Okey doke... Mousie wants to expand her musical horizons. So lets share some of the lesser-known musics, shall we?

Most countries/regions have a popular band or six hundred that aren't known beyond their borders. And it's a shame, because some of them have the greatest music ever.

So... your favourite songs, from bands with the same nationality as you!

Australia.... according to Mousie.

Bitch, by Iris (little known Melbournian band, yet awesome with gorgeous guitarist)
Charlie Number Three - The Whitlams
The Crowd - Cat Empire
Better Off Alone - Grinspoon
Holy Grail - Hunters & Collectors (great pub song)
Khe Sanh - Cold Chisel (classic)
Run To Paradise - The Choirboys (best. pub. song. EVER)
The Voice - John Farnham (Residence classic)
Sounds Of Them - Gangajang
Forgotten Years - Midnight Oil
King Of The Mountain - Midnight Oil
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
When The River Runs Dry - Hunters & Collectors
I Was Only Nineteen (A Walk In The Light Green) - Redgum
Diamatina Drover - Redgum
Lights On The Hill - Slim Dusty
I Still Call Australia Home - from the infamous advertisement.. that version! Gets me every time.
Mascara - Killing Heidi
Black Fingernails, Red Wine - Eskimo Joe

There's so much more, but I have a train to catch! I'm interested to see what other people list... and see if my sister's extensive iTunes collection includes it. *nods*

If your into gothic and folk music, you should really check out Omnia, they are so awesome, they only use original insturments. I´ve never seen them live, yet, but I´ve heard they are even more awesome when they are playing live. >> http://www.omnia-neocelt.com/

Some other Dutch bands if your into Gothic rock, I would really recommend Epica, they rule. And a bit more known in the Netherlands itself and also with some hits in our top 40 lists is Within Temptation.

Further if you just like normal pop music, I would recommend searching something up of VanVelzen. He's a great singer and makes very cool songs, he also plays piano and guitar. And he's cute XD.

I'll add some more when I'm more awake and stuff lol.

Well, I listen to music from all over the world. :3 And I don't really like a lot of stuff that's in my own country (USA). Ahaha. But let's see...er...well, here's a bunch of junk! I chose some of my favorite songs, but I highly recommend all these artists! <333

USA
Misery Loves Company - Emilie Autumn
Swallow - Emilie Autumn
Opheliac - Emilie Autumn (really...anything by Emilie Autumn! XD)
Don't Give Up (You Are Loved) - Josh Groban
Would You Go With Me - Josh Turner
Harder To Breathe - Marroon 5
Raspberry Swirl - Tori Amos
Playboy Mommy - Tori Amos
Sleeps With Butterflies - Tori Amos (anything by her is awesome. <3)
Cables and Wires - 16 Volt
And I Go - 16 Volt
And You Are All Alone - 16 Volt (<3 them)
Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson

Ireland
Runaway - The Corrs
Queen of Hollywood - The Corrs (aand...anything by the Corrs, haha!)
Ailein Duinn - Meav (anything by her is awesome!)


UK
Time Is Running Out - Muse (<3 anything by them though!)
Tower - Vienna Teng
Between - Vienna Teng
Lullabye For a Stormy Night - Vienna Teng (all her stuff is lovely!)
My Oh My - Aqua
Cartoon Heroes - Aqua
Lollipop (Candyman) - Aqua
Tarzan and Jane - Toy-Box
Let Go - Frou Frou
Shh - Frou Frou
Speak For Yourself - Imogen Heap
Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap

Canada
Say It Right - Nelly Furtado

Australia
Obsession (I Love You) - Amiel (I must hear more of her stuff...)
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
Tears of Pearls - Savage Garden (...Yes. I'm a fan of them. XD)

Finland
Ghost Love Score - Nightwish
Ever Dream - Nightwish
Amaranth - Nightwish (aaand...anything by Nightwish, old and new, is wonderful! <3)
Shot - The Rasmus
No Fear - The Rasmus
Still Standing - The Rasmus (aaand...anything by them!)

Italy
Angel's Punishment - Lacuna Coil

China
The Last Blossom - Faye Wong
Lemon Tree - Faye Wong
I'm Willing - Faye Wong (anything by her is gorgeous)
WHY? - Leehom Wang

Korea
Dreams Come True - SES

Japan - Dear lord. This is the country I listen to the most music from so...er...just gonna pick a song per group.

Yokan - Dir en grey
Filth in the Beauty - The Gazette
Real Me - Ayumi Hamasaki
Dears - Gackt
Fukai Mori - Do As Infinity
Chou - Tsukiko Amano
Planetarium - Ai Otsuka
This Love - Angela Aki
Pink Spider - hide
Drain - X Japan
Illuminati - Malice Mizer
Satsuki - Kagrra,
Ready Steady Go - L'Arc~en~Ciel
Mermaid - GLAY
Style - Baroque
This Is Love - Utada Hikaru
Rain - Luna Sea
And...uh...fudge, there're too many. Anything by Miyavi, Gackt, Bis, Vidoll, Pierrot, Charlotte, and a million others! Yeah!

I'm gonna stop now. I have too many and my head will explode. XD

A couple of bands leap to mind.

Breaking Benjamin. Start with Diary of Jane (acoustic) and go from there. They're American--I've tried and failed to find their stuff here in the UK.

Flogging Molly - Irish Band. Drunken Lullabies is a good album to start with. <3

Toy Box is Danish, not English.

Lacuna Coil Rulezzz.

*nothing more important to say at around midnight*

Owh yah, there's another band from around here which rulez, they kick ass XD. Scrum. They'll get a party going everywhere. Imagine, blokes in kilts, bagpipes, raging guitars, brilliant singer, influences from scotland and ireland as well as their own songs. And on top of that the singer does his fire act on occasion XD. http://www.scrummusic.nl/audio/

Yay UK! .... :p

Super Furry Animals
(I am a fan of 90s Brit Pop XD)

the Spice Girls
(I am serious. They were massive)

U2 - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me (I'm sorry, I don't care if it was on the Batman Forever soundtrack! It's awsome)

The Sex Pistols - Pretty Vacant or Anarchy in the U.K or God Save the Queen. Those are the better known ones.

Snow Patrol - Spitting Games (that voice!)

Muse - Butterflies or Hysteria.

Oasis - The Importance Of Being Idle.

David Bowie - anything...just anything David Bowie.

I'm going to do what Rhi-Rhi did, if you don't mind. I have too many US bands that I could list, anyways. (They're listed: Band Name - Song Name.)

Federal Republic of Germany

Brainless Wankers - The Idols Are Dead
Frau Doktor - Alles noch Schlimmer
Lali Puna - Left Handed
Nena - Kino
The Notwist - Pilot
Pale - Razzmatazz
Stereo Total - Villaines Filles, Mauvais Garçons

French Republic

Air - Cherry Blossom Girl
Nouvelle Vague - I Melt With You
Télépopmusik - Breathe

Kingdom of Sweden

El Perro del Mar - It's All Good
I'm From Barcelona - Treehouse
The Radio Dept. - I Don't Like It Like This
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Rent a Wreck

Japan

Do As Infinity - Fukai Mori
See-Saw - Obsession

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken
Kate Nash - Mouthwash
The Pipettes - ABC
Saint Etienne - Lose That Girl
Stereolab - Cybele's Reverie

That should hold you over for quite a while, I think. Hahah.

Yeah, so, looking at my playlist, it seems I really don't do well of representing my country XD Here are, though, a few favorites from various locations that all really ought to listen to, because as far as I'm concerned, my taste in music pwns.

CANADA
Billy Talent - in particular, I love 'Standing in the Rain,' 'The Navy Song,' 'Voices of Violence,' 'Line and Sinker,' 'River Below,' 'Try Honesty,' 'Surrender,' and 'Burn the Evidence.' To be honest, though, I don't think there's a song of theirs that I don't adore.
Three Days Grace - Similar to the above, but a bit heavier. Particularly 'Get Out Alive,' 'Wake Up,' and 'Time of Dying.'
Sum 41 - I like the music off of their album Chuck best, I think.
My Dog Ego - they're more localized (as in, Nova Scotia), however if by some miracle you find them elsewhere, they're definitely worth a listen, especially if you like any of the above.
Nickleback - 'How You Remind Me' is one of my favorite songs. Ever.
Tegan and Sara - a tad on the whiny side, but excellent nonetheless.
Magneta Lane - even my friends don't know who the hell they are, so I doubt you will, but excellent Canadian band.

AMERICA
Harry and the Potters - obviously caters to the Harry Potter fans, not only is it not horrific to listen to, but the lyrics are damn amusing ^^;;
Draco and the Malfoys - see above.
The Whomping Willows - see above.
Actually, I'm just assuming those three are American; I'm not actually sure. These are, though!
AFI - particularly 'Endlessly, She Said,' 'The Leaving Song,' 'The Killing Lights,' 'Miss Murder,' 'Affliction'... actually, I love all of Decemberunderground, though have unfortunately heard very little of their other albums.
Evanescence - Though really only Fallen and some of Origins (which I would sell my soul to get a hold of >.<). Their other stuff is alright, though I don't like it as much.
PANIC! At the Disco - Yeah. I went there. But still, I can't help but love them.
Fallout Boy - See above. Also, I WAS A FAN BEFORE YOU EVEN KNEW THEY EXISTED, ATLANTIC CANADIAN BITCHES! (okay, I'm done now v.v;)
Placebo - Also a little on the whiny side (but not girls this time ;)), but still excellent.
Susan Enan - Amazing voice. Amazing times twelve.
The Used - I heart 'Hospital'. Actually, Lies for the Liars in its entirety.

JAPAN, where most of my favorite songs seem to hail from.
Aqua Timez - okay, so my Japanese friend mocked me shamelessly for this, but whatever XP
Gackt - I've only heard 'Redemption' and 'Vanilla' but like both, so yeah.
High and Mighty Color - if I could only listen to one Japanese band for the rest of my life, they would be it. Just... yes.
Jinn - voice is a wee bit irksome at times, but 98% pleasant.
Mai Yamane - 'Blue' makes me cry every time I hear it, though that's largely because I associate it with the end of Cowboy Bebop :p
Maximum the Hormone - okay, so this is typically a little more screemo than I like, but Anime shows tend to get me into music that I wouldn't otherwise like, and this is one such situation XP
Nana Mizuki - I've only ever heard 'Hime Mursaki', but it's beautiful.
Nightmare - Just... yes.
Ore Ska Band - 'Tsumasaki' never fails to make me happy ^__^
UVERWorld - See Nightmare
Utada Hikaru - See Nightmare
Yui - Eeeprettyvoice!

And that's largely it. Of course, there's plenty of other music I like that didn't quit warrant a mention, and I'm also heavily into instrumental stuff - FF soundtracks, anything from PotC, and if anyone planned to start a cult around Yoko Kanno, I'd totally join in XD

How could I have forgotten these... More Aussie.

Nosebleed Section - Hilltop Hoods (brilliant for pubbing, as Mousie knows)
Car Song - Cat Empire
Twenty Good Reasons - Thirsty Merc
My Completeness - Thirsty Merc (the theme song of a fave character of mine)
Chunky Chunky Air Guitar - The Whitlams
Gough - The Whitlams (the joke here being that The Whitlams are named for Gough Whitlam..)
Kate Kelly - The Whitlams (needs some understanding of the Kelly gang to fully sink in, but still awesome.. pretty much anything Whitlams I love.)
I Was Only Nineteen (Redgum Cover) -- The Herd

And some of my international favourites.

USA.. U-S-A! U-S-A! A-U-S.. sorry, can't spell.

The Difference - Matchbox 20
Bright Lights - Matchbox 20
Disease - Matchbox 20
Bonus Track (after The Difference) - Matchbox 20
Broadway - The Goo Goo Dolls
Hey Jealousy - Incorrectly named on iTunes, but loved anyway!
A Little Piece of Heaven - Avenged Sevenfold (seriously messed up music)
M.I.A - Avenged Sevenfold
I Won't See You Tonight - Avenged Sevenfold.

And Spice Girls, oh yes. They were HUGE here too. In fact, there's a SG special on TV at the moment...

United States:
--AFI (as mentioned before)
--My Chemical Romance: Their whole CD "The Black Parade" is totally awesome
--The Fray: "How to Save a Life" and "Cable Car"

I saw My Chemical Romance at Rod Laver on the 1st! IT WAS LOVE... who would have thought Gerard Way could actually sing?

More...

The Greatest View - Silverchair
Israel's Son - Silverchair
Anything Silverchair, really... love the Chair.

I don't actually know the nationalities of these artists but they are "lesser known" and I think they're amazing.

Idina Menzel:

• All Of The Above
• You'd Be Surprised
• Think Too Much
• Once Upon A Time

Nine Inch Nails:

• Capitol G
• The Perfect Drug

Wilson Jermaine Heredia: (He's an actor. Just love his voice.)

• Today for You, Tomorrow for Me
• I'll Cover You (Duet, can't remember the other guys name)

Ewan Mcgregor: (Also an actor, but an amazing singer.)

• Your Song
• Elephant Love Medley (Duet with Nicole Kidman)
• Come What May (Duet with Nicole Kidman)

Songs: (Just stuff that's well written.)

• Wonderful Life (Favorite probably being the one by "Black")
• How to Save a Life (The Fray, not that amazing in itself but how it's used in TV and such is amazing. Can be really touching at times.)
• Famous Last Words (My Chemical Romance)
• Missing (Evanescence. This song is a guilty pleasure.)
• There's a good reason these tables are numbered honey, you just haven't thought of it yet (P!@TD, a huge song title)
• Oh My God (Pink + Peaches)

Have you heard of Architecture in Helsinki, Mousie? I think they're from Austrialia. I would recommend that you check them out if you haven't already heard them.

I'm going to reiterate Mousie's love of Silverchair. They are awesome... although I don't especially like the latest album, they have four before that that rock.

They're Australian.

My friend's in a band... plug plug plug. The band is called Rogue-Fi.



These are some of the bands/singers I like to write to...

Breaking Benjamin (they have three albums, and the newest one, Phobia, is GREAT)
TRUSTcompany
Michelle Branch... I <3 her.
Hootie and the Blowfish
Silversun Pickups
Linkin Park
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Fuel
Within Temptation
Nightwish


Specific songs:

Breaking Benjamin - "Breath"
Chevelle - "I Get It"
Silverchair - "Cemetery"
TRUSTcompany - "Downfall"
James Carrington - "Ache"
Ben's Brother - "Stuttering"
Fuel - "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)"

Okey dokey.. my playlist has gone BOOM!... except for the bit where I had to listen to Elton for a few days, saw him in concert and was love. *still woozy*

Shin-Li ... I am forever indebted to you for Within Temptation ('Jillian' is a current fave). It's awesome music to listen to while reading Twilight!

Rhi-Rhi... I found Emilie Autumn very interesting to listen to. Your musical tastes are about as hit and miss as mine! Savage Garden... you love those? My fave would have to be 'Two Beds And A Coffee Machine'... I'm pretty sure that's Savage. And Vienna Treng...! 'Lullabye For A Stormy Night' made me cry. It's so sweet.

Panda... Forever love for Flogging Molly. Fun, upbeat and hilarious in places. I have a strong (fake, as far as I know) Irish streak. Comes from constantly celebrating your birthday on St Paddies. :D

Lenore... Super Furry Animals! Not only the band name is cool. 'Lazy Life' has become a standard.

RENTal Lot... The number of times I have listened to Idina Menzel's 'Here' is unreal. There's something very laid back and cool about that song. I've had 'Come What May' for donkeys ages, Moulin Rouge makes me cry every time. Also in love with Ewan McGregor.. Brassed Off is another fave movie of his.

Good work.. good work. :D

In two weeks I've picked up three awesome books and a lot of awesome music from tip-offs here. XD

Not sure the last time this was posted in.. but yeah XD Um.. I don't listen to music from my own country much either.. But I'll try and pull some stuffs together.

Wales ((My country!))

• International Velvet - Catatonia;; This song is sickeningly gloaty and patriotic XD But it is still a good song, and one pretty much 85% of people here know and have sang ((the chorus)) at least once in their life. It's in welsh, but the chorus is in english.
• Road Rage - Catatonia;; Rawkin' 90s song that was REALLY popular.
• Rooftops - Lost Prophets
• Anything by Stereophonices;; I suggest Pick a Part of Have a Nice Day.

My favourite artists from other countries:

Finland - Hanna Pakarinen;; Found her in eurovision 07 XD GoGo is my favourite.

Greece - Elena Paparizou;; Found her from an epal, now have nearly a hundred of her songs o.O

Sweden - Marie Serneholt;; My mate used her as a playby, her best song IMO is I Need a House. You must also download her old group songs, the A*Teens, pure Teeny Bopper cheese!

Belgium - Plastic Bertrand. lol, there was an advert with Ca Plane Pour Moi on in the cinema and me and all my mates starting singing. We looked like lunatics.

France - Virginie Ledoyen - Not a singer, but I suggest you download her song ((Toi Mon Amor, Mon Ami)) from the film 8 Femmes. It's slightly eery but also very addictive.

Italy/England - The Puppini Sisters. These girls have got so much talent, they modernise fourties songs while still keeping the original style, and also transform modern songs into 40s style. They write their own songs too :p

Ooo, I like this topic!
I'll start with the USA, but I will have to add a few at the end =]

In My Head- Anna Nalick
F.N.T.- Semisonic
Put Your Records On- Corrine Bailey Rae
You Don't Know Me- Jann Arden (a cover, but I love her version)
Follow Through- Gavin Degraw (one of the nicest people in the world)
Behold the Lamb- David Phelps (even if you're not Christian, listen to it. This man has the most amazing voice I've ever heard)
Hair- The Early November
Geek in the Pink- Jason Mraz
Why Georgia- John Mayer

International Love!

Start Wearing Purple- Gogol Bordello
Ta douleur- Camille
Security- Joss Stone

Thumbs up to Super Furry Animals, "Hello Sunshine" is one of my favorite songs. Savage Garden has some fun songs as well, but I don't know that many XD