No other artist embodies the Pacific Northwest quite like Mirah. From her organic instrumentation, to her endless array of collaborative experiments, and a humble yet evocative stage presence, the singer /songwriter has gone from a girl and guitar to a far reaching and visionary artist.

Background Check:

Born in Pennsylvania’s farm country, Mirah (pronounced Mear-rah) Yom Tov Zeitlyn moved as a child with her family to Olympia, WA, and began playing guitar after graduating from Evergreen State College. Early four track recordings and local gigs led to a signing with Calvin Johnson’s K Records, where she remains to this day. With the Microphone’s Phil Elverum assisting on instrumentation, Mirah’s debut LP, You Think It’s Like This But Really It’s Like This, was instantly recognized not only for her amazingly gentle and wistful vocals, but also for a particularly melodic lo-fi grace and charm.

Mirah’s next record, 2002’s Advisory Committee, put her on the map. Hailed by critics, it found the songstress in a more orchestral state of mind. If her debut LP was a clever collection of folk pop, this record was a full fledged production powered by a commanding composer.  2004’s C’mon Miracle again propelled Mirah’s craft into new and exciting areas, ever fueling her freewheeling enthusiasm for experimentation.

In the following years, Mirah would branch out to involve herself in a myriad of projects, concept albums and collaborations. Her most recent release, last year’s (A)spera, features the artist’s best work to date. Matured but still ambitious, the record retains a gentle quality within dramatic moments and powerful moods. And while Mirah’s vocals have remained light and delicately intimate, her voice has never been stronger.

Channeling the sounds and spirit of indie rock’s greatest touchstones, Surfer Blood have accomplished much in their short existence. 2010’s Astro Coast [Kanine Records] is the sound of an exuberant band just rounding into form, and provides some of the catchiest jams in years.

Surfer Blood was officially formed in 2009 by guitarist and vocalist John Paul Pitts and drummer Tyler Schwarz, two dudes who had been friends since high school. Rounded out by guitarist Thomas Fekete, bassist Brian Black, and percussionist Marcos Marchesani, the quintet has been touring nearly non-stop since its inception, and that familiarity is on display on the band’s recently released debut full-length.

The group combines tasty indie rock and clever lyrics in the style of Weezer and Pavement with plenty of reverb and cool melodies. Surfer Blood’s strength, though, lies in its consistently interesting guitar work, packing songs with enough hooks, riffs, and chunky chords to assuage even the most disillusioned of rock fans.

Put a tune like “Floating Vibes” or “Swim” onto a mix CD or playlist and you’re guaranteed to get a response from friends when the song hits the speakers. With Astro Coast, Surfer Blood have given us the first great backyard barbecue album of the year.