Hurray for the Riff Raff – Look Out Mama

New Orleans based indie folk act Hurray for the Riff Raff is out with their…read more→

Gospel Music – How To Get to Heaven From Jacksonville, Florida

Gospel Music, a side project of Owen Holmes of Black Kids, have released their first…read more→

Sonny and The Sunsets – Longtime Companion

Sonny & the Sunsets, fronted by San Francisco playwright/songsmith/troubadour Sonny Smith, have previously blended 50’s,…read more→

Glen Hansard – Rhythm and Repose

Glen Hansard, frontman of the Irish band The Frames and half of the Academy Award…read more→

The Two Man Gentlemen Band – Two at a Time

The Two Man Gentleman Band – a.k.a. Andy Bean (tenor guitar) and Fuller Condon (upright…read more→

Paul Simon – Graceland

Graceland, the phenomenally successful and well loved experimental studio album by Paul Simon is being…read more→

The Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now

Swedish singer-songwriter Tallest Man on Earth (a.k.a. Kristian Matsson) released one of my favorite and…read more→

Petunia and The Vipers – Petunia and The Vipers

Based on the name alone one would expect that Petunia and The Vipers are a…read more→

Joe Pug – The Great Despiser

While the Nation of Heat EP made Joe Pug a talent to watch, and debut…read more→

Guy Capecelatro III – North For The Winter

So his name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, “Guy Capecelatro III”, but this accomplished…read more→

Bhi Bhiman – Bhiman

San Francisco based singer-songwriter Bhi Bhiman is winning over critics and audiences with his authentic…read more→

Eamon McGrath – Young Canadians

Young Toronto based folk/punk-rock musician Eamon McGrath has issued his third official release, Young Canadians.…read more→

Midtown Dickens – Home

Durham, North Carolina post-folk band Midtown Dickens began as a duo of multi-instrumentalists Catherine Edgerton…read more→

Jeremy Benson – Darksongs 2

Jeremy Benson, a longtime member of one of my favorite indie folk rock bands, the…read more→

These United States – These United States

East Coast band These United States will soon release their eponymously titled fifth studio album…read more→

Patrick Watson – Adventures in Your Own Backyard

Adventures In Your Own Backyard is the latest masterpiece by the relatively little-known Canadian singer-songwriter…read more→

Billy Bragg and Wilco – Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions

This past Record Store Day saw the release of the highly anticipated final volume in…read more→

The Calumet Reel – The Calumet Reel

Bloomington, Indiana band The Calumet Reel bring a charming kind of heartland country rock with…read more→

Matt Jones and The Reconstruction – Half Poison, Half Pure

Ann Arbor troubadour Matt Jones is joined by bandmates The Reconstruction on his third self-released…read more→

River Whyless – A Stone, A Leaf, An Unfound Door

Asheville NC band River Whyless is a quartet that formed while studying at Appalachian State…read more→

Kim Janssen – Ancient Crime

Dutch musician Kim Janssen is young and ambitious, as his second solo endeavor, Ancient Crime,…read more→

Denison Witmer – The Ones Who Wait

Pennsylvania based indie singer/songwriter Denison Witmer has released his ninth studio album The Ones Who…read more→

Mariee Sioux – Gift for the End

Folk singer/songwriter Mariee Sioux recently released her fourth album Gift for the End in Europe…read more→

K Phillips – American Girls

Austin, TX’s latest rising country-rock star is K. Phillips, and his debut solo album American…read more→

M. Ward – A Wasteland Companion

Record Dept. is a longtime fan of M. Ward in his many incarnations: solo artist,…read more→

John Fullbright – From The Ground Up

Oklahoma singer-songwriter John Fullbright follows-up his debut album Live at the Blue Door with his…read more→

JBM – Stray Ashes

Singer-songwriter and classically trained guitarist JBM (Jesse Brian Marchant) is somewhat of a geographic nomad,…read more→

The Spinto Band – Shy Pursuit

The name The Spinto Band may not be familiar to many, but this hard working…read more→

Shannon Stephens – Pull It Together

Following the success of Shannon Stephens’ second solo effort, The Breadwinner, Asthmatic Kitty is issuing…read more→

The Dandy Warhols – This Machine

Portland, OR band The Dandy Warhols is a mainstay on the indie scene, and following…read more→

Beach House – Bloom

Baltimore-based dream-pop band Beach House’s fourth album is Bloom, which expands on the band’s warm…read more→

Baobab – Baobab

Durham, NC duo Baobab – Phil Torres (vocals, multi-instrumental) and Whitney Trettien (piano) – have…read more→

Willis Earl Beal – Acousmatic Sorcery

Chicago singer/songwriter/musician Willis Earl Beal believes in himself, and unapologetically so. The self-taught musician, whose…read more→

Father John Misty – Fear Fun

2011 was a year of significant change for J. Tillman, finding the Seattleite quitting his…read more→

Jack White – Blunderbuss

One of Nashville’s most prolific and successful collaborators is finally out with his first solo…read more→

Dry The River – Shallow Bed

Dry the River, a London based five-piece, follows-up their 2011 EP 2011’s Weights and Measures…read more→

Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is An Animal

This Icelandic indie-folk six piece made a splash in 2010 winning the country’s battle of…read more→

Bro. Stephen – Baptist Girls

Bro. Stephen is the moniker of Scott Kirkpatrick (formerly of the indie rock band Chemic)…read more→

Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden

Since the 2010 release of Genuine Negro Jig, great things happened for the Carolina Chocolate…read more→

Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself

Break It Yourself, the sixth solo full-length from Chicago musician Andrew Bird, finds the singer/songwriter/violinist…read more→

Ramsey Midwood – Larry Buys A Lighter

Ramsey Midwood’s debut album Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant was released over a…read more→

The Shins – Port of Morrow

I’ve been a devoted fan of The Shins since their debut Oh, Inverted World –…read more→

Tyler Butler – Winter King

Edmonton, Alberta songwriter Tyler Butler has re-mastered and re-released his full-length, Winter King on Yer…read more→

Trampled by Turtles – Stars and Satellites

Duluth, Minnesota bluegrass band Trampled By Turtles’ sixth album, Stars and Satellites, finds the acoustic…read more→

Yellow Ostrich – Strange Land

Yellow Ostrich has grown from a one-man operation (frontman Alex Schaaf ) known for blending…read more→

Sons Of Fathers – Sons Of Fathers

Austin, TX based Sons of Fathers are the founding duo of David Beck and Paul…read more→

John Goraj – Seen And Unseen

South Dakota native and L.A. based singer/songwriter John Goraj has released his indelibly lovely indie…read more→

Alex Chilton – Free Again: The 1970 Sessions

He was best known as co-founder of power-pop band Big Star, but as a teen…read more→

Jackstraw – Sunday Never Comes

Portland, OR based five-piece stringband Jackstraw is out with their sixth acoustic album, Sunday Never…read more→

Lost In The Trees – A Church That Fits Our Needs

From the tragic wreckage of suicide comes the hauntingly beautiful and unforgettable sophomore album of…read more→

Delta Spirit – Delta Spirit

SoCal multi-instrumentalists Delta Spirit have released their spectacular eponymously titled third album on Rounder Records,…read more→

Yukon Blonde – Tiger Talk

In contrast to their self-titled debut which featured an eclectic brand of 60’s-inspired psychedelic indie…read more→

Yarn – Almost Home

Brooklyn based alt-country/roots rock band Yarn recently self-released their fourth album funded by a Kickstarter…read more→

Grand and Noble – Grand and Noble

Making their first foray into the alt-country/indie-rock scene is Chicago four-piece Grand and Noble, and…read more→

Lower Dens – Nootropics

Following the release of their debut Twin-Hand Movement, Lower Dens hit the road for a…read more→

Damien Jurado – Maraqopa

Seattle based singer/songwriter Damien Jurado has found his musical partner in singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Richard Swift. Following…read more→

Diamond Rugs – Diamond Rugs

This supergroup/collaboration unites the mighty talents of members of Deer Tick, Dead Confederate, Black Lips,…read more→

Bahamas – Barchords

Shortly before I left for SXSW 2012, I came across Bahamas’ sophomore release of chilled…read more→

Great Lake Swimmers – New Wild Everywhere

Toronto’s Great Lake Swimmers follow-up their Polaris Prize and Juno nominated 2009 album “Lost Channels”…read more→

Elfin Saddle – Devastates

Together Emi Honda and Jordan McKenzie are Elfin Saddle, and their third full-length Devastates is…read more→

Neal Casal – Sweeten The Distance

THE ROYAL POTATO FAMILY Neal Casal may not be as famous as some of his…read more→

Kevin Gordon – Gloryland

Louisiana native and acclaimed East Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon’s new full-length release Gloryland is an…read more→

The Wooden Sky – Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun

Toronto based alt-country/roots rock band The Wooden Sky are out with their third release, Every…read more→

Justin Townes Earle – Nothings Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now

Following 2010’s award winning Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle is releasing his fourth solo…read more→

Eric Chenaux – Guitar and Voice

Eric Chenaux’s fourth solo album Guitar & Voice is not typical of the work Record…read more→

  SXSW BANDS TO WATCH | 2012 According to the official South by Southwest Music…read more→

Record Dept at SXSW

RECORD DEPT AT SXSW Due to participation in SXSW 2012, Record Dept will not be…read more→

Sugar and The Hi-lows – Sugar and The Hi-lows

Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs are Sugar + the Hi-Lows, a retro Nashville, TN based…read more→

Lee Bains III and The Glory Fires – There is a Bomb in Gilead

Lee Bains III, formerly of the Southern rock band The Dexateens, is releasing his debut…read more→

Marissa Nadler – The Sister

Boston painter turned singer/songwriter Marissa Nadler follows-up her self-titled album of psych/neo folk songs with…read more→

Danny and The Champions of the World – Hearts and Arrows

The appeal of Americana transcends geography, and longtime musician – Londoner Danny Wilson – has…read more→

Lake Forest – Silver Skies

Silver Skies is the debut solo full-length album of Toronto singer-songwriter/guitarist Will Whitwham. Between Wilderness…read more→

Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker and Yim Yames – New Multitudes

This July marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary American folk singer-songwriter Woody…read more→

Buxton – Nothing Here Seems Strange

Hailing from Houston, TX is the sextet Buxton and their third album (and first on…read more→

The Lumineers – The Lumineers

The Lumineers have had a long, rough road but they are finally on their way…read more→

John K. Samson – Provincial

John K. Samson – best known as the founder of the indie rock outfit The…read more→

Jim White – Where It Hits You

Where It Hits You, the latest full length album from Athens, GA based songwriter/ folk…read more→

Fred Eaglesmith – 6 Volts

Ontario-based singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith is out with his nineteenth album of striking alt-country, 6 Volts.…read more→

Mirel Wagner – Mirel Wagner

Singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner’s unique background makes wonderful copy, but it is her stunning and sparse…read more→

Fanfarlo – Rooms Filled With Light

London-based collective Fanfarlo mixes folk with orchestrated indie pop, and their new album Rooms Filled…read more→

Whitehorse – Whitehorse

The marriage of Canadian indie rockers Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet is one made in…read more→

Our Orthodox – We Are Not The Only Ones

Our Orthodox is the indie folk rock recording project of Neal Harris along with Jens…read more→

Lincoln Durham – The Shovel vs. The Howling Bones

Following 2010’s self titled EP, Texan Lincoln Durham is out with his excellent full length…read more→

PUNCH BROTHERS | WHO’S FEELING YOUNG NOW? NONESUCH New York’s Punch Brothers are a virtuosic…read more→

BLACK BANANAS | RAD TIMES XPRESS IV DRAG CITY First there was Royal Trux, then…read more→

CURSIVE | I AM GEMINI SADDLE CREEK Since the formation of Cursive in 1995, trio…read more→

STANDARD FARE | OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF TOWN MELODIC Standard Fare may be young,…read more→

CHARLIE PARR | CRIMINALS AND SINNERS SELF-RELEASED Lately I can’t get enough of country bluesman…read more→

THE PLIMSOULS | BEACH TOWN CONFIDENTIAL: LIVE AT THE GOLDEN BEAR 1983 ALIVE RECORDS You…read more→

THE MAGNETIC FIELDS | LOVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA MERGE On March 6th…read more→

LANA DEL REY | BORN TO DIE INTERSCOPE Love or hate her largely ridiculed performance…read more→

LUKE ROBERTS | THE IRON GATES AT THROOP AND NEWPORT THRILL JOCKEY Brooklyn musician Luke…read more→

THE JAMES LOW WESTERN FRONT | WHISKEY FARMER UNION MADE RECORD CO. Portland, OR singer/songwriter…read more→

WE/OR/ME | SLEEPING CITY SELF-RELEASED After almost a decade of singing and songwriting under the…read more→

BOWERBIRDS | THE CLEARING DEAD OCEANS Since 2009’s release Upper Air, life for the North…read more→

Liz Green – O’Devotion!

Manchester, UK folk singer Liz Green first appeared on the music scene in 2007 with…read more→

Charlie Parr – Keep Your Hands on the Plow

Keep Your Hands On The Plow is country blues musician Charlie Parr’s latest release. Parr,…read more→

Hospitality – Hospitality

Hospitality is an indie-pop trio comprised of husband/wife team Amber Papini (songwriting, vocals, guitar) and…read more→

Lambchop – Mr. M

Mr. M – the eleventh studio album by Nashville-based Americana indie rock ensemble Lambchop, is…read more→

Shearwater – Animal Joy

Austin, TX trio Shearwater is out with their eighth album, and they have clearly hit…read more→