Hello my darlings and welcome to 2012! I hope your celebrations were safe, fun and you were able to kiss someone special at midnight. If they weren’t special, I hope they were at least great kissers. Great kissers are the reason for the season – and I mean all seasons. Let’s start 2012 off with some great kisses for your ears, shall we?
File Under: Gentle acoustic-guitar playing folksy singer-songwriter.
From: Scotland
For Fans of: Daughter, Joanna Newsom, wool cableknit sweaters, Once,
Laura Marling, Agnes Obel, Circle of Friends, movies starring James Cromwell, Lissie’s more stripped-down songs, fresh cold air, natural history museums, Dove bodywash.
Bonus: Firstly, thank you to AfterEllen reader Petrichor for the heads up on Ms. Sermanni’s music. It turns out, her debut EP, Black Currents will be out at the end of this month. Check out this beautifully shot video for “Song For a Fox.”
File Under: An interesting mix of electronic, soul and R&B and it all gives me goosebumps.
From: London
For Fans of: A mixture of Sade & Lianne La Havas, Katy B, Sia’s ballads, candlelit apartments, sweaty sex, edible body paint, Emeli Sandé, Goapele, the quickest way to get me to drop my pants, L.L. Cool J’s lips,
Bonus: First Mary J. Blige covered Chaka Kahn’s awesome jam, “Aint Nobody,” and now Delilah has used parts of the song in her incredibly sexy single, “Go” off of the EP of the same name. A thousand thank-yous to Adri, I am now obsessed.
File Under: Electro-lounge, chillwave, trip-pop
From: Sweet home Chicago
For Fans of: Ladytron, Massive Attack, Sneaker Pimps, a poppier Austra, Active Child, lychee martinis, fog machines, Skins Season 2, Telepathe, chemistry (the science), haikus, shoe shopping.
Bonus: Not only are these two hotties based in Chicago, but DJ Alena and I went to the same high school! I love when small gay musical worlds collide. The duo just released their four-song EP, Sun Night Sky, but we can look forward to a full-length sometime in 2012.
File Under: Punk-pop, rock
From: Netherlands
For Fans of: Rise Against, Sum 41, Good Charlotte, piercings, suspenders, plaid pants, Vampire Diaries, getting grounded and sneaking out of the house anyway just so you could meet friends at 7-11, indoor malls, haunted houses, Mountain Dew, chain wallets.
Bonus: If you’re a punk rocking bassist living in the Netherlands and are hoping to join a band or side project, it looks like this kids are in need of a new one since their bassist decided to go to school. If you do end up auditioning and get the job, make sure you remember us little people.
No rest for the wicked by MidnightMenace
File Under: Electronic, electro-disco, dance
From: Leeds
For Fans of: It seems as though every song I listen to of hers ends up sounding completely different and I’m not sure if it’s based on who she remixes or how she remixes or both. So for now I’ll say Animal Collective, Phoenix, Groove Armada, Sneaky Sound System, VIP access to late night clubs, hanging out with guys who always have 5 o’clock shadow, tube socks.
Bonus:
Check out the cool little short music video she made. I can’t seem to find much info on her but I’ll take this as a sign that she enjoys science. Also, she’s made her tracks available for free downloading over at her bandcamp.
The Murder She Wrote feat. Ria Moran by emmaknightmusic
That’s all for this week’s recommendations, I hope you enjoy these artists as much as I do! I’m looking forward to finding and sharing new bands with all of you so, as always, feel free to reach out to me via email with your suggestions, follow me on Twitter, or friend me on Facebook.
