Breaking Out: First Aid Kit

Harmony-loving teens get a helping hand from their father and a fellow Swede.
First Aid Kit / Photo by Eva Edsjo

For Swedish siblings Johanna and Klara Söderberg, singing is in the blood. "We love the Louvin Brothers and the Carter Family," gushes Klara, 17, a wide-eyed beauty who's two years younger than her sister.

Wavves' Nathan Williams Finds Some Sunshine

The San Diego surf punk has seen some dark days. But with his fine new album, there just might be light on the other side.
Nathan Williams / Photograph by Roberta Ridolfi

Wavves' self-immolating wunderkind and indie-rock scourge Nathan Williams may be better known for one onstage disaster than for his hazy surf punk. This is about to change -- if he can just stay out of his own way. [Full Story]

Breaking Out: The Joy Formidable

Massive-sounding U.K. amp-wreckers overcome some icky, yet ecstatic, buzz.
(Clockwise from left) Ritzy Bryan, Matt Thomas, Rhydian Dafydd / Photograph by Marley Kate

Every band hopes people will get off on their music. But the Joy Formidable found itself in the strange position of fans literally doing just that. Two years ago, an anonymous supporter of the London-based, Welsh-raised dream-poppers created a video for their single "Austere," featuring close-ups of people's faces -- apparently while masturbating (watch it below).

Breaking Out: Best Coast

California girl finds fuzz-rock success 3,000 miles from home.
Photo by Guido Vitti

Best Coast singer-guitarist Bethany Cosentino might be the only indie rocker who had an epiphany on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In 2005 her father, who drummed with '70s funk rockers War, landed her a gig on the program as a backup singer for singer-songwriter Ellie Lawson.

She & Him, 'Volume Two' (Merge)

Dreamy actress, folky co-conspirator coo sweet nothings.

If Zooey Deschanel didn't exist, indie rock would've invented her. A life-size Kewpie doll in a vintage granny dress who belted out Christmas carols in Elf, she

Quasi, 'American Gong' (Kill Rock Stars)

Duo become trio and amplify small pleasures.

As a great blues-fueled rock band/formerly married couple, Quasi have been called the indie Fleetwood Mac. But while these Portlanders clearly love '70s rock, they've

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