Try pinning down Philadelphia’s The Quelle Source — it’s not easy.

The band clearly operates with an indie rock aesthetic – they won “Best Indie Rock Act in Philadelphia” at Origivation Magazine’s 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards. But with press comparisons ranging from Deerhoof to The Decemberists to The Mountain Goats, it’s evident the group takes what it needs from their influences – nasally vocals, tense lyrical content, and tight, dynamic arrangements – and smashes them together to see what happens. That’s made easier thanks to two lead singers and songwriters bringing different ideas to the table.

With songs that marry the joyful sounds of being young with lyrical content that tackles all the parts that suck about it, The Quelle Source will “put indie rock smiles on your faces” (Philadelphia City Paper), even if it is in a sinister, backward way.

Also of note – “Quelle” is German for “source.”

In September 2011 the group released The French Rapture EP and in October 2012 they contributed a new song, “Set Sail”, to the soundtrack for the short film Jacob’s Ladder. The band is currently recording its sophomore LP, to be released in early 2013.

Left-of-center alt-pop rock songcraft is the name of Seamus Browning's game, folks. Be baptized into a cinematic alchemy of beguiling lyrics, scalpel-sharp hooks, and dynamic onstage energy.