Future Islands is a Baltimore-based band that got its start in Greenville, NC. They earned their place amongst the Wham City crowd with their melodramatic synth-pop that features the powerful voice of Sam Herring, the simple dance bass lines of William Cashion, and the synth wizardry of J. Gerrit Welmers.

The up-and-coming Brooklyn based electro-psychedelic soul group Body Language just finished their “Speaks” EP. Band members Matthew Young, Grant Wheeler, Angelica Bess, and Ian Chang create playful and melodic tunes that will brighten up your day. We had the pleasure to speak with Grant about the band, the instruments, their process, and sandwiches.

Annie, or Anne Lilia Berge Strand, is a Norwegian pop artist/DJ who fuses the catchy hooks of popular music with some of the stranger aspects of more experimental music. We spoke to this genre-breaking artist about everything from her record label to spirituality.

Arbutus Records sprouted from Lab Synthèse, a popular loft space that Montreal’s indie scene flocked to, not only for it’s BYOB and inexistent smoking rules, but because the bands that were playing were their friends. And the bands weren’t just their friends–they were damn good. It was a magical time for people who experienced the energy of Synthèse. It became a sort of love-fest community of support, nourishment, and good times. Unfortunately, due to some hefty fines from the Quebec police, the loft shut down in November of 2009. To our relief, Arbutus Records maintains that vibrant Montreal energy that was so unique to Synthèse.

The multi-talented Landon Metz is a busy bee, if one ever existed. His resume boasts collaborations with big names, such as American Apparel and Spike Jonze, but his body of work goes far beyond the commercial. Landon took a break from his day job at art magazine the journal to talk to Artist Advocacy about his latest endeavors in a new city he can finally call home—New York.