ABCs of audiocandy+

musical accompaniment:

It is almost September, and you know what that means; the best season is around the corner: fall!

Cooler temperatures force us to swap our bathing suits and sandals for hoodies and boots. Earlier evenings make for quiet cuddle sessions accompanied by foliage-scented breezes through open windows, while listening to audiocandy+radio podcasts of course.

And with all these transitions in weather and schedules, it only makes sense that some summer jams should be replaced by new school tracks. So audiocandy+ has decided to dedicate some time to supplying you the ABCs of 2009, a study guide of sorts.

A is for the Avett Brothers
What better way to start off Fall but with the Avett Brothers’ sixth studio album “I and Love and You.” They already released their 3-track EP, featuring songs that will be on the newest cd, and it is nothing short of another serving of Avett excellence—heartfelt lyrical power paired with exceptional string talent. This will be the perfect album to listen to while recounting your best summer memories.

B is for the Babies
Woods and Vivian Girls are two indie powerhouses; so it only makes sense that their sounds combined would be something lovely. They only have a couple of tracks up on their myspace, so it’s too hard to say whether this collaboration will be just a short-lived treat or if Cassie Ramone, Kevin Morby and Justin Sullivan will continue to make music together. It’s something to keep an eye out for, or enjoy for the time being at the very least.

http://www.myspace.com/woodsfamilyband + http://www.myspace.com/viviangirlsnyc + http://www.myspace.com/bossyposse = http://www.myspace.com/thebabiesnyc

C is for Cubic Zirconia
I’m pretty much convinced that a smokin’ hot female vocal, catchy dance music and a great live performance equates to a successful band; that’s why Cubic Zirconia made the list. I saw them in Baltimore, opening for Head Automatica, this past month and I think they if they keep it up, they are going to be pretty big players in the indie community by the end of this year. A little more action on their myspace (more songs), and more promotion, and you’ll be able to brag to all your hipster friends how cool you are that you knew them back when they just started, because they’ll become that big of a deal.
http://www.myspace.com/cubiczirconiamusic

D is for Darwin Deez
Indie popster, cosmic wonderchild, a man out-of-this-world in both music and mind: this man creates the dopest indie pop I have heard in a long time. His secret is that he loves to bust a move like the best of us, so he makes music to just do that. Deez still tours with his original group Creaky Boards and also holds the handsome title as “the most likeable hipster in the world” by NME. I concur.

He just rules so hard at everything he does. His blogs are so funny and engaging. He makes some fly videos (i.e.

cornelius – fly ( music video by darwin deez ) from darwin deez on Vimeo.

He’s just so creative.

http://www.myspace.com/darwindeez

E is for Ellie Goulding
I thought I had my fill of cutesy indie pop girls that make great dancy tracks (i.e. little boots, lykke li) but then I heard “Starry Eyed” by Ellie Goulding; I couldn’t get enough. Her voice is perfect, sounding catchy enough to be memorable without not giving off a straight-up bubble gum feel. She’s yet to sign with any labels, but she has expressed an interest in releasing a full-length album and getting more exposure.
http://www.myspace.com/elliegoulding

F is for Free Energy
Being a fan of T-Rex and other classic rock, my ear perked up right at the start of “Dark Trance”’s opening guitar part. And as I continued to listen, the song only got better, bringing in some great pop rock reminiscent of early Ok Go. They’re totally feel-good jams and something you could share with your younger sister who just likes what she hears on the radio.

G is for Girls
I was blown away, and smitten, with Girls when I heard the title track “Hellhole Ratrace” off of their first and only album, which dropped this year. It was if these Californian kids just wanted to channel their inner Elvis Costello, add some lo-fi and ambient influences, and craft the perfect batch of songs that celebrate youth, love and life.

H is for (Charles) Hamilton
Wale is to DC as Charles Hamilton is to NYC; it’s as simple as that. Both MCs are crucially talented, young and getting mad attention in the music scene. And they are only going to get bigger. Hamilton might be a little expensive to work with ($300 a song, though I don’t know the standard price for mastering a song) but big ups to him from refusing any work that “degrades women, (b) promotes violence/drug sales (c) promotes ignorant/negative existentialism (eg. Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, etc.).” He doesn’t want his “sound or resources to be tied to music that does not progress this generation, .. [no matter how] much you’re willing to offer,” according to his blog; now that’s what I’m talking about.

I is for Islands
Nick has done it again. Both tracks that have been released from the new Islands’ album “Vapours” are dope. Catchy, dancable, memorable. The title track has the same strong bass and pop-y breakdown as “Rough Gem,” and the like. So save a $1 of your lunch money every week to save up for the album once it’s released Sept. 22. It will be worth all those chip-less sandwich lunches.

J is for Janelle Monae
Yes, she does have a concept album about an alien falling in love with a human, but don’t write her off as a crazy, weird, I-can’t-identify-with-her artist just yet. If you do, you’ll be missing out on one of the most creative, amazing, talented women of our time. Atlanta-native and Outkast-bff Monae might not be on the same page as you, but she’ll connect with you via her retro-but-modern-sounding jams and her out-of-this-world performances. When I saw her perform live, I swear she changed my life. See her sometime this fall, or anytime in the future, and I’ll be sure to e-mail you my mailing address so you can send me a thank you letter. I swear you’ll want to.

K is for Kinetics & One Love
The only hope for cheesy lyrics to ever survive is with Kinetics & One Love. This duo makes the sickest beats, making listeners still enjoy songs despite some suspect lyrical content. But they do have some really witty lines occasionally; I’ll give them that. Play this at your first party back to school—guests can either dance or laugh over the lyrics; win-win! They are talking deals with Atlantic Records right now, so we’ll keep you updated on any future news on their careers.

http://www.myspace.com/kineticsmusic

L is for the Lights Out
This four-piece from Boston knows how to rock a crowd; newbies take note. A summer (probably longer) of touring up and down the Northeast has seasoned these rockstars and help them perfect their sound to a science. I got to see them in Syracuse in April for a super short set, and let me just say it was the most jam-packed set I have heard in a long time. You would think they’re not human! They’re a must-see, and a great show for any age or music taste.

http://www.myspace.com/thelightsout

M is for Micachu
Brits are ranking pretty well on this back-to-school guide, and I’d be remiss to not include Micachu. This experimental indie group received a lot of hype for their track “Lips,” but I’ve yet to hear a song that has disappointed me. They’d definitely be a great addition to any fall mixtape you make for your friends back home, or pen pal.

N is for No Age
If you thought the drum-guitar equation was only fit for the alt-blues duo the Black Keys, No Age is here to disprove you. Even better, they are here to one up you. Not only does No Age’s Randy Randall and Dean Allen Spunt make some fantastic noise pop for Sub Pop by the powers garnered between themselves, but Spunt sings as he drums. You’ve got to love the drummer/singer action. After this summer’s round robin tour with Deerhunter and Dan Deacon, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

O is for O’ Morning Records
Sarah Aument is the only artist signed to the start-up record label based out of Syracuse, NY., but she certainly won’t be the last. O’ Morning helped released her EP, “Waking Up Singing,” this summer as well as set up a summer tour, with Aument and three other acts, through out the Northeast. The record label should be doing big things this fall so definitely keep up with them via twitter, @omorningrecords.

P is for Phoenix
Phoenix had a hell of a summer, putting on tons of fantastic shows on the festival circuit as well as releasing their latest album “Wolfgang Amadeus.” I have loved Phoenix since their first album and they did not fail to disappoint me with their newest. Their songs are so brilliant that I’d be doing myself a disservice to retire them with summer.

Q is for questioning authority/standards/mainstream. This spot is dedicate to anything that goes against the grain: pop, music, fashion, ideas, everything!

R is for Robot Koch
This Berliner is no donut. He’s great, and when he pairs up with Cerebral Vortex, it’s game over. You knew I had to put some German flare on this list,so here’s your serving. Look out for great things to come out of Jakarta Records this season too.

S is for Slow Club
When I think the Moldy Peaches, “Juno” comes to mind (because they’re basically the entire soundtrack), but I also think of a missed opportunity. I feel like the sound and combination that makes up the Moldy Peaches would make for such a sweet and successful indie group, but their off-the-wall, gross lyrics throws a wrench in the machine. That’s where Slow Club comes in, and saves my day. This superb cute British couple sings some pretty perfect twee pop, sweet enough to satisfy any craving for something to sing-a-long/skip/twirl/jump to.

T is for Toro y Moi
If you are looking for some new noisepop, Toro y Moi is your perfect ticket. Grab “Left Alone At Night” and load it on your iPod for those long car drives to the pumpkin patch or on the porch chatting with a few pumpkin ales.

U is for You! Audiocandy and audiocandy+radio would be nothing without you the listener, so thank you so much for your support and love!

V is for VEGA
This young indie disco inferno has blown up since the beginning of 2009, so it only makes sense that he’ll be continuing his rise to the top this fall. I’m predicting more remixes of his songs and more material released by the man himself.

W is for White Denim
My favorite Texans release their newest album “Fits” Oct. 22! Their sound is addictive and is sure to be stuck in your head for the rest of your day/week, so proceed with caution.

http://www.myspace.com/whitedenimmusic

X is for YOU TO WIN AN AUDIOCANDY+RADIO T-SHIRT. Do you have the perfect addition for the X spot? If so, e-mail paigedearing@gmail.com or comment on this blog with your suggestion, your name and your e-mail! Winners will be chosen, first come, first served.

Y is for Yelle
This little French electro-star never fails to make the best dance music, and apparently hire really good dancers for particpate in her videos:

Amber of Amberjams! is a huge fan, and she has great taste in music, obviously.

Z is for YOU TO WIN AN AUDIOCANDY+RADIO T-SHIRT. Do you have the perfect addition for the Z spot? If so, e-mail paigedearing@gmail.com or comment on this blog with your suggestion, your name and your e-mail! Winners will be chosen, first come, first served.

Comment to share who YOU think should be in a spot! Don’t forget about the free shirt up for grabs in the X and Z spots!