• AOL
  • MAIL
    • You might also like: 
    • Music | 
    • Movies | 
    • TV | 
    • Celebrity News
    •  and More
    Sign In / Register
Spinner
  • Main
  • Spinner RPM
  • Features
    • The Hit List
    • Spinner Interview
    • Music Appreciation
  • Songs
    • Free MP3 of the Day
    • Play Full Albums Free
  • Videos
    • The Interface
    • Sessions
    • Video of the Day
    • All Videos
  • Radio
    • AOL Radio
    • AOL Radio Toolbar
    • Shoutcast
  • AOL Music Sites
    • The Boot
    • The BoomBox
    • Noisecreep
    • AOL Music Blog
  • Tour Dates
  • Signature Sounds
    • This Week's Feature:

    • Sample the sights and sounds of Music City.
  • Send Feedback
  • Taylor Swift

    See Who Joined Taylor Swift on Maxim's Hot 100
  • Adam Lambert

    Why Adam Lambert Made History This Week
  • Alicia Keys

    Alicia Keys Announces Album Release Update
  • 2 Chainz

    Rapper 2 Chainz Arrested in New York

Spinner Exclusives

  • The Interface - Live Performances
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free
  • Spinner Radio
  • Listening Parties - New CDS for Free

Features

  • Best Songs 2011
  • Top Albums of 2011
  • Sad Songs
  • Music Geeks in Film
  • Best Opening Lyrics

All Categories

  • After Hours(4)
  • Call and Response(1)
  • Monthly Mixtape(4)
  • A Day in the Life(5)
  • All About Jazz(96)
  • Awards(277)
  • Free MP3 Download of the Day(1778)
  • Around the World(205)
  • Between the Notes(36)
  • Book Club(95)
  • Celebrity Doppelganger(18)
  • Clash of the Cover Songs(49)
  • Coming Out Stories(24)
  • Concerts and Tours(6975)
  • Count Five(84)
  • Exclusive(6231)
  • Guest Blogger(138)
  • Holy Hell(1046)
  • I Fought the Law(118)
  • I Freakin' Love This Song(252)
  • In House(16)
  • Listen Up!(18)
  • Movies(433)
  • Music Appreciation(126)
  • New Music(997)
  • New Releases(746)
  • News(13028)
  • News Today, Oh Boy!(604)
  • PhotoSynthesis(88)
  • Picture Book(31)
  • Politics as Usual(66)
  • Pop Culture(96)
  • Potent Quotables(777)
  • Q + A(540)
  • Quizzes & Trivia(6)
  • R.I.P.(510)
  • Road Report(63)
  • Rock Almanac(366)
  • Rock Hall(51)
  • RPM(340)
  • Spinner Says(19)
  • Spinner Interview(218)
  • Television(269)
  • The Chum Bucket(777)
  • The Hit List(1402)
  • Twisted Tales(194)
  • Video(1886)
  • Video of the Day(1300)
  • What's That Song?(135)

2011 in Music: 20 New Artists to Watch

  • Posted   by Spinner Staff
  • Comments
Email This
As a forward-thinking music fan, you're likely anticipating the new artists who will be releasing music in 2011. In our guide to 20 musicians to watch out for in the new year, we present the worthiest up-and-coming acts, which we guarantee you'll be hearing a lot about not only on our pages but also through your favorite music delivery system.
Tennis
Denver husband-and-wife duo Tennis' buzz should reach fever pitch once their Fat Possum debut arrives in January. Chronicling a seven-month Atlantic coast sailing trip – and actually named after their boat – 'Cape Dory' rides the current surf-inspired lo-fi wave but still manages to find its own specific swell thanks to Alaina Moore's sunshiny girl-group vocals. Like Beach House last year, this looks to be a marathon record that lasts all year long.

Essential Listening: 'Marathon'
Tennis
Force Field PR
Vaccines
This London quartet, whose guitarist Freddie is younger brother to the Horrors' Tom Cowan, are aces at blending bright melodies with thick layers of fuzz. While their formula is nothing new (Jesus and Mary Chain, the Raveonettes), their sound comes off freakishly fresh with dashes of surf rock and deceivingly dark guitars.

Essential Listening: 'Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)'
Vaccines
Redferns / Getty Images
Diamond Rings
This flamboyant Torontonian sashayed onto the scene, and suddenly girls were gushing about Diamond Rings for a whole other reason. D.R.'s infectious laptop pop (helped along with a guitar) hits the spot like nothing else. Just ask chart-topper Robyn, who's invited the mascara-clad maverick to tag along on her upcoming North American tour. And if our fave Swedish sweetheart is on board, then, clearly, so are we are.

Essential Listening: 'All Yr Songs'
Diamond Rings
Norman Wong
Warpaint
This all-female Los Angeles quartet spent its early days palling around with ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante, and an early incarnation of the band even included current Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. But that's not what made critics jump at 'The Fool,' their recently released debut. Warpaint have a strong knack for making hazy, atmospheric guitars pair well with sugary-sweet vocals, sounding like an experimental Mazzy Star.

Essential Listening: 'Elephants'
Warpaint
Redferns / Getty Images
Zola Jesus
A former opera singer, 21-year-old Zola Jesus, aka University of Wisconsin student Nika Roza Danilova, possesses a soaring, powerful voice, and a flair for the dark and gothic. Her critically acclaimed 'Stridulum' EP was one of the year's more memorable releases; a unique, wintry blend of lo-fi beats and aching vocals, which earned Danilova an opening slot with similarly gloomy bands Fever Ray and the xx.

Essential Listening: 'Sea Talk'
Download MP3 Free
Zola Jesus
Redferns / Getty Images
Charles Bradley
Brooklyn's Daptone Records discovers all-star talent in the most unlikely niches of New York City and beyond. Their latest find is Charles Bradley, a 62-year-old soul crooner who has a seasoned voice that peaks at James Brown and soothes down near Ray Charles. Coming out of the projects in Brooklyn' Bushwick neighborhood, and backed by the Menahan Street Band, Bradley has his first solo album hitting stores Jan. 25.

Essential Listening: 'The World is Going up in Flames'
Download MP3 Free
Charles Bradley
Retna
Pablo
There is no mistaking Pablo's distinctive sound from the other countless indie and folk acts that swarm around Brooklyn and Manhattan's Bleecker Street these days. The deceptively fragile vocals of Paul Schalda and a revolving cast of backing singers, hard-charging drummers and brother Will on keys are a palpable mix of delicate harmonies and explosive choruses. It'll be exciting to see what these guys can do in 2011.

Essential Listening: 'Loser Crew'
Pablo
Pablo
Lord Huron
Lord Huron released two EPs of lush harmonies and Eastern-influenced rhythms in 2010, but the act still remains somewhat of a mystery. It turns out the songs are solely the work of L.A.-based visual artist Ben Schneider. He eventually put together a band of guitars, maracas and laptops and hit the live circuit. Lucky for us, Schneider enjoyed the ride and plans on doing more recording and touring in the coming year.

Essential Listening: 'Mighty'
Download MP3 Free
Lord Huron
Peter Mowry
Fan Death
Vancouver-based, Brooklyn-born neo-disco duo Fan Death should have been big in 2010, but after a mesmerizingly dark EP last spring, the ladies' summer full-length was released only in the UK. Dandilion Wind Opaine and Marta Jaciubek-McKeever's Italo-influenced album won critical acclaim and tours with the likes of Vampire Weekend, so when Last Gang finally releases 'Womb of Dreams' on Fan Death's own side of the pond, we should see the birth of a new force in electronic pop.

Essential Listening: 'Veronica's Veil'
Fan Death
Last Gang Entertainment
Apex Manor
From the ashes of California's the Broken West comes Apex Manor, the solo venture from Ross Flourney. He's calling his debut 'The Year of Magical Drinking,' and it's a home-recorded album of classic-sounding indie pop, reminiscent of late-'90s-era Wilco. And judging from Flourney's year of magical drinking, it sounds as if he will come away a winner with this debut.

Essential Listening: 'Under the Gun'
Apex Manor
Chloe Aftel
Ducktails
Don't expect any shout-outs to Huey, Dewey or Louie from this up-and-comer. Thankfully, the blissed-out psychedelic pop concocted by New Jersey's Matthew Mondanile has zilch to do with Saturday morning cartoons. Mondanile (also a member of Real Estate, a kindred spirit sonically to Ducktails) aims for relaxation here. Even the most frazzled nerves will be calmed by Ducktails' breezy, Tropicália-tinged jams.

Essential Listening: 'Art Vandelay'
Ducktails
Myspace.com/Ducktailss
Fresh & Onlys
This San Francisco outfit has been nothing short of a workhorse in 2010, and clearly the grind has paid off because these guys and their jangly garage pop are getting name-checked all over the place. And we're all too happy to give the Fresh & Onlys our endorsement, too -- well, just as long as they promise to keep hammering out undeniable gems like 'Waterfall.'

Essential Listening: 'Waterfall'
Fresh & Onlys
Redferns / Getty Images
Oh Land
Just when you think the market is saturated with sugary sweet, electro-loving songbirds, a lady like Oh Land saunters up the sidelines and right into our hearts. Mastermind Naana Oland Fabricius delights with playful pop ditties that sparkle with the same je ne se quoi of a heavyweight like Florence and the Machine. Soak up the melodic sunshine that is 'Sun of a Gun,' and just try to not to be smitten. We dare you.

Essential Listening: 'Sun of a Gun'
Download MP3 Free
Oh Land
Gino DePinto, AOL
Glasser
Glasser's Cameron Mesirow's draws a lot of comparison's to the great Björk andSt. Vincent's Annie Clark – and her debut album, 'Ring,' certainly shows hints of both of those in her vocals. But Glasser takes on a more rhythmic quality that sounds rather tribal at times, where she favors beats and vocal melodies instead of guitars. It's not overstated, either, which makes it all the more captivating.

Essential Listening: 'Home'
Glasser
Redferns / Getty Images
Anna Calvi
Does London have its next big export in Anna Calvi? Judging by her eponymous debut (Due March 1), we'd say so: Her voice has a familiar, sultry ring to it like P.J. Harvey or an energized Nina Simone, but she has a trick up her sleeve. Throughout the 10 tracks, she shows fondness for the classic-rock guitar sound at times and a Smiths-era Johnny Marr at others. Her chords are the kind that make grown men contemplate air guitar simulation.

Essential Listening: 'Jezebel'
Anna Calvi
Redferns / Getty Images
Broken Records
Hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland, Broken Records initially sound like your typical guitar rock band. But on 'Let Me Come Home,' the band's second album (due Jan. 11), they work through a heavy dose of moody crescendos and fast drum beats, combined with a bevy of strings. Lead singer Jamie Sutherland sounds a bit like Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock and Wolf Parade's Dan Boeckner, but the Broken Records doesn't care about the angular rock, instead favoring the anthemic.

Essential Listening: 'A Darkness Rises Up'
Broken Records
Redferns / Getty Images
Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion
Sarah Lee Guthrie comes from a long line of songwriting masters. She's the daughter of Arlo Guthrie, granddaughter of folk pioneer Woody Guthrie and, over, the years, has joined forces with her husband, Johnny Irion, for their second full-length, 'Bright Examples,' due out February. Produced by Vetiver's Andy Cabic, Guthrie and Irions invoke warmth and sentimentality through a sound reminiscent of everything we've come to enjoy about '60s-inspired California folk pop.

Essential Listening: 'Speed of Light'
Sarah Lee Guthrie
Redferns / Getty Images
U-Tern
Having released stellar remixes for Britney Spears and Mark Ronson, Vancouver-based, Hollywood-bound DJ/producer U-Tern is primed to be the go-to for dance-floor-intended remix treatment. Though U-Tern's roots are deeply embedded in hip-hop, his immaculate future-disco is unabashedly pop, destined to be embraced by the mainstream.

Essential Listening: Holy Ghost!, 'Say My Name (U-Tern Remix)'
U-Tern
U-Tern
Cults
Going for "retro" is a tricky proposition, but New York City's Cults pull off the '60s girl group vibe rather well. Lead singer Madeline Follin certainly could be 2011's Bethany Cosentino, but instead of a scuzzfuzz sound, Cults find themselves going into more Camera Obscura pop territory -- and that's never a bad thing. The band is finishing its full-length now with Shane Stoneback (Sleigh Bells, Vampire Weekend), due out on In the Name Of/Columbia in May, and will be headlining tours this spring, with SXSW in their plans.

Essential Listening: 'Go Outside'
Cults
The Windish Agency
Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr.
Get past the slightly off-putting name, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. reveal themselves as a melodic blend of electronica and folk. They sound like a hybrid of Simon and Garfunkel and some distant '60s French pop and at times, a few triggers of an '80s video game soundtrack. DEJJ transmits a breezy, sunny vibe that would never suggest they're from cold Detroit. Look for their new album 'It's a Corporate World' come April, which will be just the thing for those who fell in love with JJ in the past few years.

Essential Listening: 'Vocal Chords'
Download MP3 Free
Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr.
Roger Kisby, Getty Images
  • Filed under: The Hit List
  • Email This

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Greg Allman Engaged to Woman 40 Years…

The Boot

Paul Archuleta, FilmMagic Seventh time's a charm? Music icon Greg Allman is…

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Attend…

The Boombox

WireImage Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were spotted canoodling at the…

Vision of Trees, 'Turn 2 U' -- Video of…

Spinner

Artist: Vision of Trees Video: "Turn 2 U" Highlight: "We wanted the video to…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
9

9 Comments

Filter by:
Terry

Were following a new group:
The Switch - never moving forward on youtube
I like their music!

December 17 2011 at 6:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Holiday

Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr. are one of the stupidest, most sappy, shit house sounding bands I've had the dismay of seeing in years. They anger me for sucking in the worst of ways! Lose the dumb ass outfits to boot.

February 09 2011 at 3:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Panache I.

I agree with Seven, I actually saw Kelvin Sinclair last night in Long Beach and you hit the nail on the head SMOOTH. I did not know what to expect when he hit the stage, after he finished all I could think about was how he released the soulful sound we have been missing or overlooking for awhile, authentic and cool, I actually got his cd last night and wow, he is headed straight to the top.

January 29 2011 at 11:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Seven

I like your line up. But I believe you missed one big one, Kelvin Sinclair. His album "Love Lounge 505" is one of those to be around forever. His vocals are smooth, soulful, jazzy and authentic. He's the real thing and he's one of a kind. Kelvin Sinclair is certainly one to watch.

January 28 2011 at 12:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Del

Don't see much prog-rock in there. Oh dear another uneventful year of drab music.

January 15 2011 at 4:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
LENNOX

Sparrow and The Workshop---- best up and coming band in Scotland

January 15 2011 at 3:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Lewis

What about 'The Mars Patrol'....their on the way up!!

January 15 2011 at 2:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Nik Chatham

What about Lissie, she is better thyan any of these, if you don't believe me , check her out on you tube!

January 14 2011 at 7:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
jimyu8

1 in 5 relations hips start on line…ready for a rom antic filled 2011! Someone recommended me a nice community~ Bl ackwh iteC upid / Co m ~where b lack & w hite sin gles are looking for lovers to share inter racial lifestyle with…y

January 12 2011 at 11:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Follow Us

  • Newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Sign Up for Spinner's Newsletter! Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!




  • Contact Us
  • Send News Tips
  • Advertise with Us

SIGN UP FOR SPINNER'S NEWSLETTER

  • Get free MP3s, play a selection of each week's new albums free, read features, win sweet music swag and more!

  • Sign Up!

AOL Radio

Listen to AOL Radio Now
play arrow
Top Indie - Today's best indie rock and pop
play arrow
Indie Rock Mix - A mix of new and old indie rock
play arrow
New Indie First - The latest in indie music
Online Radio Guide

Listen to Full CDs

  • Gossip, 'A Joyful Noise'
  • Kimbra, 'Vows'
  • Paul McCartney, 'Ram'
  • The Cult, 'Choice of Weapon'
  • Various, 'Kitsune America'
  • Play More Albums Free

Most Popular

  • Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet 2012 (PHOTOS)
    Like

    82

  • Peter Jones Dead: Crowded House Drummer Dies of Brain Cancer at 45
    Like

    712

  • Jennifer Lopez, Casper Smart TV Show: J.Lo to Star in Reality Series With Boyfriend (REPORT)
    Like

    21

  • Miranda Lambert, W Magazine Interview: Songstress Talks Marriage, Touring and Taylor
    Like

    200

  • Loretta Lynn Three Years Older Than She Claims: Records Show She's 80, Not 77
    Like

    233

  • 'Big Bang Theory' Star Officially Revealed As Gay
    Like

    11K

  • Eddie Blazonczyk Dead: Grammy Award-Winning 'Polka King' Dies at 70
    Like

    151

  • PHOTOS: When Your Last Names Spell Disaster
    Like

    6K

  • Selena Gomez Earthquake: Singer Caught Up in 'Scary' Bulgaria Quake
    Like

    16

  • SUPERSIZED MEALS: Nearly All Restaurant Entrees Exceed USDA Nutrition Recommendations
    Like

    2K

  • Usher, Tameka Foster Trial: Crooner Claims Ex-Wife Attacked, Spat on Girlfriend
    Like

    16

  • PHOTOS: Most And Least Mormon States In America
    Like

    142

  • George Jones in Nashville Area Hospital Undergoing Tests
    Like

    265

  • Zimmerman's Witnesses Change Their Stories
    Like

    2K

  • Chris Brown Fans Send Death Threats to John Legend's Fiancee Chrissy Teigen
    Like

    44

  • 'Dancing With The Stars' Crowns A New Champion
    Like

    1K

  • 'I Knew I Needed To Get Healthy For My Daughter'
    Like

    116

  • Teenage Girl 'Kidnapped For Vatican Sex Parties'
    Like

    7K

  • 9 Ways You're Wasting Money At The Grocery Store
    Like

    270

  • Colin Powell Trashes Mitt Romney's Team Of Foreign Policy Advisers
    Like

    5K

  • Casey Anthony Found In Hiding
    Like

    3K

  • Study: Fox News Viewers Least Informed
    Like

    34K

  • WATCH: Anderson Cooper Kicks Guest Off Show
    Like

    3K

  • Lolo Jones: Staying A Virgin Is Harder Than Training For The Olympics
    Like

    539

  • Woman Shot Grandson Eight Times
    Like

    388

  • The 14 Best Series Finales Ever
    Like

    113

  • The Top 25 Bike-Friendly Cities In The U.S.
    Like

    2K

  • Archeologists Discover Physical Evidence Of Ancient Biblical City
    Like

    2K

  • LISTEN: 911 Dispatcher Snores During Emergency Call
    Like

    770

  • Hatred In Harlan's Hills
    Like

    1K

  • Sarah Leon: PHOTOS: Why I Still Wear My Prom Dress
    Like

    114

  • Rebecca Dolan: Exploring Bermuda's Abandoned NASA Outpost
    Like

    108

  • The Ultimate Argument For Keeping Old Balloons
    Like

    330

Also on AOL

Quick Links

  • Slipknot Masks
  • Saddest Songs
  • Funny Music Videos
  • SXSW 2011

Also on AOL Music

  • Concert Tickets
  • Grammys 2012
  • Music Videos
  • New Music Releases

Blogs on AOL

  • Country Music
  • Hip Hop Music
  • Metal Music
  • Pop Music News

More on AOL

  • Best Lyrics
  • Best Metal Songs
  • Break Up Songs
  • Online Radio

More on AOL

  • Christmas Music
  • Classic Rock Songs
  • Best Songs of 2010
  • SHOUTcast

Help Links

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trademarks
  • About Our Ads
  • Follow Spinner on Twitter
  • The Interface
  • Free MP3
  • Full CDs
  • RSS

Spinner.com © 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.