edu[MUSIC]ation: Amplification

am⋅pli⋅fi⋅ca⋅tion [am-pluh-fi-key-shuhn] –noun

1. The act or result of amplifying, enlarging, or extending.

Hey USDradio, Chad here chiming in on this amazing radio station, here to introduce you to edu[MUSIC]ation and provide some alumni support. Edu[music]ation exists to educate readers and listeners on a wide variety of musical selections. Many genres of music will be reviewed, transmitted, and introduced. Some of which you may have heard, some of it you may not have. Edu[music]ation derrives its life from the blogsphere and buzz of the musical internet, and redirects that traffic straight to your ears. So sit back, put on some headphones and enjoy.

So why am I titling this post amplification? Simple, I’ve come across several not-so-well-known bands that play with some of the biggest sound I’ve heard. So big, that I often wonder what has prevented them from having a larger fan base. These bands amplify their sound, grow in size, and it’s only a matter of time until they grow on you as well.

Deccatree

I first heard Deccatree in the small coffee shop of my university. They were playing a simple set on a weeknight for the small crowd of college students. Some studied, some listened, some talked in the back. I was there helping my friend work the sound. As soon as they started, my head turned and I was captured. As their set progressed, I wondered who landed these guys, they must be big. Then I wondered why I hadn’t heard of them before. In reality, they weren’t big, and I had never heard of them before. Their set ended, they wrapped up their instruments and set out with the several friends they had brought along to support them, apparently in amplificationcase things didn’t go over well with the crowd. However, the line to buy their small amount of merchandise was decent, and I was right there buying this album to listen to.

It’s been several years now and I keep finding myself coming back to their album. Their songs just seem to fit into “the soundtrack of your life,” if you consider that a genre. Take a listen to a couple of their songs below, check them out, and tell me if you don’t agree they have a sound bigger than their fame.

Check them out on myspace or youtube.

Elevaters

Again, a band living up to their name and certainly elevating their music. Also again, a band I came across in college. I need to go out to their shows more often….
The Elevaters have a very unique sound. I would call it a mix between reggae, rap, hip-hop, and certainly spoken word. All these combine into one experience that you just want to ride along with. Did I mention I was their first crowd surfer? Also, they are a chill band to sit around and talk with. Check out their song “The One” ( my favorite) and “Lady Love” , but also check out their entire album which you can stream at their website.

Miniature Tigers

I stumbled across the Miniature Tigers from an mp3 grab-bag handed out at the Bwank! blog I used to visit. Sadly, the blog is no more. However, they’ve gained some notoriety it seems, since I can successful search the buzz sphere and find mention of them (the previous two bands not at all). The Miniature Tigers have a quirky sound that isn’t quite indie-pop or electronic. It’s somewhere in between, and it’s this fuzzy area they’re exploiting. Certainly gathering my attention (and other bloggers attention) this band is producing catchy songs with interesting beats, background sounds, and lyrics.

amplification