Artist: Monsters of Folk

Hails from: Omaha, NE

Musical Style: Indie, Folk, Classic Rock

For Fans of: Bright Eyes, My Morning Jacket, Wilco

WHY YOU SHOULD CHECK THEM OUT:
Monsters of Folk are the latest supergroup consisting of consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward.  This talented group of songsmiths venture deep into their influences on their dynamic debut album. The rotating front men trade off like a team of professors giving lessons on the history of American music; although they make sure to include their own modern touches. If you’re looking for some familiar yet forward sounds, handled by a group of young legends, then get this record spinning.

BACKGROUND CHECK:
This all-star crew got their start in 2004 after they began playing together both on stage and behind the scenes. After five years of collaboration while simultaneously working with their own bands, the group went public with their debut self-titled album released in September 2009.  All three acts represented in Monsters of Folk have rolled out so many hits in the last decade that they can easily be considered as some of the brightest stars of contemporary rock and folk music. The amazing song-writing and stunning playing abilities of this quartet are understood when you listen to some of their well received records like, My Morning Jacket’s Z, Bright Eyes’ Lifted or M. Ward’s Post-War.

With Monsters of Folk, you want to check out “Say Please,” a tune that plays like an instant classic. It’s superb guitar solo and catchy, group-sung chorus will have you joining in the jam from wherever you’re listening. Other highlights on the album are “Ahead of the Curve,” a sentimental acoustic song led by the talented Oberst and “The Right Place” a ragtimey number led by Jim James

Where you can find them in cyberspace:

Monstersoffolk.com

MySpace

On Tour:

JamBase

Artist: Blind Pilot

Hails From: Portland, OR

Musical Style: Folk, Indie, Pop

For Fans of: The Shins, Iron and Wine, Fleet Foxes

Why you should check them out:

In the musical melting pot of Portland OR, Blind Pilot have effortlessly and easily blended a mixture of gracious pop and folksy rock to almost overpowering potency. The music is as carefree as it is lovingly crafted, with an essence of heart and a trace of humility. The acoustic styling of Blind Pilot hearken to a time of heartily clad troubadours traveling from town to town, regaling all fortunate enough to be within earshot of their magic.

Background Check:

The partnership of singer-guitarist Israel Nebeker and drummer Ryan Dobrowski, a pairing that traces back to their time in higher learning halls and campus concerts, is a carefully constructed and flawlessly pulled off formation of friendship. As the leading forces behind Portland’s next best folk exploratory committee, Blind Pilot, the two charm and chagrin through good times and bad in the best northwestern traditions. Formed in 2005, the duo first gained notoriety with their self styled bicycle tours. Pedaling from Canada to San Francisco, the two cruised Highway One and stopped at each off the map rest stop to play fro townsfolk and truckers alike. With hand made instrument cases trailing their two wheels, the duo trekked the coast not once, but twice, taking a few musically minded friends along the way.

In 2008, Blind Pilot released a debut record of expansive beauty and formidable strength, Three Rounds and a Sound. The album quickly garnered attention for it’s lush and layered mastery, at once sensuous and sublime. The songs filled until bursting with harmonious hooks and acoustic catharsis, fronted by Nebeker’s pitch perfect vocals and mysteriously poetic lyrics. The record was so huge, in fact, that Blind Pilot had to recruit a full four members to recreate the sound on stage. Now a six member venture, Blind Pilot travels by van, if only to ensure the rest of the country (and the world for that matter) can share in their uniquely touching and compelling folk rock.

Where you can find them in cyberspace:

MySpace

Blind Pilot Website

Wikipedia

On Tour:

JamBase

Artist: Cass McCombs

Hails From: Baltimore, MD

Musical Style: Indie Rock, Folk, Pop

For Fans of: Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens and Grizzly Bear

Why You Should Check Him Out:

Sometimes you can judge an artist by the company he keeps. Cass McCombs has toured with the likes of Modest Mouse, Blonde Redhead, and Palace Brothers, and over the last few years has himself emerged as one of the most original and entertaining new voices in rock.

Background Check:

Cass McCombs has spent most of his adult life moving from American city to American city, playing music and taking up residency on stages of all sorts. Since the release of his debut full-length, A, McCombs has continued to expand his and his band’s horizons.

Born in California, McCombs hit the road in his early twenties, eventually settling in Baltimore, where he began his recording career in earnest. It was there that he also forged his musical identity as a singer-songwriter with a tuneful ear and a dour sense of humor.

McCombs writes lilting, well-constructed ditties often filled with opaque but heartfelt lyrics. He is a thinking person’s artist, able to balance his words atop some fine music. Acoustic strums, tasteful drums and understated bass fill his most recent effort, the cleverly-titled Catacombs (Domino).

McCombs has moved again–this time to Los Angeles–but chances are you might turn around and find him in a city near you.

Where you can find him in Cyberspace:

MySpace

On Tour: 

JamBase