It's time for another night of indie pop - that broad term that gets listeners in the right direction but can really lead to a number of different sounds. The Bluebird Theater will be hosting a couple national and one local indie pop act, making for a night of music that should be energetic, fun and appealing while maintaining a balance between a familiar sound and something that's hard to really place a finger on. Offering a mix of a long established band, an up and coming band and new local band, tonight's show should be a great indie pop showcase.

Mates of State is a husband-and-wife indie pop duo originating from Lawrence, KS. The two had been members of a four-piece band in the late nineties, but decided to become a duo in the early 2000s. Kori Gardner handles the lead vocals and keyboards while Jason Hammel handles the drums and backing vocals. Somehow, they create a full band sound with just the two main instruments, crafting catchy indie pop songs that sound as if they could be made from a band of four or five people. They make a modern pop sound with a slight touch of 80s pop-rock sensibilities that has kept the band going for several albums, including their newly released Mountaintops. Check out "Unless I'm Led" and "Maracas".
Mates Of State Unless I'm Led by Fishy Tunes dot net
Mates of State "Maracas" by Barsuk Records


Generationals is an indie pop/rock duo from New Orleans, LA. Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer share the svocal and guitar duties of the band. Their recordings feature a drum machine, but they may have an accompanying live drummer for their shows - it'll be interesting to see and hear. With these modest tools, they create indie pop songs that sound like a refreshed version of pop from the '50s or '60s - it has a vintage feel but is definitely vastly different from anything from that time. Check out "When They Fight, They Fight" and "Ten-Twenty-Ten".
When They Fight, They Fight - Generationals by christiandaniel
Generationals - "Ten-Twenty-Ten" by indiemusicfilter


Shaky Molars is a local six-piece indie pop group formed earlier this year. I haven't had a chance to check these guys out yet though they've been steadily been building buzz over the past few months. They have a pop  sound with a slight folk influences that seems to set them apart. For the longest time, they had a 'no recorded songs' stance, but that recently changed so now check out "Daniele Marie Miller".
Shaky Molars - Daniele Marie Miller by Concerted Effort

The Bluebird doors open at 7:00PM and showtime is at 8:00PM. The show is all ages and tickets are $18.