Introducing… Geographer, the Next Big Thing in Indie Rock

If any of y’all have chilled in BU Central while I’ve been on shift, chances are you’ve heard Geographer before.

The band has described their sound as “soulful music from outer space” and that certainly isn’t far from the truth. The use of synthesizers and cello in addition to standard band instruments gives them a distinct place within the Indie Rock genre, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they totally blow up in 2012. The fact that two band members are Berklee graduates is just the cherry on top of their immaculately-produced tracks. Standout songs “Kites” and “Verona” from 2010′s Animal Shapes EP are posted below.


Geographer will soon be touring with labelmates Miniature Tigers and The Chain Gang of 1974 when they hit up Brighton Music Hall on March 24th. Tickets can be bought , but I know I’ll just pick mine up at the Paradise Rock Club box office any day now and skip the service fees. I’ve been pretty obsessed with the band for several months now, so I’m hella excited for this ish.

Have a great week, y’all!

- Josh

Boston Concerts to Hit Up This Fall

One of the best things about living in a major city? Easy access to concerts! I spent much of my freshman year getting acquainted with Boston’s numerous venues , and I intend to keep that up this year. My schedule may now be a bit more rigorous, but y’all can bet on me getting to as many shows as I have time for.

Here’s three dates I’m looking forward to most this fall!

NEON INDIAN - I had the good fortune to catch the Texan foursome at a festival last year and experienced one of my most intimate connections with music. The indie electronic band just released their second album, featuring the extremely danceable single “Polish Girl.” They’ll be playing Brighton Music Hall on 10/20 with tickets only $16 if ya pick em up at the venue (or even at Paradise Rock Club, which is essentially a part of BU’s West Campus). Event info can be found here.

THE NAKED AND FAMOUS - These New Zealanders burst onto the hipster scene last year with their unique brand of indie rock. I was a bit late to the party with them, and it wasn’t until early August that I finally gave their debut a listen. I became instantly obsessed and it didn’t take long for them to totally dominate my Last.fm account. The group plays Paradise Rock Club, my personal favorite venue, on 10/25 and tickets run for $20 if you pick em up there. Event info can be found here

M83 - This French electronic band has been spewing out quality dream pop for over a decade now, and I am beyond stoked to see them hit up Boston in support of their recently released sixth album. I completely lose myself in their music, and that is essentially guaranteed when I’ll be swaying with the crowd at the House of Blues on 11/20 (the event was recently moved from Paradise Rock Club due to consumer demand). Tickets are only $18 if pick em up at HOB! Event info can be found here.

Hope everyone has a great week!

- Josh

MNDR & Natalia Kills: The New Faces of Electropop?

I have a soft spot in my heart for electropop. Give me a danceable beat and I’m set, most of the time. So, whenever I come across an up-and-coming band that satisfies my craving for techno-tinged, danceable, synth-heavy, electropop, I always spread the word.

First up, New York duo MNDR (pronounce “mandar”). You may have heard Amanda Warner’s Santigold-esque vocals on Mark Ronson’s summer single, “Bang Bang Bang,” but MNDR’s original material is sure to blow up within the year.

A personal favorite of mine is “Cut Me Out,” which is currently making the rounds in the blogosphere.

MNDR opens for Chromeo at the House of Blues this Thursday, so y’all know.

Next up is Natalia Kills, an ambitious 24-year old British artist who puts her own spin on pop music.

Perhaps the best of her songs is “Mirrors,” which she turned into an ultra-cinenatic music video that she directed herself.

Natali Kills opens for Robyn (my favorite artist of all time. OF ALL TIME!) at the House of Blues this Friday.

- Josh

Study breaks are best spent discovering new music

We’re only a week into the spring semester and already the classwork is piling up. Am I right or am I right? Times like these require frequent study breaks, and a perfectly acceptable use of that time is to scope out the Internet in search of new music…or you could just continue to read this blog. Today I introduce to you indie pop’s next big act, Yellow Ostrich.

Composed of Wisconsin-born Alex Schaaf and recently added drummer Michael Tapper, Yellow Ostrich has exactly what it takes to break through in 2011. This is fun, energetic, youthful music that begs for a listen and can most easily be compared to Vampire Weekend. Up first, the song receiving the most attention in the blogosphere, “Whale.”

Yellow Ostrich has also covered an impressive collection of indie gems by artists varying from Joanna Newsom to Yeasayer to The Tallest Man on Earth. My favorite of the bunch that have been floating around notable music blogs is “Androgynous,” a mellow version of a powerful song from 80s rock band, The Replacements.

If you like what you hear, the band offers all their music for download at http://yellowostrich.bandcamp.com/. There you can Name Your Price for the music, including free!

A few days ago they announced they would be touring as an opening act to Say Hi, so there’s always the option of seeing them play locally on March 6^th at Middle East (Downstairs) in Cambridge. I certainly intend to. Tickets run for $12 here.

Good luck with everyone’s second week of classes!

- Josh Crampsey, one of several new additions to the BU Central team this semester. Feel free to read more about me by clicking here