A year ago, 10 music acts were selected as the top New York-based artists that were playing original music regularly in the local club circuit. They all did well in 2014 and are still very much worth catching:
The Brain Cloud
Danny’s Devil’s Blues
The Dirty Pearls
Harmonica Lewinskis
The Hipp Pipps
Joe Taino
Living Colour
Rebecca Haviland & Whiskey Heart
The So So Glos
The Waldos
Bands To Catch In 2015
The criteria for this list was that the artists had to be based in the New York area, play original music and work the local club circuit regularly throughout the year. The artists are listed in alphabetical order:
Burlap To Cashmere
Outstanding Mediterranean finger picking on acoustic guitar, brilliant vocal harmonies and hope-filled lyrics are the hallmark of Burlap To Cashmere. The band frequently plays at The Bitter End.
Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar Superstar sings light soul music, adding humor by singing in falsetto, standing on his head or stripping off clothing. He performs at the Bowery Ballroom, the Bowery Electric and other venues.
Jesse Malin
Old-school rock and roll chock full of energy, Jesse Malin plays the club he owns, the Bowery Electric, as well as John Varvatos and an upcoming show at the Bowery Ballroom.
Killcode
Hard rock with a Southern rock edge, Killcode has played almost every New York rock club.
The Lone Bellow
Country music with celestial multi-part harmony, sometimes as low as a whisper and sometimes rocking with a roar, The Lone Bellow returns to the Bowery Ballroom this winter.
Popa Chubby
Popa Chubby plays a mean blues guitar. He performs at The Iridium, B.B. King’s and other clubs.
Reagan Youth
Hardcore punk with extended guitar licks, Reagan Youth is back to form and has recently performed at the Bowery Electric and Irving Plaza.
Reserved For Rondee
Soulful singing, clever songs and solid musicianship border between pop and classic rock styles, Reserved For Rondee has played virtually every New York rock club.
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds
A blaring horn section and guitar and keyboard interplay back soulful singing, Sister Sparrow has performed at the Bowery Ballroom and Irving Plaza.
Ten Ton Mojo
Bluesy vocals and rock guitars brought up to date give Ten Ton Mojo a classic rock feel when the band performs at the Bowery Electric, Arlene’s Grocery and many other venues.
20 More Promising Acts For 2015
Diane Gentile
Diane Gentile sings heart-filled songs at the Bowery Electric.
Dina Regine
Dina Regine’s fine singing and rocking songs are a throwback to roots rock at the Bowery Electric.
Ed Rogers
British transplant Ed Rogers sings strong lyrics and melodies at Joe’s Pub, the Map Room and other venues.
Gasoline Heart
Gasoline Heart plays gritty rock and roll at Arlene’s Grocery and The Studio.
Goldenchild
Wylie Gaby leads Goldenchild into fresh-sounding country fare at Rockbar.
The Love Pirates
The Love Pirates recall roots rock and roll at Otto’s Shrunken Head and The Delancey.
Mad Juana
Eclectic rock with influences ranging from Eastern to New Orleans at the (now closed) R-Bar and Bowery Electric.
Murphy’s Law
The first wave of hardcore punk still lives at the Bowery Electric thanks to Murphy’s Law.
Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens Of Brooklyn
Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens sing gospel soul with a rib of funk every Friday night at Fat Cat.
New York Junk
New York Junk crosses pensive lyrics and raw garage rock at the Bowery Electric.
Percy Jones & MJ-12
Percy Jones & MJ-12 play a jazz rock fusion mix with electronic music at Otto’s Shrunken Head.
The Planets
The Planets play 1960s-style British Invasion garage rock monthly at Arlene’s Grocery.
Red Gretchen
Red Gretchen play weird, psychedelic music at Sidewalk and Otto’s Shrunken Head.
Rene Lopez
Rene Lopez specializes in percussion-heavy music that makes the hips sway at the Slipper Room.
Ricky Byrd
Now in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Ricky Byrd plays blues guitar and 1960s mod sounds at B.B. King’s, Bowery Electric and The Delancey.
Sasha Dobson
Sasha Dobson is a wordsmith singer-songwriter at the Ace Hotel and the Rockwood Music Hall.
TarantinosNYC
TarantinosNYC specialize in surf rock and spaghetti western music at Otto’s Shrunken Head.
Unlocking The Truth
The three teens in Unlocking The Truth play strong heavy metal at The Studio and other venues.
Ursa Minor
Progressive rock meets sing-songwriter in Ursa Minor, playing at the Bowery Electric and Rockwood Music Hall.
The Voluptuous Horror Of Karen Black
Shock rock and theatrics are staples for The Voluptuous Horror Of Karen Black, performing at Slake and the Bowery Electric.
