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As a thank you to their fans, Minus The Bear announced that they are giving away the six-song Hold Me Down EP – completely free – through their website. Follow through to grab some awesome new/lost & alternative version songs from the band.

Free Tunes Await

Now and then, a new album comes across our desks that moves various staff members to gather in the hall and rave.  The Sam Roberts Band‘s fourth album has us all talking.

Excellent Free Sam Roberts Download

Alison Krauss and Union Station (photo courtesy Rounder Records)

It’s been a long seven years since Alison Krauss released an album with her longtime band Union Station. Not that she and her bandmates haven’t been busy: Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, Barry Bales, and Ron Block all released solo albums, and of course Krauss herself teamed up with Robert Plant on the GRAMMY-winning 2007 album Raising Sand–a rootsy collection that took both artists in exciting new directions.

Now Krauss and Union Station are back in business together with Paper Airplane. The 11 songs here touch down on familiar territory: modern country with a strong bluegrass backbone, fronted by knockout picking and Krauss’s gentle, sweet voice.

“Paper Airplane” is the lead track from the album of the same name; get a free MP3 download below.

Download a free MP3 from Alison Krauss and Union Station

Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price, and Jeremy Styles (Family Records)

Brooklyn-based trio Pearl and the Beard comprised of Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price, and Jeremy Styles create a pleasing set of songs, each with elements of soulful gospel, indie-pop and hints of vintage swing music. Cabaret fans will approve, as this is the kind of band that could open for Devotchka or Amanda Palmer and leave you lost in its simple, easily accessible beauty.

Free music from Pearl and the Beard

James Pants (Stones Throw Records)

Nice name, James Pants! There’s something about the word “pants” that’s just a little bit funny. The same is true with James Pants’ music. Sarcastic, kitschy lyrics over crawly bass and fuzzed out beats make what Stones Throw asserts is one of their most eclectic artists to date. Check out some new tracks from his forthcoming self-titled release (May 3rd), plus a freakish hip-hop remix of “Seven” from Odd Future‘s Tyler the Creator‘s Bastard album.

Get funky with James Pants’

Peter Bjorn & John (Press Photo)

Photos: Beady Eyeview gallery

Our friends at Spin have posted a great collection of FREE downloads. Grab the 17 free tracks from artists like Beady Eye, J Mascis, Cornershop, Kurt Vile & more, but only thru the end of the month.

Download The FREE MP3s

Holy Ghost! (DFA Records/April 12th, 2011)

Notably known for their remix magic on tracks from the likes of MGMT, Cut Copy and LCD Soundsystem, NYC’s production duo, Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser aka Holy Ghost! are readying their self-titled debut album (April 5th) on James Murphy‘s DFA imprint. Not only does the new record include a few guest appearances from the likes of Luke Jenner from the Rapture, Chris Glover from Penguin Prison, but somehow managed to recruit Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers member Michael McDonald. Hot Damn!

Get some Holy Ghost! inside!

Bahamas is Afie Jurvanen (pronounced AY-fee)

Bahamas is Afie Jurvanen (pronounced AY-fee) sounds a little like the music you’d make if you spent too much time around Feist–which he surely has, spending three years touring internationally as Feist’s guitarist/pianist. His return to recording under the guise Bahamas is organic–a brew of classical folks strains interlaced with thoughtful storytelling.  Great voice, and a “penchant for dark and peculiar,” this new artist creates music scented with the chill and cozy energy of the Bahamas, these acoustic-folk rhythms stick.

Download music from Bahamas

Seefeel (Warp Records)

Returning from a 14 year hiatus, electronic-rock outfit Seefeel restate their theories of abused sonic textures with their third self-titled album released on Warp Records.  In exchange for an email, the appropriately titled “Dead Guitars” is available for free.  Plus find out if this epic band is coming through your town as it’s their first ever tour to North America.

Free Seefeel music, Plus Stateside Tour Dates Inside

South By Southwest 2011

AOL/Spinner just announced Bright Eyes, The Vaccines, and The Dodos will perform during the Pop-Up Show Series, which will see the bands play free gigs at “undisclosed and unexpected locations” across Austin.

AOL Popu-Up Shows at SXSW