It is one thing to rock the studio, but it is completely another to rock the stage. Simplified thankfully excels at both, and we’re thinking their talent can be attributed to their roots in a type of rock that doesn’t stick to one way of doing things. Their flexible nature has been an asset to any and all creative processes, something that we’d like to think that something like sounding like more of the same would virtually be a non-issue.. Since their initial formation in 2003, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based band has consistently released albums – their latest entitled Brighter Days, was  received as an honest, blunt lyrical telling with a decidedly catchy melodic sensibility. And yet they’ve extensive performance dates listed for many one’s listening pleasure,  a testament that can be proven by the dates listed and videos posted below in our BeatCrave Fav series. Simply put, Simplified is the real, raw deal, so get them while they’re hot already.

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We’ve picked out favorite artists of the week. Now it’s your turn to pick yours!

Is your favorite the psychedelic, zany and fantastical sound of Black Moth Super Rainbow (listen here)? Or the premiere sound electro-pop female artist Ladyhawke (listen here)? Or the sounds of the past of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour (listen here)? Or the blues sound of Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz in The Dutchess and the Duke (listen here)?

The number one voted artist will receive a special BeatCrave feature at the end of the month. So support your favorite band and vote for them in our BeatCrave Fav Poll!

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The jazz influenced electro-pop duo, The Bird and The Bee, have only been around since 2006 but their popularity is skyrocketing. Although, both Inara George and Greg Kurstin had individually been in the music business for a plenty of years, (Inara’s father is Lowell George, a founding member of the rock and roll band, Little Feat. Greg has been building up his resume working with artist such as Beck, The Flaming Lips and now Lily Allen for It’s Not Me, It’s You), they didn’t really turn heads (or perked ears) until they teamed up. Now we have this infectious duo who smooths out the electronica genre and tops the sound off with angelic melodies. Some say The Bird and The Bees’ sound is “cute,” but that’s almost an insult if you’ve listened to their repertoire. There’s too many amazing components in their sound to be merely cute. There isn’t another band who sound quite like this duo. They’ve also got a unique style when it comes to fashion.

See for yourself by checking them out in our BeatCrave Fav series below. If you’re charmed as much as I always am by this duo, remember to vote for them in Friday’s poll!

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St. Vincent is the band of multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Annie Clark. Yeah, she’s got the beautiful complexion, hair, AND the talent. However, those are just a few reasons why Clark  is one the greatest new artists out there.  She’s been a member of the Polyphonic Spree as well as Sufjan Steven’s band. Clark  has also worked with Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls.

Yet, while other musicians have admired her talents, fans didn’t get a chance to truly value her solo style until her debut album, Marry Me, was released in 2007. Filled with ethereal, witty, and detailed pop melodies underneath soothing vocals, the album’s made St. Vincent quite a name in the indie music scene.

Check St. Vincent out  below and vote for her in Friday’s BeatCrave Fav poll! Come on. Any musician who can back up an album title inspired by Arrested Development is just great.

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Yeah, I’m serious. Robyn. You may be scoffing your little head off at me right now just for mentioning this artist, but perhaps you don’t know all the facts. Robyn is no longer the bubblegum pop star she was in the 90s with her hit singles such as “Show Me Love.” She has, in fact, broken away from those mainstream major labels who are still sculpting wannabe sex kittens.

After her former label had a bad reaction to her electronic-heavy track, “Who’s That Girl,” she parted ways and started her own independent record label, Konichiwa Records. The inspiration came when she bought an album of electronic duo, The Knife. Her self-titled album, Robyn, unveiled the work of edgier, electronic-pop music that has gone to successfully sell all over Europe… so successfully she had to release it again three years later here in the States. Collaborations with The Knife on “Who’s That Girl,” Kleerup on “With Every Heartbeat,” and more have won new music fans worldwide and continue to do so.

Check Robyn out in our BeatCrave Fav series below and then vote for the Swedish songstress in Friday’s poll!

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Meet Mirah, the darling of K Records. With a naked fragile voice that purrs above meticulous orchestrations of indie rock bliss, Mirah sings witty lyrics in the style of irresistible charm. Not only is this girl a one of a kind singer-songwriter, but she often teams up with Phil Elvrum of The Microphones/Mount Eerie (who usually brings you abstract naturalistic recordings). Bonus points there. What can we say – this quirky girl speaks to us!

As an artist based in the Portland, Oregon area, she has released five albums under the K Records label and plans to release another titled (a)spera. The upcoming album is due March 10, 2009.

Check out all the details on Mirah below and then vote for her in Friday’s poll if you think the music industry is lucky to have her!

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You’d be surprised at what this man with a harmonica and a ukulele has in common with a mash-up DJ like Girl Talk. Swedish indie pop singer, Jens Lekman, is known for writing melancholic songs on top of heavy uses of samples. However, his music sounds nothing like mash-up.

His lyrics are sometimes misinterpreted because when he tries to be funny, most think he’s serious and when he’s being serious, most get a laugh out of it. That’s just part of his charm when he sings lyrics such as “Last night I ran into my old life/still waiting for someone at the station/someone who never made it into my new life.” Most can’t help but find him endearing in his peculiar songwriting or when he pours out his personal secrets online; he is loved all the same. Lekman is one of a kind when it comes to being an open person and coalescing his favorite riffs, strings, and guitar chords.

Just take a listen for yourself below and then vote for him as your BeatCrave Fav in Friday’s poll!

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We’ve picked out favorite artist of the week. Now it’s your turn to pick yours!

This week has definitely been more of a musician with a guitar type week with the exception of Brand New. Three out of four of the picks are solo artists but all of them definitely have their own edge. Not exactly sure why that is? Maybe something to do with the Holidays?

Brand New (Listen Now), Loney, Dear (Listen Now), Ingrid Michaelson (Listen Now), and Laura Marling (Listen Now)

Check them out now and then vote for your favorite in our poll!

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