Instrumental

(Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck)

Sweet Mother Logic

Sweet Mother Logic is an experimental indie instrumental quartet hailing from Montreal. The crew is made up of Justin Wright, Eric Kaplin, Jack D. Kelly and Adrian Aitken. Their instrumental sound leaps across genres creating a rich combination of instruments and sounds. With this self-titled album they explore the fields generating, pop, rock, electronic, ambient (even a hint of dance) in the thick layers of their music. So far, the group has been around for four years, creating a sound that is unique, intriguing and certainly entertaining. Give their album a go and check out their previous EP as well.

Rei Teytum: Viajeros

A wonderful fusion of rock, funk, folk, jazz, brass with some great sounding guitar, percussion, violin, viola, keyboards, trumpet, sax, bagpipes!?, and yes, even harmonica. It seems that Rei Teytum have it all, except of course for an English version of their bio anywhere on the Internet. So it is times like this that I wish I spoke more languages to bring you important information about the artists. But since that will simply not happen lets focus on their fantastic album, "Viajeros""Travelers", and the tiny bits of band history I was able to get (courtesy of my friend Google Translate).

Rusalka: Accent EP

Rusalka might seem like an odd name for a band, but their name is quite appropriate for the type of weird yet soothing music they make. This short EP was released back in August 2010 and contains 4 instrumental tracks. It's easy to trace hints of progressive, alternative, indie rock on the songs. With sweeping guitar work, heavy drums and occasional chants, the tracks remind me of an instrumental, Rise Against. Accent is offered at a pay-what-you-want option. You can donate to the band or you can simply hit zero on the donation option. It should give you the download option. Definitely a record worth checking out.

Sunlight Ascending: All The Memories, All At Once

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan is Sunlight Ascending, who play a brand of instrumental ambient/experimental rock that relies most heavily on the guitars to builder somber feelings as well as elation when they soar and reverberate.  Their first album All The Memories, All The Time has a full range of sounds that deliver powerful emotions to the listener. The band formed as high school freshmen and this album is the result of three years of playing together. The impressive learning curve that finds a three year old band making such an accomplished and fully wrought album is a testament to Sunlight Ascending.

Music That Matters: KEXP

I fell in love with the series nearly two years ago during one of my lovely commutes to work for one simple reason - it brings you the most amazing variety of music just in time when you can no longer listen to the same songs you had on your iPod since 2000. Each podcast comes with a theme and a selection of sounds (from nearly every genre imaginable, with a slightly greater love for alternative and indie rock) put together by some of the greatest DJs from Northwest.

Dumbo Gets Mad: Elephants At The Door

To master the sound of a certain era is not an easy task to do, but Dumbo Gets Mad, a one man (with a occasional help of a girlfriend's amazing voice) psychedelia project straight from Italy, is definitely on the right track. Experimenting with old-fashioned tape machines and analog synthesizers, this solo act brings its unmatched psychedelic melodies and noises to keep you daydream of a sunny coast of California even on the worst of North's winter days.

City Breathing: Look How It’s Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven

Ethereal instrumentalists City Breathing easily captivates with nostalgic tracks. If you think that 9 minutes for a song is just too long, think again. This New York based trio have cultivated a new meaning for nostalgia by creating tracks that capture your attention even if they go way pass your regular attention span. Made up of Arun Antonyraj, Marwan Kanafani and Ron Tucker; the band creates epic post rock crescendos, hypnotic atmosphere and ethereal sound that sweeps you off your feet. Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven (yes, that's the entire title) was recorded some time in 2008. A beautiful album that any post-rock lover will enjoy.

Rushus: Stories

Dreamy instrumental and experimental jazz from a Russian trio. Stories is a reflective compilation that is filled with whimsical melodies that makes you wish all instrumental music was created this way. Aptly described by one reviewer as "a fine collection of intelligent jazz tracks;" the compilation features experimental, progressive music with touches of blues and jazz. Rushus is primarily made up of Ilya Lipkin, guitar player extraordinaire. He's accompanied by two equally talented individuals, Evgeniy Tkachev on percussion and Vladimir Nikulin playing bass. Together, they create this sonic fusion of instrumental jazz that is filled with melodic rhythms and unconventional beats. Stories isn't just perfect for a Saturday night, it serves as great background music for almost any relaxing, quiet afternoon.

Deied: Formation of chaos

Deied is a German electronic duo composed of n1n0 and din-tah aeon. (Don't ask me how to pronounce those.) The duo is set on creating some of the darkest and coolest industrial, electronic sound there is. According to their website, this is the duo's 11th collaboration, although there are only 7 albums available in Jamendo as well as their official website that's up for free download. Formation of Chaos is filled with 10 dark electronic tracks that are often infused with melodic vocal work and layers of instruments. Basically, it's an album that combines a whole lot of synth, dark, symphonic musical elements that makes you feel as if you're moving through the deep dark woods under a full moon sky.