FUV New Discoveries 2015
Ibeyi, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, C Duncan, Weaves, Andrew Combs and Algiers (photos by Warrick Beyers, Brendan George Ko, Melissa Madison Fuller and courtesy of the artists)
In addition to choosing our favorite singles and albums of 2015, FUV staffers have also singled out one band or artist that we're calling our personal "discoveries" of the past year. Perhaps we stumbled across them at a jam-packed CMJ gig, caught them playing on late night television, or fell upon their first, nascent single on Soundcloud.
However we found (and now cherish) these 11 bands and artists, we're now proselytizing about their music to anyone who'll listen. And we hope you'll listen!
So check out our Spotify playlist below, listen to tracks from these artists, read about everyone's "New Discovery" for 2015, and see all of the staff picks for 2015 too. We'll reveal your "Best of 2015" picks on Friday, December 18.
Rita Houston: Tobias Jesso Jr.
Hints of Harry Nilsson run through his debut album Goon and he now has a fan in Adele with a song on her new album. Next year will be big for this gifted songwriter.
Russ Borris: Sam Outlaw
Sam Outlaw's Angeleno is country music for people who don’t think they like country music with songs that evoke the kind of emotions that only classic country can.
Corny O'Connell: Andrew Combs
Dallas-bred, Nashville-based Andrew Combs combines country roots with a pop polish. Check out "Nothing to Lose" from Combs' sophomore release All These Dreams.
Carmel Holt: Ibeyi
I can't think of any band or artist in recent memory that has emerged this fully formed with such an incredibly unique identity and sound. They stole my heart so completely. Their debut is a must, the live show even more transcendent. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the Diaz twins, though it is hard to imagine improving upon what they have already accomplished with their extraordinary debut.
Dennis Elsas: Nathaniel Rateliff
He's not a brand new artist, but his recent collaboration with the Night Sweats and their debut album on Stax caught my attention with a show-stopping performance on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" and a live studio visit to FUV the next day.
Alisa Ali: Weaves
This band has an entrancingly quirky weirdo vibe that weaves in elements of soul and rock.
Darren DeVivo: Ryley Walker
Ryley Walker is a throwback to the late '60s and early '70s when artists like Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin, Bert Jansch and Nick Drake were captivating audiences. Walker's mesmerizing psychedelic and experimental folk jazz can be experienced on his latest solo album, Primrose Green.
Sarah Wardrop: Algiers
Punk and gospel, challenging and cathartic, the self-titled debut album of this new-to-me band feels like an unleashing—and that's just on record (i.e. see Algiers live if you can).
Paul Cavalconte: Low Cut Connie
President Obama picked "Boozophilia" for the Official White House Spotify list and I chose "Diane" by Low Cut Connie, the Jersey bar band with the world-class piano stylings of Adam Weiner.
Kara Manning: C Duncan
On his assured debut album Architect, Glaswegian composer Chris Duncan constructs shimmering, achingly pretty chamber pop, as golden-hued as a hazy autumn afternoon.
John Platt: Harpeth Rising
An astonishingly creative trio of classically-trained women.
Laura Fedele: Ibeyi
The traditional songs these two sisters learned from their mother blend with modern messages of love and sadness, bringing age-old depth to the songs now stuck in your head.
