Indie-pop music — a wide-ranging label used to describe everything from jangling rock-pop to dreamy synth-pop — has been one of the Bay Area’s more successful musical exports in recent years. Groups like Geographer and Painted Palms are just some of the latest in a long line of acclaimed local indie-pop bands to break out nationally, joining Rogue Wave, the Dodos, Papercuts, Film School, the Aislers Set and many, many more.
As for the future of local indie-pop, this mixtape includes plenty of emerging local bands continuing to create catchy-as-hell music. Here follows 11 great acts from across the indie pop landscape, ranging from the sunny, upbeat bliss of Summer Peaks to the hazy beach-at-sunset sounds of Bobey. The tempos and textures may vary, but every song in this set packs a ton of melody.
About the Bands:
Summer Peaks – “Change”
Brentwood-based Summer Peaks has been making waves since early last year, when the group’s debut LP, Saturdays, first caught our ears. “Change” is a new song, and probably the trio’s best work yet.
Emily Afton – “Words From Your Tongue” (Starts at 4:23)
Singer-songwriter Emily Afton started blending folk, pop, and electronic influences upon arriving in Oakland five years ago. After impressing Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind at a show both artists played, Jenkins invited Afton to open for his band on a recent tour.