New Mexico:
The Giranimals
CITY: Albuquerque
SONGS THAT GOT US: "I’m Your Huckleberry [mp3]," "Slow One [mp3]"
ON THE TUBES: MySpace, Web site
RECORD LABEL: June
WHY THEM? Maury Povich and Connie Chung have to be one of the most annoying celebrity couples in modern history. Thankfully for other namesake couplings, the Giranimals have come along to rescue the good Maury-and-Connie name. Maury (vocals/drums) and Connie (vocals/keyboards/guitar) Crandall’s band is cute as hell — and what else would you expect from a band named after a line of adorable jammies? While superficially the whole project might seem a little too saccharin, spend some time with the Giranimals and you’ll discover some organically sweet, jangly jams.
BONUS BIT! Founder Maury Crandall is the younger brother of Marty Crandall, ex-keyboardist/bassist of perhaps New Mexico’s best-known musical outfit, the Shins.