Fruit Bats is an American folk rock band originally from Chicago, but now based in Seattle. They can be smooshed in the alt-folk/americana/alt-country genre if such smooshings are permissible. Think Blitzen Trapper and Fleet Foxes…kinda…I guess.

From Wikipedia ~ Fruit Bats were formed in 1999 by guitarist, pianist and singer Eric Johnson, the band’s main songwriter and only constant member. Originally part of short-lived Chicago group I Rowboat, Johnson and two of his fellow Rowboat members, guitarist Dan Strack and drummer Brian Belval, created Fruit Bats as a side-project.

When I Rowboat split up, Fruit Bats became Johnson’s main focus. Spurred on by Califone/Perishable Records honchos Tim Rutili and Ben Massarella, the group recorded their first album, Echolocation, released in 2001.

After tours with Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, Modest Mouse and The Shins, Fruit Bats signed with Sub Pop in late summer 2002, recording their second album, 2003s Mouthfuls.

The group released their third album, Spelled in Bones, in 2005. Their fourth album The Ruminant Band was released on August 4, 2009.

Home is where I want to be but I guess I’m already there…
I discovered this cover while getting reacquainted with the Talking Heads “This must be the Place.” Miles Fisher is an American film and television actor. He was raised in Dallas, Texas until his family moved to Washington, D.C. He was educated at the St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. and attended Harvard University where he was a member of the a cappella group The Krokodiloes.

I’m not sure if this guy is more “alt” than “bro” or the other way around but the remix is worth a listen and the 4 track EP has a decent track on it titled “Don’t Let Go.” He also does a mean impression of Tom Cruise.

A fun lil diddy to get us back on track!

“I did something bad but always vowed to my soul that if my next record increased the amount of albums I sold, enough for Mike not to end up back out on the dole, I promised I’d promptly send you back what I stole.”

I know this isn’t “indie” or even new but I enjoy the boys from Sheffield very much. When I lived over there in Albion they made their big break. Here’s the first single from their new album produced by Josh Homme of QOTSA. I cannot wait to see this played live at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October.

Friendly Fires are an English band from St Albans, Hertfordshire. Their self-titled debut album was released on 1 September 2008. “Jump in the Pool” is the first single and easily my favorite song off the disc followed closely by “Paris”. The latest video “Kiss of Life” was released ths month.

These songs are very similar considering they are sung by the same gentleman, Wes Miles. The second song was recorded in 2005 but was just recently released. The first is from Ra Ra Riot’s stellar album the Rhumb Line.

Which one do you like better?