Breathe Owl Breathe
Hey, do you like folk music? Me too. How about beards? Ditto. Breathe Owl Breathe is a three piece folk band out of Michigan with at least one epic beard. Evidence: “Own Stunts”

The Depreciation Guild
If you crumpled up a shoegaze ‘zine and shoved it into an old, half-working Nintendo, you might get something along the lines of The Depreciation Guild. (Actually, if you did that, you would probably end up with a non-working Nintendo and a burning smell.) A couple of these guys are also a part of indie-rock-cred-band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Anyway, check this out – “A Room, A Canvas” – YouTube

Maps & Atlases
I have really liked Maps & Atlases’ brand of math/experimental/indie rock for a while, and their new album is no exception. Perch Patchwork has more of a full band sound, but still has plenty of the picky, jingly, clicky sound that I’ve grown to love (and you should too). Perfect example: “Carrying the Wet Wood” – YouTube

Peter Wolf Crier
I seem to be digging a lot of duos lately (Phantogram, Sleigh Bells, The Swell Season, Broken Bells, Slow Club, blah blah blah), but I almost always find that information out after the fact. Case in point, Peter Wolf Crier consists of a guy on drums and a guy on guitar, and I had no idea. It works for me. Give this a try: “Crutch and Cane” – YouTube

Sky Larkin
Sky Larkin continues my current fascination with female-fronted UK indie rock bands (following Blood Red Shoes, The Joy Formidable, etc.) But my enjoyment of Sky Larkin doesn’t come solely from my desire to make out with girls with British accents. NO. Not solely. They also play enjoyable, energetic indie rock. And that’s probably almost as good as making out with girls with British accents. Watch the video for “Fossil, I” – YouTube

Sleigh Bells
If you remotely follow Pitchfork or any other “hot new music” blog, then you are probably already familiar with Sleigh Bells. They have been given more hype than the director of Ja Rule’s “Put It On Me” music video… (Hype Williams. No? Bad Joke? Moving on.) Super energetic, super LOUD noise pop with incredible beats. Blow your speakers out. (It’s so wonderfully distorted as it is that you’ll probably wonder if you have.) – Tell ‘EM – YouTube

Slow Runner
I absolutely love Slow Runner. If there were one band on this list that I would encourage everybody to give a chance, it would be them. Songs like “Love and Doubt”, “I’m Gonna Hate You When You Go”, and “She Wants To Wrap Her Legs Around The World” are so poignant and real that they are forever tied to events and people in my life. These musicians are incredibly talented, creative multi-instrumentalists that experiment just enough to keep you interested all the way through. Check out this live performance of “Love and Doubt” – Vimeo

Tim Fite
I saw Tim Fite about 2 years ago at the Northside Tavern in Cincinnati, in what is still one of the best live experiences I have ever had. Equal parts folk, indie, blues, hip-hop, alt-country and some old-timey goodness thrown in for good measure. Fite combines projected drawings and stories into an incredibly entertaining performance. Check out the video for “Big Mistake” – YouTube, which features his drawings, animated into an awesome story.

We Were Promised Jetpacks
When I first heard the band name We Were Promised Jetpacks, I decided not to like them. Then I heard one of their songs, and still decided I didn’t like them based upon their name alone. Then I heard a different song and liked it, not knowing it was them. Then, when I realized it was them, and forced myself to think I didn’t like it. Yadda yadda yadda, I have now accepted that I like them. But not really their band name. But the dude has a Scottish accent, and that’s even better than a British accent. “Quiet Little Voices” – YouTube