Next Year's Big Things: Artists To Watch Out For

Annually, about now, press releases from artists worldwide with upcoming releases in the new year start trickling into my e-mail inbox. Truth be told, half of them might never make it into my ears, occupying my field of vision for seconds and then wafting off into the abyss. But sometimes... fate steps in, and these same artists make way into my aural personal space and not only impress but change my outlook on music to come. I cannot guarantee these bands will make it big, but I would love to give them a shot.

This years selection all break convention and do so utilizing tricks of the trade that others have employed but couldn't quite make their own. There's a young male/female duo from Copenhagen who, with harmonic acumen, will melt your ears off ; a band from LA that will sneak their catchy hooks into your ears, compelling you to sing along and lose yourself in it all; and a young Canadian man who made a name for himself this year all because he toured with Final Fantasy and did an excellent job doing so. Hope you latch on to these and promote them, they didn't ask me to, and I feel obligated.

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Choir of Young Believers (Copenhagen)
For Fans Of: Fleet Foxes, The Raveonettes, Bon Iver, Iron and Wine.
Sound In a Picture: Snow slowly melts into a fast moving ravine as if to run from the welcome warmth of spring, glimpsing back every now and then only allowing it's pursuer extra time to catch up.
Sound In a Better Picture:


The Local Natives (Los Angeles)
For Fans Of: Manchester Orchestra, White Rabbits, Bat For Lashes.
Sound In A Picture: Getting a glimpse of more than just the hind legs of that Rabbit who mysteriously always runs when you get too close and realizing he's doing it to piss you off.
Sound In a Better Picture:

Thomas (Ontario)

For Fans Of: Nick Drake, Broken Social Scene, Final Fantasy.

Sound In a Picture: There's never enough time to catch your flight, even the taxi driver is in on it. Bumper to bumper, he turns on the radio to pass the time and for the moment your plane will never take off without you.

Sound In a Better Picture: