Check-out Artists Lineup 1

I have a list of artists from my semi-recent past (meaning the last 7 years) that I want to recommend, because they really deserve more attention than they get for the amazing music they make. I realize it'd be counterproductive to write individual posts about each of them right now, as I'd tap out too soon. Plus people would likely only read the first one or two posts instead of all 10. So, consolidation wins. I'll probably be doing posts like this pretty frequently.

CHECK THESE PEOPLE OUT!

Two Spot Gobi

A phenomenal group out of Britain, first put on my radar by Jason Mraz, and permanently entrenched there by the fact they are really fun to listen to, comprised of a very talented group of musicians, and above all, super nice.

Ari Hest

Out of Brooklyn, his lyrics are modest and moving, and his smoky sincere voice is simply beautiful. He is also super nice.

Black Carl

The female lead just knocks my socks off every time she sings. Flat out. I cannot attest to how much practicing she does or how much vocal training she has, but her voice gives the impression of being raw talent at its finest. The way she sings makes you believe she came out of the womb sounding like that. So good.

Djavan

The sounds he creates on the guitar always transport me. His sound is very Brazilian bossa jazz folk so it's probably a niche audience, but I love him to absolute pieces.

Paul Dateh

I discovered him by watching The LXD on hulu. He composed the music for episode 10 (I Seen a Man). I heard it, and researched furiously to find out more about him. He managed to distract me from my usual practice of staring, jaw agape, at Chris Scott's dancing. That is saying something. He and Chris Scott made an amazing pairing, but Paul also manages to be a great pairing with just about anyone (for example, I suggest you check out his work with Ken Belcher, and a lesser known duet of him doing I Wish You Love with Esna Yoon). He's multi-faceted and multi-talented, and produces every part of a lot of his own stuff.

Gabe Bondoc

The chord patterns he uses. The guitar arrangements he creates (like his cover of Justin Nozuka's "After Tonight"). Oh, and his voice. You will want him to sing you to sleep every night for the rest of your life.

Jason Yang

Violin + genius = Jason Yang

Todd Carey

So nice. So talented. His music is just fun to listen to. It makes you feel good. You can't help smiling. What more could you want on a lazy Saturday afternoon?

Brendan Green

This singer songwriter has some effortless depth (not bass, so much as brilliance) to the way he sings. I just feel like I have to listen to him, like he's saying something more meaningful than just words set to music. The aura around his voice is just magnetic.

Jason Reeves

Friend of Colbie Caillat, Jason Reeves stands on his own with lyrics and humble honesty in his music. He says things in a way that is poetic enough to make it "art," but simple enough that he can speak to anyone's heart. He says what he means, and in a way that makes you glad you listened in. And I wish the songs "Pretty Eyes" and "You in a Song," were written about me.

The last three I saw on tour together, thus the fact they were listed in such close proximity of one another.

Now go forth and enjoy your musical journeys!