Over the past few months or so, The Academy Is... has become one of the hottest "new" indie bands to hit the scene.

Check out their hot new video "Phrase That Pays".

Labels: Indie Rock, Music Video, Phrase That Pays, The Academy Is

The box set of Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas is out and fans are gobbling it up.

Stevens is clearly one of the most talented and exciting indie artists of the day. His fan following is huge and loyal. As long as he keeps putting out quality music that is fun, melodic, witty "Indie Americana" music, the fans will keep listening.

It's hard to find any other artist as quintessentially talented in more than one way as Stevens. He has his own style. His lyrics are about common people, places and things, often based on that which appeals to children or is somehow childlike. His voice has all the characteristics of a great singer, able to deliver smooth melodies and also sing high notes with apparent ease.

So, all things considered, it's no wonder Sufjan Stevens is winning over new fans every day.

Blind Melon reunites and releases three songs you can listen to for free.

AOL and Microsoft are making inroads to capture a piece of the growing indie rock audience, according to Reuters.

On October 26, AOL launched a show called "The DL," hosted by Sara Schaefer. The media giant also said it plans to add more indie channels to its Spinner radio service.

Opting for a different approach to woe the indie rockers, Mircrosoft is promoting at music festivals, like the CMJ. The Bellington, Wa.-based computer/media giant has been gathering feedback from students for the upcoming release of Zune.

What the hell is Zune?

Finals are coming up, so students who DJ college radio stations across the US have submitted their Top Ten play lists to mtvU.com.

This is a great way to get a meter on what's hot on college stations and even includes photographs and favorite albums from station "workers."

Kings of Leon are set to launch their second album Aha Shake Heartbreak later this month.

The much anticipated second album from the Tennesssee quartet follows the success of the band's 2003 debut Youth and Young Manhood. Kings of Leon consists of four brothers - Jared, Matthew, Caleb and Nathan Followill.

The band is currently on tour in Australia with Pearl Jam through the end of Novemeber.

After an October and November string of gigs throughout the UK and Ireland, the Flaming Lips will be in San Francisco on December 30 to officially wrap up their 2006 tour.



The geniuses of experimental indie pop-rock will be playing at the famous Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in downtown San Francisco.

Are you a flaming Flaming Lips fan? Cool. Share your observations, information and anything else about this fantastic band by clicking on the Comments link below.

We love when a new indie band breaks through with its own identity, attitude and great sound.

Lately, critics are hailing Secret Machines from Dallas, Texas.

The band is actually not new on the indie scene, but have been recently catching on in the U.S. and European indie rock scenes. They are defintely worth a check. In fact, Reuters raised the prospect that they are the best kept secret in indie rock. What do you think?

EMG's All Music Guide writes:

"Revealing a sharp songwriting instinct and unfolding a distinct indie rock influence, Secret Machines unveil singular scenarios and refined tunes within the alternative pop/rock scene."

Having released only one album in 2005 (self-titled), Clap Your Hands Say Yeah received overwhelming interest in their music before they release their album. Buzz on the web fueled the interest and the band was featured on NPR.

If you are a CYHSY fan, check out winter tour schedule. You can also find more information about the group in our Artist profiles section.

Matador Records has updated its tour dates for November and December bookings. They include new dates for popular artists Cat Power, Yo La Tengo, The New Pornographers, Chavez, Dead Meadow and Pretty Girls Make Graves.

Pitchfork: News - November 6, 2006

POP MUSIC REVIEW - Johnny Marr, a Modest Mouse all right - Los Angeles Times - calendarlive.com

Music News- The Shins Gets 'Ghostly' on New Album - AOL News

Papa Roach Set Watches to GN'R Time - AOL Music News Blog

The College Hill Independent - For the Record: "CALIFONE"

In a stiff competition for the "best" Euro rockers, The Killers took the prize for best Euro Indie Rock Band, leaving behind popular nominees such as The Arctic Monkeys.