Darren Hanlon is an Australian singer/songwriter who plays folk-rock and folk-pop. Before becoming a solo artist in 1999, he was a member of The Simpletons, and contributed backing guitar and keyboards for The Lucksmiths, The Deerhunters, and Mick Thomas. Darren is known for his engagement with his audiences, through his down-to-earth storytelling at live gigs as well as his often charming lyrics.
Like most inspirational art Timber Timbre comes from a source of isolation, cabin fever specifically. Timber Timbre, primarily the work of Oshawa-born Toronto based Taylor Kirk, walks a precious line between harrowing blues and desperate death country. Recorded in a farm house near Bobcaygeon, Ontario, their debut Cedar Shakes was released in 2006, the moniker Timber Timbre an ode to the surroundings and the warm haunting sound of the album.
Charlyn Marie Marshall, also known as Chan (pronounced "Shawn") Marshall, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. on 21 January 1972. After dropping out of high school, she started performing under the name Cat Power, while in Atlanta, backed by musicians Glen Thrasher, Mark Moore, and others. She soon moved to New York City, United States in 1992, then later opening for Liz Phair in 1994, she met Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth and Tim Foljahn of Two Dollar Guitar, who encouraged her to record, and played on her first two albums, 1995's Dear Sir and 1996's Myra Lee.
Belle and Sebastian is a band from Glasgow. Led by guitarist/vocalist Stuart Murdoch, the seven-piece band has an intimate, majestic sound that is equal parts folk-rock and '60s pop. Murdoch has a gift not only for whimsy and surrealism, but also for odd, unsettling lyrical detail which keeps the songs grounded in a tangible reality. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Belle and Sebastian released their first two albums in 1996: Tigermilk, recorded over three days, and If You're Feeling Sinister, recorded in a week, at the peak of the chamber pop movement.
Famously described by john peel as being "always different, always the same", The Fall were formed in Manchester, England in 1976 during the punk era although their style quickly evolved into something more idiosyncratic.
The one permanent fixture amidst the Fall's ever-changing line-up is Mark E. Smith. Smith's lyrics are free, unboxed and unpredictable, touching on an extremely wide range of subjects and places and caring little for being tied down to easily digestible messages.
Manic Street Preachers are an alternative rock band from Blackwood, Wales, formed in 1986. Often referred to as "the Manics", they are James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitars), Nicky Wire (bass, occasional vocals) and Sean Moore (drums, backing vocals, occasional trumpet). The band were originally a quartet: lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards mysteriously vanished on 1 February 1995. He was declared presumed deceased in November 2008.
Best Coast is a surf pop band which formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 2009. The band consists of Bethany Cosentino (vocals, guitar), Bobb Bruno (bass, drums) and Ali Koehler (drums). The band released their debut album, "Crazy for You" on July 27, 2010 on Mexican Summer Records. The album debuted at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100. Beach blanket lo-fi pop from Bethany Cosentino, (formerly of Pocahaunted), inspired by Bethany’s longing for Los Angeles while spending her days in NY attending Eugene Lang College, Best Coast sprung forth during her first days back in California.
Florence + the Machine formed in 2007 in London, England, United Kingdom. The band is the recording name of singer/songwriter Florence Welch and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music for her; Florence Welch is the band's only constant member. The current touring lineup of the band is Florence Welch (vocals), Robert Ackroyd (guitar), Isabella Summers (keyboards), Tom Monger (harp), Mark Saunders (bass), Christopher Lloyd Hayden (drums).
Menomena are an experimental rock band from Portland, Oregon, made up of Brent Knopf on guitar, keyboards, and glockenspiel; Justin Harris on bass, guitar, baritone sax and alto sax; and Danny Seim on percussion. All members of the band share singing duties. The band formed in late 2000, when Knopf graduated from Dartmouth College and returned to Portland to collaborate with Harris and Seim. They played their first show in July 2001, at The Meow Meow, a now-defunct all ages venue in Portland.
Travelling the world for almost three years gave frontman Trent Grenell a glimpse into the beauty and variety of Europe and the world. His eyes and ears open to new possibilities, he came home to start a band... The Seabellies are the product of the transformation that happens when you leave one skin behind and discover a whole new person lurking within. The band pushes boundaries and explores musical shadow-lands, constantly seeking the new and exciting.