American Football - Oldie but a goody

American Football was a three man indie rock band from Urbana, Illinois, active from 1997 to 2000. The release of AF's first album was in 99 and only contained 9 tracks. A year after the band released their first album they mutually decided to separate before any of their songs came out on singles. According to wikipedia, they [American Football] gained critical acclaim for that album, which merged the plain-spoken, confessional lyrics of emo and the varying time signatures of math rock with a softer musical sensibility. These characteristics have been found in Kinsella's project, Owen. I actually found this group when I was looking through my music and noticed the name. Being a football fan, I wasn't sure what it was at first. After starting to the first song "Never Meant", and the first four chords on the guitar, I was instantly hooked. The whole CD is only 40 minutes in total, but I find the simple guitar riffs and the "other" instruments used really make this a neat album.

Singer Mike Kinsella explained the band's name as follows:

"My girlfriend had been in Dublin, Ireland visiting her family. One of the things she brought home for me was a flyer for a Chicago Bears exhibition game that said: "Come see American Football, featuring the most overpaid athletes in the world." Something about that statement made me think of rock bands, most of whom are the most overpaid musicians in the world. When I suggested it as a name, the other guys thought it was dumb. Still, for whatever reason, we kept it."

American Football - Never Meant

American Football - Honestly?

American Football - The Summer Ends

The band is dead, but the members still live on. Lead singer Kinsella is currently playing for the group "Owen" and drummer Lamos and guitarist Holmes play for "The Geese"

Arrah and the Ferns - Reunion Tour

Arrah and the Ferns are an indie pop / folk rock band from Muncie, IN. They began in 2006 with a very successful debut album Evan is a Vegan. The band gained a lot of attention for their debut record; they toured nationally, appearing on David Letterman, but about a year and half after Evan is a Vegan they announced their breakup, cancelling a planned sophomore album. The band members went their separate ways, continuing their individual music endeavors on good terms.

However, earlier this month it was announced that Arrah and the Ferns would reunite for a tour with and without all 4 members of the band. It was also revealed that new material would be played. It would be great to get that second album after all!

Arrah and the Ferns - Bernadette

Arrah and the Ferns - Tokyo, Tokyo

Fresh from New York

                  vocals by the raul buitrago

Clock Hands Strangle

Clock Hands Strangle has been at it for 5 years now, with two full length albums under their belts. The band is a 5-piece from Florida. Though typically labeled as indie rock, they are much more than that. Give them a listen and you'll also hear some brass, alt-country/Americana twang as well as some good ol' yelling; all in the name of poetry. Original vocalist, Todd Portnowitz, describes the importance of his lyrics to the sound of Clock Hands:

"We’re a band that’s as interested in literature as we are in music, so the songs often center around the lyrics and can take a bit of patience to warm up to. Our song structures are untraditional--the music conforms to the lyrics, whatever shape those may take--particularly with the newer material we’ve been writing, so there’s not as much to cling on to as there would be in your average pop song." (Rockislife.com)

Impressive philosophical lyrics played out against a mellow backdrop of indie rock energy:

Clock Hands Strangle - Cemetery

Clock Hands Strangle - Desert Music

Clock Hands Strangle - Distaccati

Similar Artists: Cloud Cult, Cold War Kids, David Bazan

Matias Aguayo

Matias Aguayo is a South American musician who began his music career enveloped in the 90s dance music explosion of Europe. Aguayo toured around the world performing dance music in clubs and discos wherever he went. The man is very cultured and (for over 10 years) knows how to party with his music.

His latest release Ay Ay Ay draws from the BumBumBox parties Aguayo and friends throw in the streets of major South American cities. The album's minimalism is very playful and energetic. Repetitive, giddy vocals carry each track along with clean Latin beats and shakes. If it doesn't get you moving then watch out because the Technoviking may come for you.

Ay Shit - The Master - Matias Aguayo

Matias Aguayo - Rollerskate (Radio Edit)