Well, as you all know, I am a music junkie. Love every bit of it. So now, here is a new annual segment I am going to start on this blog. These are bands or artists that I think you need to watch this year. I think these bands will be big, either this year, or just a little bit longer than that. So watch out to bands like OneRepublic, Maroon 5 or Owl City. These bands/artists may just beat your album on the charts one day.
5. The Royal Concept
Who is The Royal Concept? Yeah, that was my question a few weeks back when my favorite band, Switchfoot, announced that these guys would be opening for them on the Spring Leg of the Fading West Tour. So of course, I go and look them up. Well not exactly. I was listening to iTunes radio for my other favorite band, Echosmith, when TRC's song "On Our Way" came on. "Hot dang they are good," I thought. So I listened to the entire Royal EP from them. Once again, I was not disappointed. Although I can't make it out to the Fading West Tour, I envy you if you can, because these guys seem like they would put on a good show.
4. J. Thoven
Let's keep up with the theme of bands that open for Switchfoot, why don't we? Well I saw these guys when they opened for Switchfoot back in June of 2013. I actually got their EP for free from their site before the show because I found out they were the opening act. The EP was enough sweetness to go around, but these guys put on one helluva live show. They blew everyone away. Including me. I think I was the only one who knew the words to their songs though haha. The sound like they are back in the studio, so if that is true I cannot wait to hear their new music because I guarantee it will be amazing.
3. Bridgit Mendler
Most known for her work on Good Luck Charlie and Lemonade Mouth, Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler really hasn't hit the big time music scene yet. The only people who really know about her is Radio Disney listeners (I don't listen though). I first found out about her album in mid-2012 when iTunes had her song "Hurricane" as the free single of the week. So, of course, loving indie, I buy the album and the whole album is phenomenal. Most Disney Channel stars-turned-singers either twerk or date Bieber. Not her. I don't see any reason why she would want to. Her music is mature for her age (21) yet still appropriate for her young audience. Its hard to believe Miley is the same age and does the stuff she does. I saw her live last June and she was amazing. Now that her contract with Disney Channel is ending, hopefully she can get to recording a second album. If its half as good as her debut album, Hello My Name Is..., Then she will definitely breakout.
2. Tiffany Alvord
What to say about Miss Alvord? Well she is young, beautiful and I think I am forgetting something... OH YEAH! She can sing. And most of the world doesn't actually know it. She has been putting covers of current top 40 hits on YouTube for going of 5 years now. And not to mention has 2 full-length original albums with music videos to about half those songs. I have been watching her for a good 3 or 4 years at this point and have just wanted her to breakout so bad, but that just hasn't happened yet and I don't know why. She writes songs in a similar way as Taylor Swift. So why is it that Taylor is the biggest popstar in the world and Tiffany isn't? That is a question I, sadly, cannot answer. She is currently in the writing stage for her third original album, and I hope for her sake, it kicks major ass on iTunes, Billboard, all that lovely stuff. If not by itself, I will make sure that she gets huge.
1. Echosmith
If you follow me on Twitter (@Alex_Vanderspek if you don't), you see me tweet about these guys and girl all the time. I don't know how they aren't huge yet, considering they were on Warped Tour last year. They gained a few fans at every show, but not like other bands. But there is a reason why. Because they are Indie. Indie is slowly becoming popular, but definitely isn't favored by most parties. They are definitely at the top of my list for most played bands on my iPod. The band of four siblings, Sydney (lead vocals, keys), Jaime (guitar, vocals), Noah (bass, vocals), and Graham Sierota (drums), released their debut album Talking Dreams back in October. It is definitely, in my opinion, up there with my favorite albums of 2013. The best part about them? They are all 20 or under. In fact, I'm older than 3/4 of the band. Just trust me, go to Warped 2014, see these guys, buy a shirt and a CD and watch them become a household name in the near future. Oh and give them hugs and get an autograph too.
What bands/artists do you think will be big this year? I think I'm pretty accurate with my predictions. If you're reading this, comment with your guess.
Until Next Time,
Alex
