emusic for Indie Music

emusic is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s like an iTunes for indie music. This is where I discover a lot of my favorite music.

You can sample everything and you can purchase various levels of membership that allow you to get a certain number of songs/month. Though they don’t have all the mainstream music, buying music here is a lot cheaper than buying it on iTunes.

I could spend all day browsing emusic. If you’re interested in hearing new music, check this site out.

Ryan Adams

Though Ryan Adams seems to be making it more into the mainstream, way too many people still don’t know about him.

He is hands down my favorite artist ever and I could happily listen to all of his albums non-stop. If you like beautifully-written lyrics and an angelic singing voice, Ryan is your man.

You might also know him as the former lead singer of Whiskeytown.

Frightened Rabbit

I discovered Frightened Rabbit through emusic and immediately became obsessed with them. A few days later, one of my favorite music bloggers e-mailed me and suggested I listen to them since they sound a bit like Snow Patrol (who I also love).

This Scottish band was offered a major record deal, but decided not to sign and instead signed with indie label Fat Cat Records.

Bon Iver

Bon Iver recorded most of his album; To Emma, Forever Ago; secluded in a cabin in Wisconsin.

I didn’t fall in love with him immediately, but once I got hooked on “Skinny Love,” I couldn’t stop listening. And then I realized how amazing the entire album is.

Christopher Jak

It’s really not hard to like Christopher Jak. I mean, he’s seriously hot and has a voice that anyone can appreciate. I’m having a lot of trouble understanding why he didn’t make it bigger. My favorite songs are “Seamless,” “Unbound,” and “Begin to Cry.”

I recommend his albums “Applause of the Rain” and “The New Nostalgia”

Cut Copy

In Ghost Colours is Cut Copys newest album, released in April, 2008.

Another Australian band, Cut Copy has toured with Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, and more. Definite dancibility here.

iTunes for Indie Music

iTunes also has a ton of indie music; they even have a section devoted to it on their store’s home page. Of course, I prefer emusic’s prices, but iTunes is a fabulous indie music resource.

The Twilight Sad.

The Twilight Sad is another Scottish band (I guess I have a thing for Scottish singers!), also signed by indie label Fat Cat Records.

Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters profiles their easy-going sound, but extremely powerful lyrics.

Rocky Votolato

Another indie singer, Rocky Votolato is extremely calming and his voice will almost put you to sleep. But not quite, because his lyrics are so beautifully written that you won’t be able to tune out.

A couple of my favorite songs are “Suicide Medicine,” “Portland is Leaving,” “The City’s Calling,” and “I’ll Catch You.”

Sia

I have to admit that I didn’t like Sia at first because I didn’t like this album cover. But after seeing “Some People Have Real Problems” constantly at the top of the charts at emusic, I gave it a listen and realized why so many people like it.

Born in Australia, Sia has actually been on the music scene for a while, but it wasn’t until her latest album that she really hit it big in the U.S. I recommend the whole album. And her rendition of Britney’s “Gimme More”

Plants and Animals

You can tell just by looking at them that Plants and Animals is going to have fun music.

It has a bit of a different sound, but this Canadian band’s music is extremely catchy. Their 2008 “Parc Avenue” album is awesome.

Flobots

Flobots, a band from Denver, Colorado, are trying to make a difference with their somewhat politically-charged music. But they have fun while doing it.

They say, “There are lots of things we can say theoretically about wanting to activate a population, but we are actually trying to create a real plan to allow people to be a positive force in the community.”

Their music is defined as rap, but it’s super positive, fun rap.