Maria BC

Oakland by way of Ohio artist Maria BC makes a kind of mellow and tranquil pop music that draws from folk, ambient, shoegaze, and slowcore alt-rock.  It's the kind of stuff you listen to on rainy days, or at dusk or dawn, stars blinking in or out of existence.  Check out "Good Before" below, pre-order the upcoming "Hyaline" LP here from Father/Daughter Records, and be on the lookout for her if you're in Austin next week.

Christelle Bofale

Here's some dreamy, folky, jazzy soul from Austin's Christelle Bofale.  The first of her family to be born in the US, having immigrated from the Congo, there's a real worldly vibe to her sound.  Mature.  Lush.  Mesmerizing.  Beautiful.  Listen to "U Ouchea" below and grab the "Swim Team" EP here from Father/Daughter Records.

Esther Rose

I am by no means an expert when it comes to country music, but what i do know is that the old dusty, melancholy sound is much more preferable to me than a lot of what passes for the genre these days.  New Orleans artist Esther Rose makes that old kind of sound, a mix of country western, folk, and good old Americana.  Listen to her latest single, "Don't Blame it on the Moon," below, grab it here from Father/Daughter Records, and look for at SXSW.

Shamir - Room

I got into Shamir's brand of cheeky, dancey, electro-pop a couple of years ago, full of infectious rhythms and endlessly hummable melodies.  And i've got to say i was not expecting the artist to inject a shot of country and western style into his music.  I certainly wouldn't have expected it to be any good, but here we are.  "Room" shakes and scoots with the best of them, a ditty to grab a dance party and while away the night to.  Listen below and grab the 7" here from Father/Daughter Records.

PWR BTTM - Projection

One of the winners of SXSW earlier this year was easily the queer punk and power pop rock assault of New York duo PWR BTTM.  They were one of the few acts i made a point to see more than once, as they were just so damn much fun.  Anyway, they've got a new single out, "Projection," a teenage outsider and nerdy lament of sorts, that you can listen to below and download from Father/Daughter Records.

PWR BTTM - 1994

Since 1995 already got some love earlier this month from Molly Nilsson, 1994 steps up to bat with a new jam and video from New York band PWR BTTM for their song...wait for it..."1994."  The song is a crunchy, heart-felt little piece of power pop fuzz, and the video feels like a 30 year old art project, analog VHS aesthetic at its finest.  Watch below and get the "Ugly Cherries" album from Father/Daughter Records.

Happy Diving

Northern California's Happy Diving have perfected the sound of listening to music in my bedroom when i was a teenager.  Crunchy and melodic, the band's throwback sound still works.  Listen to "Sincere" below and be on the lookout for a self-titled EP on Father/Daughter Records early next year.