For some of us there’s satisfaction in our melancholy; there’s an inexplicable solace in the heartache of it all. It might sound sad for those who don’t understand it, but Howth understands, and they make glum sound lovely, if not enchanting.

Brooklyn-based trio, Bear In Heaven unfolds the sonic fabric of genres with their cinematic danceable, drone music in their sophomore LP, Beast Rest Fourth Mouth.  As if in a parallel universe, Bear In Heaven defies gravity by masterfully manipulating prog rock, psychedelica, and Kautrack while somehow maintaining a pop sensibility.  They have been compared to the legendary Genesis and Pink Floyd and to the more contemporary M83 and Animal Collective.

With “Kites” from their newest release Animal Shapes EP featured in a Twitter ad, the Baroque-rock-meets-synth-pop-with folky-vocals sound of Geographer has won over music-loving hearts everywhere.  SOTR spoke with frontman Mike Deni about Geographer’s sonic journey from naming the band to their current goings-on.

SOTR:  Why did you choose the name “Geographer?”

We briefly caught up with SOTR darlings and eternal keyholder to my heart’s lock, Twin Sister. The group has been somewhat silent lately, but we’ve shed some light on their current activities, including fantastic new track “Meet the Frownies” for Shaking Through.

SOTR: You encourage other artists to remix your work. Do you have any favorite remixes of your tracks? Any people you’d like to have remix your stuff?

Kid Savant are four boys from the Midwest who have transplanted their snarky, darling selves directly in the middle of the Brooklyn music scene. They’re a modgepodge of pop and electronica that will leave you wanting more the very second after one of their songs ends. We spoke to members Ryan and John about music, what’s next, how they like their new home on the east coast, and how they find inspiration in trying not to sound like Creed.

In August, indie legends !!! released another fantastic, vibrant stomp through dance rebellion: Strange Weather, Isn’t It?.  The album’s infinite ability to conjure the best of !!!’s earlier efforts has not gone unnoticed in the time since, but much question looms over Strange Weather; we talked with lead singer/funkmaster Nic Offer about the new release and the band’s other recent happenings.

SOTR: Your new album was released in August, but you haven’t released anything since 2007.  What have you been doing in the mean time?

On January 25th, Deerhoof will release their newest album, Deerhoof vs. Evil. We talked to guitarist Ed Rodriguez about the new album, the fun of faux headlines and their upcoming tour. Mark your calendars, folks, Deerhoof is coming to a town near you…

SICK OF THE RADIO: You have a new album coming out in 2011, Deerhoof vs. Evil. What’s your idea of pure evil?

Sick Of The Radio had a pleasant chat with Ed Banger’s only chick on the block, Uffie.  We chit-chat about her upcoming fashion line with Diesel, her music video for “Pop The Glock“, her new album, and her double life… oh and cupcakes of course!

SICK OF THE RADIO: You came Paris to begin your fashion career, but instead became an electro hip-hop sensation without the intentions.  Do you still have plans
to pursue the  fashion industry?

Brooklyn’s lo-fi masters Beach Fossils have generated quite the buzz on the indie scene since releasing their self-titled EP back in May. Along with their constant touring, the band just released a 7-inch with their new singles “Face It” and “Distance”. Singer/guitarist Dustin Payseur was kind enough to take some time between shows (Beach Fossils are currently touring in Europe) and exchange some emails with me about the band’s formation, creative process, and the Brooklyn music scene.

Download Outer Limit Recordings “Sugar Pie” above and stream more tracks below.

Before their October 24th show at Washington D.C.’s Black Cat, Geoff O’Conner, singer, songwriter and guitarist for Melbourne’s The Crayon Fields was gracious enough to take some time from his hectic touring schedule (the band is basically crossing the USA three times in a span of 2 weeks) and chat with me via phone about the current tour, the recording process, and Stevie Nicks.

(Due to a recorder mishap the following isn’t direct quotes from O’Conner).

We have a huge crush on Summer Camp here at Sick of the Radio. Now that their new EP Young is out, we tracked them down and asked them a few questions. Any band that thinks Duckie is “one of the best characters ever created” is more than awesome by us… so obviously our crush on them just got even bigger.

After a few false starts and a change of location, I had Light Pollution singer/guitarist/keyboardist James Cicero and drummer Matthew Evert interview ready. Standing next to their van outside of Washington D.C.’s The Rock and Roll Hotel before their October 18th show, we discussed (amidst the sounds of city buses and drunk patrons), the evolution of Light Pollution’s sound, the recording process of Apparitions, and the benefits and downfalls of warehouse living.

Erica Quitzow has a lot on the go. Her latest effort, Juice Water, was written, recorded and produced almost entirely el solo, and the summer tour she just wrapped up in support of it included a New York gig with Joan Baez. A classical musician at heart, Quitzow (her last name doubles as her moniker) has combined synth with strings to create a sound that is fun, above all else. Sick of the Radio caught up with Quitzow recently to discuss her unique musical aesthetic, her summer tour and her affinity for Keith Richards.

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Labels pop up every day, but very few can boast a roster that reaches the echelon that Psychic Lunch Records has with just three releases. Psychic Lunch is managed by TX garageheads Skyler Salinas (of Fungi Girls) and Stephanie Lopez, in collaboration with DIY art combo CMRTYZ–part of the reason both their lineup and artwork shred. We spoke with the TX portion of the record label about what’s to come and the label itself.

If you look up the word “God” in the dictionary, there is a picture of Sacramento dreamboat and epic beer-chugger DylDawg. I’ve known DylDawg for years, but have no real concept of him. Despite this, though, I refuse to delve; his mystery is precious, awe-inspiring, totally fucking awesome. He is a bit of an anomaly, but I like that. He talks of Fleetwood Mac and hot bitches. He loves sensitive films like Chocolat but also chuggs vodka out of hollowed-out deer skulls. The man, the myth, the legend: DylDawg. I received the extensive privilege of talking to Sacramento’s biggest teen heart-throb/radio personality/guitar-shredder regarding his epic existence and his fuckin’ radio show, goddamnit.

If you haven’t heard of Bermuda Bonnie yet, you’re not the only one. This beachy Brooklyn group is treading the thin line between obscure and insanely popular and are an act to watch in the coming months. We spoke with lead singer Rebecca Huston regarding the group’s influences and going-ons.

SICK OF THE RADIO: Your music has a distinct sound but still hits on a lot of different areas. Which bands are your primary influences?

I first heard Netherfriends about a year ago. Their debut EP, Calling You Out, opens with “Friends With Lofts,” an insanely catchy track attacking the independent scene as a whole:

I’m too cool to nod my head
to the rhythm of a seventies post-punk band
that played at my friend’s loft
we got way too drunk
we forgot the band’s name by the end of it all