Looking For New Music? I've Got Recommendations

I seem to be the source of people finding new music for a handful of my friends, so I decided I would just document it.

These recommendations are for fans of the softer and lighter side of life, so here goes.

Manchester Orchestra
Alot of people in the underground world know about this band, they've toured with everyone from Thrice, to Mewithoutyou, to Brand New, and they've managed to stay JUST enough under the radar to keep a failry unknown mainstream status.

The band mixes up beat tunes, with the occasional down beat and slow anthemic songs, with deeply personal and inspiring lyrics. From love, love loss, and faith, this band keeps a good mixture of cross genre attitude, and original wit.

FOR FANS OF: Brand New, Anathallo, Neutral Milk Hotel
Listen to: Like a Virgin Losing a Child
MYSPACE

Bon Iver
This band/artist has had a fair amount of exposure, and was one of the most talked about groups in independent music last year. With songs appearing on Grey's Anatomy, and a spot in an issue of Rolling Stone, and appearances on Letterman and Leno, Bon Iver has kept a steady pace.

Songs are slow and atmospheric, with more elegance than a charity ball. The vocals remain perfect, mixing falsetto harmonies with hooky melodies that you wouldn't expect from such an experimental sound.

FOR FANS OF: Sigur Ros, Damien Rice, Coldplay
Listen to: For Emma, For Ever Ago
MYSPACE

The Emerson Letters
This artists, I can imagine, is relatively unknown to most people. This is the side project from Matt Goud, singer/guitarist of the now defunct Christian melodic hardcore band MEANS.

Goud's voice is phenomenal and real. The songs are deep and personal as his voice blends perfectly with the strum of his acoustic guitar. Though sometimes folky, songs might seem reminiscent of early Coldplay. Though he fits the description in form, throw away most inhibitions of a normal singer song writer, Goud does it his own way.

FOR FANS OF: Ray Lamontagne, Early Coldplay, Ryan Adams
Listen to:See This Through
MYSPACE