Don’t Let the Name Change Fool You

Before changing their name to POP ETC, The Morning Benders released two indie rock records: Talking Through Tin Cans (2008) and Big Echo (2010). Both albums were critical darlings, Big Echo earned an 8.2 on Pitchfork, and it’s track “Excuses” was used on a Reese’s commercial.

The Morning Benders went on to release another album, POP ETC, in 2012 under their new name. They have served as supporting acts on tour to a myriad of impressive indie artists like Grizzly Bear, Death Cab for Cutie, MGMT, The Black Keys, and Yeasayer. Before becoming a multi-person group, The Morning Benders was a solo project of singer Chris Chu.

Sounds of Halloween 2014

Aren’t some songs just creepy? Whether derived from the lyrical content or the musical arrangement, some songs just exude an eerie air, and Halloween is the perfect time to compile some of those songs together. Great for driving to a Halloween party or blasting from party speakers, the following 13 tracks can work to make the sounds of your Halloween a little spookier.

7 Indie Acts Still on an Indie Label

The National performing live with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon

The luxuries of a major label have swayed a few of the most prominent indie acts into their territory. For instance, Florence + the Machine was snatched up by Island Records just after the release of her debut EP. Even indie rock’s most arguably  prevalent act, Arcade Fire, has ties to a major label. Major labels have countless benefits like a bigger payday and more resources for promotion. The seven following acts, all with successful indie careers, have yet to give into major label pressure.

A Soundtrack for the Season

Jamie Seerman, AKA Jaymay, released her debut indie folk album Autumn Fallin’ in 2007 under independent label Heavenly Recordings. A multi-instrumentalist, Jaymay is well-versed in the guitar, piano, and violin. She also uses the typewriter as a musical instrument.

Jaymay has collaborated with a number of other successful independent artists. She collaborated with Kevin Devine on his 2009 album Brother’s Blood, and has also worked with Dirty on Purpose. Her song, “Sea Green, See Blue” was featured in an episode of CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother, and was also featured in the 2010 comedy The Switch.

Indie Roots on a Major Label: A Study of St. Vincent

Annie Clark, more commonly known by her stage name, St. Vincent, released her fourth solo studio album, St. Vincent, earlier this year in February. There are a lot of notable elements that distinguish this era and record from her previous three: Marry Me (2007), Actor (2009), and Strange Mercy (2011). Most notably, Clark’s former short dark curls were traded in for an Einstein-esque, gray do. Her physical transformation makes sense when it’s coupled with the evolution of her music.

St. Vincent is arguably Clark’s most ambitious work to date. It follows her 2012 collaborative effort with Talking Heads’ David Byrne, Love This Giant; it’s clear that Byrne’s eccentricity rubbed off on Clark, but it would be unfair to her creativity to suggest he was the sole catalyst for her evolution. When one listens to her four efforts chronologically, it’s easy to hear that with each new record, Clark became more interested in creating traditional indie rock songs with elements of chaos sprinkled throughout them (think of the anarchic outro found in Surgeon).

Float on Into the Upper Air

Bowerbirds is an indie folk trio from Raleigh, North Carolina consisting of Philip Moore, Beth Tacular, and Mark Paulson. Equipped with an accordion and a violin, Bowerbirds’ three albums offer an honest, unmistakable sound that begs to be heard in small pubs around the world.

Underneath independent label Dead Oceans, Bowerbirds has released three albums: Hymns for a Dark Horse (2007), Upper Air (2009), and The Clearing (2012). The trio has toured with The Mountain Goats, and has been described as creating freak folk music.

Pour a Drink for Drunk like Bible Times

Before calling it quits in 2011, Arizona based independent rock band Dear and the Headlights released two albums: Small Steps, Heavy Hooves (2007) and Drunk Like Bible Times (2008). Both were released by independent label Equal Vision Records.

Though the band’s run was short, they managed to tour with heavyweights like Jimmy Eat World, Paramore, and Circa Survive. They performed at the 2009 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and spent the summer of 2009 touring North America on Van’s Warped Tour.

Get Lost with Mountain Man

Mountain Man is an independent folk group comprised of three young women: Molly Erin Sarle, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, and Amelia Randall Meath. Their debut album, Made the Harbor, was released in 2010 under Partisan Records.

Prior to releasing their album, the trio toured with Grammy-Award nominated artist Feist, providing backup vocals and harmonizing alongside the indie-pop heavyweight. They have also been seen on tour with The Decemberists and Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi.