Bands to Watch in 2011 //
Happy 2011 Vagabonds. Whether or not you’ve kept your New Year’s Resolution thus far, a new year is more than just making promises to ourselves we can’t keep. It’s about making predictions and hoping you can gloat to everyone else in December (or sooner)! Last year we named our Bands to Watch for 2010 and many of our predictions came true so why not take another shot in 2011?
Below you will find the first half of our predictions for this year. Leave us a comment with your predictions for 2011, why you chose that band and where we can link to you and we will feature you in an upcoming post of predictions compiled from our readers. Also, don’t forget to tune in later today for Part 2 of our list!
Husband and wife Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore started making some headlines this summer when they released a song or two, inspired by their seven month sailing trip from the Bahamas to Baltimore. The Marathon EP, released in August 2010 encompasses a surfy, beach-rock feel and upon first listen, makes you feel like you actually made the blissful voyage with them. The featured songs written about their journey have gained attention from music seekers and record labels alike. Cape Dory, the full-length album named after their faithful sailboat is due out this January. We are all eagerly awaiting the albums release and to watch this band reach their potential in 2011 and beyond.
Bad Rabbits- L.Sizzle says…
Boston-based funk/hip-hop/pop group Bad Rabbits are going to have their biggest year yet in 2011. Working with famed producer Teddy Riley (think, Lady Gaga and Bobby Brown) on some new tunes, these guys have got what it takes with infectious beats that just make you want to dance. They won Best Pop/R&B Artist in the 2010 Boston Music Awards… and did I mention they will be at SXSW this March? Oh yaaah.
This LA-based hip hop clique has everything going for it right now: a rabid fan-base, interest from major labels, an internet presence fueled by their myriad tumblrs and twitter accounts, and the attention hip hop fans and bloggers throughout the country. Much like Wu-Tang, to whom a comparison is often drawn, the depth of their bench allows them to work entirely within their crew while never lacking for a particular sound or personality. The star and, well, creator of the group is Tyler, The Creator. His half-brother Earl Sweatshirt is a lyrical phenomenon of that caliber that rarely surfaces. And the bench goes much deeper from there.
Lil B has been an internet phenomenon since before 2010, but he is as well positioned as he’s ever been to get the attention of music fans “outside” the internet. He’s the definition of prolific, and uses social media so actively (and interactively) that his fan base never wants for content. And yet the ostensible saturation of his fans’ attention with content only spurs them on, creating a culture of completists and seekers trying ceaselessly to add more Lil B to their collections. His underground buzz is at a feverish pitch, and he is not letting up.
Yellow Ostrich- JP says…
Watch him as he loops and harmonizes his way through The Mistress, a delightfully well rounded and beautiful album. This solo act has brought on the drummer from we are scientist and is one of the humblest performers I have ever seen. We all know, but he is just learning how special his talent truly is. Catch him at his Pianos residency every Thursday night starting in February.
A British import and easily one of the best live shows Ive seen in the past 6 months. If you believe in the neo soul revolution then you need to know about Plan B. I bore witness to his first U.S. show at the Bowery Ballroom and it was packed to the brim. He’s been selling out Europe’s biggest venues all year. Watch him switch seamlessly from love ballets like, “Love Goes Down” to Hip hop esque tunes like ” I Stay to Long” picture The Streets meets Marvin Gay. He also brings a human beat box with him that can do classic style to dubstep as an added bonus, not that he needs it.
Music to your ears - from ours - with love.
