Northern State - "Trinity"

Northern State are a trio of white rappers from New York.... sound familiar? Well not quite, but these ladies may have only known of one rap band when they started and that would be the Beastie Boys. "Trinity" is from their debut album 'Dying in Stereo' from 2002. They formed in the 90's as a joke, not even taking themselves seriously - but we've heard the same story since the start of popular music and like many of those other stories - Northern State found an appreciative audience.... and like the Beasties, their fans were more than likely from the indie rock side of the music genre ledger.

The Myrrors - "Juanito Laguna"

The Myrrors, from Tucson, have finally released their second album about eight years after they released their debut. The new album 'Arena Negra' is a slow moving, yet exhilarating listening experience. "Juanito Laguna" has a hypnotic bass line and a gothic drone that gets into your head. Their music is sometimes labelled desert-rock, but this is the desert in complete darkness.

Rose Windows - "Wartime Lovers"

The debut album 'The Sun Dogs' from Rose Windows was one of my purchases at the Re-Spin record fair on Saturday, a local bi-monthly record fair. Seattle based Rose Windows are an interesting six piece band with traditional instrumentation and not a laptop in sight. Singer Rabia Shaheen Qazi can belt out a number like Grace Slick or tone it down beautifully, as she does here on "Wartime Lovers". It was no surprise to find out that the album was produced by Randall Dunn from the band 'Earth' because of the similar indie/metal elements throughout. Throw in some traditional folk, folk rock, psychedelic rock, Indian and Persian styles, usually blended, and the result is something quite uniquely gorgeous. Thanks Re-Spin.