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

Artist: Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson

Hails from: Brooklyn, NY

Musical style: Folk, Rock, Grunge

For fans of: The Band, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Bright Eyes

Why you should check him out:

Influenced by classic guitar riffs and folk rock sentimentality, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson transforms life’s lowest moments into artful songs of tragedy and vulnderability. Gracing the cover of Fader magazine only moments after the release of his debut album, Robinson has quicky proven to be one of Brooklyns best kept secrets,  until now that is.

Background check:

It has recently come to my attention that folk rock is becoming an increasingly popular genre to replicate. Across the country young 20 somethings are picking up their acoustic guitars and growling out drunken rants about love and politics, and the way things use to be (you know, back in the 80’s). Sure, it isn’t the most innovative sound to draw from, but with the discouraging state of modern music inventions (rock rap, screamo) you can’t really blame them for retreating back before their time for inspiration.

Bob Dylan started out playing Woodie Guthrie covers, and now 40+ years later Brooklyn’s Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson is perpetuating the folk sound with a few Dylan covers of his own. There may be a large lapse in time, but listening to Robinsons debut self-titled release, it’s impossible not to draw such similiarities.  Ranging from lo-fi acoustic ballads to distorted rhythms with the occasional psychidelic guitar solo, Robinson manages to maintain a relevant edge on his otherwise classic sound. Although the lyrics aren’t always distinguishable, each song is clearly defined by Robinson’s highly emotive and wavering vocal style.

After stumbling through several bands in a self professed drug induced haze, Robinson teamed up with Chris Taylor and Chris Bear of Grizzly Bear and Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio to record his 2008 debut. These endorsements, coupled with Robinson’s unquestionable talent have resulted in his quick ascent as one of the most promising new bands of 2008. With his first national tour this summer, and a second album due out in 2009, it looks like Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson is finally getting the attention he deserves.

Where you can find them in cyberspace:

Myspace Page

Say Hey Records

The Windish Agency

On Tour:

Jambase

Artist: Fleet Foxes

Hails From: Seattle, WA

Musical Style: Folk Rock, Indie Rock

For Fans of: The Moody Blues, Crosby Stills and Nash, Animal Collective

Why you should check them out:

Self described as baroque pop, Fleet Foxes are five friends brought together by their mutual love of multi-part harmonies and talent for creating atmospheric folk rock.  With recent tours alongside Wilco and Blitzen Trapper, and two releases in 2008 alone, Fleet Foxes top the list as one of the best live performances you’ll have the chance to see this year.

Background check:

I first heard Fleet Foxes this past March while rushing around San Francisco trying to make two different concerts in one night. We had just seen a few bands across town as we jumped into the car and sped over to Bottom of the Hill, one of the most intimate venues the city has to offer.  As we finally made our way through the doors, we were met with an unfamiliar scene in the packed club, everyone was attentively watching the five woodsy looking guys playing on stage, not a single person was talking over the music. And the Fleet Foxes were, capturing the audience with their echoing multi-part harmonies, somber guitars, and building rhythms they have recently gained so much attention for.

The early formation of their music began when best friends, Robin Pecknold (vocals/guitar) and Skyler Skjelset (guitar) started writing songs together in high school.  A few years later, Fleet Foxes emerged with the help of fellow Seattle musicians Nicholas Peterson (drums), Bryn Lumsden (bass), and Casey Wescott (keyboards).  After the debut of their self released EP (2006), Fleet Foxes caught the attention of Sub pop records who consequently released both their self titled full-length and the EP Sun Giant in 2008 alone.  Despite an ever growing list of tour dates and increased media exposure, Fleet Foxes maintain a humble and authentic portrait of a band who continually seem more surprised by their recent success then everyone else.  Simply put, Fleet Foxes are five down to earth guys backed by irresistable melodies and incredible songwriting talent.

Where you can find them in cyberspace:

www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/fleet_foxes

Where you can find them on tour:

Jambase