The Changes, DJ Logic, The Juan Maclean, The New Pornographers

THE CHANGES
Some of you may have heard the name around town, just as some of you fortunate babies might have seen them supporting the finest of touring bands in indie rock today. Yet without any proper distribution, the mass of the industry has yet to experience this explosion of pure pop magnificence. It’s not that the interest is lacking, it’s just that they seem to be holding out for the right offer. With a flood of positive press, the opportunity to play Lollapalooza as the only unsigned band on the bill and a solid fanbase wherever they are recognized, it won’t be too surprising when the rest of world respects the hype for exactly what it’s worth. Whether it’s the high-energy live shows or the effervescent studio cuts, The Changes know exactly where they’re headed.and see clear skies all the way there. (Appearing at Schubas on Dec. 31) –text: Alan Yoshi–photo: Calbee Booth @ Snapcult

DJ LOGIC
Hailed by jamband fans and more recently exposed to pop music fans, DJ Logic now takes on another challenge within his musical career: The New Year’s Eve party set. After gaining notoriety from playing with bands such as Medeski Martin and Wood, The Allman Brothers, and Phish, DJ Logic unofficially became the “DJ/producer most likely to be remembered or identified” during conversations in the parking lot after a summer jam festival. After producing and releasing two of his own records, remixing tracks of other artists including Gov’t Mule and Soulive, and playing with pop acts John Mayer and Maroon 5, DJ Logic (a.k.a. Jason Kibler) is headed to Chicago to spin a hell of a NYE party at Subterranean. With a third solo album in the works, Logic is prepping a lot of fresh music and beats for dancing and (hopefully) making out during the dawn of 2006. (Appearing with Future Rock at Subterranean on Dec. 31) –text: Billy Kenefick –photo: Soren McCarty

THE JUAN MACLEAN
Juan Maclean makes party music for party people, and for an old man he’s not half bad. Okay, maybe he’s not that old, but he definitely deserves some sort of pension plan for the innovative work he’s submitted to the world of indie rock over the past couple of decades. His work with Six Finger Satellite earned him some serious street-cred, but his most recent project, The Juan Maclean, is something perfect for this particular age in the history of electronic music. With production assistance from DFA’s James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy, Less Than Human defines The Juan Maclean as the commanders of funk, the engineers of groove theory, and the soundtrack for your favorite after-hours party. Yet it’s the live setting that brings the music to its highest level of magnificence, proving that electronic music can come straight from the heart and not the machine. (Appearing with Spank Rock and DJ Coco LeRoc at Empty Bottle on Dec. 31) –text: Cliff Berru–photo: Tim Soter

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
The New Pornographers may be indie rock’s answer to the Super Friends. Hell, they’d even settle for Canadian Temple Of The Dog if bandleader Carl Newman’s cropped red fro were any match for Chris Cornell’s Jesus-mane. Three albums in and Newman’s Vancouver troupe of 7-plus audio savants have wind-milled a pitched-in-perfect sound of polished ’70s a.m. – anchored in tight chord progressions and rollicking choruses. And did I mention they have Neko Case? No longer leading the poppier songs like she did on Mass Romantic and Electric Version, Case lends her signature sultriness on 2005′s breakout album Twin Cinema, fronting the ballads “These Are The Fables” and “The Bones Of An Idol”. When the Virginia chanteuse takes a breather, Newman brings in his niece, Kathryn Calder, to add backing vocals and keyboards throughout the record. With a bench this deep, it’s like taking out Kobe for LeBron. You’re gonna get scored on either way. (Appearing at Metro on Dec. 31) –text: Sean Foran–photo: Steven Dewall