Five For Your Friday

In honor of Groundhog’s Day, here’s five tracks that have nothing to do with it. Featuring tunes from Electric President, Rökkurró, Milo Greene, Blair and Shilpa Ray. Enjoy!

Electric President

Started in 2003, Electric President consists of Ben Cooper (of Radical Face) and Alex Kane. Recording the majority of their music in a tool shed converted into recording studio, the electric-indie pop duo from Jacksonville, Florida have released five albums since 2006. Unaltered and fragile vocals intertwine with simple guitar phrases and electronic percussion perfectly in this hypnotizing track from Electric President.

“Insomnia”

Rökkurró

Founded in a Reykjavík attic in 2006, Rökkurró is five-person indie folk band who draw inspiration from their surroundings. The group released an EP six months after forming, followed by their debut album in 2007. Flowing strings, simple piano chords and delicate vocals sung in traditional Icelandic mesh together in this gorgeous track.

“Sólin mun skína”

Milo Greene

Initially starting as a trio consisting of Robbie Arnett, Andrew Heringer and Marlana Sheetz, Milo Greene formed when the three met at the University of California-Irvine.  Milo Greene eventually gained two more members and is now based in Los Angeles, CA. Starting off with a single guitar riff, rim-hits and tambourine, “1957” crescendos into a full-band affair featuring rich harmonies.

“1957”

Blair

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Blair began performing at the age of 16 in local coffee shops and by her late teens began opening for artists like Bright Eyes and Cat Power. Blair has since relocated to Brooklyn, New York. A wailing chorus, crashing cymbals and guest appearances from the xylophone compose the refreshing tune “Hearts”.

“Hearts”

Shilpa Ray

Shilpa Ray‘s love affair with music first developed when she was 6 while growing up in New Jersey.  Through the influence of her parents, who wanted Ray to learn to play classical Indian music, she began  to play the harmonium and piano.  Ray gigged around New York a couple of years, playing solo and in a band, Beat The Devil,  before  eventually settling down and forming Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers in 2009. Dominated by powerful vocals, “Venus Shaver” stands as a testament to Ray’s incredible musical ability.

“Venus Shaver”