Best New Indie Music Bands For 2010
68
Love's The One You're With
My taste in music is as old as the Super Bowl. Really, I am that old. Growing up with Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, and then completing my high school ears with the likes of The Doors, Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, The Band, and so many other fine singer/songwriters that it gave me pause enough to feel by the time I had a family that maybe I had already heard it all and enough was enough. I mean, how do you beat these acts? Well, you know, you don't.
I dropped out of the music scene until about twenty years later when my youngest son became enamored with the talents of Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. I decided then to upgrade my old dusty album collection with new CD's of almost every band I ever listened to. I naturally re-devoured everything until I became eager again to acquaint myself with new acts I found on message boards in the burgeoning internet. I discovered there was a new generation of what I call uncommon music lovers with a keen ear toward the uneasy, dirty, homespun, country, haunting, and lovely sounds of bands similar to my beloved past. But I faded away from listening to most of these new discoveries as they could not hold my attention because of the long shadows cast by the great bands I had coveted in my youth. But there were a select few performers who could definitely keep me interested such as Will Oldham (whatever his latest moniker is), and he will continue to do so I predict.
Some of these new artists I am about to profile here have been around awhile, paying their dues, and finally getting into that personal creative step that makes an artist original. These fellows are considered new to me now because they were either lost in the crowd prior to me finding them or have transformed themselves into something new and original. All five can finally witness the grand stage door slowly opening for them and their one fugitive opportunity to claim their place beside The Greats.
1. Great Lake Swimmers, a Toronto band led by Tony Dekker. Their
self-titled debut album was recorded in a silo and released by Weewerk
records in 2003. Tony Dekker continued to write new songs, recording
new albums while playing most of the instruments himself, and plugging
along, touring with different players until he settled on what you
could now call his regular regulars. Their latest album, Lost Channels ,
released in 2009 features a sophisticated rural blend of acoustic
instruments and Dekkers great voice. I never get tired of this music on
my player, and that is a good sign that Dekker will sustain me.
Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line
Links to Great Lake Swimmers
- allmusic
allmusic, music reviews, new releases, artists biography - http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=GREAT|LAKE|SWIMMERS&sql=11:djfexqyaldje~
2. The Duke and the King, a Catskill band born of bereavement. When
Simone Felice and his wife lost the child they were expecting, Felice
went into seclusion, and with his friend drummer/songwriter Robert
"Chicken" Burke they created an album of distinction titled Nothing
Gold Can Stay. Simone earlier had left his band of brothers and their
fine group called The Felice Brothers who most people in the indie
world have already heard of, and if they haven't, they should. The Duke
and the King is still evolving as a band, experiencing great crowds and
reviews wherever they go. It has been widely reported that their live
act is nothing short of amazing. It is obvious that love and harmony
exists between the band's four highly-gifted singers and players.
The Duke and the King review
The Duke and the King "If You Ever Get Famous (Live)"
3. A. A. Bondy was a direct result of discovering The Duke and the
King. Bondy's roots again are my new-trend Catskill Mountains. Formally
of the southern grunge band Verbena, Auguste Arthur Bondy retreated
home in 2003 and in time began writing songs again, emerging with a
stripped-down indie folk sound. His debut 2007 solo album, American
Hearts , was recorded at a barn near his home. His brilliant second
album When the Devil's Loose appeared in 2009.
A. A. Bondy biography and discography links
AA Bondy - "I Can See The Pines"
4. Sun Kil Moon is the latest transformation of a fellow by the name of
Mark Kozelek. His previous band Red House Painters were famous in their
own right until contract disputes with their record label forced them
to disolve. After some solo work Kozelek resurfaced with Sun Kil Moon,
expanding on his acoustic balladry and the intimate lyricism that are
the benchmarks of his career to date. His latest CD produced in 2008
and titled April was too haunting for me at first, but I have grown
into it this year and consider it one of the very best albums he has
ever made. No telling what he'll do in 2010.
Sun Kil Moon Biography and Discography Links
5. Bon Iver is the name Justin Vernon now records under. Following the breakup of indie folk group, DeYarmond Edison, Vernon moved back to Wisconsin to hole up in his father's cabin in the woods to write the music of his heart. For three months he worked, recording songs in twelve hour bursts, finishing with a nine-song debut album titled For Emma, Forever Ago released by Jagjaguwar in 2008.
Bon Iver Links
Bon Iver - Flume
CommentsLoading...
Whoever wrote this article is terribly misinformed - not one of the "best indie acts" of 2010 is listed here - no Local Natives, Surfer Blood, Avi Buffalo, Real Estate, Free Energy, and so on.
Great Lake Swimmers? They are hardly new to indie scene and are NOT a buzz band of 2010. Bon Iver? Maybe one of best new bands of 2008, but 2010 - not even close. And seriously, Sun Kill Moon - ask "indie lovers" and the majority have never heard of SKM - they are not even a real band, just Mark Kozelek and some friends who get together every three years or so to make an album.
This article is so OFF, I thought it was a joke. Yikes.
So we know who Kevin likes as "best new indie acts of 2010". He probably didn't read my article in total as I qualified they were the best acts for me, the best acts discovered by an old man, and for the record I have yet to hear anything of the bands he listed as his favorites. I will check them out, but I also predict with relative certainty they are no where close to the quality of the acts I have listed. If Kevin was a writer himself, or actually did something relevant to the art world I live in, his comments would carry more weight for me. But I don't know Kevin or anything he does. And I never expect anyone to like what I like, but I absolutely know what I do and stake my credibility on it. Thanks for the fun comment Kevin. You repeated much of what I said in the article, if you had read it.
I think you were unfair Mewlhouse to Kevin's comments. He actually has valid points - the least of which your article should be titled anything but "best" and "new" and "indie" "acts" for? (of?) "2010". There is nothing new or best or 2010 about your article. Also, to someone who has been a professional writer (including articles in NY Times and UK Guardian) for 20 years, I was surprised you criticizing him as not being a writer since he never mentioned writing; he was talking about the premise of your article - it's completely off base, even with your disclaimer. Finally, not to be a twat, but your writing is hardly something that can be claimed as credible - it's full of errors. Just my two cents for what I thought was a good editorial comment from Keven and a poor, boo-hoo and angry response from the author of the article.
Thank you burntoast. I am sure you are a dandy writer. Again, I will repeat. Anything that I discover is new to me, I prefaced that in my article, and that is all that matters. I appreciate you taking the time to read my article, and I am also happy that the vast majority of my other readers of this article (almost 7,000,) take something away from my article they can use. It's easy to criticize, but for me you either like something or you don't. You don't.
For kevin and burntoast: Just wait for my picks for Best New Indie Music Acts For 2011. And you can't stop me. That is the beautiful thing about hubpages. There are no gatekeepers, as kevin and burntoast want to think they are, gatekeepers.
I have seen Bon Iver at the Green Man festival - a bit like The National but not quite as good (I am biased as The National are my fav! hehehe). Will keep a look out for your other recommendations. Have you checked out my indie recommendations at all? Would love to see you pop by *wink*
I will stop by and have a look. I love The National as well. Seeing them in Louisville in September.
You should check out The Gaslight Anthem. If you like Bon Iver and The National, you may like them as well.
Incidentally, I also did a "new best of" for 2010 (which will probably be flamed, too): http://www.newindiebands.com/indie-bands-to-watch-
Thanks for the tip. Good sound. I do have an aversion to tattoos however. Old-fashioned and square I am afraid.
2011 new artist of the year, cross between jimi and john mayer! Release OCT. 2010
You should check out the acts out of the so called "indie" scene (though there's nothing indie about them now..).
If you liked the 60's you should try The Brian Jonestown Massacre, they are not new, but they're awesome (Take it from the man, Bring it all back home again, Give it back - some of my favourite albums)
You should also check their related acts like Dandy Warhols, BRMC, Lovetones and Black Angels
I am very familiar with The Brian Jonestown Massacre and the others you mention. They do not sustain me as the ones I listed and mentioned in my article. The National is a band I never mentioned but is probably my contemporary favorite of them all except for the great Bonnie Prince Billy who remains on top alone.Thanks for reading and commenting.
I've got Retraplayer on my list of new music to watch for in 2011, I'd say they are pretty hotly tipped along with Clock Opera, Washed Out, Wild Nothing and The Villagers. Although thats just my opinon :)
if you havent heard of the bands that Kevin listed, you dont know much about the independent music scene or the "Art World". Just sayin.
Another smart guy who didn't read the article. I wonder what the letters stand for. Please, before you comment again oerie read the article in total. I am sure you will understand my position which is just that. My position. It has nothing to do with what kevin thinks, or you think, or your other buddy who not surprisingly sound like one and the same. Kevin.
bon iver is at the top of my list and has been for a couple of years. great taste!
as a "writer", you should know that no matter what the body of your article says or implies (no matter how many times you try to use this as some sort of justification), the title of this article is entirely misleading... people (like myself), may have used google as a resort to finding new music. we see "best new indie music acts of 2010", but is that what we get? not at all. you justifying this as "well it's my opinion, not yours" totally makes sense when talking about the actual article, as childish as it sounds, but nobody is complaining about that, it's a misleading title, plain and simple. i suggest changing it to, "arrogant writer's outdated opinions".
Thanks for reading Brian. Hope you liked it regardless that the article failed to meet your preconceived notion of who the "best" new acts for me should have been in 2010. Perhaps you should have written it?
I am beginning to get flamed by the purists who agree with the fellows above who have disagreed with my choices. So, just so you know, there isn't much use in flaming me because your comments will be denied. You want to be civil? Then I will listen to you. This article was written for people like me anyway, and I wouldn't expect everybody to agree with me all the time, or even sometimes. But there are people like me out there who appreciate a few good tips for bands that most people never heard of, and are worth listening to. I think the bands fit that bill with every selection I made. This year I haven't really discovered any "new" bands worth writing about, and remember, "new" means bands I never heard of, ever. I am sure they are out there, but I admit to being quite busy enjoying what I have already. Happy Holidays to all.
we want a "best new indie music acts for 2011", yes.
awsome article..thank you..
Great article. Most of the bands you mention are among my favourite.I have never heard of The Duke & the King, as we seem to have a similar taste, I'm almost sure I'm going to like their music. Greetings fron Spain and sorry for my English (it's a little bit rusty).
PD: Check Tiny Vipers if you haven't listened to her, I think is something special.
Thank you for the tip.
I'm not going to bash you, you old man. It's awesome to know you even know about these band considering your age. That's what excites me. I'm in my mid 40's and only hope that I'm still exploring new music at your age. I love Sun Kil Moon and everything Mark has put out. Bon Iver too. Given the style of indie music you're into I think you'll absolutely love "Other Lives". They're from Stillwater, OK. They have one album and will be releasing their second anytime now. They also just started a tour so you're not going to want to miss them if you're lucky enough to have them come through your town.
Cheers, Devin
Thank you, Devin. Nice comment. I will definitely check Other Lives out. Hope you are correct. lately I have been revisiting acts such as Ry Cooder and Van Morrison who remain so strong to my musical ear.
Bon Iver is really great. Love some of his stuff. My favorite Indie band at the moment though, is Animal Collective. Their stuff belongs to the very best of indie music (or any music) every year they release (which is quirky where AC is concerned because they play some songs live for years before releasing on CD). What appears on one person's "best of" list may not appear at all on another person's list. This hub just shows how heavily loaded the Indie ranks are with talent.
You know, I have never listened to Animal Collective, but I will give them a spin. Thanks for commenting.
You won't be sorry you did mewlhouse. Down The tiny Steps is another great small group (althoughnow a one man band), they put out great mellow tunes like "Summer Is For Going Places" which is a fantastic, in my opinion. Loved your Hub and your attitude, excellent music in my opinion, is always current!
Great summery!
Hi mewlhouse. I think your choices were great. Bon Iver has been, and continues to be, one of the most impressive guys around. I just wrote a hub about an artist I discovered for myself named Levek. Check him out--I think you'd love him!
Thank you for reading and commenting. I read your hub but couldn't play the music yet as I wasn't in a place to do that without disturbing others. But thanks. I will check it out.
smithartworks 2 years ago
Bravo...bravo...mewlhouse.
mewlhouse's art inspirers.