"Formed just over a year ago, this quintet has enjoyed a quick rise up the ranks of the Brooklyn buzz-bin — an almost meteoric ascendance that belies the band’s tender sound. Xylos’ fractured dream-pop gently brings to mind Yeasayer and the Flaming Lips. In fact, on opener “In the Bedroom” founding member Aaron Mendelsohn's voice evokes the wistful croon of Wayne Coyne while he bittersweetly sings about failed romance over tropical synths and twirling guitars. Meanwhile, the swooning harmonies on “This House We Built” virtually demand a coed campfire sing-along under the stars — that is, if the textured rhythms, boy-girl vocals, and ethereal strings throughout this debut EP didn’t sound so magical in stereo."
Xylos' debut full-length, produced by Britt Myers (Yeasayer, Chairlift) will be out this summer. In the meantime, check out the first single, "Not Enough," at xylosmusic.com.
"To say Team Genius is a musical ensemble composed of multiple abnormally intelligent individuals is a bit much. But still, more than is usually the case, this is a band name that holds truths: two truths to be exact. The first being that Team Genius possesses above average musicality and finely tuned songwriting prowess, hinting that someone quite smart is behind the creative wheel. The second, and most important, is the way in which the members of the band/team are interconnected both musically and personally, and the clarity with which the aura of this tightly knit relationship is communicated through song. Listening to Team Genius on record is not enough. Although their recorded material is full of its own merits, this is one of few bands whose music simply begs to be experienced live." - Jezebel
Pearl and the Beard’s gentle folk melodies and graceful, cohesive harmonies beg to be listened to in a homey log cabin somewhere. ...Using household items like benches, keys, and a washing machine to create unique organic sounds, the pair... created a four-song set of gorgeous gentle folk melodies, traced by soft entangled vocals. All four tracks are stunning... The full-length will be eagerly anticipated.
-Rebel Spirit Music
“Echo Station is not about an image. Echo Station is about 3 chords and fuzz guitars. Echo Station is about sweet melodies and beer soaked nights. Echo Station is about Rock and Roll.”
When Echo Station was formed, the foursome created a fierce brotherhood that translates through their music. The members of Echo Station shared the same musical vision: To make rock music that would leave even the most casual listener wanting more. Echo Station’s intense and passionate live performances assaulted the New York City club circuit with highly successful shows at Mercury Lounge, Arlene Grocery, Pianos, CBGB & Don Hill’s to name a few.
With the voice and face of an angel and a Medusan tangle of dreadlocks as thick and strong as her family ties and her musical roots in the flatlands of West Tennessee, Valerie June is a true original and an emerging star in the legendary and still vibrant Memphis music scene. A self-taught guitar player, composer and troubadour of heartbreak ballads, folk songs, spirituals, soul-stirring blues and what she calls “Organic Moonshine Roots Music,” Valerie is poised to reach a wide audience as one of the stars of the ballyhooed new MTV web series “$5 Cover,” written and directed by Craig Brewer, creator of the Oscar-winning movie “Hustle & Flow.” With a haunting, distinctive voice that will appeal to fans of Iron and Wine, Michelle Shocked, Jeff Tweedy, Loretta Lynn, Jessie Mae Hemphill and the music world’s most famous Bobs, Dylan and Marley, Valerie has been leaving crowds speechless and emotionally moved by her storytelling and songs.