Get ready to dub Hardly Art label of the year. They’ve already given us plenty to enjoy, and the second half of 2011 promises to be just as stunning. Take their latest signing as an example. The band is Shimmering Stars, originally out of Vancouver B.C.
Filled with a dark, thick reverb and super catchy dream pop, Shimmering Stars’ first single “I’m Gonna Try” hints of the pop music of the early 60s, thrust forward to clash with the lo-fi pop of today. The song …

Oh this chill, lo-fi style of pop never seems to get old. It’s good in the summertime, when days are hot and nothing seems better than to sit in the shade with a cold beer or hide in a dark room with the air conditioning full blast. And it’s good in the winter, when you long for those summer moments while cozily wrapped in warm blankets. Beach Dreams by Teen Daze captures these feelings and puts them to song with an overall fuzzy haze of goodness.

For those of you familiar with Dan Bejar and his work in both Destroyer and The New Pornographers, this song may come as a bit of a shock. It’s damn near electronic! This isn’t the Dan Bejar we know and love… or is it? Leave it to JC/DC to spend a solid year-and-a-half production time reinventing Bejar as an off-beat, near contemporary artist. Bejar has never been one to create normality, but “Chinatown” is about as strange as it gets because it lacks consistency with the …

They say, Oh, don’t call this group a supergroup! But I disagree, and there’s a distinct reason why. It’s because each member in The New Pornographers is, well, super. A.C. Newman adds his unique songwriting and vocal styling and he backs it with the phenomenal song-craft and vocals of Neko Case and Dan Bejar (Destroyer). Blaine Thurier is a film producer and lends keyboard expertise to the band, while John Collins, Todd Fancey, Kurt Dahle and Kathryn Calder round the songs out on various instruments, many …

If you’ve been following the doings of Vancouver, BC’s Nick Krgovich, you know he’s been a busy fellow. Maintenant by Gigi has garnered substantial hype this year and the band’s debut LP certainly warrants the attention. Krgovich is back under the guise of No Kids, whose last release joined together sounds not typically associated with pop music. Despite recording a 60s do-wop pop record under Gigi and performing under the P:ano moniker since the band’s last release, Come Into My House, No Kids picks up pretty much …

I love this: We Found A Lovebird is named after an announcement they found posted somewhere on a waterfront promenade. That alone should spark some interest. The music itself fits the somewhat contemporary folk-pop genre. The sound is mature, but it’s also fun. “0 Avenue Park” kicks off their debut EP, which was recorded live at The Hive.

After the stunning success of Fleet Foxes’ debut self-titled LP in 2008, it became apparent that there would inevitably be artists that steal away portions of their so very classic sound. To be honest, I haven’t really seen them. That is, until Yukon Blonde. Now, don’t immediately label these folks as mere spinoffs. “Wind Blows” does have those echoing harmony vocals with that drawl-ish tone, but there’s more of a singular vocal presence around the front-man; you can hear it in the verse.

Nick Krgovich gave an intimate solo performance last weekend in Anacortes not as Gigi, his latest project with producer Colin Stewart and a slew of who’s-whos in underground pop, but as P:ano. It seems only fitting to talk about this new project on the same day I post that P:ano live review. Even more so being that Gigi’s debut album, Maintenant, hits next week via Tomlab.
Gigi’s sounds blend modern underground pop with a Specter-influenced early 60s pop influence. Krgovich has demonstrated a unique versatility in …

In the new age of digital downloading and iTunes supremacy, many artists are turning to giving tracks away as a way to get their name out and about. Maybe it’s effort to get you to come out to your local pub, farmer’s market, or Tully’s to watch them give you the magic live and in person. Vancouver B.C.’s Bend Sinister has graciously joined the hopefuls by giving away 10 free tracks as downloads on their website. And by now we should know that just because it’s free, …