Merry Christmas from Singapore

If I could have one Christmas wish, I would wish all Christmas songs were original - like this.

Say hello to Ee Thai, a teenager direct from Singapore, who took time out of his directing life as head of Crappy Films to write this Christmas piano piece. Entitled "Christmas Wish," its crisp, wintery flavor conjures thoughts of Jim Brickman melodies and a little bit of Eastern flavor.

Throughout this Christmas season, I'd like to spread the holiday cheer to any suffering independent artists out there whose Christmas songs have gone unnoticed and unappreciated. If you are such an artist (or if you know of one), just post a YouTube link of your Christmas music video in a comment; you just might see that video in the next post!




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More AnaFree

YouTube favorite AnaFree is back with a new video! This Portugal songstress had her videos pulled (for some mysterious reason) a couple months ago, but that's old news. They're all back - with interest.

Ana was born in Cascais, Portugal, raised in Lisbon, but filmed her video in Canterbury. Our guess? This girl gets around, and it looks like she's done a few gigs, no less. And don't forget to wish her Happy Birthday - her twentieth birthday's on Friday!

Anyhoo, her most recent song is entitled, "Nothing to Fear," unquestionably one of her best. So check it...

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anafree

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Solaris - L'espoir Acoustique

English is a beautiful language, make no mistake about that... but it pales terribly in comparison with the linguistic beauty of l'francais, and this song is hard evidence of that. Malheureusement, however, very little is known about the band itself, but we do know that Solaris' hometown is Paris, France (what a surprise) they've been touring France (really, now), and they just released a brand new album last Avril - that's April, to the non-French speaking demographic. The surprises never end.

Even though they're pretty tight-lipped about the bandmembers' identities, here's what a few digs around the 'net produced:
Solaris is:
JB (vocals and guitar),
Lionel (bass),
Mathieu (guitar solo),
Aurelien (keyboard)

Their influences include Louise Attacks, Noir Desire, Jacques Brel, M, Serge Gainsbourg, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. According to them, they sound like Louise Attacks, Noir Desire, MUSE, The Beatles, Oasis, and Raphael.

Technically speaking, their music needs no explanation, but in case you can't make out the English from the French subtitles, there's a little translation jobbie below. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of "The Hope" in acoustic.

The Hope

You know if the life separates us
Say that one will be re-examined
In one century or randomly
For that time does not have a law
I will play on my guitar
To fly away to you

REFRAIN
I will whisper your name
With the ear of the winds
I know that they will find you
Then for a moment
I will be there
I will be there
With you…

VERSE 2
The hope never should be lost
It is all that it us remains now
Let us keep a place in our reports
Through the paddle and laying down it
If you hear this guitar
I will have come finally

REFRAIN
I will have whispered your name
In the air and the currents
I know that they will find you
Then for a moment
I will be there
I will be there
With you…

VERSE 3
One has that to sing this song
To put our hearts at unison
To renovate a moment just
And to remember good old days
When you were there
When you were there
With me…



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Brienna Lauren

American singer/songwriter Brienna Lauren might be an 18-year-old missionary kid in Croatia, but music is her second calling. Apparently everything isn't peaches and roses in Croatia, either. Brienna's music is uplifting on the one hand, but thought-provoking on the other. "Front Lines", below, wrenches of troubled teens and the satire of life in a way not too many of us think about.

Front Lines


youtube

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Starpilots

There's no words to say how much I love foreign indie bands... and plenty of words to convey my displeasure that every single one of their official sites is in any language under the sun except English! So, malheuresment,
I won't be able to bring you too much trivia about Starpilots. But I will tell you what I do know.

Based in Austria, Starpilots has been in existence since 1994, with eight different tape/CD productions to date. Their most recent release, Population, just came out this year. The band itself is comprised of four gents, with Alex Panrok thumping drums, Horst Ruger on guitar, Tom Schauppenlehner on the bass, and Gernot Grassl as lyricist. Apparently, they all sing, and quite well at that. But this is only my opinion. See for yourself, with their newly released video, "Gasping for Air."

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And for those of you who speak and understand the German language, here's a promotional interview they broadcast on Viennese television for your listening and viewing enjoyment.



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British Indiepop Candy

Although their career was short, British indiepop band Hefner wrote some right good music. Fronted by Darren Hayman, Hefner produced songs similar to Scandinavian band The Confusions.

Darren's music involvement included music with not only Hefner, but The French, an up-and-coming bluegrass band of buddies, and a solo career of his own. Last year's latest, "Table for One," proved to be a labor of love. Here's what some digs from his website produced:

"Bruised and bloodied, former Hefner front man Darren Hayman, crawls out from his car wreck life armed with only his battle scarred telecaster and ukulele for protection. Darren’s been given a right kicking by the music biz, but he’s not down, in fact he’s smiling ear to ear. In the past two years since his last album with The French Darren has worked for The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals, Battersea Dogs Home, gotten married, formed a bluegrass band, put on a lot of weight and is currently studying an Art PGCE at Goldsmiths College. “If I don’t work I go nuts; I wasted 6 months addicted to internet chess.” says Hayman. This album is his best so far until the next one. Real drums and guitars mark a return to the indie folk style of Hefner, but better. “Every time a write a song its better then the last one”, continues Hayman, “I thought it was that way for everyone?”."

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Their video, "Good Fruit," showcases the incredibly bored Hefner clan, moping about with nothing to do until Darren turns up the tunes. You'll turn it up, too, when you hear this hit.



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Je Suis Jalouse

Okay, okay, so she's not exactly indie. Seeing as she did sign a deal with Sony records. But no matter; French songstress Emily Loizeau caught my eye on YouTube's feature page and my curiosity was piqued. The French language has always held my interest, so why shouldn't a video that happens to be entirely in French?

Part real and partially animated, the combination of song and movie lead one to believe they were transported into an early 20th century French country scenery alongside a jealous wife, a husband, and an ex. I'll let you figure the rest out on your own, as the translation for the number one song off the "L-Autre Bout du Monde" album just so happens to be "I am jealous."



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miaarose - Never On Your Own

Yes, half of YouTube loves her, but the other half hates her. Is it because she's so talented? Probably. Because she has a good voice? Probably. Because she actually writes and performs her own songs? You decide. Whatever it is, this girl can do it all, and she's not ashamed to show it. And there's certainly no lack of creativity with her hit "Never On Your Own." And did I mention that NextSelection took YouTube notice and signed her? Come on, that's old news. But you can still appreciate the vid anyway.



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