This amazing illustration (above) is the work of a stunning Tucson artist simply named Milk. Her gallery of semi-avante garde artwork intricately blends elements of classic art styles with symbols of modernism that often reflect the darker and more disturbing side of love, loneliness and apparently substance abuse. Milk's art is simply memorizing, and it is no surprise that she is a favorite among indie bloggers, 'underground' artists and digital art enthusiasts. Milk rises above the sea of wanna-be artists and stakes her claim - even if it's with a pitchfork or a needle - as an accomplished, brilliant artist at a caliber worthy of being presented at trendy art galleries in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Paris, Tokyo and London.

Now on to the playlist of Valentine's tracks. For a number of years, I have been building numerous playlists categorized from alt country to world music, and every other possible category/theme in between - punk/hardrock; feel good; interstate; bad girls; acoustic; live; dark; pop, etc.

Most of the playlists published on IRC feature indie and alternative rock artists and bands. In December, IRC ran an extremely popular series of alternative Christmas song playlists, so it makes sense to do the same for Valentine's Day weekend 2008.

The following tracks recall 'first times', relationships, break-ups, broken hearts, jealousy, longing and everything else that falls under the umbrella of love - or, if you will, "lovabyes".

Lovabyes is a play on words of course - well more like a made-up word - meant to represent the highs and lows of love without being too cynical. You may have not heard many of the songs on this playlist, and if you have, you really know your indie, alternative, rock and pop music.

Watch out for many more upcoming playlists, including the upcoming "They Stood Up" - a collection of indie and alt songs to pay tribute to Black History Month, Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama and countless others who have fought for what is right, just and moral.

Now, for the love of music and the music of love, IRC presents:

Indie Love Songs 2008, Playlist I

Bright Eyes - I Will Be Grateful For This Day

Lucky Souls (website) - Add Your Light To Mine, Baby

Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken

Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit

Bill Richinni - Angela

Architecture in Helsinki - Heart It Races

The Clientele - I Hope I Know You

Jens Lekman - And I Remember Every Kiss
(photo, bottom left)

Josh Rouse - It Looks Like Love

Beirut - Postcards From Italy


Add the Feed Me Indie feed to get Indie Love Songs II and many more playlists throughout 2008.

Other recent posts:
- Cat Power's new release Jukebox, MP3s and concert tour
- Bonnaroo music festival, line-up and tickets
- The low-down on Coachella: Tickets, line-up, maps, camping

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Labels: Beirut, Bill Richinni, Bright Eyes, Camera Obscura, Indie Rock Playlists, Indie Valentines, Jens Lekman, Josh Rouse, Love Songs, Lucky Souls, Valentine's Day Songs, Valentine's Playlists