First up, a band out of Seattle that’s been gaining some popularity over the recent months-Fleet Foxes. What first attracted me to this band was their gorgeous harmonies that are reminiscent of the Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Their folk rock music has a soaring, uplifting sound that is so dynamic, changing so much within each song. This is a fantastic album and if you’re a fan of My Morning Jacket, you’re bound to love this band.

Next up, a recommendation from my BFF Sarah Q!  The Morning Benders are one of those bands that you wonder why you aren’t hearing allover the airwaves-not yet, anyhow. We’re big fans of the Shins, and this Bay Area quartet definitely owe their pop-sensibilities to them as well as the Beatles, Brian Wilson, and the Violent Femmes. Their upbeat, catchy tunes have been on heavy rotation in the Nichols’ household and have yet to grow old. Check ‘em out!!

My latest new discovery is the album “I Break Chairs” by Damien Jurado. If it weren’t for Pandora playing my new favorite song, “Inevitable,” I would never have heard of this prolific singer/songwriter, also out of Seattle. This is the only album I’ve heard thus far, and supposedly it’s quite a departure from is previous, Nick Drake-inspired work.  On this particular album, the moody folk-singer plugs in and delivers an almost alt-country album that echoes Wilco and Son Volt. I’m eager to check out his past work, but from hearing his latest album, I’m a fan!