Woodward is more than just a band of talented vocalists and songwriters with insanely catchy synth hooks. The band, and the name, can be looked at as a sort of metaphor. Woodward Ave. (the band’s namesake) connects the Northern suburbs of their home-state Michigan to Detroit, essentially bridging two different worlds together. Woodward the band accomplishes something very similar using vintage sounds effortlessly combined with modern sounding pop/rock synth hooks. The resulting vibe is one that, at once, reminisces about the past while looking toward the future. From their four-part vocal harmonies to their old-school electric piano, there’s no doubt this band is heavily influenced by classic sounds.

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As we wrap up this week’s “Needle in the Haystack,” we want to take a moment and check in with Apple Trees and Tangerines one last time. After Ourstage blog and MTVMusic blog coverage, as well as a Tweet and A, things are looking pretty solid for the duo. Check out more in the video below:

Listening to April Smith and the Great Picture Show is like stepping into a 1930s honky tonk cabaret — ragtime rhythms and stunning sultry vocals with all the flash, flair and debauchery of the prohibition era. The songs on her upcoming album Songs for a Sinking Ship effortlessly combine upbeat melodies buoyant enough to save Jack and Rose with sassy, witty and seductive lines alluring enough to tempt any listener into a false sense of security.  Take her song “Drop Dead Gorgeous”, also included on her EP Live From The Penthouse. It’s best described as a sort of blues-infused tarantella, a dance between two partners characterized by a “lively 6/8 rhythm and teasing, flirtatious behavior.” The lines “you’re so enchanting/when your mouth is closed/and with a mouth like that/who needs politics and prose,” and a rousing chorus of, “now I’m staring into those vacant eyes/trying to figure out if you’ve understood a single word that I’ve said/is there anything going on in that pretty little head?/cause if you’re just drop dead gorgeous/you should just drop dead,” paint a clear picture of her lyrical prowess and sharp wit, not to mention her affinity for poking fun.

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Sometimes respect is won not by showing others what you can do, but rather what you won’t do. Like demonstrating your vocal chops with self-indulgent acrobatics, or showcasing your production skills by overloading a song with bells and whistles. If restraint breeds admiration, Ifé (pronounced “ee-fay”) Thomas deserves a round of applause. Under the moniker Ifé Soul Music, the LA-based chanteuse melds jazz, R&B and pop into simmering slow-tempo numbers that say a lot about who she is without overstating anything. “Mocha Mellow” features only two instruments: Thomas’ expressive voice and an acoustic guitar. On “Aim to Please,” a steamy groove about the art of seduction, multi-tracked Ifés sing backup and soft synths set the mood without eating up any space. Thomas’ delivery is always cool, belying the heat of her words. And yes, sometimes those words are a little inelegant (“When I talk in your ear / Nasty words that you’ll hear”). But hey, Sade once sang, “When you require streetcar desire for higher heights” and no one stopped making out to question her lyrical choices. Groove is in the heart, not the pen.

Nowadays, MTV’s image mostly consists “reality” shows starring superficial, plastic LA girls and fist-pumping “guidos” from the tri-state area. Not exactly the cutting-edge music giant we once knew. However, under that horrifyingly hilarious exterior lies a sleeping giant, percolating with innovative new acts with just enough pop hooks and power to bring the music back into Music TeleVision.  One such band can be found right here on OurStage. Not only has The Hollow Sound‘s music been featured on MTV’s College Life, but the band was selected as four- time finalists on MTVU’s Best Music On Campus as well. As the 2009 grand prize winners, the band got the opportunity to perform at Six Flags as part of MTV’s VMA Tour along with All Time Low and The White Tie Affair. (Check out their VMA Tour video here!) They also performed at the 2008 Warped Tour and SXSW in 2009. These guys obviously have a pretty impressive résumé , but what is it about their music that makes it so popular with the MTV folks?

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At first it may not seem like Tony Lucca, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears have much in common, and in reality this is true. Tony Lucca’s never been brutally mauled by the tabloids, has never been a ’90s teen idol or gone through a shaving head phase. He does, however, create some pretty awesome music. (Side note: Some may disagree with the correlation between Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and awesome music. However, you have to at least give props to JT and X-Tina for actual badass vocal talent, and Britney… well she’s got her first three-ish albums going for her.) Lucca was also a fellow cast member on The All New Mickey Mouse Club in the early ’90s, and was the only Mickey Mouse Club member to ever play a live instrument during a taping performance — a testament to his musical ability even at a relatively young age.

When a person goes to see Tony Lucca live, it’s immediately apparent that the man has a huge amount of natural talent and stage presence. His voice is powerful, full of soul and depth, and seems to be able to switch seamlessly from soft and sultry to pure rock ‘n’ roll power. When he sings you can’t help but really feel his words. His song ”Melancholy Collar,” off of his latest full length album Come Around Again, is a perfect example of the versatility and power of his voice. It’s rhythm, melody, and overall feel showcase his vocal capabilities perfectly, but don’t just take my word for it. Check this out. Read more about Tony Lucca’s music and tour adventures!

Dudes: There will inevitably come a time when you’ve riled your girlfriend and find yourself racking your brain for some sort of grand gesture to set things straight. Before you reach for the boombox and your Peter Gabriel CD, try something a little subtler and give Michael Logen a spin. Logen’s music is the sort of dreamy folk-pop that lends itself to quiet romantic interludes. With his lightly husky falsetto, the Nashville songwriter paints pretty pictures of adoration; i.e. wishing he could rearrange the rain so as not to interfere with his lady’s ‘do. Now that’s the kind of thinking that will get you back in a girl’s good graces. Logen’s compositions are far from formulaic, but they do have certain touchstones in common: low, keening string sections, dreamy, gauzy guitar waltzes and coasting melodies. Sometimes the surest way to the heart isn’t the most epic. Restraint can be a powerful romancer, too.

With over 120,000 artists to discover on OurStage, it can be tough to take notice of every amazing act. That’s why MTV Music and OurStage are teaming up to present “Needle in the Haystack.” Each week, in conjunction with MTV Music, OurStage will be giving one deserving up-and-coming artist some extra love with free downloads and exclusive interviews. Get the latest scoop on the tomorrow’s hottest acts every week here at OurStage and the MTV Music Blog. And now without further ado, our first “Needle in the Haystack” artist…

Mexico City may not seem like a hotbed for danceable powerpop, but that’s nothing The Plastics Revolution can’t fix. Since 2008 this unsigned band has been building up their Mexican fanbase with infectiously catchy sing-a-long hooks and more swagger than you can shake a stick at. To get their name out there, the five piece entered their track “Cars From Mars” in the OurStage Indie Pop Channel this past November. The tune mixes lyrical silliness with Britpop sentimentality akin to bands like Mystery Jets and Arctic Monkeys. The fans fell in love with the song; voting it into the Top 10. The band released the track on their self-produced debut LP. In true DIY fashion, The Plastics Revolution is currently self-distributing the album, making it somewhat difficult to get a hard copy into the hands of fans outside Mexico. Luckily the band was kind enough to offer up “Cars From Mars” as this week’s free download so the whole world can get a taste. Expect more amazing music to come from these guys: The Plastics Revolution plans on releasing a follow up full-length in 2011.

Stacy Clark is like most talented indie-folk-pop singer-songwriters; her melodies are relentlessly catchy, her lyrics are honest and heartfelt and she’s often compared to the likes of Regina Spektor and Imogen Heap. Although her quirky piano hooks and splash of electronica can evoke sonic thoughts of the two artists, there’s something much more relatable and pragmatic about Clark’s music. She sets herself apart from most musicians by living in a way that she “doesn’t just exist for herself.” It is often difficult for folks in the music industry not to be self-centered and preoccupied when they are trying to support themselves and develop a career, and although Clark truly has an honest desire to succeed, she lives by her words. She actively participates in multiple charities and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Music Saves Lives. Her earnest and authentic nature makes listening to her music such an intimate experience that you feel like you know her after one song. See her live and it feels like you guys are best friends after one set.
Get to know Stacy Clark a little better

Procrastination is a problem that affects many well-intentioned people, and it seems that musicians are often the most heavily influenced by the urge to waste time.  Lucky for us, The Colour Elect took some age-old advice from Ben Franklin—”You may delay, but time will not”— to heart. Formed in Los Angeles during the last months of 2008, lead-singer Josef Gordon, guitarist Kellen Mills and drummer Robb Hutzal wrote 12 songs together during a four months span. After deciding they wanted a more guitar driven sound, they invited guitarist Chris Wrate to join the band followed by bassist Leo B to round out the ensemble. By the summer of 2009, they were a fully-formed band poised and ready to take on LA.

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