Indie Bands To Watch In 2010
Mar 25, 2010 | Posted by bryan | 0 Comments
Up And Comers
With the rise in popularity of Indie bands, it’s hard to keep track of the scores of bands. Although indie bands seem to come and go there are a certain few that stick around due to their dedicated following. 2010 will be another great year for independent bands, and here at the upcoming groups to keep an eye on.
The Local Natives were signed last year to the powerful indie label Frenchkiss. They hail from Orange County, California and began their rise in the mega-mania of the Los Angeles music scene. Recalling the music of the 60s, The Local Natives play a combination of folk and rock, spiced up with the jam reminiscent of the Grateful Dead. Huge harmonies and driving drums make this band irresistible. Their fan based grew only through word of mouth and major play on Indie 103.1. Competing in the fierce LA market, the climb was hard but The Local Natives weren’t daunted. By early 2009, they had toured Europe and signed with European label Infectious. They have been compared to Fleetwood Mac or Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Because they deliver soulful vocal harmonies, intelligent instrumentals and do it all live, this band is a number one pick to watch in 2010.
Freelance Whales, who have also signed with Frenchkiss, began as a group that performed on subway platforms and on the streets of the Big Apple. Their debut collection, Weathervanes, highlight more than just the acoustic alchemy they deliver in their street singing style. The band is able to create an almost otherworldly sound through light and smart melodies that are offset by intricate production which will surely keep them off the streets in 2010.
Owen Pallett is a violinist who created a one-man band that specialized in songs based on video games. While enormously appealing to the audience, Pallett found himself at odds with the legalities of singing love songs to the copyrighted Dungeons and Dragons characters. Signed with Heartland, this Canadian composer’s third album, “Domino” is based on his own imagined land of Spectrum and sung mostly from the reference frame of a farmer, singing praises to a God named Owen. This work sets Pallett apart from all others on the scene today and makes for ambitious intelligent music that is sure to garner him the recognition he deserves.
The Strange Boys, hail from the music capital Austin, Texas. The Strange Boys produce a retro, garage-rock sound that soars with jamming electric guitars and vocal growls. If the key to success in this business is writing hooks, The Strange Boys should find a new level of success in 2010. Their obvious passion for playing fuels their vintage presentation complete with black leather and carefree vocals.
Beach House has built a nice fan base in Baltimore where this indie group got their start. Beach House exploded onto the scene with the unexpected success of their third album Teen Dream. Lead singer Victoria Legrand voice is also featured as lead singer on the Grizzly Bear’s “Slow Life” from the hit movie Twilight. Expect this motley crew to deliver even more music of grandeur in 2010 and to become one of the most successful of the lot of new music this year.