Band to Watch: The Alabama Shakes

[mp3] The Alabama Shakes: "You Ain't Alone"

While we try to refrain from over-hyping every hot new thing that comes our way (who do you think we are NME?) we HAVE been crowning a lot of “artists to watch” of late, but for good reason. We wake up early, stay up late and grind it out for this cruel mistress of a site – and are occasionally rewarded, by the discovery of bands like The Alabama Shakes – formally The Shakes. Already touted by Aquarium Drunkard, Some Velvet Blog, and of course, Stark, Alabama Shakes are making the right kind of friends with their Janis Joplin meets Stax by way of Daptone Records soul/blues sound. While their debut EP doesn’t have that clear standout national “smash” on it – this is the easiest and best $4 you will spend all week. Alabama Shakes have signed on with some great new managers, and are shopping for a label home. Best of luck to these folks from the south!

Dry The River at Pianos

In case for some odd reason you doubted our judgment on Band to Watch Dry The River, here is a nicely edited highlight reel from their recent post-SXSW show at Pianos, which was, simply put, quite incredible. Just watch the above. Did we mention these guys are the real deal? In case you missed them in the US, the 4 will be back soon to work on their new record and play more US shows in the coming month. Stay tuned.

New Ceremony by Dry the River\

Band to Watch: Dry The River

Dry The River play tonight at Pianos at 8:00 in NY.

East London based Dry The River were hands down one of the best bands we saw during our recent venture to SXSW. They were top of our list of bands to check out before the festival, and with their standout performance at the Neon Gold Records showcase they catapulted their way to Band to Watch status afterward. While the Mumford comparisons are sure to follow them, the foursome have a tattooed alt-edge to their playing, as if you know some of these kids played in Clash cover bands in high school. Frontman Pete Liddle oozes charisma, and defines what it means to posses that elusive "it" quality. Already signed to the excellent tastemaker label Transgressive in the UK and with a potential big time label deal on their horizon in the US, Dry The River are setting up to have a big 2011 and 2012, and it's well deserved. The talent is there, the songs are there and soon the fans and press will be there too. Buy low kids, this band could be huge.

New Ceremony by Dry the River

Acrylics Announce Album, Debut Single

[mp3] Acrylics: "Nightwatch"

It's been a long time since we named Acrylics one of our Bands To Watch back in May, of 2009 - an eternity in blog years. We're happy to say that our instincts proved well founded as this duo have recorded, what seems on our first few cursory listens, to be a continuation of their cottony 70s pop sound, complete with top notch production and deliciously understated vocal performances from singer Molly Shea. "Nightwatch" debuted today on Gorilla vs Bear, and their debut album, so long in the making, Lives and Treasure is out January 25, 2011, on Hot Sand Records.

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Band To Watch: The Knocks

[mp3] The Knocks: "Dancing with The DJ"

Sometimes things don't work out. Set times, train schedules, work, commitments, general life stuff. For the most part, we don't regret missing many bands last week. As we wrote to Some Velvet Blog, our socks remained on almost the entire week, except for our (hopefully) new friends Kisses from LA, who were excellent, and well deserving of our band to watch status months and months ago. Then we encountered this track from The Knocks, of whom, we were already fans. This burning, disco-infused, dance gem just sent us into another world, and made us truly regret missing the Neon Gold/Chess Club/Plugged In party. As Neon wrote "it's your go-to party jam for the next six months, you can thank The Knocks later." For that reason, we're happy to name The Knocks our next band to watch. Thanks CMJ, you treated us well this year, now back to detox.

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CMJ Band to Watch: We Are Trees

[mp3] We Are Trees: "Sunrise Sunset"

It's a big few weeks for us Starkians, but we wanted to highlight a few standout acts from this years CMJ festival. The first of which is We Are Trees. The PR states: "this Virginia Beach band’s sound lies somewhere between the plains of Middle America and the cliffs of a Western Coast. The vocals, while drawing comparisons to Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear, are a mastery all their own, with sweeping “ohs” and cradling lyrics." All the songs we've heard stand up to some solid scrutiny, and the buzz around the critical watercooler has them pegged as "the next Local Natives." Well, that remains to be seen, but certainly a band to make sure you have on your list this week. CMJ shows after the jump! Their EP is $12 for both vinyl and digital versions, and $4 for digital alone. You can check it out here http://www.collectivecrowdrecords.com/store/we-are-trees-boyfriend-ep/

CMJ Shows

10/20 - Googie's Lounge - CMJ Official Showcase
10/22 - Cake Shop Pop Tarts Suck Party
10/22 - Bowery Electric Cantora Records Party

Band To Watch: Deluka

[mp3] Deluka: "Nevada"

We've surprised ourselves...somehow, as we have been subconsciously and consciously "following" the UK-turned-US electro-rockers Deluka. After playing a few games of seven degrees of separation, receiving an advance of their debut LP You Are the Night (releasing digitally Sept.21 on Vel Records) and catching the tail end of a show at Pianos a couple months ago, Deluka have seeped into our constant rotation; they are much more than a bleep on our radar these days. Fronted by the mysterious, highly charismatic and fashionable, Ellie Innocenti, a tight backing band and an energetic, iconic bassist to-boot, Deluka's infectious hooks and melodies have invaded our psyche. From tunes such as "Nevada," "Name on My Lips" and "Cascade" featured above, Deluka are a lasting finish on the palate. There is no sipping here..it's a full on chug -- one drink leads to another and then you are drunk on your thrid show and an alcoholic by your fourth. Be sure to catch this foursome when they come to town (West Coast you're next) -- you can find us selling grilled cheese with a finger in the air, Phish-style. Are we... fans? Unknown at this point, but we do know this: Deluka are good folks and good bowlers.

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