Tag Archives: dale earnhardt jr. jr.

Bands to Watch 2011 :: Steve Brodsky, Figurehead Management

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Steve is a partner at Figurehead Management, a San Francisco-based artist management company that currently manages bands like The Heavy, Orgone, A B & The Sea and Wallpaper.Here are Steve’s picks for 2011.

Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr: I’ve been hooked on this group since I heard their song Vocal Chords from their debut EP.  I’ve listened to these songs so much that it’s borderline embarrassing and can’t wait for their full length.  There is something so current and progressive with an underlying pop sensibility about what they’re doing.  I can see them playing with everyone from Local Natives to Vampire Weekend in 2011.  Wonder how long it will be before NASCAR fans join the already growing party?


Odd Future (OFWGKTA) : The subject matter addressed by this grimy West Coast skate rap crew is certainly not for the faint of heart.  They mix raw emotion and reckless abandon that can only come from youth and a level of creativity that the hip hop world hasn’t seen in a ages.  Bands like The XX already have copped to listening to the group and there will be labels lined up for a piece of Odd Future in 2011.

One of the best twitter handles out.  http://twitter.com/fucktyler


Gordon Voidwell: I had the pleasure of meeting and seeing Will Johnson aka Gordon Voidwell perform a few times in 2010 and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. His mix tape has been on repeat in my headphones and I anxiously await his full length in 2011. His style to me combines a little Zapp a little Prince and a little Cameo and even New Edition.  While clearly well versed in his history he manages to create a unique and Original sound at the same time and his live show could make even the biggest wallflower shake their ass. Download “White Friends” on RCRDLBL.


Tennis: I certainly can’t claim to be a fan of all of the “lo-fi” acts that ruled the indie landscape in 2010.  Aside from the fact it left audio engineers in well-fare lines it’s a trend I’ve been happy to see even some of it’s forefathers ditch in favor of glossier production recently.  That said when I first heard this bands song ‘Marathon” I was blown away by it’s beauty and simplicity.  This band will be a break out band in 2011 in a similar way to how 2010 belonged to Best Coast.  Aside from fantastic songs they have a great back-story to build on.  They have me ready to break out my wooden racket and booty shorts .


Foster The People: “Pumped Up Kicks” is a flat out HIT record.  It combines a sense of indie cool with a true mainstream sensibility. I see it being one of those songs that hits mainstream radio and breaks format much the way Broken Bells“The High Road” did In 2010.  It’s type of record you hope will come on while you’re in the car and your iPod lost charge and your  subscription to Sirius has expired.  Word has it they’re in the studio with super producer Paul Epworth so I see no stopping this band in 2011.


The OCMD :: Bands to Watch in 2011

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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.

Don’t Miss The Rumble SF Tomorrow: Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr, Taxes, Oona

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “Simple Girl”

OONA – “Trouble” 

Be sure to catch one of the more buzzed about bands right now, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.,  live and for free tomorrow night at Milk for The Rumble San Francisco along with Taxes and our very own Oona. Admission is free with an RSVP here. With DJ Bagel Ted spinning and Trumer Pils specials all night, it’s a no brainer. Show starts at 9 PM.


Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “Nothing But Our Love”

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – “Nothing But Our Love”

I’m betting on Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Why? Because I know how to pick a name. Ask my Dad. Being the daughter of a race horse breeder, I spent far too much time at the race track learning how to gamble at a tender age. Oh, the countless hours he spent trying to make me a shrewd and savvy horse gambler. Teaching me how to read the programs, analyze the stats, make a wager. Instead I would tune him out and study all the race horse names and their intended puns…B Sharp, Flurtini, Let’s Make Ideal, Minor de Best.  See, isn’t that so much more fun than crunching numbers and stats? I think so.

So I’m putting $5 on Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. to Show. Described as “Michigan’s answer to The Morning Benders”, I love their EP Horse Power with it’s Beach Boy-esque harmonies and bubbly beats. It’s pure feel good music. Plus I appreciate the duo’s ethos to become professional men of music and leisure. Let’s all support them in this quest, shall we? You can start by seeing them September 8 at The Rumble San Francisco. RSVP here.