Aurgasm

italian acoustic // singer-songwriter

Despite Italy’s long and diverse popular music tradition, some seem to equate Italian music exclusively with Canzone Napoletana, grandiose film scores and heart breaking ballads of such artists as Eros Ramazzotti or Laura Pausini. Italy’s vibrant contemporary pop scene is a little known secret. Erica Musci, better known as Erica Mou, is one of the most promising talents coming from Italy’s singer-songwriter scene in the recent years. Erica’s album È (2011) is a collection of raw, warm and intimate songs, evoking true Italian spirit with a global, modern touch. Erica will be playing in New York, Los Angeles and Miami as a part of the Hit Week, Italian music festival, highlighting the catchiest contemporary music Italy has to offer.

Gracious melodies with quirky rhythms.
­ Erica Mou – Giungla
­Erica Mou – È
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chamber folk // singer-songwriter

Danish-born and Berlin-based songstress Agnes Obel possesses a natural sense of tone and melody as well as a truly faultless voice. The beautifully crafted somber folk melodies of her debut album Philharmonics (2010) linger in the air and stir the heart. While Agnes vocal delivery brings to mind the long-time Aurgasm favourite Ane Brun, the album ranges from romantic quirkiness of Joanna Newsom to echoes of Debussy. European readers might recognize the bright melody of “Just So”, as the song was used by German telecommunications company and played all over Northern Europe ever since.

Soft piano and haunting vocals.
Agnes Obel – Just So
Agnes Obel – Riverside
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americana // bluegrass

When music reminds me of home, it stirs up childhood joys and fantastic daydreams of life yet lived. Vocal tones threading struggle with hope, telling lyrics backed by bluegrass or folk-rock, with mandolin and banjo especially hitting that note. Gavin Glass does this, as does Sarah Jarosz. On her debut, Song Up In Her Head, she captures escaping wonder with inner intimacy that’s incredible to realize is the work of a 17 year-old. Among her originals is the Grammy-nominated instrumental “Mansinneedof” and brilliant covers of Tom Waits and The Decemberists. Parts of a lifelong journey having a steady pulse of assurance on the road ahead.

Mandolin wind on the road that’s going home.
Sarah Jarosz – Tell Me True (stream only)
Sarah Jarosz – Long Journey (stream only)
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Songwriter // Jazz // Soul

Stac (Stacey Dowdeswell) is signed to London based label Wah Wah 45s and her debut album Turn That Light Out was released June 21st 2010. This album is produced by label mate Scrimshire & engineered by previously featured Benedic “Nostalgia 77″ Lambdin. The album’s ten tracks have since been remixed into a pair of remix albums (vol.1 & vol.2) featuring versions by Bonobo, Kidkanevil, Hint, Ashley Beedle, Natural Self & TM Juke. Stac’s biggest influences are Lewis Taylor, Jamie Lidell, Erykah Badu and red wine, resulting in songs filled with emotion, subtle layers and an attitude that makes her an artist to keep an eye on.
See for yourself with original album track “Tip”, a mature, intelligent track and its remixed counterpart “Tip (Hint remix)”, taking all that maturity into the club and shakin’ it like there ain’t no tomorrow. All three Stac’s albums are available for download on the Wah Wah 45s shop, including two free tracks from the remix competition.

Blue eyed soulstress from LDN
Tip
Tip (Hint Remix)
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spirit-songwriter

A true friend sitting next to my soul.  Talking with me.   Laying in a green field on a hill.   Wildflowers dance the breeze.   Sun shines…  bright blue sky…  curious clouds mozy by.   Trees and forests are not too far away.  Hills and valley, mostly.   Talking about anything.   Stars, dreams -  what we enjoy or  what others destroy.   Comforts found together.   Mariee Sioux’s Faces in the Rocks reaches me almost as a best friend could.

Survival of the dearest.
Mariee Sioux – Bundles
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