Bands to Watch 2016: 16 artists (and then some) for the new year
Kevin Bronson on
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We’ll begin our Bands to Watch 2016 where we left off at this time last year: Six artists on 2015’s hot list still haven’t released full-length albums, because, we suppose, good things take time. But they are en route, so they deserved to name-checked again:
They are: The Moth & the Flame, Dorothy, James Supercave, Clara-Nova, Moses Sumney and Kera & the Lesbians.
Now, on to Buzz Bands LA’s Bands to Watch 2016 — our annual attempt at clairvoyance. To qualify for this list, a band must not have released a full-length album. So here’s looking forward to more music from these artists:
MIYA FOLICK
Her six-song “Strange Darling” EP is a transfixing, part folk, part psych, part alt-rock, all emotions and smarts. Previously
LAWRENCE ROTHMAN
The art-pop provocateur has the likes of Kim Gordon, Charli XCX, Ariel Pink and Angel Olsen guesting on his forthcoming LP. Previously
BLACKTOP QUEEN *
The trio of Evan Ambrose, Nate Lotz and Omar Ahmed have yet to make any music public (soon, we hear), but their muscular punk-cum-grunge was on full display when we caught them in September. Rockists will rally.
* Updated: At time of publication, the trio was going by Blacktop; they have now changed their name to Blacktop Queen.
SEGO
March 4 is the date the “Once Was Lost Now Just Hanging Around” will be out. You can get a head start by downloading their NoiseTrade sampler. Previously
ELOHIM
The electro-pop siren seems to have everything — a name that translates to God, scintillating production and the good ol’ marketing gimmick of the secret identity. She delivered the goods during the Big Pink’s Echo residency.
DJANGO JAMES
Way back when, we knew him as Django James and Midnight Squires. Then he joined up with brother Samuel Stewart in the band Nightmare & the Cat. Now the young Stewart is doing his own thing. Here’s a demo:
GALLANT
An EP and three singles later, sharp purveyor of alt-R&B Chris Gallant is putting the finishing touches of his full-length. Oh so smooth. Previously
RIOTHORSE ROYALE
Come for the vocal harmonies, stay for the euphoric moments Emily Green and Madi Diaz rock out. Previously
THE SHELTERS
Not reinventing guitar rock, just whipping it into shape for these times: The quartet’s EP was just a sample of where they can go. Previously
WES PERIOD
A stream of alternately chill and bangin’ singles, and his “Photosynthesis” EP, lead up to the release of his full-length, “Late Bloomer.” Previously
16 more to watch
Bird Dog
Bishop
Phoebe Bridgers
Dark Waves
Dear Boy
Decorator
Dutch Party
Gothic Tropic
Harriet
Hunny
Irontom
Liphemra
Oyster Kids
The Record Company
Sun Drug
Transviolet
Fire Chief Charlie for your consideration! http://music.firechiefcharlie.com/album/lets-be-happy
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