The first band is one I accidentally happened across today and it's ... not like anything I've heard in a while... and I'm really digging it. It doesn't have that DRONING plodding sometimes annoying sound that a lot of Western post-rock has had since Tortoise, GY!BE, Mogwai, and The For Carnation.
It's a Taiwanese (Chinese) band called Cicada. They describe themselves as "ambient neo-classical post-rock", and I think that's pretty accurate.
http://cicadatw.blogspot.ca/
Here's their Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/CicadatwTaiwanese female fronted chamber ensemble Cicada is led by the composer/pianist Jesy Chiang with members including Anne (violin), Wan-Ing (cello), and Bambi (guitar). They released the acclaimed EP "Over the Sea/Under the Water" following the debut performance as the opening act for Ólafur Arnalds' concert in Taipei in 2010,.
While citing Rachel's and Hauschka as influences, Cicada interwove the subtle sensitivity and delicacy to the composition. Its mixture of contemporary classical music and vague oriental feel is fresh sonic experience to listeners. As a sequel of the EP, the release Pieces adds tracks with warmth and clarity to tell a story about one's introspection and the growth of the mindset
Cicada is also known for its connection with artists in various areas. Each release features stunning cover art by rising female artists in Taiwan. The upcoming performance in Oct. 2011 will be a blend of music, dance and theater. This highly anticipated performance will be an striking collaboration of Taiwanese young/cutting edge artists
And a couple of songs I've enjoyed this evening:
You're just the old guys who hated hippies at Haight & Ashbury back in the day. I don't hate hipsters... just their shitty music and artistic taste, generally.
