12 Bands to Check Out in 2011

[It’s Guest Post time.  There is so much incredible new music hitting Pandora/Last.fm/Jango/Spotify stations, I’m dizzy.  Here to offer some steadying guidance is music super-enthusiast C. Loren Bishop with a guest post calling out just a few bands worth checking out this year.  Know of more bands we should check out?  Add it to the comments section.  Take it away, CLB.] Each year, several hot music groups go from relative obscurity to musical stardom. So far, quite a few have been noticed as break-out bands to watch in 2011. If you’ve missed any of the groups on this list, look for their videos online – YouTube or the VLC media player can help you watch videos no matter which format was used to create the file. Whichever way you do it, make sure you check out these artists. 1. Wild Beasts This art-rock band features glam renditions of songs similar to Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes with attention-grabbing tempo changes and glistening guitar leads. However, the most noticeable part of this English band’s sound is the shrill, falsetto voice of Hayden Thorpe that’s perfectly accompanied by the deeper tenor of bassist Tom Fleming. Check out: “All the King’s Men.” 2. Empire Of The Sun This glam duo has been attracting dedicated fans with their over-the-top shows and outer-space themes. Who wouldn’t love their superhero names? With Emperor Steele and Lord Littlemore taking center stage, the audience is guaranteed a thrill. Don’t miss the title track “Walking on a Dream.” 3. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti Once a cult figure, Ariel Pink is now recording with a real band, a real producer, and in a real studio. As the world has discovered Ariel, expect this band’s popularity to grow. Check out the song (and album cover) “Round and Round.” 4. Best Coast Popular with bloggers, Best Coast is expected to be a hit with mainstream music lovers in 2011. Crazy for You has attracted the kind of hype, and backlash, that guarantees everyone will be paying attention to the next move this band makes. Don’t miss “Boyfriend” and “When I’m With You.” 5. Kisses As Jesse Kivel’s sideline project, this disco-pop band has generated plenty of interest from the blog community and is forecasted to be the next “it” music group. It became hot as the first album was “leaked” onto the Internet prior to the expected release date. Check out: “Bermuda.” 6. The Morning Benders This little-known band had a break-out hit with their second LP, Big Echo. This aptly-named creation met with critical acclaim and popular attention from growing audiences. Listen to “Excuses.” 7. Sleigh Bells With the combination of pop hooks and overdrive, thrilled listeners expected this band to be a resounding success in 2010. While their first album, Treats, was not quite as well-received as the unreleased tracks that their audience had listened to previously, this is still a band to watch in 2011. Don’t miss “Tell ‘Em” and “Kids.” 8. Surfer Blood From a strictly East Coast band to international sensations in a single year, this alternative-rock band has made loud guitars, fuzzy chords, and ballsy power anthems popular again. Check out “Swim.” 9. Tame Impala This retro pop band from a remote area of Australia made it big with their first LP, Innerspeaker, in 2010. Expect more of the same in 2011. Listen to “Solitude is Bliss.” 10. Warpaint Rocking out on their first album, The Fool, this all-female band has a growing group of fans. The Fool gives the listener a true feeling of why they’re a much-loved live band that’s expected to become even more popular in the coming year. Don’t miss “Elephants” and “Undertow.” 11. Zola Jesus Goth singer Zola Jesus has been noticed by mainstream audiences in 2010. As she comes out of the shadows, look for more indie hits from this rising star. Check out “Night.” 12. GarageSpin Mike is a Social Media and Internet Marketing professional who lives out his rock star fantasies thorough his alter ego GarageSpin. He’s recording his first album as we speak, but for now, check out “Spinning Daydream.”  [Editor’s Note: Aw shucks, you shouldn’t have.  What’s your PayPal ID again?] Keep an eye, or an ear, out for more from these break-out bands in 2011. And don’t say I didn’t tell you so. C. Loren Bishop is a lover of all things creative. She likes to write, and has an obsession with crossword puzzles. She’s recently started blogging, and you can follow her on Twitter @cbishopBG.]]>