Band to Watch: My First Earthquake

My First Earthquake hails from San Francisco. They're a female-fronted band that Allmusic.com describes as "bold, synth-riddled indie pop." Think an Americanized version of The Sounds. Or don't think and just listen:

"Cool in the Cool Way"



"Outta the Band"

Band to Watch: Hey Champ

A rare sight: people into the 9pm band at Spaceland.

I walk into Spaceland at 9:30 on Monday night and immediately see people up close to the stage and really into the opening band. Hey Champ. Never heard of them. I get to see the band energetically play their last song and a half and sincerely regretted not getting to Spaceland earlier. If Indie 103 still existed they'd be playing Hey Champ all the time; the band epitomizes the electro-infused rock that the station emphasized during its last few months of existence.

Hey Champ is from Chicago and on Lupe Fiasco's 1st and 15th label.

Here's their video for Cold Dust Girl.

U.K. Artist to Watch: Fanfarlo

Fanfarlo: excellent chamber indie pop from the U.K. You can definitely hear some Princeton in their music, along with Arcade Fire and Beirut. I challenge you to not like them.

Even more noteworthy is that you can download their debut LP "Reservoir" (plus four bonus tracks) from their website for just $1 through July 4. Yes, one dollar. Don't miss out.

Here's a video of the band playing "Harold T. Wilkins" in a shed:

And here's an embedded player with some more songs and videos:

No US dates on the horizon yet.

Reminder: download the album. You have until July 4.

(Thanks to Zach and Craig for the heads up on Fanfarlo.)