I’ve been on a regional music quest. As much as I love all the heavy hitters, I was jonesing for something more grassroots.

Being in Cleveland, I decided regional music from this locale would be best, as perhaps if I fell in love I could wander out and enjoy.

I stumbled across three bands that I listened to substantially enough to form a conclusion. iPhonic, Mystery of Two, and Expecting Rain.

iPhonic was described as Hip-Hop and alt-rock. I was hoping something along the lines of a less electronic Phantogram. I was mistaken. They seem to be more like an updated, considerably more palatable, version on Linkin Park. This wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, and Linkin Park strikes me as a horrible band to draw inspiration from. I moved on.

The second band was Expecting Rain. It was mentioned that they stopped selling CDs in favor of free downloads. I skipped listening to their Myspace tracks to just download their most recent album, “Irish Twin”.

I am such a music hoarder.

While Irish Twin was downloading, I skipped on over and poked around the Myspace page of Mystery of Two. Their style was described as indie rock, though I may argue there’s enough garage rock present in their presentation that indie might be a misleading term.

Though I guess Indie is a pretty generic description these days anyway.

I enjoyed them more than iPhonic, but I felt their music had some cacophonous tendencies that didn’t resonate with me.

Shortly thereafter, Expecting Rain successfully downloaded.

I was impressed. Their music is very expertly put together, professionally recorded, and complex. And free? How does this work exactly?

While perhaps I was really questing for some grassroots high-energy music, Expecting Rain still wins todays regional band face off despite being the most mellow band mentioned.

I want to compare them to either Calexico or Carbon Leaf. Perhaps a mix of Calexico and Carbon leaf with a liberal dash of Iron & Wine.

Or maybe not. I was never good at concocting recipes.

Regardless Expecting Rain does a damn good job of intertwining indie and folk into a smooth mixture. a professional mixture.

Really, if bands like Calexico are your thing as all, I recommend you go download, for free (legally), Irish Twin.

What to take away?

Expecting Rain does a great job of making quality indie-folk – for free – for the masses.

What to expect?

Complex instrumentation combined with a variety of instruments. Slow and relaxed vocals.

Pairing?

A smooth semi-sweet white wine from an inexpensive but delicious local vineyard.