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Keep Tidy: Basement Mold EP

Keep Tidy is a Vancouver band that will satisfy your craving for hardcore, balls-on rock. With female-led vocals, the band reminds me of a cross between The Distillers and a very loud and uninhibited, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They are made up of Brett, Dustin, Kyle and Shmoo; most of the members aren't new in the scene. They actually belonged to various other bands in the local Vancouver rock scene before coming together to create this fast paced, loud record that seems to be made up of nothing but a whirlwind of sound.

I am Dive: Constellations

I Am Dive is an indie acoustic folk duo made up of Esteban Ruiz and Jose A. Perez. Together they generate a sound that is equal parts melodic, hypnotic and overall, contemplative. Although I Am Dive is a fairly new project, the men behind it aren't exactly newcomers to the industry. Perez has been a guitar player for Blacanova for a long time while Ruiz also serves as the vocals for Renochild and also plays for The Baltic Sea. Together, they create gorgeous music that emanates a string of beautiful melodies, tight songwriting and a clear, polished quality that's perfectly enjoyable.

Branches: Merry Christmas

Holiday cheer taking a long time to sink in? Take a listen to this short but charming Merry Christmas EP from Branches. It'll help put you in the mood for the holidays. This mini-compilation gathers 4 songs that have become staple Christmas carols through the years and putting the Branches touch to it. The group is made up of a bunch of "best friends-turned-bandmates." Together they create a lovely indie folk rock sound while adding a nice home grown touch. Coupled with mostly acoustic guitars and beautiful vocals, you are sure to feel the Christmas spirit around you.

Kopecky Family Band: Embraces EP

A "family" since 2007, the Kopecky Family Band is a beautiful gathering of 5 boys and 1 girl who sing melodic indie pop rock that will certainly put you in a good and relaxing mood. The band hails from Nashville, TN and evolved after plenty of late nights sharing and talking about dreams. Since their formation, the group has performed for several big ticket events such as CMJ, SXSW and Bonnaroo. This is the first out of three EPs the six-piece have released so far. This one is a couple of years old but it retains that same quiet beauty that most listeners will surely fall for.

Fever Sleeves: Soft Pipes, Play On (LP)

The first time you listen to Fever Sleeves, you might find it hard to put a finger on their brand of music. On the one hand, you have this beautiful calculated math rock sound while on the other, it's a noise fest filled with random guitars, hazy vocals and unconventional drumming. Soft Pipes, Play On is the band's debut record, it might be two years old but with just one listen you can tell from the onset that there's something special with this one. The band hails from San Diego, CA and have been around since 2004. Their first single, Futuristic Killings, paved the way for the band's much anticipated full length debut back in 2009.

Sigmafly: Tetrachrome EP

Ever since their start, Cut Records has become a musical haven for anybody looking awesome electronic ambient releases. The best part is that each of their releases is available as a free download or exchange the download for a tweet. It's really a great treat to have. This time around, they're featuring Sigmafly's first release under the label, Tetrachrome EP. Filled with 7 moody electronic singles; it mixes atmospheric beats with carefully chosen samples. Sigmafly is the moniker for Manchester-based Tom Holmes. For this compilation, he incorporates various aesthetics, even borrowing from Cut artists like Great Skies to create this stunning piece that should be worth checking out.

The Julys

If you're in the mood for some uptempo indie rock, listening to the The Julys is a good place to start. According to their facebook bio, the band started off "as two young men coping with the loss of their respective harpy women." They've certainly come a long way since then. Now, the band is a quartet that creates some really good and catchy indie rock mixes. Instead of bitter, heart wrenching lyrics; the band takes on a feel-good disposition; filling their sound with bouncy beats, hipster style guitars and some wild Little Richard-style singing.

Big Wilson River: Octopus Album

At first listen Big Wilson River’s Octopus Album packs a jarring punch. After adjusting to a somewhat stylistically predictable album, which is best described as a jerky and frantic folk/rock hybrid, a zealous melody and original narrative begins to merge. Powerful instrumentals are aided by forceful lead singer Darrin Bradbury who at times dominates the vocals with a strained shout. Despite, he is paired with Emma McLaughlin who has a soft yet strong voice, something similar to the enticing and hypnotic effect of Adele.

JT Bruce: The Dreamer’s Paradox

Animator, artist, filmmaker and musician, JT Bruce, is one tough act to follow. He describes himself as having an "eye for the bizarre and an ear for the unusual" and this clearly shows in his music. For The Dreamer's Paradox, Bruce creates a complicated yet hypnotic compilation where progressive music resonates. This is the second record for the artist. The album itself is a bit old, about 5 years today but it still manages to impress plenty of listeners out there. His first album, Anomalous Material, gained quite a response and this one is no exception either. However, the artist noticeably takes his sound a little deeper, creating more diversity and layers to his instruments unlike before.