![\"264730_429926833725325_524972439_n\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/posturemag.com\/online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/264730_429926833725325_524972439_n.jpg?resize=300%2C210\")
<\/a> Though Austra could fit the bill, front woman Katie Stelmanis says that although she has always wanted to be in a \u201cgay band\u201d they have yet to fall into that classification, particularly due to the stereotypes surrounding what a gay band or a lesbian-identified band should sound like. True – Austra sounds nothing like Sleater-Kinney, Tegan and Sara, or JD Samson and Men, but their unique brand of dark, electronic pop could(read: should) prove to expand the realm of what popular culture has come to think of as \u201clesbian music,\u201d or even better, abolish the stereotype altogether.<\/p>\nTheir first record, Feel it Break<\/em>, gave Arcade Fire a run for their money for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize, and they went on to sign with indie powerhouse Domino Records to release their 2013 sophomore effort Olympia<\/em> and 12\u201d single \u201cHabitat”<\/a> earlier this year. The songs range from eerie downtempo to danceable electropop, but Stelmanis\u2019 enchanting, operatic voice and undeniable romanticism remain at the forefront. Stream a few selections below, including their cover of Duran Duran\u2019s \u201cAmerican Science,\u201d<\/a> and check out the video for \u201cPainful Like,\u201d<\/a> a personal favorite of mine.<\/p>\n We recommend that you follow Austra on Twitter<\/a>, like them on Facebook<\/a>, and pick up Olympia at iTunes<\/a> or stream it on Spotify<\/a>. You can also catch them in Austin this fall, playing Stargayzer Fest<\/a> alongside the aforementioned JD Samson, Xiu Xiu, and Big Freedia, amongst a slew of other queer musicians, DJs, and comedians. Stelmanis occasionally DJs under the name Ketsup<\/a>, and she\u2019s got a gig in Brooklyn on August 15. The Facebook invite for that can be found HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n