Right before the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicked off, the city’s own Theresa Andersson has just released her already largely acclaimed album, Street Parade. On this LP, Andersson finds a way to combine her Nordic heritage with the rich cultural background of the city she now calls home. Much of the instrumentation on this record is traditional NOLA fare, with strong horn lines and second line drum cadences, but arranged in fresh way that calls back to pop melodies of a far northern place. A big draw for Andersson in her live shows is that she plays most of the instruments and loops herself, much in the same vein of how tUnE-yArDs constructs their live set. Andersson’s songs, however, are their own beast, and this album highlights how she’s able to intertwine all her own parts together to create her own original narratives.

On the appropriately chosen into song “Street Parade,” starts off with piercing horns that turn to mourning wails, while her voice sounds as if it’s echoing from a large, empty building in the French Quarter. Her words drift out into the dusky New Orleans streets, proclaiming “I’m not alone.” Perhaps she’s speaking to the people who always seem to populate those streets, and even commenting on the city’s history when she sings “tomorrow it all burns to ash,” as if to say that there’s no use fretting over tonight, so it may as well be embraced. This notion is augmented by how strong her voice becomes for a moment in the song, as if to serve as a reminder of how they’ve already survived.

The album proceeds from there in successfully piecing unusual combinations of elements and arrangements along with insightfully stimulating lyrics. On “Listen To My Heels,” a bass clarinet is a brilliant counterpoint to her percussive vocals, as if to symbolize the difference and relation between heels and toes. “January” harkens back to 60s doowop with Andersson’s own meticulously layered harmonies, and album closer “Plucks” is a more minimalist outro carried primarily by violin plucks with perfectly pitched staccato trumpet.

Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez

Leading single “Hold On to Me” stands out due to it’s immediate pulsing with urgency, leading into the title’s melodic request. From there, “Ruby” is at first a strange feeling segue, as it dips the mood from empowering to haunting. For the first time on the album, Andersson takes a definite quick trip back to a Nordic landscape, as if to remember a past experience.

We snap right back to the present with “What Comes Next,” with a parade intro. This song does something amazing at around the minute and a half mark, when Peter Bjorn and John’s Peter Moren joins in on vocals. Moren’s voice as a layer instantly fuses the two cultural pop sensibilities, while singing vividly symbolic lyrics about an heirloom. The arc of this song is even more heightened by the fact that it’s also the zenith of the album’s arc, being exactly in the middle. All stars seem to align on this song to sum up what Andersson is all about. Her and Moren repeat “I am not afraid to give all my love to you,” a lyric that can be interpreted as widely or narrowly as you’d like, but in this case it lends itself to the former. On this album, Andersson communicates that she is not afraid to put everything she’s got into her music, while pulling from all her cultural influences.

With both percussive and melodic vocals supported primarily by elements of other percussion, bass, and strong horns, Andersson’s songs are pure rhythm, enhanced by extra flourishes of brass and strings. These are songs that find strength in knowing when to hold back, as well as jubilant freedom in letting go. A street parade is fleeting, but this album is full of songs that have enough wit and creativity to keep echoing beyond the streets.

Over the past week, we’ve showcased the best new bands to check out at Coachella. Instead of our usual Artist of the Week, we’ve decided to mix it up a bit in honor of one of the biggest festivals in the world. With the festival rapidly approaching (this weekend and next to be exact), here are some highlights from our running series. Stay tuned, over the next week, there will be more pieces to come.

tUnE-yArDs: Merrill Garbus is both powerful and adorable, relatable and admirable. In her songs, she finds a way to keep it real while being strong and encouraging. Watching her live looping and seeing exactly how she creates these innovative musical puzzles is part of the fun, but there’s just something in her delivery of it all that communicates a genuine, pure joy to be doing what she’s doing. She continuously exchanges glances of glee with bassist Nate Brenner, and the two of them are so in sync it’s enviable.

This is music perfectly conducive to the essential rock concert experience: being surrounded by strangers, but when you look at the person next to you, you have this shared understanding that you are having the same kick ass experience.  – Kelly Knapp

Dawes: When I see Dawes on a list of new bands to check out, I chuckle and have to remind myself that they haven't been a band for all that long, even if they seem like they've been part of my life for years. I remember listening to their debut album, North Hills, on vinyl with a couple friends a few days after I had seem them live for the first time at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. Seeing them perform in all different sorts of venues, I can say that the band excels in any surrounding and will undoubtedly command attention at this festival.

Watching them perform at Lollapalooza and witnessing fellow concert-goers stop in their tracks and instantly become fans is a great indicator of what is sure to be just as amazing performances to come at this years Coachella. I am deeply jealous of anyone that gets to see them at this amazing venue in all their rocking glory. – Daniela Montelongo

Miike Snow: Miike Snow may have fooled you the way they fooled me when I first laid my ears on that catchy electro-pop number Animal back in 2009. I was hooked that very first time. The song’s choruses trance my brain the way their mysterious identity seemed to appeal to me and perhaps others too. It was only after non-stop rotation of their eponymous debut album and a chance to see the band live for the first time in 2010 that made me realize this one fact about Miike Snow has been quite misleading on a first impression basis: Miike Snow is not a person.

If you’re heading to the festival on either weekend, Miike Snow will be performing on 14th and 21st of April (that is on a Saturday) alongside Radiohead, Bon Iver, St. Vincent, just to name a few.Expect an intricate stage set up, a dance party where you’ll be singing along to their catchy numbers (and do cross your fingers for them to play a number or two from the debut. – Nazirah Ashari

Childish Gambino: "Childish Gambino" is a silly name created by a Wu-Tang Clan name generator website. The name itself speaks to Glover's seemingly cavalier approach to the rap game while simultaneously belying the underlying efforts and serious work that he’s been putting in to becoming a solid hip-hop artist. Childish Gambino doesn't really make pop music although his flow is peppered with more pop culture references than a SportsCenter marathon. He makes rap music. His songs aren't radio friendly. They don't have super-catchy hooks. Many don't even have hooks at all. They just have verse after verse of Glover's wit, bite and some very well founded swagger. – Adam Ward

Gotye: If you have not heard “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye, you must live under a rock. It’s the only explanation, really, considering that track transcends genres, making it accessible to alternative rock, pop, and even hip-hop radio stations, which have all given it monstrous airtime. The Australian-based indie outfit has been one of the most talked about new bands this year.

Although it was singer Wouter De Backer’s determination that initially sparked his success, it is his unique brand of experimental yet accessible atmospheric indie rock that propelled it and his breathtaking live show (with a complete band) that will cause it to continue growing. I was lucky enough to attend Gotye’s American television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February of this year and can say, without a doubt, his performance is a must see at Coachella. – Katrina Nattress

It’s less than two weeks to Coachella, and you’ve probably already scoped out exactly what new and veteran bands you want to catch at the fest. There definitely are plenty to choose from. Coachella is like awesome music heaven surrounded by palm trees any way you go about it, but there are some new bands that absolutely should not be missed. One of these bands is tUnE-yArDs. Seriously, their NYC performance last summer is still one of the most magical shows I can remember seeing. I really must insist you get your mind blown.

Merrill Garbus is both powerful and adorable, relatable and admirable. In her songs, she finds a way to keep it real while being strong and encouraging. Watching her live looping and seeing exactly how she creates these innovative musical puzzles is part of the fun, but there’s just something in her delivery of it all that communicates a genuine, pure joy to be doing what she’s doing. She continuously exchanges glances of glee with bassist Nate Brenner, and the two of them are so in sync it’s enviable.

Their album W H O K I L L was also included in our top albums of the year 2011series, for being one of the most innovative, intelligent, and inspiring albums of last year. For as good as the album is, the live show is at least 10 times better. With music that’s this fresh, fun, and clever, there’s no better way to experience all that than in an outdoor oasis of sound waves, with everyone around you singing the words with faces and hands pointed toward the sky. This is music perfectly conducive to the essential rock concert experience: being surrounded by strangers, but when you look at the person next to you, you have this shared understanding that you are having the same kick ass experience.

tUnE-yArDs will be playing both Saturdays of the festival, exact time still to be determined. Check back on the official Coachella website for updates, and get your up to the minute news on Coachella’s Twitter. tUnE-yArDs will also be playing dates in the area between Coachella weekends, so you have the chance to catch them in a more controlled setting as well. All dates are on tune-yards.com. Have to say, though, this is a band that can hold the attention of thousands of people, and no matter where you are in the crowd, Merrill is talking to you, yes you.

 

The lineup for this years Coachella Festival is out and, as you would expect, it's a great one. Headlined by The Black Keys, Radiohead, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog. The lineup includes also includes a lot of our favorites here at BestNewBands.com including: M83, Florence + the Machine, Neon Indian, Dawes, WU LYF, tUnE yArDs, Childish Gambino, Gary Clark Jr.,  and our Best New Band of 2011 Grouplove.

The recession's over, so get your tickets now before they sell out.

Editors Note: As a special for the last week of 2011, BestNewBands.com is running lists of our writer's top-5 albums of 2011. Because it's the end of the year and because we want to find out what our writers really like, these albums are not restricted to "New" bands. Here are Kelly Knapp's top albums of the past year.

 

5. Wild Flag - Wild Flag
This is technically a new band, but we all know these ladies are not new to the scene by any means. They’ve been called a supergroup, and I don’t know how anyone can really argue with that. I do know that it’s pretty satisfying to have a handful of your childhood idols come together to make music that still speaks to you, and is so motivating in such a positive way. These are some all-out rad ladies who really don’t need to command any attention...and that is exactly why they have it.

4. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
Simply a work of art.

3. The Twilight Singers - Live in New York
This is the very first live album for this band lead by the captivating Greg Dulli, recorded at their Webster Hall show in NYC this past year. This was one of my favorite shows of the year as well, and to have a documentation of it is a perfect addition to The Twilight Singers' discography.

2. Future Islands - On the Water
Samuel Herring’s lyrics are simply beautiful, and the emotion in his voice makes you believe every word. These guys are one of the best things to come out of Baltimore.

1. tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l
By far the most innovative, intelligent, and inspiring album to come out this year. Merrill Garbus’ commands attention with her voice, her African-inspired percussion, her vocal looping, and of course her ukelele.

Yesterday (7/14) the line to get into tUnE-yArDs with Austra spanned across several blocks; going so far down I couldn’t even see the end of it. I’m not sure if everyone got in, but the capacity at Hudson River Park Pier 54 was quite large, and I am pretty sure it was as full as possible. This free show turned out to be one of the best of the summer so far, so braving the madness was worth it.

Picked By: Claire Gallagher

Who: The Avett Brothers with Jessica Lea Mayfield

Where: The Sun Valley Pavillion, Sun Valley, Idaho

When: Wednesday, July 13th at 7 pm

Cost: $25

Age Restrictions: All Ages