10 Noteworthy Bands from the Movin’ On Survey

With less than a week left to complete the Movin’ On survey, the pressure is on to narrow down the extensive list and voice your opinion. The survey features over 30 artists to choose from, ranging from radio hits and country acts to middle school throwbacks. Valley is here to help with a few lesser-known yet awesome bands you need to hear before you make your final decision.

Run the Jewels

Run the Jewels is a dynamic collaboration between rapper and producer El-P and rapper Killer Mike. The hip hop duo is characterized by their aggressive delivery style and hard-hitting, hypnotic beats. They released their debut self-titled album in 2013 and their second studio album Run the Jewels 2 a year later, which features the punch-in-the-gut single “Close Your Eyes (And Count to F**k)”.

City and Colour

The tender, acoustic melodies and soul-baring lyrics of City and Colour make it an ideal addition to any rainy day playlist. Singer-songwriter Dallas Green, a master of sad songs and folk lullabies, released the debut album Sometimes in 2005 with the vulnerable and moving “Save Your Scissors.” After ten years and four albums, City and Colour is still pulling on hipster heart strings everywhere.

CHVRCHES

Hailing from Scotland, the electronic indie band is known for their catchy and energetic tracks. The powerful voice of small yet fierce frontwoman Lauren Mayberry is chilling matched with the clean-cut, magnetic beats. Their first studio album The Bones of What You Believe was released in 2013, featuring the dynamic single “We Sink” and just recently released, Every Open Eye, or pure synthpop magic.

Tame Impala

Time-warping from the 70s, psychedelic rock project Tame Impala was founded by lead-vocalist Kevin Parker and has been making groovy waves in the music industry ever since the release of their debut album Innerspeaker in 2010. Their second album Lonerism was released in 2012, featuring the infectious “Elephant,” followed by their most recent masterpiece Currents, quite possibly the soundtrack to a cosmic dream.

Halsey

Channeling vibes of Lorde, spunky frontwoman Ashley Nicolette Frangipane is quickly making her name in the indie pop scene. Her haunting yet playful sound give the singer an unusual edge. Halsey’s debut album Badlands was released last month featuring the wicked, girl anthem “Hurricane” and has been creeping up on music charts ever since.

Chance the Rapper

The recently recognized hip hop artist is known for his mixtape Acid Rap, released in 2013, featuring the soulful “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” and has been featured on Childish Gambino’s recent album Because the Internet. The rapper refuses to sign to any major record labels, despite countless offers. Among his latest projects is collaborating with The Social Experiment, a group of various musicians, on a funky jazz album called Surf and a mixtape with rapper Lil’ B.

Portugal. The Man

Portugal. The Man first started making music in the early 2000s and have been through a good number of indie rock albums since then. Frontman John Gourley’s unusual, feminine voice gives the band their own singular sound, paired with poppy, minimalistic hooks. Their most polished album Evil Friends came out last year with the help of mastermind producer Danger Mouse, who has worked with bands such as Gorillaz, The Black Keys, Beck, and Broken Bells.

Chet Faker

You’ve probably heard of Nicholas James Murphy, recently better known as Chet Faker, by now. The electronica musician just released his first studio album last year titled Built on Glass after releasing an EP with electronic artist Flume, featuring the single “Drop the Game”. Chet Faker’s soft sound echoes subtle influences of jazz, seamlessly layered with soulful vocals.

Cold War Kids

This blues-y indie rock band has been in the game for almost a decade but all the while has kept its own niche of hipster fans. Their sound can be closely associated with bands like Modest Mouse — passionate, rip-roaring vocals from lead singer Nathan Willett amidst punching guitar riffs and shattering percussion. Their first studio album Robbers & Cowards was released in 2006, featuring the in-your-face single “Hang Me Up to Dry.” The band’s most recent album was Hold My Home, released late last year.

Grouplove

The high-energy and all around dance-y, upbeat vibes of Grouplove are not hard to love, much like sunshine and rainbows.  The band features weird and wonderful lead singers Christian Zucconi, also the guitarist, and Hannah Hooper, also on keyboards. Their first album Never Trust a Happy Song came out in 2011 featuring the bittersweet hit “Colours” and Spreading Rumours which followed two years later.

Don’t miss out on voicing your opinion! The Movin’ On survey closes on September 27.