You know how you think you know all the cool music that's already out there and then one day--BAM--you hear something that just blows your mind? I'm not talking about new stuff that is played on the radio or is featured in People or whatever. I mean music that has been around and you were so smug with your current tastes that you didn't know it existed. A happier alternative is that it is a little-known artist and YOU DISCOVERED THEM! Without any help from the radio or People! These are the top 5 artists that I discovered somewhat accidentally and have been crazy enamored with them since.
5. Yeasayer
www.yeasayer.net
They had a brief mention in an issue of
Nylon magazine so I made a playlist with other bands they mentioned (see #1) and voila!--Yeasayer! They are a super awesome band that combines pop, electronic, and god knows what to create this moody, beautiful music.
Odd Blood is the album that got me hooked and remains my favorite (though their others are delightful). My favorites include "Madder Red" and "I Remember."
4. The Two Man Gentlemen Band
http://www.thetwogentlemen.com/
While browsing Grooveshark one day, I got to thinking about presidents named after presidents that might be out there. One of the best I found was "William Howard Taft" by The Two Man Gentlemen Band. Needless to say this song is genius. The band combines old-style Americana ragtime with a love of American History, and this song is a perfect example to highlight Taft in all his beefy glory. Some of their other songs include: "When Your Lips Are Playing My
Kazoo," "Me, I Get High On Reefer," "Heavy Petting," and "Stuff Your
Ballot Box." I can't help but laugh when I listen to these songs, which
prompted my mom to ask me last night "What are you watching out there?" My
reply: "Nothing, just listening to something and laughing to myself."
Oh, William Howard Taft
Had a great big smile and a great big laugh
A great big belly, great big thighs that
Slapped together when he walked by
Measured in clean at a quarter ton
Made the oval office just fit for one
Oh, you can't squeeze nothin' past
William Howard Taft
Oh, William Howard Taft
Got himself stuck in a bath
It took the Secret Service and the police to
Pry him out with a tub of grease
He had a steak dinner for the King of Spain
But nobody got a thing to eat
Because you can't sneak nothin' past
William Howard Taft
3. Kate Miller Heidke
www.katemillerheidke.com
She was opening for Steven Page when I first saw her. Usually people show the opening act a modicum of attention but she just electrified the crowd. Most known for "The Facebook Song," her repertoire also includes the heartfelt "Caught in the Crowd," the quirky "Can't Shake It," and the ethereal "Last Day on Earth." After she was done, the lobby was crowded with people waiting to buy her albums and get her autograph. Not too bad for someone that most people probably hadn't heard of it 45 minutes earlier.
2. Wanda Jackson
www.wandajackson.com
I bought the soundtrack to
Rock n Rolla when Borders was going out of business for, like, $2.00 because The English Beat was on it. Along with a killer song by The Sonics, I happened upon "Funnel of Love" by Wanda Jackson. Eager to see what else this rockabilly mama did, I discovered a treasure trove that is her catalog and was hooked. I love her high-pitched voice, her growl when singing something naughty, and her "women kick-ass" attitude that must have been shocking when it was released in 1956. Other goodies include "Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad," "Riot in Cell Block No. 9," and "Fujiyama Mama." In recent years, this gal has released other albums including
The Party Ain't Over which is amazing and only goes to show that attitude and greatness does not age.
1. Shuggie Otis
shuggieotisofficial.net
Also found while reading
Nylon, I instantly became addicted to Shuggie. Made while he was in his teens in the 1970s and son of legend Johnny Otis, Shuggie is a talent that is, in my opinion, unmatched by any of his age at the time. "Strawberry Letter 23" is what hooked me, but tracks like "Sweet Thang" and "Freedom Flight" left me searching for every Shuggie album I could get my hands on. He recently re-released his album
Inspiration Information along with his first new material in years and is playing Austin City Limits this summer. So if you want to mellow out and have your mind blown, drop the needle on an album by this fly cat and enjoy.
You're welcome.