exploremusic

They just posted an updated list of bands.  Here are some that grabbed my attention immediately.  (The whole list–so far–can be found here.)

Aids Wolf Montreal, Canada

The most challenging band I saw at last year’s M for Montreal Festival.  If you can make it through their set without an aneurysm, you’re a candidate for the next Navy SEALS extraction team mission to Pakistan.
Anti-Flag Pittsburgh, USA

Good buds with Billy Talent.  Recommended for angry political punkers.

Art Brut London, UK 

LOVE these guys.  ”And yes, this is my singing voice.”

Black Lungs St Catherines, Canada

Wade from Alexisonfire likes to do his own thing, too.  Now that Dallas is busy with City and Colour, he can indulge in his solo pursuits, too.

BRAIDS Montreal, Canada

Floaty, gossamer electronica from Montreal.  They have a few Cocteau Twins records, I expect.

Chad VanGaalen Calgary, Canada

He has a new album called Diaper Island.  The final track on the record is “I Shaved My Pussy.”  Just sayin’.

Chris Velan Montreal, Canada

Solid singer-songwriter who’s been our guest here at ExploreMusic.

Chuck Ragan Florida, USA 

Ex-Hot Water Muisc and The Draft.  A tower of 7-inch singles to his name.

CJ Ramone New York, USA

Say it with me:  ”One-two-free-fah!”

Courage My Love Kitchener, Canada

Cute as a button trio (with twin sisters) who have a real solid pop sensibility.

Crocodiles San Diego, USA

Shoegaze revival, anyone?  Please?

Cults New York, USA

Mysterious enough to make bloggers crazy.

DD/MM/YYYY Toronto, Canada

Experimental math-rock that somehow really, really appeals to me.

Deerhoof San Francisco, USA

Indie darlings–and not without merit.

Descendents Hermosa Beach, USA

Yes, THAT Descendents.

Devo Ohio, USA

Yes, them.  Awesome.

Digable Planets New York, USA

Memories of playing the original version of Mortal Combat while listening to “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat).”

Dirty Beaches Vancouver, Canada

A HUGE favourite in the office.  Scary and weird, but we can’t turn it off.

Dum Dum Girls Los Angeles, USA

Darlings of the hipster crowd.  And they have a point.

Elephant Stone Montreal, Canada

“Hindirock.”  Indie rock with a Hindu element.  Like a sitar.  Imagine if the Stone Roses had formed in Mumbai.

Enjoy Your Pumas Winnipeg, Canada

I don’t know anything about them.  I just like their name.

Evan Dando / Juliana Hatfield Cambridge, USA

What Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were to rom-coms in the 80s, these people were to American indie rock.

FREEDOM OR DEATH Toronto, Canada

They played a Canadian showcase at CMW in New York last fall.  The Wall Street Journal picked them as one of twelve bands to watch (out of more than 1,300).

Fuck Montreal Halifax, Canada

An insult?  Or the name of a swinger’s club?

Glory Glory Man United Halifax, Canada

East Coast Canada that sounds like Northern England.

Kid Street Penatanguishine, Canada

I’ve seen these people live a couple of times.  Much potential here.

Land Of Talk Montreal, Canada 

Tons of potential here, too.

Men Without Hats Montreal, Canada

They can still dance if they want to.

METZ Toronto, Canada

Another band I saw at M for Montreal last fall.  Like Alexisonfire, you say?
No Joy Montreal, Canada 

One of my favourite young indie bands regardless of origin.

Parlovr Montrèal, Canada

These guys are on something of a roll.
Saint Alvia Burlington, Canada

Let’s hope that no one steals their gear (again) before their gig.

Sharks Midlands, UK

They didn’t make it CMW.  Now they can make it up to us.

Stars Montreal, Canada 

Still pushing The Five Ghosts album.

Stephanie Bosch Toronto, Canada

Miss singers like Holly McNarland?  Then check out Stephanie.

Suuns Montreal, Canada 

Remember:  it’s pronounced “Soons”

teen tits wild wives Toronto, Canada

No idea–but you gotta be curious, right?

The Balconies Ottawa/Toronto, Canada

I really enjoyed their performance when they came in to play for us.

The Luyas Montreal, Canada

Watch these people.

The Two Koreas Toronto, Canada

Joy Division done good.