Indie Shuffle. When Will You Find Your Next Favorite Band? Hide captionCould Austin's Quiet Company break big in 2012? If beards are a metric for success, it's a shoo-in. Leah Muse Could Austin's Quiet Company break big in 2012? If beards are a metric for success, it's a shoo-in. With the Internet, is any artist really "local" these days? But make no mistake: A level playing field means an ungodly signal-to-noise ratio, and if anyone can be heard anywhere, then you'd best believe everyone is trying at once. Those seeking the elusive Next Big Thing would be wise to look for the bands that have made something of themselves in the cities that spawned them. 20 New Bands of 2012. There's very few things that make January worthwhile. Film season is one (Shame being the highlight so far - read the review here - and of course the Golden Globes).
Erm, what else? Well, nothing, save for annual onslaught of new band lists and tips for the year ahead. With that in mind, we recently picked 100 names for you to check out, a massive list of new music that should see you through the next couple of months. Here's 20 of the best in glorious widescreen. Drop your own tips at the bottom, and listen to all 100 in our bespoke Soundcloud player at the end. Grimes Not actually grime at all, Claire Boucher is rethinking electro pop instead. Spector Fred Macpherson's latest project, a dapper arch indie collective. A$AP Rocky Harlem's new rap prodigy, just signed for big bucks. DZ Deathrays Australian noiseniks that call to mind The Scare. Howler 2012's answer to The Strokes - expect a very successful year from this lot. Wise Blood Azealia Banks Friends Discopolis King Krule Citizens Toy. 5 Albums. This week's curator: Chuck P, DJ for KCRW.
Every two weeks, titans of the mediasphere give Nerve their music recommendations. This week: DJ Chuck P, of KCRW, whom you can join on his continuous search for what’s next on KCRW’s Music Blog. 1) High Highs, High Highs High Highs, from Brooklyn by way of Sydney, make music that’s light, airy, and easy to listen to. They remind me of what I love about both Tunng and the quieter moments from Blitzen Trapper, without sounding like either of those bands. Their songs feature wonderful harmonies and melodies that stay with you well after it's over. High Highs have earned plenty of buzz over the past year, and this vinyl EP should open the door even wider than their recent tour with The Radio Dept. Listen: Horses 2) Cough Cool, Clausen Despite being named after a Misfits song (they do an excellent cover of “Some Kinda Hate”), Cough Cool generally sounds nothing like the New Jersey hardcore pioneers.
Listen: Suckers 3) Gauntlet Hair, Gauntlet Hair. Instant Dance Party. From The Basement. Music Videos. Monotunes "Game"