If you have access to Last.fm, Pandora or Spotify, you may find all your new music needs there. But these services don’t include everything, and more importantly, they’re geo-restricted. So without further ado, here are 6 great ways to discover cool music you’ve never heard before, no matter where you are in the world.

Earbits Radio

Earbits is a fantastic website in which you can discover new music, listen to it, learn about new artists, chat and comment about them, and much more. To start, all you have to do is pick a station. Stations are based on genres, but there are loads of them to choose from. Whether you’re interested in experimental rock, funk jazz or street hop, you’re going to find it in Earbits.

If you can’t even decide on a genre, you can choose a shuffle station, or go for editor’s picks or listener’s picks stations. After you choose a station, the music will immediately start playing, featuring a huge image of the artist and a short bio and buy links on the bottom.

You can log in using Facebook to rate songs and comment (unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a way to so this without Facebook). You can also download the Chrome app, and get the Earbits iOS or Android apps. This is an awesome way to listen to new music you’ve never heard of before.

Musicovery

Musicovery is another great service which helps you discover new music. It’s not as eye-catching as Earbits, but it does the job well. To start, you can either enter a name of an artist you like, or choose your mood.

Musicovery will create a radio station for you, much like Last.fm or Pandora, which should feature songs that suit your taste and/or mood. You can listen to all the music you want this way. If you create a free account, you can ban songs from appearing in your playlists and mark songs as favorites. A paid account will get you some extra features.

Musicovery also comes as an iPhone app, and there are other goodies such as the widget and lab you’re going to want to check out.

Shuffler.fm

Shuffler.fm is a music discovery engine that is entirely based on music blogs. You can listen to music by genre, by popular tracks, or by blog. Simply choose your “channel”, and off you go.

If you choose to listen by genre, each song in the playlist will come from a different blog. The page will change accordingly, and you will get to view the actual blog post relating to the song you’re listening to.

You can create an account with the site, or log in using Facebook, to follow specific blogs and more. Shuffler.fm also comes as an iPad app.

YouLicense Mood Finder

YouLicense is actually a site aimed at letting people license music, but it also provides a pretty good way to discover some new music. The website includes a tool which lets you browse for new music by mood; there aren’t a lot of moods to choose from, but all the really important ones are includes.

When you choose a mood, a new window will open with a set playlist for that mood. In that aspect, there’s a limit to the amount of music you can discover with YouLicense, but it does contain songs by artists you’ve probably never heard of, and you can use it as a stepping stone to discovering even more great music.

If you create an account on the site, you can rate songs and create playlists as well. The website is not meant to be a music discovery tool per se, but it’s definitely useful as one.

From The Basement

We now move on to a different kind of websites: These websites don’t provide a lot of music to listen to, but do provide information and names of new artists you may want to listen to. And after all, that’s half the problem with finding new music.

The first one of these is From The Basement – a sort of podcast/live performances website created by Radiohead’s producer Nigel Godrich. The site features live shows shot by the website, which aim to create a relaxed atmosphere for the artist and produce the best performances possible.

There is a limited number of artists to choose from, some of which you’ve probably never heard of, and each contains 1 or more live performances, a picture gallery, and useful links. The videos are very well made – not something you would find on MTV, that’s for sure – and the minimalistic site is a joy to browse for any music lover.

Gnoosic

Gnoosic is a music discovery service that doesn’t include any actual music. You give it up to three names of artists you like, and Gnoosic starts giving you suggestions for more artists you may enjoy.

For each suggestion, you can choose whether you like it, don’t like it, or don’t know it, and the suggestions continue. For each suggestion you can also access a discussion board, and even cooler, see it on a music map.

The band you were looking at will appear in the middle, with other, similar bands floating all around it. You can use this to find music that is similar to music you already know you like. After finding some names that look interesting, you can use other services to find the actual music.

Looking for more online music sources? Check out:

• 10 Music Search Engines To Discover Cool Music, Musicians & Great Bands
• Top 10 Free Ways To Discover New Music Online
• The 4 Best Websites To Check Out New Music Releases First

Do you know of more cool ways to discover new music? Share in the comments!

Image credit: Shutterstock

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

Arundel – Olive Caves

Genre: ambient, electronic, soundscapes, trip hop

From their Facebook page: “Arundel is the name encompassing many of the musical creations of Brisbane (Australia) resident Lucas Arundell. He plays the role of songwriter, composer, arranger and producer, creating a broad range of songs, grooves, soundscapes, remixes and instrumental pieces.”
Arundel is supported by the independent record label Paper Street Records. You can view the video for the title track A Deep Freeze here.

Olive Caves is a name your price download from Bandcamp. Donations to support the artist and his team are most appreciated.

Magic City – Little Bits EP

Genre: alternative, indie, dreampop, lo-fi, rock

Magic City is a lo-fi indie band from Chicago, Illinois. Their record label writes about the album: “Magic City is this kind of band as their music is a dreamy commentary about life, love, and the human condition. Releasing their E.P. Little Bits back in November, Magic City launched itself onto the Chicago music scene as butterflies dreaming of being people. This is not to say that their music is petty in any way as their E.P. is fantastic. The thing about Little Bits is that its sound and lyrics are draped in an ephemeral curtain of dreamscapes and distortions.
But behind these dreamscapes and distortions Lauren Whitacre meows about how hard it is sometimes to be a person. Her vocals are in a similar way to PJ Harvey’s but her lyrical messages are far more draped in blue than Harvey’s could ever be.”

Little Bits EP is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Spiral – The Traveler

Genre: progressive, rock, ambient, psychadelic rock, art rock

From the album page: “This is part 2 of a planned trilogy of records telling the story of Rip and his daughter Anomoly. To listen to part 1 “The Capital in Ruins” please follow this link: thespiral.bandcamp.com/album/the-capital-in-ruins And look forward to part 3, which is in the works.”
Spiral was previously featured on Sound Sunday with their albums Citizen, The Capital in Ruins, Machine, and Your Kindness Let a Monster In.

The Traveler is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Galway – Mria

Genre: indie, pop, chillwave, dreamgaze, dreampop

Galway are four young guys from Moscow, Russia. Mria contains some re-recordings of earlier material, embedded in a selection of new songs, which they recorded over the past couple of months. It is an album of indie pop melodies muffled in atmospheric sounds. Catchy guitar solos and energizing drums occasionally break through the soundscape, such as in my favorite song of the album Each Of Us Loves Space Tears.

Mria is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Glass Kites – Selftitled

Genre: alternative, progressive, ambient, experimental, dreampop, rock

From their Facebook page: “Wowing audiences with emotive progressions, hypnotic grooves, lush walls of sound, joyful lyricism, and unique progressive composition Glass Kites caters to the music fan yearning to be impacted and enveloped.”
The record was recorded at Vancouver’s Warehouse Studio.

The selftitled album Glass Kites is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Something Fiction – Botany

Genre: alternative, electronic, experimental, progressive, psychedelic

From their Last.fm page: “Something Fiction is an experimental music project formed by vocalist/instrumentalist/producer Matt Humble, guitarist Raul Rodriguez, and percussionist Nick Greder of San Antonio, Texas. The music combines electronic synth sounds with ethnic and acoustic instruments supported by a vibrato driven vocal performance.”

Botany is a free download from Bandcamp.

Mindthings – Resonance

Genre: ambient, electronic, chillout, chillwave, dreampop

Mindthings is the music project of Clément Peres, an event producer, illustrator, and music composer from Bordeaux, France. Resonance is his sixth album.

Resonance is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Giraffage – Comfort

Genre: indie, ambient, electronic, dreampop, hip hop

From Giraffage’s Last.fm page: “Giraffage is the creation of 21-year old multi-instrumentalist/producer Charlie Yin of San Francisco, California. The general sound of Giraffage is described as a weaver of refreshingly crisp electro dream pop tunes that thread their way through loose-knit grooves and tightly-toothed rhythms. Gaining inspiration from things as diverse as dreams or the weather, Giraffage evokes a woozy yet familiar mood that is sure to stimulate your eardrums and leave you feeling a sense of nostalgia and melancholy.”

Comfort is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Kleptonaut – The Golden Age Of Space Travel

Genre: ambient, electronic, downtempo

From the album page: “All music is built on the shoulders of the road traveled by giants and gnats. This music sometimes follows that road and tries to get some speed, and when it’s lucky, and you happen to be on board, it just might lift off and surprise you.
These 10 tracks were all made in the last year. Moogfest 2010 was a major recent inspiration. Michelle is a perpetual inspiration. This album was mostly for her as she has been my main audience of 1.
The album is free for the taking to any ears willing to lend themselves.
Any single person paying for the album, before or after downloading it, will encourage me greatly to make more music.”

The Golden Age Of Space Travel is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Symphony of Science – Symphony of Science Bundle v1?.?3

Genre: electronic, remix, symphony

From the project’s homepage: “The Symphony of Science is a musical project of John D Boswell, designed to deliver scientific knowledge and philosophy in musical form. The project owes its existence in large measure to the classic PBS Series Cosmos, by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steve Soter, as well as all the other featured figures and visuals. Continuation of the videos relies on generous support from fans and followers.”

Symphony of Science Bundle v1?.?3 is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

It’s All Happening – Home Sweet Home

Genre: pop, punk, rock

Four great dudes from the Midwest playing pop punk. It’s All Happening is presently touring somewhere in the US. Details can be caught on their Twitter.

Home Sweet Home is a free download from Bandcamp.

Biblical – Selftitled

Genre: heavy, rock, proto-metal

From their homepage: “Formed in the spring of 2010, BIBLICAL is the sound of mountains splitting and oceans parting. Uniting members of The Illuminati, The Bicycles and The Old Soul, BIBLICAL is a ferocious beast of a band that deftly reconciles Motorohead swagger with Bad Seeds dread. Their debut self-titled EP offers a thoroughly satisfying listen that will enthrall and delight any fan of guitar-based rock music with a filthy tone that moves between tense, fast paced burners and sludgey organ-drenched breakdowns.”

Biblical is a free download from Bandcamp.

Tyler Lyle – Notes From The Parade

Genre: folk, rock

From his homepage: “In a very honest and challenging presentation, Lyle fights his ghosts in the open- on stage- revealing his doubts and shortcomings, disarming the listener and preparing them a place in the caravan into the dark. “It’s a hallowed scene, but we don’t know what it means” says Lyle in “Pinewood Chests.” In another song he sings “go deep down brother, feel it all/ cause there’s peace at the bottom, if there’s peace at all.” This is what separates Lyle from his peers- he wants to take us on a journey- he says “I’m not happy unless there has been some sort of transformation between point A and point B. By the end of the song, I want the listener to be in a different place altogether than where she first entered.””

Notes From The Parade is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Brian Bergeron – Hourglass EP

Genre: acoustic, rock, folk, indie, pop

From his homepage: “Brian Bergeron is a folk-rock acoustic singer-songwriter currently residing in the Bay Area. His music is a blend of folk-rock and alt-country drawing on influences from many critical darlings and established commercial performers including: Tom Petty, Ryan Adams, Josh Ritter, Van Morrison, and The Rolling Stones. Brian performed over 125 shows in 2011 and released his newest EP, Hourglass, this past December.”

Hourglass EP is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Adios Nine – Sleepers And Dreamers EP

Genre: pop, avant garde

From the album page: “The songs in Sleepers And Dreamers are singing about sleeping in dreams, dreaming about sleeping, and the stories that revolves around it. From the moment you wake up, the way you mourn, the blessings of mournings, to the desire to travel with someone you love. It’s about the dreams that moves us and the sleep that helps us, it’s about the things we do to stay alive. We can’t live forever, but we believe the balance of both sleeping and dreaming can lead each and everyone of us to a better life.”

Sleepers And Dreamers EP is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

A Quiet End – Past Fragments

Genre: alternative, indie, instrumental, art, rock, post rock, ambient, minimalism

From the album page: “The Past Fragments EP is a collection of semi-improvised minimal piano works. Tiny pieces that were conceived around loose melodic ideas or vague notions of ‘character’ and then captured immediately as they were written with little attention paid to production or perfection, in some cases fully extemporized as they were laid down. Recorded over the course of a few days, they imbibed the essence of the moments they emerged from, and are presented here – lo-fi and sparkling – with all of their inherent fragility, ephemera and imperfections intact.”

Past Fragments is a free download from Bandcamp.

Natalie Imani – Passion Mark

Genre: pop, rhythm and blues, hip hop

From her homepage: “Natalie Imani says, “Music is the mark of my passion.” And when Natalie Imani hits the stage, all hearts listen!! (…) When she performs, her passion exudes from the stage. It’s no wonder her debut EP is entitled “Passion Mark”. Her musical style can be described as eclectic R&B as it covers a wide array of artistic expression and emotion. (…) Natalie’s conquest has landed her a myriad of gigs, tours, national contests and television air time. She has had the opportunity to work with some of the most prominent recording artists in the industry such as John Legend (Columbia), Shaggy, Ne-yo (Universal Def Jam), Jennifer Hudson (J records), Jazmine Sullivan (J records), Keri Hilson (Universal), and Nicki Minaj (Universal). (…) Although her life of experience says a great deal about her talent, Natalie Imani knows that this is just the beginning for her. Check out her debut EP entitled, “Passion Mark” for a taste of the sweetest voice. With her beautiful sophisticated style and her strong but sweet voice (…)”

Passion Mark is a free download from Bandcamp.

PUT THE RIFLE DOWN – New Dance

Genre: indie, pop, big beat, dance, electro, new wave

From their Bandcamp page: “Put The Rifle Down is an electronic dance band from Toronto, Canada. Since 2004, they have released three albums, played festivals like Pop Montreal, NXNE, SXSW, and CMW, alongside Crystal Castles, Kidstreet, POWERS, New Young Pony Club, and The Teenagers.”

New Dance is a free download from Bandcamp.

Various Artists – MIND EXTRACTION

Genre: break, beats, electronica, instrumental, hip hop

Mind Extraction is a mix tape of the Japanese DJs Henji Katafuta and Shinshock.

MIND EXTRACTION is a free download from Bandcamp.

Invisibles – The Law Of Mutual Exchange

Genre: alterantive, ambient, dance, pop

From their Facebook page: “Invisibles is an international collective conceived by JP Reid of Sucioperro and Marmaduke Duke. It is based on the idea that everyone is an artist and that there is magic to be found in the everyday. JP Reid has had previous commercial success as co-performer, co-writer and producer with Marmaduke Duke on the album Duke Pandemonium and the single Rubber Lover (14th Floor Records), both of which achieved a top 20 position in the UK singles and album charts. Sucioperro are currently signed to leading independent label Xtra Mile.”

The Law Of Mutual Exchange is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Before you dive into this edition, download the free song I Don’t Know What To Do from Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

The Slakadeliqs – The Other Side of Tomorrow

Genre: alternative, experimental, pop, new wave, funk, soul

From the album page: “The Other Side of Tomorrow by Slakah the Beatchild’s alter ego The Slakadeliqs is the result of four years writing, experimenting and exploring different groups of musical influences than most would expect. If you like it… Share the Good Vibrations. ”

The Other Side of Tomorrow is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

The Weeknd – Echoes Of Silence

Genre: rhythm and blues, soul

The two man band project from Toronto, Canada signed a deal with Drake’s label Young Money earlier last year. Echoes Of Silence is their third album since the debut release House Of Balloons, which was featured in a previous edition of Sound Sunday.

Echoes Of Silence is a free download from SoundCloud.

Rain Over Battle – These Rocks In Our Bodies

Genre: indie, punk, emo, post-rock

From their Bandcamp page: “We are just four kids who grew up together and love playing rock and roll. No gimmicks or explanations. We want to play your basements, your garages, your hometowns, your granny’s attic, whatever.” Don’t let the intro song to the album stir you away, this band rocks punk!

These Rocks In Our Bodies is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Lit on the Flash – Revolution Time

Genre: alternative, blues, folk, psychedelic, rock and roll

Lit On The Flash is the York, Maine based rock and roll band of Jake Roche, Kerry Ryan, and Matter Reignkin. Revolution Time is their 2011 debut album.

Revolution Time is a free download from Bandcamp.

Stone Throats – Darkest Days

Genre: hardcore, metal, doom, thrash

According to their Facebook page, they are loud, abrasive and discontent. What else would you expect from a metal band? The five guys from Indianapolis, Indiana deliver nothing less.

Darkest Days is a free download from Bandcamp.

Sacub & Co. – Opus 1

Genre: electronic, jazz, psychedelic

Opus 1 is a collaboration album that came together between April and August 2011. For artist links, please see commentary on the Jamendo album page.

Opus 1 is a free download from Jamendo.

Revolution Void – Thread Soul

Genre: instrumental, electronic, breakbeat, jazz

Revolution Void is the solo project of Seattle, Washington based producer and jazz pianist Jonah Dempcy. His 2006 album Thread Soul features guest performances by Lucas Pickford and Cochemea Gastelum.

Thread Soul is a free download from Jamendo.

Radioactive Sandwich – A World of Delights

Genre: electronic, dub, downtempo, chillout

From their SoundCloud page: “Radioactive Sandwich is proud to announce the release of their 5th album ‘A World of Delights’. The album is 10 tracks of driving electronic music that is sure to be enjoyed both in the club as well as in the comfort of your own home. Radioactive Sandwich has created a striking combination of organic sounds, world influences, and electronic trickery to create a modern soundscape of music. Their strong musical backgrounds, wide range of musical influences, and genre-busting composition style helped shape “A World of Delights” into a truly unique album.”

A World of Delights is a free download from SoundCloud.

Sublamp – In Our Hiding Voice

Genre: ambient, experimental, minimal

From the album page: “In Our Hiding Voice is centered around the kind of listening you might engage in whilst hiding from something or someone, perhaps hiding in empty buildings, underground tunnels or dark rooms in abandoned houses… The initial intention was to create an album based around warm and fuzzy guitar tones but it was after Connor had watched Tarkovsky’s ‘Stalker’, that he began to explore darker and scratchier territory. Connor kept returning to his imagined visuals of children playing hide and seek in a decayed world like that of ‘Stalker’ and it is through this inspiration that the murky textured drones on offer throughout this album were constructed.”

In Our Hiding Voice is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

DavesOn – BROKEN CURSES for the STREETS VOL. I

Genre: pop, gospel, r&b, soul, hip hop

From the album page: “This mixtape by DavesOn gives you the hype beats of the industry with even hyper lyrics and uplifting melodies
Purposefully pushing the Gospel R&B/Hip Hop envelope,
DavesOn is set on breaking the curses that are being fed to the youth of today, Not sparing any vulnerabilities or compromising the message of Jesus Christ, you can sense the passion and heart of his intent.”

BROKEN CURSES for the STREETS VOL. I is a free download from Bandcamp.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

Various Artists – Brassland Sampler for 2011

Genre: alternative, indie, rock, classical, postclassical, sampler

From Brassland’s homepage: “Brassland is an artist-operated label started in 2001 by writer Alec Hanley Bemis (LA Weekly, the New York Times, LA Times, the New Yorker, etc.) and twin brothers/musicians Aaron Dessner (The National) and Bryce Dessner (Clogs; The National). We encourage collaboration and creation among an evolving assortment of creative folks. Music is our current focus. We like music that transcends genre. At the same time we try not to make transcending genre a cliche by applying labels to what we do: funk-metal, progressive punk, Afro-Cuban jazz, underground hip-hop, intelligent dance music, whateva! We like musicians who play well and possess the elusive tonic of personality. Most of all we just like music.”

Brassland Sampler for 2011 is a free download from Bandcamp.

Pearse McGloughlin – Busy Whisper

Genre: alternative, pop, irish, folk

From his homepage: “The musicians that impress me operate at borders . . . cross them when they need to, stop short of them if they need to. It’s sometimes a difficult terrain to navigate. To date, Walkperson has served as the nom de guerre for my songs and the musicians who have played with me. I first played with a group called ‘Socialite’ in my hometown of Sligo. That was immense fun and I have very fond memories of it. Subsequently, I spent time in France and Montreal, learned French, got hooked on songwriting and recorded a short EP in cold Québec city. My next group was ‘Thy Swan Army’ in Galway. I took a lot from this band, recorded songs and played some really good gigs. People liked us. The group splintered eventually and members went to work on separate projects (Ghostwood Project, John Terrors). I next lived in London, played with more musicians and gigged the indie scene as Walkperson. Most of the songs I wrote during this period I’ve let go but there are several I’ve held on to, of which I’m still proud. Since coming back to Ireland I’ve recorded and released ‘Desired Effect EP’ with Andrew Deacon, Ales Bagart and James Yearn.”

Busy Whisper is a free download from Bandcamp.

Palmer and Grub Street Writer – On the Road to Crazy

Genre: alternative, folk, rock

Andy Palmer is the lead singer of Grub Street Writer, his band with Dan Kern. Dave Solzberg, and Carl Sorenson. From their Facebook page: “Grub Street Writer visits all sides of the human spirit, but maintains a positivism that keeps it from jumping off the cliff. It’s gritty and percussive, in turns rolling, thumping, bluesing, jamming. They lived. Perhaps a little too long — definitely a little too much.”

On the Road to Crazy is a free download from Bandcamp.

Jake Roche – Last Beams of the Old Setting Moon

Genre: acoustic, blues, folk, harmonica, psychedelic

When not recording solo albums, Jake Roche is singer and guitarist for the rock and roll band Lit On The Flash. From the album page: “Recorded as part of the RPM Challenge. The Challenge was to write and record an album in the month of February. Recorded with one microphone, in a living room overlooking Great Bay in Durham, NH.” The album was released on March 1st, 2011.

Last Beams of the Old Setting Moon is a free download from Bandcamp.

The Sparrowells – Acoustic Songs

Genre: experimental, acoustic, indie

The Sparrowells is a music project of Tristan Bohling. One his Facebook page he writes that he is a musician, artist, composer, writer, and a person. The vocals for the acoustic EP were provided by Morgan Topper.

Acoustic Songs is a free download from Bandcamp.

Fish Tank – Henry

Genre: alternative, indie, pop, rock

The three piece band from Kent, UK has a very brief bio: “Met at university, decided being in a band would be a lucrative and stable career choice…”

Henry is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Giraffage – Comfort

Genre: electronic, ambient, chill, dreampop

Giraffage is the music project of Charlie Yin from San Francisco.

Comfort is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Jonti – Sine & Moon

Genre: electronic, remix, pop

From the album page: “Last summer, while prepping his debut album Twirligig, Jonti put together the “Sine & Moon Mix” for the Stones Throw Podcast, a collection of earlier songs he’d recorded on 4-track. In the months since the mixtape, he’s been hit up with requests for the individual tracks, and so Sine & Moon (The Album) came about.”

“People liked the songs on the Sine And Moon podcast, so I wanted to get them out for free. So I turned it into an album with extra’s, new mixes and original Jeff Jank Artwork. I really love these songs and I hope you enjoy!” – Jonti

Sine & Moon is a free download from the Stones Throw Records Homepage.

Agent Whiskers – Stage 2: The Path Untaken

Genre: ambient, electronic, experimental, classical, pop

From the album page: “Agent Whiskers levels up! Stage 2: The Path Untaken is Agent Whiskers’ sophomore album, a sprawling electronic experience featuring 7 tracks that take you on a journey from the album’s mysterious and eerie beginning to its vengeful end. Stage 2 is an adventure that unravels with every track, offering a cohesive structure while setting an atmosphere and tone that lasts throughout the album.”

Stage 2: The Path Untaken is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Notebook Noise – Debonair Gear: Wit Instrumental

Genre: alternative, electronic, instrumental, hip hop

From their Facebook page: “The Notebook Noise core members: Johnasaurus Rex aka John Gray; and Thaddeus James aka Jeff Mroz got down to it on the Debonair Wit EP. Production was hands-on and as fast as lightening with John seeming to be in some other world to bring the songs to life. The basic idea would be thought of for about a minute, and then within a half hour the songs would be living, breathing, soul-seeking monsters; complete with bass-lines and synth breaks. It seemed that there was left over energy from ‘Snares’ still hovering in that smoky basement studio.”

Debonair Gear: Wit Instrumental is a free download from Bandcamp.

Tia London – Love Junkie

Genre: hip hop, soul

Tia London is a hip hop artist from Chicago via Los Angeles. Her debut album Love Junkie was produced by The Legendary Traxster.

Love Junkie is a free download from Traxster Inc.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

Jessie Frye – Fireworks Child

Genre: indie, pop, rock

From her Facebook profile: “Jessie Frye is 22 years old and based in Denton, TX. She started taking classical piano lessons at age 12, and always felt that music was not something you do, but something you are. She formed her band in early 2009 after receiving an invite to play an official showcase at the SXSW music festival in Austin, TX. “When I got the invitation, it was based off the CD (The Delve) itself, because I didn’t have a band and I didn’t have any press. I was like, holy shit, I better get a band together, you know?” Since then, Jessie and her band have showcased in 2010 as well as 2011.”

Fireworks Child is a free download from Bandcamp.

USONIA – Selftitled

Genre: alternative, indie, pop, rock

USONIA is a three man indie-pendent rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 2010 Selftitled album USONIA is their debut. Rob van Alstyne from City Pages writes: “Their self-titled debut album is a sublime slice of headphone-friendly pop, confidently encompassing everything from jagged-nerve new wave to white-boy soul-rock with enough sass to make Hall & Oates burn with envy.”

USONIA is a free download from Bandcamp.

Lava Lava Love – A Bunch Of Love Songs And Zombies

Genre: pop

From their Tumblr Bio: “Lava Lava Love were formed in the summer of 2010, a bit accidentally, when Vittorio Pozzato (vocals, keyboards and guitar player in Fake P, House of All and Canadians) and Massimo Fiorio (bass player in Canadians) decided to visit producer Matteo Cantaluppi’s recording studio. He joins them, and the result of this collaboration is the creation of their first three songs: Keep on Falling, The Light is a Lie and In the Aeroplane over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel’s cover).”

A Bunch Of Love Songs And Zombies is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Fort Lean – Selftitled

Genre: alternative, rock

From their Facebook profile: “At Fort Lean, which is a place you can go, the weather is perfect all the time. Hot but not too sticky, and you can sleep in the park comfortably without getting hassled by the cops. Fort Lean is about getting too drunk at your own picnic. Fort Lean is about leaving the city. Fort Lean is a place where you can still see the skyline but you can’t hear any cars and you can put all your stolen wine in the stream to keep it cool and when the fire dies out you can see some stars and not too many airplanes.”

Fort Lean is a free download from Bandcamp.

Verbal Rocket – Convenience Store Mirrors

Genre: indie, garage, rock, punk, post-punk, post-rock, lo-fi, mixtape, compilation

Verbal Rocket is a UK based online indie fanzine. They regularly release mixtapes to promote bands from around the globe. From their Bandcamp page: “This is a DIY, Non-profit organisation which exists as a tool to promote and support what we consider quality independent music.”

Convenience Store Mirrors is a free download from Bandcamp.

Romantic Nobita Records – Japanese Pop Punk?/?Easycore Compilation 2011

Genre: pop, punk, easycore, hardcore, popcore, compilation

Romantic Nobita Records is a Japanese record label founded in March 2010.

Japanese Pop Punk?/?Easycore Compilation 2011 is a free download from Mediafire (see link below Bandcamp playlist).

Ste McCabe – Bubblegum Laser

Genre: punk, electro, indipop, queercore

From Ste’s Homepage: “I have put together a Bandcamp page with all of my releases on it. Probably the most important things to plug are my brand new free download EP “Bubblegum Laser Gun” which features fun remixes by Cassette Donkey and Tingle in The Netherlands!”

Bubblegum Laser Gum is a free download from Bandcamp.

Jordan Brown – Jordan Writes Short Stories

Genre: instrumental, bass

From Jordan’s homepage: “Jordan is a London – based bass player and producer. His love for Music and eclectic approach to the instrument together with his relaxed and positive attitude makes him the choice of many artists both in the studio and on the road. And he looks good on stage too.”

Jordan Writes Short Stories is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Kondor – Beyond The Clouds

Genre: indie, jazz, instrumental, hip hop

This wonderful jazzy instrumental hip hop album is the work of Konrad Gogosz from Jas?o, Poland.

Beyond The Clouds is a free download from Bandcamp.

Self Taught – 5 Year Journey

Genre: atmosphere, hip hop, rap

From Chamberlain Drive Records’ press kit: “Our label is proud to present Self Taught‘s sophomore album Five Year Journey.
In the last five years, Michael Jackson died, Mini-me made a sex tape, the pregnant man gave birth, a time traveler appeared in a Charlie Chaplin film and Self Taught made an album that will undoubtedly overshadow all of these things.
Heavily influenced by golden-era hip hop but relevant to today’s sound, Five YearJourney is being dubbed as a new-age throwback. The album includes 15 songs with features from Inkspill, K-Rec, Mike Decline, and Allan Rodger and is seamlessly woven together with transitional cuts from K-Rec, a producer/turntablist, who re-mixed “It’s Tricky” by Run-Dmc, which soon became the title track for the Electronic Arts video game SSX Tricky. The album is dedicated to the group’s longtime friend, Colin Van Dyk, who passed away unexpectedly in 2010.”
Self Taught were recently featured on Sound Sunday with their debut Arrival.

5 Year Journey is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

Joe Mazz Electronic – Mad Times

Genre: electronic, beats, dub, instrumental, hip hop

From Joe’s website: “Joe Mazzarella is a music producer and recordist with experience in a variety of genres. Whether working with local singer-songwriters, crafting beats for rap artists, or creating lively recordings of rock bands, Joe produces professional quality tracks with sounds that stay true to an artist’s music.”
From the album intro: “I’m always torn between the jazz world and the world of funk and groove, so even though this album has a ton of beats and grooves I couldn’t help adding in some jazz elements, some piano solos, and guitar solos by the great Jimmy Morrell!”

Mad Times is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Moddi – Moddimiks 2010

Genre: alternative, indie, pop, post rock, acapella, compilation

From Moddi’s Facebook profile: “My name is Pål Moddi Knutsen, twenty-four years old as I write this. I come from an island called Senja in the far north of Norway. Whoever you are, and whatever reason you have for listening: thank you for lending me your time!”
Moddi was previously featured on Sound Sunday with his album Away From Home.

Moddimiks 2010 is a free download from Bandcamp.

Cloudbirds – Selftitled

Genre: folk

From their homepage: “Cloudbirds is the new roots-inspired venture of ex-The M’s bandmates Josh Chicoine, Joey King and Glenn Rischke. Using three-part harmonies and intertwining guitars, the Chicago trio moves effortlessly between heart-felt and down-home folk music.”

The selftitled album Cloudbirds is a free download from Bandcamp.

David Löhstana – Folk & Acoustic

Genre: acoustic, instrumental, folk

David Löhstana is an artist from France. Folk & Acoustic is an instrumental album where David demonstrates his guitar skills. The tunes are upbeat and relaxing.

Folk & Acoustic is a free download from Jamendo.

Epic Soul Factory – Volume One

Genre: orchestral, instrumental, soundtrack, film music

From their Jamendo profile: “¿Do you like movies? ¿Do you like trailer epic music movies? Then come here to listen some of our stuff. That’s exactly what we do. EPIC SOUL FACTORY it’s a group of four film music composers: Cesc Vilà, Fran Soto, Ysmer and Pela. Epic Soul Factory compose for trailer, cinema, tv, shortcuts…”

Epic Soul Factory’s Volume One is a free download from Jamendo.

Rusko – O.M.G.!

Genre: electronic, dubstep

From his Facebook page: (…) “Rusko brought a highly driven energy and fun approach to the dubstep massive, quickly coining his own take on the genre that infected . His sound appealed to many people outside of the dubstep world as his productions became more adventurous in formula, sound and energy. His huge hit “Cockney Thug” has been played by everyone from Pete Tong, Switch, Diplo and Santogold. And has been remixed by Buraka Som sistema, Diplo, Drop the Lime and the Scratch Perverts.”

O.M.G.! is a free download from Rusko’s Homepage.

Donae’o – Indigo Child

Genre: urban, club, dance, house

From his homepage: “A kingpin where all things UK dance are concerned, Donaeo (meaning Gift from God) has been a staple fixture on the underground since his anthemic debut ‘My Philosophy (Bounce)’, made when he was just 16, aired back in 2001. Regarded not just as a producer, his forays into singing, rapping and songwriting have gone on to shape the star that’s in many ways still yet to be fully revealed. (…) “Last year I feel like I found myself and it’s kind of like this; you can look at ADHD in two ways… You can take pills for it or be an Indigo Child. The only difference between me and someone else is that I’ve got a lot of excess energy but I’ve found a way to channel it. I’m about dance music and this album is definitely that.””

Indigo Child is a free download from Bandcamp.

SKYPILOT – Harold (You Sold Your Brother Down)

Genre: rock, stadium, art-rock

Technically, this two song single doesn’t qualify for Sound Sunday. However, great music always receives an exception. The title track is my favorite song of this edition. Also check out the song Light From A Dying Star.

From their Facebook page: “Locals of Brisbane, Australia, SKYPILOT have emerged to play a new kind of rock music that matches haunting soundscapes, untamed melodies and soaring vocals to create an elevating stadium rock experience. Their songs take you on an emotive journey from devastating lows to dizzying heights where you feel like you could defy the laws of gravity and levitate off the ground.”

Not to be missed is the little background story for each of their songs.

Harold (You Sold Your Brother Down) is a free download from Bandcamp.

We’re Doomed – Like A Machine

Genre: alternative, progressive rock

From their Facebook page: “We’re Doomed is an explosive culmination of tempered skill and intelligent song-writing. A groovy yet heavy assault on progressive rock, the 4-piece Halifax-based band draws inspiration from the impending apocalypse and the human condition. With heavy riffs, syncopated rhythms, dynamic vocals, and a general disregard for the genre barriers between rock, pop and metal, We’re Doomed will melt your face faster than a zombie outbreak would overrun civilization.”

Like A Machine is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Empty Lungs – Identity Lost

Genre: post-hardcore, punk, rock

From their Facebook page: “Empty Lungs (…) play passionate, angry and catchy music that draws influence from punk, folk, country and post-hardcore. The bands adrenaline laced live shows have gained them a reputation as a must see act and within a few months of playing shows around Ireland they had already received attention from local media and received airplay on BBC Radio 1. (…) 2012 will see Empty Lungs enter the studio to record an EP and after that the band intend to hit the road and do some heavy touring around Europe and the UK.”

Identity Lost is a free download from Bandcamp.

Stand for the Fallen – Look Where We Are

Genre: alternative, rock, metalcore, screamo, post-hardcore

From their MoshCam profile: “Stand for the Fallen is a 5 piece Post-Hardcore band from the Northern Beaches area of Sydney. Tearing up the scene, appearing at many shows around the Sydney area with their energetic live act, Stand for the Fallen are only going to move on to bigger and better things as 2010 comes to a climax.”

Look Where We Are is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

Take One Car – When The Ceiling Meets The Floor

Genre: alternative, ambient, indie, post hardcore, progressive rock

From their homepage: “Take One Car is a group of good friends and family, from Upstate, NY, brought together by some collective desire to make music. We’ve spent the last 4 years performing, traveling, writing & recording in some form or another. In February, we plan to release our second full-length album, It’s Going To Be A Nice Day. We have spent the last year working, pretty much non stop, on making it an album that “WE” love…an album we would listen to. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding periods this band has been through. We hope you enjoy it!”

When The Ceiling Meets The Floor is a free download from Bandcamp.

Proof and Proving – The Tennessee Major

Genre: acoustic, folk, post hardcover, punk

Proof and Proving is the solo project of Brian Dougherty, who also plays the guitar for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based band Giving Chase. If you enjoy the above album, note that you can also download the 2008 selftitled and instrumental debut album of Proof and Proving, as well as the 2011 Humility In The First Person, which was previously featured on Sound Sunday.

The Tennessee Major is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Pearse McGloughlin – Twine

Genre: indie, alternative, irish, folk

From his MySpace page: “The musicians that impress me operate at borders . . . cross them when they need to, stop short of them if they need to. It’s sometimes a difficult terrain to navigate. To date, Walkperson has served as the nom de guerre for my songs and the musicians who have played with me. I first played with a group called ‘Socialite’ in my hometown of Sligo. That was immense fun and I have very fond memories of it. Subsequently, I spent time in France and Montreal, learned French, got hooked on songwriting and recorded a short EP in cold Québec city. My next group was ‘Thy Swan Army’ in Galway. I took a lot from this band, recorded songs and played some really good gigs. People liked us. The group splintered eventually and members went to work on separate projects (Ghostwood Project, John Terrors). I next lived in London, played with more musicians and gigged the indie scene as Walkperson. Most of the songs I wrote during this period I’ve let go but there are several I’ve held on to, of which I’m still proud. Since coming back to Ireland I’ve recorded and released ‘Desired Effect EP’ with Andrew Deacon, Ales Bagart and James Yearn.” Twine is Pearse’s latest EP.

Twine is a free download from Bandcamp.

Adventure Club Records – What’s He Building In There?

Genre: americana, folk, indie, pop, rock, tribute

Sound Sunday regulars will notice that I already featured an album of this UK label last week. I couldn’t resist to include this Tom Waits tribute album in the UnChristmas Edition. From the album page: “A collection of Tom Waits covers specially recorded for Adventure Club Records Tom Waits Tribute Night which [took] place on Halloween 2011 at London’s Tamesis Dock.”

What’s He Building In There? is a free download from Bandcamp.

I Heart Noise – Theory Of Everything

Genre: indie, pop, rock, post rock, ambient, drone, compilation

I Heart Noise, the traveling online music circus, is a Sound Sunday regular. A few days ago the originator Ilya Sitnikov contacted me and introduced Theory Of Everything: “It’s a large compilation (50 tracks) without a specific theme, featuring bands from all over the world including Zorch, Geezer Lake, Civil Civic, Steel Pole Bath Tub, Phone Home, Glorie, Thorn1 and many more!” Previously featured with Circle of Friends – Vol.1: Facebook, Boston Not LA, and Gone In 60 Seconds.

Theory Of Everything is a free download from Bandcamp.

Amity in Fame – Dinner for One

Genre: alternative, unplugged, acoustic, rock, metal

From their Jamendo page: “The band was founded in May 2008 and plays powerful acoustic rock. While this may sound like a stereotype, the big strength of the band is its original style. Most of the band members are influenced by metal, still they refuse to use distorted guitars in their songs. Instead, the lead guitarist of the band incorporated a very individual style to play his Variax. The band‘s unique sound already found a broad reception within the internet community.”

Dinner for One is a free download from Jamendo.

The Freak Fandango Orchestra – Tales Of A Dead Fish

Genre: folk, polka, gypsy, punk rock

From their homepage: “The Freak Fandango Orchestra is a multi-ethnic band from Barcelona (Spain). Their music is a explosive mixture of folk, polka, gypsy music from the Balkans and punk-rock. THe band is composed by musicians with lots of different instruments (guitar, bass, drums, violin, saxophone, trumpet, accordion and percussion). They are influenced by artists like Emir Kusturica And The No Smoking Orchestra, Goran Bregovic and Gogol Bordello.”

Tales Of A Dead Fish is a free download from Jamendo.

Sraunus – Blogas

Genre: ambient, atmospheric, acid, drum n bass, jazz, idm

From the album page: “Sraunus is an incredible musician from Lithuania. I had a pleasure to play and share the stage with him many times. He runs his own label “Dumblys” and feature releases on labels such as Insectorama, Synthience Records and Ornithopter Records. All his releases are worth checking out, if you haven’t yet. With this release on Blikmuzik – “Blogas”, Sraunus presents yet another side of his music, mixing fast minimalistic drum patterns with emotional synth parts.”

Blogas is a free download from Bandcamp.

Playdough and Heath McNease – Wed White and Wu

Genre: indie, hip hop, rap

From the album page: “Wed White and Wu. The Wu Tang Clan mixtape with Playdough and Heath McNease kicking dual action, karate chop raps over all of your favorite Wu Tang songs. Featuring Guilty Simpson, Manchild, Ohmega Watts, Headkrack, Propaganda, MG, Manchild, Freddie Bruno and Sintax of Deepspace5, Goldin Child, RedCloud and more. Puffy is good, but Wu Tang is for the children.”

Wed White and Wu is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Genre: electronic, soundtrack

This week, the remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was launched internationally. In its wake, six tracks of the soundtrack were made available to download for free. The movie’s soundtrack was composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails and How To Destroy Angels.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo soundtrack is a free download from The Null Corporation.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

Moddi – Away From Home

Genre: alternative, pop, rock, post rock, singer-songwriter

From Moddi’s Facebook profile: “My name is Pål Moddi Knutsen, twenty-four years old as I write this. I come from an island called Senja in the far north of Norway. Whoever you are, and whatever reason you have for listening: thank you for lending me your time!”

Away From Home is a free download from Bandcamp.

Adventure Club Records – Winter 2011

Genre: indie, pop, rock, americana, folk, sampler

Adventure Club Records is a UK label run by the bands themselves. From the album page: “Winter is looming. It’s getting cold out. So we thought we’d put together a few tracks to remind you of sunnier times. All the artists on the EP have new releases in the new year, this just is a little taste of what’s to come.”

The Winter 2011 sampler is a free download from Bandcamp.

Zach Ellsworth – So-Called Heroes

Genre: christian, pop, rock

Please note that while this album is streamed via Bandcamp, the free download is available through NoiseTrade, see link below.

From his NoiseTrade profile: “I often feel like there’s something missing – like there’s something or someone that can make life better or more rewarding. Like I’m one decision away from being happy or content with where I am. So, I make decisions and run hard after things that I want or need or I think need me…but I’m always left wanting more. This endless cycle is right at the heart of this record, So-Called Heroes. Please walk with me through the world that each one of us lives in and be willing to look at it through a different lens. A lens that believes there is one Hero that can save us from ourselves and put an end to our cycles of darkness, discontentment and emptiness. The beauty of the story is that it is the same for each one of us…”

So-Called Heroes is a free download from NoiseTrade.

Matt Wertz – Twenty Three Places

Genre: acoustic, pop,

From his Facebook profile: “I’m from Liberty, Missouri, but have called Nashville, Tennessee, home for the last seven years. (…) Early on, I was shown many graces—like a loan from my parents to pay for the first 1,000 copies of my debut record, Somedays (2001). (…) The days between then and now have been a series of “baby steps” that have somehow afforded me success as an independent artist. All these things really kicked into gear after the release of Twenty Three Places (2003), the first record I recorded with producer and friend, Ed Cash. (…) Since the start of my career, I’ve sold around 75,000 albums, played shows with Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum, and One Republic, as well as headlined sold-out clubs around the country. This was all done, mind you, as an independent artist. Over time, momentum built and more labels took notice, including Universal Republic. Finally I encountered a label that felt right, a label that could pull the trigger, a label that understood where I was coming from. And so, I signed.”

Twenty Three Places is a free download from NoiseTrade.

Jon Troast – Jam Sampler

Genre: pop, folk, rock

From Jon’s NoiseTrade profile: “I grew up in the Midwest, and now I live in Nashville, TN. I started out playing in coffee shops, bars and churches, but I began to get opportunities I hadn’t even imagined. In June of 2007, I was a musical guest on the nationally broadcasted radio program “A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor.” Before long, I was touring coast-to-coast playing my songs in hundreds of house concerts including a marathon run of 100 concerts in 100 days! I’ve been a full-time musician for over 7 years now, recording four full-length albums with producer Mitch Dane of Sputnik Sound. I’m now in the process of releasing 4 EPs with producer Andy Osenga. Always making music!”

Jam Sampler is a free download from NoiseTrade..

Dan Oschrin – Haunted House

Genre: indie, alternative, lo-fi, rock

Dan Oschrin is a solo artist from Kent, Washington, who is currently located in Ankara, Turkey.

Haunted House is a name your price download from Bandcamp.

Labyrinth Ear – Oak EP

Genre: electronic, pop

From their Last.fm page: “Labyrinth Ear are an electronic duo from New Cross in London formed in 2010. They performed their debut show at In The City in October 2010 and released their free download EP ‘Oak’ the same month.”

Oak EP is a free download from Labyrinth Ear’s Homepage (via MediaFire).

Passo Torto – selftitled

Genre: samba torto

Translated from their Facebook profile: “Based on Samba, the young composer Rodrigo Campos, Kiko Dinucci and Romulo Froes, each in their own way, have proposed a new direction to the music of St. Paul, influenced not only by the rhythm, but all the rich tradition of Brazilian music.”

The selftitled album Passo Torto is a free download from Passo Torto’s Homepage.

Bear Bones – Seat Save Infinity

Genre: instrumental, fusion, hip hop

Bear Bones is a music project by Mike Osso.

Seat Save Infinity is a free download from Bandcamp.

Self Taught – Arrival

Genre: atmosphere, hip hop

From their Bandcamp page: “Comprised of Vintage and Cliff Herman (…) the Vancouver duo checked out in 2002 and has worked steadily for the past five years on an assortment of material with a mixture of many talented artists. Several years of experimenting with various genres resulted in the unification of various aspects of hip hop, rock, jazz, blues, punk, and electronic to create the Self Taught sound. No boundaries, limits or borders is the attitude taken into every Self Taught album. This diversity is emphasized on their latest magnum opus, Arrival. The 2007 release creates an unparalleled listening experience that continually grabs the attention of the listener. Arrival is a complete listening experience, an epic of sorts, a must have cd, not only for fans of hip hop, but for fans of music.”

Arrival is a free download from Bandcamp.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.

Also have a look at the previous FMA Special.

Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!

M.W.D. – Singing Forest

Genre: downtempo, jazz, hip hop

From FMA: “Like his other label mates on Budabeats Netlabel M.W.D. loves Hip Hop, samples, Jazz and crackling vinyl. His approach on instrumental Downbeats is more cinematic and relaxed. The DJ from Hungary (…) knows how to melt funky guitar licks, short brass sounds and organ chords together, as clearly demonstrated on this record!”

Singing Forest is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

State Shirt – This Is Old

Genre: experimental, indie, rock, pop

From State Shirt’s Homepage: “My real name is not State Shirt (it’s Ethan Tufts), but I do wear a lot of state shirts. (…) I’ve been told my music is kinda like if The Postal Service, Radiohead, Beck, Elbow, and Folk Implosion all got in a bar fight then make up over frosty Newcastle Ales. All of my music is open source and available for free. (…) If you like what you hear, please spread the word and consider buying a CD, MP3, or a t-shirt. It allows me to continue to make music. And I appreciate that so much.”

This Is Old is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

Kyoto – Lo Que Vuelve Para Vengarse

Genre: experimental, pop, shoegaze, hardcore

From their FMA profile: “Kyoto was born in Zaragoza in late 2006 formed by Ivan Fanlo (drums), Isaac Moreira (bass and keyboards) and Alicia Puebla (vocals, keyboard), supplemented with small arrangements and influenced by bands like Slowdive, Isis, Red House Painters or Décima Victima, mixing different styles from shoegaze to more experimental hardcore, with lyrics in spanish. After two EP’s, “Cuatro finales terroríficos” (2007) and “Tan sólo la muerte es definitiva” (2008), each with four songs on mini CD and a carefully designed, they released their first LP, “Lo que vuelve para vengarse” (2010) recorded, mixed and mastered by Hans Krüger (Delorean, Half Foot Outside, El Columpio Asesino), with a luxurious design and completely handmade. In fall 2011 they released a split vinyl 7″ EP with The Fractal Sound, where we can find two of their songs in acoustic format in a limited edition in multiple colors.”

Lo Que Vuelve Para Vengarse is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

The Underscore Orkestra – No Money No Honey All We Got Is Us

Genre: jazz, big band, swing

From their FMA profile: “The Underscore Orkestra is a Portland OR based band, playing a blend of Balkan, Klezmer, Gypsy Jazz and Swing, with a repertoire consisting of both original and traditional material. The Underscore Orkestra has been performing for the past 5 + years, touring all around the western U.S., Mexico and Guatemala and has been seen from intimate coffee shop setting all the way to huge outdoor festivals. We are also working with and interested in continuing to meet performance artists, jugglers, poets, storytellers, clowns, actors and tech folk alike…”

No Money No Honey All We Got Is Us is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

Jonah Dempcy – Syncretic Beliefs

Genre: instrumental, jazz, piano

From his Blogger profile: “I’m a musician living in Seattle. I make electronic jazz music under the moniker Revolution Void. My music is a mix of electronic breaks and jazz improvisation, featuring solos from some of the top players in modern jazz such as Seamus Blake, Lucas Pickford and Matthew Garrison.”

Syncretic Beliefs is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

Fabrizio Paterlini – Viandanze

Genre: classical, piano

From his FMA profile: “Fabrizio Paterlini’s music has been defined as ambient, minimalist, graceful, sweet and relaxing: “a glass of red wine on a summer evening”, as he himself defines it. Recently, he released an EP – “Viandanze” a small preview of the entire full album that will be registered in 2009. In 2007, on the “Music Center” label, he released his debut CD, “Viaggi in Aeromobile” (Aircraft Trips): a delicate and elegant album that catapults the listener into the intimate world of the artist where he willingly allows himself to be transported by a sound of rare beauty.
Born in Mantua, Fabrizio started playing the piano at the age of 6. After many years studying classical music, he started perfoming with a number of bands, playing everything from progressive to hard rock, from jazz to pop. It was not until the end of the 90s that he decided to explore new musical paths, concentrating on the piano, the instrument that best expresses his inner world.”

Viandanze is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

Evgeny Grinko – Cinematic Melodies

Genre: minimalism, composed

From his FMA profile: “Evgeny Grinko aka Greendaizer is best known for his work as a drummer for several Moscow-based underground bands, namely V.O.M., WOGULOW TAROUTZ VERMO, and MONROE’S PILLS. «I once did an arrangement of Joy Division’s song Love Will Tear Us Apart for a Military Brass Band. I changed a bit their original. So, it sounded somewhere between ska-music and fast-tempo military march. We performed it at a street festival and it was just great! I’ve been dreaming of my own Street Orchestra since that time…» – says Greendaizer.”

Cinematic Melodies is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

Chan Wai Fat – Children of Soul Mountain (Original Soundtrack)

Genre: folk, soundtrack

From his FMA profiles: “Chan Wai Fat is a musician from Hong Kong. He is a self-taught musician in his early year. (…) composed this original soundtrack for the play CHILDREN OF THE SOUL MOUNTAIN (LING SHAN) inspired by the daoist pilgrimage in Gao Xingjian’s Nobel winning novel SOUL MOUNTAIN (LING SHAN). [He] visited the minority tribes along part of the Ling Shan path, resulting a re-interpretation of two traditional folk songs and seven new compositions with a mix of native recordings. This album is a selection of songs from the play, sung by elderly blind folk singer Po Sun-yi. Sun-yi was born and raised in Guizhou. This is the same region of southwestern China where composer Fat visited the Ling Shan Path and where Shamanistic customs and traditions still flourish.”

Children of Soul Mountain (Original Soundtrack) is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

Blue Sausage Infant – Confessions of a Rogue Taxidermist

Genre: experimental, melodic, drone

From the project’s FMA profile: “BLUE SAUSAGE INFANT is the work of Chester Hawkins of Washington DC. Since 1986, BSI has produced music that combines aspects of noise, drone, Krautrock, sample-plundering, dark ambient, and kosmische electronica to produce a multi-layered feast for the brain. Hawkins describes his music as “mean-spirited euphoria,” a complex breed of long-form psychedelia with a hint of paranoia to augment the bliss.”

Confessions of a Rogue Taxidermist is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

Spinnaface – Music For The People

Genre: disco, electronic, funk

From his homepage: “Spinnface first stepped on the scene in 2007 with his debut song & video Spinnface. Since then he has independently released 2 full length albums and over 58 original tracks. (…) Spinnface’s diverse sound meshes a wide variety of genres to create his own unique style that has been described as “an 80s vission of what dance music might sound like in the future, super-smooth liquid digital funk” – Jason, FMA Admin (…) Spinnface is 100% independent! Just a man with an all chrome face who loves to make music, party and keep it spinnin!”

Music For The People is a free download from the Free Music Archive.

New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here.

Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.