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If you like: Nick Drake, Bon Iver, Ray Lamontagne, Brett Dennen

Then let me introduce: Alexi Murdoch

The forerunner of my weekend morning playlists, Alexi Murdoch may just have the most powerfully soothing voice around. London-born and Scottish and Greek bred, the singer/songwriter has been featured in The OC and Garden State and more recently on the folksy soundtrack of Away We Go. Yet despite his perfect English-accented voice and amazing songwriting, he manages to fly under the radar. Maybe popular culture already has enough adorable singer/songwriters? [John Mayer and company] Or maybe the beauty of his music is that it is best appreciated alone and un-fussed? Either way, this Brit will hopefully have a permanent place on many-a-mix of yours.

Starter Kit:

“Orange Sky”

“All My Days”

“Breathe”

If you like: Ben Folds, The Shins, Spoon, The New Pornographers

Then let me introduce: A.C. Newman

On releasing a solo album, Carl Newman, lead singer of the New Pornographers, explains, “People will say ‘Man, this sounds like the New Pornographers.  And then I think if Jeff Tweedy put out a solo record, would people go ‘This is bull****. It sounds like Wilco.’ Well, duh, of course.” Just as I would never want a Toby Leaman solo project to not sound like Dr. Dog or a Zach Schwartz album to be completely un-Rogue Wave, A.C. Newman parallels the sound of The New Pornographers perfectly. Smart lyrics and the perfect musical hook continues to be his formula to success and the indie pop I love to love.

Starter Kit:

“Miracle Drug”

“Prophets”

“Take On Me” (a-ha cover)

“On The Table”

Check out the rest of The Future-Favorite-Band Series:

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Peace,