New in '9

With the start of the new year there usually comes with it a huge amount of speculation on what will be big...what was big...what might return...what may never go away. In fashion. In decor. In politics. And in music.


Andrew Bird has been getting all sorts of well-warranted hype at the beginning of this year. He's super talented, multi-faceted. Whistler. Violinist. Vocalist. And cute.

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• click to hear: Heretics by Andrew Bird

and then there's Jose Gonzalez. I know he's been around a bit longer but I can't stop listening to his stuff. Acoustic. Soft. Lovely.

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• click to hear: Crosses by José González
• click to hear: Heartbeats by José González

(from npr.org)

World Cafe, June 27, 2006 - Growing up in Sweden with Argentinian parents, Jose Gonzalez was just as likely to hear The Beatles in his home as bossa nova classics. These diverse influences are apparent in his songwriting and guitar playing on his debut album, Veneer.

Gonzalez plays original compositions on Veneer along with putting his own spin on songs such as Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and Kylie Minogue's "Put Your Hand on Your Heart." His songs have gotten boosts from appearances on Fox's The OC and a popular commercial from Sony. Recently, he finished the U.S. leg of a world tour.