Real Estate has become one of the most consistently enjoyable indie rockpop acts of the past half-decade. (Getty Images)

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What is it about certain bands' sounds that make them stand out? Is it luck? Timing? Some of that, but songwriting and sonic conviction is also key. Few indie rock acts over the past 15 years have had as strong a three-record showing to start a career as Real Estate.

Martin Courtney is the primary songwriter and vocalist for the band. He joins the pod to discuss how the group formed, how he writes and approaches the band's sound, and how he stumbled into a solo record (which is good in its own right). Also, there's that name. Kind of a boring name, but the story on it dates back to a dinner with his parents.

In terms of the band's output, any of their LPs are good to star with. Atlas is probably the strongest, but all three are worth including in your collection.