Playing Games is What We Do Best

After I finally shoveled myself out of the dreary winter stupor that found me neglecting my duties to indie rock, I decided to kick back into gear with a favorite artist of mine... Laron Bybee. You might remember this soldier wrote quite a touching original Christmas song featured back in December. And as promised, here's another one direct from his channel entitled, "The Games You Play."

For fans of Teddy Geiger, Howie Day, Jason Mraz, and John Mayer, you're sure to like the sounds of this one. Although not technically an aspiring musician by his own admission, Laron Bybee succeeds where others fail... taking a pleasing music style and giving it a quality all his own without making it sound overproduced, overdone, or overrated. And the lyrics are unique, too. How can you go wrong with that?

So show some indie rock appreciation and take a listen to "The Games You Play."



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Anorah - Songs I Can't Understand

Ever intrigued by Scandinavian indie pop, today's digs produced songs from a multi-talented Swedish songwriter, a little ray of sunlight in the cold, bleak winter that is February.

From struggling, bills-to-pay singer to voice-over actress for such films as Ice Age 2 and Shrek comes today's featured indie artist, Anna Nordell, known to her fans as Anorah. Her sweet, sensational voice produces tones like Nicole Nordeman and Gwen Stefani with a sweet backbeat similar to Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavine. Take a listen to "dar finns du an" below, and get your daily fix of Scandiepop.



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Naomi Carmack - Be Like You

Indiependence Music is a great place to find indie music - especially on this cold, bleak January day. Did I ever mention that I hate snow and cold weather? But super music always has its way of making everything better. Like the music of the artist I found on Indiependence today - Naomi Carmack.

This Canadian indie rock hero has a voice and attitude like that of Amy Lee from Evanescence, a musical sound like Nickelback, and considers Bon Jovi, Sass Jordan, Alanis Morissette, and Amanda Marshall as some of her biggest influences. How can you go wrong with that?

Going from the all-girl pop band "New Release" to being nominated for top dance/rap artist, she's taken some risky steps in the music business many other artists pale to consider. Perhaps that's how she's gotten so far.

"This is my goal and no matter what I end up doing, whether it be music management, recording engineering, or the true dreams of singing and songwriting, I want to make my career in this business. My true success is the enjoyment I receive from doing what I love, and letting my voice and words touch the hearts of others and leave smiles on their faces." - Naomi Carmack

Up next, "Be Like You", performed at Sherwood Park.



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The Motion Sick - 30 Lives

From the New England band that brought you "Satellite" a few months ago comes another indie music video, "30 Lives." Both catchy and entertaining, the song and its video are more professionally produced than some of their more popular contemporaries - I won't name names. While likely reminiscent of high school days, it's somewhat of a learning video as well -- don't eat the purplish gobbledygook that comes from the school cafeteria, and be extra careful when balancing atop the bleachers at your high school team's football game.




If you weren't at the Midway Cafe in Jamaica, MA to see them play their last venue, not to worry. They've got another show coming up February 26. The rub? It's at an "undisclosed location." Oh well. Check their show itinerary list for upcoming events when they publish the name of their next gig! For now, just enjoy watching "30 Lives."



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Homemade Music Videos - A Year in Retrospekt

Let's just follow the trend and do a recap of all the great songs, artists, and videos from the past year like every other indie blog is doing at the moment. Hey, they've got a good thing going.

Most Commented Song of 2007: "Hero" by Alex Lloyd

The most commented, and perhaps most controversial, song of 2007 was written and sung by Alex Lloyd. Straight from the United Kingdom, he penned a song about a hero who couldn't fly - an obvious reference to himself. However dissed or loved it was, readers and I came to the conclusion (after a big fight and an apology) that this is one of the best songs in indie history.

Most Loved Artist of 2007: The Revs

The Revs made it to number one for most-loved artist of 2007. With four hits, including "Broken", "Death of a DJ", "You Shine", and "Wired to the Moon", they scored it out with the most posts.

My Favorite Band of 2007: Nu-Matix

Straight from the islands of Germany, Manuel DeMann, Tim, Haye, and Antimo rocked the blog with "Set Me Free" and "Down." Current activities are under wraps, but in the meantime, check out the post from their US debut, or check out their site.


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