Are You Local? 2015: The early standouts
Just one week remains before we close our ears to submissions to the sixth annual Are You Local? contest. Here are some preliminary standouts.
By Alex Nelson
HOT DATE – Cozy lover's music. Frontwoman Nora O'Brien serves steaming Lizzy Grant teas that harken back to pre-fame Lana Del Rey (sans any creepy thematic content). This is sweet stuff - like She & Him, but with hints of Caroline Smith-style kick to it. The duo's debut record, "For Lovers," is currently available for digital download. The album-release show at Bedlam Lowertown is on Feb. 13.
HUSTLE ROSE – A groovy jazz band offering tight soul music. Their infectious energy, emphasis on horns and silky, playful vocals make the college-aged band irresistibly danceable.
DIVIDING EDEN – Avant-rockers with power and presence. They're Evanescence meets Meg Myers. They'll be putting their bad-girl business on display March 7 at the Fine Line for their debut album's release party.
NOOKY JONES – Sophisticated, seductive and smooth neo-soul music. Brassy horns and a brassier voice. Nooky Jones is flavorful and mouthwateringly juicy. This is Minnesota's freshest baby-making music.
BARTELL – Playful indie rock with a cool energy and flirty harmonies between male-and-female vocals. Impressive technical tricks here, too, like curious mid-song shifts and time signatures.
SAM CASSIDY – Opener of First Avenue's recent Best New Band showcase, this folk-rock infused newcomer played amongst a lineup of hot artists like PaviElle and Tiny Deaths. An endearing and soulful songwriter.
JORDAN CARR – Minneapolis' self-proclaimed "#1 bad boy." Broody, booze-soaked acoustic goodness.
JAKE JONES – Somber and solemn songwriting steeped in a cup of melted Minnesota snow with a hint of spookiness.
GRAVEYARD CLUB – Recorded in the basement of a 19th century St. Paul mansion, this indie-synth band's debut, "Nightingale," sounds like a lo-fi St. Lucia or a grittier Arcade Fire.
#MPLS – The flashiest submission is a hot dance-funk collective that seems like a version of the Black Eyed Peas curated by P. Diddy via a "Making The Band" reality TV competition.
