What's on Will's iPod March 2013 Edition

Looking for something new to listen to?  The following four artists have been getting a lot of spins recently on my iPod, and I thought I'd share them with you.

1.  Phosphorescent:  
Their latest record "Muchacho" is the potential break out effort from singer-songwriter Matthew Houk and company.  Great vocals and layered instrumentals that catch the listeners' attention make this a fantastic record, and an early forerunner for one of my favorite records of the year.  Sonically somewhere between Counting Crows and Bon Iver, Phosphorescent's latest puts a unique and creative spin on the singer-songwriter style.  An evocative listen from start to finish with excellent musical diversity and instrumentation.  Below is a recording of Phosphorescent's "Song for Zula" from SXSW



 2.  Fort Frances:
Speaking of Counting Crows, this trio from Chicago is on the up and up.  First, their cover of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's "Summertime" came out last summer and created some Internet buzz.  Later, this past fall, they were featured on comedian Daniel Tosh's Comedy Central show,  Tosh.0 with the comedian highlighting the cover and even sporting a Fort Frances shirt.  However, don't let a catchy cover fool you.  This band is hot off of playing the "Outlaw Road Show" at SXSW, and have an upcoming sophomore release due out next month.


 
3. Toro y Moi:
A post by 88.9 RadioMilwaukee DJ Tarik Moody, regarding their exceptional performance at SXSW made me YouTube this band, and ultimately pick up their latest album.  This is a real hard act to describe in words.  A mash up of electronic music, acid jazz, rock,  r&b, and mellow trance, Toro y Moi is an enjoyable and infectious listen from start to finish.  It's vesitile enough to provide a terrific workout soundtrack and dinner music soundtrack all at the same time.  This live track from one of their recent Austin shows definately puts this act on my list of "need to see" artists.



4.  Thao and the Get Down Stay Down:
Perhaps no single has gotten more iPod spins thus far in 2013 than Thao and the Get Down Stay Down's "We The Common (For Valerie Bolden)."  I embedded a video below where Thao goes into the origins of this great tune.  In my opinion it is next to impossible not to like this tune.  Best thing is that the rest of Thao's latest, "We The Common" is solid, musically diverse with unique instrumentation. and charming with Thao's unique vocal delivery.