Indie Music Universe

A bit more than a year since they formed, Washington DC based Typefighter, has already
recorded their debut EP (I Want to See You Game, Boys, I Want to See You Brave), embarked on a month long national tour, and gained quite a following in their native city.

Now they look forward, and have begun working on a full-length album, as well as organizing another national tour.  2010 should be a big year for Ryan Mclaughlin, Erik Anderson, John Crum, and Will Waikart; one thing is for sure, they still have a lot more to show with their own unique blend of “dream-pop-folk”(brightestyoungthings.com) and will be sure to “warm our hearts” (Allournoise.com).

Instrumentation

Ryan McLaughlin – Vocals, Autoharp, Guitar, Ukulele

Mary Voutsas – Piano, Rhodes, Vocals

Will Waikart – Drums

John Crum – Guitar, Bass, Banjo

Erik Anderson – Guitar, Bass, Vocals

Website

MySpace

Hype Machine

Last.Fm

Twitter

Facebook

Discography

 I Want To See You Game, Boys, I Want To See You Brave 

Song Samples

Ocean Floor

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All the Air

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Chris Volpe has won multiple awards for his live solo album “Refugee Blues”, recorded in one take, and transformed it into a larger sound in Nashville with his new album “Shipwrecked!”

In 2009, Volpe's new recording Shipwrecked! showcases the expanded sound he calls “surrealist folk.” On the record, Volpe worked with Bob Dylan’s band mate, Donnie Herron; Johnny Cash’s drummer, Kenny Malone; Dave Matthews Band horn player, Jeff Coffin and Patti Griffin’s bassist and cellist Bryn Davies.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Shipwrecked! – Chris Volpe

Nashville's, Chris Volpe is just what music needs. He's uniquely gifted and sits in a great place – to the side of the bland singer/songwriter sect. Its accessible, but much more artsy than the general vibe coming from the genre. His music is part folk, jazz, bluegrass, and acoustic singer/songwriter. But it's the undeniable roosty-Americana sounds that really make his album, Shipwrecked! truly soar!

Songs like Don't Go and Salvation's Round the Bend, make this unique blend work. Ice Upon the Ocean is one of his best. There's a beautiful lilting violin that accompanies Volpe's voice in a dramatic way.

So if you're a fan of the genre, and like artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Griffin House, Nickel Creek to Thad Cockrell, you'll fall in love with this record. This is truly one of the best albums I've heard in a very long time. I honestly hope to meet Volpe in concert and write a live review while in Nashville in the near future.

Posted by Ross Christopher

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Popularity: 4% [?]

By Kristin Anderson

On my search for some quality indie to pay forward, I stumbled across a indie folk band that has helped to solidify the existence of some happy music. Thao With the Get Down Stay Down has succeeded in forcing our spoiled, overindulged, grumpy listeners to smile again. Remember smiling people, it's that thing you do when you're not all wrapped up in your own little tragic universe of perspective.

The band members consist of Thao Nguyen (guitar, vocals), Willis Thompson (drums, percussion), and Adam "The OK BIRD" Thompson (Bass, bird noises). Willis Thompson and Thao Nguyen met at a re-enactment in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, and then found Adam Thompson one summer at a Richmond delicatessen, gingerly slicing. They got in a van together and stopped every night in different places. Got out, played music (often for real live people) and then got back in and rambled to the next town.

Thao With the Get Down Stay Down recorded one album, drove around and flew to and fro, and then recorded another. Both albums document the musical collaboration of many friends and colleagues and the efforts of one Thao to understand human interaction at all, ever. Their latest Know Better Learn Faster was released on 10/13/09 and is making a serious impact on its impressive show line up of all the indie hot spots you could hope to visit. (check out the tour dates on  www.myspace.com/thaomusic )

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Popularity: 13% [?]

Singer/songwriter Johnny Nicholson reflects a deep and diverse talent. Unafraid to venture into new territory, he’s lived in California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Europe. Nicholson’s motley of adventurous explorations in geography is paralleled with his musical styles. He can play it all, from pop folk, to reggae, to smooth lullabies, to rock.

Grown in Geyserville, CA, Johnny picked up the violin at age five and the guitar at age seven, he has been writing, recording, and performing for the better part of his life.

"Ultimately, Nicholson is an artist you would take with you to celebrate, to ponder, and to live. While his sound is predominantly smooth and calming, Nicholson also produces music to match the many moods of life. Easy to relate to, the singer/songwriter seamlessly tells snippets of his autobiography…" (Lauren Proctor, Northeast Indie In Tune)

By January 2010, Johnny will have graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he has been studying, practicing his craft, and building Monkey Rock (TM) Presents/Records/Apparel. Johnny founded Monkey Rock in 2006. The organization has grown into a community comprised of artists and friends, from all over the world, who support each other by working, promoting, and performing as a group. May ’08, Johnny released his first EP (available on iTunes), March ’09, Johnny was selected to work in a songwriting workshop with Paul Simon, and June ’09, Monkey Rock had a featured article in The Boston Globe. In January ’10, Johnny will release a new record – with a video for each song, produced by different independent animators/film-producers.

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Popularity: 3% [?]