I’ve learned not to ask people who their favorite band is. The better question is, who are the bands you always come back to? Which bands will you never skip over if they come up on shuffle? Who are your constants?
Here are my constants.
1. Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel is my oldest favorite, introduced to me by my older sister. Most people I try to introduce them to aren’t often on board with the way Jeff Mangum, the lead singers, voice sounds, but I can’t get enough. They reigned the indie music scene from 1989-1999 and just recently began touring again, much to my excitement. If you give them a fair shot, I’m sure you will find yourself taken by their music as well.
2. The Tallest Man on Earth
Kristian Mattson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth, is in fact not the tallest man on earth, nor is he very tall at all. He is however, a great lyricist with a very unique, “bob dylan-esque” voice. I find myself forever taken by his unique voice and can never skip over one of his songs.
3. Local Natives
I was taken by Local Natives the second I heard the harmonies between the bands’ two lead singers, Kelcey Ayer and Taylor Rice. Kelcey can hit remarkably high notes with power and certainty, like nothing I have heard from a man before. They lean more towards an indie-rock style as compared to Tallest Man and NMH which makes them, in my opinion, more accessible to a broader music audience.
4. Beirut
I’ve always described Beirut as having the ability to put you in a trance. A wonderful, rhythmic, addictive trance. Zach Condon has a beautiful and unique voice, but what really makes Beirut one of a kind is the music itself. Their songs are characterized by their heavy use of brass instruments, making it difficult to categorize their genre of music. I am more inclined to be drawn to a band with a strong singer, yet the music of Beirut is what really pulled me in.