Fenxy

I found these two at almost the same time a couple years back. Kind of folk rock, great quality, lyrics, etc!

• (die) Pilot
• Dylan in the Movies

Mine would have to be Jamiroquai. They have such a unique sound that I could listen to all hours of the day. I'm not sure if you'd consider them mainstream, however, it's also music that I never hear on the radio.

I also recently started listening to Quantic. The music is really interesting and unique, and definitely not mainstream, as far as I know. He's not exactly my favorite, but very good music.

I don't really have a favorite-favorite because I appreciate the artists I do like all for different reasons and moods. But one that comes to mind is Rachael Yamagata. :) I love her raspy yet feminine voice.

I know Pauley Harvey is known especially for her music in the 90's, but I had to mention her because I was able to see her in an intimate setting last night with 100 people in the audience during a taping for a Yahoo! Live Sets. I don't think her music is mainstream at all because it is always changing...

Grizzly Bear
The Ponys

Rathbone.
Cherry Ghost.

Immaculate Machine
Memphis

anathallo = very experimental, folky, sounds like happy music you would hear in a deserted grass field with friendly leprauchans. lol..follow this link and hear for yourself
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dqLyG4ppC9k

men women and children = straight up get up and dance kinda shiza. saw these guys play live one time and had an amazing dancing experience..and was sober too =)

ghostland observatory = sooo good. lots and lots of attitude

mew = popular band in denmark. frontman, jonas bjerre, will prob the highest pitched voice you had ever heard. makes you wonder how a man could hit any of these notes. although it may sound unappealing, it actually does the exact opposite. its beautiful and unordinary. on another note, the music itself is unordinary as well. some songs i wonder how the hell they came up with such a distinct and unique melody. lastly, their live show blew me away. jonas' voice along with the homemade films in the backdrop make you feel like you're tripping on something. very different, kinda creepy, but incredibly mind blowing. gotta see for yourself.

others: mute math, camera obscura, explosions in the sky, smoosh, maritime, final fantasy, minus the bear

Synthetic Minister: Dark, soulful industrial genius. His music gives me chills and until recently was nearly impossible to find, but the group is on a comeback and releasing an album soon.

Deathboy: Prolific british punk/electro/industrial/trance anything made with synths. Absolutely brilliant work. Something for everyone. Has a HUGE (200+) song FREE back catalog that can be had for nil.

The Walkabouts - I posted a vid on my blog last week and no one had ever heard of them.

I still listen to Fugazi.

They actually play Amos Lee here, but he is almost local, so that may be why.

Daedelus
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Hot Club De Paris

• LUXT
• Zombina and the Skeletones

A couple of months ago I could've said OK Go, but they get radio play here now, so they're out.

Aphex Twin

Used to be into Mindless Self Indulgence (way too much cussing for radio), but I probably out grew or out matured it at some point.

Still, and always, They Might Be Giants.

@ Bartoneus: yes, yes, they TMBG, I forgot them but where I went to school they were almost mainstream.

estarla:
Pauley Harvey? Polly Jean Harvey :P White Chalk, her latest album, is amazing nonetheless. I'm envious you got to see her in such a small venue!

Otherwise, Animal Collective/Panda Bear's solo stuff (which I prefer a little to the most recent AC album); Semifinalists; Camera Obscura and My Bloody Valentine because they're reforming/touring next year and I have a ticket to see them. YAS.

Oh, and for those who are into M.I.A., check out Santogold. Completely addicted to her MySpace at the moment; a legitimate release keeps to come out ASAP before I overdose.

Liz Phair - Probably few that haven't heard of her. Some of her songs might be a little twisted when you listen to it carefully, but they are really really good.

Within Temptation - Opera/Gothic Metal with heavy female vocals from Netherlands. The lead gives Amy Lee (from Evanescence) a run for her money. Haunting if you like that sort of thing.

Within Temptation - Opera/Gothic Metal with heavy female vocals from Netherlands. The lead gives Amy Lee (from Evanescence) a run for her money. Haunting if you like that sort of thing.

They get quite a lot of coverage though, infact they're headlining the Metal Hammer "Hammered at Xmas" gig in a couple of venues.

For me it's all about I-Def-I, a young metal band from Manchester who rock.

Although most of my tastes are considered diverse from the mainstream, but most metal fans know where I'm coming from.

A while back, I really liked this band called SONE from across the pond. I don't have an address but they were pretty good. I originally heard about them on MySpace (Ew) but, in my opinion, they were one of the few bands that actually had talent.

@ kami: I worte a whole post around Blow Job Queen(Flower) a long time ago. Exile in Guyville is something I always buy for friends who haven't listened to her.

Funny to see what some of you call obscure (funny interesting, not funny you're an idiot). And searching for new music by asking for obscure musicians is such an indiefag thing to do. (My favourite band is less well known than yours.)

Anyway, for me it's all about Sea Wolf, Pale Young Gentlemen, and The Virgins and The Pierces who were both recently featured on Gossip Girl.

Hopefully, they're all obscure enough to satisfy your indie lust, but either way, they're all good music. And the links go to Hype Machine, because that's what all the cool people are using to share music.

Half Japanese

Warning, they may be likened to an "acquired taste", but after I saw a documentary on them, I checked out their music and something clicked.

Check them out.

Bat for Lashes, Portugal. the Man, Raein...

Someone mentioned Animal Collective/Panda Bear, Daedelus, and Camera Obscura. We have a good college station here so that music actually does get radio play.

The Knife
Bloc Party - Listened to these guys pre Guitar Hero BTW.

I'm a huge fan of The Envy Corps out of Des Moines, Iowa -- they recently signed with Mercury and have been opening on occasion for The Killers, so I don't expect them to languish in obscurity too much longer...

Another really fun Iowa band is Euforquestra, which has a really great Worldbeat sound and a great mix of instruments.

Thanks to everyone for your other suggestions -- great stuff!

Hi!

I would say This Quiet Army, a one man band. If you like shoegaze music, this is very good stuff.

I also enjoy listening to Amon Tobin, one of Montreal's top Dj. He did the excellent soundtrack for the game Splinter Cell 3 : Chaos Theory.