so they decided to take their creation on the road with the help of the Ex Wolfmother members. This is just a taste.

3. Canadian Wildlife – Winter’s Moon

This song is very slow and beautiful. Somehow the band name Canadian Wildlife is reflective of their musical style. Winter’s Moon sounds like a small song in a large open space (not unlike Canada). Oddly enough, I can’t find a website associated with this band. Let me know if you happen across it.

Any feedback on the songs… what you like/don’t like is appreciated.

Kid Cudi is an up and coming indie Hip Hop artist from Cleveland, OH who now works in Brooklyn. You may recognize that the backup vocals are Memphis’ MGMT. Ratatat is also featured. Kid Cudi’s debut full length album is due out Sept. 15 (my birthday).

2. Shoops – Move Bounce Flip

This Montreal duo’s debut “Love/Lust” is due out in the near future. According to them their music sounds like

Your girlfriend listening to Kanye West while she touches herself.

3. Anya Marina – Move You

Be patient with this song… give it a couple of listens and see what you think.

Musically, Marina and her producers Brian Karscig (guitarist for San Diego’s Louis XIV, who produced 10 tracks) and Britt Daniel (of beloved indie-rock band Spoon, who produced two) keep things rocking at a dynamic clip.

You can find her album Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II at Amazon.com.

During what can be seen as a very successful scholastic career of standing on various corners and hurting people, Despot sought a creative outlet and found it in the small rapping nooks of New York City. … With the work ethic of a hairbrush and the wit of a new sock, Despot and Blockhead have been working on a debut full length since Despot began to lose his hair. Blockhead will handle the majority of the production on this album with some dear friends stepping in to make whatever sounds we have not made yet.

This song was produced by RATATAT and is a breath of fresh air in the midst of the metamorphosis of hip hop.

2. The Herbaliser – Mr. Chombee Has The Flaw

Though this song is from around 1997, I really enjoyed their influences from hip-hop, groove, funk, and jazz.

3. The XX – VCR

The LP of their debut self titled album is out already. VCR’s soft opening is welcoming and leads me into their steady guitar riff, which persists with slight variation throughout the song.