As much as I love heavier music, my greater love is for passionate & bold music in general!  So here are a few personal favorites of mine.  I hope you enjoy!

My Epic from Charlotte, NC.  Post-Hardcore Rock with just enough Experimental touch.  Every album with this band changes, and honestly I can't say I dislike a single one.  Great songwriting, 4 albums deep, I have to give it up! 

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Andy McKee from Topeka, KS is an American fingerstyle guitarist.  Beautiful instrumental songwriting. A must listen!

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Ben Howard born in London, is a Singer-songwritier worth listening to!  Check it out for yourself. The video is awesome alone.

Thanks for looking!

When my loves 1,2,3 split up a while back, my poor lil' heart hurt for quite some time. There's nothing like watching a band that you love makes it's first few steps towards something big and then stumbling back into the dark. As music fans, we have all have had that band that you want to see make it (and to continue releasing new albums!). 1,2,3 is mine and they are back with their new album Big Weather out on May 27th via American Hermitage records. The band announced that they are going to offer a pay-what-you-can option for all digital copies, so there's no reason this album shouldn't be in your collection by the end of May!

If you had a chance to listen to their 2011 debut album New Heaven, then you will know that their singles are unpredictable, raw, and full of adventure. Please listen to this album at least once, for you will find yourself wanting to listen to it again and again. Personally, I find every song is different and defiant of traditional genres, and that is what I am looking forward to hearing on Big Weather.

It is very interesting to me that this album is inspired by a tornado that hit the lead singer and guitarist Nic Snyder's Aunt's house. 1,2,3 seems to have a passion for weather and climate changes, seasons, and the like. You hear it in their previous album in songs such as Heat Lightning. Here's to another wild ride with 1,2,3. Can't wait. Please listen to their first two new singles "Big Weather Pt. 1" and "Leave Me in the Sky With the Lawnchair" below and let us know what you think!

Wisconsin based indie band Phox has been making some interesting music lately.  It kind of reminds me of The Head and The Heart crossed with The Alabama Shakes.  Although there is no official word on when their first full length album comes out, it looks like they will be hopping on the summer festival train to get their music out there. Until then, check their single "Slow Motion" and a nice live take of "Evil".

The UK based indie singer Daughter has finally dropped her debut full length album.  If there is one thing to be said about Daughter, it's that she has been consistently brilliant with her previous releases.  Here's hoping that If You Leave is a continuation of that hot streak. I think it's a safe bet.

Caught A Ghost has a great retro/soul vibe going on. If they keep it up, you may be looking at the next breakout band in 2013. Check out the "Somehow" video below, and sign up for their mailing list for free downloads.