"Need A Friend" by Low Stars

Not many bands have a major coffee chain to thank for exposure, but Low Stars have Starbucks to thank for theirs. Starbucks dug the duo's coffeehouse acoustic rock and stunning harmony vocals, offering to release their lone self-titled LP on the Starbucks music label, Hear Music.

Low Stars was a one-off project between Dave Gibbs (Gigolo Aunts) and Chris Seefried and Jeff Russo (Tonic). They've drawn comparisons to The Eagles and I can tell you why - just listen to "Need A Friend."

"The Big Lie" by Gigolo Aunts

Hailing from Potsdam, New York, the Gigolo Aunts (named after the Syd Barrett song) is a powerpop band that has been paying their dues since the early 80s, yet never found chart success. They came close to a breakthrough in the 90s with their song, "Where I Find My Heaven," which was featured on the soundtrack to the hit film, Dumb and Dumber. 

Thanks to support from Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows, the band released a new record in 1999 called "Minor Chords and Major Themes." It is a solid powerpop affair and "The Big Lie" is one of my favorites by the band.