Bands to Watch 2011 - Part 3//
Welcome to part three of our bands to watch for 2011 list. In case you missed part one and two you can look back on those now. Also, check out our wrap up of last years bands to watch 2010. We have a pretty big list of artists some you definitely know and some you may have never heard of. Either way we think all of them are gonna have the best year ever!
Oh Land- Jeff says… My room mate stumbled upon this Danish ballerina turned electro-pop siren as soon as the new year’s ball dropped and I expect to be dancing to her tracks for the next 11 months at the very least. Nanna Øland Fabricius crafts simple, bubbly tracks that hipsters on both sides of bridges everywhere will gobble right up. Not to mention she’s the cutest dance babe since Annie. She currently resides in Williamsburg, so expect her to make the rounds in full force this year. Check out my fave “White Nights
Young The Giant- Jess says… SoCal based rockers, formerly called The Jakes, have been playing music together since their early high school years. Now around 22 years old, their collective talent precedes their age. Their rock n’ roll tunes with pop-style catchiness will put them on the map this year. Their single “My Body” is Kings of Leon-esque so if you are a fan, that’s a good place to start. Other tunes like “Gun’s Out” and the song that started their fan base “Cough Syrup”, remind you of Coldplay with a little more substance.
Fitz and the Tantrums- Jess says… Recently named in the Huffington post as one of the bands to watch in 2011 we couldn’t agree more. Jess, recently had the chance to catch them at the Bowery Ballroom and witness how their unique brand of soul from the west coast got the crowd moving. If you like to dance and want to be thoroughly entertained this is the band for you. Like Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, Lee Fields and The Expressions and Plan B they are leading the way in the neo soul revolution which is gaining momentum on and about to explode. You will be hearing a lot from them as well as this genre in 2011.
Jamaica- Kylie says… These two French dudes rocked at Summafieldayze on the Goldy this year. Can’t wait to hear more from them. Jamaica has deconstructed American rock music over the past 20 years, everything from guitar progressions to meaningless lyrics. Already in strife over their name, Antoine Hilaire and Flo Lyonnet have a quintessentially French approach to creating undeniably catchy pop music with an electronic feel (sans the synths), while intentionally embracing rock star clichés. This year they’re proving they’ve got all the ingredients vital to rock band success.
Ratatat- Kylie says… Brooklyn duo, Mike Stroud and Evan Mast, have been mixing electronics with guitars for the past decade. I just caught them at the Auckland Big Day Out, as they embark upon a 2011 World Tour. Collaborations with Kid Cudi, Bjork remixes, and four albums with songs like Lex, Wild Cats and Seventeen Years have made them completely hip. But Ratatat live on stage is a whole other ball game. It’s “an aural, visual and physical assault of synths, guitar, hypnotic video and boundless energy.” Experience it for yourself.
Duck Sauce- Kylie says… House supergroup Armand Van Helden and A-Trak (Chromeo’s brother) gave us their catchy “Barbara Streisand” back in October. Expect more great tracks from them in 2011, as well as many festival appearances.
-music from our ears. to yours. with love.
