The Profiler

From the author: "I see 'The Profiler,' as a light-hearted resource for music lovers. My profiles of the audience are meant to amuse but not restrict…there is something in all these acts that everyone can appreciate.'

The Suspect: Camera Obscura; This band started in Glasgow, Scotland almost fifteen years ago.  Let's Get Out of This Country, released in 2006,  was one of the best reviewed albums of the decade.  Their most recent release, My Maudlin Career, combines clever lyrics with the sounds of girl bands from the sixties in a way that sounds simultaneously classic and modern.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Thursday, June 3

RIYD (Recommended if You Dig): Belle and Sebastian, the Decemberists, Jenny Lewis

You Should Go If: You believe workout clothing should only be worn ironically; you think you might be Vitamin D deficient; you've changed the way you want your name pronounced more than once; you still regret smiling in your senior yearbook picture.
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The Suspect: Harper Blynn; Formerly known as Pete and J, this Brooklyn Band just released their first CD, Loneliest Generation, produced by David Kahne (The Strokes, Regina Spektor) and Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Chris Whitley).  Paste Magazine named the band its No. 1 new discovery of the 2009 CMJ (College Music Journal) Festival, and added "the harmonies recall Simon and Garfunkel, and the melodies would make Elvis Costello proud."

Can Be Found: Stella Blue, June 5

RIYD: Train, Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz

You Should Go If: People routinely ask you what you're whistling and you didn't even realize you were whistling; you keep a journal even when you're not in therapy; you display an unwavering commitment to remain friendly with all your ex's; you were known as "the sensitive guy" in your fraternity
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The Suspect: Plants and Animals; This indie band from Montreal is touring in support of their latest CD, La La Land.  Their full length debut album, Parc Avenue, was named by Pitchfork music site as one of the "Ten Most Overlooked Records of 2008." Lead singer Warren Spicer adaptive vocals have been compared to Beck, Tom Petty and Neil Young.

Can Be Found: The Grey Eagle, Sunday, June 6

RIYD: Blitzen Trapper, Megafaun, Acorn, Devandra Barnhart

You Should Go If: You eat "breakfast for dinner" more than three times a week; you think you had a happy childhood but you can't remember any specifics; you have more pets than there are rooms in your house; sleeping in the clothes you're going to wear to work tomorrow makes sense to you on several levels
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The Suspect: Martin Sexton; Hailing from Syracuse, N.Y., Sexton distinguishes himself in his genre with his powerful vocal range, and his ability to combine country, rock, blues and soul together. Sexton's fans appreciate his wit, and he is often referred to as the thinking man's singer-songwriter.  His most well-known song, "Diner," can be found on Scrubs Vol. 2 Original Soundtrack.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Friday, June 11

RIYD: Amos Lee, Keller Williams, Greg Brown, John Mayer

You Should Go If: Your mother has a favorite and it's not you; you own three or more jean jackets; it takes you more than five minutes to pick out a birthday card; you adopt the local accent of any state/country you are in for longer than a week.
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The Suspect: Wiz Khalifa;  This rapper from Pittsburgh released his first album in 2006 and was signed to a major label the following year.  His songs stick to familiar territory: he raps about getting girls, getting high, getting tattoos over beats from popular songs.  Part of his song, "Say Yeah," was sampled by fellow Pitt native, Girl Talk, in Feed the Animals.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Wednesday, June 16

RIYD: Soulja Boy, Young Jeezy, Birdman

You Should Go If: You think Lil Wayne and T.I. got a raw deal; you're not sure if Lil Wayne and T.I. got a raw deal, but at least you know who they are; all your friends secretly wish that they were you; life without an unlimited text plan doesn't seem worth living.

Becky Upham co-hosts the weekly music show, "Your Mom's Idea," with Lark Rowe every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. on MAIN-FM.