Featured New Artists 2-25-09

1) Erin McCarley – “Love, Save the Empty” from LOVE, SAVE THE EMPTY [1-6-09]. A singer-songwriter and Texas-gone soCal performer with an ethereally sweet voice creates an acoustic adult-alt-pop track.

2) Damon Fowler -- “Sugar Shack” from SUGAR SHACK [1-27-09]. The kind of album that you turn on and the dance floor just fills up – and stays that way through every track -- brimming with electric blues jams.

3) Dan Auerbach -- “Heartbroken, in Disrepair” from KEEP IT HID [2-10-09]. – Big electric bluesey-rocker; a solo effort from Black Keys frontman.

4) Nickel Eye – “Brandy of the Damned” from THE TIME OF THE ASSASINS [1-17-09]. An angsty extra-curricular project from three members of The Strokes where Nikolai Fraiture (bassist) works his guitar through a repetitive indie rocker.

5) Bon Iver – “Blood Bank” (single) [1-20-09]. Wisconsin troubadour Justin Vernon’s easy vocals and mellow acoustic guitar mark his sophomore solitary effort.

6) Lisa Hannigan – “I Don’t Know” from SEA SEW [2-3-09]. A spare, pretty and simple song featuring melt-your-heart vocals from former Damien Rice side-kick.

7) Fiction Family – “When She’s Near” from FICTION FAMILY [1-20-09]. A short and sweet vocal-acoustic debut from Switchfoot singer Jon Foreman and Nickelcreek guitarist Sean Watkins.

8) The Black Ghosts – “Full Moon” from THE BLACK GHOSTS [12-23-08]. – A slightly retro, haunting and plaintive acoustic groove from duet formerly of UK’s Simian on their self-titled debut album.

9) Shwayze – “Buzzin” from SHWAYZE [8-18-08]. Shwayze’s debut hip-hop track combines Malibu beach rap with Cisco Adler’s indie-rock groove.

10) Lady GaGa – “Poker Face” single [12-16-08]. Stacking up agreeable dance-pop tracks, this young writer-producer-performer-musician from New York gets straight to what appeals.

11) Carolina Liar -- “I’m Not Over” from COMING TO TERMS [5-19-08]. A good energy anthem rock tune by L.A. alt-rocker Chad Wolf.

12) Kerli -- “Walking on Air” from LOVE IS DEAD [7-8-08]. On her debut album, this blonde bombshell from Estonia churns out a pop tune that combines dance beats with stints of creepy emo disharmony.

13) The Airborne Toxic Event -- “Sometime Around Midnight” from THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT [8-5-08]. Irresistible pop track song – think rock and roll version of “Lady in Red” -- that compels you to listen.

14) Jay Rock – All My Life (single) [7-10-08]. It helps to have Lil Wayne and Will.i.am show up for a cameo on your first major hip-hop release; a good groovin’ track nonetheless.

15) Kevin Rudolf -- “Let it Rock” (feat. LilWayne) from IN THE CITY [11-24-08]. On top of an irresistible pop rock sound, complete with synthesized guitar riffs broken, there’s the unlikely rockin’ appearance by Lil Wayne.

16) Chairlift -- “Bruises” from DOES YOU INSPIRE YOU [11-11-08]. Alternating clear, easy vocals and synthy percussion background combine in this upbeat, indie-alt track.

17) Flight of the Conchords – “Business Time” from FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS [4-29-08]. An amusing Barry White-rip on sexual foreplay.

18) Lenka -- “The Show” from LENKA [9-9-08]. Sweet, whimsical, crème pouf-of-an-indie female vocalist from Australia gets behind this coffee shop-euro-pop single.

19) The Mighty Underdogs – “Escape” from DROPPIN’ SCIENCE FICTION [10-14-08]. Experimental West Coast hip-hop with smooth melodies, piano and percussions overlaid with fresh, mixed-raps.

20) Meiko – “Boys with Girlfriends” from MEIKO [2008]. Easy, Light-as-air female vocalist out of Roberta, Georgia.

21) Estelle -- “Just a Touch” from SHINE [4-29-08]. A unique blend of R&B and hip-hop, Estelle’s luscious British vocals dances through this original dance track from her stateside debut album.

22) Shontelle -- “T-Shirt” [7-15-08]. A contagious new pop track from an R&B sensation who’s fast on Rihanna’s heels to becoming the newest “it” girl out of Barbados.