What does Baudelaire have to do with a London based indie pop band? The answer is Fanfarlo, a band named after one of the French author’s earliest books, founded by Swedish exile Simon Aurell in 2006.

The band just said, in their website, they are in the U.S. ready to start recording their first album, which is scheduled to be released early 2009. When you first listen to them you may not be able to avoid comparing them to Arcade Fire, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or The Spinto Band. Even though they have not been widely published in the media David Bowie has well acknowledged them, stating he is sure that “we will often hear about the name Fanfarlo”.

Formed by four guys and one girl, this folkie art-pop band has released four singles already. The truth is that, like the characters of Baudelaire’s books, Fanfarlo’s music is full of style, with beautifully arranged tunes. The songs might make you turn into happy-mode (when listening to second single Outsiders, edited by Label Fandango) or in I-will-not-do-that-again-or maybe-I-will-mode (when hearing their first single, Talking Backwards, edited by FortunaPop).

A rock base delicately mixed with a mandolin, violin or accordion make this original sound that will give music lovers much to talk about. Their sweet, yet rhythmic, melancholic songs can be heard at their website or at their Myspace page (myspace.com/fanfarlo). If you are lucky to be in New York City this following October 25, you might be able to enjoy Fanfarlo at this year’s CMJ at Fat Baby.

We are all outsiders…

Miguel Banon-Kelley

I was browsing the web the other day to see if there are any lists out there on the best indie music scenes. I came across a list posted by TripAdvisor, a travel guide and research website that offers reviews from other fellow travelers to help you plan your vacation. Back in 2006, TripAdvisor posted a review of the “Top Ten Alternative/Indie Music Cities in the World.” The list was put together by Guzzle a music journalist based in Vancouver who apparently loves to travel. He’s been to 117 destinations. Guzzle based this list on the “cities with the best indie music scenes, birthplaces of top indie bands and best places to catch an alternative band.”

And here are the top 10 cities…

1. Glasgow
2. Austin
3. Seattle
4. New York
5. London
6. San Fran
7. Dublin
8. Portland
9. LA
10. Chi-town

(it’s unclear whether these are ranked but I have a feeling since the author is a self-identified Belle & Sebastian fan that this list is from his most favorite on down..)

Although I can’t speak from personal experience about many of these cities, the list seems pretty comprehensive to me, even though it seems to be biased to cities west of the GMT time zone. But I guess that is mostly because the indie music scene has its roots in the US and Great Britain. I can’t say I can speak to the indie music scenes of Barcelona, Paris, Dubai or Shanghai. I’ll be traveling to Dublin later this summer as part of my much needed vacation to Europe. I’ll be sure to write a follow-up post on my thoughts of the Dublin music scene.

Antsy to get on outta here already,

Melina