Music

Happy Elf “Sexmachine” – free funny electro-pop album

Happy Elf is the performing name of Dutch multi-instrumentalist Jeroen Elfferich. As Happy Elf, Elfferich has released more than ten albums since 1999. He considers his music "electropopmusic," but the truth is that it is a good mix of various styles thrown together with a nice electronic beat. His latest release is "Sexmachine," a five-track mini-album that's all about dreams, sex, love, and relationships. Don't expect a thoughtful and introspective album, though; as the release information says, "[D]on’t take it too seriously: it’s Happy Elf!"

Nasdat “Already Late” – a fresh alternative rock album

Already Late is a 7-track album by Nasdat, a band from Monterrey, Mexico. With musical influences from bands like Papirringas and Arizona Tea, Nasdat is able to produce a unique sound along the lines of the alternative and rock music genre. This rising band has already played in many local pubs and bars in Mexico, before they finally released this debut album.

Confusion is Next “The Generation of this Order” – band’s third release under Creative Commons License

Confusion is Next is a four-person alternative rock band. The band, which takes its name from a lyric by Sonic Youth, was established in Monza, Italy in 2004, and has since created and released three albums. Their first album, "Spread the Spirit," was released in 2005, while their second album, "Lost in Dark Days" was released in 2008. Their latest release is "The Generation of This Order," which contains five new songs (in English). The album is now available for free download on the Spanish netlabel Trastienda.

Entertainment For The Brain Dead “Seven (+1)” EP – a melodic treat

Entertainment For The Brain Dead is the one-woman band of Julia Kotowsky. Only 21, Julia is based in Cologne, Germany, recording her songs with a USB microphone connected to a PC. She writes, composes, and records her own music and even makes the album covers by hand (available only on demand). She has released three albums so far, the latest of which is "Seven (+1)", a charming, whimsical acoustic album accentuated with ukulele strains, the sound of hollow paper bins, and even pepper mills.

Mike Kinsella “Owen” – his first indie free solo album

Owen is a solo project of Mike Kinsella. People in touch with the indie music scene in Chicago can easily recognize who he is. Mike is part of the three Kinsella brothers, all of whom are known for their involvement in many bands in Illinois. Mike himself is a member of the following bands: Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, The One Up Downstairs, American Football, Owls, Maritime, and Aloha.

Helsingfors’ “Schematics” – a free post-rock/math rock album download from UK

Helsingfors is a five-person instrumental post-rock/math rock band from London, England. The band, which includes all four members of the now-defunct instrumental band From the Sky, is composed of Daniel King, James Morris, Barry Rogers, Alan Ross, and John Spears. The band has released its debut EP entitled "Schematics," which includes four all-new songs. "Schematics" was recorded primarily as a live band, and as such, the EP pulsates with all the energy a live show brings. The album is available now as a free download from the netlabel Lost Children.

Abscondo “Midnight Snow” – free acoustic album under Creative Commons License

If you're wondering about what Abscondo got his record name, a quick look at his personal weblog will provide the person. Abscondo came from the verb abscond--to run away, usually taking something or someone along. This is the perfect way to describe his music in his free album, Midnight Snow. This album is arranged in such a way that 5 songs, which fill up Side A, represent Midnight Snow. On the other hand, the next five tracks, composing Side B, make up the Morning Rain.

America Del Sur – a self-titled surfer/rock/punk/jazz album from Florida

America Del Sur (or America of the South) was an indie band with Phil Cardona and Taylor Ross at the helm. Both are high school friends based in Jacksonville, Florida who distributed their music through the net label Rack & Ruin Records. Their style is an eclectic mix of jazz, post punk, indie rock, and teenage surfer twang which gives them a distinctive sound that is - however hard to categorize - quite pleasing to the ear. You'd have to listen to them to understand exactly what I mean.

The Dada Weatherman “EarthQuakes and Failed Mutations” – a blues and country album licensed under Creative Commons

Delicious acoustic and piano ballads characterize The Dada Weatherman’s second offering, “EarthQuakes and Failed Mutations”. The album is an interesting mix of blues, folk, and pop rock with soothing melodies. It’s perfect for easy, laid-back listening on gloomy days when you just don’t want to think about the rest of the world. Influences range from Bob Dylan, Arthur Rimbault, Leonard Cohen, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, Nick Drake, Django Reinhardt, and newer artists like like Devendra Banhart, Conor Oberst and Elliott Smith.