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.