Every wonder what it would sound like if Taio Cruz and Foster the People hooked up? Well Mash-up DJ Duo The Hood Internet can make that happen.  They have a simple formula of “Indie+Rap=Awesome”, and it works. Just about everyday on their website they post a new free song for download, and honestly not one has ever really disappointed me.

Their Hypem page can be found HERE and will provide hours of indie rap mash-up fun.

Their latest “Move Up” Featuring Wiz Khalifa x Phantogram is a keeper.

Back in 2009, UK-based indie pop band Fanfarlo probably had one of the classiest and most exciting debuts of all my favorite indie bands. Simliar to “Beirut,” Fanfarlo incorporates trumpet, violin, and mandolin in a way that when heard for the first time is instantly special. After a long and agonizing wait, the band is finally back to grace us with new music. Their latest single “Deconstruction” is a small preview to the quality their sophomore album Rooms Filled With Light is about to bring later this month.

By the time the incredible 2 minute intro is over you will forget the song even needs lyrics or the lead singer has a mop on his head.

Fanfarlo will be rocking out at Skully’s March 27th

Probably one of my favorite summer memories is driving to Zoombezi Bay in a convertible and hearing Beach Fossil’s “Wide Awake” for the first time. PBRs were shotgunned in the parking lot followed by a relaxing float on the lazy river. Although I could attribute the day’s success most to (the now bankrupt) Dip’n'dots…I really owe Beach Fossils all the credit. I mean seriously, does it get anymore chill than the stuff this band puts out. As my good friend D. Marley says “This band gets me.”

Now it’s cold as hell, and Zoombezi bay doesn’t open for 4 months BUT we do luckily have Beach Fossils releasing some new material! The band is gearing up for another album, but in the meantime they will be releasing some groovy tracks. The first is “Shallow.” “Shallow” offers a new sound for the band being a little more guitar heavy, but despite its newer sound and time of the year, it’s awesome, chill as hell, and still makes me salivate for those Rainbow Ice Dip’n'Dot frozen morcels.

Thanks to “The Boise” for sharing!

If there’s one thing I love about bands from other countries it is that they just pretend that it isn’t Winter and drop super beachy tunes in February. You may remember UK band “Animal Kingdom” from being named iTunes best new alternative artest of 2009! (Yeah, it’s okay I dont remember either). What I do know is their first single “Strange Attractor” off their new upcoming album is one of 2012′s catchiest thus far. Take “Temper Trap”esque vocals and overlay them with “Naked and Famous” beats, and you have one hell of a winner. Looking forward to their upcoming LP and sipping an icy Corona to it on my floaty raft in my pretend backyard pool.

When I first heard the Brooklyn duo Tanlines it was the freshest indie pop experience I’d ever had. In 2010 the band released a 6 song EP titled “Settings.” (With an album cover that oddly looked like Jim Carey laughing.) It was so incredibly unique I didn’t even know what to make of it at the time, all I knew is it was contagiously catchy and my foot was progressing from a steady tap to a full-on mid air kick. Their song “Real Life” demonstrates this perfectly.

Now it is 2012 and our little Tanlines have grown up so quickly. They are preparing to drop their first full length album Mixed Emotions in March and just released its first single “Brothers.” The song features the Tanlines drums, electro beats, and Delorean’esque hums I have grown to love. Tanlines strongest suite is carried by Eric Emm’s vocals who like LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy is just sort of talking, but man it’s super awesome talking.

No need to keep rewatching Garden State to get your fill of The Shins because for the first time in 5 years James Mercer has finally released some new material. The first single off their upcoming album Port of Morrow is called “Simple Song/”

The song is classic Shins feel-good tunes and after a first listen makes life “just feel right.” Port of Morrow will be released and our lives changed on March 20th.

If you’re into the local Columbus music scene you’ve most definitely moved and grooved to the sweet sounds of Way Yes by now. If you’re not I promise it won’t be long til these dudes enter your music radar. Way Yes produces an incredibly unique and cheerful sound that would be the perfect soundtrack if hipsters were into Hawaiian luaus. Having recently just signed with Neon Indian’s label “Lefse”, Way Yes is about to drop it like it’s hot (in March when their full length album debuts). In the meantime we have this super fun single “Orajundio” which you can snag now on iTunes. The single features a song called “Automail”, is it a good time? Way Yes!

The video displays an intense frog race (which is kind of ironic since everyone says the band’s vocals sound like Kermit the Frog is singing). The footage and song demonstrate the band’s goofy and joyful personality that will always leave you with a smirk on your face and dancing shoes on your feet. Look for their first full length album to drop later this year and catch them play later this month at Carabar Jan 28th.