It might just be that we are more aware of it than previous summers, but it seems like there are more solo debuts from band members of alternative and indie rock bands in 2010.
One of the most anticipated is Phil Selway‘s (Radiohead) upcoming release, Familial, due to drop August 30th. Selway collaborated with singer/songwriter Lisa Germano, ex-Soul Coughing bassist Sebastian Steinberg, Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Sansone.
“By Some Miracle” – Philip Selway from Familial
Kathryn Calder, of the super Canadian indie band, The New Pornographers, will release her debut, Are You My Mother?, next week, August 10th, via Killbeat Music.
“Arrow” – Kathryn Calder from Are You My Mother?
Founding member of the Eels, Tommy Walter, has been working on a new album under the moniker Abandoned Pools (wonder if that’s reference to skateboarding). Walter recently sent this track from the album, which still does not have a release date.
“Legionnaire” – Abandoned Pools from TBA
Glasgow, Scotland has contributed its fair share to the alternative and indie rock, and one of best in the past couple of decades has been the stellar band Travis. Founding member, Fran Healy, will drop his debut solo album, Wreckorder, on October 4th.
“Buttercups” – Fran Healy from Wreckorder
Former Desolation Wildnerness band member Nic Zwart will officially release his solo self-titled debut album on September 7th using his music project moniker, Electric Sunset.
“Soda” – Electric Sunset from s/t debut
Musician and songwriter Alain Johannes, who has contributed to albums by Queens of the Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures, drops his debut, Spark, August 17th via Rekords Rekords/Dangerbird Records.
“Endless Eyes” – Alain Johannes from Spark
Kenseth Thibideau, former member of bands like Pinback, Three Mile Pilot, and Tarentel, released his debut solo album, Repetition, on July 20th. The LP was heavily influenced by Thibideau’s obsession with classic krautrock and European prog that is channeled through swirling keyboards, looped grooves, rich melodies, and the singer’s unique vocals.
“Moon” – Kenseth Thibideau from Repetition
In 2009, Andrew Kenny, lead singer and songwriter for the American Analog Set, started a new music project with some friends and named the band The Wooden Birds. Not long after, the band signed with the indie label Barsuk Records, and recently released the debut LP, Magnolia.
“False Alarm” – The Wooden Birds from Magnolia
“Punk As Fu*k” – American Analog Set from Know By Heart (2001)
Last, but not least, Erik Parapazzi, bassist for Cat Power, released Rococo, his solo debut that should give CP fans something to tie them over until the next CP album release.
“Hi” – Erik Parapazzi from Rococo