Meet Mark, the man behind Yvynyl, a Philadelphia based indie music blog that takes the term indie to a whole new level. Anytime I’m feeling all hip, smug and on top of my music game, I just head on over to his site for a dose of reality. Because quite often I haven’t even heard of many of the bands he’s recommending. And they’re all good. (GODDAMNIT!) Enjoy his picks for 2011. Most likely they are bands you’ve never heard of.
Scott McDonald runs the LA-based music blog, Surfing On Steam, and is also a contributing writer for the renowned Aquarium Drunkard. Every once in a while I need to balance my garage-psych yang with a little electro-ambient ying and Scott’s site usually has just the anecdote. I turn to it often to troll his recommendations in those categories. Here are Scott’s picks for Bands to Watch in 2011.
Bryan Duquette
Promoter, Another Planet Entertainment (APE)
If you live in the Bay Area, you know APE. For those that don’t, Another Planet is a Bay Area concert production company that organizes the best festivals in San Francisco, like Treasure Island Music Fest and Outside Lands. They also book the most coveted venues in town like The Fox Theater in Oakland and The Independent. Bryan is one of the brains behind the music we all enjoy here. Here are his picks for 2011.
Beirut
Zach condon hasn’t released a full length since 2007’s “The Flying Cub Cup”. He will grace us again with his orchestral beauty and french horn in 2011 with a brand new record. The world needs more Beirut.
Okkervil River
Will Sheff may be disheveled, but he’s a lyrical genius and writes a superb pop song. He’s backed Roky Erikson recently and will lead Okkervil River to the forefront this year. Folk music is the new black.
Aloe Blacc is an old soul. He released “Good Things” in late 2010, but isn’t a household name yet. One listen to his single “I Need A Dollar” and you know what’s next for Aloe.
Seattle (The Head and The Heart / Fleet Foxes)
The Fleet Foxes may be the critic’s darlings, but The Head and The Heart are knocking on that door. The scene is strong in Seattle and these acts are paving the way. Both groups dig on harmonies and flannel and will have new material in 2011.
Mexican Summer
This label is putting out the records of the best artists you have never heard of…Real Estate, Tamaryn, Kurt Vile, Best Coast, Weekend, Washed Out, Young Prisms and Tallest Man on Earth to name a few. Check out anything they put out in 2011.
The Antlers
Their complex and layered music is more accessible than you think. If you haven’t heard them yet, you will. Look for their sophomore album in 2011.
Artist: The Veils
Album: Troubles of the Brain EP
Homeland: UK
Release Date: 1/25/11
Featured Track: “Bloom”
I heart The Veils. I adore Veils frontman Finn Andrews, son of XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews. There is a pathos and passion to his music that moves me to no end. And they’re great live. See them if you have the chance. Pick up their new EP on 1/25/11.
As much fun as year end ‘Best Of’ lists are, I find the new artists releases starting in January even more exciting. For me, wrap up lists are more about catching what you’ve missed. But from now until SXSW in March there is always a building crescendo of album releases and buzz. It’s a busy time and fun to predict the bands that are going to pop. So all this week I’m featuring a series on the bands to watch in 2011 with picks from some of my favorite and trusted fellow music bloggers and industry insiders. Sharpen your pencils. Here’s mine to start things off.
Artist: Abbe May
Album: Forthcoming
Release Date: May 2011
Homeland: Australia (Perth)
Track: “Mammalian Locomotion“ (original)
“Mammalian Locomotion (Kevin Parker & Cam Avery of Tame Impala) Remix”
With a new album coming out this spring and the first single already remixed by Tame Impala, I expect this Aussie blues siren to become a household name.
Artist: The Vaccines
Album: What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
Release Date: March 21, 2011
Homeland: London, England
Track: “Blow It Up”
The demo tape of this mystery band caused an industry sensation in the UK late last year. The details of the group are out, but the hype has not subsided. NME named the group as one of the 20 bands you need to hear in 2011 and BBC Sound of 2011 put them on the top of their list. Already feeling the pressure of the hype, the group has appropriately named their debut album, “What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?”. We’ll shall see.
Artist: Sun Airway
Album: Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier
Release Date: Out Now
Homeland: Philadelphia, PA
Featured Tracks: “Put the Days Away”
My jaw dropped the first time I saw this band live. They were the first of three openers. But I predict they will not be a supporting act for long and will follow a similar trajectory to that of, say, Animal Collective.
Artist: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Album: Horse Power EP
Release Date: Out Now
Homeland: Detroit, MI
Featured Tracks: “Nothing But Our Love”
With their race car getups and feel good Beach Boys inspired music, I think you’ll be hearing more good vibrations from this band in 2011.
Artist: New Mexico (formally Apes of Wrath)
Album: Have You Met My Friend? EP
Release Date: Out Now
Homeland: San Diego, CA
Track: “Abused and Amused”
Simply because I love them. So much.
Artist: Lia Ices
Album: Grown Unknown
Release Date: 1/25/11
Label: Jagjaguwar
Featured Track: “Grown Unknown”
Signed by a tastemaker label, represented by the right publicist, highlighted in the NY Times for her CMJ performance, already on the shortlist for SXSW with a debut album set to release this month. And oh, it includes a track with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Sounds like a recipe for success to me.
Artist: Tape Deck Mountain
Album: Secret Serf EP
Homeland: San Diego, CA
Release Date: 1.11.11
Featured Track: “It Goes Down”
Tape Deck Mountain’s debut album, Ghost, was one of my favorite albums of 2009. If you haven’t heard it, go check it out. Well worth the listen. Filled with ambient electronics and intricate layers, it’s the perfect winter elixir. Happily they’re planning another winter release, Secret Serf EP, due out on 1.11.11. So auspicious.
Artist: Papercuts
Album: Fading Parade
Homeland: San Francisco, CA
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Label: Subpop
Featured Track: “Do What You Will”
Reason #139 why I love this town. ‘Nuff said.
Artist: Bear Hands
Album: Burning Bush Supper Club
Track: “Crime Pays”
I’ve been spooling on this debut LP from Brooklyn-based Bear Hands for the past couple of weeks, especially this track. It’s just downright irresistible. If you like MGMT, Passion Pit and Animal Collective, you’ll like this. So get on it and order it here. Because everyone knows that crime DOESN’T pay artists.
Artist: Young Circles
Album: Bones EP
Homeland: Miami, FL USA
Release Date: 1.11.11
Featured Track: “Sharp Teeth”
What do you get when you cross Beck, The Flaming Lips and English space rock? Audio heaven. Holy crap. Meet my first favorite EP 0f 2011. I’m in love with this Miami-based trio. Such a fresh sound. The group, comprised of high school buddies Jeff Rose, David Barnard, and Jordy Asher, all come from different musical backgrounds – jazz, blues, and Brit rock, respectively. They all did their time playing in a variety of psych and garage rock bands but quickly realized their musical synergy and thus the band was born. Lucky for us. Get into it.
Last night I had the great fortune to see The Flaming Lips play a teeny tiny bar, The Belly Up, in Aspen, Colorado. The excitement of seeing a band that sells out venues to the thousands in such an intimate setting was palpable. Everyone was smiling knowing they were in for a treat. Even though the venue size was constraining, they did not hold back on their usual theatrics. In typical fashion, Wayne opened the show with his hamster ball trick, busting stage lights and his man bubble along the way. Cannon confetti guns, laser lights, smoke machines, dancing bears and bouncing balls added to the euphoria of the evening. Considering the joint only held a few hundred, it had to be a money losing proposition for them. But joy of that performance was so transcendental it will not soon be forgotten. What a great show to wrap up 2010. While I’m no concert photographer, I hope you enjoy some of my amateur shots and video. Long live The Flaming Lips!
the OCMD 