I’m hereby establishing a tradition of highlighting artists and bands on MySpace Music that are worth checking out in one single issue on the fourth Thursday of each month; that one bit was in italics because, being that MySpace Music is so saturated with musicians, it can sometimes be difficult to find interesting and cool music.

The qualifications for an artist/band to be featured this round-up are: 1) I like their music (of course!) and recommend it to others, and 2) not have been featured in one of my posts previously. As always, reader feedback is appreciated, and please do recommend your favourite MySpace Music artists!

Click the artist name to be redirected to their MySpace Music page:
Friend John - Experimental / Electronica / Ambient
I came across the music of Friend John (John Haas) through his own music blog (Hearts in Clouds), which is also the destination for downloading the albums he has released so far. Some of the artists featured on his own blog, such as Air, Ratatat, Royksopp, and Stereolab, give a clue as to the drifting, electro-fied nature of his tunes. His latest release, Her House Was Haunted, is the best yet: “I’ll Make Your Remix Someday” and “Soul Reaches” are big-time highlights. Download Her House Was Haunted / Download Version for Maddie / Download Arctica

John Murphy - Rock
I first heard John Murphy’s music through his Last.fm music page. This is some heavy, heavy cool stuff; “The Garden Song” in particular from Sifting Thru The Rubble is very much recommended! It will be interestesting to hear how he develops in his music over time.

Shyneboxx - Indie / Rock / Alternative
The debut from Shyneboxx, a band that has been making music for 20+ years together, is a self-titled release [Shyneboxx (now up on Last.fm)] which was released on New Year’s Day, 2009. Surf-guitar, classic rock, and 80’s alt. elements are present, along with straightforward, honest songwriting; this is a fun album to listen to! Recommended: “Memphis” and “She”

Ryan Smith - Indie / Pop / Rock
Ryan Smith is a sincere, adept songwriter whose style allows for folk, indie, and the pop mainstream to shake hands and get along. He has been interviewed by MTV2 and is a local favourite in Columbus, Ohio. Better still, all of his music is up for free download on his MySpace Music page, with his most recent release being the six-song I Just Want To Feel That Way in 2008. The title track stands out, plodding, melancholy, and sweet, the polar opposite of “This is Not a Tragedy”, and both are the most enjoyable cuts on the album. Hearing tunes more along those lines (and of his newer single “Sleep Well”) from Ryan Smith in the future, and more of the unexpected, as he grows as an artist is something I look forward to.

Tran Qual - Experimental / Lounge / Tropical
Tran Qual was one of the first artists I came across after getting my own MySpace Music page; a unique take on the cinematic, with touches of trip-hop and danceable elements at times. The group of featured songs on his Last.fm page are amongst his best, with And Sometimes being a top track as well.