Listen and Learn

The Kooks are a British rock band coming out of the U.K. and have been making waves over there for a year or two. It looks like they have their sites on conquering America as well, but I don’t think that will happen until they have covered Europe. But, they are well on their way!

They are a mix of British rock with a bit of American classic rock. Add in a little funk and some acoustic guitar and you have got yourself a nice little sound there. The lead singer, Luke Pritchard, is only nineteen years old, and rocks some crazy curly hair. The lead guitarist, Hugh Harris, is probably one of the youngest in the music biz being just shy of seventeen years old.

The Kooks broke out into the scene in 2005 with their single “Eddies Gun”, and then followed that with their critically acclaimed debut album, Inside In/Inside Out. The album features the ever so popular songs, “Naive” and “Oh La”, and many other rocking melodic tracks.

Definately check these guys out and I know you will not hesitate to buy their album. Inside In/Inside Out is available on iTunes and you can also check out some of their live performances out on YouTube.com.

Autovaughn is one of many bands that come out of Nashville having nothing to do with country music. It is a common misconception that it is filled with only country artists, when in fact, it is a major city of all music. This goes especially for up and coming rock artists.

The members of Autovaughn have said to been influenced by many 80s artists such as Tears for Fears and Duran Duran. This explains their New Wave sound in the song “Stay Another Night” on their album Space.

They are also influenced by such artists as U2, Pearl Jam and the late great Jeff Buckley. Their sound is a good blend of indie rock and English New Wave. Autovaughn is definitely a band that can speak to a few different generations.

Check Autovaughn tunes out on MySpace!: www.myspace.com/autovaughn

This indie band is a breath of fresh air. Castledoor formed in September of 2004 in Silverlake, CA and are currently not signed to a label…although they should be. This group consists of two married couples and a few other talented musicians.

The lead singer, Nate Cole, has an amazing original voice that catches you off guard at times. Their songs are a blend of good vocals, interesting piano melodies and a bit of funky rock. Maybe it’s the marriages they have among them, but they know how to compliment each other’s musical talents.

Although very young, Casteldoor has a lot of potential to be a great band if they play their cards right. They have a great dynamic that could appeal to a lot of different people, which is extremely marketable for them.

Check out some of their tunes on MySpace!: www.myspace.com/castledoormusic

Not a band, but one man. The name is confusing, but that isn’t even the start of it. Citizen Cope is actually Clarence Greenwood. He hails from Brooklyn but has lived all over. His music is very progressive and different from anything you have ever heard.

Citizen Cope’s sound could possibly be categorized as a mixture of soul/rock/folk, but also mixed with beats that are well known with hip-hop. But you can’t put him into any sort of box. Every song is different, takes you to a different place every time. Listen to one album of his and you will understand what I mean by an eclectic group of sounds.

He has already made a big impact in the United States being feature on television shows such as “The O.C.”. In fact, his RCA album, The Clarence Greenwood Recordings, has had every track from it licensed numerous times to be in films and television.

You won’t understand what I am talking about at all if you don’t go check Citizen Cope. We will continue to be seeing a lot more of him.

Listen to some tunes on Citizen Cope’s MySpace!: www.myspace.com/citizencope

Vedera comes out of Kansas City with a lead singer, Kristen May, that can belt with the best. She holds her notes but doesn’t boast too much to where it is annoying.

Chord magazine says, “She [May] is not only blessed with an enormous voice, but she clearly knows how to use it, crafting expectant verses and choruses that deliver in a big way. With so many generic male singers littering the landscape of indie rock right now, its refreshing to hear such a distinctive female voice.”

Although with a powerful singer comes with powerful musicians. Bassist Jason Douglas, guitarist Brian Little and drummer Drew Little back her.

Check out Vedera’s MySpace site to listen!: www.myspace.com/vedera

Greenwheel is an energetic alternative band from St. Louis that really knows how to rock. Their album, Burning the Bridges, is doing awesome in the Midwest. What they are best known for are live shows. I have not personally been to a show but I have heard that they can really put one on. Definitely give them a listen and I promise you will enjoy!

Listen to tracks from Burning the Bridges on Greenwheel’s MySpace!: www.myspace.com/greenwheel

The Shore comes out of L.A. and they sure do have that laid back California vibe to them. Their music is very easy going; good to listen to when you want to relax. They add a humanistic touch that has been lacking in the music industry lately.

Though not signed with any label, somehow their music made it out to me in Oklahoma. Not sure how I found out about them, but I am glad I did.

The lead singer, Ben Ashley, has a voice that actually sounds like he could be British. I don’t know if he has an accent or it is just the way he holds out his notes. It reminds me of many European musicians and their style of singing.

As their MySpace site says, they categorize themselves classic rock/psychedelic/pop. This is where I get the California in the 70s type of feel when I listen. The Shore definitely can be enjoyed by all generations.

Check The Shore out on MySpace!: www.myspace.com/theshore

I have just a minor obsession with this Canadian band! They come out of Toronto, Ontario and are making waves. They just released the album Self Control for Life’s Speed in the United States this Fall, which was released in Canada this past April.

My favorite song is “Into Your Hideout”, which is featured on their latest release. The lead singer’s voice goes into a falsetto that resembles Chris Martin’s from Coldplay.

You know when you find those bands that just really mesh well? Pilot Speed is one of those. So…I encourage you to just give them a listen! Their music speaks volumes.

Check Pilot Speed out on MySpace!: www.myspace.com/pilotspeed

The Hero Factor is a very popular band out of Tulsa, Oklahoma that has been making some noise for a while. Having its start over six years ago, the band has a following all over the United States. Extremely popular with the college scene, they have been performing at universities and clubs all over the south and some in the north.

The band would be categorized as indie rock. The lead singer, Ben Kilgore, has some soulful pipes on him that are not usually found in that scene. His voice alone can attract fans by the hundreds to venues that can hold them.

Their first recorded debut, Tulsa City Limits, a live set that shared the club’s name, was recorded in 2003. After long anticipation, in February 2005, they followed with their first studio album, Interactions. This was then followed by another live set, Live at Suede, which had a few tracks from the studio record as well as some new tracks. Since signed with the Indie label Nobility, they have come out with the EP, Battling Chimaera.

Some tracks that have become popular are She’s Out There, Breathe, Run and Come down. The latter two are found on their new EP and are also available to hear on their MySpace. But I recommend hearing them at a live show! They put on an amazing show that will keep you there until the last song…and keep you wanting more.

Check out The Hero Facor’s MySpace!: www.myspace.com/theherofactor