The True Jacqueline

Fun. Simply put, The True Jacqueline is a fun band and their music is a testimony to it. With charming twee vocals, unexpected time changes, and a solid indie-rock backbone, band members Noah Stevralia (vocals, guitar), Zach Farrell (vocals, keyboards), Kate Niemczyk (vocals, bass) and Andrew Huffman (drums) reinterpret ideas from bands like Superchunk, Built to Spill, Mates of State, and early New Pornographers and spin it into their own sound.

Based in Northampton, Massachusetts, The True Jacqueline’s debut full-length release Nice Bird set for release on June 22, presents indie-rock twists, breakdowns, and unusual arrangements that always remain melodic. TJ’s songs can be both campy and heartfelt; they write about what they know: real life, pop culture, and historical subjects. “We pull topics from many places,” says Stevralia. “We’re kind of nerds, so academic subjects like science, math, and history--as well as science-fiction --tend to crop up often.”

Nice Bird presents straight up bouncy indie rock reminiscent of late ‘90s Canadian power-pop (“Pon Farr”), sonic jamming dubs (“Citrus Alarm“ and “Mondegreen”), and delicious folk-pop (“Starts With She”). Though each song is sonically unique, what all of Nice Bird’s songs have in common is odd and whimsical lyrical content. They sing about magnets, Barbara Streisand, the 1989 Fred Savage videogame movie “The Wizard”, and hating your brother enough to want to kill him. Recommended!

The True Jacqueline - Mondegreen
The True Jacqueline - It's The Water
The True Jacqueline @ MySpace


--

SONG OF THE DAY: The Radio Dept. - Heaven's On Fire
(from Clinging To A Scheme, out April 21st on Labrador)

--

Check Comments for Bonus!

See Green

Like a hybrid SUV landing on Plymouth Rock, See Green's vibrant alternative pop is grounded in the past, but very much of the present. Bursting with richly textured arrangements and unique instrumentation, See Green mastermind/frontwoman/tunesmith Courtenay Green's songs toss elements from a host of different influences and eras into a giant musical blender. The resulting cocktail is both singular and delicious, doses of sophisticated writing that go down easy thanks to catchy hooks, clever lyrics, and quirky interludes. Using her skills as a drummer, guitarist, pianist, percussionist, trumpet player, and dabbler in a host of other instrument categories, Courtenay writes/arranges nearly every part of every song and co-produces all of her recordings, creating an unusual brand of pop that somehow feels familiar while remaining entirely original and distinct.

After playing drums for a motley crew (but not Motley Crue) of bands and migrating from Princeton University to New York to Los Angeles, Courtenay released her first EP of her own songs in late 2008. She quickly began to take the LA scene by storm, backed by an ever-expanding group of talented menfolk playing an ever-expanding number of instruments. Performing initially as Courtenay Green & The Red Scare and more recently as See Green, the group has since been onstage at venues and events ranging from the Silverlake Lounge to the House of Blues to the LA Times Festival of Books. After a successful East Coast mini-tour in the fall of '09, Courtenay spent the remainder of that year working on the first official See Green EP, "Violet," which she finally completed in February and will officially release on May 4th. Recommended!

See Green - Goldmine
See Green @ MySpace

--

SONG OF THE DAY: Steve Mason (ex Beta Band) - All Come Down
(from Boys Outside, out May 4th on Domino Records)

--

Check Comments for Bonus!

Deluka

Birmingham UK’s Deluka are on the fast track toward stardom. Fronted by lead singer Ellie Innocenti, whose power-strut vocals and bullet-proof cool are undeniably seductive, Deluka’s charged blend of jagged guitars, fluid beats and addictive melodies are garnering praise and buzz from a wide range of pop gate-keepers.

The video for Deluka’s infectious single from their debut EP, “Cascade,” is directed by famed fashion photographer Antoine Verglas and filmed at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory, was premiered on AOL Spinner, and has recently been picked up by numerous video programs nationwide, including VH1, Logo, and dozens of regional outlets across the U.S.

“Cascade” is also gaining traction alternative radio, following some early spins at KROQ in Los Angeles. The acoustic version of “Cascade” debuted on Zink magazine this week. And MTV has embraced the band, programming several tracks on the hit show “The City”, and featuring “Cascade” during the 2009 VMAs. Recommended!

Deluka - Cascade (acoustic)
Deluka @ MySpace


--

SONG OF THE DAY: Phosphorescent - It's Hard To Be Humble
(from Here's To Taking It Easy, out 11/05 on Dead Oceans)

--

Check Comments for Bonus!