The Mixtape: 7 Up and Coming Artists of 2010

The New Year is finally here and as always, The Mixtape is here to help you out when looking for some music. It's time to look toward the future, so this week's edition will cover 7 bands to look out for this year of 2010. No specific genre, just all around from pop, rock, indie, rap, electro, etc.

And so, I shall begin.

Everything Everything is an art pop/rock band out of Manchester, UK, whose music can be shamelessly described as quirky and intricate. Made up of four guys, Jonathan on lead vocals, Mike on drums, Jeremy on bass, and Alex on guitar, Everything Everything crams as much as they can into each of their little pop songs. By doing this, they end up creating a sound that only some will enjoy, but those who do will love them.
As of right now, they are only really known in the UK (well, other than me and other random indie.. art pop lovers) and are actually touring all around Europe. All they really need is one of those short, catchy pop songs and the US will love them. Hopefully we'll see them over here within the year of 2010. For now, check out their songs, "Suffragette Suffragette", and "Photoshop Handsome". No real cds out by them. Only a few 7" of their singles. Either way, check 'em out, show 'em to your friends, etc.

The next artist of 2010 is Avi Buffalo. This is the stage name of 18-year old singer/songwriter, Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg. Based out of Long Beach, CA, Avi Buffalo is the band made up of the singer, as well as 3 of his friends: Sheridan Riley on drums, Rebecca Coleman on keyboards, and Arin Fazio on bass. Although they started out acoustic, playing at a couple music festivals and such, they've moved over to electric. Their first cd was made with the help of producer, Aaron Embry.
Right now they are signed with Sub Pop Records, and have already toured around the western United States (meaning California, Washington, Oregon..). However, they are on tour across the world right now. By the end of May they will have been everywhere from the U.S., Canada, Spain, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, etc. So, if their tour goes well, I'm thinking we'll be hearing about them in the near future. Check out their songs "What's It In For?", "Social Monster", and "We Can't Try This Again". Again, no full length cds out by this band, just a few 7".

One of the most promising new artists of 2010 is Ke$ha. She originally debuted in Flo Rida's song "Right Round" as the female singer during the hook (though she went uncredited at Atlanta's request). Either way she was asked about for a little bit around then with questions like "Who's the girl in the hook of Flo Rida's "Right Round"?". Which she stayed as, until now.
On January 1st, 2010, she released her debut cd entitled 'Animal' with the single "Tik Tok" which has already begun to be repeated on the radio, TV, and at clubs. However, she is a bit of a wild card. She could go one of two ways; either be seen as a new original Lady Gaga-type, or as a crap, sounds-the-same, rip off who everyone shuns. Either way, you will hear about Ke$ha this year. A lot. Check out her single, "Tik Tok" or her cd, 'Animal'.

This alternative/glam rock band is rising fast. Berklee graduates, Justin Tratner (vocals), Cole Whittle (bass), Stevy Pyne (guitar), and Dan Crean (drums) formed in 2004 and had their first album produced by Tony Visconti and funded by sales made by Tratner's jewelery line, Fetty, at places such as Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic. The tracks were sold as free downloads until March of 2008, when Semi Precious Weapons signed with record label, Razor & Tie and the album entitled, We Love You, was re-released.
The single, "Magnetic Baby" debuted on MTV in December with their video directed by photographer, Greg Passmore. Since then things have been growing rapidly. In 2009, they toured with The Sounds, and co-headlined on the Perez Hilton Presents Tour. And, the big reason I think they are going to grow in 2010, they were one of the four opening acts signed on to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour. If that doesn't get them bigger, I don't know what will. They are currently signed to Interscope Records and are recording a second album to be released sometime early this year. I see it becoming a hit if they put some catchy songs on it. Again, check them out, listen to "Magnetic Baby" or just their entire cd, We Love You.

The Drums are another odd one from Miami, now based in New York. They're part of this seemingly upcoming rift in music this year, where musicians are bringing back all these thought-to-be-dead genres. Semi Precious is bringing back glam with Lady Gaga, and now The Drums are bringing back surf rock, along with the next band, Surfer Blood. Either way, it's catchy. Made up of Jonathan Pierce on vocals, Jacob Graham on guitar, Adam Kessler on bass, and Connor Hanwick on drums, they create an impossible mix of Manchester depression (see: Joy Division, The Smiths), and West coast pop (see The Ventures, Agent Orange).
They are currently signed with UK indie label, Moshi Moshi, and have a couple 7" out as well as an EP entitled "Summertime!". They were already voted as one of MTV's 10 For 10, along with Ke$ha, and are touring around Europe starting Jan 27. On the 13th they will be playing in New York with Surfer Blood at a sold out show. From their EP, two videos have been made, "I Feel Stupid" and "Let's Go Surfing" which is blasting on MTV UK right now. And again, they have a full-length debut album slated for an early 2010 release. Check 'em out while they tour the UK!

Keeping with the indie/pop rock, UK sounding Americans, is Surfer Blood. Also from Florida, this band is assisting in creating the upcoming sounds of 2010. The five guys who make up the band, John Paul Pitts (vocals), Tyler Schwarz (drums), Thomas Fekete (guitar), Brian Black (bass), and touring percussionist, Marcos Marchesani, don't actually surf, but they still create laid-back, summertime tunes. They could be compared to Vampire Weekend, and Weezer and any sort of '90s garage band, really.
As for their move in 2010, they just released their debut album entitled, "Astro Coast" on indie label Kanine Records, with the single, "Swim" out for download on iTunes. They are currently on tour in sporadic places across the world, so check out their myspace to see if you can catch them near you. They are becoming sold out fast, so hurry!

This last artist is more of just a career booster in 2010. Kid Cudi is already pretty much out there as far as being known-wise, but 2010 will be his year of getting big as far as being himself goes. Right now he's more attached to other artists like Kanye West, Travis Barker and DJ AM, etc. He has already been picked up by Kanye and his record label, GOOD Music, and released his debut album, entitled "Man on the Moon: The End of the Day". He has appeared alongside many artists, and even performed at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. He was nominated for Best New Artist at last year's MTV Video Music Awards, and is one of the nominees for three awards at the Grammy's. Everything has happened to him, setting up his fame... and 2010 will be his year to shine. He is one of the opening acts for Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour, which will continue to boost his fame. Also in 2010, he is releasing his second studio album to be titled, "Cudder: The Revolution of Evolution". Check his cd out, and listen to his songs, "Pursuit of Happiness", "Day 'n Night", and "Make Her Say".

What do you think? Are these the artists of 2010? Who else might be up in the 2010 charts? Comment and discuss this!