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The Lumineers are “an amalgam of heart-swelling stomp-and-clap acoustic rock, classic pop, and front-porch folk” who got their start when front-man Wesley Schultz teamed up with drummer Jeremiah Fraites, the younger brother of his late best friend, Josh Fraites. The two began making songs and playing gigs around New York and later relocated to Denver, Colorado where they placed an ad on Craigslist for a cellist. Neyla Pekarek was the first to respond. The trio joined forces and began playing at the Meadowlark, a basement club where some of Denver’s most talented songwriters came together for an open mic and … Continued

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You know that sweet, innocent little girl who played Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas? As it turns out, she (Taylor Momsen) is now the lead singer of an alternative rock band: The Pretty Reckless. The Pretty Reckless released their debut album, Light Me Up, on August 30, 2010. They have since been on two world-wide tours, released a second EP, been featured on the soundtracks of  Kick-Ass and Frankenweenie, and were nominated for two Virgin Media Music Awards (Best Group, Best Newcomer) in 2010. I purchased Light Me Up in 2011 and immediately … Continued

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You may have not heard of the Minnesota based, indie pop band The Role Call yet, but it’s only a matter of time before they’re on your radar. As I waited in the cold outside The Rave in Milwaukee last weekend for a concert, I met the band and listened to a sample of their music. I instantly gravitated toward their fresh alternative pop sound. “Find Your Way” is my pick for track of the week, because it’s a song we all can relate to, and enjoy while doing it. The song is about a troubled relationship, and the confusion that that involves. Singer and songwriter … Continued

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The Mountain Goats are an American folk band that was created by John Darnielle in his small studio apartment with nothing more than his poetry, a dual-cassette recorder, and a guitar that he got for a couple dollars up the street. He went on to share his poems with his friend Rachel who just happened to play the bass. They went on to tour the US and Europe, along with the Midwest and San Francisco. Then in 2001, when asked if he’d like to make records, John called his friend Peter and the two went on to make Tallahassee, We Shall All Be Healed, … Continued

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Last March, Ellie Goulding’s long-awaited first full album Lights was released. Only a year and seven months later (Tuesday, actually), Halcyon hit the stores. Personally, I have only ever been a fan of a few of Ellie Goulding’s covers, and I never really got into Lights. However, Halcyon has a slightly different feel to it. The pop, almost techo vibe of Goulding’s previous work is still present, but there is a new hint of alternative that really has me hooked. It is most apparent, to me, in the more laid-back track “Dead in the Water.” The first two minutes of the … Continued

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