Kate Miller-Heidke is currently on tour with Ben Folds and will be at Houston’s House of Blues this Saturday, May 8, 2010. She released the album Curiouser in October of 2008. The single “Caught in the Crowd” was featured on NPR just yesterday.

Caught In The Crowd

Kate Miller-Heidke | MySpace Music Videos

Compass, the new album from Jamie Lidell, will be released on Warp Records on May 18, 2010. I picked up a pre-release at Cactus on Record Store Day last month.

As soon as he’s finished galavanting through Zurich, Paris, and wherever else his 2010 tour takes him, he will be back in the States (in Chicago) for LOLLAPALOOZA.

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“Compass” by Jamie Lidell

Sarah Kirkland Snider’s debut album Penelope, features vocalist Shara Worden. Worden is known for her work as singer/songwriter for the indie-rock band My Brightest Diamond and for vocals with Sufjan Stevens and The Decemberists.

Snider’s compositions are inspired by The Odyssey—the journey of two individuals both finding their way back into each other’s lives and memories post war trauma.

The album is available from New Amsterdam Records.

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“This Is What You’re Like” by Sarah Kirkland Sinder and Shara Worden

Minus the Bear’s new full-length album OMNI is available today on Dangerbird Records.

They will be playing the Houston, TX House of Blues next Friday, May 14th. Click here to find them on tour in your area.

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“My Time” by Minus the Bear

Marcone, hailing from Burlington, Ontario, has released an album titled Raven: the story of Mad Love. In three episodes it captures his “adventure with love, luck, and lies.”

Episode descriptions taken from Marcone’s MySpace page:

Episode 1 is the reason, the realization, the cause and the effect. It’s the catalyst that creates the events to come, and a probe into the mindset of the lover’s quarrel.

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“SoulPiano” by Marcone in Episode I

Episode 2 follows the process of moving on while being haunted by past relationships. Ignorance is bliss with substance-induced entertainment and a new companion… but love still lingers in the dark.

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“Raven (i) Sweet Angel” by Marcone in Episode 2

Episode 3 is the discovery of a new love and the need to come clean. But facing demons is more than she can handle, and only true love will survive.

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“Turn The Page” by Marcone in Episode 3

The Swedish band The Radio Dept. released Clinging to a Scheme on April 21, 2010 on Labrador. In his article titled “Indie Pop Band Deserves Play,” journalist Ben Muths of the Daily Cougar describes the album as “synth with class.” He goes on commending its “strong bass underlining lofty, light and layered guitar riffs.” The single “Never Follow Suit” is available for free download on Amazon.

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“Never Follow Suit” by The Radio Dept.

On December 12, 2009 the debut EP from The Republic of Wolves entitled His Old Branches was released through AmazonMP3. The band from Eastern Long Island formed in August, 2009. They are part of Vintage Hustle Records.

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“For His Old Branches” by The Republic of Wolves

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“Done Haunting Houses” by The Republic of Wolves

Have a listen to “Why Does The Wind?” It is available for free download via Tracey’s official site, as its premiered on Stereogum yesterday.

It is the second single from her third solo album, Love and Its Opposite.

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“Why Does The Wind?” by Tracey Thorn

Howling Bells are an indie rock band formed in Sydney, Australia by a few members of the broken up band, Waikiki. Their first album was released on Bella Union, the same label as my recently blogged about artist John Grant. Their sophomore album, Radio Wars, was put out in 2009 by Independiente Records. “Cities Burning Down” was the second single off this album.

Cities Burning Down

Howling Bells | MySpace Music Videos