indie rock

Artist to Watch: Freelance Whales
By Trevor Jett Wells
October 26, 2009 - 4:49pm
Next time you see a street performer, don't just shrug them off. They might be the next "it" band

It's not everyday you run into famous people, or even people who will be famous in the near future.

Top 5 Most Overrated Bands of 2009
By Trevor Jett Wells
October 6, 2009 - 9:20pm
There was a lot of great music in 2009, but some bands didn't deserve the hype.

I loved 2009, and I’m going to continue to love 2009 because it’s been a great year for music. No one can deny that with so many strong acts  hitting their strides, like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dirty Projectors and Phoenix. However, with the release of so much great music, there tends to be a lot of overhyped bands. The bothersome part however, is that some critics herald these bands as some of the best in...

St. Vincent coming to Ithaca
By Trevor Jett Wells
September 29, 2009 - 9:39pm
Indie-pop singer, songwriter and musician Annie Clark makes her way to Ithaca in October.

If you don't know who St. Vincent is, get acquainted. She's coming to Ithaca on Oct. 22. 

St. Vincent, a.k.a. Annie Clark and her supporting band, are an electric live band. I was lucky enough to catch Annie Clark perform over the summer at the 2009 All Points West Festival in Liberty Park, NJ, and I underestimated her big-time. With Jimi Hendrix guitar skills, and sultry vocals, Annie Clark is a stead-fast rising star. 

Artist to Watch: Neon Indian
By Trevor Jett Wells
September 24, 2009 - 11:44pm
Brooklyn-based Neon Indian is poised to release the electro-pop debut "Psychic Chasms."

Alan Palomo, the electronic maestro behind Brooklyn-based Neon Indian, is catching fire in indie-rock circles. But what people don’t realize is he’s been in the game for a while now with his disco-house DJ act, VEGA, and he’s still only 21 years old. His young but already prolific career is impressive to say the least, and if Neon Indian’s upcoming debut, Psychic Chasms, is any indication of Palomo’s future, the sky is the limit.

Artist to Watch: Phantogram
By Nathan Mattise
September 22, 2009 - 10:07pm
Phantogram, a band based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., delivers tons of energy and electro beats.

I was in Geneva, N.Y., last February solely to see Ra Ra Riot. It was a literal homecoming for CNY’s indie darlings, since guitarist Milo Bonacci is originally from Geneva.  And, as usual, their set didn’t disappoint. But yet another Ra Ra Riot triumph isn’t what I left raving about.

Instead, I was introduced that night to a duo from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., called Phantogram. They were the opener’s opener and, since it was held in the local opera house...