Generally speaking a band comprised of dudes, some of which sport beards, is a good sign. As in the case of North Michigan’s Bear Lake, it totally works. From their look I was expecting a kind of Broken Social Scene shoegaze rock, but Bear lake take it in a much more peppy, upbeat direction, more akin to the Shins or Heatmiser-era Elliott Smith on the happy meds. The group’s beenfriends since kindergarten, and listening to their entwining noises, the chemistry is palpable. The band’s multiple singers and (presumably) multiple songwriters makes for pleasantly divergent, yet complimentary indie-pop-rock. Mixing electronic drums with standard kit and layering multiple electric and acoustic guitars and keyboards with well-placed backup vocals and effects results in a real wall of sound that tickles the ears just right.

Instrumentation:
Keith May (Bass/Vox; 26), Steve Stetson (Drums; 25), Matt Hines (Lead Vox; 26), Jon Rice (Rhythm Guitar/Vox; 26), Brian Kwasnik (Piano/Vox; 26)

Discography
“Catch the Sun” Copyright Bear Lake Music 2007

From the sounds on their MySpace Page, you should definitely investigate Bear Lake and consider picking up a copy of Catch The Sun. And for the record, me selecting Bear Lake as our Band of the Day has almost nothing to do with similar nomenclature to a certain band dear to our heart.

Today on Synthesis’ Long Winded and Unfortunately Titled Synthesis Band You’ve Never Heard of Band of the Day, we bring you a band that some have actually heard about. Seattle’s Iceage Cobra (originally from Spokane) has been around for a while and done a few national tours (including stops at media-whore mecca SXSW), and released a full length album, Brilliant Ideas from Amazing People. The album’s radical, but you want to see these guys live because SHIT GETS NUTTY.

Mic stands are ditched, full stacks blow your ears out, high kicks wizz by your brow and beer gets spilt, hella.

We interviewed Iceage Cobra in the Synthesis Weekly when they came through town, and asked guitarist Jordan West about his stage moves. Our photo guru Mike Z caught Iceage Cobra in their natural habitat: wrocking.

So I’ve always kind of had a jones for Ukrainian girls. They’re always super hot, but in like a “I’ll kill a deer, skin it, gut it, cook it up and serve it to you for dinner and still look fucking amazing while doing it” kind of way. So when scouring the internets for today’s “Artist You’ve Never Heard Of ” my interest was piqued when I came across Ukrainian singer/songwriter Solomia’s profile in our Sonicbids inbox. Although her bio is kind of on some Engrish status “Solomia performs from the age of 5, and now, in her 25, she feels comfortable at any stage from the Opera House and biggest concert halls to really chamber places for few chairs only” I guess it’s still probably better than if i tried to write some shit in Ukranian. And besides, what are a few misplaced tenses when you’ve got semi-nude nature photos?!
 

Anyways, check out Solomia’s shit on the old Sonicbids. And to any Ukrainian broads out there: HOLLA!

While there were at least three artists in today’s SonicBids listening that are deserving of this coveted blog’s coverage, I’ve decided to point the spotlight at Upland, CA’s Ginger Kinison. Not because she sings explicitly about dirty sex and I’m a sucker for that, or because she’s just more promising than the band from Winona, Minnesota, that “melts your face off with blistering rock and roll and then leaves you standing there wishing that your face was flame retardant!!” (yikes); but because she claims to be Sam Kinison’s niece. Here’s to lineage. Check out her songs. That, and she’s actually really good, in that sugar-fix / sex sells kind of way.