THE ECLECTIC EIGHT
1) Crowded House
I came across this video, “She Called Up”, and thought it was so cute and clever and by the end of it I found myself singing the lyrics along with the kids. The band has been in formation since 1985 and has gained big following and commercial success out in Australia and New Zealand. Check out the video below and check out the band’s music here.
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2) Love is All
This Swedish band made the list mainly because I love their videos and they remind me of how simply fun and upbeat pop music use to be and can be. I also like how you can catch their accents, usually singers can mask them pretty well and make themselves sound very American and I like that it doesn’t sound like that at all. Check out one of their videos below and feel free to check out more of their music here.
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3) Bat for Lashes
From the name I assumed this is was a band or rather just a collective group of people, but it is in fact a one-woman show, Natasha Khan. She plays numerous instruments and sings. She studied music and went on to release her debut album in 2006. Check out the video for “What’s a Girl to do” below and check out more of her music here.
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4)Delphic
A alternative dance band from the UK with insightful lyrics and fresh video concepts. They released their debut album, Acolyte in January 2010 and did quite well, enough so that Samsung picked up one of their songs to be featured in one of their nationwide ad campaigns. Check out their video for “Doubt” below and also make sure you check out more of their music here.
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5)Momus
Nick Currie aka Momus is a blogger and photographer turned musician. His music is reminiscent of Serge Gainsbourg but a more modernized and of course much much-less french version. Check out the video below to take a listen to his song “I want you but I don’t need you” and also check out more of his work here.
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6) Sonnymoon 
I got introduced to this duo from Massachusetts thanks to the great folks behind Lunchboxtheory and The Couchsessions as part of a launch party for Soundbridge, a newly formed artist showcase based here in the DMV. Sonnymoon performed during the party and did a pretty great job. They have a pretty eclectic sound and add on top of it the duo’s haunting vocals, they definitely have a good thing going. Check out their music here.
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7) Ivy
This New York based indie pop band has been around for just over a decade. With about five albums to their name and couple EP’s they have developed a consistent following over the years. They are currently working on their sixth album to be released sometime this year. Check out the video “Worry about you” below and check out more of their music here.
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8)Matt Goss
This easy-on-the-eyes UK pop-soul singer started out his career as member of a boy band back in the 80s and these days he has been performing solo, working with a number of other artists such as Paul Oakenfold and now managed to get a deal headlining in Vegas. Check out the video for one of his singles “Evil” and also check out more of his music here.
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Hope you enjoyed the June 2010 edition of THE ECLECTIC EIGHT and feel free to drop a comment below and let me know what you think! If you want to make the list contact me at editor.shademagazine@gmail.com
-Selamawit
SHADE Magazine 