MP3

Nick Scalise and Gregory Shanahan of Bestfriends have taken a hands-on approach to creating their breed of indie-pop-electronica, and they’ve carved out a niche in the genre. The Chicago-based pair have a vision, and they ensured its realization by taking complete control over their 2012 self-titled EP. Not only did they write and perform the six-track EP, but they also produced, mixed and mastered it. They even directed a couple of accompanying music videos.

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New Jersey’s Black Clouds make pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. The foursome doesn’t fall prey to gimmicks or what’s in vogue. Rather, they pride themselves on a do-it-yourself approach and put plenty of passion and drive behind their music. This has led to two LPs -- 2008’s ‘Wishing Well’ and 2012’s ‘Better Days’ -- both of which the band funded, recorded and produced.

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Fat History Month’s sophomore LP, ‘Bad History Month,’ arrived on the heels of much praise for their debut album, ‘F---ing Despair.' As the album titles might indicate, this Boston indie-rock duo doesn’t take itself too seriously, or maybe it takes itself entirely too seriously — it’s hard to tell.

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Jordan Jeffares is the brains behind Snowden, a nomadic rock project whose music sounds like apocalyptic yet danceable Britpop.

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London duo Smoke Fairies are in a boxy cadillac, burning through delta-blues cassettes, headed for a 'Thelma & Louise'-style fiery demise. Well, maybe not ... but that’s what their single “The Three of Us” sounds like.

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Emo has certainly evolved from its primordial beginnings. From the intricate melodies of Sunny Day Real Estate, the genre took a discouraging detour through screamo, which ultimately killed the whole movement ... or did it?

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From their home recordings right down to their live performances, Mary Goes Wild strive for simplicity in their music. That's also true in terms of instrumentation, as Danny and Freddy Wild bash away with just guitar, drums and vocals.

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Patrick Duniven's band plays mature, almost affluent Americana-folk that evokes the spirit of classic rock heroes.

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Truly an international crew, Montreal foursome Wake Island features musicians from Lebanon, Canada and the United States. It's a brainy band -- one of 'em is studying cell biology -- and that really came through on their 2009 debut, 'Fairytales From the Island,' an attempt to, in their words, "reach a common center" through elaborate, orchestral rock.

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Britain's Mike Marlin has carved out a niche for himself by creating music that sounds the way being followed by tragedy must feel.

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Just when we thought white guys with guitars had run out of all the ideas that make white guys with guitars interesting, Japanther came along.

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Much like yesterday's free MP3 artist, Bored Nothing, the Dead Heads play blissed-out garage rock. Formed by brothers Oscar and Ali Jeffery and Ferg Davison, the group created a fuzzy, upbeat brand of dazed post-punk even before expanding from a trio to the current five-piece lineup.

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