Artist: Ida Maria

Hails From: Norway/Sweden

Musical Style: Indie Pop, Punk

For Fans of: PJ Harvey, Joan Jett, The Donnas

Why you should check her out:

America loves Sweden.  We love the funny shoes, the impossibly clear skys, but mostly we love the music.  And if a cute and sassy pop queen emerges we’ll love that even more.  Hence Ida Maria, the immediate sensation out of Stockholm by the way of neighboring Norway, who has collected an instant fanbase here in the states before ever setting foot to soil.

Background check:

Thinking of the popular acts out of the arctic circle typically bring out names like Bjork and ABBA, bands and performers characterized by dreamscapes and electronic hooks full of the bleeps and creeps that come with a full six months of darkness.  Imagine the blast of glacial surprise upon hearing Ida Maria’s first punk filled anthem, “I like you so much better when you’re naked.”  Echoing Joan Jetts ode to rock, even down to Jetts rowdy image and hither come stares all mixed into an out of the blue Andy Warhol inspired video, the single propelled Ida Maria to a national spotlight in Sweden and gained attention in the U.K. and beyond.

Yet, Ida Maria isn’t a one trick pony, her other songs remind one of Cat Power’s wandering narratives combined with tight, catchy guitar hooks reminiscent of Weezer. Her debut full length, Fortress Around My Heart, is already a frenzied affair in Europe, and even the decidedly finiky Pitchfork is giving props to Ida Maria’s wicked little gems.

Growing up in Nesma, Norway, a town smaller than most American suburbs, Ida Maria Siversten was just another girl who chose guitars over piano and began playing shows at 14.  After relocating to Sweden’s capital of musical dominance, Ida Maria quickly surrounded herself with a few like minded gentlemen and grew into a hometown hero.  Her playful and brash songs invited the frigid nation to warm their toes on the dance floor and word spread fast that this new “Queen of the World” had plans for broader shores.

Where you can find her in cyberspace:

Myspace

Ida Maria website

Wikipedia

On Tour:

Jambase
 

Artist:  The Virgins

Hails From: New York, NY

Musical Style:  Pop, New Wave, Punk

For Fans of:  The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Talking Heads

Why you should check them out:

Known as of one New York City’s fashionable new bands, The Virgins went from playing a few local shows to premiering alongside Sonic Youth and Patti Smith, becoming one of the most hyped bands of 2008.

Background Check:

Long live pop music, it comes quickly with force, pushing it’s way from mainstream media one catchy little beat at a time.  This time the music in question is from the New York quintet The Virgins, a band whos recent media exposure has resulted in a flurry of immediate success and widespread fanfare.

Formed in 2006, The Virgins self released their first EP in 2007, debuting five upbeat tracks that quickly put them on the map.  Touring with fellow indie favorites Tapes ‘n Tapes and Tokyo Police Club early on, The Virgins popularity reached new heights when their songs were featured on an episode of Gossip Girl, bringing them to an all new demographic of listeners.  While their dance infused pop song “Rich Girls” continued as a Gossip Girl staple, The Virgins returned to the studio to record their debut full length on Atlantic Records.  Released June 2008, The Virgins self-titled album features ten tracks chock full of catchy choruses, playful lyrics and pure 80’s nostalgia. 

Although frontman Donald Cumming has been writing infectious pop songs for years, The Virgins are a true case of being in the right place at the right time.  As new celebrities and models constantly turn up wearing The Virgins band shirts, it’s safe to say that these guys really have it made.

Where you can find them in cyberspace:

The Virgins Website

Myspace page

Wikipedia

where you can find them on tour:

Jambase 

Artist:  Grizzly Bear

Hails From:  Brooklyn, NY

Musical Style:  Indie Rock, Folk, Pop

For Fans of:  The Shins, Elliot Smith, The Beach Boys

Why you should check them out:

Aptly titled as Brooklyn’s “Gentle Giants”, Grizzly Bear have been gallivanting thoughout heavy media attention for a little over four years now, becoming quick staples in the burgeoning New York music scene and gaining national attention with tours alongside Radiohead, Feist and TV on the Radio.

Background Check:

Grizzly Bear are dreamy.  I say this not only because of their bookish looks and air of sophistication, but moreover for their dreamlike soundscapes they continually create.  Complete with multi-part harmonies and mellow acoustic arrangements, Grizzly Bear draw you in with a melange of experimental flourishes and slowly building climaxes.

Beginning as a casual outlet for songwriter Edward Droste, Grizzly Bear swiftly expanded to include multi-instrumentalist Christopher Bear for their 2004 debut Horn of Plenty.  Not long after their initial release, the duo enlisted the help of Daniel Rossen and Chris Taylor to complete the lineup for 2006’s Yellow House, their most notable and intimate album to date. Recorded entirely from the comfort of Droste’s mother’s living room, Yellow House makes Grizzly Bear’s first truly collaborative release, resulting in ten tracks overflowing with dense four part harmonies and devastating instrumentals.

In 2007, Grizzly Bear returned with their 10 track EP Friend, a collection of rewored songs and covers by such artists as CSS, Band of Horses and Atlas Sound.  With their last EP tiding over fans for over a year now, excitment for Grizzly Bears newest full length, slated for release April 2009, has only continued to grow.  If the few recently released tracks are any indication of what’s soon to come, it’s going to be well worth the wait.

Where you can find them in cyberspace:

Grizzly Bear website

Myspace

Wikipedia

Where you can find them on tour: 

Jambase