We scour the Northeastern U.S. to find the 10 bands you need to know right now.
Saying that we have a lot of new albums strewn about the Gen Art office is kind of an understatement. Most days if you go near our Associate Director of Music Programming’s desk, you’ll find tiny Carrie Schupper busy at work behind enormous stacks of CDs, press releases and random industry-related swag. While this constant flood of material is a great way to discover emerging talent, it also makes it hard to give everyone who deserves a shout out a fair chance.
Thus, our new five-part playlist, 50 Bands from 50 States. Enjoy ten tracks from this first spotlighted area of the U.S.—the Northeast—and drop me a line if you know of great bands we should feature in the upcoming months!
1. Maine: Fire on Fire, “Hangman”
This Portland-based acoustic quintet plays backwoods music that will make you crave a back porch and a big old glass of lemonade.
2. New Hampshire: Wild Light, “Red House”
How do we know that this new band has the indie rock seal of approval? They hit the road with Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem last year.
3. Vermont: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, “Here’s to the Meantime”
A female-fronted group that plays the kind of rock that Tom Petty broke our heart with back in the day … sign us up now!
4. Massachusetts: Marissa Nadler, “for the good times”
This PLUG Independent Music Award-nominated singer/songwriter has created a devoted fan base crooning sad songs about heartbreak.
5. Rhode Island: The Brother Kite, “Get On Me”
Lush instrumentation (thanks to a triple guitar attack!) and infectious melodies drew us to this Providence rock band’s floaty, Cure-like music.
6. New York: Salt and Samovar, “Soon To Be The Dust”
How does this band stand out in N.Y.C.? With a gospel-inspired sound and live performances that are like old-time revivals.
7. Pennsylvania: Man Man, “Hurly Burly”
It’s hard to describe this avant band from Philly, but when I saw them open for Modest Mouse last summer, there wasn’t a dry t-shirt in the house.
8. Connecticut: The Last Goodnight, “Pictures of You”
Fresh off of their major label debut, this rock band is ripping up the charts in Australia with their upbeat, piano-driven sound.
9. Delaware: Lewis and Clarke, “We Think We Have Eyes”
Avant chamber folk—that’s how these Delaware Water Gap-based artists, led by frontman Lou Rogai, describe their lush, delicate sound.
10. New Jersey: Roadside Graves, “West Coast”
This Garden State septet’s folky brand of rock—think Cat Stevens—belongs on Wes Anderson’s next film soundtrack. Enough said.
50 Bands from 50 States Part 2
By Caroline Stanley
Photo coutesty of GenArtPulse
