Artist to Watch

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Artist To Watch

It all started with the 88 keys of an old organ. This month's Artist to Watch, Fitz & The Tantrums, is a six-person outfit of soul + pop and some really quite dapper suits. It only took a year for them to hit it big, and they're still growing--there's got to be something good about a band that can coast to sharing stages with Maroon 5 and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings on just an EP.

British singer-songwriter-guitarist Bobby Long's anticipated debut studio album 'A WINTER TALE', produced by Liam Watson (White Stripes) will be released February 1st, 2011 on ATO Records. Currently residing in New York City, the 24-year old Long has been writing finely-crafted songs since taking up the guitar at age 17; from then on he's been creating memorable songs inhabited by hauntingly poetic lyrics.

With a musical style that playfully courts dreamlike sequences of psychedelia, post-punk and funk, Warpaint has become a band of the moment. The all-female quartet from Los Angeles has been around since 2004, but it wasn't until they released their debut EP in 2008, Exquisite Corpse, that they became a local sensation.

Secret Sisters, XPN's Artist To Watch, November 2010

The Secret Sisters are off to a good start in the music world. Backed by the legendary Jack White, their debut album (produced by White) was just released via Third Man Records. It's full of old-time country and folk, complete with a Johnny Cash cover and the two sisters' take on "Wabash Cannonball."{readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

This Philly-based trio, originally formed while guitarist Tommy Siegel, pianist Ben Thornewill, and drummer Jesse Kristin were in college in Washington, D.C. – is described as whimsical, quirky, energetic indie band featuring melodic pop tunes driven by a sizzling rock momentum.

Singer-songwriter Lissie (Maurus), who was born and raised in the heart of Illinois right beside the Mississippi River, is readily known for her soulful, blues infused Americana tunes.

Born, raised, and tested in the mecca for American rock 'n' roll, Seattle, Washington, Minus The Bear is just about ready to explode. The 5-piece group, consisting of members Jake Snider (guitar, lead vocals), Dave Knudson (guitar), Alex Rose (keyboards, backing vocals), Cory Murchy (bass), and Erin Tate (drums), joined forces in 2001, and after a myriad of EP's and LP's, have finally found their true sound.

A product of New Orleans' historical and musical Treme neighborhood, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has been a musician since he was smaller than the trombone he plays. A bandleader by the age of 16, Andrews attracts both older and younger generations of fans with his virtuosity and energy.

Banjo-spiked British folk-rockers Mumford & Sons released their breakout album to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic crowd of fans and critics. Striking the UK charts at #11, these guys are bound for bigger things. After bonding over a profound affinity for country, bluegrass and folk music, four friends Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane began

When Philadelphia's own Free Energy formed in 2008, they lived in relative darkness before deciding to step into the light a year ago. Upon their arrival, the five piece outfit was met with an enormous amount of buzz, and with the release of their debut album, they are taking the rock world by storm in 2010.

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