”Top Five Indie Baes” by Ayana Lance

Top 5 Indie Baes Ayana Lance

1. Mac Demarco

If you read the title and didn’t expect to see Mac Demarco’s name then frankly you must be living under a rock. Coming out of Montreal, his tunes (Specifcally his latest album Salad Days) are flled with deep croons and romantic ballads. Though he has a girlfriend, late at night with eyes closed it’s easy to pretend that he’s talking about you. Despite having sound dripping with sentimentality, Demarco’s persona is far from sweet and sensitive, leaning more towards Tyler the Creator than Conor Oberst. Known for his zany persona and his crazy stage antic (remember that one time he stuck those drum sticks up his ass) he’s not what anyone expected. Have you seen his collaboration with Tyler the Creator about wanting to fuck grandmothers? Maybe you shouldn’t. Type of Bae: Best Friend’s Older Brother

In a committed relationship and acts like a complete fool but still somehow all you want to do is have a chance to hang out with him. You completely understand how your best friend is tired of his crazy antics. But time after time they never fail to amuse you. You sometimes just come over when you know your friend’s not there, to listen to his demos and have him rattle about his ideas on his new LP.

2. King Krule

Once upon a time Archy Marshall was constantly being compared to any ginger imaginable most notably La Roux and Rick Atsley (think Rick Rolled Never Gonna Give You Up). But following a change in recording names (from Zoo Kid to King Krule) and the release of his first full-length album 6 Feet Beneath the Moon he has come into his own as an indie darling. Hey’s praised by music critics and his peers alike (think Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt), almost all established and successful magazines with a music section have done a piece on him (New Yorker, Pitchfork, and Fader to name a few), and he’s the indie rocker wonder boy of 2013.

First Date With Bae: First of all the word “date” was never uttered. You simply received a text that day with the word “Chill?” You meet him at a record store that you never knew existed. When you arrive, he’s surrounded by records and he’s digging for more in the bins. Not wanted to be bogged down by all the records he simply leaves them with the cashier without saying a word, as if there was an unspoken agreement.

After leaving the record store you guys head to some cheap fast food place order as many burgers and fries as it is possible to carry in two bags. He then takes you to his favorite spot. You have to climb two fences, hop over one water runoff and walk half a mile in what is more garbage than weeds. Despite spilling your drink a few times, the food manages to remain safe if not in pristine condition. He ensures you the effort is worth it. He tells you he used to go to this other place that was is easier to get to but now its just flled with “poseurs.” When you two fnally reached your destination, it’s sunset. You two take a seat on a piece of discarded plaster board just big enough for two. You pass a joint, just watching the sun go down.

3. Cullen Omori

Cullen Omori is the lead singer of Smith Westerns. Every Smith Westerns song makes me crave taffeta and slow dances. Their music just oozes 60s prom. Hailing from my hometown of Chicago, I can personally attest that at one time (but probably still true today), the majority of Smith Western’s fan base was just girls who thought he was “so cute.”

Winner of the: Most Down To Earth Bae

It’s easy to be intimated by indie rock stars, especially those who fall into the “bae” category. I mean, I need to build up courage to ask a simple question to a sales associate. (“So ... where are the Cheetos?”) But one look at Cullen’s twitter and you’ll be put at ease. Filled with pop culture references, inside jokes, and queries to hang out, it doesn’t have the intimidating wit of other indie rockers (i.e. Ezra Koning). Instead it just looks like the twitter of any other 20-something boy who is bored at home.

4. Christopher Owens

Formerly part of the group Girls, he is now a solo artist releasing a new album in the upcoming 2014 called A New Testament. He has signed modeling deals with Saint Laurent Paris as well as H&M. He’s currently the dad of the “baes,” rounding out at a mature 35. Typical Day With the Bae:

You meet at the Farmer’s Market. He has a small acoustic guitar attached to his back. He doesn’t like to be without it. While browsing the cheese section he makes up a funny song and asks you “Would his Cinderella want mozzarella?” Waiting for the bus, Christopher takes out his guitar and starts playing. It’s a song you’ve never heard of. A crowd gathers. You clap along to the beat.

5. Zachary Robinson

When typing in “Swim Deep,” Google suggests “Swim Deep Zachary Robinson.” Rarely do drummers hold the position of #1 heartthrob in a band. The title usually goes to the outgoing singer or the cocky lead guitarist. But Zachary with model good looks (Model for Saint Laurent) snagged the title from fellow band mates.

Bae’s Superpower: His smile. It’s adorable. It’s a fact. You can’t fight it. In fact a gif of him smiling has over 30,000 notes on Tumblr.