Hummingbird Award 2010

Tag Archives: Hummingbird Award 2010

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #1 The Tallest Man on Earth

The Tallest Man on Earth changed our world that's why he is the Hummingbird

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #1 The Tallest Man on Earth

Yep, this is it…the Number 1 Hummingbird. The voice, the songwriting, the perfection that is the final Hummingbird is The Tallest Man on Earth. Why, you ask? Well, the Swedes dominated music this year, with artists like The Radio Dept., Sambassadeur and Little Children being a key source of our favorite bands. Hell, two out of our top three Hummingbirds come from Sweden. Kristian Matsson is an exquisite songwriter/poet:
Why are you stabbing my illusion?
Just cause I stole some eagle’s wings
Because you named me as your lover
Well, I thought I could be anything.

His lyrics stitch together stories of potentially impeded regal dreams, the coming of Odin’s Wild Hunt, death, heartbreak and love diverted. His voice is ashy, with a nasal flare, similar to great Dylan tracks, but when you hear his live sessions, he loses the falsetto and you hear a pure beauty. His comparison to Dylan is not just of the vocal nature, but how he exposes you to the colors of words through song. You get lost in his words forgetting it’s just a man with a guitar, he’s a story-teller. This was a year that The Music Muse and I went to many shows, but no other show captured our souls more than seeing TTMOE at the Brookdale Lodge in the Santa Cruz mountains. He wrapped his words around the crowd of 200 and we were all shaken. He didn’t stop creating either, he did showcases, EPs, LPs, etc. He produced quality music the entire year.

He is the reason why I love music, why I love to share music, why we endure the crap…he is the gem that was excavated one Winter morning back in February, and now he is THE MOST IMPORTANT NEW ARTIST OF 2010. Thank you Kristian for making and creating.

Vitals:
Hometown: Dalarna, Sweden
Members: Kristian Mattson
Sonic Soulmates: Bob Dylan, John Vanderslice not too many others can be compared to him
Tracks of the Year:
“King of Spain” – Regal dreams are the best dreams, but not when you’re lover is trying to hold you down.

“You’re Going Back” – Seriously this is just one guy and his guitar.

“The Wild Hunt” – One of the greatest opening tracks of an album. He’s waiting for Odin to arrive and he’ll be leaving in the fall.

Best of 2010…So Far write-up in June

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
TMOE Site

2010 Hummingbird Awards
Hummingbird Award #20: Crocodiles
Hummingbird Award #19: Miniature Tigers
Hummingbird Award #18: Gamble House
Hummingbird Award #17: Tame Impala
Hummingbird Award #16: Paper Crows
Hummingbird Award #15: Perfume Genius
Hummingbird Award #14: The Fresh & Onlys
Hummingbird Award #13: Tennis
Hummingbird Award #12: Memoryhouse
Hummingbird Award #11: Karkwa
Hummingbird Award #10: Lord Huron
Hummingbird Award #9: Sleigh Bells
Hummingbird Award #8: Crystal Fighters
Hummingbird Award #7: Efterklang
Hummingbird Award #6: Best Coast
Hummingbird Award #5: Jim Jones Revue
Hummingbird Award #4: Chapel Club
Hummingbird Award #3: The Radio Dept.
Hummingbird Award #2: The Pomegranates
Hummingbird Award #1: The Tallest Man on Earth

Tags: #1, #1 Hummingbird Award, Best New Artist of 2010, Best New Band of 2010, Best New Music of 2010, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, King of Spain, Kristian Matsson, Sweden, The Most Important New Band, The Tallest Man on Earth, Winner

Comments 19 Comments
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #2 The Pomegranates

28 Dec

It's All Yours Pomegranates, go get the Hummingbird

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #2 The Pomegranates

Seriously, in November we all thought the #3 best new bands were set. The Pomegranates had a nice single hitting the college radio charts and so we profiled them. Then I spent a few weeks with the new album One Of Us and I was impressed. I spent time with them on my headphones on BART, on my car stereo, on my home stereo. Every time the shuffle pulled up one of their tracks, I stopped to check who it was. It hit me on a trip to Columbus, I listened to “Prouncer” and realized that these guys are worthy of the #1 spot for our Hummingbird Awards. What about The Radio Dept? What about Jim Jones Revue? Well The Pomegranates hit #2 and we’re confident in saying that they are that good. The album is a collection of fuzzy surf sounds, 90’s Brit Rock and early 80’s new wave. They’re Surfer Blood mixed with Blur with a dash of U2 Boy. These guys are GREAT and they are one of the Best New Bands of 2010.

Vitals:
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Band Members: Joey Cook – Vocals, Guitars/Keyboards, Isaac Karns – Vocals/Guitars/Keyboards, Jacob Merritt – Drums, Daniel Lyon – Vocals/Guitars
Sonic Soulmates: Blur, Oasis, U2, The Radio Dept. and of course Surfer Blood
Tracks of the Year:
“Prouncer”

“One of Us” – Spacey, shoe-gaze love track. Might be my fave. A little U2 bass line

Daytrotter Session: HERE

Original BOD Post: 11.4.10

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook

Tags: #2, #2 Hummingbird, #2 Hummingbird Award, Arizona Turk, Cincinnati, Daniel Lyon, Daytrotter, Hear, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, Issac Karns, Jacob Merritt, Joey Cook, OH, One of Us, Pomegranates, Prouncer, The Radio Dept., U2

Comments 1 Comment
Categories Band of the Day, HEAR, MP3, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #3 The Radio Dept.

27 Dec

The Radio Dept. Will be the biggest band from 2010

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #3 The Radio Dept.

They were our favorite band of 2010 mid-year. We anointed them perfect because their album was and still is perfect. It is our album of the year, but they were surpassed. It doesn’t mean that they aren’t worthy of our #1. The band was a pure concept in 1995, named after a gas station in Lund, Sweden, they disbanded soon after, then in 2009, they reformed with new members and became pure perfection. With an ode to the synth modern wave rock of the 80’s with bands like The Pet Shop Boys or The Cure, their music is tightly arranged allowing for airy simplicity in the synth. It isn’t sad or morose like the My Bloody Valentines, but relaxing and fun like The Pet Shop Boys. So sad they’re not #1, but there are two bands that just did it better in 2010. We love The Radio Dept. and we know they will be one of the 2010 alums that will be BIG BIG BIG!!!

Vitals:
Hometown: Malmö / Stockholm, SE
Band Members: Daniel Tjäder – Keyboards, Martin Carlberg- Guitar, Johan Duncanson – Guitar and vocals
Sonic Soulmates: The Pet Shop Boys, The Cure, My Bloody Valentine
Tracks of the Year:
“Heavens on Fire” – My favorite new song since 2000.

“Domestic Scene” – Best opening track to an album since “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Their Mid-Year Hummingbird Championship: Best of 2010..So Far

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Band Site

Tags: #3, #3 Hummingbird Award, Daniel Tjäder, Domestic Scene, Heavens on Fire, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award, Hummingbird Award 2010, Johan Duncanson, Lund, Malmo, Martin Carlberg, Stockholm, Sweden, The Radio Dept.

Comments 3 Comments
Categories Best of 2010...So Far, HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #4 Chapel Club

25 Dec

Things are looking up for Chapel Club photo by Ben Rayner

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #4 The Chapel Club

Okay so this was my Christmas present for Arizona Turk. I had them at #10, but moved them up to Christmas Day as a gift to him and all of our fine fans. For the love of the baby Jesus, this band is quite good. They have the Interpol, Joy Division, mood rock down. They’re gonna be very big having just signed to A&M and they can write a great song. Really love their style, it’s new but classic sounding. Listen with pleasure…Merry Christmas

Vitals:
Hometown: London, UK
Members: Lewis Bowman, Michael Hibbert, Liam Arklie, Alex Parry, Rich Mitchell
Sonic Soulmates: Interpol, JJ72, My Vitriol, Joy Division
Tracks of the Year:
“The Shore” – It’s so darn good, you’ll listen to it twice.

Original BOD Post — 9.24.10
Follow:
MySpace
Facebook

Tags: #4, #4 Hummingbird, Alex Parry, Arizona Turk, Ben Rayner, Chapel Club, Hear, Humminbird Award, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, Lewis Bowman, Liam Arklie, London, Michael Hibbert, Rich Mitchell, UK

Comments 1 Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #5 Jim Jones Revue

22 Dec

Jim Jones Revue Bursting with Enthusiasm for the Hummingbird

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #5 Jim Jones Revue

Seriously, when I first listened to the promo from the label, I thought it was a re-issue. I listened again and swore it was something I had a vinyl from 1962. Then I did a Google search for Jim Jones Revue and I was blown away. I downloaded everything I could find, called my Arizona Turk, published as much as I could and spread the word. This was by far the most energetic, speaker busting, kick your ass band of 2010. If Little Richard, Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis were blended together with a 5 Red Bulls, poured over ice and served, you’d get Jim Jones Revue. Don’t adjust your speakers/headphones, just take off your shoes and prepare for a body changing experience. Jim Jones Revue deserve a permanent place on your iPod, vinyl shelf and iTunes account.

Vitals:
Members: VOCALS / GUITAR, RUPERT ORTON : GUITARS, ELLIOT MORTIMER : PIANO, GAVIN JAY : BASS, NICK JONES : DRUMS
Hometown: London, UK
Sonic Soulmates: Elvis, Misfits, Little Richard and every piano poppin’ doowop band from 1956-today.
Track of the Year:
“Hey Hey Hey Hey”

“High Horse”

Follow JJR on:
MySpace
Facebook

Original NBD Post: 7.27.10

Tags: #5, #5 Hummingbird, Cement Mixer, Elemental, England, Hey Hey Hey, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award, Hummingbird Award 2010, London, The Jim Jones Revue, UK

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #6 Best Coast

21 Dec

Best Coast - Hanging with Ronnie and the Hummingbird Award

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #6

Bethany Cosentino is Best Coast and she makes me feel good inside. We fell in love with her back in April. She can grind it out on her electric guitar, or break your heart with her vocals. Think Jenny Lewis with a vendetta to crush you. Her album was one of the best of the year and her summer track “All Summer” for Converse with Kid Cudi is our #1 track of the year. She will be here for a long, long time. Crazy For You is instantly likable and a good album, I love it as much as I did back in June. It’s definitely lasted the test of time. It’s shocking that 2010 was her debut year. We love you Beth and we’re so happy that you were our first BOD @New.Band.Day

Vitals:
Hometown: Eagle Rock, CA (Los Angeles)
Members: Bethany Cosentino
Sonic Soulmates: Jenny Lewis, Surf Rock and the sounds of a bad break-up
Track of the Year:
“All Summer” – Watching the video makes this even better. Who’d uv thunk that a TV commercial would bring the song of the year. Kid Cudi and Beth together the greatest XX/XY duo.

“Boyfriend” – When she’s by herself, you’ve gotta love the grind. Another Top 10 track of 2010.

Follow:
Facebook
MySpace

Original BOD: 6.22.10

Tags: #6, #6 Hummingbird, #6 Hummingbird Award, All Summer, BEST COAST, Best New Band, Bethany Cosetino, CA, Eagle Rock, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, Los Angeles, Track of the Year, Wish You Were My Boyfriend

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #7 Efterklang

20 Dec

Hey Efterklang...Hummingbird Award just look up

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #7 Efterklang

Efterklang isn’t new, actually these Danish boys have been making music for some time. But it’s us stubborn Americans who choose to ignore anything not from Brooklyn or Silverlake. I’ve spent the better part of 2010, talking about bands from everywhere, not ignoring the 50 states, but exposing you to music all over the world. Crystal Fighters are Basque, Tame Impala is from Perth, but two regions have dominated the music scene this year, Canada and The Nordics.

Efterklang is upbeat, pianos, horns, strings and just great 80’s modern rock with a twist. It’s hard for me to believe that these guys aren’t from Canada, but they’re not…The Danes rule today and we love them a TON!

Vitals:
Band Members: Mads Brauer, Casper Clausen, Thomas Husmer & Rasmus Stolberg, Rune Mølgaard has also been a member for many years, but he has taken a more secluded role the recent years.
Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark
Sonic Soulmates: Stars, The Dears, Broken Social Scene (Must be obsessed with Canada Rock)
Tracks of the Year:
“Modern Drift” – Quite possibly the best song of the year. It’s mind blowing how good this song is!

Original BOD Post: From our Facebook profile on 3.1.10
Efterklang was also part of our Best of 2010…So Far

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Band Site

Tags: #7, #7 Hummingbird Award, Band of the Day, Casper Clausen, Copenhagen, Denmark, Efterklang, Hear, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, Mads Brauer, Modern Drift, Rasmus Stolberg, Rune Mølgaard, Song of the Year, Thomas Husmer

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #8 Crystal Fighters

18 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #8 Crystal Fighters

We fell in love with them back in the summer, and in October we profiled them. Emails and comments followed, because Crystal Fighters are probably the most inventive NEW sound of the year. Este de Navarre, Spain and their Basque blood-line inspires the eerie flavor of traditional Basque folk music with catchy energetic dance tracks with MGMT style vocals, resulting in an uplifting sound unlike any other. We really wanted to put them higher on our Hummingbird list, but you be the judge. If you haven’t heard them, well CONGRATS, because today is going to be a great day. I know we will see them in our Top 3 next year. Thank you to our Music Excavator, Arizona Turk for finding this gem.

Vitals:
Members: Sebastian, Gilbert, Graham, Mimi, Laure
Hometown: Navarre, Spain
Sonic Soulmates: MGMT Gogol Bordello, Traditional Basque sounds
Tracks of the Year:
“Swallow” – This is the raddest track of all.

“Xtatic”

“Follow” –

Follow:
MySpace
Facebook
Band Site – Hear the full album streamed here!

Tags: #8, #8 Hummingbird Award, Arizona Turk, Band of the Day, Basque, Crystal Fighters, Follow, Gilbert, Graham, Hear, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, Laure, Mimi, MP3, Navarre, Sebastian, SP, Swallow, Xtactic

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #9 Sleigh Bells

17 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #9 Sleigh Bells

Altering the landscape of music isn’t easy. 2010 was a year of passive, derivative drivel, made by machines and not musicians. But in saying that, we have answers and hope. We found at least 20 bands that have changed music and one or two that stand alone. Sleigh Bells is one of those bands, fusing searing guitars, fractured vocals and deep beats. It’s the XX/XY duo redefined. It’s the Slayer of our age. It’s angry and Alexis Krauss is our top Indie Hottie for 2010.

We made bold predictions for Sleigh Bells and we’re still waiting for the tipping point. We’ve seen the TV commercials, we’ve read all the “hipster” blogs, but we’re still waiting for that moment. We’re proud to have been the ones to introduce them to you and we’re even more proud to put them in our Top 10 Best New Bands of 2010. We might even say they are the Most Important Band of 2010. Their three best tracks are posted below.

Vitals:
Band Members: Guitarist/beatbox Derek Miller and vocalist Alexis Krauss
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Sonic Soulmates: MIA, Slayer, Your high school cheerleading squad
Tracks of the Year:
“Crown on the Ground” – This is the best song of the year. Check back on 12.28.10 for the full list.

“Beach Girls”

“Infinity Guitars”

Follow:
Facebook
MySpace
Band Site
Twitter

Original BOD Post:
Sleigh Bells was originally posted on our Facebook profile. One of the first bands ever to be profiled. 3.24.10

They also made our “Best of 2010…So Far”

Tags: #9, #9 Hummingbird Award, Alexis Krauss, Best New Band of 2010, Brooklyn, Derek Miller, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, NY, Sleigh Bells, The Hummingbird Awards, XX/XY

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #10 Lord Huron

16 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #10 Lord Huron

I’ve never been more proud then when I read the year end reviews of Lord Huron. We’ve been spreading the Lord Huron love since the summer. We’ve seen him all over LA and we’re even on his MySpace page as the originals to spread his work. Leading our Top 10 Best/Most Important Bands of 2010, is our favorite hometown crush Lord Huron.

Vitals:
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Interesting note: Huron Lake shore, in Presque Isle, Michigan
Sonic Soulmates: Ariel of the Little Mermaid meets Grizzly Bear and they create the best summer soundtrack ever!
Buy the EP: Buy it here.
Tracks of the Year:
“Into the Sun”

Lord Huron – “The Problem With Your Daughter”

Original Band of the Day Post 8.2.10

Follow Lord Huron:
His site
MySpace
Facebook

Tags: #10, #10 Hummingbird, #10 Hummingbird Award, CA, Harp, Hear, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, Lord Huron, Los Angeles, The Problem with your daughter, Underwater Music

Comments 1 Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #11 Karkwa

15 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #11 Karkwa

Wow Karkwa created a stir. The Canadian complexity of their sound is followed by a GIGANTIC fan following…oh and they won the Polaris Prize for 2010. We originally profiled the band before they won. American music fans have no idea how incredible music is outside of their borders. We’ve showcased bands from Sweden, Ireland, London, Tokyo, Colombia and of course Canada. But no one band created more buzz this year at New.Band.Day then Karkwa. Their big, complex Rock sound is so good. We love them here in Northern California and we hope the world finds out how great they are.

Vitals:
Band Members: Louis-Jean Cormier, François Lafontaine, Martin Lamontagne, Julien Sagot, Stéphane Bergeron
Hometown: Montreal, CN
Sonic Soulmates: The Arcade Fire, A little Radiohead a splash of Sigur Ros

Track of the Year:
“L’acouphène” MP3

Follow:
MySpace
Band site

Original Band of the Day Post: 7.23.10

Tags: #11, #11 Hummingbird Award, François Lafontaine, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award 2010, Julien Sagot, Karkwa, L’acouphène, Louis-Jean Cormier, Martin Lamontagne, Polaris Prize, Stéphane Bergeron, The Arcade Fire, The Hummingbird Awards

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #12 Memoryhouse

14 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #12 Memoryhouse

Memoryhouse is so good, she actually gave me chills the first time I listened. I love The xx for one reason, it’s that simple solo guitar that intros Romy Madley Croft’s vocals. I find that so alluring and it really draws the emotion of the vocals. Memoryhouse is Guelph, Ontario’s Evan Abeele, classically trained and Denise Nouvion’s photographic mind, melded together to form a soulful Beach House/My Bloody Valentine.

Vitals:
Members: Evan Abeele and Denise Nouvion
Hometown: Guleph, Ontario CN
Sonic Soulmates: The xx, Beach House, My Bloody Valentine
Tracks of the Year:
“”Sleep Patterns” – Simple guitars, electronic drum beats and Denise’s beautiful vocals.

“To The Lighthouse” – My favorite song off the EP and I really think it will make our 2010 Top 10…lovely tracks.

Memoryhouse “To the Lighthouse”

Original BOD Post 11.22.10

Follow:
MemoryHouse Blog
MySpace
Facebook

Tags: #12 Hummingbird, CN, Denise Nouvion, Evan Abeele, Guleph, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award, Hummingbird Award 2010, Memoryhouse, Ontario, Sleep Patterns, To The Lighthouse, XX/XY

Comments Leave a Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #13 Tennis

13 Dec

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #13 Tennis

They’re the husband and wife, Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore, duo from Denver, CO. They bought a boat, sailed the Atlantic Coast and wrote beautiful songs. They define our XX/XY duos. It’s Hemingway meets Buffet, meets Vampire Weekend, meets 50′s bubblegum pop. I love the blend of the organ and her eerily timeless vocals. They are so fantastic and the more songs we hear, the more we know they will be bigger than big.

Vitals:
Hometown: Denver, CO
Members: Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore
Sonic Soulmates: The xx, Vampire Weekend, Dusty Springfield
Track of the Year:
“Marathon”

Follow: MySpace

Original BOD Post: 6.29.10

Tags: #13, #13 Hummingbird Award, Alaina Moore, Best New Band of 2010, CO, Denver, Duo, Humming Award, Hummingbird, Hummingbird Award, Hummingbird Award 2010, Marathon, Married, Patrick Riley, Sailing, Tennis, Vampire Weekend

Comments 1 Comment
Categories HEAR, The 2010 Hummingbird Awards

← Older Entries

Search

NewBandDay

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #1 The Tallest Man on Earth

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #2 The Pomegranates

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #3 The Radio Dept.

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #4 Chapel Club

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #5 Jim Jones Revue

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #6 Best Coast

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #7 Efterklang

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #8 Crystal Fighters

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #9 Sleigh Bells

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #10 Lord Huron

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #11 Karkwa

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #12 Memoryhouse

Best New Bands of 2010 Hummingbird Award: #13 Tennis

Archives

Categories

Meta

Keep up with the new bands