Does anyone know what's going on with American Analog Set?

Unfortunately, for fans of AAS there's no news about the band on their AAS official web site. It appears the site has not been updated in almost a year. That of course leads some to wonder if the band has broken up.

On the brighter side, die-hard fans may be happy to know (if they don't already) that the band offers a free download of nearly a dozen demo songs. The songs are packaged in a Zip file that is 60 megabytes. I send my thoughts of a faster download if you are on a modem connection.
Bonus: Go to this fan web site to download live tracks and interviews.

Labels: American Analog Set, College Radio, Fan Sites, Indie Rock

The Kooks were named best UK-Ireland rock band of the year and The Killers took away the prize at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Oh, and Madonna was "snubbed." Cool.

Fans of The Kooks might want to check out the following sites:

The Kooks Official Web Site
Kooks Fan Site - My Space (warning: embedded music)
The Kooks - Wikipedia
Kooks Similar to The Kinks - Variety
Kooks Discussions - forums.thekooks.co.uk

Killers Resources:


The Killers Music - thekillersmusic.com
The Killers Portal - Yahoo! Music
The Killers Fan Site - thekillersfansite.com

Labels: Indie Rock, MTV Music, Music Awards, The Killers

It seems like TV On The Radio is gaining ground every day with more and more indie fans being turned on to their music.

There are likely to be even more fans when their next album comes out. In the meantime, check out making of 'Wolf Like Me' from MTV.

For the past few years, Information Leafblower
, has released it's Top 40 bands in America. This year, and since they started compiling the list in 2003, there are many favorite indie bands among the ranks.

Each awardee profile includes quotes from the site's critics about the choosen recipient. TV On The Radio took the No. 1 spot, with The Hold Steady and The Decemberists taking second and third respectfully.

You'd notice these folks if they were walking down Main Street in your town with their stuffy 1880's attire, Japanese hand fans and, well, make-up, but would you know that they are The Decemberists?

Like their name, The Decemberists' music is unconventional. But that didn't stopped the group from rocketing upward - at warp speed compared to many other artists - to become one of the top indie bands of the past few years.

However, some of the group's first and most loyal fans were, let's say, less than happy when the band "crossed the line" and went big-time, signing on with Capitol Records this year to record The Crane Wife.

The group's founder, singer and songwriter, Colin Meloy, told The Boston Globe that signing with Capitol had not interfered with his work because the contract stipulates that "the label would stay out of the creative process."

Nevertheless, the talented indie quintet has wooed fans with their experimental, infectious music that combines pop and rock with contemporary and British folk influences infused with theatrical transitions, catchy melodies, melancholic bass lines, and crafty, often quirky, lyrics and subject matter.

Hints of Cake, Belle & Sebastian, They Might Be Giants and Tom Waits are sprinkled throughout their music. There are definitely other artists The Decemberists can be compared with simply because the diversity and depth of their music makes it hard to categorize them.

Meloy's music is described, on The Decemberists' official web site, as "an infallible melodic knack with a venturesome lyrical palette equally suitable for painting fantastical songs full of sea captains, legionnaires, chimney sweeps and seekers of all kinds."

The Missoulian spotlights the rise in popularity of The Decemberists - from the buzz initially created by a few indie bloggers and college radio disc jockeys, to their uncanny inability to be labeled by mainstream music journalism, and their frequent play volume on radio stations across the country and around the world.

Decemberists' Video Contest
Contribute your animation to a Decemberists' music video of "O Valencia" and win a computer. A green-screen contest? Hmmm, Didn't Steven Colbert do that first?

Go to MTV for more details. Deadline is December 15, 2006! You can also sample and download Decemberists' songs for less than .30 cents each (with monthly subscription).

Labels: Album Reviews, College Radio, Green-Screen Scandal, Indie Artist/Group Profiles, Indie Rock, Steven Colbet Report, The Decemberists