Tag Archives: Best New Bands

The Best of Lists for NewBandDay 2013 & The Final Thoughts

31 Dec
The year is over and here are our lists

The year is over and here are our lists

Wow, this was an amazing year for music. Too many bands, too many songs and not enough minutes in the day. I hope you’ve enjoyed our Hummingbird Awards and now we present our best of lists. The final cherry on top of 2013. The Arizona Turk and I want thank each and every one of our readers. We love music, because it’s takes talent that we don’t have. Keep playing, keep making COMPLETE albums and let us help you find more fans. Don’t forget to favorite, follow, like and listen to our favorite best new artists! They need your support to keep making great music.

THAT’S A WRAP!

Russ “NBD Editor In Chief”
The Arizona Turk “Music Curator and Still a CD Buyer”

Russ The Editor’s 13 Favorite Songs of 2013:
1. Mutual Benefit “Let’s Play/Statue of a Man”
2. Yuck “Middle Sea”
3. Bill Ryder-Jones “Hanging Song”
4. Vampire Weekend “Step”
5. Blood Orange “Time Will Tell”
6. London Grammar “Wasting My Younger Years”
7. The War On Drugs “Red Eyes”
8. Autre Ne Veut “Play By Play”
9. Kurt Vile “Walking on A Pretty Day”
10. Holograms “Lay Us Down”
11. Volcano Choir “Comrade”
12. Conan Mockasin “Caramel”
13. Local Natives “Heavy Feet”

Russ The Editor’s Favorite Albums:
1. Deerhunter Monomania
2. Bill Ryder-Jones A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart
3. Mutual Benefit Love’s Crushing Diamond
4. Autre Ne Veut Anxiety
5. Yuck Glow and Behold
6. Blood Orange Cupid Deluxe
7. Dustin Tebbutt The Breach EP
8. London Grammar If You Wait
9. Diane Coffee My Friend Fish
10. Jonathon Wilson<Fanfare
11. Califone Stitches
12. Rhye Woman
13. Daughter If You Leave

Arizona Turks Favorite Songs:
1. Breton “Envy”
2. London Grammar “Metal & Dust”
3. Telegram “Follow”
4. Crystal Fighters “Bridge of Bones”
5. Holograms “Meditations”
6. Toy “Endlessly”
7. Hausu “Gardenia”
8. Holy Milk “Born and Die”
9. Eagulls “Nerve Endings”
10. Deafheaven “Vertigo”
11. Swim Deep “King City”
12. Mikal Cronin “Shout It Out”
13. Sub Focus “Endorphins”

Arizona Turks Albums
1. London Grammar If You Wait
2. Dustin Tebbutt The Breach EP
3. Hookworms Pearl Mystic
4. Holograms Forever
5. Forest Swords Engravings
6. Hausu Total
7. Daughter If You Leave
8. Savages Silence Yourself
9. Haim Days Are Gone
10. Speedy Ortiz Major Arcana
11. Rudimental Home
12. Rhye Woman
13. Disclosure Settle

These are Bands of 2014:
Eagulls
Dustin Tebbutt
All Dogs
The Bohicas
The Amazing Snakeheads
Holy Milk
Breton (They will crack the US in 2014)

Best Reissue:
Cabaret Voltaire: Collected Works (1983-1985) The 4 LP 6 CD 2 DVD version….an amazing history lesson!

Hummingbird Awards – ALL YOUR BEST NEW BANDS FROM 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013:

Hummingbird Awards 2013 RECAP – The Definitive Best New Artist List
#13 MS MR
#12 Swim Deep
#11 Holy Milk
#10 Mutual Benefit
#9 Diane Coffee
#8 Haerts
#7 Holograms
#6 Autre Ne Veult
#5 Hookworms
#4 Blood Orange
#3 Dustin Tebbutt
#2 London Grammar
#1 Bill Ryder-Jones

Hummingbird Awards 2012
Hummingbird Awards 2011
Hummingbird Awards 2010

Listen to the Hummingbird Award Winners Now

31 Dec

The Definitive List of the Best New Artists of 2013

The Definitive List of the Best New Artists of 2013


Here are all of the Hummingbird Award winners in order and in a pretty little Spotify playlist.

Hummingbird Awards 2013 RECAP – The Definitive Best New Artist List
#13 MS MR
#12 Swim Deep
#11 Holy Milk
#10 Mutual Benefit
#9 Diane Coffee
#8 Haerts
#7 Holograms
#6 Autre Ne Veult
#5 Hookworms
#4 Blood Orange
#3 Dustin Tebbutt
#2 London Grammar
#1 Bill Ryder-Jones

UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2012 (6.12.12) Pujol

12 Jun

Albert is no Daniel and Pujol is a great rock band.

UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2012 (6.12.12) Pujol
I know it’s Daniel’s last name, the founder and mastermind of the band, but do you, Daniel, understand our challenge? The Cardinal now Angel is darn lucky his parents didn’t punish him with a double entendre for a first name and that he could hit a baseball 450 ft. Angel fans all over the Anaheim area could be rooting for a slugger named Rip or Harry. It still amazes me that ESPN hasn’t done the play on words with his name, but I guess when you can hit a leather ball over a wall, they’ll let you be named anything. That is the same gracious gratitude we’ll give Daniel and his boys of Pujol. Because the band doesn’t sound like shit, they deserve the respect. But guys, how do I tell my Twitter followers that I am going to see Pujol at the club tonight. Either way, I love to rock with Pujol, Jesus guys, impossible to write about you, just listen to them.

Vitals:
Founded: 2009
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Members: Daniel Pujol, Adam Tanaka plays drums. Sean Thompson plays lead guitar and Joey Scala plays bass.
Sonic Soulmates™: Supergrass, I sense a bit of Corgan in the falsetto, Black Lips and the late great Jay Reatard
Trackables™:
“Providence”

“diy2K”

Follow:
Pujol Site
Facebook
Twitter @DANIELPUJOL

UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2012 (5.17.12) Kishi Bashi

17 May

Kishi Bashi is pure Joy for your mid-May afternoon. Enjoy


UNCORKED™ – Best New Bands of 2012 (5.17.12) Kishi Bashi
Some little bird told me that Kishi Bashi made her cry at his show in Boston. I said, “Come on, tears? This isn’t the 1984 Victory Tour with the Jacksons”, but I will say that his Flaming Lipsish soft orchestra approach is alluring. His live shows are mesmerizing and women, children and men may spontaneously weep, but it’s his layered complicated approach that will get him the notoriety he so deserves. Fall in love with Kishi like we have, the video game accompanying tracks make for a joyful experience, hear “Bright Whites” as he blends Eastern sounds with Western friendly tracks. Two tracks below. New record 151a is available here.

Vitals:
Hometown: Norfolk, VA
Members: K Ishibashi (aka Kishi Bashi) – He is a one man army of orchestral layers, Japanese vocals, and pure joy
Sonic Soulmates™: Flaming Lips, Brian Wilsonesque Smile,
Trackables™:
“It All Began with a Burst”

“Bright Whites”

Follow:
KishiBashi.com
Facebook
Twitter

Band of the Day 3.14.11 Chet

14 Mar

Chet where are you? We love these Victoria, BC natives


Band of the Day (3.14.11) Chet

It’s been two years and this vote is more of a call to action. Four albums and Chet has been in hibernation. It was CBC3 that reminded us of their brilliant folk sound. It’s part Devendra, part Nick Drake and a little MMJ. Where the hell have you gone Chet? We’re so sad but yet we hold out hope. Four albums, and two years of hiatus. Their last album Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home was a brilliant record, addressing love lost, heart and soul. From what I know and have read, Canada’s greatest living song writer is a vineyard field hand and postal worker living in rural Western Canada. Ryan Beattie, the lead dog of Chet writes from the heart, with a similar approach to Conor Oberst. He can articulate heartbreak and acceptance of flaws so well. Just listen and help bring Chet back to us!

*****UPDATE******
Spoke with Ryan last evening and he mentioned that their priorities have shifted and Ryan is focused on Himalayan Bear. His second record Attacks The Brilliant Air was just released and it’s quite good. Check it out here:

Follow:
Hometown: Victoria, BC
Members:
Patrick Beattie vocal, organ, guitar
Issac Flaag drum
Ryan Beattie guitar, vocal
Megan Boddy viola, vocal
Thomas Sheilds bass guitar, trippy shit
Matt Skillings piano/wurlitzer, head banging
Sonic Soulmates: Devendra Banhart, Nick Drake, Neutral Milk Hotel
Trackables:
“The Night The Night”

“By Night Into Paradise”

Buy Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home on VINYL Now!

Follow Chet:
Facebook
MySpace

Band of the Day 3.1.11 Boas

1 Mar

RIchmond's Boas is Tyler Newbold and it's electronic bliss


Band of the Day 3.1.11 Boas

It’s the first day of March and after almost 60 days I don’t think we’ve profiled an ambient heavy electronic solo artist. Well Boas is Richmond, VA Tyler Newbold’s solo effort and it’s tough to place him into a genre or a sonic family. It’s one part experimental, one part psychadelica and a whole lot of cleverness. Take Thievery Corporation and place them in the studio with Stereolab. What do you get a gigantic experimental sound that rival the moodiness of Radiohead. It’s a bold statement and comparison, but what do we care, it’s TRUE. Boas can be that good, this is just the start, so follow now!

Pick-up Boas new LP Grave Dreams for FREE at Band Camp

Vitals:
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Members: Tyler Newbold
Sonic Soulmates: Thievery Corporation Meets Radiohead Meets Broken Social Scene Meets Stereolab
Must Hear Tracks:
“A Little Less Familiar” – Heavy beats, high falsettos and a brilliant track

“State of Colliding” – What the hell is this, I happen to adore it. Just get to 4:00 minutes and you’ll be in love

“No Reflection” – Just a disarming amount of layered beats. Wowoowowowo

Follow Boas:
MySpace

Band of the Day 2.24.11 Star Slinger

24 Feb

No question that Star Slinger is the best new band of 2011


Band of the Day 2.24.11 Star Slinger

What the hell. Amazing doesn’t describe what Star Slinger provides. It all started on April 10th of 2010, when the Nottinghamshire beat master Darren Williams went record shopping in Manchester’s North Quarter. By June 2010 Darren had pieced together his first LP “Volume 1”, recording tracks when they came to him, even in his bed. He’s so much better than Toro y Moi,

He’s now produced 26 official tracks, one ginormous LP and a buzz that is unstoppable. He’s also remixed Small Black’s “Photojournalist”, Deerhunter’s “Helicopter” and has been leaking out unofficial remixes from Broken Social Scene, etc. Look for Star Slinger to release “Volume 2” very very soon. Below you’ll find our three favorite tracks from “Volume 1” and his most recent EP released via SoundCloud.

Vitals:
Hometown: Nottinghamshire, UK
Members: Darren Williams
Sonic Soulmates: Girl Talk, LCD Soundsystem, Keep Shelly in Athens, J Dilla, Toro Y Moi, Mathemagic
Must Hear Tracks:
“Mornin” – Just the best track of the year!!!!

“Elizabeth Fraser (COCTEAU TWINS REWORK)”– Poking at my heartstrings by remixing one of our favorite artists of all-time with our all-time favorite track “Heaven or Las Vegas”

“Minted”

Hear the most recent EP tracks now, posted 10 days ago:
“Casanova’s Jump Off”

“Slow ‘N’ Wet”

“Baby Daddy”

Follow:
Star Slinger official site
Twitter
SoundCloud
BandCamp
Tumblr
Facebook

Band of the Day (2.23.11) Sic Alps

23 Feb

SF Fuzz rockers bring it with 22 new tracks on their new record!


Band of the Day (2.23.11) Sic Alps

Following-up on my theory that this year’s music babies are from two distinct camps…the ladies of fuzzy Phil Spector and garage rock…Where La Sera was the former today Sic Alps is the latter. I can’t say enough about the vibe from Sic Alps. They crush it and they’re not embarrassed to own it. I the fact that they grind out the catchable hooks and they repeat what they love. Arizona Turk has a hidden rock love underneath his electronic skin, so I know when I get rock bands from him, they’re going to be quality. There isn’t a rock genre that he’s missed. What I love most about Sic Alps is their ability to combine their fuzzy garage rock vibe with classic sounds, strong hooks and harmonies that rival some of the best and they’re unforgiving with 22 tracks. 22 tracks and I can’t find one that sucks. Really! Give em a whirl and admit that you love them. When they slow it down, they’ve got a little Elvis Costello vibe.

Grab Napa Asylum now on a 2X Vinyl set…came out on 1.25.11

Vitals:
Hometown: San Francisco…THE PLACE IS RULING THIS YEAR!
Members: Mike Donovan and Matt Hartman
Sonic Soulmates: Lou Reed sometimes, Elvis Costello sometimes, Thee Oh Sees, 90’s fuzz rock (Pavement), Ty Segall and 60’s Bay Ares Psych rock
Must Hear Tracks:
“Jolly” – Opening track gives you the hint!

“Nathan Livingston Maddox” – Slow it down Lou Reed style

“Meter Man” – My favorite track….not so lo-fi, but fuzzy and brilliant!

Follow Sic Alps:
Official Site
Facebook

Band of the Day – 2.15.11 Howlin Rain

15 Feb

It is Howlin Rain and you will be too when you hear the new EP


Band of the Day – 2.15.11 Howlin Rain

The rules are the rules, but sometimes you have to break them. Our tradition is to focus on bands that are near the beginning. A record or two at the most, but we can’t deny one of our faves Howlin Rain the glory of Band of the Day. Howlin Rain is a native San Francisco band, formed in 2004, released two LPs and now…a glorious EP. It’s brilliant and it’s time they hit the road and got their just due. We’ve been fans for years and we’re so glad to share them with you. The first time I heard them I thought I sent back to 1968 listening to Radio Luxembourg or DJ John Peel. That underground culture was fueled by zines like IT (International Times) and OZ magazine. It’s not too different than today. The market has been disrupted and the bloggers are fueling today’s music revolution. There are so many new bands and the good ones need your love. Listen to Howlin Rain.

Vitals:
Hometown: Formed in Oakland, CA
Members:
Ethan Miller – Vocals, Guitar
Joel Robinow – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Cyrus Comiskey – Bass
Raj Ojha – Drums
Sonic Soulmates: Rod Stewart, Faces, Dead Meadow, Dungen, Traffic, Cream

Must Hear Tracks
“Burning The Midnight Lamp” – Rod Stewart 70’s wailing coupled with psychedelic guitar

“Hung Out in The Rain” – Just a perfect 70’s style love tune. Might be their best track.

Follow Howlin Rain:
Facebook
MySpace
Official Site

Band of the Day 2.10.11 The Dodos

10 Feb

The Dodos Finally Finally Finally have a 4th LP


Band of the Day 2.10.11 THE DoDoS

Here again we have another case of a Laney Boggs band. Curious what a Laney Boggs band is? Well Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook in She’s All That should answer that question. The teen romance story where your best friend of the opposite sex listens to you rant all night long about your horrible relationship, then in one moment you realize, “Damn she is really hottttt.” Maybe she removed her glasses, or got dressed up for prom, whatever it is, it’s a classic story and The Dodos are a perfect fit. The SF duo of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber have been trolling the small venues since 2005, playing gigs, putting out 3 LPs, 2008’s Visiter was very good, and it took their single “Black Knight” to make us realize how amazing they truly are. It’s simple drum guitar beat is great, but the vocals remind me of 2005 faves Born Ruffians or last year’s Morning Benders. The guitar slapping at the end reminds me of “Cherub Rock” by the Pumpkins, but it’s the whole package that makes this track great. I love this track and from what has slipped into my Inbox…the album is going to be huge. The album No Color is slated for March 15th and is rumored to have guest appearances from Neko Case, etc. The Dodos should be on your radar, and SXSW may be their Prom dress.

Vitals for The Dodos:
Hometown: San Francisco, CA, USA
Members: Meric Long, Logan Kroeber
Sonic Soulmates: Born Ruffians, Morning Benders, Smashing Pumpkins, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys
Must Hear Tracks:
“Black Night” – Really might be my favorite track of 2011 so far. Gotta listen to it.

“Winter” – From the Visiter record and it’s shows their depth.

“Don’t Stop”

Pre-Order No Color On Vinyl NOW

Follow The Dodos:
Facebook
MySpace
Official Site
Twitter

Band of the Day (2.8.11) Dead Ghosts

8 Feb

Garage Rock that is Really GOOD DEAD GHOSTS


Band of the Day (2.8.11) Dead Ghosts

I have to admit that this year is shaping up to be a fantastic music year. Can’t quite get a grasp on what trends are hitting or where we’re headed but it’s clear that the bands are getting better and that we’re going to have one kick-ass summer. That being said, I feel as if we’ve neglected a few bands or genres for that matter. We got so excited with the return of rock that we forgot to profile garage bands. Those fantastic dudes that grind out 2 minute tracks ripping and shreading their way through an album. This years fave so far has to be Dead Ghosts. Why, because they’re a cross between Harlem of last year, The Vandals, a tame Dead Kennedys, The Walkmen and The Byrds. They got a little doo-wop in em too. They’re no JJ Revue, but they’re good. Buddy Holly cool. The boys are from Vancouver, their record was released late 2010 and it’s 13 tracks of pure garage bliss. I think only two tracks surpass the 3:30 mark…haha, gotta love Canadian surf garage rock.

Vitals for Dead Ghosts
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Members:
Bryan – Guitar, Vocals
Andrew – Guitar
Michael – Drums
Moe – Bass
Sonic Soulmates: The Vandals, Buddy Holly, JJ Revue, Dead Kennedys, The Walkmen, The Swamp Rats, The Ronettes’
Must Hear Tracks:
“When It Comes to You” – By far the best track of the record and it’s the first one….Premature Musication!

“What to Do” – Buddy Holly meeting Kids in the Hall…LOVE THAT SHOW. The best thing to come out of Canada in 1991!

“I Want Your Love” – The Walkmen meet The Shirelles

Follow Dead Ghosts:
MySpace
Twitter
Facebook

Band of the Day 2.2.11 Suuns

2 Feb

Suuns the best NEW BAND of 2011 --- REALLY

Band of the Day 2.2.11 Suuns

Arizona Turk reminds me on a daily basis to write about one his 2010 gems Suuns. It’s not that they aren’t worthy of a BOD nod, it’s just that they got lost in the shuffle. Suuns of Montreal, CN really are worthy… Their album, Zeroes QC, was released late 2010, and it received tons of accolades. They have groove rock tracks, mixed with heavy electro beats. They’re part Clinic, part MGMT, part Beck and part Thievery Corporation. These Canadian lads have the groove of MGMT and the swagger of David Bowie. I love their sound. It’s so unexpected, it’s kinda shocking. Give em a listen and love em like we do!

Vitals:
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Members: Ben Shemie, Liam O’Neill, Max Henry, Joseph Yarmush
Sonic Soulmates: MGMT, Clinic, The Besnard Lakes, The Kills, Thievery Corporation with some Beck vocals
Must Hear Tracks:

“Arena” – Probably the best tack on the record

“Sweet Nothing” – If David Bowie recorded a track with MGMT.

“Up Past The Nursery” – I feel a little Beck with MGMT here

Follow Suuns:
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter

Band of the Day (1.31.11) Chalk and Numbers

31 Jan

Authentic pure quality sound of 60's bubblegum love pop - Chalk and Numbers


Band of the Day (1.31.11) Chalk and Numbers

Well you all are familiar with Tennis from our 2010 Hummingbird awards? Right? I used “Y’all because I am catching a connecting flight in Dallas right now. Well, the 60s pop XX/XY duo was a hot thingy in 2010. Many bands attempted it, many failed. Tennis succeeded because it captured the finest of The Walkmen, griity, somber rock guitar with what amounts to a perfect set of female vocals. Chalk and Numbers is even more of the 60’s bubblegum pop. Yeah 2010 was the year of it, but 2011 is the year others perfect it. Hell there were many many MP3 players before the iPod. It just took Apple to make the best one, with the content store…Chalk and Numbers are authentic and if you added some pop and crackle, you’d swear it was a 45 from 1963. I’m not equating Chalk and Numbers to Apple, but I am comparing them to Tennis. I think they’ve nailed the sound and the tamborines just close the deal for me. I’m sold. Hell it’s fun music, so enjoy it and let Chalk and Numbers know you love em too. Got the band tip from these “new to the scene” chaps from @_DeadJournalist on Twitter…Muchas Gracias. Find him here

Vitals
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Members: Sable Yong and Andrew Pierce
Sonic Soulmates: Spectoresque, The Shangri-Las, Tennis, Jenny and Johnny, Fitz and the Tantrums
Must hear tracks:
“Here With Eachother” – It’s The Byrds with a little Tennis and whole lot of 60’s bubblegum love all over it.

“I Really Want to Work This Out” – Just so good.

Grab their new EP at BandCamp for free or a small price!

Follow Chalk and Numbers:
MySpace
Facebook