Top ten artists you should know about

1. Brand New
Not a new artist, but a band that is finally starting to get recognized. After taking a three year break between their last two albums, Brand New released The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me. The band hit the road and hit Canada three times around in one year. There is too much to say about this band, and it's one that you have to experience by buying all three albums and get your hands on the nine untitled demos.
First album: Your Favorite Weapon; “Soco amaretto lime”, “Seventy times seven”, “The shower scene.”
Second album: Deja Entendu; “I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light”, “Jaws Swimming Theme”, “The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot.”
Third album The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me; “Limousine”, “You won't know”, “Luca”.


2. Lykke Li
An artist that I discovered while shopping online, Lykke Li moved to New York at 19 to record her Album Youth Novels and then moved back home to Sweden. The album was produced by Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, and performed on “Late Night with Conan O'Brien”, pretty good for a girl that used to be a dancer for Swedish TV shows.
Songs: “I'm Good, I'm Gone”, “Everybody But Me”, “A Little Bit”, and “I Don't Mind (jump on it).”

3. Death Cab For Cutie
Again, not really a new band, (been around since 1997) they got a lot of attention when Seth Cohen from the “O.C.” (oh the days when the “O.C.” was good and still on!) as his favourite band, making an appearance on the show, and the band's name was dropped numerous times throughout the series. Death Cab for Cutie is a mainstream band, that doesn't get much attention because a lot of people think they are “emo”. They are the only band that could get away successfully with a song that has a 4:33 long intro and not get boring! Take a listen for yourself and I guarantee that most of you will be hooked.
Songs: “I Will Posses Your Heart”, Crooked Teeth”, “The New Year”

4. Dragonette
Formed in Toronto Ontario, their lead singer Martinia Sorbara was a successful singer/songwriter before joining the band, releasing two albums herself, and being featured on the soundtrack for the film Up Town Girls. Dragonette's bass player produced Fiest's album Monarch (lay your jeweled head down). They joined forces bringing on two new members and forming Dragonette, the band was an opening act for Duran Duran before releasing their album Dragonette in 2005. The band has had their songs featured in J.C. Penny, Dell and Vicks commercials.
Songs: “I Get Around”, “Take It Like a Man”, “The Boys”.

5. Architecture In Helsinki
Despite the name the group is from Fitzroy and Melbourne Australia. My friend Jeff introduced me to this band earlier this week and I can't stop listening to them. They have toured with Death Cab For Cutie and Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah.
Songs: “That Beep”, “Like A Call”, “Heart It Races.”

6. Justice
This French electronic band, Justice's newest album + (Cross) was nominated for a Grammy for “Best Electronic/Dance Album”, Their label manager Busy P, managed Death From Above 1979 in their early years. “Waters of Nazareth” makes an appearance on the soundtrack of Grand Theft Auto IV.
Songs: “D.A.N.C.E.”, “Genesis”, “DVNO”

7. Shot Gun Rules
Formed right here in the homeland (London, Ontario), Shot Gun Rules are probably one of the hardest working “not really known” bands out there right now. Every year they bust their ass' to get on Warped Tour. This year they have won the “Most popular punk group award” at the London Music Awards, they have toured across Canada and still find time to play small venues in London.
Songs: “Thank You Gravity”, “I'm Not Down, Unless You're Fully Down”, and “Save The Clock Tower”

8. Boys Night Out
A band out of Burlington, Ontario, opened for Fall Out Boy (when touring for Under The Cork Tree), Boys Night Out made a stop at the Salt Lounge in October last year, and they have one of the loyalist fan bases I have ever seen. I saw them open for Fall Out Boy in October 2005 and immediately fell in love with them.

When they came back to London my friend and I went and I got punched in the face (it was awesome!), but besides that everyone knew the words to all the songs, everyone was having a good time, and the band clearly cares about their fans-they spent about an hour after the show talking to everyone and anyone who went up to say hey.

Songs: “I Got Punched In The Face For Sticking My Nose In Other People's Business”, “Dreaming”, “Swift And Unforgiving”.

9. Against Me!
They have been touring extensively around the globe, they opened for the Foo Fighters earlier this year, and came back early September to the Cowboy. This political punk band from Gainesville, Florida just broke into the mainstream this year with their hit “Thrash..Unreal” off their album New Wave. Their songs are fun to sing along to-but also have meanings to their lyrics. There's not much to say about Against Me! you just have to experience it yourself.
Songs: “Thrash.. Unreal”, “Sink…Florida…Sink”, “Problems”.
Albums: American's Abroad! Against Me! Live In London!, Searching For A Former Clarity.

10. Tokyo Police Club
They have played at Fanshawe College the past two years, they have made a subtle appearance on “Desprate Housewives,” been featured in Rolling Stone and if you still haven't heard about them, you may have heard their song a few times on “The Hills.” Now that everyone is up to speed Tokyo Police Club is still one of Canada's under-appreciated bands. The boys in the band are the most down to earth people you will ever meet (I did an interview with Graham and Dave when they last came to Fanshawe and it felt like I knew them for years). They released their album Elephant Shell in April and it placed at #106 on the Billboard charts. (Pretty good for four boys from Newmarket). Check out “Tessellate” off of Elephant Shell, as well as the song that gave them their break into mainstream “Nature of the experiment.”