Local Music - "I'm The One You Should've Let Go" by Zach Williams

Genre: Folk/R&B/Rock
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Latest Album: Story Time (2009)
Label: (unsigned)
Other Notable Songs: "Hospital", "Dirty Feet" and "James"

Fun Fact: As part of the Anti*Pop Music Festival, Brooklyn, NY's Zach Williams performs his unreleased song "I'm The One You Should've Let Go". He says that his music represents the communities he has had the privilege to pass through, experience, and the ones he is still holding on to.

Zach Williams Website HERE.

International - "70 Million" by Hold Your Horses!

Genre: Alternative/Bluegrass/Country
Hometown: Paris, France
Latest Album: Hold Your Horses! EP (2010)
Label: (unsigned)
Other Notable Songs: "Officer, Officer"

Fun Fact: Hold Your Horses! blew up virally when they released their video for "70 Million" on Vimeo. By recreating some of the most famous paintings in art history, this relatively unknown band they gained nearly 30,000 views within two weeks after posting it online in March 2010. They shot the video in a parking garage in Paris, using chalk boards for backdrops.

Hold Your Horses! Website HERE.

Acoustic - "Moon In My Eyes" by Highlife

Genre: Afro/Psych-Pop
Hometown: London, England/New York, NY
Latest Album: Best Bless (2010)
Label: The Social Registry
Other Notable Songs: "F Kenya RIP"

Fun Fact: The lead singer, Sleepy Doug Shaw, is from the band White Magic who is an associate of Gang Gang Dance and Animal Collective, the band name also serves as an end-around that deflates those who criticize Western pastiche of African sounds

Highlife Website HERE.

Cover - "Freshman" by Jay Brannan

Original: "The Freshman" by the Verve Pipe

Genre: Indie Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Hometown: New York NY
Latest Album: In Living Cover (2009)
Label: Great Depression Records
Other Notable Songs: "Soda Shop"

Fun Fact: Jay moved to California with a man he met on the internet, first to Palm Springs and later to Los Angeles, trying to become an actor. Later in New York City, he was cast as Ceth in the controversial movie Short Bus and engaged in a simulated sex scene in the movie.

Jay Brannan Website HERE.




The Original:

New Favorite - "Congratulations, You Suck" by J Minus

Genre: Alternative/Pop
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Latest Album: Devil Music (2010)
Label: (unsigned)
Other Notable Songs: "A Mile Away"

Fun Fact: The story of J minus goes back to classical times. While studying the supernatural music of the spheres, the ancients discovered a bizarre musical key somewhat like the cry of a baby zebra. They knew it was powerful and they kept it a secret, referring to it only as “J minus.”

J Minus Website HERE.

Local Music - "Free Love" by Derek James

Genre: Rockabilly
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Latest Album: Stray (2005)
Label: (unsigned)
Other Notable Songs: "Smoky Light" and "One More Day"

Fun Fact: Derek James has performed often at the venue Rockwood Music Hall for the past several years. His shows are known for being energetic, lively and Derek, himself, for being very personable and friendly.

Derek James Website HERE.

Acoustic - "Neon Bible" by Arcade Fire

Genre: Baroque Pop/Indie Rock
Hometown: Quebec, Canada
Latest Album: The Suburbs (2010)
Label: Merge Records
Other Notable Songs: "Rebellion (Lies)" and "Wake Up"

Fun Fact: In addition to instrument mainstays guitar, drums and bass guitar, members play piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, xylophone, glockenspiel, keyboard, French horn, accordion, harp, mandolin and hurdy-gurdy. The band takes most of their instruments on tour, and the multi-instrumentalist band members switch instrumental duties throughout their shows.

The Arcade Fire Website HERE.