Rolling Thunder from the Land Down Under

Before watching this artist's videos, I would like to take one of their songs and paint an image for you. Go on, close your eyes! Imagine calming folk guitar picking slowly fading in, being quickly joined by an eager, yet restrained, marching drum beat. By now you’re at least tapping your foot or nodding to the beat. Then, stretched across the music comes the harmonic vocals “woo-uh-ooh-hoo-uh-ooh” quickly followed by a lazy voice with a draw filling the air with cryptic lyrics. The voice is charged with emotion but doesn’t let loose…yet. Okay, now that you’re chomping at the bit, I’ll tell you: the song is “Rabbit Song” by Boy and Bear. This rolling thunder from the Land Down Under is a Sydney-based quintet who has toured Britain and Australia (supporting Mumford and Sons, which, oddly enough, write the same Byzantine-style lyrics). The guys are scheduled to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Illinois, on August 7th. Then, they’re taking their show to New York for performances at the Mercury Lounge and the Knitting Factory on August 9th and 10th respectively. You can also catch them live on iTunes tomorrow at 8:30 PM. I highly suggest, if you’re within 3 states of one of their shows, you be in attendance. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!

Playful Pop Wildfire

One part island music, one part 1950-esque pop.  That’s the best way I can describe Babeshadow.  Upon first listening to these guys, it quickly became apparent that their sporty rhythms were hypnotic and highly addictive.  Nothing screams “Listen to me!” like a band whose sound is refreshingly bold.  I believe that comes from not giving into the fear of being original and straying away from materializing mainstream music for the sake of popularity.  Pardon the name drop, but, to me, Babeshadow is undeniably Dog is Dead's doppelganger.  I give these guys two thumbs up and permanent residency on my iPod.  I recommend you do the same.  Also, don’t forget to check out Babeshadow on Facebook and MySpace.  As always, I would to hear what you, the readers, think about the artists on Clandestine Bands.