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Bands To Watch: Computer Magic, Stockholm, Gift Horse, The Powder Kegs, Hunter Valentine

computermagicartist

Computer Magic is the musical moniker of a NYC college student only known as Danielle (or Danz)

The volumes of great music that artists and bands have been sending in over the past few months is impressive, and taking time to get through – literally hundreds. And so we have to keep slimming down the list to make it realistic. Today we are adding five more  bands to watch in 2010.

A couple of weeks ago, we received some tracks from 21-year-old Danielle (last name unknown), who also goes by the nickname Danz. Danz, who is a DIY musician living in New York City, is better known in the musical realm as Computer Magic. She plays guitar and synthesizer, and writes and composes lo-fi indie rock and glo-fi music. And we hope she keeps doing so, because we heart Computer Magic.

Computer Magic is heavily influenced by old sci-fi films and Philip K. Dick books, in addition to many artists, including Belle & Sebastian, Animal Collective and David Bowie. She loves movies like Barbarella, Zardoz, Outland, The Man Who Fell To Earth, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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“Electronic Fences” – Computer Magic

“On VHS” – Computer Magic

“Teenage Ballad (High School)” – Computer Magic

Computer Magic on MySpace

Stockholm – Orlando, FL

Orlando, Florida’s post rock band Stockholm may sound like a new band you’d hear on college radio Top 40; but surprisingly, the band has received very little recognition, and remain unsigned – not sure why. The band, which was only formed last summer, are getting love from indie folks in Florida, but we anticipate more people will be hearing them in the months to follow.

Stockholm’s sound is very polished and chock full of glimmering guitar licks, swoon-style rhythms and the terrific vocals of singer Chris Arter.

“Don’t Stop Now”Stockholm from Don’t Stop Now

“Goodbye Tomorrow”Stockholm from Don’t Stop Now

Stockholm official website

gifthorsethebandGift Horse – Anthens, GA

On May 4th, Anthens, Georgia, indie band Gift Horse dropped their debut, Mountain of Youth, produced by Hank Sullivant (Kuroma, The Whigs, MGMT). The band sent us two tracks to share with everyone. If you like heavy shoegaze chords full of distortion and deep, moody percussions, you’re probably going to like this southern indie rock band. Gift Horse have opened for bands like Meat Puppets, Dead Confederate, Kuroma, among others.

“Missionaries”Gift Horse from Mountain of Youth

“Plastic People”Gift Horse from Mountain of Youth

Gift Horse on MySpace

The Powder Kegs – Philadelphia, PA

The Powder Kegs formed in New York City in 2005 and now call Philly home. In 2007, they won a band competition on National Public Radio, and not long after, in 2008, they released their debut LP, You and Your Right Now. The LP was produced by Jeremy Backofen (The Walkmen, Frightened Rabbit,  Mice Parade). The Powder Kegs’ new EP, Empty Side, is good listening.

“Shake Me Down”The Powder Kegs from Empty Side EP

“The Right Time”The Powder Kegs from Empty Side EP

The Powder Kegs on MySpace

Hunter Valentine – Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn’s all-girl trio Hunter Valentine recently sent us a copy of their new album Lessons From The Late Night for us to hear. After just one spin, it was easily to see why the band has received accolades from bloggers and mainstream press.

Hunter Valentine recently dominated the MTV-U video contest , and GO! Magazine named them the Best Local Band in New York. In April, Hunter Valentine’s “The Stalker” video made its debut on MTV’s LGBT channel, Logo, and was picked as Spinner‘s Video of the Day just a few days later.

“The Stalker”Hunter Valentine from Lessons From The Late Night

Hunter Valentine’s official website

Hunter Valentine on MySpace