Locked in a Cage by Brick and Mortar // Vampire Diaries Season 5, Episode 19
This morose tune is playing as Enzo drinks (standard filler on Vampire Diaries) and thinks back to his time with Maggie. Brick and Mortar are a two piece from New Jersey who specialize in indie rock. They dropped their debut album, 7 Years in the Mystic Room, in 2008, and an EP, the Bangs EP, last year.
Be What You Be by Angus Stone // Vampire Diaries Season 5, Episode 19
There’s a lot of nifty guitar picking on this folk number from Angus Stone’s 2012 album Broken Brights, which is playing in the background as Elena tries to fool around and distract Stefan as he quizzes her for her finals. Ozzie Angus Stone is one half of Angus & Julia Stone, and Broken Brights is his second solo album moonlighting from the band. Broken Brights reached number two in the Australian album charts upon its release, and this downtempo tune shows off Angus’ vocal chops.
Not Yet by Sarah Blasko // Tomorrow People Season 1, Episode 20
In this heartrending scene, Hilary apologizes to Stephen telepathically for betraying him and prepares to go down in a blaze of glory by killing the Founder. Not Yet plays in the background. We are big fans of Sarah’s blend of piano led indie pop, and her vocals on this track are sublime. Sarah is a big hit in her native Australia, where she won ARIA awards for Best Female and Best Pop release in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Her fourth album, I Awake, was released in 2012 and featured the blisteringly good Not Yet.
True Friend by Aaron Espe // Degrassi Season 13, Episode 13
Degrassi have really nailed the nature of teen heartbreak with the lyrics of this song by Aaron Espe. It plays as Drew walks away from Clare and Maya comes to tell Zig that she broke up with Miles and to ask if they are still friends. Aaron Espe is an American recording artist who resides in Nashville, Tennessee who has cranked out an amazing SIX albums since 2005!
Cool Kids by Echosmith // Awkward Season 4, Episode 2
If you ask us, Echosmith are the Cool Kids in this scenario, as this tune is playing in the background as Jenna and Tamara eat lunch in the school canteen. Per our interview with them earlier this year, LA based Echosmith are a force to be reckoned with on the indie rock scene who broke out in 2009. And they’re siblings, like a modern day version of the Bee Gees but with a more reasonable vocal pitch and much, much better hair. This single comes off the album Talking Dreams, which was released in 2013. Echosmith are touring the US this summer – catch them in a town near you!