10 Sexy Indie Artists You Should Know

Independent vibes meet major sex appeal.

June 8, 2012

Image via Complex Original

Indie is the musical genre tucked between cool and obscure. It's a land where mainstream success is typically frowned upon and gaining any sort of notoriety constitutes selling out. In that fickle climate, bands rise and fall with the ebb and flow of supply and demand, but sometimes, the rise to prominence is organic and unexpected. Kimbra's chart-topping success on Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" is proof that substance can trump flash, but that's not to say there isn't beauty behind the beats. There are plenty of hotties on the scene. Check out the 10 Sexy Indie Artists You Should Know and get familiar.

Alice Glass

As the reckless lead vocalist of a critically acclaimed indie band, Alice Glass is cool by unofficial definition. So cool, in fact, that NME awarded you with "#1 Cool" award, ahead of Jay-Z. Pretty sweet, huh? Well, not exactly for Glass, the super sexy lead vocalist for Crystal Castles. "I'm flattered, thank you, but back in school the people who held themselves in the same regard were also the biggest waste of skin I've ever met," said the rebellious rockstar after receiving the award.

Strategic message perhaps? Whatever the case, being labeled "cool" by any mainstream source is a step closer to "selling out." Nevertheless, Alice has us wondering if she's hot because she's cool, or cool be cause she's hot. Either way, we like her music a lot.

Icona Pop

There is a chance you've heard Icona Pop and weren't even aware. Last year, Chiddy Bang released “Mind Your Manners,” which features a summer-ready sample from Icona Pop’s record “Manners.” Xaphoon Jones was hip to the unconventional duo from Stockholm, Sweden before they had a buzz. As a result, the wheels on their creative partnership have been set into motion, and their following has steadily increased on the strength of their Nights Like This EP, which includes a collaboration with NYC-based DJ duo, The Knocks. The girls of Icona Pop stay winning and have tremendous potential to win the affection of buzz subscribers from all over the blogosphere.

Soko

Music wasn't Soko's first artsy venture. A native of France, she dropped out of school to pursue career in acting, where she landed several French TV and film roles. In between acting gigs, Soko began writing songs. By 2007, she was on the radio with her song "I'll Kill Her." Later that year, the 26-year-old singer-actress embarked on the KALA Tour with indie artist of the moment, M.I.A.

In 2009, however, Soko announced her "retirement" from music to focus on her acting career, only to unretire months later, rededicated to her craft. After two relatively quiet years, Soko emerged with her debut album, I Thought I Was an Alien, in February 2012. Despite the album's marginal success, Soko's quirky sex appeal makes her relevant in the 2k indie buzz wave.

Marina and the Diamonds

Don't let the name fool you. Marina and the Diamonds is only one person. Composing and producing her own music using Garageband, Marina cut her first demos in a makeshift studio. Shortly thereafter, the Welsh-born singer scraped together a nominal amount of money— and that's being generous— to fund her debut EP, Mermaids Vs. Sailor, in November 2007.

Marina eventually caught the attention of Warner Music Group, where she inked a deal in 2008. Her career has taken flight ever since, mostly on the strength of two studio albums and a non-stop touring schedule. Talent, work ethic, and sex appeal is a tried and true recipe for success. And Marina seems to have all three in spades.

Meg Myers

Although Meg Myers steers clear of the entertainingly mundane sound of the Top 40, she has managed to make waves in the shallow indie pond. She is proof that artists on the verge of popularity don't necessarily make popular music. Not only does she create indie tunes—much in the same vain as Alanis Morrisette, might we add—but she also has an undeniable beauty that softens her angsty demeanor. Although her new EP Daughter in the Choir released quietly, the message is loud and clear: there is ample room for a strong feminine perspective in the moody indie space. She isn't the first to purvey a the particular brand of indie, and certainly won't be the last. But one thing's for sure: she looks good doing it.

Kilo Kish

Distinguishing yourself from other artists artists in your genre is no small task, but Kilo Kish manages to do so almost effortlessly. Kilo raps in a nonchalant, carelessly rhythmic voice that makes you wonder if she's actually rapping at times. Not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact, it's an interesting and unconventional approach to sculpting a collection of songs. Co-signs from some of your favorite Twitter personalities have given her a degree of credibility that would even make industry veterans jealous. Although her debut EP Homeschool didn't exactly make Kish a buzz-fed Internet meme like other similar sounding artists, the young wordsmith's lighthearted prose is certainly good enough to survive the initial wave of buzz.

Yukimi Nagano

It hasn't always been smooth sailing for Yukimi Nagano. The 30-year-old songbird took the scenic route on her way to gaining notoriety. In 1996, Nagano put together a band with her high school friend and called it Little Dragon. A decade later, they put out heir first record, landing the group a legitimate indie deal.

It wasn't until their collaboration with SBTRKT on "Wildfire" where Yukimi and co. were able to make a name for themselves outside of the indiesphere. Drake contributed a guest verse, and Little Dragon instantly gained relevence in a fickle indie atmosphere, where bands rise and fall at the click of a button. Though the music speaks for itself, Nagano's mix of talent and sex appeal makes it hard not to pay attention.

Kimbra

Most 22 year olds are either enjoying their funemployment or scrambling to find a gig completely unrelated to what they studied in college. Kimbra, on the other hand, has managed to go where few indie artists have gone before: the top of the Billboard charts in 18 different countries with the smash hit "Somebody That I Used To Know" alongside Gotye. Yeah, Kimbra isn't your typical 20-something, and her unconventional sexiness only adds to the chart-topper's intrigue.

Kimbra's rise to fame has been the result of calculated opportunity and preparation. From an early age it was evident that music was her meal ticket, and now she is finally enjoying the overabundant fruits of her labor. Now that her debut album Vows is officially available in the United States, a crossover to pop star status is imminent.

Alice Costello

We might be double dipping here, but Alice Costelloe deserves extra recognition. As one-half of Big Deal, 19-year-old singer-songwriter is on a collision course with indie stardom. Not only can she carry a tune, but Costelloe also posesses an intangible hotness.

Since anoucing their arrival to the indie scene last fall with their debut EP, Lights Out, Big Deal have developed a sonic aesthetic that authenticates Costelloe’s merits as a musician. Fittingly, Lights Out is tailored to cap a late night, which, if you’re lucky, you will be with of someone who looks like the girl singing the songs.

Alexis Krauss

If you're looking to get hip to the indie landscape, look no further than Brooklyn. If you're looking for an indie band that includes a super sexy lead vocalist, Sleigh Bells is a superb option and Alexis Krauss is definitely one of, if not, the sexiest of the bunch.

Krauss, 25, met her band mate Derek Edward Miller at a bistro in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (go figure) in 2008 and have been making music together ever since. By 2009 they had recorded enough material to perform live shows. Soon after, they signed up with N.E.E.T. Recordings and quickly became darlings of the indie buzz blogosphere. Their self-titled debut EP and subsequent studio releases have validated their indie cred. Krauss' irrefutable hotness probably bolsters the pair's mass appeal, too.