Artist: Miike Snow

Hails From: Stockholm, Sweden

Musical Style: Pop / Electro / Dance

For Fans of: MGMT, The Neptunes, Flaming Lips

Why you should check them out:

What happens when two award winning producers team up with a longtime singer/songwriter to perform their own brand of indie pop? If Miike Snow is any indication, the result is a whole lot of catchy beats and a nearly immediate fan following poised to dance it up through their ever escalating, chart topping status.

Background check:

After years of playing in bands and writing hits for the like of Britney Spears, Madonna, and Kylie Minogue, Christian Karlsson and Pontus Ninnberg, otherwise known as the production duo Bloodshy & Avant, returned to the studio under their own direction and an unclear vision of exactly how far their new project would take them. And while the ambiguous moniker and jackalope insignia may have kept them under the radar for awhile, it was only a matter of time before both critics and listeners caught on to the trio’s tightly constructed flurry of dance pop perfection.

While writing hits for pop stars may have been their forte, the tracks off their self titled debut contain a distinct laid back charm, clearly distinguishing the feel of their new project from their previous mainstream hits. Regarded as easy listening, Miike Snow create their own division of electropop founded by their collective expertise and eclectic industry backgrounds. Piano driven arrangements are supported by wavering synth tones and highly danceable beats, while Wyatt’s smooth and sultry vocals take the songs from indie hits to full scale pop accessibility. And although Pichfork may have toted Miike Snow as sounding akin to “crying your eyes out to Phil Collins on a beach”  you just have to ask yourself, is that really such a bad thing?

Where you can find them in Cyberspace:

MySpace

Wikipedia

On Tour:

JamBase

Artist: Little Boots

Hails From: Blackpool, England

Musical Style: Electropop, Electronica, Alternative/Dance

For Fans of: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Lady Gaga, Hot Chip

Why you should check her out:

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Little Boots is quickly emerging as a queen of dance floor hooks. Her collection of finely-crafted, Electropop tunes are rife with super-saccharine earworms, earning her a spot on Esquire Magazine’s list of “60 Brilliant Brits for 2009.”

Background Check:

At the tender age of five, Blackpool, England-born Victoria Hesketh lobbied her family for a piano. Her kindly uncle procured one from a local pub, and she’s been making music ever since. After competing—and losing—in the UK television show “Pop Idol” at 16, Hesketh served time as singer in a jazz trio before settling in with indie pop band Death Disco. She then struck out on her own after deciding she needed to follow her own dance-oriented electronic muse—and Little Boots was born.

Hesketh began posting her raved-up covers of artists like Wham and Miley Cyrus to YouTube and MySpace before recording her proper debut album, 2009’s Hands. Cavity-inducing hooks abound, combined with simple instrumentation and infectious grooves aided by the likes of Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard and Greg Kurstin of The Bird and the Bee. Hesketh herself plays keyboards, piano, stylophone and the Tenori-on—a Japanese electronic instrument that looks like a Lite-Brite.

Little Boots is currently peddling her sonic wares and unicorn-fantasy-Dayglo imagery across the globe in a mind-bending tour set to tackle over 30 festivals this calendar year alone.

Little Boots Music
MySpace

JamBase

Artist: Yacht

Hails from: Portland, OR

Musical Style: Electronic, Pop, Dance

For Fans of: Talking Heads, MGMT, Depeche Mode

Why you should check them out:It’s a sweltering Summer day in YACHT’s hometown of Portland, Oregon, and despite the thick humidity, the duo’s infectious “Summer Song” keeps persuading me to dance. How exactly does one resist beats so catchy they simply cannot be ignored? You simply don’t, you just slowly step away from the computer and let the music make you forget just how miserably hot the weather really is.

Background Check:

A career musician since the early days of high school, Jona Bechtolt has been programing electronic tunes and offering his multi-instrumental skills to a list of highly regarded projects since 2001. And while his contributions to The Blow and Devendra Banhart all make for worthwhile listens, it is his main project YACHT ( Young Americans Challenging High Technology) that serves as a clear culmination of his talents.

In 2003 Bechtolt emerged with his debut solo record, Superwarren MMIV, a minimalistic electronic effort indicative of the experimental pop path that YACHT would continue to follow. After five highly praised solo releases, Bechtolt recruited established noise rocker and science writer Claire L. Evans as a permanent member of YACHT. The resulting 2008 Summer Song EP and the new full length See Mystery Lights have recently become some of YACHT’s most infectious songs to date. In fact, Evans and Bechtolt’s vocals and dance moves complement each other so well that it’s a wonder how YACHT ever felt complete without her. And while you may be skeptical that two people with nothing but microphones and a laptop could be utterly engaging live, I can say with confidence that YACHT will make you want to dance along with them -sweat bands are certainly advised.

Where you can find them in cyberspace:

MySpace

Wikipedia

Teamyacht.com

On Tour:

JamBase

Artist: Major Lazer

Hails from: Philadelphia/London

Musical Style:Dancehall, Reggae, Electronica, Club/Dance

For Fans of:M.I.A.,Santigold, Simian Mobile Disco

Why You Should Check Them Out:
The dancehall side project of DJ/producers Diplo (Wes Pentz, of Philadelphia) and Switch (Dave Taylor of London), Major Lazer is infecting dance floors all over the globe. The endlessly creative duo—responsible for M.I.A.’s Grammy-nominated “Paper Planes”—combine forces to create some of the best jams of 2009.

Background Check:
Who doesn’t like a little wacky mythology to spice up their record collection? In order to best disseminate their latest reggae-inflected grooves, Diplo and Switch created the character Major Lazer—a Jamaican commando who lost his arms in the secret Zombie War of 1984 (never heard of it?). According to legend, US military forces rescued the “major” and fashioned him with prosthetic limbs formed from experimental lazers. Major Lazer, under cover as a dancehall club owner, enlists the help of—you guessed it—Diplo and Switch to produce his first LP.

In their own words, the group produces, “futuristic dancehall and digital reggae sounds crafted as a soundtrack to a not-so-distant dystopian future.” Major Lazer endeavors to defeat evil forces through partying and killer tunes—along with his rocket-powered skateboard.

Whatever the intention, the ensuing album, Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do, is a dancehall tour de force. Filled with big beats and electronic pulses, the album revolves around nasty basslines and crafty samples. The Major throws in plenty of found sounds, sex-laden lyrics and a little Auto-Tune zaniness for good measure. The record features an array of guests including Santigold, Nina Sky and Amanda Blank, as well as dancehall stars Mr. Lex, Ms. Thing, Mr. Vegas and Vybz Kartel.

To ensure proper defense against the supposedly encroaching monsters, vampires and zombies lurking just beneath the surface of our “civilized society,” you might just want to arm yourself with a copy.

Where you can find them in Cyberspace:
Majorlazer.com
Myspace

On Tour:
JamBase

Artist: Rye Rye

Hails From: Baltimore, MD

Musical Style: Rap, Dance, Hip-Hop

For Fans of: M.I.A., Santigold, DJ Blaqstarr

Why you should check her out:

Ryeisha “Rye Rye” Berrain is the next big thing to happen to music. Though she has yet to release her debut LP, this Baltimore based rapper is already receiving momentous praise right out of the gates. Maybe it’s her association to current dance queen M.I.A., or her partnership with über respected producer and musician Blaqstarr, or the amazing and aggressive chops already on display. Whatever the case, the world just can’t seem to wait for Rye Rye.

Background check:

Only a year ago, few people knew of a young female rapper trying to make her presence known in the underground dance scene of Baltimore. The up and coming performer first gained attention with a strategically placed song on Blaqstarr’s answering machine. Reportedly, the message was so fresh that he called her right back, beginning a partnership that would soon prove mutually beneficial for both parties. A meeting a year later began the collaboration that introduced Rye Rye to the world, specifically M.I.A., who happened upon a demo in Blaqstarr’s studio and was sold straight up, putting Rye Rye on her new label N.E.E.T. and directing the video for her upcoming release “Bang”. Pretty high praise for an 18 year old, but nothing Rye Rye couldn’t handle.

Not long after introductions Rye Rye found herself opening for M.I.A., lending her talents to remix’s, showing up on soundtracks, and selling her single “Shake It To The Ground” successfully on iTunes. Her high energy songs are happening in the clubs and hitting the streets with an unrelenting independent style. Rye Rye isn’t some timid, wide-eyed kid from the sticks. This girl is already in her own, ready to take what comes her way and light a fire under the respective ends of the music world.

Where you can find her in Cyberspace:

MySpace

Wikipedia

On Tour:

JamBase