Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Currently Pimpin': No Cities Left (SpinArt)
Website: www.thedears.org

Siren Says: Like a New Romantic sucker punch, our Northern neighbors draw listeners in with lush, sweeping arrangements before revealing the dystopian mélange that lies beneath. Lead Dear Murray Lightburn's mellifluous crooning garners countless Morrissey comparisons, but his broken-hearted lyricism and inventive instrumental choices are deceptively simple and stunning.

The Dears Say: "Take me for a drive to the coastline. Pull me to the depths of the sea. Leave me in the middle of the ocean. I can walk the rest of the way." ("Lost In the Plot")