It’s Wednesday and now I’ve got “My Humps” in my head because whenever I think of Wednesday, I think of Hump Day. I’ve been trying to catch up on life ever since coming back from vacation and so far the only thing I’ve been able to do is clear out my Jeopardy queue on my DVR. So, you’re all really lucky I was able to get my brain in gear (at least somewhat) to put together the latest list of 10 acts to check out.
File Under: Disco Diva, legend
From: Chicago in the house
For Fans Of: C&C Music Factory, Donna Summer, getting funky on the dance floor, rollerskating, sequined fringe tops, history, Estelle (for you young’uns), being fierce and glamorous.
Bonus: It is with great sadness that I have to say Loleatta passed away on Monday at the age of 64. I’m thankful to have her music — (even especially) the Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch hit, “Good Vibrations” which sampled her song “Love Sensation” and had her singing the chorus.
File Under: Indie folk falsetto with an old timey sound
From: Oakland, California
For Fans Of: Tattooed librarians, jazz clubs, films from the 1920s, a less poppy Ditty Bops, a more mainstream Coco Rosie, Vermillion Lies (Zoe’s former band), sitting by a fishing hole on a summer day, dancing the Charleston, Billie Holiday.
Bonus: We can add another fantastic queer artist for our team. Thanks to AfterEllen.com reader Pterodactyl for the fantastic recommendation!
File Under: Dark indie pop, rock, a hot makeout session up against a wall, also she is so damn hot
From: Australia
For Fans Of: Melissa Ferrick, Laura Jansen, kd Lang, Paula Cole, listening to music in the bathtub, movies that don’t always have a happy ending, cable-knit sweaters.
Bonus: Besides having a wickedly cool name, Boucher has been touring the country with Sarah McLachlan and her song “Life is Short” was featured on a very short-lived but fantastically witty show Wonderfalls.
File Under: Garage power punk pop with a little ’60s flair
From: Japan
For Fans Of: Bikini Kill, The Ramones, surf punk, green tea ice cream, vintage t-shirts, videos of dogs skateboarding.
Bonus: Unfortunately I can’t find too much on this band but their sound is great and damn, they are adorable.
File Under: Psycho indie punk, queer dance parties
From: San Fran
For Fans Of: Gossip’s Jason’s Basement album, L7, Deerhoof, ripped jeans, PBR, letting your friends cut your hair, writing on your shoes (and your shoes are Converse, duh).
Bonus: Their label, Kill Rock Stars, kicks a lot of ass and gives everyone the opportunity to download music from their roster. Here is a free download of EE’s jam, Damaged.”
File Under: Former Thunderheist frontwoman gone new wave indie-electro pop, still bangin’ those jams
From: Canada
For Fans Of: Joy Division, glam fashion, high-heeled boots, mood lighting, dancing like you just don’t care.
Bonus: The long-awaited solo effort from Ms. Salam will be out this summer and is tentatively titled, Surprise Sex. That sounds like the best kind of surprise party ever.
File Under: Melodramatic indie pop-art
From: Sweden
For Fans Of: Joanna Newsom, Antony Hegarty, Rasputina, Coraline, Tim Burton films, running on thin ice.
Bonus: I first heard of singer Ellekari Larsson after watching a video in which she and other Swedish artists did an incredible collaboration on Anna Ternheim’s song “Summer Rain.”
File Under: K-Pop, dance, catchy as hell
From: South Korea
For Fans Of: Shinee, Wonder Girls, 2PM, Brittany Spears, Pussycat Dolls, short skirts, pool parties.
Bonus: OK, I’m probably going to get in trouble for this but so far, out of all the K-Pop bands I’ve heard, this is my favorite (even if I can only understand about an eighth of what they’re saying).
File Under: Passionate cellist whose works grab at your soul
From: Chicago (OK, so I’m biased towards my hometown today)
For Fans Of: Mstislav Rostropovich (whom she studied under), Beethoven, NPR as background noise, Anna Karenina, Chopin.
Bonus: Wendy’s debut with the Chicago Sympohny Orchestra was televised and she was only 14 years old. Also, you can hear her with her (gorgeous) piano accompanist , Irina Nuzova, on NPR’s Classical Sessions this week.
File Under: Bluesy rock and roll that will get your toes to curl
From: Canada
For Fans Of: The Pack A.D. (I stand by this firmly), The Black Keys, a really hot version of ZZ Top, leather jackets, dusty roads.
Bonus: Now AfterEllen reader Janay can stop bugging me to post about her — because here she is, and indeed she is awesome.
That’s all for this week, I’ll be back with some new ladies of aural pleasures soon. As always, feel free to drop me a note and let me know if there’s a band or musician you’d like to see up here.
